The Statue Garden has a story stretching almost from the beginning of Equestria... here are some snapshots from it. This is meant to be paired with my story "Statues" please read it before reading this. It's really not that long.
The fire caresses the circle of five ponies with its warmth, even though heat is not the reason it has been built. A female pegasus picks a log up in her mouth from the nearby pile and drops it into the center of the fire as its bloom of orange and red grows and occasionally opens up its tapered bud towards the smoke-struck sky. A female earth pony habitually looks around as if expecting another to join their party.
“Be patient. She’ll be here soon.” a male unicorn assures his friend.
“I just can’t wait to see what she looks like!” she pipes over the distant shriek of somepony. Everypony in the group turns in the direction of the sound but doesn’t move to help.
“It’s sad... isnt it?” an orange earth pony stallion says. Nopony replies but passes around the pot of hot cider to refill their mugs.
“I wonder... how she’ll take it...” the female earth pony muses out loud as the male unicorn magically takes the pot from her.
“She’ll be here soon.” the male unicorn repeats. The female pegasus fans the fire with her wings, helping the bloom of flames grow.
“Is that her?” the female earth pony exclaims as a figure approaches them from the smoke: a shaky unicorn stumbling blindly.
“She’s not the right color unfortunately, Gaze. Just another lost pony... trying to find a place to make sense of herself.” the male earth pony mumbles before a shiver jolts him to his knees.
“Are you all right?” the other ask at different times.
“I’m fine... I still feel... I’m fine.” he assured them as he sits his plot back down on the patch of grass he had lurched from involuntarily.
“Besides... she didn’t take notice of the fire.” the male pegasus goes on to explain. Winter Gaze looks longingly into the distance. Though they sit on a hill, they cannot see far into the valley because of the smoke. The female pegasus finally folds her wings against her back and sits on the grass for a few moments of relaxation. The earth stallion shivers slightly. Everypony stares into the fire: their beacon for the last pony.
There was room for one more: a female unicorn if the pattern was to be followed and the circle completed. Heart Forge, the male earth pony, knew what she looked like. He had seen her before or at least thought he had seen the unicorn they were waiting for.
“Thanks for bringing us the cider, Forge. I haven’t had hot cider in... who knows how long...” the male unicorn says with a smile that doesn’t reach his dark blue eyes.
“You're welcome.” the earth pony says quietly before another lapse in silence. The fire crackles. There is plenty wood left to add to it. They will keep it running until the last pony joins them.
“Let us save some for the final lady.” the male pegasus declares, nudging the pot towards Heart Forge. He nods and take it in his teeth, setting it closer to the fire to keep warm.
“I wonder if it feels cold now?” sighs Winter Gaze with a demeanor betraying her longing. Her neck straightens up as she hears the approaching shouts and sees a figure tumbling towards their fire.
“Is that...?” the male unicorn asks.
“Yes,” Forge declares after a quick look, “Lord Gale, will you help me? She might have difficulty getting here...”
The proud pegasus follows Forge towards the stumbling unicorn. Her eyes are closed. She is clawing her way forward, her hooves tearing up the dew-painted grass as she tries to move, collapsing as her legs shake with exertion whenever she attempts to stand. Her gasps for breath hint at tears in their wavering.
“Celestia! Where are you! I’m over here! Help me!” Forge canters over to dive next to her to place his foreleg across her withers.
“Majesty. It’s all right.” he offers to calm her.
“Where is she? Where’s my sword? My shield... I can't feel my shield! Celestia! Help me!” she sobs, her eyes still closed as she had a fit on the ground, blubbering. Lord Gale lies next to her and spreads his wing to shelter her. Forge brings his muzzle close to Majesty’s ear and her seizing lessens slightly.
“Majesty, you’re safe now.”
“Celestia! Help me! Where are you...?” Forge nuzzles her mane and whispers to her as a lover comforting his beloved.
