Goodnight, My Sister

by Sterling Sketch

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Celestia, Sad, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Nightmare Moon
Length: 5581

Nightmare Moon has been defeated, and Luna has returned to her home. Is all truly well between the sisters, or is there a hidden animosity that twists their bond?

Nightmare Moon has been defeated, and Luna has finally returned to her only family.
The sisters return to their Canterlot home together and prepare to rule side by side once more, but....
Celestia has changed somehow. She is no longer the sororal heroine she once was to her younger sibling.
Is Equestria's nightmare truly over with the reuniting of the Princesses of Night and Day, or is there something dark stirring in the purest heart in all Equestria?

Many unending thanks to Lightning Flair for giving me this idea and beta reading a portion! Thanks also to my Goldenheart for being my final beta-reader and proofreader!

(*NOTE*: Cover art coming soon!)

Published 2013-12-20 04:20:06 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-20 04:20:06 UTC

The Folly of the Queen

The day and night should be shared. Please remember your own advice to us, sister.

How dare she.

Celestia cast a thunderous hoof upon the marble encasing the edge of her sovereign seat, creating a deep crack in its smooth surface. Each royal guard in the hall flinched from the collision of immortal and impregnable. She grimaced upon the ruptured face of the precious stone, cursing it for not holding under her indignant pressure.

How dare the lesser, once-tempted princess reprimand her. She had always been the fair one that only took interest in her subjects’ needs. She had been the one who had maintained this land of harmony. Never had darkness tempted her mind. Never had she fallen from her rightfully given grace.

“Your Highness, may we ask what troubles you?”

Celestia’s eyes focused back to reality. Each burning ember quenched itself within her irises as she blinked to consciousness.

“It’s nothing that won’t be resolved, I assure you,” Celestia sweetly said, allowing a comforting smile to broaden across her face. “I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, your Highness. Forgive me for my worrying.” The stallion turned his head back around to his post and sighed with relief.

Celestia cast her face downward, locking her eyes on the epicenter of her rage. The crevice that stained the marble surface cried out to her with innocence and pain, accusing her of misplaced anger. What was I doing? I shouldn’t be thinking so harshly toward her. She’s home and free of her dark other, that one that plagued her for the duration of her banishment. I owe her comfort at the very least. My punishment was something far more cruel than I had intended….

The sun princess looked up from her fallen composure, taking view of the broad windows that garnished her court. The sun was still high in the sky, but she felt that making it to tonight was doable. If her thoughts would stay themselves, this evening would relax the tension betwixt the long-estranged siblings.

Tonight would be perfect.

Luna skipped down the lavishly ornamented hallways of her sister’s Canterlot Castle. It was in great condition compared to how she had left her former home in the Everfree Forest. Luna stopped and shook off the dark creeping up her neck, attempting to keep memories of her betrayal at bay. Such shame had she never felt until after she assaulted Celestia, her loving sibling. Somehow, she had forgiven Luna, and she was ever grateful. It had been far too long since she had been back with her sister, and tonight was going to be a night to make up for one thousand years in solitude.

Luna started again down the hall, headed for her sister’s dormitory. Later, they would play games, dance, and do all sorts of things--but among all, Luna would tonight take up her role again, raising the moon in graceful synchronization with her sister lowering the sun. The night would begin in celebration of Luna’s rise to goodness once more.

The small alicorn giggled as she felt her mane’s locks dance with her upon her shoulders. Even though she had lived for what felt like an eternity, she found joy in her faux-youthful innocence. Her young body matched her mindset, and she had no objection to the matter. Luna found joy in being a foal again.

Luna approached her sister’s resting quarters and greeted the two guards posted there with a gentle grin. “My good sirs, we- er, I humbly ask that you allow my passage into my sister’s quarters,” she proclaimed formally whilst presenting an envelope she had held beneath her wing. “I have a mite of business to attend to.”

