The Memories of Star Light: The Untold Origin of Nightmare Moon

Celestia looked out at the morning feeling the warmth of the sun bath her white coat. There was a sort of up lifting feeling about the day that made her want to make the day shine. She ordered the weather team to push off any clouds to a later date. Today the sky was to remain clear. As a sort of celebration of the day she had her breakfast taken out to the garden and ate it there. It came as no surprise to her when her sister did not join her, but she was somewhat disappointed in her staff when they did not even bother to set a place for her. Celestia waited until the end of her meal before ringing a sliver bell that had been placed upon a tray in front of her. Shortly after a white pony came trotting out with his noise held high up in the air. The butler wore a jacket with coat tails that had been well enough it did not cover the set of shined cutlery that marked his flank. When he reached the table he bowed before turning back up his nose.

“Will you require anything else this morning my lady?” He inquired in a stately tone.

“No, but do tell me Silvers, why has a place not been set for my sister?”

“Princess Luna took a breakfast of muffins to the library earlier this morning. She has asked not to be disturbed as she attends to her work unless asked for by name.”

Celestia was unaccustomed to hearing that word used in such a way. Her sister did not work. When Celestia asked anything of her Luna would delegate it to a servant. The only work she ever preformed was planning out the stars for the coming night. Even when she did that Luna would lock herself away in her room. Celestia wondered what she could have possibly be planning that would require the use of the library. Curious she dismissed Silvers and went to see for herself.

Celestia was caught off guard when she opened the door to the study. To her surprise nothing was hurled at her and she flinched without cause. One of the servants cocked an eye at the strange royal before bowing and shuffling off with a set of contracts in his saddle bags. Looking on she saw Luna setting at one of the tables with several books and papers about her. A strongly built stallion with a hammer cutie mark stood on the other side. He held his hard hat against his chest as he spoke to the princess.

"We can start construction as soon as the supplies are shipped to Canterlot my princess.”

“Very good. I had them sent earlier this morning. Would it be fair to say you could have your team start tomorrow morning?”

The stallion returned his hat to his head and smiled at her.

“We’ll have it started this afternoon.”

“Then see Sterling Column on your way out and return these documents to him. We thank you for your time.”

A set of papers slide across the table and the earth pony picked them up and carried them off. On his way out he bowed his head to Princess Celestia before galloping out of the room. Celestia herself was dumbfounded. Shaking off her amazement she found her composure and spoke to her sister.

“Luna, what are you doing?”

“Oh, hello sister.” Luna said in a friendly tone. “We have just finished the paper work to have an observatory built in Canterlot.”

“An observatory?” Celestia said confused. “We thought you wanted no part in Canterlot?”

“We never said such things. We merely said we did not want to jump into a project right away. The castle is nearly finished and by the time we move in the observatory will also be done. We have commissioned several teams to ensure it is done within the next few months.”

Celestia was stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her sister once shunned the idea of a new capital and now Luna was setting her own plans in motion for it. She simply had to clarify this.

“So you would like to move to the new castle? I recall you wanted separation from me. Is this not true?”

“It can be a summer castle.” Luna said turning her attention to several documents. “We have it all sorted out. The servants are already moving our things. Which reminds me, do you not have a spring celebration you were going to make an appearance at?”

Celestia took a moment to grasped the situation and raise he jaw back into place. She then smiled at her younger sister.

“Yes, yes we do. We will return this evening.”

“Good day to you then.” Luna said signing a piece of paper. “Enjoy your trip.”

“We will. We are so glad to see your feeling batter Luna. We hope your observatory turns out beautifully.”

“So do I.” Luna returned. “Now you better get going, before your late.”

“Alright then goodbye.”

Celestia walked out the door, but before leaving she turned back to look at her sister tediously working. Smiling she pranced out leaving her sister alone. Finally Luna had matured, a day she thought would never come. Celestia left feeling a great weight lifted from her shoulders. Back in the study Luna waited until she was alone before putting down the papers and taking up a another. Celestia had not seen the pile of scrolls Luna had left hidden behind one of the book case and Luna was not going to pay them any more mind. In the last few moments she had left all the letters to her gather dust, but she was now a bit regretful. Luna left the letters she did not care for; reports from the weather team asking to bring in storms during the night, letters from scientists who had theorize the lunar cycle might have had an effect on lake tides, complaints of a small meteorites burning through some pony’s roof. Luna would throw them in the fire where they belong later on. Her attention was only focused on a series of letter’s from a certain unicorn that she had unknowingly ignored for far too long. Luna smile reading her favorite letter one more time.

Dear Princess Luna,

My name is Estella and I have just started a job at the Canterlot archives, but I do not care to work there. My special talent is not sorting books or keeping records like all the other ponies. My talent is mapping your beautiful stars, creating charts and diagrams to preserve their wonder. When I moved to Canterlot I was told there would be an observatory built however according to record plans were never made. I understand you are busy; the night is difficult to bring and requires care and vision only you have, but if I could receive the funds from you I would be happy to take over the project myself. The observatory would be constructed as a monument to your greatness and be open to the public so all the little fillies and colts could learn about the wonders of the night. I remember when I was little I loved sitting out beneath your stars. I want all the ponies to be able to experience this joy, but I fear if this observatory is never built ponies will just ignore the night. I don’t know if you care what we think, but I believe every pony should take an interest in the night.

Sincerely,

Estella Dusk

P.S: Thank you for all the beautiful nights.

Even though Luna had read it seven time she still had to brush away a tear as she read the last line. No pony had ever said such a thing to her before. Luna folded up the letter and slide it between the pages of a book on telescope positioning. Though the alicorn’s affinity was night she was surprisingly ignorant on the subject. She returned it to the shelf before summoning her servants with the ring of a bell. They cleared away what was left on the table for her.
“Silvers,” She said summoning the attention of the lead butler.

“Yes my lady.” He said coming to attention.

“Have a chariot prepared. We wish to travel to Canterlot at once.” Luna commanded.

“Yes my lady. Should I send word so they can prepare for you?”

“No we are only going to visit a friend. We require no procession.”

“Of course my lady.” Silvers replied bowing his head.

Luna had never said those words in her life. For as long as she could remember she wanted to receive just as much attention as Celestia. Just because she was older people gave her all the attention. Luna hated living in Celestia’s shadow and now that she knew she had at least one person that was loyal to her Luna wanted to give a proper reward. Not long after Silvers had left he returned and told her that her chariot was ready. Luna left immediately, she would not keep Estella waiting for the good news any longer.