“Majesty, listen to my voice. Concentrate on my voice. Celestia is safe but she can’t come to you. You’re safe here and away from danger. Just listen to my voice and concentrate on what I'm asking you. Do you feel any pain?”
“Am I wearing my shield still?” she sobbed.
“No, it’s gone. You fought bravely, Majesty.” Forge assures her, caressing her mane with his hoof. She begins to time her breathing to the motion of the hoof running through her hair. As she does her trembling is reduced to a few sporadic shivers.
“I’m injured. I have to go back. I have to find Celestia... I got hit across the face... please help me.” she begs leaning into the pressure of the earth pony's muzzle.
“Majesty, do you feel any pain?” Forge asks in the softest, gentlest whisper, “Please, trust me and open your eyes.”
Majesty twitches and the muscles of her back relax as she opens her eyes to see a group of three ponies waiting at a fire. She lifts her head slightly and Lord Gale stands up, taking his wing back to his side.
“Where am I? I opened my eyes for a second and saw lights... I ran towards them...”
“Come with me. Let’s rest here.” Forge says
“I lost my shield.”
“Don’t worry, Celestia will find it. She’ll... give it back.”
“I need to fight.”
“Majesty, come with me. You can trust me. You don’t have to fight anymore.” Majesty buries her muzzle into the grass between her hooves.
“Am I in shock? Am I injured? I thought I was hit. Why don’t I feel pain? I was so tired...”
“No, no you’re not injured. You fought well. You’re out of the smoke now... It’s safe.”
“But... they need me to keep fighting.” she says to the grass, her voice trembling.
“You fought well. Rest with us for a bit... Trust me.” Majesty’s jaw shakes as tears fall from her eyes and trail down her muzzle.
“I... I can’t move...” she sobs. Heart Forge carefully slides under her and stands to carry her on his back. She trembles suddenly once or twice but does not fall from him. He carefully kneels down again in front of the fire and she pushes and pulls herself off to sit close next to his side. He reaches out again and drapes his foreleg over her withers as she trembles again continually.
“What are you... what are you all doing here?” She asks the group of ponies.
“We were waiting for you.” Winter Gaze says with a heartwarming smile.
“You... you sound familiar...”
“I’m Winter Gaze... I was the statue for Curiosity.” she says with a bright smile.
“Who... who are are you?” The male pegasus stands erect before bowing elegantly.
“I am Lord Gale of the House of Thunder, firstborn of Lord Gust and Lady Tempest before the time of Cloudsdale and the Meriweather Republic. I was the representation of Justice in the Royal Garden. Pleased to meet you, Mistress Majesty Song, representation of Bravery.” Majesty gives an attempt to return the gracious introduction but ends up closing her mouth and giving a faint nod. The male unicorn had already poured a hot cup of cider for Majesty and set it down for her before he introduces himself.
“I’m Midnight Hymn,... son of Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza... I came from Canterlot...”
“I remember you as a small colt...” Majesty declares in wonder. He nods.
“Yes, and I represented Hope.” he adds. Majesty nods nervously. The female pegasus steps forward.
“I’m Aeriel Steam. I fought during the Meriweather Revolution. I represented Diligence in the garden once it was all over.” she says before turning back to the fire and fanning it twice with her wings. Majesty nods.
“So... now that you’ve told me who you are... can you tell me something?” Majesty asks, standing shakily to her feet. Everypony looks at her warily.
“What is it?” Forge asks.
“Why are none of you fighting!?” Majesty screams at them. They all look away or hang their heads. She is sobbing in her rage now as she glares at each and every pony in the group. They look to each other, their own eyes full of tears or uncertainty. Forge finally gets the courage to speak.
“Majesty... we... can’t fight anymore.” he says gently to her. She huffs angrily.
“What do you mean we can’t fight? There’s still a battle going on... Just because you’re unwilling...”
“We’re not.” Aeriel interjects, still looking away.
“Why... why can’t we fight?” she demands. Forge nuzzles her temple.
“Majesty, I think you need to sit down again...” he gently suggests.
