Chapter 2 - A Morning Visit
The pale moonlight streamed through thin curtains, the shimmering light faintly illuminating the dark room. On the bed Celestia lay on her side, the light playing across her pale pink mane as she lay on the edge of consciousness. Memories of the distant and recent past plagued her mind, causing sleep to elude her. Giving up on the thought of rest, she rolled out of bed and made her way to the washroom. With how early the hour was, Celestia had ample time to forego her usual gauntlet of cleansing spells in favor of the real thing.
Turning on the hot water, the steam began to turn the large room into a sauna as her thoughts meandered around her head. Along one side of the wall products from all over the country were arranged by their purpose, while the opposite side held a large mural. Gems embedded in the wall came together to form the image of two ponies embraced in a hug, their manes and tails freely flowing in the wind. She ran a hoof across the surface where the face of the darker pony was at, letting her hoof linger on the surface. To either side of the sisters in an embrace laid various other ponies, some newer than others.
Celestia dropped her hoof from the wall, ignoring the fact that the basin was now draining into the overflow as she let her thoughts drift to every pony detailed on her wall. Each one was dear to her at one point or another, and only after their passing did she herself add them; a way of forever immortalizing them.
"Luna. It seems that although I've been watching over our little ponies in your absence, I've lost something along the way." Her eyes drifted towards the pony depicted immediately to her sister's left side. "Starswirl was the first friend and lover I lost after your imprisonment. This time though, there was no shoulder to cry on, nopony else who truly understood where I was coming from after his passing. His death left such a void within me, and there was no way to heal it this time." Celestia walked along the wall, taking in each carefully crafted image as she walked by them.
"I still don't know if you can hear me from up there. Are you awake, aware of every moment that passes? Or are you asleep, a thousand years simply a blink of an eye to you? For awhile, talking to your moon about their losses helped some, but they weren't enough." Tears fell from her eyes even as the steam began to mat her fur.
"After Moonbright, I swore to myself I was done. Every loss left despair behind, and Equestria could ill afford a monarch who spent more time in a cemetery mourning than running the affairs of the country. I swore I would just make sure our ponies were kept safe and prospered so that you would have something wonderful to return to." Celestia backed away from the wall, daintily stepping into the hot water as she turned the knobs to their off positions.
Quickly dunking her head under the surface, she blinked the water from her eyes as it mingled with her tears. "Have I really become so distant though? I hadn't even noticed it, but my thoughts last night made it very obvious. It's been over six hundred years since Moonbright, the last mare I took to my bed. Three hundred and twenty-seven since I last called a pony friend, somepony to confide in. And the last time I took a student... it's been well over a century."
Picking a random shampoo from the wall, it floated over surrounded in her golden glow. A small amount came out and she began lathering her mane, the bottle finding its place back on the wall as she continued brooding. Even with Cadance, I've been distant. Another alicorn, and I haven't even given her a chance to get to know who I am underneath the facade I put on for my ponies... Maybe it's time to start bridge that void. Unceremoniously dunking her head beneath the surface once more, Celestia sat on the bottom of the bath, holding her breath.
And now, this little filly, Twilight Sparkle. She has just as much potential as Cadance, and is also orphaned. I need to keep her close, and making her a Ward of the Crown is the best way to do so, but... it has to be for the right reasons. I've known for a long time now that I cannot replace those who I've lost, but perhaps it's time to allow myself to make new memories...
Celestia resurfaced, exhaling the last of the stale air as she took in a fresh breath. A feeling in the back of her mind alerted her that the sun was soon due to rise, and so she made haste in finishing her bath.
The last of her cleaning finished, Celestia relished the fading warmth of the water one last time before pulling the plug with her magic as she quickly dried off. Walking back to her main bedroom, she put each of her vestments on and reactivated the magic that gave her mane its ethereal quality before going to the balcony. The moon laid low in the morning sky, the image of the ‘Mare in the Moon’ staring back at her.
