Anger can do many things to a pony, even drive them crazy. Luna never meant to do any of the things she did, but her anger drove her past the breaking point.
Luna used to be a happy go-lucky mare with care for her subjects and the whole of Equestria. But some unsavory tings can be said even if you try your hardest, and things were being said about the princess. After managing to overhear the wrong conversation, Luna grew angry. But she has an image to upkeep, so she just ignores it. Except, you can't ignore some things. Some things plague your thoughts and can overpower you if you let them. These very thoughts of anger were getting too much for Luna, and the wall that carefully keeps her sane is getting pushed too much. pushed all the way to her breaking point.
The first chapter was done as an assignment. The assignment is to write a story based on a proverb of our choosing from a set list. My proverb was "as the wound inflames the finger, the thought inflames the mind." But I loved the concept I had going so much that I decided to add two more chapters.
A lonely alicorn princess lays in the dark recesses of thought that house both pleasant dreams and fear-filled nightmares. However, she has no interest in the dreams of anypony today. Instead, she lies in the grass clearing of her own dreamscape. She’s been moody and aggravated lately, it puts her on edge. She hates to admit it, but she has been feeling angry and has unintentionally snapping at everyone. She finds that her own mind is the place to go when she needs to calm down, but even her own mind isn’t helping her frantic thoughts.
“Argh!” Luna shouts in exasperation out into the forest surrounding her mind. She launches attack after pointless attack at the closest tree. The magical energy used to power the various attacks bursts every time it collides with the tree that doesn’t actually exist, they’re only figments of her dreaming mind. As Luna let’s up on the attacks she can see the fault in her actions, she just looks dejectedly at the unharmed `tree`.
“I must say Princess, you have a great sense of design,” Luna’s head jerks up at he voice. Her eyes dart around in search of the source, Luna finally turns to find a mysterious unicorn mare. “Hello Luna,” the mare takes a seat right in front of the princess, Luna just stares at the unicorn with wide eyes.
“You, who are you?” Luna asks warily as she raises a hoof, she concentrates her thoughts on her hoof going through the pony. She retracts her hoof in surprise when she touches the soft fur covering the pony, any object of her dreamscape should be able to be manipulated in any way she can imagine. Since this mare couldn’t be manipulated, it only means one thing. This mare exists outside of her dreamscape, but if that’s so, how is she here?
“Oh, no one important,” the mare replies with a non-committal wave of her hoof.
“We think it is, state your name. We order you as your Princess,” Luna counters in calm demanding authority. Luna is taken aback when the mare giggles, Luna attempts to regain her composure.
“Very well, but I’m not actually one of your subjects. Simply put, I would prefer if you let up on the Princess act. can we simply talk as equals?” Luna’s mouth hangs open as she thinks on what this mare is saying, she manages to snap her mouth shut as soon as she realizes it’s open. “Starlet Mint, that’s my name,” the mare answers as soon as Luna’s attention is back on the conversation. “So, what do you say, Luna? Can we talk as equals?” Luna looks incredulously at the mare, she feels a spark of anger deep inside her. This mare has guts, to stand up to a princess like that. Surprisingly, her anger is drowned out momentarily by admiration. It actually feels good not to be on a pedestal, to be respected as another individual. This mare has seen her as normal, this mare is trying to level with her.
“Very well, Starlet. We can speak as… equals,” Luna relishes the word as it rolls off her tongue, it feels nice to not need her royal authority. “Who are you?” Luna asks once more, but with a much more laid back tone. luna can finally feel some of the tension she’d been feeling lately leave her, `maybe all I need to do is loosen up more,` she muses.
“I’m a helper, I’m here to help,” the mare replies with caution, almost as if she could guess Luna’s reaction.
“Dost thou thinketh that we need help?!” Luna shouts in rage, the anger that had been boiling below her calm demeanor now makes itself visible.
“There’s that fire…” Starlet muses, “Simply put, yes. I think you’re hurting, and I wish to help,” Luna’s rage boils as she see’s the soft look in the mare’s eyes.
“We need not the help of an insolent little filly!” the alicorn spits the words with indignation as she grinds her teeth in fury.
“You don’t really believe that,” Luna’s features contort in anger. “If I were just some filly, I wouldn’t be here.” Starlet gestures to the dreamscape around her. “we are alone in your mind, Luna. You’re safe here, your secret is safe with me. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?” It wasn’t exactly a question, but more of a suggestion. Luna can’t help but feel comforted by the mares words, she can tell that Starlet speaks the truth. Luna has no doubts about the mares words, yet this does nothing to ease Luna’s mood. looking at this mare Luna can’t help but see her sister. The image of her sister, the Princess of the sun, seems to fit perfectly on this mare. Even though her sister’s shining brilliance is a stark contrast to this mare’s shady disposition, there is an undeniable resemblance in their demeanor.
All of these thoughts should comfort Luna, put her mind at ease. Luna loves her sister dearly, at least she’d like to think so, yet the image of her sister sends bitter memories dancing through her thoughts. Lunas’ mind races to find why she feels so much anger towards Starlet, it feels so unrational. Her mind reminds her of the reason she felt aggravated in the first place, Luna felt like a joke. Luna feels like the lesser princess, `My sister obviously always outshines me. This mare is making a mockery of me, equals… She just wants to bring me from where I should be! My place is on a throne, not at the level of just any other mare!` Luna silently fumes at this mares perceived antics.
“Princess… Luna, I… I don’t mean to talk down to you. I only wish we could not have to deal with technicalities such as rank. You wouldn’t be able to let me help you if you feel a need to compose yourself as a princess. You need release, your emotions are becoming unstable. If you continue without help your actions will only become erratic. You’re at the risk of hurting yourself,” the mare is pleading for Luna to understand, but Luna’s judgement is severely impaired by the rage she feels. Her vision has turned a bright shade of red, her body shakes as she tries to compose herself.
