//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Celestia's Care Taker // by SparkStone //------------------------------// The Mourning of Rochelle Rochelle was running up the hill until she reached the very top. She panted loudly like a dog before turning around to see her friend Julie trying to catch up with her. Julie had only made it to the edge before being pulled the rest of the way by Rochelle. As they finally got to the top of the hill, they sat down and looked out to the view. "It's really nice out today." Rochelle told Julie. "There's barely a cloud in the sky!" "It's really hot too! Perfect for a jog!" Julie added sarcastically. "You kinda get used to it since you have to catch up to ponies sometimes." Rochelle and Julie laughed before turning back to the sky. They watched as the clouds strolled along the air passed by with strange formations of shapes and creatures. It was a while before Julie brought up something. "Oh, by the way! You know how a lot of the ponies keep talking about Ponyville?" Julie asked Rochelle. Rochelle confirmed. "Yeah, why?" "My brother said he's going to design a park about it! It's going to be a hit he says! And it'll give everyone the money we need to not just take care of ourselves, but also to help you and Alex take care of even more ponies!" "That's great!" Rochelle said cheerfully. She got up from the grass and clenched her fists together. "I can't wait to tell Alex! Oh! And Night too!" Julie's smile lowered a little from the name. She sat up straight and placed her hands together, looking away from Rochelle. "Oh… You're talking about Nightmare Moon, right?" Rochelle gave a confused look at her reaction, and tilted her head as she asked, "Why? What's wrong?" "It's nothing except… She's a bit scary." Julie explained. "She also doesn't look very nice." "Just because her name sounds bad, doesn't mean she IS bad Julie! That's not nice to think of others by how they look or what they're name is!" "I know, but… Doesn't Nightmare have some weird things to talk about? Like how she couldn't wait to take back Equestria? Isn't that an entire country or something? She sounds like a bad pony sometimes." "Nightmare Moon is a good pony! You'll regret saying those things after she leaves you know." Rochelle warned her. "When she leaves, we'll probably never see her again. I want to make our times together the best." Julie nodded, understanding her devotion. She smiled and said, "Maybe you're right. You and Nightmare Moon have gotten close. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much." "There you go!" Rochelle smiled gleefully, pulling Julie up from the ground. "Come on! Aura is coming over soon! We should be there so she could finally meet Night!" "Rochelle!" Julie shouted as she woke up from the rock. She rubbed her eyes before looking around. She soon saw Celestia before her, levitating a glass of lemonade. Julie simply glared at her, even though Celestia gave a motherly smile. She brought the beverage close to Julie for her to drink, but she declines. "I don't want any." "You're tired. Drink up, it'll make you feel better." Celestia offered. "I bet you peed in it or something." Julie claimed. "Why in the world would I do that!?" Celestia questioned in disgust. "Trust me, it's fine. Alex made it for you." Julie raised an eyebrow at Celestia. She placed her hands on the drink, and was putting it near her lips. Celestia watched carefully as Julie closed her eyes, bringing the cup so close. Suddenly, she opens one eye before splashing the lemonade onto the white mare. Celestia was now soaked in the yellow drink that had been rudely declined by Julie. Alex, who saw what happened inside the house, pinched his face. "Hey now…" He sighed. Julie crossed her arms as she said, "That's for throwing the frisbee too far." "I guess… I somewhat deserve that." she replied calmly before using her magic to carry Julie and place her on her back. "Come now, we should go inside." Julie rode onto Celestia, still a bit tired. She allowed Celestia to carry her in, but still had no desire to thank her for the ride. Celestia entered the living room, carefully placing Julie onto the couch. She placed her in a lying position along the couch. Celestia then brought a pillow, fluffing it before placing it behind Julie's head. She looked away, trying to deny any gratitude from her. As Celestia tucked a blanket around her, she went towards the television with a video in her magical hold. "Alex told me what this contraption does and what it's for." She said to Julie. "I found it hard to believe, but how could I deny it when I've already witnessed all these devices abilities?" She placed the video into the VCR slot. As it went in, Celestia smiled proudly as she was able to use it perfectly. That was until it ejected itself, and dropped to the floor. Celestia raised an eyebrow with Julie. "…Um…" Julie spoke. "Did you put it in the right way?" "Just give me a second…" Celestia responded as she shoved it back in the VCR. Again and again, it failed to stay in. Julie rolled her eyes as she got out of her comfort and took the video, placing it in the VCR. This time, it stayed. "Didn't Alex tell you how to use it?" Julie asked. "Um… He just told me to put it in…" Celestia shrugged. Julie sighed before looking at the TV. She turned it on, showing the movie that they were going to watch. Julie's eyes shrunk as she realized what it was. "Heart Plus!? Oh my gosh! I love this movie!" "I thought so." Celestia smiled warmly. "I asked Alex what you'd like to watch. He said you loved watching this with… friends…" Julie smiled with a speck of embarrassment, looking to the floor and replying, "Y-Yeah… with friends…" Celestia grinned before bringing Julie to the couch once more. She laid down, allowing Julie to lay down on her soft belly. The microwave beeped, alerting