“Of course, Princess,” the leftmost guard responded. He stepped aside, pushing one door open to permit her entrance. “With all due respect, Princess, you don’t have to be so formal with us all the time. You can treat us however you wish.” The guard and his partner nodded in humble agreement.

“How ever should I show you all the respect you deserve then? I can’t make enough cupcakes to go around,” Luna said innocently, tilting her head as she entered. “I’ll surely think of something. Thank you, kind sirs!” She spoke over her shoulder as the door closed.

Both royal guards looked to one another, checking to see if the same smile was worn on each other’s face. They couldn’t help but surrender to how adorable Princess Luna had become since her shell of Nightmare Moon had been worn away by the powers of harmony. The door behind them opened again, and the two cleared their fawning looks from their faces.

“Thank you both, again, for letting me do this.” She smiled another time, blushing slightly and thinking of her deed. “If you could, please keep my actions here a secret. It’s a surprise!” Luna skipped off back down the corridors of Canterlot Castle to her own quarters to prepare for her duties tonight. Behind her, two guards were red in the face from withstanding pure adorableness.

Celestia began to grow anxious on her throne. She reseated herself several times already, each time finding another place of pressure that led to uncharacteristic annoyance. Every option for static comfort had been explored, and it simply wouldn’t do. After much toiling with the matter, she rose and regarded her guardians.

“I’m going off to take a stroll about the castle. I won’t be long--I merely need to stretch my haunches.” She nodded low and humbly to each stallion that stood by her throne as she passed between them. As she approached the broad threshold of her court, each door opened wide into a broad foyer donning several tapestries and chandeliers.

She needed not the finite space of her home; she desired the open air. She wanted nothing more than to spread her wings and soar in the day she wrought. With haste, Celestia descended to the castle’s portcullis and commanded that it be opened.

A brisk breeze blew over her from beneath the rising gate and cast itself through her mane. It moved about her, bringing her a tactile premonition of comfort.

She stepped through the entryway of her glorious home out onto the brick walkway. The glowing white princess erected her wings sharply and beat them down again, instigating a rapid rise into the air. She came to a peak after a moment’s worth of rising, now equal with Canterlot’s tallest tower.

She marvelled at her beautiful city and all its inhabitants. Each one revered her as a monument to harmony when she had only been their princess.

You do wonder about that, do you not?

Celestia, shocked, looked about the sky as she floated before her castle. A voice came from everywhere, yet nowhere to be found.

I do. You could’ve been so much more than a ruler if you would’ve kept the Elements.

The ascended princess, now with fear in her eyes, directed the open air, commanding this voice of seemingly nopony. “Reveal yourself!” Her sudden abrasiveness was caused by her offense to the feminine voice’s implications.

I do not think you should be so brash to one who knows you so well.

“Just who are you then?” Celestia lessened her tone, attempting to appease the voice.

I’ll tell you everything in good time. For now, seat yourself. A glow wrapped around her, taking her hostage. It was her own horn that emitted the magic glow that had her trapped. Struggling to regain control of her mystic grasp, she was placed on a balcony of her castle and released to fall awkwardly to her hooves.

“Why won’t you show yourself? If you dare to tempt a queen--” Celestia halted her voice, frightened by her use of that word.

The voice let out a whooping laugh in response to the princess’s misspoken threat. You take offense to that title, you know. Do be careful using it.

“Enough!” Celestia spoke in the royal voice of old, thundering across the sky.

Mercy, my Liege! the voice mocked her with false surrender. I’ll grant you a glimpse at my identity if it will appease your rage! I’ll admit, I grow fond of my changing shape nowadays anyway, so I shall not object to a small amount of self-revelation, if that is what you wish.

The voice morphed into the previous sinister howl. Something familiar lie buried in the hounding of her voice. It reminded her of somepony she had known once….

At that moment, her horn glowed again, this time projecting a misty illusion of a large pony. Her horn ached from having been forced to use her magic; her face contorted to a pained expression as she struggled to open one eye to the tormentor. It appeared fully now with its back to Celestia.