“No!” she shouts, “No! Don’t you dare do this! Don’t you dare tell me I can’t fight! I can fight! I was put here to fight! Don’t you dare tell me...” she sobs as Forge places a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“You fought bravely... just like your statue name...” he whispers to her.
Slowly, Majesty’s legs bend to settle her back into the grass. She stares into her cup of hot cider as Forge pushes it closer to her.
“Drink this. It helps...” he assures her. She takes a few short sips through her tears, letting the steam dampen her muzzle and warm her insides.
“But... how is this possible?” she asks with a sniff.
“I don’t know...” he stops and pulls her close to himself when she shudders from within.
“What was that?”
“That’s you... your body... letting go.” A shriek rose from the battlefield and Majesty turned her head towards the sound.
“How long... does it take? To... to accept...” she stops and lets a small whimper escape into her mug of cider. Forge rubs her back in a circular motion.
“It’s different for everypony...” Midnight Hymn admits, “But... it does come... more easily when you... choose to accept.” Majesty turns her head again to the smoke she came from.
“I keep wanting to rush back in... I’ve only known... I want to fight...” she turns to Aeriel who is putting the fire out, “What are you doing?”
“We just needed the fire until everypony got here... we can go now.” she explains.
“Go?... Go... to... eternity?” Majesty asks.
“Yes!” Winter Gaze pipes with enthusiasm.
Majesty looks back at her cup and slowly finishes the last of the delicious cider, closing her eyes to enjoying it despite a scream sounding miles away. It was a luxury that had been handed out to everypony last night... as a reminder that many of them might not return to celebrate the extra joys in life.
Forge takes his leg from her back and stands up in unison with her. The other ponies watch her but are turned to go farther up the hill to the crest. Majesty controls her breathing and takes a step forward, moving each individual hoof. The others take that as their cue to begin their journey they have been waiting at the fire for.
Heart Forge, Compassion, stops when Majesty no longer moves to catch up to the others. She turns aside and stands, facing downhill towards the smoke. The battle isn’t over. She wouldn’t see what happened at the end.
She turned to look at the Stallion who nuzzles her mane. They look at each other solemnly and then back at the cloud of smoke concealing the fight in the valley.
“All those years... all that time of waiting... being ready to fight... was I... useless?” she asked.
“You would have fought even if we had all abandoned you.” he pauses a moment between thoughts, “But... because you didn’t give up on us... you didn’t fight alone. I... trust that will change everything for the future.”
“Are you coming?” Aeriel calls behind them.
“Yes, just give us a moment.” Forge calls back. He turns himself uphill again but looks back to watch Majesty turn her body but not her head. They stand there: facing uphill to eternity, with their faces turned back. A breeze blows and Majesty catches the scent of smoke. Her barrel expands as she breathes in deeply, her eyes closed again.
“I just wish I could have said good-bye to her...” she states to the air. Her eyes open and linger on the valley. Screams, more frequent, reach her, but she can’t go back.
Majesty turns her face towards the crest of the hill again and walks with Forge upwards to eternity.
What was it with these towers and winding staircases? Yeah, the view is breathtaking from the top but I just cannot see the appeal of trekking up long cramped staircases where the walls scratch your shield and going up or down could make somepony dizzy. Of course if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even go up these stairs in the first place.
As I reach the top landing I stop to catch my breath before slamming the door open with magic. The orange earth stallion jumps and his shadow, a convalescing tabby cat, disappears behind him.
“So here you are... again...” He traces the carpet edge with his eyes. “What’s your excuse this time?” Shrug. “No excuse?” Shrug. “What am I supposed to tell Princess Celestia?” Shrug.
“I’m sorry...” he offers weakly. A sniff soon followed.
“No, you’re not. You tell you you’re sorry and then during the next practice I find you missing again. We need your muscle out there but for you to be of any help you need to train with the rest of us... Have you got that?”
Heart Forge sits down and pets the tabby as she slides in between his forelegs and rubs her head against his fetlock. Was he even listening? I am about to speak again when he finally answers.