Celestia to open it, and take out the popcorn. The snacks were placed on the table for the two to watch the movie together. Alex, who was on the stairs, smiled at the two before heading upstairs. Celestia watched the opening, still amazed to see the thin frame show such a performance. To think that they could make something like this was like being at a theatre. She felt like she was dipping into a whole new world. "So…" Celestia began. "What's the movie about?" "Oh, well, in the beginning, Kasin is just trying to fit in, right?" Julie explained. "Then a bunch of bad guys try to beat him up, but he manages to get away! See? Just watch!" Celestia did as told, watching the slender boy in white and green jump around the three hooligans. She was astounded and highly entertained. As the movie went on, it had reach from scene to scene. She was surprised, shocked, and excited. The effects had made her energetic, and the mood of the story easily changed her as well. She kept jumping from happiness to sadness, anger to fear, and even desire to hope. Julie laughed as Celestia's behavior shifted from one to the next. In one scene, there was a fight with a massive monster. Kasin was weakened by his fights from earlier. In one blast of lightning, he was thrown out. Julie screamed and held onto Celestia. She was stunned to see Kasin lie on the floor not moving. She looks to Julie, hugging onto her coat so tightly. She uses her magic to turn off the TV monitor before tending to Julie. "Are you alright Julie? Was that too frightening?" "I-I'm sorry…" She whimpered. "It's been a while since I seen this movie." "I guess you were surprised to see that." Celestia nodded. "I was too…" "No, it's not that…" Julie softly told her. "It just… reminded me of Rochelle…" Every time Celestia hears the name, she loses her will to respond. Her ears lower and her expression drops to the saddest she could manage. Julie looks to her, and sees the empathy in her eyes. The sadness she shares with her. Julie wipes her eyes and sighs. "I haven't seen this movie since Rochelle died… I used to watch it with other ponies whenever I come over… but when… she died, I didn't feel like watching it anymore. It reminded me of her too much." Celestia remained quiet, holding back her grief. She tried to stop herself from dropping all her regret before the little girl, hoping that she is not as hurt as she thinks. The words on Julies tongue will however make her bow to the solemn demon she had within. "That scene… reminded me of how she died… When I came over that one time, Nightmare killed her just like that…" Julie looked down, still shaking of the memories. But what bothered her wasn't was on her mind. It was the tears dropping onto her head and shoulders. She looked up to Celestia, rubbing her eyes from the endless crying. Julie was surprised to see the sadness of the white mare going on par with her own. She then happened to ask… "Was… one of my ponies… Did my ponies really do that…?" She whimpered. Julie nodded, making her heart ache enough to make her yelp. Celestia continued to question her sister, who was at the time, Nightmare Moon. "Did… Nightmare… Kill Alex's sister… in front of you…?" Julie remained silent. The look in her eyes were an answer enough. Celestia then pulled Julie close and embraced her as tight as she could. She then began to apologize over and over again. "I'm so sorry for what has happened to you, I'm sorry I let this happen, I cannot apologize enough for what Nightmare Moon has done to you." She cried. Julie pushed her back, giving their chest some space. She then said, "How's it your fault?" "It's my responsibility as a princess." She answered, still having a raspy voice. "If she as behaved that way, then it's because of me… It's my fault she turned out that way… I'm sorry for what she has done…" "But you didn't do anything!" Julie exclaimed, clenching her fist down to her legs. The two sat in silence, returning to their cooling point of the talk. The little girl looked to the side and says, "It's not your fault… How could it be? You two are two different ponies… The only common thing is that you're both…" "Alicorns…" Celestia finished for her. Celestia looked away as well, still feeling ashamed. "I have a feeling you don't even want to look at me anymore…" Julie turned to Celestia, feeling a new kind of grief. She felt guilty for what pain she has been pushing to a pony that had nothing to do with the mare she hated. The only reason why was because of the fact that she was a reminder of the shape and form that killed her friend, but not the mind. She pulled Celestia close, and brought her face into the soft coat. Within the time passing, Julie says while her voice was muffled in the fur. "I'm sorry… I forgot that… You're some pony else…" Celestia wipes her eyes before looking back to Julie. The little girl brings her head up to see the mare face to face. She continues. "You weren't the one who killed Rochelle. You had nothing to do with it. And… You're different. You aren't like Nightmare Moon, not how I remembered her… You… You're much nicer… I should've seen that… But I was always pushing anything away that reminded me of Rochelle… what she liked… How she died… and… I just wanted to forget all about it… but I didn't want to forget Rochelle…" Celestia wraps her wing around Julie, and with a warm embrace she says, "That's how friends are. Even after years of not seeing each other, we can never let them go. While we cannot see them again, it's better to remember the bittersweet memories while moving on. That's what I learned over the years." Julie's eyes shined at her words. She felt her lips curl into a smile. As the night passes, the two eventually slept on the couch together. Alex happened to see it once more before heading back upstairs. In the room of Alex, he opens the