Painting The Sky

by Paton Pendeng

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 1327

In the day, it is Celestia's job to protect the denizens of Equestria. When night falls, the responsibility is given to Luna. What does it take to upset this balance? One small alicorn filly with an unknown origin, strange powers, and a timid na

On the night of the Summer Sun Celebration, Luna was freed from the tormenting Nightmare. Apologies were exchanged when the sisters returned to Canterlot Castle. Since then, a promise was made between the sisters: To listen and respect each other as equals.

As Luna is out on her night time watch, she spots a wierd prismatic display of lights from within the Everfree. After going to confront the strange light, she sees a long, color-changing shapeless light that reminds her of her sister's own mane and tail. What's more curious is the alicorn child who is attached to it.
Only after bringing the child back to Canterlot do strange, unexplainable events take place. Dangerous events. Celestia has safeguarded against danger for her little ponies and will not stand to have them be put in such danger…
But what about Luna?

Will she defy her sister?
Will history repeat itself?
Will the balance of the kingdom falter?

Events are set in motion as one filly's destiny is tossed about in the fray.

"Luna? Can I paint the sky like you do someday?"

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-29 14:36:16 UTC

Prologue: Once upon a time...

Once upon a time...

Between the time of when the oceans drank the great floating city and the rise of the Golden Age, two sisters ushered in a new era of tranquil peace. They had defeated foe after foe, beaten impossible odds, faced great loss, and brought together a nation. The nation was endebted to them and crowned them as their new monarchs. The sisters did not want themselves to have too much power over the ponies or themselves and decided to rule equally.

The white alicorn known as Celestia had decided to watch over the kingdom in the day, conducting the court during that time and given charge over the raising the sun in the morn, and setting it in the afternoon.

The blue alicorn called Luna had decided to protect the sleeping ponies in their dreams and in reality, conducting the court in the night and taking responsability over lowering the moon to make way for the dawn, and raising it at day's end.

This kingdom was only just beginning facing hardships that every new nantion must face, but eventually the strife gave way to order.

All was at peace...

Everypony, unicorn, pegasi, or earth pony, was in a relative state of happiness and contentment...

That is to say, 'relative'. . .

As time passed Princess Luna, as she was now called, began to fall into a low state of mind. She had grown to love her new life and work, as well as her subjects. The dark blue alicorn could do nothing about the questions that her mind faced. What has she made herself to be? Was this a life that she wanted? Did she deserve any of this? The thoughts had troubled Luna without end. She never admitted it as her pony citizens looked to her for guidance. To show any form of momentary weakness would be enough to inflict mild concern among the ponies, and thus did the only thing she could do. She placed a brave smile on her face and cantered on.

Her depression did not escape everypony, however. There was one who knew not the affliction that her sister had, but knew enough to know that she was upset. It was her sister, Celestia. The white alicorn did everything in her power to relieve the plight of her co-ruler. After many months had past with no answer in sight, somthing fell into the princess' hooves. It was an ancient tablet that that was found in the mysterious forests that surrounded the sisters castle. It had depicted a spell that was long thought to have disappeared with their mother. Returning to her sister, Celestia gave Luna the lone tablet as day fell away. At that moment, the herald of the night had recieved a gift that truly came from the heart of her sister.

Stars...

Brilliant, shinning, wondrous stars that would dot the endless night sky. Each one glowing rebelliously in the darkness  they were placed upon like a tiny candle on a stormy day. In the days of old, when the world was a smaller place and the princesses were only fillies, they would rest against the cool grass and listen to the tales that their mother would tell them. Her tales would vary from grand adventures to small little fables, but almost all of them were of the stars. They all had names, something they stood for, and some were even great ponies themselves.

For a brief moment, she forgot about the questions and became that small blue filly all those years ago once more. She was elated and saddened at the same time. Celestia begged Luna to share her troubles with her for they were all the two alicorns had in the end. Luna admitted that she had missed their mother, and could not explain why. Although this was only a partial truth, she did not want her sister to worry for her anymore than she has already. In truth, Celestia had not given the thought to herself. From what she knew, their mother had to leave. She knew not the reason why and did not ask. Taking her sister's words, she did her best to comfort Luna.

That same night, the ponies of Equestria prepared themselves for a night's rest after a long day. Luna stood overlooking the landscape. Her sister supported her from afar.

First, there was one.

Then another, and another.

Suddenly, the sky exploded into a beautiful cascade of individual white lights. Ponies looked up at her night in awe and wonderment. It was too long since the land has seen stars. It was a joyous day indeed.

All were happy and slept peacefully in the night.

Then, many, many years later, the princess of the night was plagued by these questions once more. Times had changed, and so had she. The questions plagued her more than ever, and age old depression set in once more.

This time though, there was not a single pony to see it.

Even her sister didn't see it. Celestia had befallen to the blinding allure of the center spotlight. All she could see was her enamored ponies gazing at her, cheering her on and making the limelight ever brighter.

A shadow was casted over Luna. A tight and stifling cold had gripped her heart. In the past, the had defeated a dark enemy, but not completely eradicated it. The dark foe had the last laugh as a great empire was swiped from existence. His evil umbra had unknowingly taken place within the hearts of the sisters.

Now, it had awakened within Luna.

Jealously clouded her mind.

At the end of night, she refused to lower the moon.

Long since the ponies had appreciated her night.

They frolicked in her sisters day, so why not her night?

It was just as beautiful as her sisters day, if not more.

She had the beauty of the moon, and defended against the nightmares they had in her night.

Why did they not show her the same appreciation?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Luna, it is time for the dawn." Celestia approached her sister on the balcony in the Everfree Castle. Luna's back was to her.

She made no response.

"It is time for the moon to fall and the sun to rise."

"... no." Luna mumbled coldly. Celestia stopped and, for the first time in a while, looked with concern at her sister.

"Luna," she said softly. "Is everything alright?"

"No." Luna rounded on her sister as her voice grew.

What have I made myself to be?

You are a puppet being controlled by your sister.

"Everything is not alright! They adore you Celestia!" Luna felt her magic swell. "You said that neither of us would have more power over the other!"

Is this life the one that I want?

No. This is one that your sister wants.

"Luna, what is it that you mean?" Celestia said, backing away from her sister in pure terror. Luna's temper snapped, and she reared on her sister. Hatred and vengeance replaced her love. Celestia fell to the ground. Her eyes were filled with tears.

Do I deserve any of this?

No. I deserve more...

"If they cannot show the same appreciation to me as they show you," the mare began.  She walked  to the edge and spread her wings. They turned a deep pure black. "THEN THEY SHALL LEARN TO FEAR IT!" Luna took flight-

No... No, not Luna. She was as dazzling as the moon itself and had defended the ponies against the nightmare realm. This mare, here and now was still as beautiful as the full moon and will soon be the fuel to every ponies' terror.

Beautiful moon...

Sadistic nightmares...

The princess of the night was gone.

The mistress of eternal darkness had come.

Celestia sat paralyzed on the ground and watched her fly from sight. After the figure disappeared from her vision, she wept silently calling out to her sister.