Celestia paced, her hooves clopped rhythmically against the pristine marble floor. Normally, she only allowed herself the luxury in the privacy of her garden. The sound was so different from the soft rustle of the grass. Clip clop, Clip clop. It was like a clock counting down. Second, by second, an unpleasant meeting drew closer.
What was Chrysalis up to this time? Either she was telling the truth or not. Either option was bad Celestia turned, staring back the other way. Now which nobles have not been at Court recently? They would all need to be rounded up. Their minds thoroughly searched for any hint of collusion with either Nightmare Moon or changelings.
She paused, gazing out at the impressive view of her city down below. The pinnacle of what her ponies could achieve held no answers. Marred by all the guards’ preparations, all it did was punctuate the troubles of the day.
Her pacing continued. Is the Nightmare back? Or is this merely a ploy to drive a wedge between the rulers of Equestria? There were so many possibilities, but in the end, it came down to two. Either she would have to deal with her sister, maybe permanently, or she would not.
A cold weight lodged in her chest. Duty, always duty first. Would the ashes of Luna’s body end up carried on the winds of time, would her treasured sister become nothing but a memory?
Her Mask dried her tears before they even dampened her eyes as Daybreaker’s lazy droll slipped into Celestia’s mind. Relax, whatever the truth is, it will not change no matter how much you worry about it.
Molten fire banished the chill from her core. “Relax? Relax! You do know what is happening?”
Yes, and if you don't take a breath, I will make you indulge with your pipe again, and you know you won't be able to fully clear the scent before she arrives.
Celestia’s angry snort obscured the room’s finery with its heat haze. Luna would never let her hear the end of it if she knew Celestia was smoking again. When had she become so unstable? She took a deep breath as her aura mixed another cup of her special brew. Two then three times as many herbs as usual. Perhaps I should have this baked into a cake.
I would recommend something small and bite-sized. Just remember to pre-write the pardon for whomever you get to make them for you.
A little bit of magic to stir and heat the water was well within her budget, and prepared the beverage that little bit faster. Then she gulped down the still boiling liquid, draining the whole pot before setting about making a second.
A large cake and a second cup completed the refreshments for the upcoming meeting.
The poisons did their work. Her powerful heart slowed and the tightness in her muscles eased. A mortal pony would be dead by now, she knew. Celestia rested her head on the forelegs and let her eyes close. The last time anypony had tried to poison her, they used a toxin far less dangerous than this current brew working its way through her body. A few of them caused such a wonderful tingle through one's body. Maybe with a few more Alicorns they could restore the art of proper immortal grade indulgences?
Celestia yawned. How much would approved hazard pay be for preparing such dangerous ingredients?
She's coming. Daybreaker said, the words brought Celestia to full alertness. She had just raised her head when heavy hooves pounded the ground and advanced towards the door. Celestia lit her horn, quickly reheating the tea.
Luna almost demolished the door as she stormed in. “Sister, why have you summoned me? Our ponies need our aid out there, not back here in Canterlot.”
Everything in her sister's body language, every subtle hint of movement, fit her words. But could she be trusted? Could she take the risk?
“Sister. This hesitation is not like you… what is wrong.”
Luna was far too observant and one of only two ponies in the world that had a chance to read her. Celestia’s Mask painted her face with a concerned but reassuring visage. “Luna… this is a strong subject. If I even raise it, you may think I believe it.”
“Just be out with it.”
“Now, I suspect this is a trick. Something to divide us. RGIS has found a lead that Nightmare Moon is back.”
“But, you no longer trust me, do you, sister?”
“Luna…”
“I understand.” Luna’s flat answer was almost like a physical blow. “I shall remove myself from the field if that's what you wish. I will confine myself to Ponyville and keep my family safe.”
“You don't…”
“I can see you don't trust me. I fell once, and you fear I may have done so again, despite your best efforts.” Luna turned silently, loping towards the door. “I know where my cell is.”