“Yes...”
“And you’ll be there when we train again after lunch?” I ask, not as a suggestion but a command. Heart Forge doesn’t reply. My blood pressure is growing to match my impatience.
“Yeah...” he mumbles before he lets out a violent sneeze.
“Why so you spend all that time with that stupid cat?”
“She needs company.” he mumbles again, wiping his nose with his hoof.
“Well, we have plenty of other ponies not on duty who can take care of her. “ Another sneeze. “Ponies who aren’t allergic to cats.”
“She only likes me.” Sniff.
“Forge! We can’t have you sick all the time because of some silly pet!” I shout a little more harshly than I normally would. Two months ago I would have been more understanding but this... this is ridiculous.
I hate it when he looks at me like that. Why did the strongest pony have to be the most sentimental? Why did he have to act so... sensitive around me? Having Forge look at me as if he was hurt and... disappointed... it just bothers me and I doubt if it’s appropriate. This is a time for war, not emotion. We had waited for thousands and thousands of years to fight and that was what we all had to do now. We have to survive. I keep my eyes firmly fixed on his own until he finally looks away.
I’m still in charge.
“I don’t even know what her name is...” he whispers so softly I almost don’t hear.
“Why... why does that even matter?” His sniffling was all that I hear to accompany the purring cat.
“I spent five thousand years wrapping her bandage... and I have no clue what her name is... Majesty... I can’t remember...”
“You don’t need to.” I snap.
“But why am I fighting..?”
“Just, stop it! You know why. For the future of Equestria! That’s always has been the reason...”
“No it hasn’t... don’t you remember?” I don’t like where this is going. I don’t want this again. I turn to leave.
“I’ll see you after lunch.”
“You’ve forgotten, haven’t you?”
He needs to stop talking... He doesn’t understand. An orange hoof is held between me and the door.
“This is highly inappropriate, Heart Forge.Must I remind you of protocol?” I remind him pointedly.
“Aren’t you the pony who sneaked into the garden...”
“At ease!”
“You forgot why Princess Celestia put you in that garden in the first place! You don’t even know what you’re fighting for!”
I could feel his hot breath heat my already burning face.
“I’m fighting for Equ...”
“You’re fighting because of your parents. They loved you. They raised you. They visited that statue every year so as long as they lived...”
“Thank you for the history report but...”
“Your family used to matter to you...”
“I am needed now. I will see you after lunch”
“Majesty... you’re needed but you don’t even exist anymore.” he spits out. Everything building up in me releases as I strike him across the muzzle. His cheek is soft as my hoof makes contact... it feels so wrong. But, I stop him.
He keeps his eyes scrunched for a moment. His face stays turned away from me. He doesn’t hit me back. Despite my training he doesn’t return the blow I gave him. He needs to fight me. He needs to forget that I know him. He needs to fight.
He opens his eyes. I hate that look. How could the strongest pony... be such a child?
“This is for your own good, Forge.” I say, fighting the squeezing sensation in my throat, “You need a be a soldier. It’s just clockwork now. The past doesn’t help you fight. It won’t help you live if you don’t fight back... I’ll see you after lunch.”
A/N: Somewhat... shorter than I had anticipated... well, this isn't the last one.
“I won’t, Luna.”
“It’s our only choice.”
“You know that isn’t...”
“You know it is.” Celestia kept facing the window opened to the west.
“This was a mistake, Luna.”
“What would be the worse mistake?”
“You’re overreacting.”
“Sister...” Luna pleaded.
Celestia didn’t react. Her wings were wrapped tightly around her body. Her head was held high. The setting sun outlined it’s tamer in a rim of gold. Luna’s wings folded back as she stepped towards her sister.
“Luna,” Celestia declared, “Have you ever...” Luna’s neck stiffened as she raised her head.
“...Ever what?” Luna ask, “Celestia...”
As the Night advanced softly, the Day turned aside. Her eyes fell on a mirror and she looked farther in again to the fireplace.