“You think we cannot deal with our own problems, because of my rank?! I am a completely capable princess! I don’t need some foal dealing with things she doesn’t understand! I can handle myself just fine!” Luna’s voice has raised to the loudest version of her royal canterlot voice, the booming echo shakes the ground for seconds after the shout.
“Please, Luna, Please…” Starlet mutters as she looks into the princesses cold eyes. There is no sign of fear or terror in Starlet’s eyes as the princess stare back, but there is a hint of sadness. Luna swings a hoof at starlet with all the force she can, her hoof catches Starlet across the muzzle. Starlet stands her ground as the hoof meets her face, the red starts to fade from Luna’s vision. Luna looks at the mare, her face full of shock at what she has just done. She has never hit anypony before, not for the reason she just had. Luna looks over the damage, there is blood dripping from a cut across the mare’s muzzle.
Luna reels back in terror at her own actions, the most concerning thing is that Starlet never stopped staring at her. It isn’t a look of shock, or disgust. Luna would have prefered any of them to the look she is receiving, Starlet doesn’t even look surprised at her actions. Starlet’s eyes seem to suggest that she isn’t concerned about getting hit, almost like she’s used to it. The most disturbing thing is the emotion beneath her eyes, it speaks of pity and guilt. The pity seems to tear at Luna’s steely resolve and the weight of her actions catches up to her. The guilt somehow suggests that Starlet feels that this is her own fault, it makes Luna feel worse about what she’s done.
“I’m sorry… I am so very sorry for you,” those words were not Luna’s, but Starlets. Luna’s own apology gets caught up in her throat as she hears those words, she can’t find the will to say anything as the mare walks away. The last words Starlet had spoken before leaving hang in the air, Luna wants desperately to call out to the mare. to stop her, to apologize. Unfortunately, Starlet is gone, Luna just collapses to the ground as the rest of her anger is washed away by her own sorrow. This sorrow turns back to anger, her sadness empowering the rage she feels. This anger isn’t as aimless as before, it’s directed at herself. Luna continues to brood until she can’t take it anymore, she gets up and walks to a tree. Turning around to face her hind hooves to the tree, she lets out a cry in anguish as she bucks the tree with all of her might.
Luna jolts up in her bed, her fur drenched from the sweat that had gathered during her sleep. Luna drearily gets up from her bed to look out her window, according to her sisters sun it’s only about noon. Moving to the mirror, Luna finds her eyes are slightly bloodshot. The thought of blood brings a scowl as she remembers the contents of her dream. Her mood only worsens as her mind flits about in a meaningless attempt to justify her actions or mask them with anger, the thought that all of her justifications are wrong is enough to fuel her temper.
In a futile attempt to calm herself down, Luna tries to find solace in the hallways of the castle. Luna stomps through the castle as the mostly empty corridors let her hoofsteps echoes be the dominating sound. All the guards stand to the side, they’re clearly intimidated by the angry princess. This just puts more wood on the fire, the Princess of the night grows even more agitated at her subjects reacting in fear. Luna stops by a tall window to look out at the pegasi flying in the distance. She can barely hear what the one in front yells to the one in back, but she hears enough to make her increasingly sour mood even worse.
“If you keep going that slow, we won’t make it home till after dark. And I don’t want to be stumbling around delivering packages at that time,” Luna doesn’t hear the rest as she turns her attention away before she does something she might regret. Again. `Of course they would try and finish before the night, nobody ever appreciates my work I put in every night for everypony! Nobody ever appreciates my night, but everypony simply adores my sisters sun!’ Luna seethes as she quietly saunters through the halls, an eerie quiet replaces her previous clunking steps. She moves through the hallway like a ghost as her mind races with fury. Her stomach churns as she thinks about her sister, she’s starting to feel physical consequences for her internal conflict.
Luna continues on through the hallways as her mind picks up on all the small things that irk her. Her mind picks up on every single example of disrespect she bears in a single day, picking up on all the perceived injustice she can find. before she slinks around a corner, she halts at the sound of voices. Normally she’d just pass them by, but their conversation had piqued her interest. She had heard just a snippet of conversation, but it ruffled her feathers. she listens intently to see where the conversation goes, she is regretful about ever caring.
“Celestia’s sun sure is bright…” A stallions’ voice carries around a corner.
“Stop avoiding the question,” another stallions’ voice calls.
“What question?” the first stallions’ voice carries a hint of fake innocence, and a hint of wary fear.
“You think Luna’s going crazy?” Luna stiffens as she hears the question.
“I don’t want to answer if she is… you shouldn’t speak ill of the Princess, she might hear you…” the first voice replies in a hushed tone.
“She’s probably still asleep,” the second stallion laughs and is sure to add a quick quip, “She’s always sleeping while the rest of us are hard at work,” he hadn’t meant to and would never insult the Princess while she was around, but he hadn’t known she was just on the other side of the corner. Luna’s vision turns a dark shade of red as she turns the corner and strides right past the two stallions.
“You think she heard us?” she hears the second stallion whisper to the first. Luna spins around and faces the stallion. She leans close to his face and stares at him hard.
“Yes,” Luna deadpans, you could hear a pin drop in the resulting silence. The silence is broken as Luna spins back around and stomps through the halls. She’s essentially on auto-pilot as she rages internally. She’s sick of being the lesser princess, sick of being looked down at. Her hooves carry her bitterly towards the throne room, she can feel her sisters magical signature on the opposite side of the room. Consumed with rage, Luna walks into the throne room blind with anger. She walks in blind to her own intentions, blind to what is going to happen.
“Not another step.” Luna calls out as she walks into the throne room. She glares at her sister as she stands on the other side in surprise, she’s taken aback by Luna’s tone. Luna remembers being soft spoken once, but now she will be the take charge pony equestria needs. Luna interrupts her sister before Celestia has a chance to ask anything, “Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all bask in your precious light?” the enraged Princess walks up to the ledge between the two thrones.
