Chapters King Nebulis paced back and forth down the hallway. The stars on his body glowed normally, shimmering and shining like always. His mane waved dark purple. His wings stuck tightly to his sides, but instead of feathers it seemed to waver and pulse. The cutie mark was a great star that glowed perfectly. A painting nearby caught his figure. But there was no time to admire the paintings of him or his wife. A small white unicorn ran up to him and asked him to sit down. Though the unicorn said it politely the larger stallion stilled glared at the small white unicorn. Nebulis sighed and looked back and the door and winced as he heard his wife scream again. They're first foal was being born as of now and his wife, Queen Galaxia, was none too happy about it. Though the ponies of their kingdom were excited and the couple was happy, that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
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A small white foal laid in it's mother's hooves. Galaxia looked at the foal and nuzzled the small alicorn warmly, the white foal was wrapped in a white blanket, the feeling of warmth and safety eased the little one to a deeper sleep. Nebulis stood over the two mares and kissed his wife. Galaxia's mane was straight, an uncommon sight. The ends were still a deep blue but as it came closer to her head it lightened to soft orange. She was almost pure white with the same orange on the tips of her body that would then turn into blue once more. The little foal had a creamy coat and pink hair. "What shall we name her?" Nebulis looked at the little foal and smiled. Galaxia looked up and said, "Celestia, for the sky."
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"Daddy! Daddy!" Celestia ran up to her father who looked over from the long table full of advisors and court officials. They looked at Nebulis with an unamused face.
An important meeting had been going on about the gates of Tartarus having to be closed again. He looked down at his daughter and excused himself for a moment. "Darling, now is not the time." Nebulis nudged Celestia towards the door with his hoof. "But- Daddy!" Celestia turned around and flared up her wings. "Mommy says she needed to talk to you!" Nebulis sighed again. "Tell her I shall speak with her after." He turned around and began walking back to his seat. "But she said now..." Celestia peeped out. Nebulis waved her off and resumed where he left off.
"What shall we do?" One advisor questioned.
"I suggest you go in and seal it off this time." Another advisor replied back.
Nebulis looked down at the ground and then got up. "Sir where are you doing?" and advisor called out as Nebulis opened the large doors. "If no pony will then I shall." The advisors were dumbstruck. The only idea that was came up with was going to used.
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Nebulis flew back as he raised the moon easily. The castle was on what would one day be Canterlot. But at this time it was known as Arcertareas. Two alicorns stood on the highest balcony. One was Celestia the other her annoyed mother Galaxia. Nebulis flew down quickly and cringed as Galaxia looked at him unamused. Galaxia and Nebulis argued and Celestia sat there listening.
"What do you mean!" Nebulis spat out
"I'm pretty sure I'd know or not is what I mean!" Galaxia spat back.
"That's what you said last time and nothing happened!" Nebulis walked after Galaxia into their chambers.
"That was short enough ago that it could still be true!" Galaxia slammed the door as Nebulis was about to say something.
Their muffled voices came through the thick door. Celestia sat in the cold night air scowling at the door. Celestia played with her pink mane and then flew around in circles. A few guards looked over at her then looked away. Celestia laid on the ground and pushed herself with her hind legs. Bored she eventually opened the door. Her parents were gone and Celestia grumbled. She stepped into her bed and slept peacefully. As moments passed Her parent's heads peaked through the door and looked at Celestia. "How do you think she'll handle it?" Galaxia whispered. Concern clearly shone through. Nebulis then walked in and sat at his daughter's bedside. He kissed Celestia goodnight and then slowly stepped into bed. Galaxia walked through as well and sung a lullaby to put Celestia back to sleep.
"Into the Sun and through The Moon, I will love you, My wings will be open to hold you close and I will protect you No harm shall come my little Sun For I am here to keep you safe And a warm smile will always grace your face."
Galaxia nuzzled her daughter then went to bed, the words of the song ringing through out her head. Celestia eased herself to sleep, but nightmares still plagued her. One specific one scared her most. The nightmare started out normal. A sunny day with her parents quickly turned terrifying when a black fog crept over the mountain castle. Celestia tried to tell them something, but they paid no heed. Like they were deaf. The black fog whisked her parents away, and a small blue alicorn stood where her parents sat before. It grinned wickedly and laughed at her, taunting her every move. Celestia tried to speak but no words came out. The small blue alicorn grew tall, It's mane began to wave a deep dark blue much like her parents. It's coat became black and it's eyes glowed a bright blue. Celestia screamed and ran, stretching out her tiny wings to gain speed. But to no avail. The tall alicorn's mane grabs her legs and she stumbled over herself. Unable to get up in time, Celestia turned around and everything went black. She woke up to see her mother rocking her back and forth, telling her it was ok, she was there. Nebulis was nowhere in sight, most likely busy with the court. Galaxia and Celestia walked out of the room to go to breakfast. Celestia stayed under her mother's wing. They walked down the hallways and as they passed a few ponies bowed and politely waved hello. Celestia smiled a bit and waved back, a few ponies made comments on her but they were not rude in the slightest. Galaxia stopped at the door to the dining area and pushed Celestia through the door.
"But Mommy what if the fog comes back!" Celestia whined.
"It won't come back, Promise." Galaxia reassured her daughter.
"Now. Go eat breakfast, have whatever you'd like." The young alicorn's mother walked off down the sunny hallway.
She sat down at the long table alone. A chef came in and asked what she'd like then left. Celestia sighed and looked outside. It was a sunny day, the weather ponies had done a good job. But the lonely feeling unsettled Celestia. Though she could hear the clanking of armor and taps of hooves she felt the large stuffy room sucking up her air. Celestia's horn glowed yellow and a window opened, cool fresh air rushed in. Celestia perked up like a flower at this. She skipped back to her chair and waited patiently for breakfast. A chef came in and gave her a bowl of oats. Celestia thanked the chef and ate in silence.
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Galaxia and Nebulis shifted uncomfortably with the court. Though no pony was there besides the guards something unsettled them. The Sun and moon had been acting strange lately. The sun refusing to set at times without a little brute force and the moon shining brighter every single night. But the court was still uncomfortable. The storm outside raged on. The weather ponies were having a bit of trouble keeping the clouds in order, A grayish yellow pegasus flew onto one but was immediately thrown off by the angry cloud. This was quite odd for the clouds to act on their own. They had not done that since Ventus, A kirin that controlled the weather was alive. Though the thought the was quickly passed Nebulis's mind because he saw the kirin die at the claws of a RiMonstrum at the Tartarus Gates. The dark stallion sighed at got up to leave.
"My lord!" A pale grey unicorn burst through the door.
"What is it?" Nebulis walked up to the smaller stallion. His dark imposing figure frightened the already terrified unicorn.
"Something named Ventus just cracked the Gates of Tartarus open! He closed it but..." The unicorn trailed off
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Nebulis neared the cave that sealed Tartarus from the world. A storm colored kirin with large feathered wings turned his head and smiled wickedly. His eyes a deep seated blood red. Galaxia flew closer and landed with Nebulis. They both glared angerly at the Ventus.
"Tartarus has changed you." Nebulis hissed out
"Ah yes. And for the better!" The kirin cried with joy.
"We've come to stop your madness and return you to which you came." Galaxia glanced over at the cave.
"Well then have fun with that." Ventus snickered
Nebulis shot a dark blue beam of light at the kirin, who flew out of the way. But just barely. Ventus's wide red eyes glowed dimly in the storm. Ventus created a small orb of light and it split until there were hundreds of them, created in seconds. The orbs flew everywhere, exploding on contact. Galaxia and Nebulis combined their power to make a barrier, but it was merely a shield. Nebulis and Galaxia felt confident, but it did not last. As they kept the spell up, and orb flew past unnoticed. It turned around and before Nebulis could completely turn, it hit him. The explosion sent Galaxia flying, she watched in terror as her husband flew like a rag doll into the air, going to fast to recover in time. Ventus sent up another spell and lightning struck him once more. His limp body returned to normal. The stars dissipated and his mane no longer flowed. His wings became feathers and he no longer glowed dimly. Shocked, Galaxia stood stiffly even when Ventus charged her. Ventus for a few moments felt victorious, but was proven wrong when Galaxia refused to move. Before he could jump back, a black tendril decapitated him. Galaxia charged a spell and the fragile cloak that covered the cave transformed into a large pair of doors. The cries and screeches of creatures came from behind it. Galaxia opened the door only to let off a burst of magic, destroying everything in it's path. Picking up the dead kirin, she threw it in with no remorse. "At one time I respected you. But now I see how your time in there has changed you into a beast." Galaxia muttered. She slammed the gate shut, sealing off the gates once more. She turned around to see Nebulis, mouth gaping open, back to normal, staring at her.
"You- I- Sorry...." Nebulis looked down and pawed the ground.
After a long embrace they flew home.
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Nebulis and Galaxia quickly recovered. Celestia though refused to leave their sides for weeks. To see a small white alicorn under one of their wings became a normal sight.
"Their daughter is too cute! I wonder why we don't see more of her though." A servant uttered to the warm air.
"She's probably in magic training." A servant replied back.
"No, Princess Celestia would be able to do a bit more magic. I've seen her around in the garden a few times and she rarely uses her magic." Another servant answered as they cleaned plates.
"I heard she talks to the plants." A chef walked past the three
"That's absurd, Ponies can't talk to plants." the first servant looked strangely at the chef
"She is an alicorn though..." the second one said with discomfort.
The servants nodded slowly, coming to the conclusion that it was simply "an alicorn thing".
Celestia had spoken to the flowers many times. But not actually speaking, but listening. She was beginning to grasp the idea that magic flowed everywhere. Celestia spoke to them because she thought that since only ponies can do magic, which are alive and can talk, that the plants could talk too. She took care of them, watering them and pulled out weeds, hoping that if she took care of them long enough they'd talk back to her. Celestia often watched them grow, a long process but she had nothing better to do, Her parents were often too busy with either the court or on trips to neighboring countries. Nebulis was either dealing with the courts and filing papers and Galaxia was also doing the same and preparing for Celestia's new sibling. Celestia was not supposed to play with the other children, apparently she had to keep herself higher than them. But she didn't feel like that, After all, she was just a filly like them. Maybe it was because she was an alicorn? But that thought slipped her mind as she looked down from the raised garden to see a group of noblemen's children playing. A few pegasi, a earth pony and then a unicorn that sat in the shade. Celestia glanced over to the door that led to her and her parent's room. Though she was only allowed in the small garden outside of that, she disregarded that and flew down. The pegasi and earth pony stared at her, and the unicorn looked at her from afar. Celestia walked up slowly and calmly to the pegasi and quietly said,
"May I play with you?" Celestia looked up at the pink pony that seemed to be in charge of the small group
"Yeah! sure, But we won't treat you any different because you're a princess ok!" The pink pegasus fluttered its wings and pushed over a ball.
"Ok, so the object of the game is knock the ball into the goal. One of us will be the one to try to stop the ball from getting in. We'll have two teams of two, but since we only have one goal then whichever team gets the ball in get's the point." the pink pony then lined up the four players, picking what was probably her friend or sibling to be on her team. Then called over the unicorn and said.
"If you want to be our goalie then no magic!" The pink one said with a rude tone. The unicorn nodded and ran over to the post.
The pink filly kicked the ball to the earth pony, who kicked the ball towards Celestia. Celestia kicked the ball back to the pink pegasi's team mate a grey pegasus known as Spark Shower. The Earth pony Lily looked at her and confidently smiled when Spark Shower missed the ball and it went into the goal. The unicorn attempted to stop it but missed by a few centimeters. This happened several times for both sides. Celestia once again tried but was stopped and so was Spark Shower's attempts. They played games for hours; Hide n' Seek was a favorite. By mid afternoon Celestia had known all the names and characteristic of her friends. Spark Shower was tall and lean but was timid for his age, He was grey and had golden yellow streaks in his mane. Lily was small but was not afraid to tell somepony if they were wrong. She often settled disputes with logic and reasoning. Lily was light grey with a dark green mane. The pink pegasus was known as Wind Song, though she was mostly pink there were some tones of purple and light blue. She quite pretty actually. She was nice enough but a bit commanding and put into the leader role many times, She often liked to crack jokes with her new friends.The unicorn was called Nebula for her dark blue coat, She rarely talked and would listen carefully and intently, always following orders and never asking questions.
"So now what? It's almost sunset." Wind Song playfully said
"We could play Hide and go seek again." Spark Shower looked around
"Nah, That would be the sixteenth time." Lily calmly said
"We could tell stories." Celestia hovered over the three.
"Yeah! like um... Well I don't really have any." Wind Song started out confident but then grew timid.
"You guys don't know any stories?! Well then I can tell you some..." Celestia slowly uttered
"Ok, so once a long long time ago, There were four kirin that gave us all the land, the sea and the clouds. Oh and warmth! Anyhow, so the i'll give you the names... Ignis was the one who created the land but there was no life. Aquarius then made water to erode away the land. Then Gaia made plants to keep the land in place. Ventus then made weather to displace the water and either erode away the land, give the plants water and refill the oceans and lakes. Ventus understood the balance that needed to be kept between the four. He then told the others and they agreed to stop fighting each other but then-"
Celestia was cut on when the heavy thump of hooves hit the ground on the small area they were on. Her friend turned then saw the figure and bowed. The unicorn gasped as her eyes darted away from his scroll to see King Nebulis right in front of Celestia. He seemed angry with her.
"Young filly! What do you think you're doing! You know the rule!" Nebulis scolded Celestia. She winced and his dark magic picked her up and carried her up to the balcony above. Nebulis turned to look at the cowering fillies and sighed.
"We- we're sorry you- your majesty..." Lily barely said as her eyes darted back and forth between Celestia, who was up above them and looked at them with concern and her friends who were terrified. Spark Shower looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Nebulis let out a hearty deep laugh, and tussled Spark Shower mane. The now confused fillies looked at him with a look of, "Ok who are you and what have you done with our King?" look.
"Alright, I must be off, stay away from the edge." Nebulis said as he flew onto the upper balcony.
"What... just happened?" Wind Song turned to look at her friends
"I think our King just laughed at us..." Nebula in amazement looked at where the stallion was just there moments before.
"No.. I think he was laughing at our fear." Lily said as she glanced around.
The ponies nodded and when the noblemen burst through the door to yell, Nebulis peaked over the railing on the balcony and gave an unamused look that said, "do not yell at them they were having fun so please do kindly silence your voices." The noblemen scurried away with their children and refused to make eye contact with their king. He disappeared behind the rail to speak with Celestia.
"Celestia... dear you know why you're not allowed to play with the other children..." Nebulis looked down at his hooves
"Daddy... I know but- Why? I can handle it, Promise! I won't-" Celestia cut herself off as Wind Song flew up to them and hugged Celestia goodbye
"See ya later Tia!" Wind Song excitingly said.
"Yeah..." Celestia squeaked out.
Wind Song flew away and Nebulis looked back.
"Celestia please, I don't want them to know..." Nebulis looked up with concern in his eyes.
"But if I don't play with them they'll get mad at me.." Celestia sat down and looked at the lake below the castle
"Ok, You may play with them. But if you sense anything is wrong, immediately come to me or your mother ok?" Nebulis pulled Celestia under his wing.
"Ok Daddy." Celestia moved closer to him with a wide smile.
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Celestia paced back and forth on the balcony. It was the middle of the night, she was waiting for her friends. Her mother was right now having her foal and Nebulis was most likely alongside her and too busy to see what Celestia was up to. Celestia saw four shadowy figures on their play spot and jumped down.
"That you guys?" Celestia whispered
"Yeah, Nebula couldn't come though she had to go to a dinner party." Wind Song whispered back
"That's too bad." Celestia lit a small light from her horn to shine on her friends
"Ok, so we're heading to the town right?" Spark Shower whispered with his friends
The other three nodded and silently, Celestia lifted up Lily with her magic. Spark Shower and Wind Song were amazed at this, Celestia though sweating from the exhaustion, lifted her wings and slowly but carefully glided down with her friends. It was a long way down from the balcony and Celestia wasn't sure how long she'd be able to glide and lift Lily up, who was terrified at the thought Celestia would let go of her. But Celestia refused to let the fatigue of both gliding and using magic to lift somepony that was most likely just as heavy as she was. The balcony jutted out from the cliff side, Celestia looked up and saw how amazing the upper castle must seem. Above them was a small garden and their favorite spot to play, and above that were her chambers. But below them is where the court was held, as were ceremonies and other various things. The kitchen and dining area was down there so often Celestia had to make a trip down the flights of stairs carved inside their mountainous home. But so was the town, if they could sneak through the courtyard then they'd be able to go to town. Though guards were everywhere and would most likely not just scold them for flying at night. But Celestia had a plan.
"Ok guys you're good now." Celestia Hovered above them.
"Alright then we should get going." Celestia said as she waved her friends forward. She had no clue where she was going until she remember something
"Why didn't we just take the stairs down! I mean they were right next to the balcony where we played!" Celestia face hoofed and her friends then did the same.
"Well there's no use now, we gotta go!" Lily started to sprint, only to be followed by her friends, eventually reaching Town square where the fountain was. Lanterns floated in the water, glowing softly against the night, which seemed abnormally dark. Though the light on top of the mountain was amazing. It was a crystal, with a blue flame inside, the crystals reflected the light beautifully. Celestia stared at the water. She almost seemed hypnotized, but Lily bumped into her and she quickly snapped out of it.
"Hey where is everypony?" Wind Song looked around to see no lights coming from the windows.
"Well it is late, they're all asleep probably..." Lily reasoned
Celestia felt a strange presence following her all throughout the day, but it grew stronger that night.
"Hey guys... you don't feel like you're being followed right?" Celestia mumbled
"Nope." Lily looked strangely at Celestia
"Nah." Wind song made a "pfft" sounds with her lips
"Yeah.... no." Spark Shower looked behind himself
"Well... ok then." Celestia unassured said.
The four fillies walked down the streets, exploring the dark streets
"Hey guys... I we gotta go!" Lily looked up and the moon, which was getting close to the east.
The ponies shared no other words, they just ran, dodging carts and lamps posts.Celestia the waved them off as they each went home, watching them climb up into their rooms to make sure each one of them got home safe. Celestia flew as fast as she could, but felt the dawn would come soon enough and she would be caught. She neared the balcony above her parent's chambers and sighed in relief. Celestia quietly landed and walked to her chambers, only to fall asleep in a few minutes at the softness of her bed.