“My mind is made up...”
“Celestia... I just want to talk about the statues...”
“Weren’t we?”
“Celestia... look at me.” The Sovereign of Equestria turned her head to look at her co-ruler.
“Yes?”
“Celestia... talk to me. This isn’t just...”
“You cannot order me ...” she began, turning away.
“I was asking you.” Celestia looked back to her, “I was asking you... as somepony who I love and care about, to talk with me. Celestia...”
“I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“But... we need to. Whatever this is... we need to talk about it now. Haven’t you paid attention...” she cut herself off, looking towards the red and silver carpet. Celestia sighed and pointed her muzzle to the ceiling, her eyes tracing the intricate crown molding.
“I said I am not ready to talk about it.”
“Celestia... why can’t you tell me...”
“Are you deaf, Luna?” Celestia spat, wheeling around to the younger princess. Her wings were slowly rising from her body almost like a gauge. Luna took a step back as he own wings flared.
“What I did was unforgivable and I’m sorry for that. I was gone for...”
“I don’t need a rundown, Luna. I was there, remember? Even if you weren’t...” Luna’s wings sunk. Celestia scoffed as she turned away again to look at the fire.
“I’m... I’m sorry...”
“I know. I forgave you...”
“I’m sorry, Celestia...”
“I said I fargive you.”
“Then why bring it up again? After all this time...”
Celestia lowered her head as she pawed the carpet.
“I don’t want to talk about it... You may leave.” she stated icily. Luna deliberately sauntered to the door, which she slammed behind her.
Celestia closed her eyes with that slam and kept them closed.
“How rude of her... to ignore your reasonable request...” said the mirror she had not looked at. Her brow furrowed as she opened her eyes to look up as the mirror unwound itself and towered above her.
“She’s always been like that. Even before she was Nightmare Moon.”
“Doesn’t she know you’re the one who ruled Equestria by yourself for 1,000 whole years?”
“Don’t patronize me, Discord. I could rule Equestria from the beginning without her help. Astrophel’s death... and her banishment... Equestria was better for it.”
“While I might not agree with everything you say, I do agree that you are a more capable ruler than your sister.” his svelte voice simmered as he ran one clawed finger through a mane that was gradually turning more white and translucent with each secret conversation.
“Of course I am! And she’ll learn!”
“Don’t think she’ll be easy to convince. She’s not you but she’s no fool.”
“You surprise me, Discord,” Celestia smirked, “She will always be my younger sister. No matter how big her head is.”
I hate my sister-in-law... though I don’t envy her right now.
I love my son.
But yes, I hate you, worst of all.
I didn’t always hate the others. But how can I not when I blame them... can’t help to blame them? I did my duty and he is fulfilling his calling. So you say. I should be proud, you say.
I always was. I was proud the moment I first felt him move. I was proud when I found I was pregnant with him. I was proud even before he opened his father’s eyes to me. I know what it is to be proud, Celestia. I can be proud of my child even if you’ve never felt such a thing!
I took a risk that you never dared... are you punishing me for it?
I actually loved. Something you have never done. What have you loved that you haven’t locked up to keep? Like Shining Armor’s letters that I can go back to and read even though he’s dead. Even if I didn’t lock him up to enjoy all of Equestria with me I loved him and if I truly hate him it’s because I couldn’t die with him! I refuse to marry another or try to find and alicorn... I am his wife. You cannot take that away from me.
But you took him away. Were you jealous I had a child? Were you unhappy to see me enjoy this beautiful... this colt... this pony who is now a statue in front of me? Did it hurt, Celestia?
His heart used to beat. I remember listening to it. I remember how he would crawl in between Shining Armor and I when he was too scared to sleep. He used to breathe... loudly. I had trouble sleeping because he would breathe so heavily... but I miss it. He was all that was left when Shining Armor... I knew he could die at any moment. I still wasn’t ready.
Midnight Hymn lost his father. And he was all I had left to be some living breathing part of him.
