//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight- Reflection // Story: Celestia's Reign // by AnonymousHooves //------------------------------// After that night I raised the moon every night as a symbol of Storm and my love. Other ponies were excited at first and called it the night sun, but they soon grew bored of it and eventually the excitement dwindled. Storm and I graduated from Advanced Magic School and this was when the troubles began. It was a cold, overcast night and I was awoken by my sister’s panicked voice in the other room. I sat up and listened. All I could hear was muffled voices. I climbed out of bed and headed for the door, pulling it open just a little. ‘What happened to you?’ I heard Celestia ask shakily. ‘It’s alright,’ my father responded. His breath was laboured- he sounded exhausted- maybe even injured! ‘Sweetheart, you should lie yourself down,’ I heard mother say gently. ‘No, I’m fine,’ father said. ‘But what happened?’ Celestia asked again. ‘It was… the Defenders. They’re turning against us.’ ‘But why?’ Mother asked calmly. ‘Apparently… ponies are now questioning our ability to rule,’ he replied. ‘Ponies are working harder than ever but business is not good. Ponies are severely questioning our faith.’ ‘But that’s why we have the Book of Ages!’ Celestia exclaimed. ‘Celestia, ponies have changed throughout the time. The true meaning of our faith has been misinterpreted too many times now. Many ponies no longer agree with us despite our position- they are growing ever bitter.’ I had now exited my room and was at the edge of the doorway watching my family intently as they stood solemnly in the centre of the room. I watched my sister’s face contort in an instant. ‘Oh I know what the problem is. It’s Luna!’ Mother and father turned to face Celestia. ‘Ponies are angry because they know that we’re not pulling together as a family and behaving appropriately. It is our duty as royalty!’ ‘My dear,’ mother began reaching out for my sister’s hoof. She pulled away. ‘My sister is shirking her royal duties. She has finished her studies and has been allowed to run amok! Whilst we are here working our hooves to the bone! And now father has been hurt because of her!’ ‘Now Celestia,’ father began, ‘what happened to me today is not your sister’s fault.’ ‘Perhaps not directly’- ‘It is neither of your faults’,’ mother said. ‘Things are beginning to change. But you are right, this is our time to pull together. We are the ones to teach ponies about the truth in our faith. We must help Luna to understand the importance of this. ‘Luna does not care about the future of our kingdom! She wishes to spend all her time with her friend Storm,’ Celestia replied bitterly. ‘Luna has her place, my dear,’ mother told her. ‘You are to fulfil the prophecy. You and your sister must work together to teach ponies about the Book of Ages- our faith and it’s true meaning. You cannot effectively do this alone.’ ‘Luna is’- Father interrupted. ‘She has a lot to teach herself. Do not try to change her.’ I could feel my sister’s fury. It frightened me. ‘Father! Our kingdom is falling to ruins, do not pretend otherwise! In reality what could my sister possibly do that could be any use to this kingdom? She is weak because she has refused to learn and cannot be taught! It is up to me and me alone. I shall succeed. “The determination of a single pony is all the strength of ten”!’ I watched my sister raise off the ground, her anger ceasing her entire body. The sound of her hooves as they met with the floor in a sickening thud pierced through me. My heart stopped dead for a moment. ‘Storm Sweeper must be stopped,’ Celestia muttered. ‘No,’ my father said, holding a hoof out in from of my sister sternly. ‘You are not to go hurting innocent ponies. That is not the way of our faith.’ ‘She must learn! Luna must sacrifice as must we all to save this kingdom!’ My parents exchanged a fearful glance that shook me to the core. They were wrong! Storm was innocent! And so was I… I still remember the feeling of the blood rushing in my head and how my heart thumped violently in my chest. I was afraid, I was angered, I was hurt… In a split second my mind was made up. I could no longer stay here. That night, selfishly, I fled from my home and took to the sky. Tears burned my eyes as I burst through the clouds, not looking back for one second. At that moment I felt as though I would never again return… I was wrong. There were many times after that where I regretted leaving my parents behind the way I did. I never even got to say goodbye… Many nights I would lie awake wanting more than anything to speak with my parents once again just to tell them how much I missed them and that I loved them. My pride would get the better of me, however. I could not return. The years passed by and Storm and I grew ever stronger. We lived in Cloudsdale together after I fled from my home that fateful night. Life was not easy- the kingdom down below and Cloudsdale were now completely separate from one another, there was no communication between the two communities but it was peaceful here. Storm led the weather team as he’d always dreamed and I enjoyed teaching the young pegasi about the night. The ponies of Cloudsdale were pleased to have me there and I momentarily forgot all about my troubles back with my family. Storm and I were married a few years before I left Cloudsdale for good. I was selfish enough not to inform my family, but at the time I was so in love I didn’t wish for there to be any obstacles. The kingdom below was no longer my concern. It was a beautiful sunny day in June and the pegasi had cleared the sky just for us… ‘Are you nervous?’ Summer Breeze (my best friend who I’d asked to be mare of honour) asked, sweeping my mane from my eyes. I shook my head. ‘No, why should I be nervous? I’ve dreamed of this day for so long now.’ Summer smiled. ‘You shall make a wonderful bride.’ I returned the smile and turned to face the mirror. For a moment I saw my mother staring back at me, a look of pain flashed across her eyes. The pain was mine, but I couldn’t feel it. All I could feel was love. Love was stronger; Heart’s Desire had taught me that. I sat silently as Summer styled my mane delicately. She was an exceptional artist and I was proud to have her as a friend. It wasn’t long before I was standing before my future husband, surrounded by our dear friends. I had a fleeting thought of my family, but still all I felt was love. Even when the thought of my sister’s vengeful presence entered my mind it was quickly pushed away. Storm reached for my hoof. I knew that he could sense what was going on in my mind. He probably felt the effects greater than I. I reassured him with a smile. Everything would be fine. All was well for me, that is, until that one day when my world came crashing down.