Celestia walked through a dark forest, The light from her horn dimly showed the way down a long path as far as She could tell. She walked on, The ominous forest easily deterring her. Her hooves tapped the stone path, a familiar feeling. Celestia walked on, only to stop at deafening scream of ponies, all crying out in agony. Celestia crumpled to the ground, squeezing her eyes shut.I don't want to open my eyes, It's just a dream, It's just a dream! I'll wake up! Mommy and Daddy will be there! I'll be fine... Celestia thought
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Celestia woke up, no pony there.Again... Mommy must be busy with having the foal and all... Celestia thought. It was still night, which seemed strange. Celestia stepped out of bed and groggily walked down the torchlit stairs. Then she heard the scream of her mother and bolted up the stairs not wanting to see what on ever was going on down there. Celestia stepped back into bed to hear a familiar light tap of hooves. She slightly opened one eye to see Nebulis walk in, though tired, smiling slightly. He bent down to give his daughter a kiss, then turned around to go back.
"I see you Celestia, you little peeper." Nebulis quietly said as he walked down the stairs once more.
"Is Mommy ok?" Celestia said as she lifted her head up
"Well, I wouldn't say she's not in any pain. But she's fine." Nebulis's voice echoed down the hall.
Celestia then nodded off to sleep, no longer plagued by nightmares.
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Celestia leaned over the cradle. A dark blue alicorn slept in it, her lighter blue mane tucked into back of her blanket.
"She seems so... squishy..." Celestia squinted her eyes at the sleeping foal
"Yes... that's how most babies are..." Galaxia said with a tired tone
"So, what's her name?" Celestia looked over at her tired looking parents, who returned to their non ethereal forms, letting their normally flowing manes become hair and their wings become feathered. A long day of the court and caring for two children had tired them out.
"Her name is Luna..." Galaxia said as she rolled over to looked at Celestia
"Cool!" Celestia excitedly said, but quietly.
"Yes now... Now time to go outside, get some sun... it's good for you..." Nebulis groaned as his hip cracked.
"Are we old?" Galaxia jokingly said
"Yes. Very." Nebulis grinned as soon as he had said it.
Galaxia, invigorated, pushed Nebulis, he pushed back until they playfully sparred each other. Galaxia won like most of the time, but they still had fun. Not that Nebulis was weak but he was a bit slow and would often use too much power in one strike. Galaxia was quick to get and get out, but often left herself wide open. Two different fighting techniques made them deadly force. But looking back on the days of battle, Nebulis sighed and chuckled at what he said once.
"I can rarely ever think I'd be able to have a family life."
Galaxia sighed as she leaned on Nebulis.
"You know, I'm worried about these two." Galaxia said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"That's good. If you weren't I'd be frightened." Nebulis looked over at Luna, who slept soundly.
"Well, if you weren't worried then that would mean you wouldn't care. And I know something would be wrong if a passionate pony like yourself just stopped caring about her own children." Nebulis thoughtfully said
"And I know you for being a pony I can rely on." Galaxia lifted her head up to kiss him for a brief moment, only to have a guard pop through the door mid kiss.
"Er um... Sorry your highnesses..." The guard uncomfortably said as Galaxia blushed bright red. Nebulis cleared his throat and stood up.
"Ehem, What is it? I requested no pony bother us..." Nebulis looked back at his wife, who stood up next to him.
"A kirin that called herself Levier has arrived. She said she'd like to speak with you..." The guard looked down.
"Alright, I will be there in a few moments..." Nebulis sighed and his mane and wings flowed with the stars once more.
"May I stay here with Luna? I'd rather not leave a foal here..." Galaxia said as her gaze shifted to the sleeping foal.
The guard nodded, and let Nebulis through. Nebulis looked back at her, then continued walking once more. Nebulis continued down the long stairwell.
"I wonder if this is really Levier... No that's impossible, She'd have to be a kirin, and other than Ventus we've not seen a kirin in a long time." Galaxia said as she looked towards the forest.
A warm breeze flowed through the room. She examined her room. It was a domed room, made out of tinted marble. Windows lined most of the walls, only to be stopped as it neared the doorway. Her bed was in the corner, Luna's cradle opposite of her. Celestia's bed was closest to the Balcony, which had only a vale covering it. During the winter however there was an actually door and the windows were sealed up. The room was comfortable enough. It was small enough to be cozy but large enough so it wasn't suffocating. Luna woke up and glanced over at her mother, then cried for food. Galaxia carried the small foal down the stairs. Galaxia walked out of the castle, a basket floating behind her. She walked down a long path to a sunny hill, today Celestia would learn how to actually fly. Though she could hover and glide she couldn't fly well. A dark figure came overhead, on it's back was a small white alicorn with light pink hair. The two landed and Celestia stepped off Nebulis's back. She seemed a little nervous about flying.
"But what if I fall?" Celestia uncomfortably said, sinking down
"Then I'll catch you." Nebulis said as he flapped his wings slowly
"AGH!" Celestia pulled away then clutched her hair
"Ok. I'll go flying now!" Celestia said stepping away from Luna
Nebulis picked up Celestia in his magic, lifting her up into the air.
"Just keep flapping!" Nebulis said joyfully.
"DAADDDY!!!" Celestia said as the magic orb dissipated and she fluttered her wings quickly.
Celestia then gained her confidence when she was able to fly without straining herself.
"Ok, now try moving forward." Nebulis said with a smirk. Celestia's expression dropped and she kicked her legs forwards, like she was trying to swim, only moving a bit.
"You have to fan your wings and lean Celestia." Nebulis explained as he showed an example
"The more you lean forward and the more you fan them out the faster you go." Nebulis said as he flew upwards again.
Celestia did the same and after a few tries she got the hang of it. She dived down then hovered a bit to land softly, Nebulis followed behind. Luna fell asleep once more, eyes tired of watching her sister and father flutter their wings. Or in Nebulis's case teaching the new flyer how to use her wings.
"So how was the meeting?" Galaxia said as she laid down.
"Well, no pony was there." Nebulis looked over at the sun.
"What? She showed up just not to say anything?" Galaxia said with slightly annoyed
"All there was left was a green feather." Nebulis sat down.
"Oh well..." Celestia replied as she chased after a butterfly.
Galaxia nodded then picked up a carrot from the basket. Her aura glowed around the carrot until it dropped into her hooves. She split it up and gave a piece to Celestia. They sat quietly with each other, enjoying each other's company. Galaxia then lowered the sun, As the light faded, Nebulis put the tired filly on his back, and Galaxia carried Luna home. A few hours off were special treat for the family.
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Celestia sat quietly with Luna.
"Hey... Do you think they'll come back?" Luna, only a filly, asked her sister. Though Celestia was older, only by five years.
"Of course... they have to..." Celestia uncomfortably said.
"Don't worry... remember they're really tough right? Able to take down Ventus!" Celestia said with a bit more confidence.
Only a month after her first actual flight her parents had leave for war. It was started by the Griffons, they proclaimed they needed more land, but the nation of Griffania was only slightly smaller than Equestria. It was not much older either. But most of the land was cold and covered in tall pine trees, the ground at one time said to be fertile but now a layer of permafrost made it almost impossible to grow substantial crops, especially how their government worked. The high king was apart of the House of Stone Claw. His name was Lion Heart the Viscous, but to his subjects he was the Magnificent. He used propaganda to show that Nebulis and Galaxia were somehow monsters. And that they "hogged all the land." Lion Heart would hold feats often, yet his subjects starved. Galaxia had tried to reason with him, but his stubborn pride got in the way and he angrily stormed away yelling,
"THEN IT'S WAR!"
Right in the middle of the meeting. At first Galaxia and Nebulis thought he wasn't serious. Then an army showed up and took the Pegasus city of Veirne. Nebulis and Galaxia refused to sit idly by and Lion Heart sent more soldiers to kill their ponies.
Galaxia flew over the dusty battle scene, the battle cries of griffons and ponies. She felt the magic flow from the griffons, then charged a spell that would pinpoint only them. She sent the spell into the sky and the painful whimpers came from the dust cloud. She cleared the dust cloud and moved the remaining soldiers out. Not looking back at the battered bodies of griffons and ponies. Nebulis flew over, but something in battle changed him, like always...
"I suggest you stay away from him for now... He becomes different when he fights..." One of the soldiers that previously was alongside him said to another.
"What do you mean?" The unicorn said around the fire.
"Something in his eyes... Something just comes out... He's viscous... but I can't blame him..." The previous soldier said once more.
"Yeah..." another soldier said as she took a bite out of her rationed carrots. The tall alicorn walked through, faint crimson spots on his hooves and his cold eyes that shot through anypony in his way like an arrow.walked by. Dirt stuck to his hooves. His eyes were slightly red, he made a snarling sound as he walked by, something bothering him. Her muttered something under his breath then walked off.
"I see what you mean..." The second soldier said, now understanding what the unicorn meant.
"Nebulis never came off to me like that though, I mean before he was actually nice enough..." The unicorn said once more.
"Meh, whatever. As long as he's not attacking everything then i'm fine." A pegasus said as he walked past them.
The ponies nodded in silence as the angry dark stallion walked past them, being dragged by Galaxia, who pulled the snarling stallion by backwards. Galaxia had a depressed look on her face, like she had seen him like that before. The pegasus winced when Nebulis glared at him, then was dragged once more by his tail. Nebulis's eyes glowed a dim red but seemed to cool off as Galaxia dragged him away.
"He's a scary one." The unicorn said as they watched the disappear into the shadows.
"Though, this wouldn't be the first time they've been in a stressful situation... I mean Lion Heart is kinda being a jerk, well more then just a jerk but you get what I mean." The pegasus said.
"Yeah, Doesn't help that Lion Heart is making them look like the bad guys in this." The unicorn looked around as he traded coffee for more extra oats. The ponies nodded slowly as the sun set, each having their own thoughts and feelings about what was going on. Nebulis eventually stopped snarling and sighed.
"I hate this." Nebulis muttered as he looked at the moon.
"I agree... I just hope this will be over soon..." Galaxia looked towards the camp.
"I hope Levier gets to them in time..." Nebulis looked down.
"She's been gone for quite sometime now, who knows if she'll reconsider her decision." Galaxia closed her eyes and sighed heavily.
"No... Levier wouldn't do that, She's Gaia's daughter- We can trust her." Nebulis glanced around in the darkness.
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Luna walked down the hallway closely following behind Celestia. Apparently somepony was there to meet them, But Luna was unsure. Nebula, one Luna's friends. trailed behind her and Celestia. The quiet unicorn brought Wind Song, Lily and Spark Shower along. Though Luna wasn't sure that whoever was waiting for them would want to find the sisters playing with citizen's of their own kingdom. Luna expected to hear the words,
"Somepony of an alicorn's stature shouldn't muck around with the nobility"
But as Celestia opened the door and let Luna through along with her friends, there was a green kirin. Though it was a doe, it had the antlers of a buck. It was mostly an light meadow green, with lighter green stripes. It had a wavy darker green mane that lightened as it got farther from it's base. The kirin was tall and thin, but not anorexic, much like Galaxia. It has a long tail much like a dragons (but with fur like any other pony) and it's tail was much the same as it's mane (Also like any other pony) The kirin seemed to be only slightly shorter then Luna's parents, and had a lively feel to her. Her eyes were full of life, making the already interesting mare seem more or less nice enough. The kirin heard the door and slowly turned around, her green eyes wide at the sight, then she smiled.
"Ah... you must be Luna and Celestia..." The kirin said with a soft tone of realization.
"How did you-" Spark Shower asked, his mouth gaping open.
"I know their parents after all." The kirin said again.
"I requested I was to take care of Celestia and Luna... I had no idea four fillies already beat me to it." She said half jokingly.
"Er... well if you're going to take care of us then can you at least tell us your name?" Luna said, not intentionally being rude.
"Levier Aldona, It is a pleasure to meet you Princess Luna and Princess Celestia." The kirin bowed her head slowly.
"You're... The Earth kirin?!?" Luna and Celestia leaned forward as their jaws dropped.
"Yes." Levier said simply if not flatly. The two princesses's jaws dropped lower and eventually after being completely baffled they shook their heads and looked at the kirin.
"Er guys, if you'd like you can go now..." Celestia said as Levier gave her a look that said, "We may be talking about some things that no pony should hear because it's an alicorn thing." Luna waved off her friends and turned back to he kirin
"Miss Luna... I would appreciate also if me and Celestia talked in private for a moment..." Levier said as she looked down at Celestia, who hid her face in her hair.
This cannot be good... Is Celestia not telling me something? Luna thought.
"Don't worry it won't be long." Levier said with a small soft smile. Luna walked out. The door closed and after a brief moment of silence, Levier began to speak in a hushed tone.
"Celestia, who knows?" Levier sounded concerned.
"Only Mommy and Daddy..." Celestia sounded uncomfortable.
"You know what to do right?" Levier's voice became quieter.
"Mhm... deep breathes and try to find a quiet spot. Or run to Mommy or Daddy." Celestia said with a bit more confidence.
"Good... I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you." Levier said a bit louder, then a green aura surrounded the door and opened it.
"Ok... So what have you two learned?" Levier looked at the two sisters.
"Er... levitation and.... and.... uh... em..." Celestia thought hard.
"Nothing much really..." Luna said to try and help her sister. Levier sighed and then mumbled something under her breath.
"Ok, then I guess I shall teach you." Levier said as her green eyes shifted to the window. It had begun to rain, the pitter-patter of droplets hitting the walls soothed the uncomfortable air. The air became moist and heavy. Levier walked past the two and waved them on, they followed behind, their hooves tapping against the granite floors.
"So Levier... where'd you live before you came here?" Luna asked
"Oh, anywhere I pleased really. If it was dry I would sleep in the shade of the trees but if it was raining then most likely in the small caves that seem to be everywhere." Levier said, this however caused a bit more confusion then she thought it would.
"So you were a hermit?" Celestia said bluntly.
"Well... I guess you could say so..." Levier said, a half hidden tone of annoyance in her voice.
"Oh well that's cool, I mean you could basically whatever you want, no pony there to bother you or tell you what to do." Luna said as her gaze shifted between a portrait of the Everfree forest and some mountain.
"Yes... but at times it did get a bit lonely, though it was peaceful." Levier glanced over at Luna and Celestia. Luna, seeing that Celestia was playfully trying to get in front of her, ran forward until alongside her sister.
Celestia though, not backing down, ran faster until they were in front of Levier, they sped past her. Eventually they remember they were following her. They forgot to slow down, crashing into the wall and each other, Levier hearing the crash ran over. Expecting a scolding from the green kirin, instead the were helped up.
"Ok, where are we going next besides the wall?" Levier said adventurously.
"Um... the Courtyard! we can play in the rain!" Luna playfully said.
"Then let's go!" Celestia said as she sprang forward, Luna and Levier running behind her. They ran back down the hallway, often pushing through servants and guards, Luna and Celestia yelling behind themselves, "Sorry!" or "Excuse me!" Levier got into the lead clearing away anypony that happened to be walked there, not knocking them out, but most scurried out of the way as they saw the green kirin running towards them. Though one stallion got his hoof stepped on and a certain cart of cabbages got knocked over otherwise they ran through without a hitch. They neared the entrance and took a moment to breathe.
"Did you see that one guard? He was hilarious!" Luna laughed as she breathed heavily.
"The face he made!" Celestia cried out in joy.
"I agree... That was fun!" Levier said with a wide smile.
The mares laughed and eventually walked into the courtyard, The rain pored down on the plants, flower holding water in them like tea cups. Celestia found a puddle and began to splash around it it, her hooves muddied and her pink mane soiled with mud and sopping wet. Luna at first was a bit timid but eventually joined her sister and they had a contest to see who could make the biggest splash of mud in a puddle. Levier joined and they got to the point where it was just levitating water onto each other. Luna's dark blue aura made a magic bowl to hold water while Celestia was busy chasing Levier was a ball of water in her own aura. Celestia had cornered Levier and was victoriously waving the ball of water ever so closely to Levier's face. Then Luna pored the bowl onto both of them and they were drenched even more. Levier then made a large ball of her own and cornered both of the sisters, who held each other waiting for Levier to drop it on them, she did and Celestia once again was at a loss. Celestia looked over at Luna, stretched her wings and began gathering water from puddles, eventually flying higher until she hid somewhere else, Luna and Levier splashed at each other until Celestia dropped all the water at once, making a good sized wave that washed over the ones below her. Eventually, Celestia and Luna were tired and Levier brought the sopping wet Fillies in. Though Celestia was older and taller she was still considered a filly. Levier brought them into the bath area, warm steam filling the room. Celestia and Luna stepped into the water and washed off the mud from their manes and hooves. Levier standing nearby to help the sisters dry off and then bring them to diner. It had rained almost all day so as the sun neared the horizon it only made a small difference. Levier dried the sisters off and they walked down the hallway to the kitchen. But something was still bothering Luna as they passed by the court room.Why won't anypony tell me about Celestia? and why is it so important no pony know? , Luna thought intensely, but quickly forgot as her favorite food, Daisies soup with sunflower seeds, was brought in. Luna and her sister ate quietly and in a dignified manner as a group of noblemen passed by, only normal moments before Celestia and Luna ate like any other pony, talking and not really caring whether or not some pony's hooves were on the table. Then the group left and they ate normally again.
"Ok you two I have to go and fill out some paper work and such so you just do what you'd do normally I guess." Levier said after a long pause. The sisters nodded and continued until alfalfa was brought it.
"A princess must always eat her alfalfa before eating dessert." Celestia said, looking gracious with her eyes closed and her hooves under the table. Luna however protested, lifting her hooves onto the table and saying,
"But it's dumb and a weird color and gross and it's also-" Luna was cutoff by Celestia
"It is impolite to have your hooves on the table." Celestia said with her tone of "Listen to who's in charge"
"It's not like eat your alfalfa anyways!" Luna scowled as Celestia opened her eyes halfway, looking at her like "You can't be serious" Celestia ate her alfalfa, scowling at the wall in front of her, Luna looked happy enough, her hooves now under the table. Celestia then raised her hooves over her head and said with the alfalfa still half chewed in her mouth,
"BLARHH ALFALFA MONTSER!" Celestia opened her eyes fully and waved her hooves around.
"ew gross! stop it!" Luna laughed as she fluttered her tiny wings. Celestia spat out the alfalfa the they left their plated there, Celestia opened the door out of the kitchen.
"Hey Tia, Mommy and Daddy will be home soon right?" Luna asked as they left their bowls and walked down the hallway.
"Yes, Remember what I said?" Celestia said with a warm smile.
"Ok." Luna smiled back at her sister. They walked up the stairs into their room and slipped in bed. They laid on top of the blanket, Celestia sitting with Luna under her wing, sharing the sweetness of the moment. Celestia sang the lullaby that Galaxia would sing to them, one of many but easily Luna's favorite.