“There can only be one Princess in equestria! And that princess will be me!” the last word is emphasized as Luna’s hooves come crashing down on the stone guard that bordered the ledge she’s standing on. Luna feels power surge through her as her eyes shine brightly for a second. Luna can feel the raw and uncontrolled power surging through her body and the environment around her, she surprisingly feels the elements of harmony’s power amongst it all. Luna sees the room darken slightly and she can feel the gentle tug of the night increasing into a gust of power surging through the energy around her.
Theres a shattering sound as a window above her breaks into a million tiny shards, light from the sun peeks through the resulting hole. Luna forces her moon into the sky, eclipsing the sun and forcing the day to turn to a bitter night. Energy manifesting in the form of shadows seeps into the room and blankets her surroundings in darkness. The black energy swirls around and closes in on her. She can feel the pressure building as the shadows increase their speed into a swirling mass of energy.
She isn’t focused on what is happening around her as her thoughts pound into the side of her skull. As a wound swells and inflames the body, her thoughts swell and inflame her mind. She can feel all the falsehood and wrong in her anger that she hadn’t noticed before. All the pain and rage is only fueling the energy pressing in around her. Luna realizes too late her fault, she had let herself lose control. Luna curls into a ball as she regrets her decision, she can’t help but feel guilty about everything that’s happened. It had been a mental tug of war between herself and her anger, and she’d given up.
“I’m sorry sister…” Luna whispers as the energy turns dark and consumes her. A single, unnoticeable, tear falls to the ground. It lands with a small plink as it hits the rubble below the whirlwind of energy that drowns out all other noises in the area. The storm ends with a burst as the pony that had once been known as Luna, Princess of the night, Steps out. This pony, however, is not Luna. Luna, is long gone.
In Luna’s place is a shadow of who the Princess once was. A pony with small slits for pupils, the jagged teeth of a carnivore, and a stare so cold it could freeze lava. All traces of Luna are either gone, covered, or corrupted. No more was the little sister that loved her subjects, instead there is a monster that rules with terror and forced power. This is the monster known as Nightmare moon.
“What have I done?” Celestia descends to the grown slowly in sorrow, the elements float around her idly. She has just used the elements to stop the monster that used to be her sister, but she’s not quite sure what’s happened. There are now marks on the moon that resemble a pony, she’s positive they weren’t there before. That, and the elements magic had overpowered Nightmare moon and then aimed towards the moon. Celestia is too sad to understand what has happened. She can’t figure out what all these things mean, what it means she’s done.
Why had her sister done what she did? Why had she done what she did? Where is her sister? Is her sister okay? All these questions and more bounce around Celestia’s weary mind, she’s emotionally drained. She can’t wrap her mind around the situation, but she can’t let it go. She’d done something to her sister, and it’s going to haunt her mind until she finds out what. Probably even long after that. But she doesn’t know nor does she care how long she stays on the topic, all that’s on her mind is what the problem is and how to fix it.
Celestia looks at the elements floating around her and she ponders their power, they have solved the hardest of problems. Discord had been a major problem, but the elements had encased him in stone. The elements erased discord from the equation and it was no longer a problem. Had the elements erased her sister from the equation? How had they done so? The elements had directed their energy to the moon, and now there is a pony shaped mark in the moon. Is it possible that the elements put her in the moon? It sounds preposterous, but it’s the first breakthrough she has.
“Oh, Luna… I’m so sorry, I’ll find a way to get you out,” Celestia raises her head to the sky and looks sadly up at the moon. “We’ll find a real solution… Why did I do this? Why did the elements do this?” Celestia crys in sorrow, she can’t understand how the symbols of peace and order can put so much distress and sadness into her life. Celestia can feel the tears streaking down her face from the guilt of what she’s done, she can’t believe that she would do something so terrible to her kin. She locked her sister up like a criminal, she could have found alternative help. There has to have been another way!
“Princess, calm your mind,” a voice speaks up from Celestia and she spins around.
“Who are you?” Celestia asks in a regal tone.
“My name is Starlet mint,” The mare is a bright grey unicorn with a dark brown mane. Her mane has red tips, and her tail has similar tips and streaks of red. Her eyes are a bright red, and Celestia can see a cut on the mare’s muzzle. The cut has a small amount of blood dripping out of it, but it looks mostly healed.
“What business do you have in the castle,” Celestia asks shortly, she’s in no mood to be dealing with ponies right now. Then she thinks about where they are and what has just happened, how had this mare gotten here at this time anyhow?
“No business, but I do wish to help you,” Starlet sits right in front of Celestia.
“Help? We aren’t in need of help,” Celestia turns away from the mare and puts the elements back in their place. She then sits next to the elements and stares at them, she doesn’t bother putting them back under. She lets her thoughts drift to using the elements again and bringing back luna, but her thoughts are interrupted by the mare.
“It won’t work,” the unicorn mare sits down beside her and stares at the elements with her. Celestia stiffens at the mares words.
“What won’t?” Celestia asks cautiously.
“Using the elements to bring her back, the elements don’t work like that…” Celestia turns to look at Starlet, she doesn’t expect what she sees. The mare isn’t physically different, but she looks much older. This mare looks sad, regretful. This mare looks understanding, comforting. Celestia shakes away her musings and her mind latches onto the mares words. `the elements don’t work like that? nopony knows how the elements work,` Celestia decides to press this matter.
“And how do you suppose the elements work?” Celestia asks.
“The elements use their magic enlaced within them to enhance the users natural harmony, but it only works with the strongest bonds. There are three strong forms of harmony, this is what the elements run on. The elements can only be used by ponies with the purest of the elements in their relationship. All the ponies don’t have to have every aspect, but each aspect has to be in a pure form inside at least one of the ponies. You and luna shared each attribute, but some ponies might not. The three bonds that the elements will use are familial bonds, bonds of love, and bonds of friendship. These are the purest forms of harmony, and they’re all a form of pure friendship,” Celestia is amazed at this mare’s explanation.