This being, now revealing itself to be an alicorn of great size, appeared to be bright white and shining under intense light that leapt from her back. It raised its previously lowered head, shaking free a long mane full of various brazen colors. The projection turned to face her and now opened its eyes--they were the same deep teal as that of her sister’s former demon.

“Nightmare!”

The translucent image threw its head back and cackled with delight. The very same. The figure's mouth moved in sync with the voice, but it still resided everywhere around her. This figure wasn't a tangible manifestation. Even Celestia knew that feat was beyond her own ability.

Tell me, how well am I wearing your coat? Personally, I think that of your lesser sister suited me better.

"Don't... dare speaking of... h-her like something s-so trivial as appearances…!" Celestia’s eyelid tightened around her sight, cutting off the light that attributed to her head throbbing.

My, Celestia... Is my conjuration too much for you? She stroked a nonexistent hoof down her leg as if to take in her dark beauty. How feeble you really are. Nightmare's figure vanished with a faint shine lingering in the air. What a pity. I was excited to experience the awe of a true queen’s power.

“I’m no… I’m no queen!” Celestia barked, trying to regain her breath. Her legs buckled beneath her and she fell onto her right side. “My sister and I... will rule together... like before!”

That shouldn’t be so. You sustained all of Equestria for… how long? One thousand years? All that time, your sister and I kept close conversation about how even then, your were serving her. Nightmare’s voice broke into a deep, mocking laugh. You pushed the sun and the moon around all of Equestria, you know. You carried her about her home planet like a child on a merry-go-round. She enjoyed the view of your laboring day and night more than seeing all angles of the land.

The sun princess now gasped for air, unable to respond to the demon’s daunting statements. Such incomparable strain had been placed over Celestia’s body since the projection had been cast. Had Nightmare truly attempted making herself into a physical manifestation with her power? Nightmare’s speaking ceased for a moment, allowing an uneasy silence to drift in. After a moment more, she swept the fog of quiet away with her menacing tongue.

I’m growing tired of my bantering. You really should try to make a conversation out of our encounters in the future. I’ll speak with you again some other time, Queen. With that, Celestia’s pain released its grasp on her body, and the voice vanished without a trace. The white mare regained her stance and darted her vision about, hoping for some semblance of where she could’ve vanished to. No sign remained in the slightest; Nightmare had fled.

Her breath ran short. Her muscles ached. Her body pulsed with recovery, trying to diagnose itself of what she had been afflicted with. Celestia, finding no other option, sat back down on the lanai, pondering what to do while enduring the final hours of this long-burning day.

She… she tried to take me. She really tried to take my body from me, the sun princess told herself. Her body was my own, warped to meet her disturbing preferences. Though, I must say… That image was worthy of praise. Celestia struck herself immediately for her insolence. Nightmare was weaving through her mind as she waited for the night, and the white mare knew what she must do to halt the damages done.

She must desert her sister before Nightmare could harm her.

Luna sat poised on her bed, focusing on the image of her room behind her eyelids. She ignited a glow in her horn, allowing it to extend to various objects in the picture she recalled. A vase, two candlesticks on her armoire, a chair adjacent to her bed, and countless other things were raised with specificity and patience; this was an exercise of accuracy and magical strength to prepare for raising the moon this evening. She opened her eyes and saw that she had hit the mark on every target. With much satisfaction, the young princess attempted a more complex routine.

Luna began to weave each item through the air, taking care not to cause any collisions or mishaps. A grandiose display of intricate juggling was conjured of her room now, causing a prideful grin to stretch across her mouth. She would find herself having dominion over the night again, and she would ease Celestia of a night spent laboring for the passage of time.

Luna, after a moment in her own awe, put everything back in its place. She was confident in her mystic abilities now, so she decided to take a break and feel the night air rolling in early. Her sister would be lowering the sun soon, and Luna wanted nothing more than to watch her powerful sibling at work.

The midnight blue foal trotted outside her room into the retiring day, noticing immediately that a white alicorn was seated at the top of the castle’s watchtower overhead. The sun was falling behind her as the two sisters caught each other’s glance.

