I Understand Now

by Shattered Ice

First published

Princess Celestia is lonely and misses her sister. She wishes that she could come back, and underneath the starry night, she begins to notice and appreciate more of her sister's hard work.

Princess Celestia misses her sister dearly. She still regrets not have helped her sister, and dragged her sister and turned her into the horrible creature Nightmare Moon. One night, she takes a break from her royal duties and sneaks out to watch the stars. She begins to understand the true beauty of the night, and wishes that she could tell her sister that. Her deceased mother also comes along to reassure the distraught leader. Maybe her sister is listening, somewhere high in the moon. Just maybe she has forgiven her sister.

Upon this Starry Night

View Online

Princess Celestia sat regally in her throne and glanced at the line at the Night Court. Her mane waved elegantly, like a rainbow and like a princess's should. Only a few ponies were left in the Night Court, impatiently waiting for their situations and their complaints to be addressed by the sole ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia. Celestia was somewhat tired, and was slightly cramped and wanted to get out of her royal throne. She pondered over where she could go, where she would not be bothered by other ponies and would not bother her guards. She walked over to her personal advisor and told him that she would be taking a rest.

"To where, your Majesty?" asked Quick Quill, as he fidgeted nervously. He did not want to be rude or disrespectful to his princess. He also didn't want to get zapped and burnt to the crisp for making an irresponsible mistake. In truth, he was terrified and amazed of the princess at the time.

"Somewhere where I can think peacefully and can't be disturbed. And please take a rest, Quick Quill. There are bags under your eyes and you seem quite nervous,"

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Thank you for your generous offer," said Quick Quill, as he was sent to a guest's bedroom, along with being accompanied with a guard. He was practically jumping with joy. He wasn't zapped to death! Or banished to the moon!
Then she motioned for her most trustworthy clerks and guards to gather together and she told them of her situation. They all quickly went to attend the rest of the tired and sleepy ponies. She bowed to the remaining ponies in the throne room, and then proceeded to walk outside slowly, onto the balcony. A fresh breeze whipped about as the ruler of Equestria took in a good whiff of the fresh air. In her opinion, there was nothing better than the fresh smell of the wind, which was a welcome change from the stuffy throne room. The Mare on the Moon gracefully watched over Equestria's ponies and the night, and was softly glowing. The stars shimmered beautifully like a million sequins, all sprinkle all over in the night sky. She spread her large, snow white wings and glided silently and comfortably down onto the long green grasses behind the castle. A large abundance of wild flowers and flowers such as daffodils, swayed in the light breeze controlled by the majestic pegasi. There, Celestia landed, and lay down, to watch the starry skies and conjured a fluffy duck down pillow to rest her head upon. She glanced up and watched her sister's face outline the moon. She sadly smiled.

"Sister? If you are listening, somewhere up there.." her voice caught. A tear trickled down her cheek and landed softly on a stem of grass, which slowly flowed downward into a small, trickling stream with a lot of gray, smooth stones. "I just wanted to tell you, I-I am sorry. I am sorry that everyone overlooked you, and only praised the sun and me. I miss you very much. Your night is beautiful,"

Celestia began to cry softly, not wanting to make the guards worry and come to fetch her. Almost every moment, everyday of her life, she was accompanied by guards, being fussed over by servants and maids and addressing the needs of her large, flourishing empire. She wanted this night to be for herself and her sister. Even if her sister was on the moon. She began to apologize for everything, every misdeed done to her poor sister. Her poor little sister, Luna.

"I'm so sorry I had to banish you. I should have been banished, I caused your transformation into Nightmare Moon! I should have been a better sister. I should have noticed that you were being ignored, not being appreciated by other ponies. I should have appreciated you more! You were my sister, for goodness sake. I.. I'm a horrible sister," she sniffled.
Celestia... whispered a soft voice in the breeze. The voice was musical. It reminded her of her deceased mother.
Celestia whipped her head around to spot the speaker , causing her golden crown to fall. In a sudden burst of anger at herself, she threw it into the river and onto a hard stone, causing her crown to break, because of such force. Suddenly, the wind began to suddenly swirl, into a shimmering, ghostlike figure. A beautiful, majestic being, with a long shining horn and beautiful, glimmering pegasus wings. An alicorn. Her mother.

Oh, Celestia. My brave, strong girl. Don't be sad.. whispered her mother, softly trying to wipe her tears away, but when she tried, her ghostly hoof would shimmer and fade away from the living Celestia. Her mother's long mane waved without effort like her daughters, and seeing her mother again bought a fresh spout of greif to her heart. But Celestia welcomed her mother, and although her mother was long gone, she missed her mother and her talks.

"But I, I should've noticed," replied Celestia dejectedly, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Celestia looked utterly miserable. Celestia's mother tried to put her hoof on her daughter's back. This time, Celestia could feel it gently smoothing her back.

"Sshh... All of us have done misdeeds, my daughter. You must be strong, my brave daughter, for our people. For Equestria. Luna watches over you on her moon now. I think she knows how sorry you feel,"

"Do.. do you think she'll come back? One day?" Celestia asked hopefully, like a sad filly. Celestia's mother stroked her daughter's back and wings she smiled sadly.

"I believe so, my daughter. One day... she'll come back," her mother replied as she began to shimmer, and her figure began to fade. She planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead. "Be strong, my precious love. For you. For Luna. For Equestria."

"Mother! Please don't leave yet!" she begged. Her mother sighed sadly and blinked.

"I.. love.. you.."
Then, the breeze lifted Celestia's mother's spirit up to the spirits, leaving only the smell of lavender. Celestia sadly got up and wiped away her tears. She mended her crown but before she left to go back to the palace, she looked back at the stars.

"I love you Luna. Please come back to me."
With that last thought, she flew up back to the palace, to be the respectful ruler she was. She would be strong for her ponies. For Equestria.