Celestia’s hoof crashed down, only her Mask prevented her from flinching from her own unexpected action. “Luna, stop being so melodramatic.”
Luna watched, eyes narrow, her departure of the room frozen, almost as if she had been petrified.
“I do not for a moment believe Nightmare Moon is within you. Nor with your upcoming marriage do you have the motivation to think nopony cares for you. So, unless this is a prank by you, this is either a trick to distract us or Nightmare Moon is out there somewhere.” Celestia pointed with a hoof out the window.
“So, you calculated I'm safe?”
“I'm trying to say I trust you, Luna.”
The smile on Luna's face was a pure ray of light from the most beautiful sunrise. Until it slipped away, her sister’s face freezing into a cool mournful visage. “… no thou don't, tis nice to hear though.”
“I…” Celestia started.
Luna shook her head, an unexpectedly soft look in her eyes. "I know what I did in the past is both unforgivable and unforgettable. I thank you for trying, but I can read you too well, Celly."
Luna's hug was as warm as it was unexpected. Soft wings enveloped Celestia, and the comfort brought back so many memories. It spoke of all the many hugs over their lives, even the many that Lulu would never remember.
Celestia pulled her Mask back and leaned into the hug. She could practically hear the smile on Lulu's muzzle at that one little gesture.
Luna’s coat was soft as she nuzzled into Celestia’s neck. "We will get through, sister mine. "
“We will always have each other.”
“Forever,” Luna agreed.
For a few precious moments, the princess of the sun was not there. If only I were just Tia, sister and best friend of Lulu. It was a lovely daydream. A heavy rap on the door dispelled that illusion.
"Princess… " The guard paused for a moment. "Princesses, the Griffon Ambassador is demanding a meeting immediately."
"Send him to the solarium and arrange refreshments. I will be there shortly."
The guard bowed and backed out of the room.
"Sorry, sister."
"We both have duties. Some more obvious than others." Luna took a few steps away before turning back. "Assuming I am free to depart?"
Celestia nodded. "I lost you once. I just had to be sure. I don't want to..." A soft feather against her lips silenced her.
With a warm smile, Luna backed into the shadows and then was gone.
Celestia lifted her cup, taking a long draft of her self medication. Did she notice?
No. Daybreaker’s answer was level and gave nothing else away.
Celestia put her cup down before her impatience threatened its continued existence. So, did she cast it?
As fun as battling her would be, I am forced to answer you truly, your radiance. No, she did not.
The weight of the world lifted from her back, she would have to be careful, or she might float off without even using her wings. Celestia settled into the cushions, tension and readiness shedding from her flesh like water from a duck's back.
But, she did steal your cake.
“What?” Celestia reached out for the cake, still clearly on the tray. It dissolved into motes of shadows, leaving behind only a beautifully done sketch of herself as round as a balloon, muzzle buried in a mountain of cake.
After a few seconds, the anger faded, and for some reason, she could not stop the laughter that shook her body.
“Princesses, are you alright?” A guard called in from outside.
Celestia lifted the gifted artwork. It was the first work of art Luna had gifted her since her return. Celestia’s face ached from her wide smile. “Yes… yes, I think I am.”
...that was beautiful!
I'd say kill Celestia by cutting out her heart, but it's already been established the robot doesn't have one.
This was actualy very clever. Luna holds no more ill will with Night and doesn't actualy know what she did or did not do back then; or even the aftermath so any guilt brought up only affects Celestia and distracts her from contemplating the matter further, changing the subject without changing the topic.
Put that on the fridge
10809001
I agree. Celestia right now is the biggest threat, dooming the ponies and will realistically be killing everyone if this story was based on Realism.
MORE CHAPTERS!! YESSS!!!
10809152
she just needs a wake up call and likely time away from ruling. Heck maybe let Daybreaker more freedom.
You wanted us to think about the newest AOT ending here, admit it!!
10809001
Yes she does, it just doesn’t work right
10809199
Why
Can we have a big version of that Sketch that Luna did?