Come along my Sun, Come along My Moon, Come with me we'll be there soon, To the Dawn and into the Dusk, We'll be there soon, In a never ending cycle of light and dark, We'll be there soon enough...
Luna drifted off to sleep with Celestia, Levier walked in and slept close to the sisters.
"Goodnight..." Levier said as she pulled the blanket over the two, the night air turning cold as the rain cooled it.
Levier woke up to see Luna and Celestia had already gone downstairs. Levier stretched out and walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Celestia and Luna were sitting peacefully waiting for Levier.think of all the stuff that's here?!" Spark Shower quietly sped towards the nearest bookshelf.This always happens... Celestia thought quietly. Luna looked at her sister and sighed.really boring." Lily glanced at the librarian. Nebula pulled a large bag of books and scrolls across the floor.Darn it! I knew I shouldn't have taken her up on the alfalfa! Luna thought quietly as she frowned slightly in defeat. Celestia put the tired filly on her back, Luna sprawled over her sister's back.
__________________________________________________________________________
"Do you have them in your sights?" A shadowy figure said, looking towards Celestia and Luna.
Luna was right in the path of the arrow.
"Luna!" Celestia pushed her sister off, putting herself in the way.
The arrow punctured right below her collar bone, but the force was more then enough to send Celestia into shock, a pony who's never had that serious of an injury at that point. But it was also enough to easily pass through her.
"Celestia!" Luna cried as her sister buckled under her own weight, shaking violently.
Guards ran over, firing bolts of magic at the forest where the arrow came from. Levier sped towards Celestia, picking up the shaking filly like a wounded sparrow. Crimson red blood gushed from the wound.
"Celestia I need you to stay awake ok?" Levier pressed down on the wound, Celestia winced in pain, Her vision wavering and blurring. Luna held her breathe while tears streamed down her face.
"it's ok Luna, If she gets medical attention in time then she'll be fine. Promise." Levier looked up at Luna, who was utterly shocked at the sight of her sister's creamy coat turned red.
A pony ran over and carried Celestia away. Lifting her with it's magic. Two guards then brought the two griffons, each wearing cuffs around their limbs. The griffons looked towards Levier and Luna, the banded one glared at the archer when they saw Celestia still alive. The archer gulped, it's eyes darted around, Luna stared at the two. They were mangy, covered in dirt. They seemed skinny, the hollows of their cheeks clear. Luna stared at the archer then to the banded one. Anger and sadness filled her face as it flustered red. Tears pored down her face and she stepped closer to the banded one. She stepped towards it and slapped him harshly.
"You- You're a monster! She's just a filly!" A guard spat out as she looked towards Celestia as she was carted away. The banded one looked down.
"Yeah sure. Innocent filly. Keep thinking that when she goes over the edge and snaps." The archer muttered as it closed it's eyes.
The banded one looked over at Levier who slowly turned around. Luna stepped back, sensing something stirring in Levier. The guards also stepped back as Levier turned around to stare at the griffons. The whites and irises of her eyes turned orange, leaving only her pupils to turn blood red. She glared at the griffons.
"How... Dare you ever speak of her like that." Levier stepped closer to look the mortified griffon in the eye.
She then looked over at the banded one only to have a plant sprout from the ground and move them away. Her eyes returned to normal and she stamped away, the air turned cold around her it seemed. Luna scurried after Celestia, but looked back and saw that Levier was alone, sitting on an old wall. The Sun was finally about to set, the moon peeping over the horizon. Levier seemed to wilt, her head low. Though she normally had lively green ones, they turned pale, some streaks turned brown.
"Tia, I gotta go and sit with Levier, you get better ok?" Luna said softly.
Celestia nodded slowly, then closed her eyes as her vision blurred. Luna ran past the garden, The flowers were ok but the plants started to droop. Luna trotted over to the kirin, sitting by Levier she waited patiently for somepony to say something.
"It's ok for you to be upset." Luna paused as Levier looked over at her.
"No. It's not ok, I lost my head." Levier stated, Angry with herself again.
"Well they did try to kill her, and they said something really mean." Luna remembered the griffon's words
"Yeah sure. Innocent filly. Keep thinking that when she goes over the edge and snaps."
Levier looked over at Luna, seeing she was deep in thought. The green kirin pulled the small filly over and held her close with one wing.
"Why would they do that? Tia isn't some monster! I know that, Levier... why would they say that?" Luna sobbed and snuggled closer to Levier's warm embrace.
"Because they're desperate. The griffons are losing and badly. They need a distraction for the whole country including your mom and dad so they have a slight chance of victory." Levier not wanting to prod any deeper into the matter gazed at the Moon.
"Is she gonna be ok?" Luna looked up, her eyes puffy.
"Yes. Luckily if you can call it that the arrow passed through without hitting her lungs. Though the wound may weaken her for awhile. You'll need to help her ok?" Levier looked at Luna, who seemed shocked at the thought that she'd have to help her sister. It was mostly Celestia that took care of her, the amount of responsibility made Luna quiver with excitement.
"Thank you Levier." Luna smiled up at Levier.
"No, thank you." Levier smiled back.
"Hey Levier... doesn't your name mean Lever?" Luna pondered.
"I suppose so." Levier chuckled at her name.
"Alright, let's go. Celestia probably is waiting for us." Levier put Luna on her back.
"Whoa! It's just like when Daddy does that! You're tall." Luna already knew that Levier and her parents were taller than most ponies, but also any biological alicorns she'd seen.
"Well, I guess so." Levier looked down at her long legs. She trotted towards the castle after a quick flight downwards. As they went past the gates and into the castle, a terrible smell filled the air.
Levier ran past the source though, not wanting Luna to see whatever had happened. Though Levier had her guesses (As did Luna) she decided she'd rather not horrify the already frightened filly. Levier lifted Luna off her back and they walked to the medical office. Celestia slept peacefully in bed. Her shoulder completely wrapped in bandages. An orange nurse came over to speak.
"She should be fine, though her shoulder is damaged and it may be sometime before she'll be able to walk without a limp, if she feels any pain give her these." The pony handed over a bag of herbs.
"Crush them up and keep them cool." The pony said as it looked at Levier.
"Ah yes. Flore de Sol. Good healing plant for serious wounds like this." Levier took the bag. Luna and the pony looked at her confused.
"How did you know that?" Luna and the nurse said in unison.
"I guess being the Earth kirin has it's perks. Knowing all healing and harmful plants comes apart of it." Levier smiled softly. Luna looked at Celestia as she took a deep breath. The alicorn opened it's eyes slowly and glanced at Luna a light smile spread across her face.
"Tia you're awake!" Luna ran over and hugged Celestia tightly.
"Yeah I guess I am... You're okay right?" Celestia said softly. Luna nodded and looked over at Levier as she discussed medical herbs. Levier was mid conversation about the effects of Poison Joke.
"Look who's awake." The nurse pony pointed towards Celestia as she sat up to look at Luna fully. Levier hugged Celestia lightly.
"I'll bring in dinner if you'd like any." Levier said as Luna looked out the door. Celestia nodded and slept.
"She's a fighter, most ponies would have passed out just from the pain." The nurse pony said.
"Indeed..." Levier's voice trailed off. She wasn't sure if it was Celestia who worried her or if it was something else.
_____________________________________________________________________
"We have successfully subdued most griffon forces, a few skirmishes on our seas but other then that, Lion Heart has all but lost." General Quil looked at Nebulis.
"Hopefully He'll give up." Galaxia looked outside as the rain pored down. Soldier's tents glowed dimly with lanterns.
"I doubt it. That fool wouldn't give up until no one was even standing." Another general muttered.
"Sadly... You have a point." Nebulis sighed. The ponies in the large tent all agreed silently.
"What do you propose?" General Quill looked up at Nebulis, seeing the red in his eyes ad how he pawed the ground.
"Our forces are nearing the capitol as we speak. I suggest we storm the castle." Galaxia, surprisingly said.
"But what of the casualties? The capitol is most likely-" The general caught himself.
"I understand that, but in this situation we have the upper hoof. Their forces are tired and hungry, And dwindling as well. not only are griffons dying but they're also running away." Galaxia looked back.
"Then it's settled. Tommorow we will lead the invasion force and capture the city." Nebulis rolled up the map.
"What will we do with Griffania?" Quill said once more.
"If they surrender an end the war we will let them stay, if not then we will capture the whole country and make our land." Nebulis looked coldly at the floor.
"We will send a document before hoof. Hopefully that will sway them." Galaxia looked at her husband. During the war Nebulis lost his left eye and carried a large talon scar across his whole face. Galaxia walked with a slight limp, but other then that she was fine.
"Maybe even if they don't..." Galaxia's voice trailed off as the generals stared at her.
Galaxia just wanted the war to end with as few casualties as possible. Even if they were winning it was mostly because most griffons died of either disease, starvation or freezing to death. Most natural weapons a pony could use were trampling something to death, but griffons also had natural weapons, Beaks that could tare whilst also having claws that could do just the same. Quite a few ponies had lost their lives to these, but when equipped with a weapon, A griffon was a worthy adversary. But bladed wings and hooves along with bolts of magic obliterated most griffons. A lone griffon against another lone pony would often end in either both of them dying or one no longer being able to fight. It was a depressing reality for Galaxia. Nebulis was not too fond of it either.
"Lion Heart is a fool to think that his starving country would be able to fight." Quill said as he looked over at the tents. Galaxia and Nebulis nodded along with all the other generals and centuries in the room.
"It makes no sense, Griffania is almost as big as Equestria!" Another general said as he stamped his hoof.
"Doesn't matter any more. We've tried to talk but he no longer listens." Nebulis muttered under his breath. The cold feeling in the room left after the meeting was over. Galaxia sighed and hugged Nebulis.
"I'm sorry..." Nebulis looked down.
"It's never been your fault. As long as I'm here you'll never..." Galaxia's voice trailed off once more. The subject made both of them uncomfortable but Gaia, the first earth kirin said.
"Just because you ignore something doesn't mean it will go away."
Galaxia sighed and walked away, But a messenger quickly came in and handed a letter.
"Queen Galaxia and King Nebulis, I am here to tell you that your firstborn daughter Celestia and your second born daughter Luna were attacked. Two griffons attempted to assassinate Celestia, but she is fine now if not wounded. The griffons were taken care of by Levier Aldona. They attacked from the hill, there was nothing anypony could do until it was too late. Celestia will recover but her arm may be not quite as functional. I, the Captain of the Solar Guard, apologize and take full responsibility for this. I understand completely if you are angry with me."
Galaxia looked over at Nebulis, and slowly gave the note. As he read it time seemed to slow. Nebulis growled at it a bit and stamped out, Galaxia followed behind to make sure he didn't do anything he may regret later.
_____________________________________________________________________
" I can't believe it... The war's over..." A servant sighed in relief.
"Yeah..." The chef said as he pounded into a piece of dough.
"Though..." A servant looked down.
"I can't believe that she's..." A tear fell from the first servant eyes.
"Curse Lion Heart. I hope he goes to Tartarus for what he's done." The second servant muttered under his breath.
"A can't believe it. Tore off her arm." The chef grumbled.
"What about Celestia and Luna? What will they think when their parents get back?" A third servant said.
"I heard Nebulis has a scar right across his face. Makes him look even scarier then he normally is." The second servant finished washing a set of dishes.
"Galaxia lost her whole front arm, Now that seems like it'd freak out two fillies." The chef said as he pounded into the dough harder.
Author's Note
Side note: Funny how Levier means "lever" in french... does this mean something? I dunno, that's for you guys to think about...
:{D (I gotta stop doing that >.>) Oh and also, Nebulis and Galaxia are also taller then Celestia and Luna even now. Think of it like this: O= N&G o=C&L
"Wind Song you got your cutie mark!" Celestia said as she and her friends looked at the balloons on the pink pegasi's flank.
"Lily, It's so pretty!" Luna said as she and her friends looked at the candle. "I know! I can't believe it!" Lily said, a wide smile spread out across her face.
"A butterfly?" Lily said pointing at Spark Shower's cutie mark. "Yeah! I love them!" Spark Shower fluttered his wings. "It's nice and all but... Why is it pink?" Luna said peeping over Celestia. Spark Shower made an unamused face then the butterfly flew off, revealing the actual cutie mark to be a needle and thread. "See?" Spark Shower said softly.
"It's so pretty Nebula." Celestia stepped closer to Nebula, pointing to the young mares's flank. The scroll curled and tied with a blue bow gracing her flank, Wind Song made a joke about her strutting and the group laughed.
"Wow... That's pretty cool Tia." Luna looked at her sister, The Sun blazed on her flank.
"Luna you did it!" Celestia said excitingly. "I did it I did it! Levier did you see it?" Luna jumped up and down, The green kirin stepped closer. "Very good Luna. You should be proud." Levier said with a calm smile.
___________________________________________________________________________
The six friends stood on their favorite balcony. Each one felt the connection they had with each other.
"Hey guys... What do you wanna do before me and Tia gotta do our stuff?" Luna said as she looked up at her substantially taller friends.
"Nah... That'd be the millionth time in a row." Lily sighed.
"We could... jump off the cliff?" Wind Song joked.
"Yeah... how about no." Nebula said with a smirk. Luna giggled along with the rest of her friends. Spark Shower though was deep in thought. A remark some pony said to him earlier was still bothering him even after his friends assured him that it was just some stupid remark.
"Look at that guy, Why does he always hang out with those girls? He's gonna get his dad in trouble for being so reckless." A pony snickered.
"What do you mean?" A pony across the table looked confused.
"Why would you think he'd hang out with the princesses? Two words, Social-Ladder." The first pony said.
"Oh... Wow... He's gonna get in trouble once his dad knows what he's doing." the second pony giggled cruelly. Spark Shower lowered his head until he seemed to hide in his friends.
"Don't worry Spark they don't know you." Nebula smiled as she said this.
But the comments still bothered him.
I'm not doing that... We've been friends since we were little fillies! It's not a social game at all! Spark Shower thought as he scowled. Levier picked this up as she flew in to take Lily and Nebula home (The fast way anyhow) Levier lifted both of the in a green aura and flew with them to their homes. Spark Shower started his way home, the colt, now almost a teen, blushed bright red.
"Spark Shower,Is something wrong?" Levier lifted her brow at the much shorter pony.
"No." Spark Shower grumbled as he was about to lift off.
"I've heard that before and you know what? Every time that pony doesn't open up they end up in a worse place they started in." Levier said looking at the young pony with a face that read, "Just stick around"
"It's just... All these politics and stuff makes it hard for me to be friends with Luna and Celestia. Or any of them really. I was hanging out with Lily at the cafe and some pony made a comment like the one I got earlier today." Spark Shower sighed.
"I see... Well I'd like to say this; It doesn't matter. Do those ponies know you? No. They don't. Defend yourself if you must but don't do what you don't have to." Levier patted Spark on the shoulder.
"Thanks Levier. You always know what to say." Spark Shower said with a light smile. Spark Shower lifted his wings and flew off to his home, the heavy feeling of self doubt off his shoulders. Levier smiled slightly and turned to Celestia and Luna.
"You do always know what to say Levier... How do you do that?" Luna asked curiously.
"Well, seeing as I've lived for quite some time, Watching ponies and the sorts argue and discuss but also my own experiences have taught me what to say and how to say it whilst also being sincere." Levier looked over at the sun.
"Hm. Alright I guess that makes sense. Anyhow, I gotta raise the moon, see you in a few minutes." Luna said, trotting away with Celestia.
"They're nice ponies aren't they..." Galaxia said, slowly walked up to Levier.
"Indeed... I just hope either of them won't-" Levier cut herself off, biting her lip. Galaxia looked at Levier, a tear filled her eyes but was wiped away.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to bring it up." Levier lowered her head.
"It's alright... It's not your fault." Galaxia slowly said, pausing in between words. Her voice was choked up, like it was painful to remember.
"It's ok... It's not your fault either." Levier put her hoof on Galaxia's back, whispering to her.
"Yes it is, if only I had done something ." Galaxia lowered her head, staring at the ground yet refusing to cry.
"You don't know what would have happened if you'd done something. For all we know something far worse could have happened." Levier pointed out.
"I suppose you're right..." Levier lifted her head upwards, taking a deep breath, The green becoming vibrate and lively.
"Hm... In a few weeks the plants will need rain once more in the mid west, farther west the plants are fine, eastwards the plants could use more water but are fine-ish. The north is fine for now and south they are in desperate need of rain." Levier said as the greens turned back to normal, a few greenish-browns streaks were in her mane but otherwise Levier was fine.
"I'll send word to the pegasi." Galaxia said, Then walked over to Nebulis, they shared a few words then walked away. Levier watched Luna raise the moon, flapping her wings hard. The filly grew tired and flew down slowly. The moon beginning it's journey. Celestia lowered the sun and breathed heavily, the old pain in her shoulder shot up, Celestia winced in pain as she walked back, the limp visible.
"Levier why does it always hurt my shoulder when I do anything with the sun?" Celestia rubbed her shoulder as she sat down, Luna leaning into her.
"Energy flows through you Celestia, extending itself all over you like roads in your body. But in that area, the road is defected and broken making it difficult to get around, so energy piles up until it must go through, that burst hurts because you normally do not use this much energy at once, but seeing as the Sun is gigantic, makes it harder for your muscles to take the force from the energy." Levier breathed in deeply.
"So the Moon is easier to pull?" Luna looked at her sister.
"No, not necessarily. The moon is still quite large. Not only that but it's solid." Levier said looking at Luna.
"I assure you, You and Celestia have an equal job." Levier said, patting Luna on the shoulder. Luna smiled and fluttered her wings in excitement.
"Tia c'mon let's go!" Luna said running to their new room. It was closer to the throne room but it suited them well.
Two beds across from each other, one close to the window (Which was Luna's) and the other near a fireplace. Luan's bed was dark blue with a pure white crescent on it. Celestia's bed was white with a golden sun in the middle. Luna bounced on her bed eagerly. A desk nearby had a scroll laid open on it. Celestia's horn glowed and it was neatly placed into it's section. Under it was a half done drawing. Luna ran over and took out her quill, only to start drawing on it again. Celestia was peeking over Luna shoulder to see a picture of Luna, Wind Song, Spark Shower, Lily and Nebula sitting there with their names placed above them. Another pony was being drawn, but Luna seemed to have some trouble because the pony was creamy white. Luna searched everywhere for the color. Eventually she came across a color close enough and finished the pony, adding a horn and some wings and labeled the pony as "Tia". Celestia smiled lightly and walked away.
"Hey Tia, do you wanna check out that chamber?" Luna said looking up.
