Princess Celestia had just finished her royal morning duties. After washing the dried saliva off her cheek and brushing her white teeth and bright, flowing mane, she put on her crown and jewelry and, more quickly than usual, used her magical talent to raise the sun and start the new day. Being quite annoyed with her sister at the moment, she wanted to get through the whole morning avoiding her.
As much as she loved Luna, she was also irritated with her being so anxious in the recent days. Celestia understood that her sister meant well, but she spent a long week accusing her of having weak security throughout Equestria. Luna gave endless warnings of an incoming attack. Despite having tried to reassure her, Luna continued to claim that danger is coming. But, all that Celestia needed was some time to think things through.
She calmly sat on her bed, trying to enjoy one of her favorite hobbies, reading Cosmarepolitan magazine. It was hard for her to enjoy with her personal problems distracting her. While reading an article about Sapphire Shores getting married to one of the Wonderbolts, there was a knock on the door. “Come in.” She knew it was the head chef.
A black-haired, light-colored unicorn poked his head in. “Good morning, your majesty,” he said in a French accent. “What would you like for breakfast?” He magically had a paper and quill ready.
“Oh, not much,” she answered, “Just an egg-white omelet with extra peppers, some hashed potatoes with extra ketchup, some pancakes with extra syrup, some toast with extra jam, a fruit salad, and a powdered doughnut.” The chef’s jaw literally dropped from the fact that anypony, especially somepony like Princess Celestia, would eat so much. Even Celestia was a bit embarrassed with her sudden hunger.
“Anything to drink, Madam?” he asked, still quite stunned.
“Apple juice, please,” she replied, still blushing.
He rechecked her request, making sure he wasn’t mistaken, and said, “Your breakfast should be ready in half an hour.” And with that, he left.
Celestia normally ate a single course at each meal, but whenever her stress peaked at its highest point, she’d eat anything that was at least cooked. Comfort food was usually her way to deal with so much stress and emotion. Best if you skip lunch today, she thought to herself.
A few minutes later, she was just about to start on the month’s issue of Ponies when the door knocked a second time. “My goodness, that was fast. Come in.” But instead of a chef with a large tray of food, it was her sister, Princess Luna. Buck. Of course it would be her. She got rather fed up with having constant arguments with her.
Luna also seemed like she was tired of arguing. She‘d spent the last several nights on patrol, watching for signs of a supposed attack. “Sister, please let me take about 10 minutes of your time so I can talk to you.” Celestia looked down at her magazine and said nothing. Luna took that as a sign to continue, “The evidence of his return is incontrovertible. We’ve received countless information about him, accurate information that we cannot prove wrong.” She continued to stare at a random article. “If you don’t believe me, then-”
Celestia cut her off, “I know he’s returned.” She put down her magazine, got off of her bed and walked over to the window to see the world outside of royalty. “But we cannot cancel the celebration because of something that nopony is even sure may happen.”
“She told us that he’s after the Elements of Harmony, one of whom is also your student and apprentice!” Luna said much more sternly, “Perhaps he will come to the celebration and-”
“And do what?” she asked, frustration shown in her face. “Do you really think he is going to kidnap the Elements of Harmony in front of so many witnesses?”
“How are you so sure he wouldn’t?!”
“How are you so sure he would?! She never told us when or where he will strike. For all we know, he may want us to believe that he’ll attack. He may be biding his time.” Celestia looked closely at the grounds of the kingdom. Her little ponies had just started their casual day, just like any other. She took a deep breath to calm herself and glanced towards the night goddess. “Luna, please come to the window.” She came. “Now, look down and tell me what you see.”
She did as she was asked. “I see… ponies.
“And what are they doing?”
“Sister, is this really necessary?” Luna asked irritably. Judging from Celestia’s face, she realized this was serious. She looked back down at the city, “They are just minding their own duties.”
Celestia looked back down and saw many things: a few ponies opening up the local shops, fillies and colts walking to school, a cross-eyed, blonde Pegasus popping up from the branches of a tree. For them, normal. For the goddesses, stressful.
“Each one of them are living innocently without a care in the world,” she began, “We are responsible for keeping it like that.”
“And to protect them,” Luna spoke up through closed teeth, “Not to celebrate something you do every day.”
“Yes we must protect them,” she ignored the last comment, “but only in times of trouble.” She paused to think, then continued. “When we’ve heard of his return, we have vowed to keep a look out for anything suspicious. Since then, he’s been growing stronger. It has now been almost three months since any mention of an invasion. We are the only few who know about this. No one else, not even the Elements of Harmony or anypony from the Royal Guard. Our watch guards, by the way, are growing impatient with having to secretly spy on Twilight and her friends.”
