Princess Celestia looks over her kingdom and sighs, today is such a loaded day. she has to prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. She only performs the celebration for the ponies, they want to see her celebrating the banishment of terror. For Celestia this day means so much more, but she puts on a smile and continues on like always. Deep down, Celestia has never been able to get over her sister’s banishment. She is never able to talk about it because the knowledge of her sister has been written off as a fairytale, and if the ponies learn that she banished her sister she might look like a power-hungry tyrant.
Every once in a while people will ask her about it, but she never is able to give a straight answer. Twilight Sparkle, her faithful student, even asked about her sister. Twilight had managed to get into some old books about the legend of Nightmare Moon, she even managed to find the book on the Elements of Harmony. Twilight started getting all worried about some prophecy Celestia had all but forgotten. The prophecy clearly states that “on the longest day of the thousandth year the stars will aid in The Mare in the Moon's escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal,” but Celestia is very doubtful.
The prophecy’s origins are unknown, it just popped up one year and no one questioned it. They likely wrote it off as just another part of a fictional story, no one really knows where it came from and nor do they care. The idea of her sister coming back is marvelous to Celestia, but, if the prophecy is to be trusted, it’s not actually her sister coming back. Even if her sister were to come back, Celestia has no way to actually bring her actual sister back and not that monster she became. But since none of the prophecy has any credentials, Celestia just writes it off as another fairytale as well.
Twilight had thought that the threat was very real and that got Celestia thinking. Even if Celestia had just brushed it off and told her student to leave the subject alone, Celestia had to wonder if there is any merit in the claims made by an anonymous pony hundreds of years ago. Twilight had believed it, and Twilight is typically a very smart pony. `Though she does tend to worry over meaningless things quite a bit,` Celestia thinks to herself with a chuckle. She thinks back to the various tests and assignments Twilight has fretted on over the years.
Celestia thinks back on her studious student and she sighs, she has seen these symptoms in one other pony. Starswirl the Bearded had been a great pony and a bright stallion, but he was never well off in the way of friends. Same goes for Twilight, Celestia fears that Twilight may not reach her full potential for this reason. Starswirl was bright and friendly, but he got so caught up in his studies that he never had time to spare for others, he never lived outside of his bubble. Yes, Starswirl had been friends with Celestia, but he needed more friendship in his life. Even Celestia wasn’t really his friend, sure they had some fun sometimes, and they were friendly, but it just wasn’t the same.
She sent Twilight to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration, but her real intention was to just expose Twilight to some friendly ponies. Maybe Twilight will find some ponies she would love to call her friends, maybe she can learn friendship before it is too late. Twilight isn’t a bad pony, so she has no fear of repeating what happened to her former student, but without friendship Celestia fears she may not learn what she needs to. Celestia let’s herself be reminded that at one point in time, her former protege was also like Twilight. smart, driven, socially inept; Twilight could turn if she doesn’t learn the right lessons.
Celestia sighs as she attempts to put such dreary thoughts out of her conscience, today is supposed to be a day of celebration for Equestria. `Yet I’m the only pony who mourns…` Celestia thinks solemnly, she turns to a mirror and frowns. Actually, she just keeps frowning, because seeing herself frowning made her want to frown. Such is not the look of a Princess, Princesses need to keep their composure and continue to reassure their subjects. `Happy face Celestia, happy face,` Celestia quickly flips her frown into a smile. She looks at her reflection with a calm and composed demeanor, all the way until she notices a figure behind her. She turns in shock at the unexpected guest.
“What are you doing here?!” She asks in exasperation at the pony before her, nopony could have possibly got past her guards or magical re-enforcements. “You can’t be in here!” Celestia is frantic as she tries to think of an explanation. She checks her enchantments on the room and finds that they’re still completely intact and working perfectly. She looks around and sees that nothing even seems the slightest bit out of place, yet this pony is just smiling up at her innocently like nothing is wrong. “This can’t be, what did you do?” Celestia asks the mysterious mare, Celestia is completely baffled.
“Hey to you too Tia’. I just walked in, how else do you expect me to travel?” The mare says in a light tone, a complete contrast to Celestia’s frantic running about for an answer. “You know, I can see why you chose Sparkle. She’s a lot like you, or your a lot like her… Anywho,” The mare just sits down and smiles at Celestia like nothing is wrong.