“The elements don’t normally work for one pony, but you found the loophole. You used the elements out of love for your sister, you loved her so much. The elements used that love and let you use them, however, your thoughts were very vague. The elements are slightly psychic, meaning they use your thoughts to form the best solution. Your mind was not solely on your sister, your thoughts were a bit different. You thought of stopping her, you thought of keeping her away from other ponies, you thought of your subjects before her. You were more concerned about keeping everypony safe, instead of getting your sister back.” Celestia doesn’t know how Starlet knows this, but she knows she’s right. It’s part of the reason Celestia is so distraught, she had thought of strangers ahead of her family. Celestia lets a stray sob come out and Starlet notices.
“It’s okay princess, you had a moment of weakness. No one thinks less of you for what you’ve thought. Your heart is too big for it’s own good. But now you must make amends for what you’ve done, and apologize to your sister when she gets back. She will need your support, she isn’t feeling well either.” Celestia looks excited once she hears the last sentence.
“You have spoken to her?!” Celestia asks enthusiastically, she has hope for seeing her sister. her hopes are dashed by Starlet’s reply.
“Before she was banished I attempted to help her, things were distasteful when I left. I, unfortunately, could not help her. Our meeting ended on… unsatisfactory terms,” Starlet reaches up and touches the cut on her muzzle. Celestia gasps in shock, she cannot believe her sister would do such a thing.
“She struck you?!” Celestia exclaims.
“‘Tis nothing, She is not herself. She was overcome with anger, she was not well in the head. I attempted to clear some of the haze, but I fear that it was too thick,” Starlet looks down with regret, her own guilt plastered across her features. “Your plan will not work because Luna is cut from Equestria. Her magic is in stasis and her mind is blocked from both sides. She may or may not be able to see us all from her prison on the moon, but even if she can she is still trapped within her own mind. She is stuck in her prison until the elements effects wear off. Since the other element bearer that bears with you is no longer part of equestria’s magical field, you cannot wield the elements. Until Luna returns, you cannot wield the elements. It would be best for you to keep them hidden where no one can find them, The elements should not be lost. Keep them away from you, if you have them near you then ponies will know that they are precious. It will be easier to find them if they are close. There will be a time when the elements need to be found. when that time comes, the ones that need it will find it.” Celestia looks forlornly at the elements, they were her last hope for helping her sister and now she has nothing.
“Surely if I could wield the elements alone once, then I can use them to bring her back. I could wield them with the love of my sister,” Celestia is pleading for an alternative.
“That won’t work because of the reason I’ve already told you and one more. It won’t work for the same reason you can’t bring a pony back to life with it. Even if you love that pony with all of your heart, you could not bring them back to life with the elements. The elements prevent you from bringing anything back to you that you have lost, unfortunately, your sister now fits this description.” Celestia is losing hope quickly.
“Is this it then, I just wait for however long until the elements give her back?” Starlet nods apologetically. “Why did this have to happen?” Celestia feels the tears as they streak down her muzzle.
“All magic has it’s costs, and we must always live with the outcome. Yet we can always make amends for negative outcomes,” Starlet moves closer to Celestia. Celestia feels a comforting hoof stroking her back in a calming way, the motion seemed to give her confidence. “Everything will turn out ok,” Celestia turns to Starlet and sees a warm smile being beamed at her. A memory of long ago springs to celestia’s mind, a memory from her fillyhood. A memory of her mother doing the same for her when she had felt down, a memory of a comforting hoof and warm smile.
“Thank you, Starlet. I thank you for your help,” Celestia stretches a wing around the mare and pulls her close and into a hug. “I do hope our advance was not to forward,” Celestia says as she lets Starlet go.
“No, it’s quite alright. I wasn’t aware that the Princess gave out hugs, I’m honored,” Starlet lets out a small laugh and Celestia manages a chuckle. Celestia looks at her guest curiously, she is an enigma of sorts. Before she came Celestia had been the saddest she could possibly be, she’s still sad. But this mare had made it a little better, she had made everything ok.
“May I ask something? How are you so knowledgeable on how the elements work?” Celestia looks over to Starlet for an answer and Starlet looks back.
“I study harmony for my duties. I need to know about harmony and all of its workings if I am to be successful,” Starlet replies non-chalantly.
“What exactly is your line of work?” Celestia asks.
“It’s of no importance,” Starlet says.
“Maybe so, but I would still like to know.” Celestia responds. Starlet gives her a long look before relenting.
“I’m a helper,” she responds with a sigh, “I help keep the harmony,” Starlet looks to Celestia for a reaction.
“Keep… the harmony? in Equestria?” She asks incredulously.
“Most versions of it, some places are meant to be lacking in harmony. But I try my hardest to keep the harmony in certain places,” Starlet replies.
“Most versions of it? Do you you speak of alternate realities?” Celestia looks at Starlet in awe.
“That I do,” Starlet sighs once more. Celestia manages to see the real thing that separates this mare’s look from her actual physical appearance. At this moment she looks old, not in a bad way, but she looks like she has seen a lot. She looks like Celestia does whenever she feels stressed or weary from a day’s work and she takes a good long look in the mirror. Celestia sees herself in this mare, it brings a smile to her face.
“You don’t suppose you could take me any time soon?” Celestia asks in earnest.
“I’m afraid not, and even if I could… I’m not so sure that would be a good idea.” Starlet responds with an apologetic look.
“I understand…” Celestia and Starlet sit there in silence for several minutes before Starlet gets up.
“I shall take my leave, I am needed elsewhere. Besides, it would appear that you have a castle to rebuild,” Starlet takes a look at all the rubble from Celestia and Nightmare Moon’s tussle.
“Perhaps I should just build a whole new castle… maybe somewhere not so close to the everfree,” Celestia muses.
