The little filly in front of me smiled. “And is that when you banished Nightmare Moon?”
“Yes it is, Twilight.” My voice didn't break, I didn’t lash out. It would have taken a master of perception to notice the tiny twitch of my eye.
The lavender filly bounced around in excitement. “That must have been such a fight! I wish I could have seen the magic you two were using!”
Twilight Sparkle would learn tact someday, I was sure. I saw enormous potential in this filly. “It wasn't nice magic, Twilight.”
“What's wrong?” She stopped her bouncing. “Did somepony get hurt?”
~ ~ ~
A dry wind blew through the skewed stones, and Celestia looked down from the crumbling ruins of an old tower at the state-of-the-art medical tent below.
The forest was already reclaiming the site of her old castle, even as the new one in Canterlot was under construction. Little remained of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters now, but the remains of one room bustled with activity.
It wouldn't be long now. She wasn't sure exactly what time it had happened, one year ago, but it had to be soon. Celestia felt sick with worry, but she knew she couldn't be anywhere near the recovery area. Crystal wouldn't understand, and she would still fear her, at least at first.
A blue flash shot out from below, and a purple filly fell screaming to the dusty ground.
The best paramedics in Equestria pounced on her, obscuring her from Celestia's view. She knew they would take good care of her. The best.
If only Celestia herself had cared more, back when it was just the two of them... Celestia knew she could never truly make amends for all she had done to that filly, but she also knew she had to try anyway.
~ ~ ~
I sighed. Even after eighty-six years, Star Crystal had never been able to see me without fleeing for her life on her two good legs, a heart-wrenching sight. She died still fearing me.
Some scars never healed, as I knew better than most.
“Princess? What's wrong?”
Twilight had noticed my behavior. I must have been slipping. I'd have to tie her up, legs spread, and get my–
I quashed the thought as quickly as it entered my mind, with practiced ease. “I think that's enough history lessons for one day, Twilight.” I had to be careful with this one. I hadn't been this close to anypony for centuries – not since Starswirl died. It didn't help that she bore more than a passing resemblance to another filly from so long ago. “How about we move on to practicing your amiomorphic spells?” ... Just in case.
Twilight's eyes brightened. There was nothing that filly liked more than magic lessons, except maybe her books.
As Twilight ran through her warm-up exercises, I glanced through the window at the full moon. My sister's silhouette stared back at me, as always. It would only be a few more years now, until she returned. Could my wounds finally begin to heal when she came back, or would we pick up the fight where we left off?
I glanced back to Twilight. She would be a young mare by the time Luna was due to return... I wondered, would she have a part to play when that day came?
The End