"Which one?" Celestia asked, tilting her head.
"The one that we ran past that one time and Levier pushed us away." Luna said putting the picture on the wall.
"Oh yeah... sure." Celestia said as she preened her wings.
"Let's wait a bit though, I wouldn't want to get yelled at." Luna said thoughtfully.
"So what... tonight?" Celestia said, finishing her preening.
"Yeah, we can sneak down." Luna cracked a wicked smile. Celestia smiled with her until the two broke out in laughter.
"Alright, I'll wake you up." Luna giggled as she crept into bed.
"Goodnight Luna."Celestia said as she closed her heavy eyes.
"Night..." Luna said as she closed her eyes slowly.
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"Tia, wake up" Luna poked her sister.
"Oh yeah..." Celestial rubbed her eyes, Her muscles felt heavy and slow.
Celestia stretched and yawned heavily, Looking at Luna who was wide awake. Luan put on her paper sailor hat (One she made with Celestia a few days ago) Celestia put black paint under Luna's eyes and giggled softly as Luna did the same. Celestia slowly opened the door and snuck out of the room, Luna on her back. Celestia snuck quietly down the hallway, just as they neared the corner however a tap of hooves frightened Celestia enough for her to quickly fly to the top of the ceiling, high above the guards she watched the group look around then leave. Her wings flapped silently. Luna nearly jumped out of her skin when a guard was about to look up, But Carefully Celestia lit up her horn slightly, and made the glass tap up ahead. The guards rushed towards it and Celestia quietly trotted away. The dark night hid them well, as they neared the doorway however, something was bothering Celestia.
Is there a reason we shouldn't go down there? Celestia thought.
"Luna are you sure we should go in there?" Celestia whispered nervously.
"We can't turn back now..." Luna whispered back.
Celestia sighed lightly and pushed open the heavy door. Celestia walked through and closed the creaky door. The air was damp and heavy, dust particles floated around freely. Luna dropped off Celestia's back and lit her horn, she fired a small spell at a few torches and the room became slightly brighter, Celestia gazed at the statues of creatures seemingly frozen in time, dusty old scrolls lined the walls. One statue caught her attention in particular though. It had the head of a pony, yet it's body was made up an assortment of other creatures. Labeled underneath was "Draconequus"
"Tia... what is that thing?" Luna said stepping closer to the strange creature.
"I'm not sure... But I don't like it, let's go before something bad happens..." Celestia said before a loud explosion was heard upstairs.
Celestia and Luna's eyes widened in horror. Celestia leapt into action, putting Luna on her back, she bolted out of the room, slamming the door as ponies ran past her in terror. Luna hung onto Celestia tightly as they ran towards the explosion's location. Celestia made sure everypony got behind her as another one occurred. Her magic made a barrier that cracked and shook as another wave of red magic pulsed through the sky. Celestia winced as pain spread up her bad shoulder, Luna helped by making a barrier of her own, assisting her sister as the dust cloud began to settle. Galaxia flew to them, her face pale.
"You two need to get out of here. Now me and Levier can handle this, go find your friends now ." Galaxia said, her voice slightly shaking.
"Mom-" Luna tried to say and Galaxia pushed the two back.
The dust cloud settled, a pitch black figure standing. Red writing sprawled on it's sides. Blood red eyes glared at them. It's dark purple mane was tattered. Galaxia's expression sunk as Levier came to join her, The green kirin watching in terror at the creature. A wicked smile showed long sharp teeth in the creature's mouth. Celestia slowly backed away, keeping the barrier up. Galaxia and Levier looked behind one last time, watching as all of the city seemed to run out. Guards rushed ponies out of the area while some ran to find family members and possibly friends. Celestia flew up into the sky, gathering her friends like her mother told her to do.
"I knew this day would come..." The creature said as it chuckled. Galaxia glared at the creature, turning her body to face it. Levier lowered herself to the ground.
"You may try to stop me but I'm afraid that won't help you." The creature said confidently.
The creature laughed in between gasps of pain. It's horn glowed red and the sky turned pure black yet the sun was visible. The sun turned blood red and Celestia felt her magic waning.
"I feel faint..." Celestia said softly and her friends rushed around the young mare.
"Tia you gotta get up!" Luna said as Celestia crumbled under herself.
The creature smirked, it's red eyes glowed in recognition.
"Ah yes... my faithful daughter..." The creature said as it teleported to Celestia.
Nebula jumped in front of Celestia and struck the creature in the head. The creature smirked at this though, ignoring the blow. Nebula ducked out of the way as Spark Shower seemed to dive out of no where, throwing himself willingly at the creature. The creature threw the pegasus off, throwing him into Lily. Lily caught Spark Shower and began to strike at the creature, but the creature had experience and dodged her attempts easily. Luna stood up in rage and shot a bolt of magic at the creature. A plant sprouted out of the ground and wrapped itself around the creature, pulling it underground. Celestia's eyes darted back and forth. Celestia rose up, breathing heavily. The creature sped out of the ground, the plant dead. Levier quickly however dropped down from the sky and rammed the creature into the ground. A large shock wave shook the ground, Celestia gathered her friends with her magic and flew out of the city, watching from afar the battle seemed to continue for what seemed like an eternity...
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Galaxia flew into the creature, assisting Levier. The green kirin flew up into the clouds as Galaxia showered shards of yellow and blue magic, as they hit the ground, Electricity jumped out of the broken shards. The creature was hit by several shards, only to heal itself easily. The creature sped towards the clouds, only to throw down a browning Levier. Levier hit the ground with a thump, her limp body turned brown with only a few small streaks of pale green. The battle raged on with Galaxia and the creature firing spells back and forth. Minutes turns into hours which turned into days. A full three days later and Galaxia was still fighting, though she was growing tired and quickly. The creature taunting her and often picking at Levier as the now brown kirin also continued to fight. Levier was struck in the side by the creature, the last bit of green completely gone. Levier went flying backwards, tumbling over and over. What was left of the castle fell onto her. Galaxia stared in terror as her friend disappeared under a pile of rubble. Galaxia's eyes glowed white and she became angry, tendrils of her magic lashing at the creature. The creature evaded these but only slightly, occasionally one wold strike it and it would roar in pain, a black tongue forked like a snake's hissing at Galaxia. The creature charged Galaxia, who reared back only to kick the creature, it stumbled backwards in a daze, Galaxia forced the tendrils of magic all at once to grab the creature. the creature struggled at hissed at Galaxia, it's blood red eyes resembling the pony she once knew. Galaxia's expression sunk once more, her glowing eyes filled with tears.
"Neb-Nebulis?" Galaxia said in a shaky voice. The creature cracked another wicked smile and darkness consumed the tendrils until Galaxia finally let go and they dissipated. Galaxia took a few weak steps back, the creature laughed insanely, in between gasps. The creature stopped for a moment.
"I'm going to enjoy killing you." It tilted it's head in amusement.
Before Galaxia could move the creature sped into Galaxia, driving her across the sky. Celestia watched felt as though time had slowed, she held Luna close to her, directly under her wing. Wind Song watched as her eyes filled with horror, her friends and almost any pony within Equestria's face had gone pale. Galaxia and the creature shot across the sky, red pulses of magic waved through the sky. Galaxia fell into the ground, her limp body seemed to be broken like a doll that had been dropped with the roof. The creature landed and approached Galaxia, confidently smirking. Galaxia's mane and tail lost their magic as did all of her body. Little sparks of golden magic attempted to be fired out of her horn but to no avail. Galaxia watched the creature step closer to her, closing her eyes she waited for what felt like hours. Then a cry rung throughout her ears.
"Mom get up!" Luna sobbed, tears pouring down her face.
Celestia grabbed Luna, lowering her once more. Galaxia opened her eyes, they glowed white, Galaxia attempted to get up, only to have the creature push her down, but then Galaxia's body began to glow brightly, The creature stepped back. Galaxia rose up, her body became wispy with golden light, Her eyes glowed white yet white lines went down her face. She shot up, traveling across the sky in her wake the sy turned to normal, the blood red drained out of the sun.
"No... no You can't! You're not that powerful!" The creature said in disbelief, shaking it's head like it was trying to wake up from a bad dream.
"No. This is real." Levier said, though still brown she stepped out of the rubble. Levier's eyes glowed green and she became vibrate once more, flying towards Galaxia, she passed a portion of her magic to her.
"Thank you Levier." Galaxia said, noticing a new limb replaced the one she lost.
Galaxia spread her wings and sped towards the creature, it hissed in rage as it felt like it was being torn apart. Galaxia pushed the creature across the sky, darkness flowed out of the creature as Galaxia's body seemed to destroy the creature. Galaxia charged up her horn and fired at a spell at the creature, it was unable to barricade itself or even heal, so it felt the full force of her magic. The creature roared in agony, the sound nothing like that of a pony. Tendrils of light grabbed The creature and a portal to Tartarus opened up in the sky, the creature was thrown in, Galaxia fired a beam of light into the portal, then closed it. Galaxia flew down to Levier who returned to normal. Galaxia hugged Levier tightly. Cheers across Equestria grew as news of the fight spread. Other nations such as Griffania also cheered at this surprisingly.
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Galaxia stared at the destroyed city. her horn glowed and magic began rebuilding it easily. She still glowed brightly, illuminating the area around her. The new city would be named Canterlot. Celestia and Luna would rule here. Galaxia finished in a matter of days, where as it would most likely take years to rebuild it, the powerful alicorn knew what she had to do before she left. Celestia ran towards Galaxia, Luna only shortly behind her. Luna and Celestia hugged Galaxia tightly, refusing to let go.
"I love both of you so much..." Galaxia said, her voice seemed to echo.
"We love you too mom... more then you'll ever know." Celestia said as tears filled her eyes. Luna held onto Galaxia's forearm.
"Levier gave you a new arm!" Luna said excitingly.
"Yes..." Galaxia smiled as the kirin approached.
"Mom... who was that?" Luna said looking at her glowing mother.
"It was Nebulis..." Levier said speaking for Galaxia.
"But Dad would never- Why?" Celestia said with tears streaming down her face.
"A long time ago the spirit of chaos Discord cursed your father after we defeated him... Your father knew it'd be only a matter of time until he snapped..." Galaxia said as her voice began to shake. Luna and Celestia nodded.
"So you'll rule Equestria by yourself?" Celestia said slowly.
"No. I doubt I could ever rule by myself. You will in our place" Galaxia looked calmly at her daughters, who were shocked.
"I will go to Tartarus and find your father, you two will rule over until we come back..." Galaxia stopped at the last part.
"But what if you go crazy like Ventus?"Luna said worried.
"As long as you two have love for me and your father, then we shall return." Galaxia looked at her daughters with a soft smiled. Luna and Celestia nodded and they let Levier hug Galaxia, probably one of her only friends for what would be the last time.
"Take care of them while I'm gone." Galaxia said to Levier as the kirin hugged Galaxia tightly, tears traced down her face.
"I promise." Levier said in a choked voice.
Galaxia nodded and lifted her glowing wings, she flew into the air and opened a portal to Tartarus, shooting another beam into it, she cleared any evil that tried to slip into Equestria. Galaxia flew in, closing the portal she looked behind one last time and waved goodbye.
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A pitch black pony like creature sat in front of a pool of red water. A dead tree hung over the pool. t's tattered dark purple mane laid in a mess around the creature's face. The creature stared at the water, it's red eyes gazed into the water. Red writing glowed dimly on it's body. Tears streamed down the creature's face. It crumbled down and hid itself in it's hooves. It's wings laid out flat.
"Ah yes King Nebulis... nice to see you again." A dark figure said looming over the creature.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH"
Celestia and Luna watched as the glowing body disappeared into the misty blackness of Tartarus. She was still there, they could feel her. Galaxia closed the portal, Luna watched as the violent opening between dimensions closed. Luna looked at Celestia, her eyes filled with so many questions. Celestia could not answer them, so she looked down. Levier stood there, frozen. Her expression sunk with disbelief. Levier looked at the two and sighed, only to pull them over and embrace them tightly. Celesia sat with Luna for awhile, only to get up to attend to their duties. Celestia and Luna took shaky step, knowing that Galaxia and Nebulis wouldn't be able to help them. Celestia charged her spell and flew up. As Celestia lowered the Sun, She watched Luna. Luna was able to lower and raise the Moon when she was small, Celestia could lower and raise the sun aswell, but she always had difficulty with it. Luna rarely needed help and when she did it was only if the Moon was new and she had to search for it.
Celestia sighed and lowered her sun, like always she cringed in pain as the magic built up in her shoulder and was forced out. Celestia winced and flew down with her sun. Luna flew down, a bit tired but nothing compared to Celestia, who breathing heavily.
"I'm going to bed..." Celestia said, her voice choked in fatigue.
Levier nodded and Celestia slowly walked away. Celestia paused for a moment realizing the city had been rebuilt but she wasn't sure where she was supposed to go. For the days it had been rebuilt they had slept under Levier's wing. Celestia waved over Luna and Levier and they walked with her. Many ponies looked at the sisters and knelt down in utter disbelief and respect. Ponies's jaws dropped at Levier. Levier saw the tallest tower.
"It seems as though that shall be your room." Levier said pointing to it. Luna and Celestia trotted towards it, Celestia flew up to the balcony and flew in.
Celestia fell into her bed and fell asleep. Luna slept by her sister, her new bed closely resembling her old one. Celestia's rest would not come easily though...
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Celestia ran as fast as she could, Luna running next to her. A black mist followed them, it overtook the land behind them.
"Tia help me!" Luna cried out as a tendril of darkness wrapped around the frightened filly's back hoof.
Luna was being dragged in the mist, Celestia ran over and pulled as hard as she could, but it was too much, Pain spread up her shoulder and all across her chest. Luna cried as the darkness began to swallow her, Celestia shot a yellow beam of magic at the darkness and it retreated, Celestia quickly put Luna on her back and sprinted faster then she ever thought her legs could carry her. The darkness fell behind and Celestia still ran, Luna hung onto Celestia tightly as a dark spike jerked out of the ground, almost stabbing into Celestia. Celestia spread out her wings and flew up into the air, the darkness swallowing up the ground. Celestia flew towards some sort of temple like ruin, it turned out to be a castle. broken stained glass littered the ground, pictures of the moon remained. Most of the castle was gone. Luna jumped off Celestia's back and looked around, Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep long breath, only to see a dark alicorn replace her sister.
"Lu-Luna?!" Celestia said as she stumbled back.
The creatures slammed her hoof into Celestia, sending Celestia flying off the temple, Celestia flapped her wings hard and regained her balance. Celestia stared at the alicorn, a dark tendril wrapped itself around Celestia's body and pulled her into the mist, Celestia struggled to get out, she screamed but no pony came to help. Celestia drifted off into unconsciousness as the sun was covered by the moon. Celestia closed her eyes and fell completely into the darkness.
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Celestia was being shaken by Luna.
"Tia what's wrong?! You were screaming!" Luna said to her sister. Celestia stared at her sister, then backed away. Her eyes wide with terror.
"No.. stay away... go!" Celestia squeezed her eyes shut and ran to the balcony, bursting through the door, she flew off into the night. Luna watched her sister speed off. Levier burst through the door.
"What happened? Where's Celestia?" Levier said in between gasps.
"She... had a nightmare... a bad one... She was mumbling stuff in her sleep then just started screaming, when I woke her up... she ran away from me..." Luna said, her own words smacked reality into her face. Levier looked at Luna.
"I'll find her. Don't worry." Levier hugged Luna and lifted her wings to fly away. Levier's figure faded into the night and Luna sat on the balcony waiting. An hour passed and two shadowy figures appeared in the night. Celestia landed and walked past her sister, something seemingly off about her.
"Tia? what's wrong? Please tell me!" Luna said following after her sister.
Celestia looked at Luna, Luna only now noticing Celestia actually never woke up. Luna herded Celestia back into bed and looked at her sister, smiling a bit with relief. Celestia fell into her bed awkwardly, but stopped moving once more, she drifted off into peaceful sleep. Luna slept next to her sister.Tia's always got those nightmares... Since mommy and daddy aren't here I guess I'll just have to keep company . Luna thought as she snuggled closer to Celestia. Luna drifted off to sleep. Celestia had a smile smile as her sister snuggled under her wing, comfort easing her mind and body.
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Celestia yawned and opened her eyes, she nudged Luna and got up to stretch.
"Time for breakfast I guess... wherever that is..." Luna said as she rubbed her eyes.
"We can explore the castle today... We could even make a map!" Luna looked at her sister, who smiled as she said this.
"Yeah!" Luna jumped up and ran alongside her sister.
"But first we gotta do our stuff." Celestia said looking towards the window with a sigh.
Luna trotted out and Celestia followed slowly behind. Celestia mumbled something under her breath but walked forward. Celestia flew up behind her sister, only to then fly above her. Celestia raised up the sun, once again the magic bursting through her shoulder caused her to wince in pain. Luna lowered her moon as if though it was nothing. Full moons were always the easiest because the moon was clearly visible. Celestia envied her sister's magic capabilities but she loved Luna too much to ever get mad at the blue filly. Luna even from a young age was able to cast off spells with ease, but after Celestia's injury often limited the power she was able to use all at once. Luna ignored this in her sister though, or more she did not see how her sister was envying her from afar. Luna could not see this, so she just acted as normally as she could (For their parents not being there) Celestia flew down and rubbed her shoulder, Luna followed behind her sister.
"Alright let's go!" Celestia said as she perked up. Luna nodded and ran off, Celestia ran in front of her.
They ran into the new throne room, stopping to stare at the large thrones that one day they'd fit into. A few ponies looked at them with eyes full of sympathy. Celestia lowered her head until she slowly trotted away.
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The whole kingdom had been grieving over the loss of their rulers. No pony knew whether or not to make Celestia and Luna take over, (Which was called absurd because one of them was still a filly) Another idea was to have Celestia rule and Luna would join her when she's old enough, the finale one was to have Levier take over (This one was the one the least amount of ponies disagreed with) But even after ideas were thrown one after another, no pony could come to a real decision. Everypony wanted Galaxia and Nebulis back, They wanted words of wisdom from their rulers, comforting looks and and reassuring shoulder pats, Criminals to be justly punished, No pony afraid of the future because Galaxia and Nebulis were there to protect them... but they couldn't protect themselves, and saving what was most likely the world their rulers were lost, most likely becoming ponies to become apart of tales that no pony would believe. Time would swallow the great ponies until only A hooful of scholars, monks and the princesses would remember. This reality crushed the ponies of the kingdom, Making it difficult for the idea of Celestia and Luna to rule over the country. Levier had the closest ties with Galaxia... so she should rule? But Levier proposed on the floor of the state room, that instead, for as of the time until Celestia and Luna are old enough, that there would be a court made up of ponies elected by the ponies themselves. She proposed that if she deemed something truly absurd she could get rid of the law or document, but if the ponies not of the court overruled this by voting than the bill or law or whatever was being passed would be complete. Ponies nodded their heads as she said this, and eventually it was ruled that this would be the temporary government. Several ponies clapped even.
