Morbid Curiosity

Celestia sat bolt upright in her bed, a cold sweat having overcome her. Her breathing was sporadic, and she tried to keep it under control, but found herself coughing every few moments as air forced its way into her lungs.

“Another nightmare?” Came the sound of a concerned voice from somewhere.

Celestia looked around her room, only to see it as it was – the decorative rug unmoved, the embers from the marble fireplace still spitting out their last. Even her bed, besides the covers she had kicked off in her sleep, were in relatively good shape. Celestia glanced over to the balcony and her breath slowed a little. Stood out on the balcony, the doors now opened, was Luna resting on the railing and overlooking the castle grounds below.

“Yes …” Celestia spluttered after a while, too busy trying to control the reaction her body was having to her mind to say anything meaningful.

Luna entered Celestia’s room, soft hoof steps on the floor the only sound that could be heard resonating through the spacious chamber. “About Twilight?” Luna asked, sitting down on her sister’s bed. She paused for a moment, taking in Celestia’s condition with concerned eyes. “Or me?” She offered after a silence, her ears lying down on the side of her head a little with shame. “Because you know … I never meant to –”

“It wasn’t about you, Luna.” Celestia interrupted, closing her eyes and lowering her head a little. “I know it wasn’t really you all those years ago and it hasn’t been you these last few.” Celestia explained, knowing that even if she remembered telling Luna of the events that had happened in her absence, most notably those involving Twilight, the dreamwalker would have found out one way or another; regardless of if she was doing it purposefully or not.

Celestia got out of her bed and made her way rather slowly to the balcony, taking in large breaths as she went. Luna followed behind her sister, not quite alongside her. Leaning against the railing, Celestia slowly inhaled the fresh, clean air; she held her breath for a moment, then exhaled it equally as slowly. “I’m just …” Celestia was a little lost for words. “My mind is occupied with all kinds of different scenarios with Twilight. I … I feel I’ve made a mistake.”

Luna stood alongside her sister and laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Why? Twilight’s rate has actually slowed since you’ve put her there, correct?” Luna asked, her regal tone more underlined with understanding and the care only a sibling could show.

“Yes. I’ve provided her all different sorts of criminals to experiment with. She received one of her first unicorns a few months ago, for example.” Celestia answered softly, her hoof absent-mindedly tracing no particular pattern on the railing. “But I keep thinking that putting her to interact with all those ponies could lead to something drastic happening. Something I’ve been planning and re-planning contingencies for.”

“Twilight is fine. She’s curious is all, the same as many scientists have been throughout history.” Luna took her hoof of her sister’s shoulder and leant on the railing to bring herself alongside the princess of the sun. “She’s the Element of Magic for …” Luna paused, remembering that the language had changed over the last millennia. “Your sake, I think they say now.” Luna chuckled.

Celestia smiled a little in response, though the reminder that many thought of her as an infallible god only added to the crushing burden she could feel bearing down on her shoulders. “She freed me, after all.” Luna paused, glancing over the horizon while she collected her thoughts. “If she was going to murder somepony, I think she’d have done so before becoming the chosen one.” Luna half joked, a slight smirk appearing on her face. Celestia felt she couldn’t smile at that. While Twilight wasn’t a hero of prophecy as old pony-tales would have one believe, she certainly was something special.

“It doesn’t change my concern!” Celestia spat out, a more forceful voice becoming of her. “I’ve left her in a town full of ponies that I want her to connect with. She has, I’ll grant you. She’s made friends, she’s interacting with people. I even think she’s learned a little empathy. But I still don’t think that will prevent her from becoming overzealous and taking one alive.” Celestia explained, her voice gradually falling from forceful to soft, almost pitiful. “Or, worse still, she’d show one of her friends. I don’t think she grasps that what she’s doing is wrong. That’s why I’m still worried about her turning her ‘experiments’ into victims.”

Luna swallowed audibly and thought for a moment. “Then get her to visit you. Check on her state for yourself.” Luna advised, her tone full of careful consideration.

Celestia remained silent for a while in response. “I can’t do it at the upcoming Gala; Twilight might show her colours, and then what?” Celestia asked rhetorically, turning now to face her younger sister. “I’ll invite her over soon then.” Celestia concluded, giving Luna a quick embrace. “Thank you.” She whispered, and turned to face out over the castle grounds once more.

“Not a problem, Celestia. Consider me … a guide …” Luna responded, the last words echoing around both Celestia’s chamber and in her head, an almost ghostly feel to the words. With that, Celestia whipped her head round to see a dark-blue mist where Luna had been standing and the large doors to her chambers open slightly.

“Tia?” Luna asked from behind the doors, sticking only her head and one hoof in. “Tia, are you up?”
Celestia’s eyes widened once more. If Luna was now entering her room, who was …
“Yes, I’m up.” Celestia called to her, trying to keep her voice as neutral as she could; but still feeling it shake under the circumstances.

“Who were you talking to?” Luna asked, trotting over to Celestia with a little more haste than was necessary.

Celestia stared straight ahead at the sky, her pupils having dilated. She gulped and began to pant a little, her throat becoming dry. “I wasn’t talking … just muttering to myself …” Celestia stammered out, feeling her neck being physically unable to turn and face the princess of the night as her muscles began to lock themselves down one by one to the control of her mind. “Thinking.”

Luna stepped to take the place of where her apparition had stood. “Another nightmare?”

Celestia shook her head. It had occurred to her that if this was the real Luna, then she needn’t be bothered by Celestia’s problems as the false one was. She had a decent piece of advice now, after all. “I’m just wondering a few things. I’ve got a plan now; had some from … a guide …” Celestia told her sister; false confidence brimming from her voice to try and hide the nervousness, bordering fear, that was causing her limbs to shake ever so slightly when she tried to move them.

Luna considered this. It wasn’t unusual for Celestia to talk to herself – she’d done it since she was a foal – but it was still a little bit odd for her to do it so loudly and so openly. “Alright then. Well, I’m here if you need me.” Luna reminded her sister, turning to leave. “Even if it is just to vent.” She added as she exited Celestia’s chambers and closed the door behind her. I’ll keep an eye on her. Luna thought. I think the last thousand years are starting to show.

Celestia exhaled deeply, not quite realising the force she had unknowingly clasped her teeth together. Her jaw ached from the strain, and her lungs filled themselves with air without any effort or permission from Celestia herself. She spread her wings and leapt from the balcony, flapping her appendages to take flight. All she needed was some fresh air, and flight would help her do that.

“Not quite a usual midnight flight Celestia.” A soft voice sounded from just above and to the right of Celestia. A mist was forming alongside Celestia … and Luna began to take shape.