Then, I realized why you were the one who came to tell me Shining Armor was dead... you had come for Hymn.
Why did I not fight you? I kick myself over that ceaselessly. I should have died then and there. I should have fought you until you would have been forced to kill me. That’s why I hate them... they didn’t fight so I never knew I had to!
And now... and now I’m left here, in front of the statue on my son to mark where my husband is buried... one monument to represent the worst day of my life... how considerate of you.
Despite all this, I’m still too scared to tell you this to your face.
Are you happy, Celestia? Are you happy I’m a widow? Are you happy I’ve lost my son? That he’s being stored up as a museum piece to be killed later on? I knew I would have to bury him... did you have to prolong the time while taking it away? I have anything anypony could desire... but I have nothing because I lost what nopony else could ever have. Shining Armor as a husband... and Midnight Hymn as our child.
Don’t accuse me of overreacting. You don’t know what you’ve put me through! You’ve taken away something that you’re not powerful enough to take from me! Even you can’t give me back the time lost... yet you still pretend you are the ruler of all things.
What could shake your perfect rule? What would ruffle your feathers and rub your horn the wrong way? What catastrophe could match the absolute... loss you made me feel?
Would you be proud of me, Shining Armor, Twilight, Midnight? Are those of you who are still able, watching me? Can Statues see even if they can’t move? I wonder... standing in front of this different statue... How many of you are screaming for me to do it? to shatter Discord’s statue and set him free? To ruin the world Celestia loves...
How many of you want me to do it?
How many of you would stand here, in my place, if you could?
I wonder, Discord, can you taste freedom so close to you? Can you pity a foolish mother’s rash action and spare her your wrath? Can you forgive her if she let you go and destroyed Celestia’s world?
The alicorn faced the clouded sky through the opened window. The room seemed... too big. There should have been somepony else to do this. Then again, if somepony else was still here...
A hoof on her door broke her train of thought.
“Come in.” she called and the door slid opened to reveal the braided yellow and orange unicorn.
“You called, Princess Luna?”
“Yes, Majesty. But, where is your shield?”
“I... I thought this was a formal hearing...” her eyes looked to the smashed mirror lying in front of the fireplace.
“No, it isn’t.”
“So... what’s my punishment... if it’s not too bold for me to ask...” Majesty added, hesitating.
“Majesty... I know you don’t trust me. I can understand. You were born during my banishment and grew up hearing stories of Nightmare Moon...”
“So they weren’t true?”
Luna paused. She detected the hint of accusation which was not cleverly hidden.
“They were. All too true.” Majesty looked away as Luna sighed heavily.
“I’m... I’m sorry for my comment. It was uncalled for...” Majesty stuttered.
“No, it was perfectly normal. Don’t think about it.” Luna said with a wave of her hoof, “Anyway, the reason I called you up here is... practice today.” Luna gave Majesty a moment to compose her face, “I heard... there were some... words between you two.”
“Please, Princess Luna! I didn’t know! I wasn’t...” Majesty stopped when Luna touched her horn to Majesty’s as a sign of comfort.
“Majesty Song, I am not angry at you. You might not realize this, but I do watch everypony carefully. And I noticed there seemed to be something... between you two.”
Majesty looked down at the carpet and shook her head... then shrugged.
“Majesty, look at me.” With some difficulty and shiny eyes she obeyed. “Come here...” Luna said, holding her forehoof out. Majesty looked at the offer of a hug, of comfort...
“No. That’s unprofessional.”
“Majesty...”
“Is there anything else?”
“Heart Forge knew he was going to die.” Majesty eyes stayed locked in the direction they were in... but Luna could see the confusion on her face.
“What was that?”
“He came to talk to me last night... Have you... spent time with Pinkie Pie at all?”
“Which one is she? What does she have to do with this?”
“I was wondering if you were aware of her ‘Pinkie sense’...?” her inquiry trailed off.
“You mean when she has a seizure or something and claims it predicts the future?”
“All earth ponies have some form of it.”