floorboard, revealing a rectangular slot. In the hole, he pulls out a shoe box. The contents were papers. Papers labeled, No.13. He brought them to his bed, and reviewed them. He took a close look at the photos of the past. He sees the smiling trio, of him, Rochelle, and Nightmare Moon. He reads the moments of back then with a smile. Reaching to the last page, He looks up to the ceiling and sighs. "Where did it all go so wrong…?" He asked himself. "Why… Why did this have to happen…?" As morning came, Alex, Julie, and Celestia all happily gathered at the table. Another delicious breakfast was served, but not can witness what it was once the duo began to gobble it down. Julie and Celestia laughed as they talked about the movie from last night. It was especially funny how Celestia kept talking about every little detail, like how fast the scenes changed, and how they fit such a big environment into such a tiny picture frame. Alex grinned as the two got along. A while later, a knock comes to the door. Alex lets the two talk while he goes ahead to answer the call. He opens the door to see Charles ready to pick up his sister. "Hey! Nice to see you again!" Alex greeted. "Nice to see you too." Charles said while scratching the back of his head. "She wasn't too much trouble, was she?" "At first, she and Celestia had a falling out." "Ah… Well, I had a feeling-" "But they're fine now." Charles looked at Alex in surprise. He looked to see Celestia and Julie happily discussing matters to each other. He wasn't expecting this at all. Alex placed his hand onto Charles shoulder and said, "She's not the one who killed Rochelle you know. She may be the same type of pony as her, but she has a brighter heart. You should give her a chance." Charles looked down in shame. Kicking the floor, he admits it all. "Yeah… You got me… I didn't trust her at all. She… reminded me of her… And I got scared… Scared of who she might be, what she can do, and… all that…" He sighed with a heavy heart. Looking at the smiling Julie, he too begins to have a small one written above his chin. "But… I should give her a chance… she's done something for Julie… I haven't seen her smile like that for a long time…" "So, why don't you strike up something interesting?" Alex suggested. "I'm sure someone like you would have something to really get something going!" "Um… well, uh…" Alex playfully pushes Charles to Celestia. He steps over to meet her across the table. The two look at each other before Julie realizes something. "Oh! You're here! Hold on, I need to pack up my stuff." Julie leaves the two alone. Celestia and Charles looked away awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Celestia looked at Charles, still remembering everything he had said. About how he is scared of her, and how he doesn't trust her. But the look on his face shows that he is a bit more willing than usual. Charles plays with his fingers rather than making eye contact with Celestia. His body language made it obvious how he wanted to say something, but had nothing across his mind. A minute passes, and something slips out of the white mare's mouth. "Sorry for… vomiting onto you that other night…" "Ah… Don't mention it… Seriously, like… ever…" Charles replied. Charles felt tempted to say something more important than apologies over spilt drinks. It was then he thought about how to make her happy in return for bringing the smile back onto Julie's life. He turns to her with an old idea that he had always wanted to do. "Hey listen, I'd like to thank you for what you've done for Julie." He starts off. "Oh? Um, my pleasure." Celestia smiles nervously. "To see her that happy shows me that you're not a bad mare. So sorry for accusing you of being such a thing." "It's quite alright." "No, it isn't." He says. "So as an apology and a repayment for what you've done, how about… you bring something with you back to Equestria?" Celestia's eyebrow raises some, unsure of where this was going. Charles continues with a smile of a man with a crazy idea. "Simply, if you bring this special type of rope with you, we can link our two world together!" He says quickly. "I… Uh… have tried my best to uh… Well, make the product. I finished it, and uh… Well…" He groans and slaps his face before sliding down from the chair. His face hits the table as he says, "I'm sorry… I… Have a troubling time talking to new people… and ponies… so I usually have a hard time asking them to do it for me… You're actually the first pony I told about this idea after actually finishing making the darn thing." "Really?!" Celestia said with astonishment. "This device… Will make our worlds crossable?" Charles looks up and nods quickly. "Yes! If this works, we can meet anytime we want! It's… a prototype, but if this works, then… well, you get the idea." "Well, I'm honored to be the first volunteer for such an event!" "Great! It'll all be on the day you go back home. That's when we'll never have to say goodbye for good!" Celestia smiles brightly. She has never been so excited in her life! She looks to Alex and thinks about everything. She might not have to say farewell after all… In the city, a long, black limo is driving down the long highway. In the back, a woman in black with her blue hair tied in a ponytail, looks out to see the country side rolling in. She watches it grow closer each passing second before she hears her driver informing her of something. "Miss Aurabelle, we'll be there soon. Just relax for now." "I can't…" She says with much disgust within her throat. She brings her head closer to the opened window, now questioning everything of what's going on. "Why did he bring that one in to his life? Why did he trust her? How could you trust her? She is full of lies…" "Miss Aurabelle, is everything alright?" "And I'll be there. I can tell who you are. There's no use in hiding it from me…"