“Tia!” Luna bounced on her tower, smiling as Celestia perched. “I’m ready to fulfill my duty!”

Celestia gave no words, but smiled as she raised her horn to the sky. Luna stopped and watched as she witnessed the first time her elder sister would lower the sun since Luna’s return home. The royal alicorn stood and pulsed magic through her horn, taking the reigns of Equestria’s fiery satellite. She placed it behind the earthen curvature of their planet and looked down to Luna.

“Luna,” Celestia spoke to her, almost shouting from the distance between them. “I trust you will bring the night to us.” She lowered her head again, this time in a pose of some despair and sadness.

“Tia? Is everything okay?” The wait for her response seemed equal to her banishment time all over again.

“Forgive me, sister.” Celestia flashed her horn once more, and when the light had faded, the eldest princess was gone.

“Tia?” Luna shouted, worried of her sister’s fate. “Celestia!” Luna teleported to where the princess of the day once was, but she had left no clue for her. She had been abandoned again. The young princess fell to a sitting position and wept there, silent in the black of her night, forgetting her task of raising the moon. She desired only for the sun to return.

Celestia materialized at the base of the fallen structure. As she came into full tangibility, she raised her head to meet the crumbing surfaces of each wall. The entrance to this establishment had long since been worn away by weather and rot, so gaining passage would be no issue. If anything hindered her arrival, it would be the cursed soul that took refuge in the rubble. This eroding place was none other than the former dominion of the Royal Pony Sisters.

With a deep breath and a wipe of a tear, Celestia stepped forward into the shadows, noticing immediately that all light had evaporated with the sleeping of the sun. Luna had not yet hoisted the moon to its proper position among the stars and planets. The princess of the sun would have to push her worry for her sister aside and focus on the eradication of Nightmare Moon’s dark heart.

Celestia sparked her horn to life, emanating a light that mirrored the sun’s rays. The foyer of the long-forgotten citadel came to life with faded shades of blue bricks and stylized tapestries reflecting her old self as well as her sister. It had been far too long since she took a detailed visit to this place. In fact, it seemed that all her reasons for coming recently were to smite Nightmare and to punish her accordingly. Sadly, this instance was no different; however, she never planned to make the trip for the same reason ever again.

By now, after meddling in her thoughts, Celestia had reached the top of the foyer’s stairway. Her glow extended to every part of the stronghold, searching diligently for the offender. She was nowhere to be seen for now. She still had a large part of the grounds to cover.

Having a spot of trouble finding me, are you?

“I knew you would be waiting here.” Celestia’s voice was calm and intent on destruction; it wavered not out of fear or uneasiness.

I must admit, I have grown rather fond of this place. Her voice shined with a dark glow of joyful reminiscence. I remember striking you down just outside of our throne room.

Celestia was taken aback by her remark. “It was never your throne. You and Luna are two different souls altogether. You even said so yourself back in Canterlot.”

Nightmare snorted, indicating her annoyance of the sun princess. Just because I said I conversed with her doesn’t mean we had two mouths. In fact…. Her sinister voice trailed off as silence crept into the void.

Celestia’s eyes snapped shut, and her knees buckled once more. That unbearable pain had returned to her, and the light had faded through her strain. After her body dropped heavily on the stone floor, she let out a cry of frustration and malady that repeated in distant gasps throughout the vaulted ceilings of this place.

“We share a tongue as well!” The voice was Celestia’s, but the words were Nightmare’s. Agony wracked her head and horn in pulsing waves, as if ice and fire leapt through her blood. Several torturous moments passed as the dark one attempted to take her, and soon the pain subsided.

Submit, you fool! Nightmare’s voice bellowed with evil want in this place, rivaled only by the labored breathing of the beaten princess. Even your immortal body will crumble under its own power if you do- not- surrender!