“That doesn’t make sense! How could earth ponies predict the future? Only alicorns...”
“It develops differently with each pony. Heart Forge could only sense certain events. Last night he came to me and asked me to give you something. He said... he felt he was going to die soon.” Majesty looked flabbergasted.
“Why didn’t he tell me? Why didn’t he warn me...”
“I think... he knew it had to happen.”
“Had to???” Luna took a letter from the mantle and floated it to Majesty.
“He... wanted to explain it himself..." she stated, dropping the letter at the unicorn's hooves, "I’ll give you a moment...”
As Luna left, she could see Majesty lift the letter from the floor and open it.
Luna is back in that room again. The room where she last saw her sister. Or rather... what he sister had become. The mirror still lies on the floor in shards. It had been broken months ago but never cleaned up. All the maids were fighting and Luna has touched them yet. She doesn’t often spend time here.
But now, she is back again, in the room. There is a white alicorn standing in front of her whose mane isn’t moving. The alicorn’s head is bowed and her eyes are closed as she visibly tries to hide her trembling. Luna gives only one question.
“Why?”
“Why... which why do you want?”
“Just... all of them, to be honest." Luna groans before offering some help, "Why are you back here?”
“I’m sorry... I...”
“Are you hoping to just have the throne back with no problems or consequences? I can’t give that. You know better than that.”
“I know... I know that... now.”
“Celestia...” Luna has her eyes shining with tears, “Don’t you realize what happened? You used to warn me over and over again...”
“I know... I should have been careful... It’s my fault.”
“Well, how do I know this isn’t just some trick? How do I know this is the real you and not... What did you call yourself? “Midnight Sun”?"
"I'm so sorry..."
"Celestia... we had to cloud the sky and set the labyrinth on fire to create smoke so we didn’t burn to death or faint from heat exhaustion because you refused to set the sun!"
"I didn't... I wasn't myself.."
"Majesty trusted you and look what happened to her!”
Celestia scrunches her eyes closed and tears flow down her cheeks, disappearing into the fibers of the carpet.
“I know... I know... it hurts and I can't... I'm sorry... I’m so sorry... That is all I can possibly offer. I'm sorry...” she says with a dropping shake of her head.
A hoof on her chin lifts her muzzle to look straight ahead so that the white alicorn’s eyes gaze directly into the teary eyes of her sister.
“Celestia... is any of this familiar?” Celestia cringes. But her head slowly nods.
“Most of all... I am sorry for that.” she chokes before giving a hearty sniff.
Luna hold her close in an instant as Celestia sobs openly.
“You and I were meant to rule together, sister.” Luna says then bites her lip as she looks towards the ceiling, “I know what it is to lose yourself to jealousy... or hatred... It’s hard to fight against and the consequences never leave you.” Celestia sobs even louder and Luna pauses for a moment, “But, sister, I can forgive you... because I know what you’ve been through. I know Discord’s deception is so easy to believe... I’ve been there.”
“I’m so sorry...”
“I am too.” Luna a her sister collapse to the floor, their forelegs and wings tightly wrapped around one another.
“Luna... Discord...”
“We’ll find him. We’ll fight him and freeze him up in a statue again then throw it far into space... How does that sound? Or we’ll banish him for killing Astrophel and...”
If you are reading this it’s because you have done something to cause my death. I understand my death will not be intentional. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but I know that it needs to.
You’ve lived almost all of your life in the statue garden, even before you had to remain there. All I feel in you is duty to the crown of Equestria. You will need more than that to lead your fellow ponies. Perhaps, my death will remind you why you began to fight in the first place.
Right now, though this may sound selfish, I want you to miss me. Not for myself, but for you. I want to remind you, even if only a little bit, of the loss you felt that first night your father didn’t come to the statue garden. I want you to feel the loss when your sister would walk by you and not know why her mother looked up. I want you to remember the tears that you never shed when your sister came to the garden without your mother and you realized why.
One day even your sister didn’t come back and you never figured out why. I want you to find out what happened to her.