“Why are you here? Who are you?” Celestia also sit’s down as she tries to process this mares casual banter. Even if Celestia wishes for her subjects to treat her casually at times, nopony ever actually does.
“Really Tia’? You already forgot me? Well I guess one thousand years is a long time, I probably should have come by sooner. I just figured you were busy running things and all, I was also caught up in my work. Sorry it took so long for me to come around, but you have forever and a half to wait, don’tcha?” The mare goes on and suddenly pieces start to click into place. Her red tipped dark brown mane, her silvery grey coat, her three heart cutie mark, her heart-warming red eyes. Celestia thinks on the unicorn mare more and more until she remembers where she knows this mare from. This was the mare from that night one thousand years ago, on the day of Luna’s banishment this mare had been there to help Celestia with her thoughts.
“Starlet!?” Celestia reels back in realization and then springs forward like a Timberwolf and tackles Starlet with a hug. Starlet’s eyes go wide at the incoming attack, but she doesn’t move. She holds her ground and lets out a small oof from the impact. Starlet’s gaze softens at the affection she’s receiving. She wasn’t expecting anything of that caliber, especially from the Princess.
“Princess! Are you alright?!” The door bursts inward and two guards burst through, their weapons at the ready. They see Princess Celestia hugging a pony they’ve never seen and jump in shock. “Erm… Princess? Are you alright? Who is this mare? How did she get in here? We were posted right outsi-” The stallion guard is cut off as Celestia releases her grip from Starlet and waves off the guard.
“She’s an old friend, please return to your posts.” She says after composing herself. The guard hesitantly looks to the new mare, he nods and exits the room with a salute. Celestia sighs and turns towards Starlet with a smile.
“So Tia’, how are you faring?” Starlet finally asks after a second or two of awkward silence.
“I’m doing well… You?” Celestia looks at her guest in amazement.
“I’m doing about as well as I can,” Starlet sighs and kicks a hoof. “Harmony is tough work, some of these places are awful…” Starlet looks down glumly but immediately perks back up. “But there are plenty of great places and ponies, but I’m sure you know that,” Starlet lets out a small laugh and Celestia chuckles with her.
“I’m so glad to see you, it’s been forever! I can’t believe I almost forgot, I’ve just been so busy…” Celestia trails off and looks up for no particular reason, she sees her starry ceiling and looks around at her room. “Hey, you must have noticed the new castle then! I got my best architects on it, would you like a tour?” Celestia calms herself and regains her regal composure.
“That sounds lovely,” Celestia smiles at Starlet’s answer and leads the way out of her room and into the hallway. She gives a curt nod to her guards and tells them to just continue guarding the door, they only nod in response. Celestia turns with Starlet and continues walking down the hall with her. Celestia starts giving Starlet the personal tour and they both smile the whole time, but by the time they make it to the garden Celestia has a question nagging at the back of her mind.
“Why did you finally decide to visit? Celestia finally asks after a couple minutes of silence. She looks over to Starlet and sees her somber expression as she looks at the beautiful fauna in the garden.
“Your sister is returning,” Starlet replies, Celestia reels back in shock. Starlet looks over to Celestia with a weary smile, “but I’m sure you already knew that,” Starlet turns back to the garden.
“My sister?! or… Nightmare Moon?” Celestia asks cautiously.
“Both.” Starlet doesn’t bother looking at Celestia and just continues to watch the animals and plant life in their natural splendour.
“We have to prepare, we have to find a way to-” Celestia is cut off by Starlet.
“Calm yourself Princess,” Celestia lowers herself back onto the ground, she hadn’t even realized that she was hovering in anticipation.
“But, I have to help her!” Celestia argues.
“Yes, but not yet,” Starlet calmly replies, she turns away from the beauty of the garden with a comforting gaze.
“When do I help her then?” Celestia asks earnestly.
“When she’s your sister again. Until then, we wait,” Celestia looks at Starlet and finally agrees with a sigh.
“Okay then, we wait,” Celestia motions for Starlet to follow her. “How exactly is she going to be my sister again?” Celestia finally asks.
“Your personal protege, Twilight Sparkle. She’s a smart mare, she’ll figure it out,” Celestia looks at Starlet with skepticism.
“Are you sure? Twilight’s smart, and powerful, but I don’t know how she could change Luna back..” Celestia says with concern.