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Celestia and Luna ran throughout the castle for hours upon hours. along the way Luna even made a half decent map.
"Alright Luna, I think that's all of the castle, though besides any secret rooms or anything..." Celestia said as they neared the new garden which was in midst of getting the flowers re-planted. Celestia then realized something.
"Where are our friends!" Celestia cried out as she turned to face Luna.
"Oh my gosh... They were on the hill with us right? did they get lost in the crowd? Oh no no no no!!!" Celestia said, her desperate speech was jumbled and fast.
"No no no this is wrong where are they...?!?" Celestia said before sprinting off, Luna tried to catch up but Celestia was too fast. A flurry of pink and white whooshed past servants and guards, only to be followed by Luna.
"Where are they!!!" Celestia yelled as her voice trailed behind herself. Levier soon ran out hearing Celestia.
"Celestia slow down!" Levier said as she began to catch up to the young alicorn.
"No no no no no no no!!!" Celestia ran faster, bursting outside she flew into the air, flying towards the hill she almost rammed into a pegasus.
Celestia landed on the hill and searched frantically, though she found no trace of her friends. Celestia ran among the ridge of the forest, calling out their names. Celestia breathed heavily and flew up again, flying towards Canterlot as it was now called. Celestia dove towards the area where the nobility lived. She ran through the streets also calling out their names. Celestia stopped at the end of the road, and crumbled to the ground in defeat, fatigue kept her down.Where are they...? Celestia thought as she slowly closed her watery eyes. Celestia slowly rose to her feet, her knees shaking were quickly stopped by Celestia. She turned around and walked calmly through the streets. Ponies looked at her as she examined the houses, until a familiar chorus of voices came from behind her.
"Tia!" Wind Song said as she jumped onto Celestia, hugging her tightly.
"You guys are ok!" Celestia smiled as joy overwhelmed her.
"Yeah, well except we were worried! I saw you tarring down the road and though "She's looking for us! either that or she's running-" Ok now i'm just rambling but still! You'e here!" Wind Song explained quickly, a wide smile across her face.
"Where are the others?" Celestia said looked around.
"Oh they were behind me... I guess I'm a bit fast." Wind Song smirked. Ponies stared at Celestia and Wind Song. Wind Song got off of Celestia and trotted away, waving for Celestia to follow. A group of tired looking ponies lay under the shade of a tree.
"I swear when Wind Song comes back I'm going to sock her in the face-" Lily said waving her hoof in the air.
"Nah... Do that if she doesn't come back with- Celestia!" Nebula jumped onto her hooves. Celestia ran over to her friends.
"Now all we need is- Luna!? wow I'm being especially lucky today!" Nebula said as Luna landed next to them. Luna ran over to Wind Song, hugging her tightly. The pink mare held Luna close. A soft smile spread across Lily's face. Spark Shower looked over and sat down with Wind Song and Luna.
"I take it you're tired...?" Spark Shower said as he lowered his head down to Luna.
"Yeah! Jeesh Tia's fast!" Luna said with a small smile.
"If it takes Wind Song to catch up to her then yeah she's fast." Nebula said and her expression softened.
Luna detached from Wind Song and hugged her other friends, though Spark Shower's face turned bright red when Luna didn't let go as a group of "upper class snobs" passed by.
"Alright let's meet here tomorrow? because me and Luna gotta go do our stuff..." Celestia said as she realized what time it was. Her friends nodded, Luna flew onto her back, and Celesta trotted off. Luna waved to her friends and the two disappeared into the crowd.
Of The Stubborn Sun Ch.10
Celestia stepped out onto the balcony. Luna lowered the Moon and went back to bed while Celestia struggled. At first it did not seem the Sun would budge.
"C'mon... Move it! The plants need you, Stupid ball of fire get your butt in gear!" Celestia said as she fed more magic into her horn, which in turn tried to push the Sun upwards into the sky. Celestia huffed and grinded her teeth.
Why isn't it moving? It's being especially difficult today . Celestia thought as pain shot up her shoulder.
Gosh darn it now now! Celestia thought again as she collapsed into the ground.
Breathing heavily, Celestia got back up again and tried again and again and again until she could no longer get up. Celestia tried to get up but her shoulder would not let her. Celestia with the last bits of angry magic pushed the Sun up whether it liked it or not. Celestia sighed with relief and rose up slowly, only to limp back into bed. Celestia closed her eyes briefly, only getting five more minutes of rest before Luna began to sing. Luna danced on Celestia's back.
"I'm walking on Sunshine! Woooah!" Luna said in a half done note, the sound hurt Celestia ears as Luna's voice cracked slightly. Luna was joking with her sister, She laughed as she bounced off and smiled at her sister.
Celestia grumbled and opened her eyes. Celestia rose up and walked over to their dresser only to bring out medical wrappings. She tightly wrapped them around her shoulder and walked out.
"Tia are you feeling ok today?" Luna said, not really worried.
"No! I'm not fine! Our parents are basically as good as dead! No pony is here that can help me with the Sun, while you can just throw the Moon across the sky like it's nothing! My shoulder feels like it's being torn off every time I raise or lower the Sun!" Celestia said, snapping.
"Tia I-" Luna choked out. Celestia glared down at the filly, only to stamp away.
Luna sat there. Her eyes filled with tears, feeling the sting of Celestia's words. Celestia winced in pain as her shoulder protested to her heavy steps. Luna turned around and walked the opposite way from her sister. Luna arrived back on the balcony. Luna jumped off and fluttered her wings.
No.. I can fly... I don't need Tia! If she's gonna be mean then I don't need her! Luna thought as she fluttered her wings harder, Attempting to fly down. Luna felt the draft of wind shake her around like a rag doll. Luna screamed at this, closing her wings she fell like a rock. Celestia heard this, and immediately burst through the balcony door, looking over the rail she saw her a blue alicorn begin to fall.
"Luna I'm coming!" Celestia yelled as she jumped off.
Celestia closed her wings, gaining speed she caught up to Luna and held her close. Celestia kept Luna under herself as she turned, her back facing the ground. Celestia flapped her wings hard, but the cold air was less dense and Celestia plummeted. Celestia slowed only slightly. Celestia hit the ground with a thump. Dust kicked up from the area below and Luna could not see, but she could definitely feel Celestia under her.
"Ti-Tia..? c'mon.. you can't get hurt now.. we gotta go and see Wind Song and Lily and Nebula... what about Spark Shower? He'll ball his eyes out if you get hurt." Luna said as she lifted herself off her sister's hooves, which fell limply. Celestia coughed a bit. then lifted herself off.
"Heh... I guess i'm ok.." Celestia said as she fell down again. Luna rushed over and helped her sister up again.
"This was an eventful morning." Lua choked. Celestia smiled.
"I'm sorry for-" Celestia began to say as Luna hugged her tightly.
"Let's go get breakfast." Luna said, running forward. Celestia trotted behind. A crowd looked at her like she was crazy.
"Princess are you ok? You just fell from all the way up there!" A pegasus said as he pointed towards the balcony. The balcony was far upwards. Hundred of feet above, a guard was staring down.
"Wow..." Luna said as she looked at Celestia.
"I can't believe I'm ok." Celestia said as she walked after Luna. The crowd stared at Celestia. They were the only ones who noticed Celestia had a chunk or rock in her back. The crowd stared at the rock as it was pushed off, covered in blood. Yet the wound in Celestia closed as what seemed like her own magic worked around it, In only a minute Celestia was back to normal. The crowd stared at the bloody rock.
"Eh Princess-" The pegasus said again. Celestia turned around. Holding up the large rock in a magical aura, a unicorn's face contorted as it was held up with it's magic. Celestia shook her head.
"I think I would have known if I'd hurt myself that badly." Celestia said as she walked away. Luna waited for her by the doorway and they walked into the castle. The guard said as the lasts of the wound closed up. His eyes widened.
Holy stars above... Ok.. ok Keep it together... after all she is an alicorn...
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Celestia walked past the throne room, hearing the chatter of the court. Levier had less and less time for them but somepony else had been kind enough to teach them magic. An old friend of Levier's actually. He was alive during the time when Equestria was born. StarSwirl the Bearded, he had created hundreds of spells and many potions for magic. Though he had aged as time went on he was still a great and powerful unicorn. Celestia though was worried about meeting him, Luna couldn't be more excited.
"I can't believe we're going to meet him!" Luna said happily and she skipped down the hallway.
"I dunno..." Celestia's voice trailed off as a grey unicorn walked down the hallway.
"Excuse me sir, do you know where I can find StarSwirl the Bearded by any chance?" Celestia said politely.
"Why?" The grey unicorn said.
"Eh.. well Levier asked us to find him.. she said he might teach us..." Celestia said under the unicorn's gaze. His yellow eyes peering into her.
"Hm... well, here he is." the unicorn pointed to himself. Celestia and Luna's jaws dropped and they bowed quickly.
"I'm so sorry I didn't know what you'd look like or-" Celestia said quickly and the unicorn patted her head slowly.
"It's quite alright." the unicorn said quietly.
"It's pleasure to meet you- sir" Luna said as she bounced up and down.
"Indeed." The unicorn said as he turned down the hall.
"Wait, where are you going?" Celestia said, a confused tone in her voice.
"You said you needed to learn magic right?" The unicorn said with a slight smile.
Celestia smiled and Luna chased after the unicorn as they all ran down the hallway. They arrived at an area specifically designed for learned magic. It was a round ring of sorts. Farther away was a pool of water with one tree, A Weeping Willow, leaning over the water. The area was shaded by the castle.
"I guess your mother did have knack for making things just right." StarSwirl said as his smile faded slowly. Celestia nodded a bit, Luna quietly sat down, only to wave over Celestia. The two sat down and waited for instructions.
"Alright. Stand up." StarSwirl said. The girls stood up.
"Ok. Sit down." StarSwirl said with mischievous tone. The girls slowly sat back down.
"Now get back up." StarSwirl said as he sat down. Celestia and Luna looked at StarSwirl unamused.
"Eh... what the heck kind of training is this?" Luna said flatly.
"You'll see." StarSwirl said as a smirk spread across his face. Celestia huffed and stood up. StarSwirl progressively got faster until the sisters were actually tired.
"Good. You two will listen to me." StarSwirl said as a servant came over with three drinks. Celestia allowed herself to take a sip of tea, only to give Luna her water. Luna was never one for tea. StarSwirl sipped his tea, which was strong compared to Celestia's. StarSwirl sat down near the pond, sitting in the shade of the willow.
"May I sit next to you?" Celestia said as Luna joined her. StarSwirl nodded his head and watched the sisters carefully. He saw how Luna was quite creative and adventurous while Celestia would take her time if she could. He could easily see that the two loved each other very much, anypony could see that. They had a strong bond with each other.
"Oh goodness! We forgot." Celestia said as she quickly rose up.
"StarSwirl, can we go see our friends.?" Celestia looked up to the old stallion. He nodded and the sisters were off.
_______________________________________________________________________
"I can't believe you met StarSwirl the bearded!" Nebula said excitedly.
"That's amazing!" Spark Shower said as he fluttered his wings.
"I can't believe we're being taught by him!" Luna gushed excitement with her voice.
The friends chatted on and on, under the shade of a tree. the open park was beautiful in the sunlight, ponies played without a care in the world. Lily though, sat alone, near the pond. Celestia saw her sitting alone and excused herself. She walked over slowly. Lily's eyes seemed to stare into the distance, empty and cold.
"Hey Lily." Celestia said as she neared the mare. Lily looked up at her, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh my- Wait happened." Celestia rushed over and moved Lily to face her.
"I- I-" Lily choked out.
"It's ok Lily you can tell me." Celestia said looking at the mare, clear worry in her expression.
"I can't get over... Why? Why...? It's not fair!" Lily said, pounding her hoof into the ground. Celestia put her hooves on the mare's shoulders and held her close.
"My parents died..." Lil said quietly, only to sob uncontrollably. Celestia's expression went south.
"I'm so, so sorry Lily, please, Is there anything I can do?" Celestia said, tears welled up in her eyes.
"I don't know... I just know that i'm moving downtown to live with my other friend." Lily said quietly.
"Alright... I'll tell the others when you're ready... You don't have to tell them yourself." Celestia said with a small smile, Lily thanked Celestia over and over again.
"If it's no problem, May I ask.. how?" Celestia said to the mare.
"It happened during the attack, My mom and dad ran outside, but they never came back. Before I knew it I got whisked off my Spark Shower, and well you know the rest." Lily's voice trailed off.
"Ok, I understand." Celestia said, giving Lily a handkerchief.
Lily got up and walked alongside Celestia on the way back, Her friends started to know the height difference between Celestia and the rest of them. Celestia was only a few inches taller but it still made her look older even though they were all about the same age. Lily sat down and smiled at her friends. Celestia took a seat next to Luna, who played with her mane, hiding in it she "spied" on Wind Song as she talked to Spark Shower, even though they weren't even a foot away. Lily joined the conversation by making a comment on Nebula fangirling about a stallion that's almost a hundred years old.
"Hey! You'd be acting the same pony who came up with... uh what exactly do you do Lily?" Nebula said as she paused for a moment to ponder what Lily's cutie mark meant.
"Yeah! The first pony to make candles!" Nebula said raising her hoof in the air. Lily pushed her hoof down.
"I don't make candles, it represents illuminating bringing out the truth." Lily said as she looked at nebula calmly yet with a bit of annoyance.
"So what are you a detective?" Nebula said looking back at at Lily, they each took a step closer to each other, getting close to each other's faces.
"No. It just means I can read people.' Lily said, her mouth pushed back in a snarl.
"GUYS!" Spark Shower said pushing the two away from each other.
"No petty arguing." Spark Shower said as the two gave a half apology, refusing to make eyes contact.
Wind song, then attempted to lighten the mood. Wind Song flew up into the clouds and began to make shapes. first she made a bunny, then made a snake chasing the bunny, then she made an bucket to catch the snake, rounding up all the clouds she could she made the picture of two alicorns, then a unicorn and an earth pony, the two pegasi. The earth pony and unicorn were mad at each other until one pegasus came over and pushed the two apart. The earth pony ran off and one of the alicorns brought it back. the smallest one, another alicorn, jumped onto the other alicorn and hid in it's mane. The other pegasus smiled and the other ponies joined it and also smiled. Wind song then dispersed the clouds. Her ears perked up when cheers came from the ground.
"Amazing!"
"Such great cloud work!"
"The characters were so cute!"
"Who is that mare?"
"Wind Song that was awesome!" Luna said from below, jumping out of Celestia's pink mane. Her friends smiled ad laughed at themselves. Lily turned towards Nebula, who was blushing to see how silly she and Lily looked.
"Truce?" Nebula said with a mischievous smirk.
"Truce." Lily said and she hit Nebula in the shoulder.
Nebula took this and hit Lily back. Celestia winced at the thought, though her shoulder thinking the same as it shot pain through her again. Celestia rubbed it a bit and smiled up to Wind Song, who flew down. Spark Shower clapped and a few smaller fillies came over and asked what else she could make in the clouds. Wind Song took a few requests and flew up once more, making the clouds move again. Ponies cheered and laughed, StarSwirl even came out onto one of the many balconies of the castle to watch.
"Alright.. i'm tired, tomorrow.." Wind Song said as she breathed heavily. the fillies all nodded and ran back.
"That was great Wind Song! Where'd you learn to do that?" Lily said as she trotted over.
"Oh, I learned how to do it by myself. Mostly when I got bored at home." Wind Song said with a slight smile, blushing a bit under her mane.
"There's no need to be embarrassed Wind Song, that was great!" Spark Shower said as he flew over the mare.
"Aw, Thanks guys." Wind Song said and she smiled.
They all smiled and laughed and played for the rest of the day, Celestia and Luna walked their friends home (This had become a regular thing)All along the way, one by one she would whisper into her friend's ears about what happened to Lily. Though the time came where Celestia and Luna had to rush home and do their duties. Celestia lowered the Sun, though this time her shoulder didn't hurt nearly as much as it did in the morning, Luna lowered the Moon.
"Today was nice." Luna said as she fell into her bed.
"Yeah, hey Luna..?" Celestia said as she turned towards her sister.
"Yeah?" Luna rolled over to face her sister.
"Promise me that you won't leave me ok? I'm sorry about this morning again.." Celestia said, though her eyes felt heavy she kept herself awake for Luna's answer.
"I won't Tia, promise. I'm sorry too... jumping off was not my best idea." Luna said with a tired giggle.
"Goodnight Luna." Celestia said as she drifted off to sleep.
"Night" Luna said as she felt herself drift off as well.
Celestia woke up long before Luna. A nightmare. Every time it was the same. Everything was dark,except a small candle had been tipped over. It laid on the ground, barely flickering. Monochrome ponies walked over it, not even paying attention to their only light. Celestia saw herself, walking forward, she put the candle back up, And it glowed a warm light. the monochrome left the ponies faces, all except Luna. She was whisked off in the darkness by a terrible claw. But no pony stopped her. Celestia saw herself erupt into flames, her skin burning off into a dark red rock. Orange cracks seemed to be lava, or maybe liquid fire. the pony's mane was short and red, with glowing orange streaks. the pony's eyes were gone, only a black substance dripping down from it's eyes. the creature that only moments ago was Celestia, was now tall, though not quite as tall as her parents, it still stood over the frightened ponies. The fire that made up it's wings were the only thing to illuminate the surroundings, because the candle had melted,it's tail turned to flame and the color seemed to disappear once more. The creature ran into the inky blackness, time slowed until it came back, with Luna. Luna looked to what was left of her sister with horror. But by that time Celestia always woke up. Celestia decided she couldn't go back to sleep, because when she did, she would have horrible images of death and fire, or the creature that brought those in her wake. Celestia sat, breathing heavily. Celestia waited for what seemed like hours. Celestia woke up Luna.
"Let's go." Celestia said as she walked towards the balcony.
"Huh- oh ok..." Luna said groggily. Celestia waited for Luna to trudge out of their room.
"C'mon... The plants can't wait forever." Celestia said as her eyes showed how tired she was.
Luna lowered the Moon, lowering herself to the ground as Celestia flew up and raised the Sun. Surprisingly, her shoulder did not hurt that much.