You stayed for your family. Unless you can remember them you will no longer remember why you’re fighting now.
~Heart Forge
No tears. Nothing. She was going to keep her position and do her duty. Nothing more. Once she defeated the changeling hybrids she would return her Princess to her rightful mind and to her throne. It didn’t matter what he said. She would lead the armies of Equestria. She would show him...
She would show him.
She shot him again and he slid back into the mud by a few hooves.
“Dig in! I’ve told you before! This is pathetic...”
“Majesty please... I’m not used to this amount of force...”
“You have muscle! You can fight! You can put up with this!” Another shot.
“Let me catch my breath...”
“I’m going easy on you! I’ve been giving everypony else full force and you’re not even at half!” Another shot. He was knocked to his knees.
“Please...”
“Get up!” Another shot, his muzzle was bleeding and everypony around them was staring so hard Majesty could feel it.
“Majesty!”
“Stand. Your. Ground!” Majesty screamed and fired another blow.
He crumpled. Fell over onto his side. mud splashed around him and landed on his coat. Majesty’s throat was raw. Her cheeks were raging full of hot blood...but now the blood dropped out of her face.
He wasn’t moving.
There was no dignity in his death. No defending Equestria, no Changeling hybrid who finally killed him after hours of battle...just an angry unicorn killing an earth pony. Just mud with blood mixed in.
She had enjoyed it. It felt good to hurt...to attack...to make him pay for what he had done and all that had happened...for trying to bring the memories back...for trying to hurt her. For trying to make her feel. It was his fault and he knew it! He didn’t die for anything. His death changed nothing. She hated him!
He could never be forgiven. He never would be.
He never...would be...
He could never forgive her either for killing him.
Majesty closed her eyes and held herself in. The first time she saw him, he was stone. He was a statue in the garden, waiting to be used for the Princess’ purpose. How was it that he could still feel up until his death? How could he remember her sister when she had chosen to forget?
The door opened cautiously behind her. A white unicorn entered wearing a purple mane that was tied up and a sympathetic smile.
“I have something for you. I thought...it might help.” She said and entered the room, lifting the tabby off of her back and placing it in front of Majesty. She said nothing else and left.
Majesty looked down at the bandaged paw as the honey eyes of the cat looked up at her. It mewed, asking for Heart Forge.
“He’s not coming back...he’s...he’s gone...like everypony else.” Majesty knelt down in front of the cat to explain it more clearly, “He died. He didn’t come and prepare himself to fight and he died because of it. He just wasn’t as strong as I thought he was...”
But why was she explaining it to a cat? It couldn’t do anything to change what happened. She had always hated how Forge would sneak off to spend time making sure it was healing properly. It was more trouble than it was wroth. It walked to her hooves and chewed at the bandage on its paw.
“No, no, no...he wanted you to keep it on.” Majesty said gently, nudging the kitten with her muzzle. The little body radiated heat and—oddly enough—some of the perfume Rarity wore habitually despite Majesty’s frequent suggestions to cease. When Majesty pulled her head back the kitten crawled over to her forehooves and settled its body between them. Majesty, her curiosity getting the better of her, laid her ear to the expanding and contracting back of the little creature. Its heart was rhythmic and rapid with the lungs adding occasional swells of breathing. This was life. Being alive. Breathing in and out with the conduction of your heart. Having blood rush in your veins.
Having somepony close enough to you to feel their warmth...
Having somepony to walk through the garden with...
Having somepony to care about...
Majesty felt the kitten tense up as her tear fell on it.
“Oh, I’m sorry...” she said, lifting her head. The kitten rubbed it’s back on Majesty’s chin to wipe the water off then gave up and curled up under Majesty's neck for warmth. Majesty hesitated then placed a small kiss on top of its head. Her breath shivered and she felt another tear drop onto her forelegs.
“Her name was...” she tried, “Her name was...” Her coat was blue like her father’s. “Her name was... Her name... was...” Her eyes were like Majesty’s, orange and yellow.