As she heralded in the new day with the sinking of the moon below the horizon, she swore that the image moved to look directly at her, as it often seemed to do. The last of the moon dropped from sight as the sun’s ray pierced the light fog that hung over the valley at the base of the mountain. With a small sigh, Celestia turned from the balcony, her eyes lingering a moment longer on the sun as she began another day.
Before she could open up the door, a solid knock emanated from it, a voice speaking at the same time. “Princess Celestia, do you have a moment?”
Celestia opened the door, revealing Captain Shield who was already adorned in his full uniform. “I was just on my way to breakfast, Captain. What do you have for me?”
Shield moved out of the way, falling in behind Celestia as she began navigating the corridors towards her private sitting room. “We’ve prepared a full brief on the Highmount situation for immediately after the lunch hour. The Third Company has been mobilized and is ready to move out at your word; the estimated time to be prepared for action comes to approximately twenty-two hours.”
"Thank you, Captain. I hope it only comes to a show of force at the worst, but it never hurts to be prepared. I believe I have how I want to handle this in mind, but that can wait for this afternoon." Celestia quietly sighed, thinking about her solution. I knew that when the son took over Highmount, he'd be a problem. I'd rather the whole aerie burn, but it's best not to let anger cloud my judgement... I just hope it works out for the best. "Anything else, Captain?"
Captain Shield quietly hummed to himself, a sign that he was thinking. "Just one more thing, Princess. We received post from the aeries surrounding Highmount as well as a few others further out. They all offered their support in any decision that we come to. It seems that their king even managed to destroy all of the relations that his father had established with his own kind."
"That's good to know." Celestia stopped in front of a single door, grasping its handle in her magic. "Dismissed for now, Captain. I'll see you at the meeting."
The Captain walked away as Celestia entered the small room. Four cushions surrounded a small table in the center of the room, the only other furnishings small decorations and tapestries lining the walls.
"Good morning, Aunt." A quiet voice called out, greeting Celestia as she closed the door. The speaker stood up and gave a small bow, her pink coat and multi-hued mane standing out just as much as her wings and horn.
"Good morning as well, Cadance." She quietly greeted her adoptive niece, taking a seat at the head of the small table. Already present on the surface was a veritable feast of breakfast food. Grasping a muffin and pouring some tea, she let out a pleased sigh.
Cadance returned her attention back to her mostly eaten pancakes, an awkward silence filling the air like most mornings. "Any plans today, Aunt?"
"A few, Cadance. I'm sure you've heard about the situation with Highmount?" A quick nod from the smaller alicorn prompted her to continue. "Well, I have a meeting this afternoon to discuss how to handle our response." She paused a moment, a thought coming to the forefront of her mind. "Cadance, what do you think of foal sitting?"
Cadance's eyes widened in shock as she coughed in an attempt to dislodge the piece of pancake stuck in her throat. "Why do you ask that? I mean, I think I'm pretty good with foals from the few visits you've had me make to some of the classes and orphanages, but..."
"There's a filly in the hospital right now who survived the attack from Highmount, but she was left orphaned. I'm thinking of making her a Ward of the Crown, it just seems... wrong to put her into an orphanage after what she lived through." Celestia hesitated, unsure if she wanted to reveal her true motive. "She also has a lot of potential, and I think having you around would be a good thing for her."
Cadance's breakfast was ignored as she listened, shock running through her. "I suppose I could..." She stuttered, not really sure what else to say.
"That's good to know." Celestia smiled, taking a small sip of her tea before asking Cadance another question. "Any plans for yourself today?"
Cadance collected herself, standing up and setting down her now empty glass. "None in particular, Aunt. I'll see you later?" She asked, moving for the door.
Celestia nodded once, a smile once more on her face. "Very well. Have a good day, Cadance." A nod was the only reply she received moments before the door opened and closed, leaving Celestia to her tea, muffins, and the newfound silence in the room.
With a sigh, the last piece of parchment joined others in an ever-growing stack as Celestia sifted through the mortal enemy simply known as paperwork. A quick glance at the clock showed that it was only ten thirty in the morning, and she thought on what to do to pass the time until lunch.