“Maybe,” Starlet agrees.
“Will I ever see you again?” Celestia asks.
Starlet pauses before answering, “Perhaps.”
“Then I shall await your return, maybe my sister can join us next time we meet,” Celestia gets up from her spot and pulls the mare in for another hug, Starlet wraps her own hoof around Celestia.
“I would like that,” Celestia watches as Starlet disappears from sight. She doesn’t even so much as move, nor does she make any noise. She had not used magic, yet she was just gone. Celestia stares in awe at where the mare had been before a smile creeps up on her face. Celestia has gained new confidence that everything will be alright, just so long as she doesn’t dwell on the past. She just has to keep her head up and hope for the best.
Her mother had always told her `Let your past make you better, not bitter` and she had never given it much thought, but she’s sure she knows what she was talking about. Things will happen, either to people you love or things you have caused, sometimes it’s both. But you can’t let these bad experiences plague your mind and further poison your actions, but that doesn’t mean you ignore those bad things. No, you make up for mistakes and learn from them.
Celestia looks one last time at the elements before making up her mind, she needs to hide them. She looks at the rest of the castle and the state that it’s in, maybe she will just build a new castle. But first, she’ll get some well needed rest. Today has been physically and emotionally exhausting, but first she’ll need to lower the moon. It is still day time after all. She can then take a nap till she has to lower the sun, and raise the moon. It’s going to be tough Raising and lowering the sun and moon until Luna get’s back, she’ll have to get used to it. It’s a new age for Equestria, one filled with sorrow and regret just as much as with hope and happiness. Celestia only wishes that she is able to do the best she can for Equestria.
“Maybe I should look into taking on a personal student at one point…” Celestia muses, she lays the thought to rest as she saunters towards her room for a good rest. The moon is lowered and the sun can be seen once more, the panic from the citizens stops as they see this. All across Equestria ponies are puzzling over what just happened, but the Princess just slips into a peaceful sleep. She’ll have to handle everyponys' panic, but later. It can all wait, because she is now the sole ruler of Equestria. She is the pony everypony looks up to when they think of a messiah, when in truth she is just like everypony else. She is Princess Celestia, Princess of the day.
Princess Celestia looks over her kingdom and sighs, today is such a loaded day. she has to prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. She only performs the celebration for the ponies, they want to see her celebrating the banishment of terror. For Celestia this day means so much more, but she puts on a smile and continues on like always. Deep down, Celestia has never been able to get over her sister’s banishment. She is never able to talk about it because the knowledge of her sister has been written off as a fairytale, and if the ponies learn that she banished her sister she might look like a power-hungry tyrant.
Every once in a while people will ask her about it, but she never is able to give a straight answer. Twilight Sparkle, her faithful student, even asked about her sister. Twilight had managed to get into some old books about the legend of Nightmare Moon, she even managed to find the book on the Elements of Harmony. Twilight started getting all worried about some prophecy Celestia had all but forgotten. The prophecy clearly states that “on the longest day of the thousandth year the stars will aid in The Mare in the Moon's escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal,” but Celestia is very doubtful.
The prophecy’s origins are unknown, it just popped up one year and no one questioned it. They likely wrote it off as just another part of a fictional story, no one really knows where it came from and nor do they care. The idea of her sister coming back is marvelous to Celestia, but, if the prophecy is to be trusted, it’s not actually her sister coming back. Even if her sister were to come back, Celestia has no way to actually bring her actual sister back and not that monster she became. But since none of the prophecy has any credentials, Celestia just writes it off as another fairytale as well.
Twilight had thought that the threat was very real and that got Celestia thinking. Even if Celestia had just brushed it off and told her student to leave the subject alone, Celestia had to wonder if there is any merit in the claims made by an anonymous pony hundreds of years ago. Twilight had believed it, and Twilight is typically a very smart pony. `Though she does tend to worry over meaningless things quite a bit,` Celestia thinks to herself with a chuckle. She thinks back to the various tests and assignments Twilight has fretted on over the years.
Celestia thinks back on her studious student and she sighs, she has seen these symptoms in one other pony. Starswirl the Bearded had been a great pony and a bright stallion, but he was never well off in the way of friends. Same goes for Twilight, Celestia fears that Twilight may not reach her full potential for this reason. Starswirl was bright and friendly, but he got so caught up in his studies that he never had time to spare for others, he never lived outside of his bubble. Yes, Starswirl had been friends with Celestia, but he needed more friendship in his life. Even Celestia wasn’t really his friend, sure they had some fun sometimes, and they were friendly, but it just wasn’t the same.
She sent Twilight to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration, but her real intention was to just expose Twilight to some friendly ponies. Maybe Twilight will find some ponies she would love to call her friends, maybe she can learn friendship before it is too late. Twilight isn’t a bad pony, so she has no fear of repeating what happened to her former student, but without friendship Celestia fears she may not learn what she needs to. Celestia let’s herself be reminded that at one point in time, her former protege was also like Twilight. smart, driven, socially inept; Twilight could turn if she doesn’t learn the right lessons.
Celestia sighs as she attempts to put such dreary thoughts out of her conscience, today is supposed to be a day of celebration for Equestria. `Yet I’m the only pony who mourns…` Celestia thinks solemnly, she turns to a mirror and frowns. Actually, she just keeps frowning, because seeing herself frowning made her want to frown. Such is not the look of a Princess, Princesses need to keep their composure and continue to reassure their subjects. `Happy face Celestia, happy face,` Celestia quickly flips her frown into a smile. She looks at her reflection with a calm and composed demeanor, all the way until she notices a figure behind her. She turns in shock at the unexpected guest.
“What are you doing here?!” She asks in exasperation at the pony before her, nopony could have possibly got past her guards or magical re-enforcements. “You can’t be in here!” Celestia is frantic as she tries to think of an explanation. She checks her enchantments on the room and finds that they’re still completely intact and working perfectly. She looks around and sees that nothing even seems the slightest bit out of place, yet this pony is just smiling up at her innocently like nothing is wrong. “This can’t be, what did you do?” Celestia asks the mysterious mare, Celestia is completely baffled.