With each word Nightmare placed emphasis on, Celestia again fell deeper into pure torment, as if she was placing a heavy hoof on the side of the princess’s head and stepping with all her power. The anguish began to grow too heavy for her, and the mighty alicorn’s eyes darkened.

That’s good, succumb to my might! Fall! Fall! Fall! Her chant was brimming with hateful avarice and triumph.

“Luna… I’m… sor--” Celestia’s eyes fell closed as she lay lifeless on the ground.

"Tia, are you okay?"

"Luna? Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"It must have been hard on you to do our job as well as your own for so long."

"I'll be alright for another night. Don't worry about me."

"We can do it now, we promise!"

"Luna, allow me to raise them both for one more day just to be sure. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I wouldn't feel right allowing you to push your limits continually!"

"I've made up my mind, Luna. You can wait another day."

"The day and night should be shared.... Please remember your own advice to us, sister!"

The Princess of the Night channeled her every ounce of power to her horn, focusing in on the lunar satellite in her mind. She had done this ages ago, and she could do it again. She would have to try for her own sake. She would have to try for Tia.

A bluish white glow began to thrust itself in beams over the darkened horizon of Equestria. The moon, her namesake, was coming into view--in this case, it was the first time she had seen it from home in quite some time. Tonight, it shone its entire face, illuminating the dusk-washed land where ponies lived in harmony. It would show its other half in moments when the spell ran its course.

Steady, Luna. Wherever Tia is, she’s watching. She isn’t ashamed of you anymore. You can be proud of your power. She furrowed her brow with strain and focus, putting her every glimmer of potential into her horn. Within several moments of pure silence, the job was finished. The moon’s brilliant white surface smiled upon all Equestria and proclaimed her deed across the country.

Luna sighed and fell back onto her haunches. Wiping her brow, she let out a cry of relief from having her job be done for the night. Her working at restoring her power had paid off, yielding a beautiful night in return. If only Tia could have been here to congratulate her.

Luna looked to her moon and smiled. That smile would’ve lasted if a silhouette hadn’t manifested itself in the glow. The figure was that of a slender alicorn rising into the light on broad wings.

The princess gathered herself in anticipation, eagerly waiting for her sister to arrive.

“Tia! I did it! Look!” Luna hopped up and down with utter joviality, furthering her ascent with her wings as she rose. The figure did not respond as it neared her. Instead, a silver shine encased her in midair, freezing her with her wings spread abroad.

“Sister? What are you doing?” Luna spoke with a joking chuckle in her voice.

“Nothing, my Luna.” Celestia set her hooves down on the tower, moving Luna in the air to keep her in sight.

“Can you let me go then?”

“I’m afraid I can’t, sister.” An evil smirk painted itself across the sun princess’s face as she toyed with her speech.

“What’s going on, Tia? Have I done my duty wrong?” Luna was confused and mildly afraid.

“No, you performed quite well.”

“What is it that I have done?”

“You failed me.” Celestia opened her eyes, revealing two teal jewels of vengeance.

“Nightma--!” Luna’s jaw tightened under the pressure of a greater alicorn’s magic.

“We desired eternal night, did we not?” Celestia’s colors faded slowly, descending in a surge of vile conjuration that replaced hues of light with brazen colors of material want. “We desired leadership, and reverence, and adoration of our works! You provided me with an insufficient body for the taking of a simple kingdom; nay, for the achievement of our aspirations!” She paused as her body fleshed out in its entirety.

Her hooves emanated with white flames that consumed none but burned purely. Her body was more toned than her sister’s, almost to the point of choleric emaciation, but she held power unspeakable just beneath the surface of her fur. Celestia’s cutie mark had warped from a warm and welcoming sun to an obscene red-embered spiraling flame. Her mane glistered with a lusting golden sheen, capable of inspiring greed in even the purest of hearts. She had destroyed the beauty of her loving sister and replaced it with the image of covetousness.

“You’ve kept everything from me. For these charges, I have no choice but to end your life.” Nightmare aimed her horn at Luna’s throat.

Luna pulled her jaw free with her own magic and cried out to her tormentor. “Please, wait!