"That's weird." Luna said as Celestia flew down, normally her sister would rub her shoulder or groan when she was doing anything with the Sun.
Celestia nodded and flew down, she winced only a bit as only a quick burst of numbing pain slightly shot up her shoulder. Celestia put Luna on her back, a golden aura around Luna as she floated over to her sister. Celestia trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"There you two are.' Levier said, the green kirin curling her tail.
Levier grabbed Celestia and Luna by the arn, her green magic pulled them away. Levier seemed annoyed, or upset? Either way her scrunched up face and the slight red tint in her eyes made Luna shut up when she was going to complain. Luna felt the magic pull disappear, Celestia stared at Levier. Celestia lowered her head and motioned for Luan to do the same, Celestia making an obvious grunting sound to get Luna's attention. Levier turned to glare at Celestia, Celestia winced and lowered herself more. Luan did the same.
"You two are gonna be in a lot of trouble if you screw this up got it?" Levier said, the sting of the tone lashing at Celestia and Luna. Levier opened the door. Hundreds of thousands of ponies stood on a large balcony, Each looking up towards the marble outcrop. Celestia gulped as her knees weakened.
"What are we doing!?!" Celestia said, her voice squeaking out. Levier snarled at the young mare slightly. Luna cowered next to her sister. Levier pushed the two up and walked back. Celestia' jaw dropped as the sheer number of ponies looked her way. Luna hid under her older sister's wing. Many ponies looked at them and gasped. A pony yelled.
"They're ok!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Does this have to do with yesterday...?" Celestia turned to Levier, who stood at the foot of the entrance.
"The whole kingdom had a heart attack because you two almost got yourselves killed." Levier said, her voice still wrapped in anger. Levier stamped away. Celestia stepped closer to the railing and cleared her throat.
"Ehem, Thank you all for being worried, but thankfully me and Luna are ok." Celestia's voice traveled to the audience
After a while, the crowd cleared and the young sisters could leave. Celestia sighed with relief after Levier ignored the pair all day. It was late in the afternoon when Celestia finally confronted Levier. Celestia stood firm and tall, She had grown to be about the same size as any pony she'd met. Luna had gone to play with some friends, Neula volunteered to take Luna to the library again. Celestia remember how she watched Nebula and Luna disappear in the crowd, though the dark pair stood out slightly. Celestia shook her head, focussing on Levier as she sat around a table with several other ponies. Celestia stood in the doorway. Waiting calmly, though her face featured something most ponies had not seen in the young mare. lEvier glanced to Celestia only to continue her conversation. Celestia stepped closer. The ponies looked at her, then stood up, only to clear out of the room.
"What is it Celestia?" Levier said with a sigh.
"What was that all about? Earlier? You completely changed." Celestia said, the previous face sunken by grimace.
"I was just worried ok?" Levier said, biting her lip.
"No. There's something else and you aren't telling me." Celestia said, the face returning.
"It's just.. I can't... The thing is..." Levier tried to say something as she turned out of her seat.
"Levier, we've been together for so long now, Please tell me." Celestia said, her voice less stable as before. Celestia stepped closer, her face full of grimace.
"I can't. You wouldn't understand." Levier said as she shook her head. Celestia stepped closer.
"Please Celestia it is for your own good." Levier said, one hoof stepping back.
"My own good?" Celestia said as her eyes narrowed, the face returning.
"My own good? Are you serious?" Celestia said with a slight tone of annoyance. Celestia turned her head, like she was trying to get a better look at Levier.
"You wouldn't understand. Please Celestia I don't want you to-" Levier cut herself off.
"Do what?!" Celestia said, her angry voice scaring away a pony that had come back to see Levier. Celestia's face contorted in rage.
"Celestia, please. Calm down and take a breath." Levier said, her voice trembling. Levier gulped as the smaller mare stepped closer to her, Celestia's wing flared up.
"I can't!" Celestia angrily said as she stamped her hoof
"Tell me now!" Celestia said, her mouth twisted back in a snarl.
"Alright. But promise you will accept that It is your own fault that you cannot handle my words." Levier whispered, looking down. Celestia stood firmly, unabated by Levier's words.
"Celestia... to be honest, I'm not really sure if I shoulder be telling you this, Whenever Galaxia gets back she'll have my neck.. but, I guess you need to know. Alright, so you know how Nebulis turned into.. That thing?" Levier said with a gulp of air. Celestia slowly nodded her head, The fear in her eyes darkened Levier's mood, but also her decision to tell Celestia.
"But you don't know why your parents taught you to come to them if you ever felt like you were hot right?" Levier said, her voice trembling as it drifted from her mouth. Celestia lowered her head, only to shake her head. Though Levier saw that Celestia's legs were trembling, and it was like the mare was having trouble keeping herself standing.
"You... Have a certain... form that.." Levier tried to say, but her voice trailed off.
"So do I become like dad.." Celestia shuttered, her weak voice full of questions.
"Not physically, though mentally I'm not sure... Thankfully you've never had to worry about transforming..." Levier said with a gulp. Celestia nodded and turned away, walking slowly she disappeared into the late afternoon light. A pony peaked it's head out of the doorway, looking towards Levier.
"Eh, Miss... what was that all about?" The pony said, cleary questioning what they were talking about. Thankfully no pony could hear the conversation.
"It's nothing..." Levier said with a sigh, staring at her own hoof that was still trembling.
Celestia walked slowly, feeling her shoulder grow numb. Thoughts sped through her mind, Celestia unable to catch one of them as the sped by. Celestia heard the static noise again, the one that had always come to her when she couldn't think. One stood out against the loud static. It curled and bent but it still remained the same. Celestia felt the weight of the word.o her, seemingly pressing her to the ground. Though Celestia stood. The Sun overhead, a few pegasi as well, but like the other thoughts it slipped out of reach. But one still remained. Celestia tried again, to think of something else. Perhaps the city itself? Canterlot was a great place and all but- Celestia lost the thought, the loud static stinging Celestia's thoughts away. It sounds like a thousand drums pounded away in her head, only for Celestia to crumble down. It felt like she had shattered like a mirror. Celestia stood up once more, Barely walking (If you could call it that) She wanted to get away from everypony, to be by herself. She wanted to think without the static tugging her thoughts away. Celestia arrived at the willow tree, She fell down in it's shade. Everything was quiet there. No pony was there, she could feel the static drift away as she closed her eyes. Celestia sat by the water, watching the little fish swim in the shallow water. The deeper in with the koi fish. One was white, with golden streaks in it's fins, Another was dark blue, almost black. It had indigo streaks on it. Celestia watched the two circle each other, occasionally drifting away to gobble up seeds that had fallen into the pond. The pond was clear and calm. Celestia dipped a hoof into the pond, little fish darting away. The clear blue water reflecting back the young mare. Celestia watched some small fish come near her, darting around her hoof. One nibbled the hairs as they slowly drifted through the water. Celestia felt a smile tugging at her face. Celestia closed her eyes and felt a calm breeze sweep more seeds into the pond. Some fish left her for the seeds while some stayed to nibble at the crumbs of food that had somehow made their way to Celestia's hoof.Easy meal I guess Celestia thought finally.
"Princess!" A pony barked. Celestia shot up, scaring the fish away. A grumpy old pony with a quill stamped towards the mare.
"You have a meeting to attend to. Some ponies wat to put you in the newspaper." The pony said.
"Eh.. ok?" Celestia said. She walked behind the stallion to an open room. A large group of ponies crowded the room, a raised platform for Celestia to stand on in front of the group. Celestia was shooed onto the platform, taking a deep breath.
"Hi?" Celestia said with a small wave. her face blushed nervously.
"Princess Celestia, How were you not hurt in the fall?"
"Princess Celestia, How is it that a bloody rock was found where you fell yet our sources say that you just walked away like it was nothing?"
"Princess Celestia, Is it true that you jumped off to save Princess Luna?"
"Princess Celestia, Some sources say that you were in the Grass Field Park only hours after your fall, Why did you seek medical attention?"
"Princess Celestia, Why did Luna not seek medical attention either?"
"EHEM" Celestia said as she raised herself upwards.
"Ok. One questions at a time everypony." Celestia said with a sigh.
"Alright first of all, I have no clue why I wasn't hurt and also I didn't feel any rock. I only saw the bloody rock after I fell. Second of all, I jumped after Luna because I love her and who wouldn't jump after your little sister, Third of all, The nurse did check over both of us and said we were fine, so we went to play with out friends ok? Nothings is wrong with us as far as we know." Celestia said, her breaths tired. The ponies wrote furiously, only to look back up to her.
"Princess Celestia, what is your opinion on Nebulis's transformation and also how your mother handled the situation?"
"To be honest.. I was afraid. I was afraid of what would have happened if no pony could stop him... But what I really should say is it. It's not his fault that whatever happened has happened, just that it did. There's nothing we can say or do about it now that can change it other than we should be thankfully Galaxia was able to stop it." Celestia said, refusing to cry. The ponies wrote once more, yet slower than before. They made no room for error in their writing. More questions poured in, Celestia could feel the static coming back. It whirred inside her head and she had trouble speaking, or even thinking.
"I- I didn't mean.. Its j-just that.." Celestia stumbled over her words.
"Princess Celestia, tell us, What do you plan to do now that you are taught by StarSwirl the Bearded?"
"Just... learn... I mean that is what he came here for." Celestia pushed out. It had been hours of questions without nay breaks, ponies could leave and come as they pleased but Celestia had to stay. Celestia shook her head.
"When does this end?" Celestia leaned over to the pony she followed in.
"Five more minutes." The stallion said. Celestia perked up a bit, only to turn to the crowd once more. Some ponies were in the process of writing.
"Alright... So this session is almost over. Anymore questions?' Celestia said, forcing the words out of her crowded mind.
"Princess Celestia, Why is it that you seem to be in pain?"
Celestia was woke up. Ponies in front of her looked at her, only now realizing how tired Celestia looked. The young mare had wobbly knees, and her feathers seemed to droop. Her eyes were tired, Celestia occasionally almost closing them. It didn't help that the static was pounding away, making it difficult if not impossible to think, let alone talk. Celestia had yawned several times during the session, though no one could blame her. She had no warning of the upcoming event so she had no time to prepare. To be honest it was the pony's faults for pushing a news conference. Some ponies coughed or looked down uncomfortably, rubbing their necks as their eyes darted back and forth. Celestia walked out of the room, her knees shaking heavily. She stopped next to the pond again, the fish gathering to greet her. Celestia took out a small piece of old oats. She crumbled the oats and the yellow aura pushed out a small bit of the crumbs. The aura dropped them into the water and the little fish began to nibble. Celestia laid down again, the little fish swimming towards the oat crumbs. Celestia watched as she crossed her hoof over the other, lifting her head up. The static hurt her ears and her head, like a bad heachache. Except a million times worse. Celestia felt the drumming inside her head once more. Holding her head she felt close to tears. Celestia drove her head in the water. The fish darting away. Celestia pink mane now wet dripped water down the mare's face. The white koi swam closer. It stared up at her, it's golden eyes peering into her.
"Miss... are you feeling ok?" One guard's voice quavered.
"Eh.. yeah... I feel fine." Celestia said with confusion, she turned back towards the pond, feeding the little fish.
The guards dismissed their hallucination, though it was unsettling. Celestia felt the static slowly drift away as the guards left. One thought, the one that had stuck out from the static.
Why?
Celestia lowered her head to the ground. Her magic slowly lowering the Sun. Levier stood next to her. Luna flew up to raise the Moon, The Silver sphere rose up into the sky.
Vixland
Luna looked at the chart and made a disappointed face.
Come to me my children, I'll takes thee away, Away from the pain and the sorrow, My wings of the Earth shall take thee away from violence, I shall protect thee for ever and ever Forever and ever
Luna felt her eyes grow heavy. Her head buried into Levier. Celestia chuckled.They have no chance. Maybe Levier but these two are utterly useless. They will be good pawns if I ever get to using them. Then again... I may kill them before I get a chance to use them. Hmf... The creature thought quietly. It snapped it's fingers and disappeared. Levier's head snapped up. She looked around and laid her head down again.
Celestia raised the Sun and flew down. Luna had already lowered the Moon. The pain spread through Celestia quickly but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Luna walked alongside her sister as they walked downstairs. Levier joined them for once. The dining room was oddly quiet however.
Draconquus
"What do you want creature?!" Celestia spat out.Discord ." The words fell out of Levier's mouth like heavy stones. Celestia extended her wings and ordered everyone out. Discord's expression sunk. He wriggled around in the vines.AHAAHAHAHA! THAT'S RICH LEVI, BUT I'M AFRAID AFTER ALL THAT'S HAPPENED, well that's the past. " Discord snickered. Levier sighed, Her expression was pained. Levier closed her eyes and the plants let go, disappearing into the ground.
Death by Heartbreak Ch.13
Levier walked down the hallway. It had been a long day, though it could have been worse. Discord could have tried to kill her. At the time she was bluffing. She was tired, it seemed as though Discord had known how to get to her. But Levier knew how to defend this time. She'd be fine if he ever came back. The kirin poked her head out the window to see Celestia and Luna walk onto the balcony. Celestia lowered the Sun and Luna raised up the Moon. They were quite good at their job. Though what troubled her was that though the day had ended the air felt heavier than normal. Was it Discord? or was it just something that happened? She had felt the pressure before this but something was off. Levier shook her head as the last of the Sun's light disappeared below the horizon. Levier sighed and a quick spell lit all the torches. One of the few tricks she'd learned from Ignis. The odd part about it was the smell. It smelled like burnt hair, but also a mixture of the scent of hot metal.Why the heck am I focusing on their height? I have work to do! Levier thought. She stood up and walked to the council room. There was a pop, and then
BAM
Something grabbed her and threw her into the wall. Levier groaned and got up.
Lion paw
She threw a spell into the dusty air. The air cleared. There was so much blood. A gaping hole in the wall was left in the council room, Varies ponies laid on the ground. Each and everyone dead. Pools of blood gathered. Levier bit her lip.Why is he holding back? He knows I'll destroy him if I have the chance. Levier thought. Levier fell to her knees.No... No... No... Levier thought in between gasps. She glared at teh ground, shivered.Back... and into. Like your parents... " Discord said with a cruel smirk. Luna was busy trying to pull away Levier.
Her opponent
He got away
Her Sister
Stolen
Her body
fatigue was already weakening her.
Her pride
Shattered
Her caretaker
Dead.
Any love?
None.
Celestia screamed and fell to the ground. She couldn't stop crying. A group of guards found her trying to get Levier to wake up.
Wind Song stood in disbelief. Lily looked down at the ground. Their friend was probably a pile of ash. Nebula stood stoic, watching the fire as it violently lashed around. Spark Shower had passed out, He laid slumped over on the floor. Levier couldn't bare to sit there any longer. She had to trudge a long with her duties. It had rained all day, But the fire just seemed to ignore the cool air and continued to hiss and roar.
~Pax est a sole, sed unis. Si fractus est signifer Solis. Si hoc mundo fieri sub illa arderent. ~
"What does that even mean?" Nebula said before reading more of the writing.
~Luna fuerit furatur. Sol frangitur. Currunt. ~
~Per mortem corde confractus. Doleo ~
~Tam malum dolor non est, opus est. Suus peius. ~
~Cur est tam calidus omnia? Quomodo autem posset aliquid ita malum et inferiora ego resuscitabo? ~
~Donec sicut lux abiit. Non video, nisi ignem. At si vultus mei Levier. ~
~Pauper flos. Est ad vis sed liberatus. ~
~Mortis et vitae. Lux et tenebrae. Amor et desperatio. Veritas et mendacium. Dolorem et sanitatem. ~
"Wait... what does it mean? The Sun's broken? I mean I know Celestia's tied to the Sun but..." Wind Song began to say. Just as she said that the markings began to glow. Sunny yellow magic enveloped the ponies and the figure of a pony began to form. First muscles and tissue formed. Wind Song took a few steps back.will outlive us." Lilly said uncomfortably.
Celestia looked outside. She felt the warm breeze flow into the room. She fell asleep shortly after somepony checked on her. She felt herself drift off into some odd place. It was an unsettling odd but odd none the less. It was a huge and far reaching flat area, The ground was more dark grey then the pitch black expanse above her. Long Magic tendrils reached upwards into the inky black sky. Celestia looked around.
"What is this place...?" Celestia said looking around. She walked for a while trying to find something while avoiding the large magic tendrils. They dotted the landscape (If you could even call it that)
Celestia aaa
"Who's there?" Celestia said turning around. A pure white Pony stood behind her. It was as tall as her parents, yet it lacked any features. Just a mouth and two glowing white eyes.power . Power that only I can give." The pony said.is the Truth." The pony said. Celestia breathed a sigh of releif.
Author's Note
Tendrils are basically tentacles but not.
Also the Aurinko isn't evil. Though it's "help" is probably a lot worse then it's worth. It doesn't understand that by doing so it also drives ponies insane. And it is speaking the truth, It is Celestia's desires except for the fact that it also drives ponies insane. In a way it is innocent and at the same time not.
Celestia woke up. Her eyes were normal and yet not. The eyes of a killer looked around the room.
Perfect. It's dark... Celestia though as she wobbly got up. Her body ached for some reason but she didn't care. She stumbled out of the room. She practically fell down the stairs. Celestia got up slowly got up.
"Soon we will be in Harmony sister... I promise..." Celestia said. Her hears picked up the sound of hooves running down the hall.Too easy... Celestia thought before giggling. Celestia looked at the symbol again. She pressed on it and the stone began to slide out. She walked inside the dusty room and the doorway closed. Leaving no trace the alicorn had been there. Celestia lit up the torches in the room with a brief spell. The large circular room was large; In the center were two mannequins. Both wore suits of armor; One gold and one blue. Both were rather elaborate but Celestia didn't care. She walked up to the golden armor and a spell came from her horn. It wrapped around the armor and lifted it over to her. She felt the power radiating off it."This is the Sun's power? Amazing..." Celestia said. She walked forward and a spell blasted the wall. She shielded her self.It's not like I can't take care of myself Celestia thought quietly. Celestia thought for a few moments. The amount of power coursing through her was amazing but it felt dull in the moonlight. She examined her hooves, looking at the slightly cracked skin. It was much like the area around her eyes; The cracks were filled with lava. She sighed. The air grew hotter as she did.
"Celestia stole a set of cursed armor from the catacombs. I don't know what possessed her to do so. But I believe it is revenge. Celestia must have found out what Discord has done in the past. I bet she took it upon herself to stop him but had no idea what would happen to herself. As for Discord I fought him and lost. Discord ran out but did not retreat. He merely just laughed and left... after taking Luna. I suppose the toll for regenerating so much was her sanity; Isn't that correct Nebula? You said there was a toll for regenerating so much. You were right."