I will print it out and hang it on my wall!
Casus Belli if i ever heard one.
As one wise small man once said:"Wars have been started over less!"
10809199
10809241
Fuck that.
In case you've forgotten, Celestia sentenced the ARTIST Luna to death via pitfight for the AUDACITY of killing the dick that tried to(or did?) rape her. But Luna was too stupid to just die and take the peaceful way out. So instead she gets to be too good at killing and so Celestia, in a fit of sisterly love, BANISHED HER TO THE MOON! {SARCASM ABOUT THE LOVE PART BTW SINCE I KNOW YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO CATCH THAT ADMIRAL}
It's also implied that she had her own issues with the ruling class of Alicorns, so genocided them ALL. NOT because of any love for her half-sister.
And 1000 years later she's still a sociopath, who may never have even HAD an emotion EVER...and she's fondly remembering when the alicorns used to try to kill themselves for FUN. She has ZERO desire to change. Hell, she threatened to kill TWILIGHT, because TWILIGHT was about to kill some shitstains that wanted to kill Twilight's DAUGHTER.
For a while I was debating whether this was the most despicable Celestia I'd read about or not. Her competition was the Celestia from Airstream's series. In that series, each universe or world has a personification of Order, Balance, and Chaos. Chaos should be easy to figure out. (It's Discord.) Luna had the Aspect of Balance. And Celestia was the Aspect of Order. Things went ok until Discord was wreaking enough havoc that Celestia convinced Luna to seal him in stone. BUT this ended up shifting the balance towards Order, so Luna went full Nightmare, only for Celestia to use some souljars to banish Luna to the Moon for 1000 years.
Celestia took that time to create a breeding program and Cutie Marks to help shape her vision of Order, and when Luna came back and tried to interfere...Celestia shoved her in a dungeon and raped her repeatedly.(A context I missed, sadly. As I am a 30+ virgin I associate moans with pain, not sex.)
As disgusting as that Celestia was...I only pitied her. As a manifestation as a universal constant, she has no choice but to perform her function. She had no free will, just a directive. But THIS story's Celestia? Yes, she may have been RAISED to be a sociopathic bureaucratic judge, one who judged all lawbreakers equally mercilessly. But she CHOSE to do so by killing off her emotions. To CONTINUE to do so. She HAS NO DESIRE TO CHANGE.
And for that, I won't be happy until she's DESTROYED. To be born 'evil' is terrible, but to actively CHOOSE evil, and to CONTINUE to do so is unforgivable.
10809356
Sociopaths have hearts, they just don’t work.
10809356
We only have bits of the story and my opinion of Celestia has gotten worse. But I do not think she is beyond redemption. She just needs a reality bomb.
10809356
i mean you are oversimplifiing things here , we still dont know what happened to the alicorns , yes its implied that Celestia has something to do with their disapearance but we still dont know anything about it really...
also , there seemed to be some time between Luna in the Arena and Lunas banishment to the moon ( we dont know that 100% but it seems logical since Equestria was around when Luna ( one of the princesses of equestria at the time ) was banished.
Also she basically said that the Alicorns of old where pieces of shit, so she DOESNT fondly remembers them killing each other for fun....
and No im not trying to defend celestia here she did some fucked up stuff, and I think she WILL have to answer/pay for that at some point.
10809677
You must have missed the part where she wanted to bring back ancient alicorn traditions after having poisoned herself. With something that would be enough to kill a mortal many times over. Because she wanted a drug high. To relax before maybe needing to kill her sister again if the confrontation went poorly again. With the implications that the ancient alicorns poisoned themselves for FUN.
10809709
Maybe with a few more Alicorns they could restore the art of proper immortal grade indulgences?
I mean thats what she said .... its a lot different from saying : hey remember those other alicorns killing each other/themselves !
