In the beginning
I remember clearly when it started.
It was a sunny day. Ponies walked about their day doing their respective tasks, oblivious to the deteriorating health of their solar princess, Celestia.
She had shown signs of sickness a month ago. At first it was just a few sneezes here and there but slowly other symptoms crawled into the scene, headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of focus, cases of sporadic coughing fits which later got worse as it turned into coughing up blood and finally small episodes of fainting. The doctors could not identify what was wrong yet they did everything they could to solve the problem but no matter how hard they tried it was ineffective; I tried everything. The situation got to a point where Celestia was no longer able to raise the sun and I had to take on the responsibility.
On that sunny day I entered into my sister’s chambers and there she was sitting on her bed under the covers staring into empty space. I pulled a chair to her side and once I sat down, I put my hand on top of her leg and gently shook her.
"Dear sister, it’s me, Luna." No response, not even a small reaction "Celestia, please, it’s been two days since you’ve spoken to me." Yet again no response, she simply continued staring at nothing.
I laid my head on top of the bed and after a few hours I felt a hand pet my head. Looking up I see Celestia look down at me with a sad expression.
"I have grave news Luna"
My mind raced as to what it could be wandering even into the grimmest of scenarios. Looking up I began to express my worry "W-what is it dearest sister?"
Celestia looks again towards empty space before speaking "I’m dying."
I panicked but tried to keep calm, thinking it was another one of Celestias pranks "Surely you jest sister and if you are, I must inform you it is of poor taste."
Celestia sighed "I’m afraid it is no joke."
I felt a void suddenly appear within me a feeling I could only describe as if my stomach was being pulled downward.
"How are you sure?"
"My connection to the sun is fading. I can feel it now." Celestia turns her head to my direction "I probably won’t make it through the day."
It was only noon! I stood up from my chair "No, there must be a way to stop this! I will gather our docto-" my sister grabs a hold of my hand before I could leave the room.
"Please Luna, in these last hours I would like to spend them with my sister."
I looked at her with tears slowly creeping towards my eyes "No sis, please allow me to help you. I'll make the doctors make haste and help you with-"
"No. I must explain why this is happening before I... depart."
I tried to say otherwise but was stopped again
"The sun itself is dying."
I froze like a statue. The ramifications of such an event quickly coming to mind.
I finally took my seat besides my sister "The sun is dying? How is that even possible?"
"It has been here long before there was even an Equestria, long before you or I were born into this world." She shrugs "It’s simply...*sigh* dying of old age."
My tears were starting to trickle down. I simply couldn’t believe it, she was announcing the end of Equestria, no, the world.
I could tell that my dearest sister was also slowly starting to lose her calmness trying to hold back her own tears,
"I want to spend my last afternoon with you Luna. Please don’t leave my side."
"I wouldn’t dare."
I got on the bed and sat beside her. Using my magic, I teleported a large book to my lap.
"Luna how did you know?"
I chuckled a bit "I’ve seen you do this before."
I opened the book to reveal a worn-down bunny plushie which had various patches sewn to it. It occupied the hidden compartment within the book.
Giving my sister her plushie she latches on to it.
"I still remember mother doing this sort of thing with you and me" I let Celestia lay her head on my shoulder "Whenever we had a bad day, she would give you this exact same plushie and sing a lullaby"
"I remember." She grabs one of my hands "I’m sorry I banished you lulu"
"It’s in the past, besides, this makes it about 20 times you’ve asked for forgiveness?"
"26 to be precise" She says smiling
"I think that’s about enough."
"You missed so many events"
"It doesn’t matter."
"So many handsome stallions"
"Sister!" I noticed her chuckling softly
With a smile she speaks "I’m sorry I’m just trying to lighten the mood a bit"
I sigh "Even in your last moments you try to keep a positive attitude."
"I can’t help it. The thought of leaving everything, my little ponies, Equestria, you...It scares me."
A thought crosses my mind "Would you like to hear me sing?"
"Just like mom?"
"Why not?"
I spent the next few hours singing, humming just as mother did long ago and conversing about days long gone. We were enraptured by our memories, and shared some of our innermost secrets. Smiles, giggles, and embarrassing moments were shared albeit the few coughing fits that reminded them both what was to come. The day however, was slowly coming to a close and with each precious ray of sunlight being snuffed out by the night reminded me of a clock ticking away ever so closer towards midnight.
We stayed in our original spots, biding our time, simply basking in our presence.
Celestia broke the silence "Lulu?"
"Yes, dear sister."
"Could you take me to the balcony please? I’ve always enjoyed your night sky."
I tried hard to hold back my tears but failed. I felt my breathing pitch faster as I tried to stifle my sobs.
"I-I’ll make the best night sky just for you Celly"
Celestia smiles "It’s been so long since you called me that."
"I should have addressed you in that manner since the beginning."
I carefully helped Celly out of her bed, helping her take slow steps towards the balcony. I deliberately tried to take the smallest steps possible in a fruitless effort to keep her by my side for the longest time possible. Opening the door towards the balcony was done slowly but once they were opened, I saw the sun in position over the horizon ready to be lowered. I helped her take position in the center of the balcony all while trying to hold back my whimpers.
"Please Luna, help me lower the sun one last time."
I positioned myself behind her but I could see she was shedding her own tears also as I helped her raise her hand towards the sun.
"Goodbye old friend" she whispers.
Closing her eyes, her horn lights up and she starts to lower her hand and with it came down the sun. The last of the sun’s rays sinking under the horizon in a blueish-pink hue.
Thump Thump
I could hear her heart still beating, the steady rhythm helping me concentrate, as I tried to raise the moon and as I did so I lit up the sky with millions of stars, noticeable falling stars tearing across the sky, visible galaxies and a larger moon (ocean currents be damned).
Thump...Thump
"Please take care of my little ponies Lulu"
I could hear her heart rhythm decrease slowly. I was starting to shake as it was becoming harder to maintain composure for my sister.
"I will"
Thump.....Thump
I could feel her head look towards the sky.
"It’s so beautiful Luna, thank you."
I felt her tears pelt against my arm. Not being to hold it in much longer I had to tell her how much she meant to me.
"Thank you. Thank you for being my sister!" I bellowed out.
Thump............Thump
Her hair lost its ethereal form and slowly the colors began to disappear replaced with her original pink color. She let out her final breath and fell limp on my shoulder. I fell to my knees and, carefully, cradled her now lifeless body, holding her close as I let out my sobs and tears. A sharp cold feeling shot through my spine as my thoughts flooded with Celestia and the moments we shared.
I nuzzled her as I kissed her forehead "Please don’t leave me!" I was inconsolable, distraught with grief and fear.
I tried to scream in pain but no sound came out, instead, nothing but silence and tears.
"NOOOoooo"