Celestia paced along her stained glass window room. She liked it here. It was nice and warm when the sunlight streamed through and it was the one place she can stare at her love without judgement; after all, she was just admiring the decor. Who would’ve known, that her former student Twilight Sparkle would capture her heart just after ascending to her alicorn status. Did that mean she would eventually fall for Celestia? She was immortal now. With enough time maybe, but she didn’t want to wait that long. If only she had time to see Twilight when Equestria was not in danger.
A door opened behind her and interrupted her thoughts.
“Hello, sister. How goes the day?” Luna asked, yawning from her brief nap.
“It goes well. If only it weren’t so lonely” Celestia responded, looking downward.
“Missing someone are we?” Luna asked, wiggling her eyebrows teasingly.
“Yes, it seems so. I can’t remove her from my mind.” Celestia’s brow furrowed with frustration at this statement.
“I fear I have a similar problem.”
“She’s just so kind.”
“Mine as well, and so heroic.”
“Her coat is the most wonderful color too.”
“Lavender” They both sighed, a dreamy look in their eyes.
“Wait, lavender? I only know one lavender coated pony”
“That is why I came. I want to ask your approval to woo Twilight.
I know you’re very possessive of your students” Luna responded, nervously avoiding her sister’s eyes. This could either end with support or she could end up back on the moon. There was no middle ground.
“You’re right about that, but I fear you’re a tad bit too late. Her heart is mine.”
“I know she’s immortal now, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be eternally yours. I have just as much of an opportunity as you do.” Luna defended, losing confidence in her chances all the same.
“I’m already close to her. You didn’t teach her to control her magic. You didn’t care for and advise her for years on end. You don’t have the long-standing close relationship with her that I do. I made her who she is today. I’m the one she loves.”
“If you’re so confident, then why not talk her? You only ever send her letters. Is the great ‘princess of the sun’ afraid?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I would have no competition even as a mortal.”
“If you’re so sure, let’s make a bet. We both surrender our magic to Cadence and fight for the love of Twilight. The first to earn a kiss gets exclusive rights to her love. The other abandons her forever”
“True love’s kiss should be won. A simple peck doesn’t show love, just pity.”
“Then let’s go.I don’t want to waste any time.” Luna said, trotting toward the door.
****
Celestia’s feathers ruffled in anticipation. This wasn’t something she wanted to do, but she didn’t want to give up either. Across from her, Luna glared at the passing trees.
“I don’t see why we have to take the train. We have chariots for a reason.” Luna complained.
“If we’re going to become like our citizens, we should travel with them.” Celestia explained.
“Honestly, I’m surprised you agreed to do this in the first place.” Luna said, shrugging her shoulders.
“It’s a learning experience.” Celestia said, giving a slight smile.
Silence filled the train car. At least, it would be silent if not for the other ponies whispering and taking pictures. Luna turned to face Celestia.
“How are you smiling?” Luna asked, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
“I look horrible in a photo if I’m not smiling. Entire headlines were written about it after you were banished.” Celestia explained, perfectly aware or the flashing cameras.
“I wouldn’t have been banished if you were a better listener.” Luna muttered, looking down at her hooves.
“I got better after you left.” Celestia defended, slightly hurt by her sister’s words.
“No you didn’t. The only person who trusted you to listen after that was Sunset Shimmer and she went to another world to get away from you!” Luna spat, her voice rising. Ponies around them lowered their heads and folded their ears back, quivering in fear. Nopony had ever seen two alicorns fighting like this since Nightmare Moon tried to take over. Though nopony on the train had been alive then, the tales of the battle were quite terrifying.
“Hot could you possibly know that! You weren’t even here to see her leaving! You don’t know what really happened!” Celestia shouted, standing up with her wings outstretched.
“The proof is in the metaphorical pudding! You don’t listen to Twilight; you aren’t even at her side when Equestria’s in danger!” Luna also rose, using her royal Canterlot voice to prove her point. By now, the staff of the train had been sent to deal with the two alicorns, but both attendees had been too afraid and humored by the situation.
“At least I’m willing to defend my subjects at my own expense! You don’t even risk your life in that stupid dreamscape!” Celestia yelled, shaking the train.
“Welcome to the Crystal Empire!” the conductor called. Everypony around them rushed off the train.
“My dreamscape is better than what you do! Name one pony you comfort every day!” Luna stated, her face red with rage.
“TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” Celestia had never been so angry in her life. She didn’t argue with luna often, but when she did, it never ended well.
“Ahem.” Cadence broke them out of their trance. “I hope I’m not interrupting an important political discussion.” The look on Cadence’s face told them she didn’t approve of their public bickering. “We can continue this later. Let’s get to the castle.”
The two sisters lowered their heads in shame, but only for a moment, because there was still the public image to worry about. Once in the castle, Cadence led them straight to the conference room, sat them down, and conjured a silence bubble.
“So, what’s the emergency?” Cadence asked the grin of potential adventure in her eyes.
“Does there have to be an emergency for us to visit? How’s the baby doing? Still developing healthily I presume?” Luna asked, nervously shifting her eyes about the room.
“The baby’s fine, but if you were ‘just visiting’ then why would your letter say there was a ‘matter if great significance to be discussed immediately?” Cadence asked, now skeptical about the nature of this emergency.
“Cadence, it seems we’ve both found ourselves in love.” Celestia explained, nervously shifting in her seat.
“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Cadence asked, curiously leaning forward. Love was her area of expertise after all.
“What my sister fails to mention is that we are in love with the same pony.” Luna explained, looking down to avoid eye contact.
“Okay, so which of you saw them first?” Cadence asked, rolling her eyes. Ponies had this problem way too often. Maybe she should make a pamphlet of love FAQ’s. that would make her job easier.
“I did.” Celestia calmly stated, a small smirk on her face.
“That’s not fair, I was on the moon when that happened. Besides, Twilight was just a filly then.” Luna defended.
“You two are fighting over Twilight?” Cadence questioned, regaining her interest.
“That’s we’ve come, we’ve come up with a solution. To win the heart of Twilight, we will rid ourselves of our magic.” Celestia said dramatically.
“How is that going to help?” Cadence asked, her eyes wide in surprise.
“We’re going to become normal citizens, in order to woo her without drawing attention or having the distraction of royal duties. So we politely ask for your assistance.” Luna said, her eyes filled with a glint of hope.
“Is that safe for my baby?” Cadence asked, greatly concerned.
“Absolutely if anything, it should make your child even more magically powerful, but it won’t do any harm.” Celestia assured.
“Alright, but under one condition. Cadence replied. “Don’t destroy Ponyville.”
“Why would we do that?” Celestia asked.
“Ponies have done crazier things in love.” Cadence simply answered.