“She’ll be fine, Trust me. I can see that she’s a very harmonic being, she just doesn’t realize it yet. I just came to make sure everything goes smoothly, and to see my newest clients,” Celestia goes wide eyed at Starlet’s words.
“Harmony? You can’t mean... the Elements?” She asks in shock.
“Yes, I do,” Starlet looks up at the windows in the hall they’re in.
“That’s fantastic! I had faith that she could do it!” Celestia cheers jubilantly.
“This is a beautiful stained glass window,” Starlet comments as she looks up at a window, it’s a window with a brilliant sun design on it. there’s a window on the other side of a plain window with a moon design on it.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about getting more commissioned. Perhaps one of some of my sister, or perhaps some of our greatest achievements. Like defeating Discord-” Celestia stops as she thinks over that thought. `Starlet’s job is to keep harmony, was she keeping harmony then too?` Celestia thinks to herself, her thoughts are interrupted by Starlet.
“I was there Celestia, I oversaw everything. I can’t directly fix problems like that, but I make sure to help those who can fix it,” Starlet just smiles innocently as Celestia looks at her in surprise.
“I… I didn’t ask anything,” Celestia says, more to herself than anything. she still gets a reply.
“I know,” Celestia looks at Starlet in amazement before shaking her head and returning the smile.
“You’re certainly something else, Starlet,” Celestia thinks over what she was just told and smiles, it’s nice to know that there was always someone there. There was always someone helping and silently rooting for her during one of her greatest achievements, it makes her wonder what else Starlet has seen. “Are you immortal?” Celestia turns to Starlet for an answer.
“Immortal in the sense that I’m always alive, but I’ve died more times than I’d care to admit. It’s a small price to pay, sometimes some things are more important,” Starlet smiles in that same sad way she does. Celestia looks at her in shock and concern, Starlet’s way of life is seeming less than ideal. Though she can understand it, risking everything for the greater good. Celestia has never actually died though, she’s not even sure if she can.
“That’s terrible…” Celestia says, Starlet just waves her hoof in a motion meaning to say that it’s nothing. “Where exactly do you preside?” Celestia asks in curiousity.
“Pardon?” Starlet asks in confusion.
“You travel through dimensions, correct?” Starlet nods slowly and then understanding dawns on her.
“Actually, only sort of. I travel through realities or timelines, rarely do I travel through dimensions. I’ve traveled through Starswirl’s portals, but those are the only mean’s I have of dimensional travel. I only preserve harmony on Equestria, I don’t really have the powers on my own to go elsewhere. As far as I can tell, Equestria is the only place that needs to keep harmony to thrive. Equestrian magic is harmony based, and without harmony then the land won’t thrive. Other dimensions might not have to rely on harmony for it’s magic, maybe they have their own version of me that works to keep order by whatever means their world works…” Starlet muses as she walks with Celestia through the halls.
“You only work on keeping harmony in Equestria?” Celestia thinks this over in her head. “So you visit Equestria, just… things are different?” Starlet nods and Celestia waits before asking her next question.
“So… Are there any where I’m not a princess?” she asks nonchalantly.
“Plenty, but I shouldn’t really tell you about them. Knowing some things can drive a pony mad,” Celestia nods in understanding.
“Are there things that can’t happen?” Celestia asks.
“Well… technically no. there are certain cases where if certain things happen, then certain things aren’t supposed to happen. It makes a mess of the timeline, but keeping time straight isn’t my job. I do help out occasionally when our path’s cross…” Starlet smiles at the memory.
“Wait, our? Is there a pony that’s in charge of time?” Celestia asks.
“Technically, there are multiple. Unlike me, they are bound to a certain reality. They keep track of that reality they stick too, except when they stumble across other realities… but enough of that. It’s not your job, you have your own job. I have harmony, they have Time, you have leadership,” Celestia nods in understanding, then a thought comes to mind.
“Are there any Timelines where I’m a stallion?” she asks with a chuckle.
“Yeah there are, Solaris” Celestia bursts out in laughter and Starlet joins in. They continue in their idle conversation until they get back to Celestia’s room. They both sit down in Celestia’s personal chambers. after some time Celestia excuses herself to leave.
“I’m sorry, but I have to get ready for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Celestia gets up to leave, but Starlet stops her.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Starlet warns.