Climbing to her hooves, she left her study behind and walked towards where she had found herself the afternoon prior. With purpose in her strides, she found herself outside the hospital in just a fraction of the time it took yesterday.
As she entered the lobby, an attendant greeted her. "Good morning, Princess! What brings you here today?"
Walking towards the hall housing the patient's rooms, Celestia replied without breaking stride. "I'm here to pay a quick visit to the young filly being treated here. No need to show me the way, I know which room she's in." She walked through the double doors, cutting off the attendant's reply.
The smell of antiseptic lingered in the air; not even the castle's hospital was free from that dreadful smell. The hallway was empty, the quiet clicking of Celestia's shoes the only sound greeting her ears. As she drew closer to the room, she noticed the door was open and heard voices from within. Pausing, she listened.
"Tell it to me straight, Doc. How is Twily gonna be?" A mature male voice called out.
Celestia heard the sound of a clipboard being messed with before the next speaker started. "Truthfully, the worst is behind us. Her horn was severely damaged; its tip was broken. However, after much work we were able to do the best we could and it shouldn't give any problems in her future. Sadly, it may never grow out to its full size, but we're giving her supplements to encourage its growth."
"And the cuts? That's a lot of bandages on her sides."
"Mostly superficial, a few of them were deep and required stitches. Your sister may have a few scars where fur doesn't regrow, but overall she'll be fine. I'm truthfully more concerned about her mental well-being."
Celestia walked the last bit to the door, clearing her throat and quietly knocking on the open door. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"Aunt! What are you doing here?!" Cadance called out as both herself and Celestia looked at each other in shock.
"I was merely coming to check up on Twilight, Cadance." Celestia took note of the young stallion standing next to her who had yet to recover from her entrance into the room and addressed him. "I take it you are the brother of Twilight, then?"
While Shining opened and closed his mouth without a response, Cadance gently put a hoof on his shoulder. "Shiny, don't worry. She won't bite or anything, I promise!" His face turned a shade of red as she giggled at his expense. Celestia simply looked on, an eyebrow raised at the interaction before her.
After composing himself, words finally came forth. "I'm Shining Armor, Princess. And yes, I'm Twilight's brother." He was nearly shaking, nervousness clearly visible.
"You can relax, Shining Armor. As my niece stated, I will not harm you." She noticed as the doctor quietly slipped from the room, leaving the three of them alone as he quietly shut the door behind him. "Although it's rather interesting to run into you here, Cadance. A rather large coincidence, no?"
Cadance blushed a bit as her eyes roamed to the stallion who was looking at his sister once more. "Well... remember that colt I told you about who got his cutie mark when he protected me from some falling glass?"
Celestia paused, letting her mind sift through the many conversations that she had held with Cadance over the years. It settled on one particular memory from a few years ago, when Cadance had been out shopping. "Yes, I recall that. Something about a pegasus dropping a shipment of glass shards on its way to be recycled?"
Cadance shook her head as Shining continued to tune them out, his focus solely on Twilight as his hoof delicately stroked her mane. "Yes, that's it. Shiny was nearby and threw up a barrier around me and the other ponies who were caught up in it. Ever since then, we've been really good friends."
Celestia caught the stress Cadance tried putting into the word friends and wasn't fooled in the least by it. "I see. We should talk about this later at lunch. The three of us, your friend is also more than welcome to come along." She took her focus from a flabbergasted Cadance and looked at Twilight as she addressed Shining. "How is she doing?"
Shining didn't move his attention from Twilight as he replied, all nervousness forgotten. "The doc said she'd be awake soon, maybe a day or two longer at the most. She should be fine physically, but it sounds like she saw both of our parents get killed..." He clenched up a few moments and took a deep breath, calming himself. "I'm not sure what's going to happen though, our parents were our only family."