“Hey to you too Tia’. I just walked in, how else do you expect me to travel?” The mare says in a light tone, a complete contrast to Celestia’s frantic running about for an answer. “You know, I can see why you chose Sparkle. She’s a lot like you, or your a lot like her… Anywho,” The mare just sits down and smiles at Celestia like nothing is wrong.
“Why are you here? Who are you?” Celestia also sit’s down as she tries to process this mares casual banter. Even if Celestia wishes for her subjects to treat her casually at times, nopony ever actually does.
“Really Tia’? You already forgot me? Well I guess one thousand years is a long time, I probably should have come by sooner. I just figured you were busy running things and all, I was also caught up in my work. Sorry it took so long for me to come around, but you have forever and a half to wait, don’tcha?” The mare goes on and suddenly pieces start to click into place. Her red tipped dark brown mane, her silvery grey coat, her three heart cutie mark, her heart-warming red eyes. Celestia thinks on the unicorn mare more and more until she remembers where she knows this mare from. This was the mare from that night one thousand years ago, on the day of Luna’s banishment this mare had been there to help Celestia with her thoughts.
“Starlet!?” Celestia reels back in realization and then springs forward like a Timberwolf and tackles Starlet with a hug. Starlet’s eyes go wide at the incoming attack, but she doesn’t move. She holds her ground and lets out a small oof from the impact. Starlet’s gaze softens at the affection she’s receiving. She wasn’t expecting anything of that caliber, especially from the Princess.
“Princess! Are you alright?!” The door bursts inward and two guards burst through, their weapons at the ready. They see Princess Celestia hugging a pony they’ve never seen and jump in shock. “Erm… Princess? Are you alright? Who is this mare? How did she get in here? We were posted right outsi-” The stallion guard is cut off as Celestia releases her grip from Starlet and waves off the guard.
“She’s an old friend, please return to your posts.” She says after composing herself. The guard hesitantly looks to the new mare, he nods and exits the room with a salute. Celestia sighs and turns towards Starlet with a smile.
“So Tia’, how are you faring?” Starlet finally asks after a second or two of awkward silence.
“I’m doing well… You?” Celestia looks at her guest in amazement.
“I’m doing about as well as I can,” Starlet sighs and kicks a hoof. “Harmony is tough work, some of these places are awful…” Starlet looks down glumly but immediately perks back up. “But there are plenty of great places and ponies, but I’m sure you know that,” Starlet lets out a small laugh and Celestia chuckles with her.
“I’m so glad to see you, it’s been forever! I can’t believe I almost forgot, I’ve just been so busy…” Celestia trails off and looks up for no particular reason, she sees her starry ceiling and looks around at her room. “Hey, you must have noticed the new castle then! I got my best architects on it, would you like a tour?” Celestia calms herself and regains her regal composure.
“That sounds lovely,” Celestia smiles at Starlet’s answer and leads the way out of her room and into the hallway. She gives a curt nod to her guards and tells them to just continue guarding the door, they only nod in response. Celestia turns with Starlet and continues walking down the hall with her. Celestia starts giving Starlet the personal tour and they both smile the whole time, but by the time they make it to the garden Celestia has a question nagging at the back of her mind.
“Why did you finally decide to visit? Celestia finally asks after a couple minutes of silence. She looks over to Starlet and sees her somber expression as she looks at the beautiful fauna in the garden.
“Your sister is returning,” Starlet replies, Celestia reels back in shock. Starlet looks over to Celestia with a weary smile, “but I’m sure you already knew that,” Starlet turns back to the garden.
“Both.” Starlet doesn’t bother looking at Celestia and just continues to watch the animals and plant life in their natural splendour.
“We have to prepare, we have to find a way to-” Celestia is cut off by Starlet.
“Calm yourself Princess,” Celestia lowers herself back onto the ground, she hadn’t even realized that she was hovering in anticipation.
“But, I have to help her!” Celestia argues.
“Yes, but not yet,” Starlet calmly replies, she turns away from the beauty of the garden with a comforting gaze.
“When do I help her then?” Celestia asks earnestly.
“When she’s your sister again. Until then, we wait,” Celestia looks at Starlet and finally agrees with a sigh.
“Okay then, we wait,” Celestia motions for Starlet to follow her. “How exactly is she going to be my sister again?” Celestia finally asks.
“Your personal protege, Twilight Sparkle. She’s a smart mare, she’ll figure it out,” Celestia looks at Starlet with skepticism.
“Are you sure? Twilight’s smart, and powerful, but I don’t know how she could change Luna back..” Celestia says with concern.
“She’ll be fine, Trust me. I can see that she’s a very harmonic being, she just doesn’t realize it yet. I just came to make sure everything goes smoothly, and to see my newest clients,” Celestia goes wide eyed at Starlet’s words.
“Harmony? You can’t mean... the Elements?” She asks in shock.
“Yes, I do,” Starlet looks up at the windows in the hall they’re in.
“That’s fantastic! I had faith that she could do it!” Celestia cheers jubilantly.
“This is a beautiful stained glass window,” Starlet comments as she looks up at a window, it’s a window with a brilliant sun design on it. there’s a window on the other side of a plain window with a moon design on it.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about getting more commissioned. Perhaps one of some of my sister, or perhaps some of our greatest achievements. Like defeating Discord-” Celestia stops as she thinks over that thought. `Starlet’s job is to keep harmony, was she keeping harmony then too?` Celestia thinks to herself, her thoughts are interrupted by Starlet.
“I was there Celestia, I oversaw everything. I can’t directly fix problems like that, but I make sure to help those who can fix it,” Starlet just smiles innocently as Celestia looks at her in surprise.