Alicorn can cut of their legt and they just regrow in a few minutes , what Celestia is doing isnt GOOD for her, and yes you are correct it is fucked up that she wanted a drug high before potentially having to kill her sister, BUT it is consistent with the rules that Nightsclaw set up for this universe , alicorns are hard to kill, so they need stronger drugs to affect them.
when you go into a bar and get drunk ,what you have done isnt any different, Celestia just needs a lot stronger stuff , so the "It could have killed a mortal pony" thing kinda is pointless.
10809356
Please keep personal attacks out of the comments section.
10809356
I feel as if you're vastly oversimplifying Celestia's motives, thought processes, and emotions in conjuction with her actions (and not to mention, getting rather rude merely over a dissenting opinion that still overall agrees with the verdict). Not to say her actions aren't despicable.
I do not recall it being specifically Celestia who sentenced Luna to the arena, but regardless I'm certain its one of the many things that Celestia regrets. It could easily be the sort of event that catalyzes 'turning over a leaf' and deciding not be like the alicorn she was taught to be. Celestia is a character that preforms actions she hates out of the idea its for the greater good, actions she did as a young alicorn notwithstanding. Heck, she created Daybreaker specifically so that if she ever had to face Luna, or anyone close to her again, she'd hand it over to them so that her grief didn't hold her back. Its stated she oftentimes loses herself in her memories, and one can merely look at her in the previous chapters with Cadence to see that what she did to Twilight and their relationship did hurt her. But she'd still do it again, if she had to.
She can, has, and would hurt the people around her if she thought it'd benefit the aggregate of ponykind and Equestria in the long run. In her mind, the individual is irrelevant, because they are either immortal like her, or are so ephemeral that sometimes she can't tell the difference between them and her memories she loses herself in. She has a chess set in her mind for a reason.
The Celestia I've read is a pony with plenty of heart and emotion, but has hardened her own heart in dedication to her ideals. An alicorn who tries to be a selfless utilitarian to her ponies, and struggles with her upbringing that taught her to be a hedonistic autocrat with no regards to her lesser subjects. She's constantly fighting her own nature, both nature and nuture in regards to alicorns, and her own desires for the sake of a plan and set of ideals she emplaced upon herself a long time ago. She is the ultimate utilitarian - but a main critique of utilitarianism is the idea of letting an individual or minority of people suffer for the sake of maximizing the pleasure of the majority.
10809911
I think, first thing that should be stated about her... about any of them actually, is that alicorn princess isn't a person. Royal "we" never was more precise. It's a group, a union of personalities sharing one body, each with own priorities, ones that require to be balanced in order to stay functional.
We do not know if it was same union or same power dynamic in that head back then.
Analizing Celestia or Twilight as a single continous and contigous entity would give rather... unflattering results.
10809749
To compare, one hundredth of alcohol amount a man can drink in one evening would kill a dog, because they absorb it too quickly. Xylitol added in safe amounts to some confectory or to toothpaste, is also a poison for them. Practically every medicine is poison too, but we consume it in safe amounts. Heck, pepper and most spices ane neurotoxins which are deadly in pure form.
10811804
While I do concur with a lot of that, Celestia is an exception in that, barring recent developments with Daybreaker coming into her own, she has been a largely singular entity with two fragments that largely are more tools than people. Before Starlight did her shenanigans, Daybreaker was merely the Warmind, and akin to a militant version of the Mask - devoid of personality and wholly subservient to Celestia.
So largely we can view Celestia as one person, perhaps less so as of late than in the past
This was amusing
10809911
As I have said before I honestly rhona that Celestia herself needs a break. Not just from ruling but also from controlling the body. I honestly think Daybreaker is actually better then her right now.
I am in need of more to read. STAT!
Why? WHY THE FUCK do you have to keep using mind magic and half-truths to do something that shouldn't need them? For FUCK'S sake.
11443199
It's Celestia. She does this stuff naturally.
11443199
Because its faster than Asking and more sure than Believing the answer
That deserves to be kept for a long time, Tia. Don't burn it by accident.