“And why not?” Celestia asks curiously.
“Because Nightmare moon is returning, it would not be wise to be around when that happens. You’re not on the best of terms with her, you just need to trust Twilight to take care of it. You’ll know when it is time to go,” Celestia sighs in exasperation and sits back down. She and Starlet stay where they are and continue to converse. Eventually Celestia orders for some tea and cake, they chat while eating the delicious food. The guards and other castle workers start to get anxious when they realize that the princess isn’t leaving, they attempt to remind her about the Summer Sun Celebration and she just waves them off. Celestia is ignoring another guard telling her she’s late when the room goes even darker than the night was, the guard gets scared once he sees that it’s not Celestia’s doing. The light comes back with considerably more intensity as the moon is full and unmarked.
“What’s happened?!” the guard exclaims in fear.
“It’s just endless night, it should be over not long from now…” Celestia idly checks her hooves in the moonlight and then turns to the guard.
“Set up Canterlots defenses and try to ease ponies minds. I have to wait for another pony,” Celestia watches the guard scamper off and hears Starlet laugh from behind her. “What’s so funny?” Celestia asks as she feels a giggle come to herself.
“The way you handled that! That and the difference in the way you treat me and your subjects. You don’t hesitate to show emotion around me, or your sister for that matter. But your a calm rock in front of everypony else, it’s just kind of comical,” Starlet lets up her laughter and looks out at the moon.
“Well, you don’t look up to me. Neither does Luna, at least, not in the same way. I’ve had thousands of years to train and stay calm in the face of danger and in front of my peers,” Celestia sits next to Starlet and looks out the window at the bright moon.
“But you’re going to take any chance you get to be emotional, is that right?” Starlet asks, Celestia nods.
“Yep,” Starlet giggles at the Princesses casual demeanor. “You know me so well,” Celestia floats over two blankets to keep herself and her guest warm against the brisk night air. She herself isn’t all that cold, but the towers can get cold for ponies that aren’t pegasi. For Celestia blankets are more of a comfort than a means of keeping warm. She could also warm herself with magic, but a blanket gives her a nostalgic feel. She wraps herself in her blanket and relishes the feel of the fabric, it calms her nerves as she thinks of the pony out there at this moment.
Celestia looks out into the darkness of night and sees the stars twinkling brightly. Even if that monster Nightmare moon wants to bring an endless night again, She knows how to make a beautiful destruction. “Everything will be alright,” Celestia mutters to herself as she looks towards the moon. She notices the lack of a mare’s face on the moon and smiles to herself, her sister is almost home.
~~~~~~~
“I’m so sorry Celestia! I never meant to do any of those things! Please, could you ever forgive me!” Luna is openly weeping into her sister as she flys the both of them to Canterlot in her personal chariot.
“Hush Lulu, don’t beat yourself up over it. I’ve told you, I’m not mad. I understand what you were going through, it’s okay. I forgive you, you’ve done nothing wrong. It’s all my fault, I didn’t see that you weren’t respected as you should have been. It was selfish and stupid of me, I hope you can forgive me…” Celestia answers glumly.
“You’re not the one who went crazy and tried to overthrow their sister…” Luna adds bitterly.
“You didn’t ignore your sister and cause her to feel unwanted which led her to do some things she’s not proud of…” Celestia sighs and pulls Luna close with her wing. “It’s obvious we’re both not proud of some things, so let’s say we put those differences behind us. This whole Nightmare fiasco is over and it’s history, let’s just move on. besides, I have someone I’d like you to meet,” Celestia squeezes luna gently with a hug and luna lets out a sniffle.
“You’re too nice to me sister…” Luna leans closer to celestia and hugs her back.
“Only the best for my little sis’” Celestia and Luna stay leaning against each other for a few more seconds before they release.
“Is there truly a pony you wish for me to meet?” Luna asks hesitantly.
“Yes Lulu, she’s a dear friend of mine, or, at least, I’d like to think of her as my friend. She understands what you’re going through, so she’ll try not to overwhelm you. She was a bit hesitant to meet with you, she has the notion in her head that you wouldn’t want to see her. I think that it’ll be good for you,” Luna looks at her sister but says nothing. She is feeling a bit better after the celebration, she found that all the ponies were nice and accepting. A couple even gave her flower necklaces, she almost cried at that. To think that a pony would be so nice to her after she almost cast Equestria into a never ending night, it took all her willpower
to not break into tears.