Celestia awkwardly placed a hoof on his shoulder in reassurance, causing him to jump slightly as his gaze turned and met her cerise eyes. "Don't worry, I'd actually like to talk to you about that. I have something in mind... Would you like to join Cadance and I for lunch?"
Celestia removed her hoof and walked to the door, noting that Cadance still looked dazed. "Cadance, Shining Armor. Would you two join me?" Noting his hesitance, she spoke reassuringly to him. "Don't worry, we have the best professionals here that'll be keeping an eye on your sister. After lunch, you'll be free to come right back here."
Shining hesitantly left Twilight's side, poking Cadance as he nervously walked towards the door. Shaking her head, she followed him out as well, both of them looking into the room one last time before closing the door.
"So, Shining Armor. Tell me, what do you plan to do when you're older..."
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Moar!!!!
Marvelous. Simply marvelous. Can't wait to see more hun
2985082
Yeesh, just finished this one... 20 minutes ago. Give me some time? lol!
2985084
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
nice! you can actually feel the heartache tia has, for a change! don't get me wrong, there are good and great writers here on fimfiction but so few can actually write so you actually care about tia or get a sence of that she REALLY actually cares about her ponies. I STILL am unable to get myself past the point that we're supposed to believe Luna's breakdown was ALL due to ponies sleeping through her night and not anjoying at least a few minutes of it. jealousy over many years = mental breakdown
probably more in the direction of being a bloodthirsty hit-and-run driver and this is even with her being a highly magic saturated alicorn. add a few spells placed on her iffy psyche and then I'll be able to buy that but just jealousy dragged over centuries
Woo! First thing I saw when I got up. Excellent way to start a day.
What he said! Moar!!!!
And on a more serious note, good work so far. Spelling, grammar and punctuation all look fine to me, and the story itself is interesting. You're Doing It Right.
Celestia needs to snap lol, I get the sense that she is like 100% ooc here which is of course done on purpose. Its awesome really cause we know how she is supposed to act. so MOAR!
2985086
Well, if you'd tone down on the amount of AWESOME included in your stories, you might be able to reduce the amount of MOAR!-cries.
I'm really interested in where you're going to take this regarding the relationship between Celestia and the Shining/Cadance-duo. The lack of Fire-y Death From Above™ by everyone's favorite sun goddess is a bit of a downer, though. There can never be enough Fire-y Death From Above™.
I can't be the only one with a headcannon of the gryphons not being a warrior society. Where did that even come from originally?
Is she talking about adopting both Twi AND Shiny? ... Twi I've seen in other works. Shiny, however? ...This is new. And this piques my interests considerably. And for that you earn my following. @_@
What, no fire and brimstone raining from the heavens?
What kind of author are you?! 
Seriously though, I'm enjoying this story. Keep up the good work!
I'm liking how this is going. I am looking forward to the next chapter and to when Twilight wakes up. I do have a question though; will this story be focused on events prior to NMM or is there going to be a few chapters and then a large time skip?
What everyone above said and then some MORE!
"Bridging" maybe, or reword the sentence a little bit.
This feels oddly worded to me, was a little hiccup during reading.
I like shit burning too Celestia, I think we could get along.
We got an update on Highmount and how it has burned its bridges with any potential allies, Cadance now probably can guess who she will be foalsitting, Shining finally made an appearance. Even though the chapter felt short, we had good progression of the story, we might see more hints of Celestia trying to connect more with her niece and friend (I am guessing she already has taken the rocket out of its dock).
This is shaping up to be some pretty damn awesome ponyfic. Eagerly awaiting the next chapter!
Thanks for taking my feedback in stride, by the way. I was pretty worried that I should have kept my mouth shut, but I think you've really gotten Celestia's personal distancing from her subjects across to the reader with this chapter.
2985132
Was a bit hard to follow, but I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far.
2985138
Hopefully you enjoy
Thus the AU tag. Plus, the entire premise is based on changing what is seen on the show.
2985139
Glad to hear I put a smile on someone's face at the start of the day!