“I… I didn’t ask anything,” Celestia says, more to herself than anything. she still gets a reply.
“I know,” Celestia looks at Starlet in amazement before shaking her head and returning the smile.
“You’re certainly something else, Starlet,” Celestia thinks over what she was just told and smiles, it’s nice to know that there was always someone there. There was always someone helping and silently rooting for her during one of her greatest achievements, it makes her wonder what else Starlet has seen. “Are you immortal?” Celestia turns to Starlet for an answer.
“Immortal in the sense that I’m always alive, but I’ve died more times than I’d care to admit. It’s a small price to pay, sometimes some things are more important,” Starlet smiles in that same sad way she does. Celestia looks at her in shock and concern, Starlet’s way of life is seeming less than ideal. Though she can understand it, risking everything for the greater good. Celestia has never actually died though, she’s not even sure if she can.
“That’s terrible…” Celestia says, Starlet just waves her hoof in a motion meaning to say that it’s nothing. “Where exactly do you preside?” Celestia asks in curiousity.
“Pardon?” Starlet asks in confusion.
“You travel through dimensions, correct?” Starlet nods slowly and then understanding dawns on her.
“Actually, only sort of. I travel through realities or timelines, rarely do I travel through dimensions. I’ve traveled through Starswirl’s portals, but those are the only mean’s I have of dimensional travel. I only preserve harmony on Equestria, I don’t really have the powers on my own to go elsewhere. As far as I can tell, Equestria is the only place that needs to keep harmony to thrive. Equestrian magic is harmony based, and without harmony then the land won’t thrive. Other dimensions might not have to rely on harmony for it’s magic, maybe they have their own version of me that works to keep order by whatever means their world works…” Starlet muses as she walks with Celestia through the halls.
“You only work on keeping harmony in Equestria?” Celestia thinks this over in her head. “So you visit Equestria, just… things are different?” Starlet nods and Celestia waits before asking her next question.
“So… Are there any where I’m not a princess?” she asks nonchalantly.
“Plenty, but I shouldn’t really tell you about them. Knowing some things can drive a pony mad,” Celestia nods in understanding.
“Are there things that can’t happen?” Celestia asks.
“Well… technically no. there are certain cases where if certain things happen, then certain things aren’t supposed to happen. It makes a mess of the timeline, but keeping time straight isn’t my job. I do help out occasionally when our path’s cross…” Starlet smiles at the memory.
“Wait, our? Is there a pony that’s in charge of time?” Celestia asks.
“Technically, there are multiple. Unlike me, they are bound to a certain reality. They keep track of that reality they stick too, except when they stumble across other realities… but enough of that. It’s not your job, you have your own job. I have harmony, they have Time, you have leadership,” Celestia nods in understanding, then a thought comes to mind.
“Are there any Timelines where I’m a stallion?” she asks with a chuckle.
“Yeah there are, Solaris” Celestia bursts out in laughter and Starlet joins in. They continue in their idle conversation until they get back to Celestia’s room. They both sit down in Celestia’s personal chambers. after some time Celestia excuses herself to leave.
“I’m sorry, but I have to get ready for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Celestia gets up to leave, but Starlet stops her.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Starlet warns.
“And why not?” Celestia asks curiously.
“Because Nightmare moon is returning, it would not be wise to be around when that happens. You’re not on the best of terms with her, you just need to trust Twilight to take care of it. You’ll know when it is time to go,” Celestia sighs in exasperation and sits back down. She and Starlet stay where they are and continue to converse. Eventually Celestia orders for some tea and cake, they chat while eating the delicious food. The guards and other castle workers start to get anxious when they realize that the princess isn’t leaving, they attempt to remind her about the Summer Sun Celebration and she just waves them off. Celestia is ignoring another guard telling her she’s late when the room goes even darker than the night was, the guard gets scared once he sees that it’s not Celestia’s doing. The light comes back with considerably more intensity as the moon is full and unmarked.
“What’s happened?!” the guard exclaims in fear.
“It’s just endless night, it should be over not long from now…” Celestia idly checks her hooves in the moonlight and then turns to the guard.
“Set up Canterlots defenses and try to ease ponies minds. I have to wait for another pony,” Celestia watches the guard scamper off and hears Starlet laugh from behind her. “What’s so funny?” Celestia asks as she feels a giggle come to herself.
“The way you handled that! That and the difference in the way you treat me and your subjects. You don’t hesitate to show emotion around me, or your sister for that matter. But your a calm rock in front of everypony else, it’s just kind of comical,” Starlet lets up her laughter and looks out at the moon.
“Well, you don’t look up to me. Neither does Luna, at least, not in the same way. I’ve had thousands of years to train and stay calm in the face of danger and in front of my peers,” Celestia sits next to Starlet and looks out the window at the bright moon.
“But you’re going to take any chance you get to be emotional, is that right?” Starlet asks, Celestia nods.
“Yep,” Starlet giggles at the Princesses casual demeanor. “You know me so well,” Celestia floats over two blankets to keep herself and her guest warm against the brisk night air. She herself isn’t all that cold, but the towers can get cold for ponies that aren’t pegasi. For Celestia blankets are more of a comfort than a means of keeping warm. She could also warm herself with magic, but a blanket gives her a nostalgic feel. She wraps herself in her blanket and relishes the feel of the fabric, it calms her nerves as she thinks of the pony out there at this moment.
Celestia looks out into the darkness of night and sees the stars twinkling brightly. Even if that monster Nightmare moon wants to bring an endless night again, She knows how to make a beautiful destruction. “Everything will be alright,” Celestia mutters to herself as she looks towards the moon. She notices the lack of a mare’s face on the moon and smiles to herself, her sister is almost home.
~~~~~~~
“I’m so sorry Celestia! I never meant to do any of those things! Please, could you ever forgive me!” Luna is openly weeping into her sister as she flys the both of them to Canterlot in her personal chariot.
