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// "You left the palace behind, not your heart." 
// Story: Sister of the Stars 
// by Sheltie Paws 
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     Celestia felt a light breeze pass as she gathered more height. The sisters had sped up their journey and were now flying at a steady pace. The city of Canterlot was only a faint image on the horizon and Luna and Celestia were crossing a huge meadow. Celestia kept seeing the image of Twilight's worried face, and couldn't help feeling like she'd just dumped all responsibility on the lavender mare. The morning sun was gentle and comforting. Celestia grimaced. It all seemed so cruel and unfair, having such lovely conditions while she was tortured with the fact that she had given Twilight such a heavy burden.

"Celestia, look at the wild flowers!" Luna said, speaking for the first time since the sisters had left the palace. "There so vibrant, and breezy, as if they're dancing on the wind!" She laughed. "Look, someone planted those ones like in the shape of a heart!"
"There nice." mumbled Celestia. She hadn't even glaced below, and her tone was dull. Luna blinked at her sister, shook her head slightly, and looked away. Celestia didn't even bother to pay attention. Luna stared at her sister for a moment and her eyes grew annoyed.
"Celestia, stop it! Stop sulking and acting all sorry for yourself. I thought you knew better. You left the palace behind, not your heart." Luna said angrily and suddenly. Celestia was surprised at Luna's tone, and ashamed to realize her sister was right. "If its Twilight your worried about, don't be. She capable of amazing thing, and she'll have her friends at her side." Luna added more gently.
"I'm sorry Luna, I should be facing this journey with energy and excitement." Celestia hoped she wasn't blushing. "And your probably right about Twilight. She's stronger than ever before. I'm over worrying." A smile spread over Luna's face.
"Yeah, you'd make a good over-worryer type mom!" she teased.
"Who are you calling an over-worryer?" Celestia bumped into Luna playfully. "Let's not forget the time you lost your bit of the purple stone from our collection and spent the whole day fretting because you couldn't talk to me using it. When I came back to the palace I heard you sigh with relief and collapse on the floor." The sisters spent the rest of the day sharing memories and laughing as they flew.

Celestia and Luna glided down toward the grassy ground with grace. Celestia flashed her sister a nervous smile. This would be the first time ending the day and starting the night since they had left the palace. Neither knew if it would work or if doing their duties would come with heavy strain as it did the night after the broken spell. Both sisters equally wanted to help their kingdom, with whatever price it came with. They stood side by side and took deep breaths. Celestia closed her eyes and caught the sun's rays with her magic. She turned them down, and with a flicker of satisfaction, she realized the sun was gracefully sinking below the horizon. She glanced sideways and saw Luna's moon make its way to the center of the sky. Celestia and Luna released their grip of magic and smiled at each other. Performing their duties had come with barely any effort at all.

"Alright, we have a long journey ahead of us, let's rest while we can. Can you get out the velvet cloak Luna?" asked Celestia.  Luna rumaged through her beaded pouch until she pulled out a silky crimson cloak with the symbol of The Regal Sisters on it. She spread it out of the grass and took a step back.
"Tent form." Luna commanded. Her voice rang out through the night, loud and clear. The cloak started to quiver and jerk as it grew larger and larger. When it stopped growing, the cloak folded quickly into a tent big enough for two.
"OK, now let's settle our belongings in a safe place and get some sleep." Celestia said.

Celestia crept out of the tent. She couldn't sleep, and though maybe some stargazing would help. The moonlight turned the flower petals a calm white. Celestia thought of her parents, and wondered what happened to them. A sudden rustling woke her from her thoughts. Luna came out of the tent and sat besides Celestia.

"Hello sister. Can't sleep?" Luna asked. Celestia nodded. "Your thinking of them too, aren't you?" Luna said more quietly. Celestia knew who Luna was talking about in an instant.
"Our parents, what happened to them?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know." Luna replied. "I don't know." And with that she turned around and trotted into the tent. Celestia followed her inside, and fell asleep the second her cheek hit the pillow.

Celestia looked down apon three fillies and their parents. She instantly knew who they were. Sunlight! Moon Beam! Its me! she tried to call out but her voice would not work. Celestia realized she couldn't move either. But she could watch. And she could hear. So she listened.