2985158
Thank you very much. I try my best to ensure grammar and spelling are spot on, although the occasional contextual error does sometimes slip by. And comma splices too.
2985184
While Celestia snapping would result in something most... interesting to see, I have no plans to go down that path. She's still very much in control of herself.
2985228
Lol, I'm certain quite a few folks are unhappy about no "Fire-y Death From Above™" happening, but it'd be too far out of her character for me to justify it. Bloodshed begets more bloodshed, and Celestia doesn't like that.
And I didn't think there was too much awesome in the story, I just love the premise and hold myself to standards.
2985366
This is something probably more influenced by Fantasy novels in general, rather than MLP. I've read numerous novels in which they are a society in which bloodshed is very much a part of daily life. I mean, a bird of prey mixed with feline? That's my view on it anyways.
2985539
Just note that, per the AN I left in Chapter 1, a Ward of the Crown is not an official adoption. That comes later down the road, and I already have the scene planned out that'll spark it. Much heartache will be had, methinks. Glad to have you on-board though!
Working on the details for Shining Armor, you'll have to wait and see.
2985658
Thanks for the kind words, I'll try my best to do so
I know, taking the boring way out, right?
2985820
There'll be some time skips. A large chunk of this story is pre-NMM though. Gotta build a proper relationship and events, afterall! Currently, either Luna's redemption or Twilight becoming an alicorn are stopping points.
2985937
2986009
*puts on a frowny face and goes to GDocs to fix errors some more*
Thanks Four. As always. : ) My plan is to keep chapters for this between 2,000 - 4,000 words in size. Sometimes, like this one, there'll be a lot of stuff packed in, othertimes, it'll be focused on one thing.
2986028
Thanks for the kind words.
And I would never discourage any sort of feedback, ever! Except baseless criticism that is useless to me. The fact that I didn't fully convey the void I wanted to was pointed out by you and others, so I worked to address it. Trying to keep the hook short hurt me there, as it took me around 1,000 words alone to really put together a scene that worked for it. But, enjoyed writing it. Combining something normal like a bath with a deep, introspective monologue? Why not!
Alrighty! Finally read it, never got the update notice... Wonder why.
Like how you gave us a look into Celestia's mind. Also, Starswirl was Celestia's lover in your mind? I like.
Most ship him with Luna. And then mutate him into Discord.
So far so good, let's see what goes next!
~Skeeter The Lurker
I'm confused now about the sexuality of Celestia
2986427
She's a long living, potentially immortal mare. I'd say her sexuality is everything. To me, the line that gender typically creates can be tossed right out the window in regards to her.
2986321
I blame FIM for it bugging out in some manner.
And yes. Fuck the whole 'Starswirl loved Luna, then turned into Discord.' It's boring and cliched.
2986482
If I didn't say it before... I love you.
~Skeeter The Lurker
2986482 shhhh don't ruin it
Disregard that last comment(which I can't find.) I see mommylestia in the summary. carry on.
EDIT: nvm found it. deleting.
2986271
Sorry I couldn't correct in GDocs before it was added here, I was sleeping and I like doing that. The point of mentioning all of what happened was more to enforce how this was not filler. Filler chapters are yucky.
aww man, and here I was hoping i could get to see a story where the princess calls down dragons, minotaurs, and all other sorts of beasts to fight for her, and just utterly destroy the griffins.
Guess I need to take my oddly specific taste in fics elsewhere...
Nice update.
2986487
I think I have a whole section of my bromance heart dedicated to you Skeeter, the feeling is very much mutual in nature.
2986630
When done properly, filler chapters can be good. But, this could become a lengthy discussion, so feel free to bug me via Skype about it if you wanna get in depth. : p
2987170
Lol, sorry to disappoint. As stated though, it'd shift the focus too far from what's truly important here. Celestia and Twilight. Plus Shining Armor and Cadance. Speaking of, I need to tag them...