“I know you hate me, so if you must put someone under the blame, I’ll be the one!” Her eyes began to well up in a teary fit. “Just don’t hurt my sister!”

Nightmare withdrew her horn and eyed the foal. “Just so you could fail me again? I think not.” Nightmare pulled her head down again, taking aim with her horn. With a final resounding grunt of rage, Nightmare thrust Celestia’s horn at Luna.

The point of the large tool stopped short of Luna’s throat and shook violently. Nightmare struggled to move, trembling whenever she attempted to further her pursuit.

“You’re resisting?” The white alicorn growled, still trying to take Luna’s life.

You won’t hurt her! I won’t let you, not as long as you refuse to end me! Resolve echoed in the true Sun Princess’s voice.

Luna, now realizing the struggle, spoke with clarity and solace. “Tia, if you can hear me, I need you to do something!”

Celestia took over her audible voice once more, allowing her to respond. “I’m here, sister!”

“Tia, I need you to….” She swallowed hard, forcing the words to surface with greater ease. “I need you to try and push Nightmare Moon back into me.”

“What?! How do you-” Celestia broke off under the struggle. Now the pair of warring souls had meandered away from the young princess, and she no longer feared pain.

“Please! Trust me! I’m begging you!” Luna now broke out in a full sob, her head lowered as the two fought in a static war.

“I could never do such a thing! You- you were terrorized by her for so long because of my doings!”

“Celestia.” Luna’s voice was stoic now, and her mind was made up. After a moment of struggling for control and rightness, Celestia trusted her sister and fought to transfer the demon into her weakened sister.

“You can’t get rid of me so easily!” Nightmare had again taken control of Celestia’s mouth. “I’m not... about to lose to... you, not again!” She was obviously strained by fighting for control and keeping Luna restricted all at once. Without much thought, she released the Princess of the Night and concentrated on keeping Celestia contained.

Luna fell to the ground with a deep thud, hurting herself on the white stones. The pain didn’t matter now--all that did matter was helping her sister win. She came to her hooves and fired a small magic beam at them, distracting Nightmare in the process. She continued to do so until Nightmare’s mortal fear came over her.

“You fool, cease your--ahh!” With her scream, Celestia had contained the demon, ready to banish the dark soul from her body.

“Luna!” The Sun Princess shook in strain of her actions.

“I’m coming!” Luna galloped to Celestia and they touched their horns together, creating a flash of light that blinded them both for a moment.

“Celestia, send me back to the moon!” Luna’s voice was warping to Nightmare’s twisted tone already.

Celestia, now back in her own power, was rendered speechless. “You know I cannot do that again... It was torment on you, and you still show signs of damage from your last containment!”

“We don’t have much time! Please, I’m begging you, before Nightmare returns!”

Time burned now like the fuse of a bomb. She had to make a decision quickly, or all Equestria would be in danger again. She had to do it… as much as it pained her, she had to send her sister away again.

“Luna, I’m sorry.” Celestia wept bitterly as she amassed her magical aura. She embraced her sister tight. “I love you, Luna. Hang onto that while you're up there, okay?”

“I will, and I love you too, Tia.” For a moment, they stood together, embraced in a sororal moment of pure care. A tremor wracked Luna’s small body signaling the time of her departure.

Celestia cast the spell at the newly-regained princess, and called out to her one last time. “Your moon was beautiful tonight!”

Nightmare’s voice took over at the last moment, crying out in protest and anger. A pure, cleansing light enfolded the young foal, and within moments she was gone.

Celestia fell to the ground again, her tears staining the ground where her savior once stood.

“Your moon was beautiful tonight….”

Celestia dragged herself back into her castle, being as silent as possible and feigning her happiness. She didn’t want anyone to worry until the situation was contained, so keeping Luna’s whereabouts secret were imperative. She only had to make it to her quarters, and she could weep out the rest of her anguish. Celestia knew, however, that her mourning would all be for naught; her only cure would be to have the embrace of her sister once again.