She turns her back to her sister and returned to sitting on her bed. “We have to stop this,” the sun princess demanded, “Luna, you must understand that there is no point in continuing this endless charade that’s giving us no results whatsoever. I am through with wasting our tax money on unnecessary protection when we already have economic problems! I am even through with discussing this subject any longer! Discord is gone now, and there is no one that will help Stallion X! Unless you have any proof that he’s returning during the Summer Sun Celebration, I suggest you leave now!”
Luna continued to stare out the window. She didn’t move except with each breath. “Well…?”
Celestia asked.
The younger sister turned around, and Celestia’s frustration suddenly transformed into guilt. Luna’s cheeks were wet from the tears flowing from her eyes. “Tia…” She hasn’t called me Tia since she was a filly. “Please, you must believe me. I know there is no proof of an attack, but… I simply have a very strong feeling about this. I don‘t know why, but I just do.” She fought hard to keep her tears away. She was losing the battle. “I am reaching out to you, not as a ruler seeking for advice, but as family asking for help. Because, if you can’t help me, then I’ll have no one else to turn to.”
Celestia had no idea what to say. She quickly pondered in her memories. She remember that horrible night. I had no idea this was so important to her. I should’ve known. I only wish she could understand that what had happened all those years ago wasn’t her fault.
“Luna,” Celestia stared at her sister through her own tear-struck eyes. “I’ve told you time and time again. You were possessed by his dark magic, and I did what I had to do. I was left with no other choice. You know that.”
“Just like how you know of what he’s capable of, Tia.” Luna sniffed and wiped away the tears from her eyes. There was silence between the two sisters. Then Luna spoke again, “But if you still refuse to believe me, I’ll just leave.”
“No.” Celestia stopped her just as she was about to leave. “Don’t go.” She didn’t want to spend the day with a guilty conscience, knowing she left her own beloved sister to sleep in depression. “I don’t believe you… but we shouldn’t have this tension between us. This afternoon, I’m making last minute announcements. While I’m away, I will also request that the Royal Guard should provide heavier protection and security during the celebration. I will ask Shining Armor to create a shield around Canterlot. And tonight, I will continue to have Twilight and her friends guarded.”
“What will happen when he does return?” Luna asked. She tried to speak with bravery, but tears were still visible in her puffy eyes.
Even after many centuries, Celestia still remembered that night very clearly. She could never forget. “Last time, it greatly weakened me, but I alone defeated him,” she explained, “If he does return, we will have each other. And also Twilight Sparkle. You and I both know how powerful her magic is.”
The way Luna’s face looked reminded Celestia of the first time she raised the moon. No matter how hard she had tried, her little sister couldn’t do it. She sat and cried, ready to give up. If it wasn’t with the help and support from the sun goddess, she would have. Despite struggling to start the night, it was still a happy victory for Luna, as it was then she earned her crescent moon cutie mark. Celestia remembered very well that it was a happy night for her… but a loss of hope for a former friend.
Luna slowly walked up to her older sister, and they both held each other in a tight embracing. Being in the upper class society had, at first, been a dream come true for the both of them. But, eventually, they simply grew bored of hearing about one pony losing 15 pounds by eating only celery, or another having an affair with the servant. Having to deal with politics, money, traditions, and constant false rumors, the two princesses barely have time for themselves act like two real sisters. They wanted to hold onto their hug for as long as possible.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
They snapped out of their reminiscing and their hugging. They both stared at each other and laughed. How long were we hugging each other? Celestia called out, “Come in.”
It was the head chef, he began to walk in until he saw Luna. “Oh, forgive me, your highnesses. Am I interrupting?”
“Oh, no,” Luna said, still giggling. “I was just about to leave.”
“Very good, because I wouldn’t want this breakfast to go cold.” He magically bought in five trays of food and a glass of apple juice, all of what Celestia ordered. “Bon apatite.” He went to return to his kitchen.
Impressed by her sister’s gluttonous appetite, Luna decided to it was time for her to go to sleep. “I’ll see you tonight, sister. Enjoy your buffet,” she humorously added, and finally left.
Celestia was relieved that the dispute was settled. They may fight a lot, like normal sisters, but they have agreed on one thing, no one else, not even the Elements of Harmony, can know this secret until the time is right.