Luna sees a castle close to them and she looks up to her sister, Celestia nods back. Luna takes in the marvelous tower, it looks very different from their old tower. As the sisters arrive, Luna looks at everything around her. It’s all just so beautiful, more beautiful than anything she’s seen in a very long while. While she’s admiring everything she doesn’t even notice a unicorn mare walk up to them, a very familiar mare. Luna looks up and sees a bashful grey unicorn with red tipped dark brown hair, she coils back in fear.
“Hello again, Luna.” The pony says timidly, her taciturn demeanor gives fire to Luna’s guilty conscience. Luna remembers a name, Starlet mint.
“How…? It’s not possible…” Luna quivers as she stares at the mare, she feels as if she’s seen a ghost. She must have, `this pony can’t still be alive… can she?` Luna thinks in terror. She sees her hoof colliding with this mare’s face in her memories and she shudders as she remembers that dreaded dream.
“I’m sorry to cause you so much emotion Luna, I’m sure it’s a shock to see me… I just want you to know, I don’t blame you. I never have, I just feel guilty that I couldn’t help you before you lost yourself.” Starlet reaches her hoof out to Luna and she flinches back. She waits with her eyes closed before slowly opening them, she doesn’t know what she expected to happen. She thought that maybe this mare would try to take revenge that was far past due, but instead she has her fore-hoof outstretched. It looks like she’s asking for a hug, “Will you let me in Luna? Can we be friends?” Luna is taken aback by this mare’s offer.
Luna trembles as she thinks on the question, somepony actually wanted to be her friend. After all she’s done to warrant everyponies hate, they all seem set on forgiving her. And now this pony wants to be her friend, it brings luna to tears. She leans forward into the mares hug and weeps softly into the mare, the mare gladly accepts the hug. luna tries to answer, but her words get caught in her throat by the sobs. She feels a comforting hoof stroking her back in a way tat reminds her of somepony that used to be close to her.
When she and Tia’ were younger they had an adoptive mother that cared for them while they were still very young. Their adoptive mother was very protective of the two sisters, she feared that they would be discriminated for being different. She cared for them all by herself, and she loved them very much. She used to stroke their backs in the same way when they were sad or agitated, it always did and still is calming her down. Luna’s tears subside and she looks up and sees Starlet’s comforting face.
“You’re too kind…” Luna says with a slightly trembling voice, Starlet lifts her hoof and wipes Luna’s face dry of tears.
“No less than you deserve, you’re a kind pony too. Both you and your sister,” Starlet motions to Celestia and luna looks back to see another kind face.
“Yeah, she is…” Luna wave’s Celestia over and pulls her in to join in the hug. “Thank you both, for all you’ve done,” Luna turns to Starlet and addresses her. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you were trying to help me, and I’m sorry that I hit you… I… I wasn’t acting right,” Starlet gives her a smile and luna smile’s back.
“Water under the bridge,” The three ponies stay huddled for a while more before they finally break apart. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Duty calls,” Starlet says.
“I understand, try to visit before another thousand years passes.” Celestia chuckles and Starlet joins in.
“I’ll try. I have a feeling I’ll have to meet this student of yours,” Starlet says with amusement in her voice.
“I’ll try to set up a meeting,” Celestia jokes.
“I think I’ll just pop on by sometime,” Starlet replies.
“Alright then, you take care.” Celestia smiles.
“You too Tia’, and you too Luna,” Starlet turns to Luna.
“Wait, I never figured out how you met me all those years ago,” Luna says, eager for an answer.
“I exist on a plane of thought, as opposed to moving there with magic I just let my thought wander straight into your dream,” Starlet says with a flourish of her hoof.
“Wait, exist on a plane of thought?” Luna says, puzzled.
“I’ll explain it later,” Celestia says with a wink.
“Until next time Princesses” and with that Starlet blinks out of sight. One second she’s there, the next she isn’t. No magic was used, she’s just gone. Luna looks where she was in puzzled awe and Celestia nudges her along. They have a lot to talk about, and Luna’s only just arrived. Celestia is so glad to have her sister back, they can now rule together like they’re supposed to. Equestria is happier and safer now because it not only has the elements of harmony, but the two sister princesses can rule together once again. They are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and they couldn’t be happier.