Levier seemed tired. Small brown streaks were already forming in her mane. Nebula looked at her, Horrified.
Author's Note
Side Note; I could not find and image with Celestia having a pink mane or Luna being lighter blue :P So for now let's go with this....
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The Sun stood at it's peek; Mid morning. But it had been doing so for two days now. The sky was a mixture of reds and oranges. The Sun illuminated the land for what seemed like an eternity for some ponies. Levier has a few streaks of brown in her and her eyes showed her desperate fatigue; She needed to stay awake but she needed to sleep. Hundreds of miles away a fiery demon rocketed across the sky. Celestia had deteriorated since yesterday; Now her whole body had cracks in it. She donned a new set of armor to cover herself up. Especially her face. Her wings became fire not long after the Sun had been up all night. Celestia landed and the ground underneath her shriveled up. Grass around her browned. Celestia looked around.At least they aren't on fire. Celestia thought. She remembered when she landed the first time Everything around her burst into flames.burn . Celestia walked near a village only to be met by a battalion of soldiers. Sent by Levier most likely.I will punish her later... Celestia angrily thought as they took their battle positions.not let her except!" The leader shouted. Celestia scowled at them. Not that they knew that though. The soldiers charged forward, Weapons raised. Celestia's horn flashed and a spell knocked them back.This is too easy. Celestia said, parrying a spear. Rage filled her.They're attacking me?! How could Levier order to do such a thing! This whole area will suffer because of her! Celestia thought angrily. Celestia raised her horn and in a flash they were dead. Not just the soldiers, Everything . The whole area was just gone. The remnants of houses were left and the charred bodies of ponies.
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Levier sat quietly on her Throne.
The Monster in the mirror was her.
Levier felt ashamed. The green kirin could do so much but failed to do so. It hurt to breath, It hurt to think. Levier rubbed her temples. The blood red in her eyes pulled back and she was back to normal. She frowned slightly, her lip quivering. She got up.
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Celestia landed under the shade of a mountain. The world behind her was scorched, the charred remains of trees stood up like blackened needles poking out of the ground for giants to step on. The large mountain contained one cliff. On that cliff stood a Draconequus. Wrapped his paw were chains. He tugged on them and a small blue alicorn came forward. She was bloody and bruised. The flames coming from the armored mare erupted in anger.This...T-This isn't Tia! She'd never become that thing! Luna thought. She looked up to Discord and saw the terrified look on his face. The flaming demon took a step forward. Luna could feel the burning heat from only 60 feet away. It was like being on top the chef's oven. Lun wanted to run far far away but the chains wouldn't let her. They bonded her to Discord.
Run far far away
Celestia took another step forward. Discord took one back. Luna was dragged along with him. The helmet's eye holes seemed to have two bright dots glowing within them. Discord bit his lip.Is it fear? Or is it amazement? Luna thought. She herself was afraid.and strong?!" Discord said angrily. He climbed higher and higher into the air, only to have the tall alicorn chase after him. It chased after him with ease. Discord however seemed to be having a tough time shaking the tall alicorn off. An idea popped into his head however. He turned at a 45 degree angle. But it was no use as the tall alicorn just cut the corner with him. It even gained more speed, It's fiery wings just pushed the air around them a bit more.This doesn't make any sense! I'm Discord, spirit of Chaos! I shouldn't be having so much trouble! Discord thought angrily. He turned around and kicked the tall alicorn in the face, sending it backwards.AHA! That's it! It isn't quite as strong in the air! Discord though as a smirk spread across his face. The fiery alicorn shook it's head and the light in its eye holes went out. It seem surprised for a moment. Discord swung Luna into the tall alicorn. It tried to dodge but was still disoriented from being kicked in the head. It didn't help it's own armor made everything worse. Luna cried out in agony; Not only was the tall alicorn extremely hot but it was also hard as a stone. The tall alicorn's horn glowed red and the three other spines lit up as well. A crimson red aura surrounded them and a spell shot at Discord. Discord dodged it but only slightly. Discord flew forward, dragging little Luna with him. The tall alicorn flew above him while Discord brought Luna closer to him. Luna looked up to her angry sister and cried. It hurt to be near her; The air was already hot. It stung the cuts and bruises she had and her bones ached from slamming into the tall alicorn.
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Levier looked up the red and orange sky.She was brown and skinny but not quite skin and bones yet. It had been six days of nothing but day and the air had grown hot. Food and water were coming in short supply. Everything seemed to be just brown.
Author's Note
The song at the end is to the tune "Momma's gonna get a you a mockingbird" (What the heck is the actual name?)
Oh yea I have a fever of 100 degrees so if it makes no sense whatsoever to you for some reason then well... blame sick me :P
A Sound Body but No Sound Mind Ch.17
Radiant kicked Discord but the Draconequus jumped back and slammed Luna into her. The Small blue alicorn whimpered and hung loose in the air as it swung around. Luna looked up to the Tall alicorn with pleading eyes. It looked down at her but Luna could never see it's emotion. It's helmet hid its face, Luna shuddered to know why. Discord glared up at the tall alicorn's eyes lit up. It charged Discord. He caught it but it pushed him in the air and into the ground. His eyes grew wide as a large fire ball went flying towards him. A quick barrier spell kept it at bay. But only just. The flaming mass hissed and roared as it hit the barrier. Cracking it slightly. Discord gritted his teeth and glared at the tall alicorn. Little Luna curled up into a ball in fear. Only able to lay there and whimper. The tall alicorn dove through the fire, returning it to it's body. It's horn was attempted to pierce Discord's berrier. Discord forced more magic into his berrier but even then another crack formed in it. Luna weakly got up.Aha! That's it! Discord thought with a smirk. His tail flicked.How.. How is that Tia? Luna thought.
Hush little one and close your eyes
Luna's head snapped up.The Song! That's what Mother was talking about! Luna thought.
CELESTIA YOU FOOL
Celestia heard Aurinko scream. She didn't care though. The tall alicorn's horn glowed and the helmet was thrown off. It skidded across the ground with a heavy clang. It looked at Levier and Luna in a cold gaze. Like it was there and yet not at the same time.
The tall alicorn twitched and quivered in it's armor. It's crimson eyes darted in between Luna and Levier. The helmet lay on the ground. It stared into it's helmet's eye holes. Luna couldn't help but look at the helmet too. It felt like blackness began to swallow up her vision as whispers cooed to her. Sleep they called out. It took all her energy to keep herself from falling over. Though fatigue choked her and eventually the young pony fell to her knees.
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"Hey Levier.. is the Sun.. Setting?" Luna said excitedly. She jumped out of her makeshift bed of soft earth. Levier lifted her head up to see that in fact the sun was finally climbing down from it's high perch to the west.stay down." Levier said. She walked laid back in the softened dirt and slept. Luna cuddled closely to her. Feeling safe, Luna closed her eyes.Thank you. Luna thought as she finally drifted off to sleep.
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Levier woke up and yawned. She could see the Sun poking out to the east, waiting to be pulled upwards. Luna yawned and stretched. She stood up.
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They walked in silence. Luna did not complain she was tired or that she ached. Mostly because her hooves were numb. She only noticed when her hooves began to bleed.and sat . She sat for all of five minute before getting up. It didn't hurt to walk so she might as well do it for now. She had a pretty good idea that as soon as she had some food and water in her everything would start to hurt.Fantastic. Luna thought with clear sarcasm in her face. She walked around in circles only to find a stick. Luna smiled as an idea popped into her head. Luna's magic maneuvered around the stick, only showing up once it made contact. She sat down in the center of the circle, looking as the small, barely noticeable hoof prints in the ground. She huffed and began to draw. She drew Levier's head and the sun. The moon and the castle as best she could remember (Seeing as she had a terrible headache she had trouble doing anything really in depth) when she got tired she drew herself and Celestia. Not the tall alicorn that almost killed her and Levier. No. Her sister. The kind pony who cared so much and went to great lengths to make others happy.
"Nebula c'mon. There's no need to be scared." A small creamy alicorn said. The small blue unicorn quivered in the corner. "P-Please Tia. I don't wanna go back. Your mom will yell at us for stealing the bread." Nebula said. "Don't worry. She's nice. We might get a scolding or five but I promise she won't hurt you." The filly fluttered her wings. Nebula looked up and rubbed her puffy eyes. "O-Ok. But she yells-" Nebula said. Celestia smiled and dragged her. the alicorn was a bit taller than her friend. "Let's go!" Celestia said as she dragged the confused unicorn across the ground. Celestia turned out of be correct, no they didn't get yelled at but Galaxia did scold them for eating all the bread and not saving any for her.
Luna giggled and drew her other friends. She drew Wind Song and Spark Shower, Lily and Nebula. Her friends. She smiled and drew Nebulis and Galaxia too. Eventually she the whole circle filled with drawings of her friends and family. Her home and the moon. She fluttered her wings as she smiled brightly. The green kirin trotted forward to see the large circle filled with drawings. She spat out the semi-dry leaves in her mouth.
Luna yawned and slowly got up. The morning mist was crisp and cool. For once there was a little moisture in the air. She got a pretty good night sleep for sleeping on dirt. Levier was still asleep so Luna was careful to be quiet. She took in surroundings seeing as when they set up camp it was sunset. Luna had a pretty good idea but it was a good idea that Levier would want an easy path to go through. Luna looked around, the earth looked just about as it did everywhere else; brown. What was left of vegetation was either a shade of muddy yellow or a greyish brown. The husks of trees around her were darkened from the sun but without water they were brittle and she could crack them if she pleased. There was nothing very edible around; dry dead grass didn't seem very appetizing so she checked her leaf bandages. They were fine surprisingly. With nothing to do the little alicorn let out a bored sigh.I can't wait until we go back to Canterlot. This is boring. Luna thought as she took a deep breath. Her warm exhale made a cloud of condensation that rose into the air before disappearing.At least the plants have a little water. luna thought as she shivered. It had been so hot for so long that for it to be so cool in the morning that it was like it was cold. She knew however that the morning col would only last so long.
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The angry creature hissed and roared. It threw it's helmet off and stumbled around. It's flaming wings and tail lit the dark cave around it. The cave was nothing special; a semi-shallow yet large hole in the side of a mountain. It stumbled into the side of the cave and and leaned on to. It's lip quivered and up from it's mouth came lava. The glowing pool seeped into the cave ground. It bit it's lip and lifted the helmet back onto it's helmet. The two pieces of armor clicked into place and the tall alicorn stood up. It waked over to the center of the cave and laid down. Though sleeping in armor might seem crazy to some ponies the tall alicorn didn't care really. It didn't want anypony to see it at it's weakest moment.
"Hey Tia.. I have a qwuestion." Luna, only a filly, asked her older sister.
"uh.. what?" Celestia answered.
"If the sun's so hot then why aren't you on fire or something?" Luna asked as she tilted her head. Her blue eyes looked directly into her older sister's purple eyes.
"Oh silly. We're the power source for the Moon and Sun. We're not actually them. That would be weird." Celestia giggled. The two stood from the balcony admiring Canterlot. Galaxia opened up the doors an smiled warmly at her daughters. "Mommy! Guess what I learned todway!" lUna said excitedly as she ran over to her mother. The tall alicorn bent down. "I'm listening..." Galaxia said and she nuzzled her youngest filly. Celestia smiled at her mom. "Tia said the reason we're not on fire or like blocks of ice is becwause we're just the power swource." lUna said. Galaxia chuckled. "Yes. Thank you Celestia." Galaxia said, looking towards her eldest daughter. Celestia walked over as Luna climbed onto her mother's back. She nestled herself in the orange and blue mane. Galaxia hugged Celestia briefly and they left for lunch.
The tall alicorn roared in anger from it's sleep. It slammed it's hoof into it's head with a loud clang of metal.
"Tia can we go play now? You've been kinda busy lately..." Luna pouted.
"Of course Lulu!" Celestia said as if it were obvious. Luna beamed and a large smile grew on her face.
"Thanks Tia! You're the best big sister ever!" Luna said as she hugged her sister tightly.
"And you're the best little sister I could ask for." Celestia said. Just then she gt a devious idea.
"However... that doesn't mean I won't.. TICKLE YOU!" Celestia said.
"No!" Luna yelled out, trying to sound annoyed. She bolted around the garden trying to shake off Celestia but eventually Luna did get tickled. Luna laughed and tried to push her sister's hooves away but to be honest she may have enjoyed it. Luna got Celestia back by tickling her though she had a bit more trouble finding her ticklish spot.
"STOP IT!" The tall alicorn roared. It let out a screech and banged it's head into the ground. It's eyes glowed with anger as it stood up. It huffed as it stumbled around, breathing heavily. The painful memories subsided as it got into the light of it's Sun. It let out an angry roar and let out bursts of magic. They tore the ground apart, making it difficult to walk or even fly with all the heat. The tall alicorn looked around to see the large dark scar it had left on the earth. It walked back into it's cave and made a skylight with another burst of magic. It laid down under the skylight, sleeping. But only just. Even as it slept it's face would contort in fear and anger. It mumble something and roll around. Sleep would not come easily to the demon.
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Luna smiled and fluttered her wings as Canterot came into few. After almost five days of walking they'd made it. Levier picked up speed and trotted down the long pathway into the city. Luna ran behind her. The gate slowly opened to an utterly stunned city. Most of the ponies looked thin but not starving thankfully. Levier was worried that they'd run out of grain. The crowd stared at them, mostly Luna. The small princess was so.. so thin. A grey unicorn slowly walked towards her. His face showed pure shock to see her bones poke out of her.that thin?"
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Spark Shower, Lily, Wind Song and Nebula quickly walked down the red carpet in front of the throne. Levier sat there with Luna at her side. Levier knew they'd have to act fast before Celestia was completely swallowed. Luna however hadn't eaten anything for almost two weeks. She'd only had a few sips of water. Levier knew very well she would have to explain the situation. The four respectfully bowed to Levier. Luna darted behind Levier, she didn't want them to see her.They plan on defeating me with the Elements of Harmony? Pathetic. Those weak foals could not even dream of defeating me.
Levier quickly walked quickly down the hallway. The had stopped setting again; Luna began to worry. The brief days of slight cool only gave up so much water.This is one of those times I really wish Ventus was still alive... Levier thought with a huff.Then you couldn't use them." Levier explained. The icy tone had left her voice which made them feel a bit better. Wind Song's face blushed bright red.
When the Lever is pulled And the Breeze sings it's songs, The Stars move as they please, And the Shower of Lighting comes, Three elements have come, When the flowers bloom, and the Sun casts it's shadow upon the land, And the Moon shuns it's darkness away We shall rejoice, For the elements have returned.
"Pretty.. cryptic..." Lily said. Nebula bit her lip.They will awakened by the spark of Friendship. " Levier said, recalling Galaxia's words to her.
"Galaxia! Someone's crying over there!" A small dark colt said as he ran towards the forest. It dark purple mane did not flow like it would one day. No at this time he looked like a regular pony. Like many of the others actually. But the truth was he didn't remember who he was in the first place. Nebulis only knew his name and that his friend was Galaxia, a pegasus. Galaxia flew over. She had her own case of amnesia. Neither of them remembered who even made the stars. Or the sun and moon. The creamy colored pegasus hovered onto the ground. Her purple eyes stared into Nebulis. Though he was her friend he often got the two wanderers into to trouble.starving. " Nebulis said. His stomach grumbled, agreeing with him. Galaxia giggled.
As they walked away from the forest's entrance the older kirin's body rose up. It became a part of the earth; Transforming onto a large proud tree. But with the young ones long gone they did not notice. But the kirin spirit left the world. Not sad that it had died but happy for it's daughter.
Levier sighed and touched the cold statue's hoof. The ancient stone felt so different from her friend. But she knew very well that the statue had not been what had become of her friend. No. Her friend had been sitting in Tartarus, waiting for the love of his life to carry him back into the world. Galaxia's own statue was just across from him. It was amazing to think at one time she didn't know who they were. Alicorns were such powerful beings she was surprised in all the years she'd known them she never once knew they were alicorns. But she supposed in her young mind it never once clicked. Just across was the statue of Galaxia. The lean alicorn stood in a more open and comforting stance. Levier could imagine it was a way of signifying Galaxia was like a mother to all. In truth she was.
Nebulis and Galaxia
The list went on with names that had been given to them over the eons. In truth those names all fit them well. But to her.. to her they were more. They were her friends. She remember how happy she was to see them.. and how much she cared for them. But also how she failed to protect them. Nebulis was hurt. And she didn't do anything. Galaxia was frightened and once again she didn't do anything. She promised to protect their children and now one was going off to face the other! Despicable. Levier felt the warmth drip down her face and fall onto the cold floor. But she couldn't help but feel she was forgiven. How? because she was their friend. They knew she loved them and cared for them. It wasn't all her fault. It never was.
"Sometimes things happen and we cannot control them. However I am not saying we should ignore them. No. We must face them and try our hardest to prevent terrible events from happening. And we do fail and when we are afraid we must know that simply it happens. It is not some much as looking past things, more embracing them, and knowing that we will try again."
The demon lay lazily askew in it's cave. It didn't want to be bothered. The tall alicorn was tired but could not sleep. Paranoia filled it's thoughts every waking moment.
It stood up and the flames of it's body came to life. With that it walked over to it's armor. The golden shell had been sitting in the sun for hours. The creature's horn glowed crimson red and the armor floated over. After a few moments everything but the helmet was on. It was always the helmet that was most difficult to put on. But sooner rather than later it clicked into place. The warm armor felt so nice. And it was much better than sitting in the beautiful sun.
Ah yes. Her Sun. The bright sphere in the sky. The polar opposite of the Moon. If it weren't for the Sun everything would be long dead.
So they wouldn't kill me.
A smirk grew across it's face.
They need me to survive this. I could always just turn off the Sun anyways. No matter what they do I will prevail.
The creature let out a confident laugh. It danced on it's hooves in excitement. WIth new found confidence it wanted to take off immediately and burn Canterlot to the ground. Turn other kingdoms to ash. All it wanted was to destroy. BUrn the land to nothing but ash. But it'd done enough damage already. It'd be many years before the world would heal; If the tall alicorn was allowed to continue it's path of destruction then what was left might disappear altogether. And Luna wouldn't let that happen. Spark Shower wouldn't let it happen either. Neither would Wing Song or Lily. Nebula stood by them no matter what. From hundreds of feet away they stood and watched it. They'd been watching it for an hour now.This thing... is Celestia?