2987248
Thanks. : )
2986257 Lookin' forward to the next chapter, mate. :D
I'll be Honest. Normal case I don't like too much Mommy Twilight and Celestia storys because (some 'unexplained reason- so natural, expected'?- maybe the main: ) I better like Mommy TwiLuna fic. BUT your story... This ONE really a huge exception and I love it!
Keep going just this way! :) Can't wait the next!
2986487
I didn't even know there was a thing making Star Swirl turn into Discord. I have seen the Luna shipping but I just think they were chums. Like, go out and get sloshed chums then pull pranks on others.
Hmmm, a Skype chat on filler, maybe.
2990416
I've seen the theme around. They might not be fics, but they exist.
~Skeeter the Lurker
2990458
Yuck, though I have never much liked Luna being shipped with any character. But a Swirls Discord, nope.
Good chapter. I didn't think Celestia saw the ponies as just pawns or toys in this story ever, but it was nice to see how she became the way she is now. It was also nice getting a little of her History and it showed just how much Luna actually means to her, especially when you mentioned how she wasn't close to Cadence, another Alicorn.
2986321 I have heard the Starswirl was Discord theory before... I still can't believe people would think that. I'm pretty sure when Discord was introduced it was pointed out he was the ruler of Equestria before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I think it even says they used the Elements of Harmony together to turn him into stone the first time. I suppose people will come up with their own theories and go to great lengths to make it fit, even if it does go against cannon.
So in regards to what I just read only one thing makes sense here.
I personally see this rolling a bit too fast. Mostly in regards to Celestia deciding on how to open herself up. When I read the story description, I was given the impression that Celestia would be so far withdrawn that she wouldn't be able to see anypony more than an acquaintance or an asset with the exception of her sister. Clearly since Celestia can sense Twilight's potential, I was expecting the former to look at how the latter can fit into plans to ensure Luna properly returns and gradually work from there.
While I'm at it, I'm somewhat expecting Celestia to pull some behind-the-scenes tricks that "conveinintly" places or keeps the remaining 5 Bearers of Harmony in Ponyville, depending on the specific pony. First and foremost, what would draw or keep the remaining Elements in Ponyville would be whatever appealed the most to the pony in question. In Rarity's case, no competition in Ponyville for her fashion designs. Fluttershy drawn to Ponyville on a rumor that there were many animals there but nopony that explicitly took the time to take care of them as a veterenarian. Rainbow being able to perform her job with the Weather Patrol on whatever hours she could set herself which would leave her time to perfect her stuff for joining the Wonderbolts. Pinkie Pie being drawn to Ponyville could be similar to Fluttershy's case but instead of animals, it's ponies with frowns needing to be turned upside down then she meets the Cakes which further cements her to Ponyville. Provided that the events of the Sonic Rainboom go as they did in the show, I don't think Applejack needs any incentive to stay in Ponyville aside from her family she grew up with and the farm.
TL;DR
I was expecting Celestia to look at Twilight pragmatically at first but as years pass, Celestia is drawn out of her shell and starts to look at Twilight less as part of a grand scheme and more as the daughter that Celestia had chosen to adopt which could eventually bring a semblance of reluctance to knowingly putting Twilight into very dangerous situations and much more. I don't know how many seasons you plan on making this span but I'm interested in how it would turn out with this skewed variation of the timeline.
I've been lurking around this site for a while now and I have never seen any reason to register since I don't actually write, but anonymous comments were disabled and one aspect of your story confused me so much I just had to ask; why was five year old Twilight with a diplomatic team sent to an aggressive and potentially hostile gryphon aerie?
This is coming out quite good. I love it!
Lookin' good! Hope to see another chapter again soon!
This is looking like quite a good setup. :o Eagerly awaiting more.
Yep... shes totally distant with Cadance^^
Well, I'm only a little disappointed at no hell fire raining down.
Anyway, thought the idea of celestia's mane not always flowing to be a bit off putting, but everything works.
I look forward to the next chapter
So sad...
I think you mean 'to' she is not talking about the number two
Ok so straight off the bat, Sunset Shimmer does not exist.