The princess approached the guards manning her door. She greeted them in a simple salutation that would need no further response. “Goodnight, gentlemen.” An echoed “goodnight” came from them in unison, sounding very formal. One of them spoke up as the door was closing.

“Princess, I must say that it’s good to have both sisters ruling together again.”

Celestia nodded with a fake smile, retiring to her dormitory and feeling stricken with grief. As soon as the door shut, she slid herself into bed, attempting to forget this all happened, if only for tonight.

Something was underneath her. Something that didn’t belong there. She fished for the hindrance, finding a slightly crumpled envelope with a star sticker over the flap. She withdrew its contents: a letter written in black ink.

Tia,

Thank you for taking me back in after my actions toward you. I hope I didn’t cause too much trouble and I hope you have no hard feelings for me.

I was overcome with jealousy. I know it’s no excuse, but I just wanted to be admired as you are. You’re the symbol of a pony’s life and I’m nothing but a shadow for thieves and crooks. I wanted to be more like you.

I’m making excuses again. I shouldn’t. I won’t anymore. If you have anything to hold against me, I want to make it up to you. I’ll be your underling for one thousand more years if I must. I want to be your little sister again. I want to rule beside you. I want us to stay friends.

I hope I was able to make you proud tonight. I’ve been practicing a lot, and I put my heart into making tonight the most beautiful one yet.

Thank you, Tia.

I love you, Tia.

Luna

Celestia looked out her window at the full white beauty of the moon and the stars. She tried to see Luna’s night she had wrought, but the tears in her eyes made it impossible. She cupped her hooves over her eyes and sobbed, trying to reach out to Luna somehow. A chant uttered across her tongue, chanting the name of her lost sister.

“Luna… Luna… Luna… Luna….”

“Tia!”

Celestia’s eyes opened. The ceiling above her bed was all she saw behind the watery surface of her eye. Have I fallen asleep already? the sun princess questioned herself.

“Tia,” a voice spoke. It was that of her saint of a sister.

“Luna!” Celestia sat up and embraced her small sibling, squeezing her tight and never wanting to let her go. She didn’t care to question how she had returned. “I had feared I wouldn’t see you again!”

“I know,” Luna said apologetically. “I couldn’t wake you before things got out of hand.”

Celestia, still sobbing on Luna’s shoulder, was confused. “‘Wake me’?”

“I watched your dream happen,” Luna confessed. “By the time I realized what was happening, I couldn’t control it….” Luna began to weep with her sister. “Please forgive me.”

The two, locked in an embrace, held each other there for a while until their hearts had settled. Luna backed away, regaining her composure and correcting her distraught face. “You need to get some rest, sister. I have to finish the night, and you have to raise the sun in a few hours.”

Celestia, still not quite recovered from the trauma, nodded and smiled, thinking of how much care Luna had for her. “Thank you for waking me from my nightmare, Luna.”

Luna looked to her in the doorway and smiled sweetly. “Goodnight, my sister.” Luna shut off the light and exited, hoping and praying for her sister’s peace through the rest of her night.

Author's Note

Pony-ception.
Well, this, my friends, was a joy to write. I found that I'm better suited writing dramatic tales than happy tales, so huzzah!
I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I did. ^^
I had quite a new experience trying to write from Celestia's mouth and Woona's young tongue. Grasping Nightmare Moon's (or, in this case, I'd say Terror Sol's) eloquent manner of speak and the pride in the way she carried herself was easy and so gratifying. I have come to love the soul that is Nightmare Moon so much. ^///^
I found myself referring to her as Madame Avarice throughout the three-day binge of writing I embarked on for this story.
I think this is my best work yet, and I'd love to hear what you all think. PLEASE comment on how I did, where I can improve, what I can order at IHOP... anything, really, that will improve my writing. ^u^
In case of feels, find some moe goodness on Google to recover (I recommend Fluttershy for feels recovery).
Thanks for reading, and please share the feels to someone you haven't seen cry in a while! ^w^