I'm sorry sister
The elements began to glow brightly and the six ponies rose up. Luna's eyes glowed brightly and a beam of light surrounded the creature. It screamed and roared as it disappeared into the glowing mass. Only the sounds of whirring magic could be heard, trumping all other noise. The Sun quickly rushed down awards across the sky until disappearing. The Moon finally came up. But it wasn't Luna's doing. The six ponies lowered to the ground as the rainbow uncoiled and shot up into the sky. Broken armor laid broken on the ground, only the helmet remained and it had been thrown off. It laid at Lily's hooves. She kicked it away. The grey pegasus next to her sighed sadly. Wind Song extended her wing and pulled him into a hug. Lily gave a mournful look to Nebula. Celestia was their friend. For all they knew she was either dead of a statue. With ash and dust swirling around the it was impossible to tell. But then they heard a cough in the dust cloud. Then another. Immediately Luna's spirits picked up.real one back. BUt maybe the Celestia they saw was the real Celestia. Lily remembered how often Galaxia or Nebulis would come to check on her. Like they expected if they weren't around her all day everyday for the year something terrible would happen to her. What was Celestia not telling them about alicorns? All she knew was that
No.1 They regenerated back from the dead if necessaryblow-up-entire-cities-without-batting-an-eye powerful
That was literally all the knowledge she had. SHe could pour herself over books like Nebula but that would never work for a pony like her. She was an earth pony; Someone who worked with their hooves. Obviously not all earth ponies were like that. But she wasn't one of those. She made candles after all. Or at least that's what she'd been doing with her parents util they...
Finally something she could think about. It sounded kind of dumb but why not think about coffee? Not like the others were talking or anything. So yes. She would think about coffee. The smell, the taste, even the cups. Her home was essentially the coffee shop after all. Or as her cousin said The Cafe . She didn't care about the name of the shop though; after all she didn't like spending a whole lot of time there. Her grandparents were nice... but her cousin was almost unbearable. Luscious Mocha wasn't the nicest to Lily. Mocha not only blamed her for their parents' deaths but also for anything and everything that went wrong.
We're out of coffee grounds!
Maybe you should have, oh I don't know, bought more?
Or if Mocha dropped or spilled anything she'd always find a way to blame Lily.
The plate fell onto the floor with a loud crash. The customer jumped at the sound. Mocha stood with coffee splattered all over her hooves. She growled at me, yelling and telling me to watch where I was going. I only sighed. I didn't want the customers to feel uncomfortable. After all this was our grandparent's only source of income. With two extra mouths to feed it was the least me and Mocha could do.
But she never once complained. She never retorted to Mocha. Now normally she wouldn't let anypony treat her like that. No. She'd never been afraid to tell others they were wrong. But she felt so guilty for having to move into her grandparents' house. They'd been so nice to her and Mocha even though their own children were dead. They never once glared at Lily or Mocha. Even when Mocha would start to yell at her they knew how to calm down her cousin. But when they weren't home Mocha could do whatever she pleased.
"Why the heck should you complain? Mrs. I-get-to-play-with-the-princesses!" Mocha barked. "I wasn't complaining! I was asking you for a little help. Lily shouted back. She'd been fed up with Mocha screaming at her all the time. "Sure you did. You just loooove attention! And those two give it to you!" Mocha shouted back. Thankfully the shop had been closed. "They don't just give it me Mocha! I care about them and they care back!" Lily shouted back, stamping her hoof. "Keep telling yourself that. Sooner or later they'll forget you even existed. Can't you see it Lily? They're princesses! And guess what? Now that your oh-so-noble parents are dead they'll toss you out." Mocha's voice took cruel delight in saying. "Shut up! Tia and Luna would never abandon me or Nebula or Spark Shower or Wind Song!" Lily shouted back, but a crack in her voice showed that doubt had begun to creep in. "Wow. You really need work on your grammar." Mocha taunted. Lily's face turned bright red. "Would you just shut up for once!" Lily shouted back, her face still red with anger as well as embarrassment. Lily had never been a really smart pony. She went to school of course--Her parents made her and so did her grandparents when she had the time. Grammar was never one of her strong points. "Yea yea. Big ol' farm gurl can handle 'erself." Mocha snickered. "I am not a farm girl! I'm a gardener for pony's sakes!" Lily shot at Mocha. The creamy colored pony rolled her eyes. "And a candle maker. I get it. You're oh-so-talented." Mocha said with displeasure. "What does that have to do with anything?" Lily said dumbfounded. "Do I need to spell it out for you? You flaunt around showing off how great you are!" Mocha snapped. Lily had never once flaunted. The only time she'd said anything is when she'd tell her grandparents' she was going to meet up with them. It finally dawned on her Mocha always mumbled something at the table. How'd she'd not see that Mocha was jealous? Even envious at times.
Lily came to a stop. Lily wasn't very good on picking up how others were feeling. No wonder she'd had never noticed Celestia was slowly drowning in madness.
"Idiot".
Author's Note
Character development YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY
A tender smile awoke Wind Song that day. Her parents? Her vision was blurry after all. Maybe she'd hit herself on the head? She and her friends settled down for the night near a half dead forest. She could easily see Celestia was uneasy being around the dead plants but she didn't say anything to her friend. But now something odd struck her. Where was she? There was a tremendous pain in her side as well as a headache that felt like it could split her head in two.
"Get up Lily! We need you!" Nebula said, shaking her friend's limp body. Nebula fared only slightly better. She was covered in scrapes and bruises.
Wind Song became even angrier. She could feel the power of Mirth welling up inside her. With that Wind Song kicked off the ground and shot towards Discord. The crystal in her necklace glowed white and beam hit im. He roared in agony.
Celestia skidded across the ground. Small red sparks came out as she twitched.Wind Song's expression quickly shifted from anger into horror. Levier? The friendships you make and how you treat you friends. " Levier shot at Discord.
For my last deed, I shall be reborn Not as a kirin But as a tree Where the animals of this land will find refuge In this everfree forest. For all that is green and brown Will be eternal Just as my love for Discord Nebulis and Galaxia is. They are the best friends' i've ever had. And my alicorn friend's had given me the delight Of knowing their children and their friends.
Author's Note
If you're wondering why Celestia was saved with only 1/2 of the Element of Magic think about it like this; She'd been fighting the whole entire time. Also keep in mind that Radiant's power began to wane and the fact that Luna was using all the other Elements of harmony then it makes sense that Celestia could be saved. There are still six elements just that at first the element of magic was split between them. If it hadn't been for Luna then everypony would be dead.
Sorry if this chapter is kinda short... but I made myself go on a feels trip ;-; I dunno if any of you will experienced feels from this buuut I know I have. CURSES. FOILED BY FEELS. AGAIN.
"Tia!" Luna happily called out, she ran into the throne room, looking up to her sister who seemed busy with paper work. However she didn't seem to notice that.
Celestia smiled and looked up.
"Good morning Luna, how has your training been going?" Celestia said, the young alicorn beaming.
"Great! Starswirl said I was doing very well for someone my age." Luna said proudly and she ran up to give her sister a hug
It had a little over a month since what was now called 'The Six days of fire" (However sometimes The Seven days of Fire) Peace had returned for the most part, the other Kingdoms were a little hesitant to meet with Celestia but those who did had been quite respectful. The same couldn't be said for some of her own subjects though.
"Well that's some good news." Celestia's smile widened.
"Oh yea, he told me that He'd like to resume training with you as well, when you had that time. He said he knew the council had been pushing you around a lot lately, so you might as well let them take the reins while you adjust n' stuff." Luna said, tapping her chin.
"Well, I can't said I disagree with him." Celestia let out a quick sigh before the smile returned to her face.
"Hey.. um, Celestia? Do you wanna go flying with Wind Song and Spark Shower tonight? They said you could come if you wanted." Luna said, twirling her mane like she always did when she felt uncomfortable. Celestia bit her lip to think.
"Yes. it's been a while since we've gotten to talk." Celestia said, clearing her throat. Luna's ears perked up and her smile came back.
"Yay!" Luna said happily, bouncing around her sister.
A council member looked up to them with a faint smile.
"Princess Celestia, if you'd like I think the Council would allow you to take the next few days off if you'd like." The council member said, the deep furrows in her face softened. Some younger members of the council groaned and a few seemed relieved that Celestia was leaving.
"Er.. okay." Celestia said, slightly surprised that she'd been let out so early.
Luna followed behind her sister as they walked out the large set of doors. Luna would run around Celestia's hooves, smiling and talking with her. Luna giggled and ran ahead of her sister.
"Hey wait up!" Celestia called out as Luna disappeared behind the corner of a hallway. Celestia trotted forward, giggling to herself with a pleasant smile growing on her face.
"Luna? Where did you-" Celestia's sentence got cut off as soon as she rounded the corner and almost walked straight into two lavishley decorated mares.
The first one, a unicorn was a sky blue with cold gold eyes. A jeweled necklace was laced around her neck along with a fluffy gown that in all honestly looked difficult to walk in. Her grey mane was tied back in a long braid with tiny gold beads studding the bow that tied her wavy gray mane back. The pony next to her was soft pink with a white mane tied into a glamourous looking bun, a net held together with silver beads kept the snow white hair in place. She dressed much like her friend; Lavish dress that looked hot and uncomfortable and lots of gems. Very complicated. Though the height difference was starting to become obvious, the two looked up at her and scoffed.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to run into you like that." Celestia said with a small bit of nervous laughter.
"No problem." The first unicorn said like she suppressing a smile or a laugh. Her friend's lips twitched just the same. Celestia walked past them, however she could clearly hear them.
"How does such a unproper mare become Princess, or even keep her title after everything that's happened."
"As if I know."
The two girls laughed as they disappeared down the hallway.
Luna jumped out from behind another corner, yelling "Boo!" then giggling, but she stopped when she saw Celestia's hurt expression.
"Are you okay Tia?" Luna said, her light voice turned to concern.
"I'm fine." She lied. She didn't want to bother Luna.
"Okay then. Hey, do you wanna go help out in the gardens?" Celestia asked her sister and she continued to walk forward, Luna picking up her pace to walk alongside her sister.
"Ooh Ooh! Can we check on the moonglow first?" Luna said as they walked up the stairs to their room.
Luna always thought the moonglow was beautiful. It's soft white petals twisted at the ends and smelled like night air. She always liked looking down from the ledge and looking down to the garden, watching as the flowers would start glowing then slowly turn off. It looked almost like they were talking with one another, flashing their barely blue lights then fading, but then beginning to glow once more. But the old plants were long gone; destroyed when she was younger. But her mother had made a point of planting the new flowers within the balcony's viewpoint.
"Of course!" Celestia said, a golden aura lifting her crown off and setting it onto the vanity.
Celestia set her crown down, helping Luna take off her own garments.
"One, two three.Okay good, the necklace is off." Celestia said as she lifted off the dark blue garment, a silver moon in the center that seemed to have it's own glow to it.
"Alright, now that the fancy stuff is off we can get down to business!" Luna said, reaching up to put her crown right next to her sister's.
Luna hopped up onto Celestia's back, snuggling her mane close to her face. The green streaks smelled like dirt so at first Luna scrunched up her nose.
"Something the matter?" Celestia said, turning her head a little to look her sister in the eye.
"No, you just smell like dirt." Luna.
"Was that supposed to be an insult?" Celestia said, cracking smirk.
"No, it literally smells like dirt." She said back, rubbing her nose.
"Well that's strange." Her sister said as she continued to walk down the stairs.
Luna had to hold on a bit tighter while Celestia descended the staircase, which didn't help because she had her face snuggled into a mane that smelled partially of dirt and lavender.
They walked in silence for a while, sunny rays coming through the windows; dappling warm light through the tall hallways. The light cyan walls were plane, however they retained a sort of elegance to them. It was different from the old castle; With it's long lonely corridors that seemed to impose themselves upon anyone in them. The castle was mostly grey bricks; However any room that was used frequently besides personal chambers were beige or a creamy white.
Luna blinked and realized she was sticking her head into was essentially her sister's hair dirt and pulled herself out. Now, she didn't hate the smell of dirt per say; But when someone's hair smelled like it, that just was weird. Her question was how did no one else notice? It'd been almost a month and no one had said anything?
"Tia, when wa sthe last time you took a bath?" Luna said as they walked by two ponies in so fancy-smancy dresses. The grey maned giggled to herself.
"Last night, why?" Celestia said, trying to her her eyes contect away form the two mares.
"Your hair smells like someone was trying to cover up dirt with lavender." She said casually, lifting up a green piece of hair.
The mares burst out laughing, Celestia's face burned red as she came to a stop.
"What's so funny?" Luna said, turning her head to look directly at the two mares. Her innocent question made them laugh even more. Luna didn't think it was possible, but Celestia's face became redder.
"Her hair smells like dirt! I didn't think it was any more possible to be so improper."
"She must roll with the pigs!"
The mares laughed at their own jokes, Celestia tensing. Luna frowned and hopped off her sister. She walked straight up to the amres and looked them straight in the eye, eve though she had to look up to.
"I'll have you know that my sister is way too busy to roll around with pigs. She's doing important work UNLIKE YOU TWO WITH YOUR STUPID DRESSES WHICH MAKE IT REALLY HARD TO WALK SO ALL YOU DO IS TRUDGE EVERYWHERE AT THE SPEED OF A TURTLE."
The mares looked at her in blinked, their blank faces showing that clearly, they had no idea what to say to that.
"Oh please, you don't scare us." The grey maned one said, her eye narrowing with a confident but cold smile.
"Oh, I wasn't trying to scare you. I was putting your in your place, PEASANT . I am your princess and you will respect me as such. I lower and raise the moon so you and the other unicorns down have to." Luna said, getting her own confident smirk.
"Well at least we're not ticking time bombs." Her friend interjected, pointing at Celestia who opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Luna herself felt hurt by the comment.
"How dare you say that! What gives you the right to, huh? Do you even know what you're saying?! My sister was trapped inside her own body, only able to watch as she burned and hurt the ponies she cares so much about, and you make it an insult?! " Luna's face conformed with enraged disgust, stamping her hoof to glare into the grey mare's eyes. The grey mare pulled her head away, but seemed dragged into Luna's gaze.
"If you dare ever say anything like that ever again, You are going to see what it's like when I get really angry." She finished with, the mares scurrying away.
Luna turned to her sister with a soft smile creeping onto her face.
"Well, let's get going before they get the nerves to get back." Luna said, hovering over to Celestia and landing on her back
Celestia walked forward, silently thanking her sister. Luna knew this though, she didn't need to hear her sister say it though.
Luna leaned forward to snuggle herself in her sister's green and pink mane.
She liked the smell of her sister's mane.
A deep cool breath of air filled Celestia's lungs. It'd been two months since their fight with Discord. The land was healing, but slowly. She was kept under watch at all times, every second of the day. She knew why. That was what she expected after all. Many creatures were upset--well more than upset--with her actions, but they also knew that she also helped seal Discord in stone bonds. Hopefully they'd last forever. She glanced around her room, taking in her comforting environment. The courtroom rang in her mind though.
The mare was shoved onto the ground, ropes tying her to a metal pole. Her terrified eyes stared at the huge courtroom, filled with animals. All kinds of ponies, deer, buffalo, Sheep, llamas and alpacas. Some stared at her menacingly, others stared at her with fear. Then there were others, who were staring into her soul. These individuals tended to be older, wiser, they acted less on compulsion. Their eyes were cruel nor caring. Which was good. She didn't want pity.compelling , well thought argument." The old dragon said, glancing at the Phoenix ponies who seem disinterested in the execution.dying because of her ! If you cannot see then look at her! Look at her face and see the guilt! She knows what she did was wrong! She knows that it is her fault! So why bother with this court when even she knows she is wrong. Our mother, Levier, is dead because that monster could not control herself! Galaxia and Nebulis would have never let this happen, any, they would have never even brought this filth into existence if they knew that one day she would almost kill off the living beings of this planet! If it were not for Levier's sacrifice I do not have a single doubt in my mind that we'd all be burnt in the sun's rays. This... thing is not worthy of the life force she's been given." The king said. He and the rest of the deer, elk, and buffalo glared at her.we cannot!" An elk shouted back, the veins in his neck bulged.used her. She used Celestia as a tool . WIthin a flash Celestia terror became boiling rage. She breath quickened and as soon as it came the static was just gone.
"Would all of you just shut up and listen to me for a moment?!"
The crowd stared at her in confusion. Go ahead , some thought, get yourself into deeper trouble . Others thought, Don't say anything! you'll get yourself killed . But Celestia didn't care. She was going to speak her mind, even if the thought was terrifying enough.
"I know... That what I did was an evil, terrible thing and I will spend the rest of my days making up for, but I know that all of you know why. It was in fact to kill Discord. To destroy him and make him pay for what he'd done. But Aurinko used me as a pawn, in my most desperate situation she knew she could corrupt me. Discord stole me sister and almost killed Levier. He killed my ponies and turned my father into a monster, which my mother had to send to Tartarus before throwing herself in. Can you truly blame me for being consumed by revenge? Can you truly blame me for not being able to control a situation you could have helped in one of you gave any way, shape or form of help. Whether it be military or economic when we were in our darkest hour. I realize that I should have known not to trust Aurinko. I admit that. But how could you feel, if everything had crumbled around you. Everything fell apart and you felt lost, alone. I had no hope, knowing I was far too weak to seal Discord, I was a fool to not think it through. But Aurinko.. she was so much like my mother. Her every word was so cool and calm. She snuck into my broken heart and soothed me with comforting promises that she later on broke. I was awake the whole time you should all know. I could only sit back and watch as she murdered my own ponies. In end though I should have known all along how susceptible I was to her. I should have known not to trust her. And you all paid the price. All I can ask for.. if your forgiveness." Celestia finished, trembling.she had killed her. The moments that passed by were agonizingly slow, every second ticking by felt like forever. It took all of forty minutes for the national leaders to pass their ballets up. The dragon took down every detail of each ballet, from the way they wrote to how much ink they used, before compiling all of them. He stood up, tall and looked down at Celestia, who was still shaking with fear that she wouldn't see luna's face again. The dragon cleared his throat and Celestia expected the worst.
Celestia slumped over, still tied to the metal pole. Incendius flew down as someone else cut the ropes. The fiery queen held Celestia's head, trying to get the bleeding to stop, but to no avail.I'll do it myself then. " The queen said, her curved horn glowed a fiery orange color and small sparks attempted to close up the wound. But Phoenix pony magic wasn't meant to heal. It simply just singed the half dead alicorn's skin and fur.thing killed my children!" The deer came back with,sobbing even more, but still enraged by Celestia.