“Hush Lulu, don’t beat yourself up over it. I’ve told you, I’m not mad. I understand what you were going through, it’s okay. I forgive you, you’ve done nothing wrong. It’s all my fault, I didn’t see that you weren’t respected as you should have been. It was selfish and stupid of me, I hope you can forgive me…” Celestia answers glumly.
“You’re not the one who went crazy and tried to overthrow their sister…” Luna adds bitterly.
“You didn’t ignore your sister and cause her to feel unwanted which led her to do some things she’s not proud of…” Celestia sighs and pulls Luna close with her wing. “It’s obvious we’re both not proud of some things, so let’s say we put those differences behind us. This whole Nightmare fiasco is over and it’s history, let’s just move on. besides, I have someone I’d like you to meet,” Celestia squeezes luna gently with a hug and luna lets out a sniffle.
“You’re too nice to me sister…” Luna leans closer to celestia and hugs her back.
“Only the best for my little sis’” Celestia and Luna stay leaning against each other for a few more seconds before they release.
“Is there truly a pony you wish for me to meet?” Luna asks hesitantly.
“Yes Lulu, she’s a dear friend of mine, or, at least, I’d like to think of her as my friend. She understands what you’re going through, so she’ll try not to overwhelm you. She was a bit hesitant to meet with you, she has the notion in her head that you wouldn’t want to see her. I think that it’ll be good for you,” Luna looks at her sister but says nothing. She is feeling a bit better after the celebration, she found that all the ponies were nice and accepting. A couple even gave her flower necklaces, she almost cried at that. To think that a pony would be so nice to her after she almost cast Equestria into a never ending night, it took all her willpower to not break into tears.
Luna sees a castle close to them and she looks up to her sister, Celestia nods back. Luna takes in the marvelous tower, it looks very different from their old tower. As the sisters arrive, Luna looks at everything around her. It’s all just so beautiful, more beautiful than anything she’s seen in a very long while. While she’s admiring everything she doesn’t even notice a unicorn mare walk up to them, a very familiar mare. Luna looks up and sees a bashful grey unicorn with red tipped dark brown hair, she coils back in fear.
“Hello again, Luna.” The pony says timidly, her taciturn demeanor gives fire to Luna’s guilty conscience. Luna remembers a name, Starlet mint.
“How…? It’s not possible…” Luna quivers as she stares at the mare, she feels as if she’s seen a ghost. She must have, `this pony can’t still be alive… can she?` Luna thinks in terror. She sees her hoof colliding with this mare’s face in her memories and she shudders as she remembers that dreaded dream.
“I’m sorry to cause you so much emotion Luna, I’m sure it’s a shock to see me… I just want you to know, I don’t blame you. I never have, I just feel guilty that I couldn’t help you before you lost yourself.” Starlet reaches her hoof out to Luna and she flinches back. She waits with her eyes closed before slowly opening them, she doesn’t know what she expected to happen. She thought that maybe this mare would try to take revenge that was far past due, but instead she has her fore-hoof outstretched. It looks like she’s asking for a hug, “Will you let me in Luna? Can we be friends?” Luna is taken aback by this mare’s offer.
Luna trembles as she thinks on the question, somepony actually wanted to be her friend. After all she’s done to warrant everyponies hate, they all seem set on forgiving her. And now this pony wants to be her friend, it brings luna to tears. She leans forward into the mares hug and weeps softly into the mare, the mare gladly accepts the hug. luna tries to answer, but her words get caught in her throat by the sobs. She feels a comforting hoof stroking her back in a way tat reminds her of somepony that used to be close to her.
When she and Tia’ were younger they had an adoptive mother that cared for them while they were still very young. Their adoptive mother was very protective of the two sisters, she feared that they would be discriminated for being different. She cared for them all by herself, and she loved them very much. She used to stroke their backs in the same way when they were sad or agitated, it always did and still is calming her down. Luna’s tears subside and she looks up and sees Starlet’s comforting face.
“You’re too kind…” Luna says with a slightly trembling voice, Starlet lifts her hoof and wipes Luna’s face dry of tears.
“No less than you deserve, you’re a kind pony too. Both you and your sister,” Starlet motions to Celestia and luna looks back to see another kind face.
“Yeah, she is…” Luna wave’s Celestia over and pulls her in to join in the hug. “Thank you both, for all you’ve done,” Luna turns to Starlet and addresses her. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you were trying to help me, and I’m sorry that I hit you… I… I wasn’t acting right,” Starlet gives her a smile and luna smile’s back.
“Water under the bridge,” The three ponies stay huddled for a while more before they finally break apart. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Duty calls,” Starlet says.
“I understand, try to visit before another thousand years passes.” Celestia chuckles and Starlet joins in.
“I’ll try. I have a feeling I’ll have to meet this student of yours,” Starlet says with amusement in her voice.
“I’ll try to set up a meeting,” Celestia jokes.
“I think I’ll just pop on by sometime,” Starlet replies.
“Alright then, you take care.” Celestia smiles.
“You too Tia’, and you too Luna,” Starlet turns to Luna.
“Wait, I never figured out how you met me all those years ago,” Luna says, eager for an answer.
“I exist on a plane of thought, as opposed to moving there with magic I just let my thought wander straight into your dream,” Starlet says with a flourish of her hoof.
“Wait, exist on a plane of thought?” Luna says, puzzled.
“I’ll explain it later,” Celestia says with a wink.
“Until next time Princesses” and with that Starlet blinks out of sight. One second she’s there, the next she isn’t. No magic was used, she’s just gone. Luna looks where she was in puzzled awe and Celestia nudges her along. They have a lot to talk about, and Luna’s only just arrived. Celestia is so glad to have her sister back, they can now rule together like they’re supposed to. Equestria is happier and safer now because it not only has the elements of harmony, but the two sister princesses can rule together once again. They are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and they couldn’t be happier.
