Eventideby AnonymooseChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter OneCelestia skipped merrily through the halls of Canterlot castle. The day had been one of those rare days that were completely uneventful, and she was looking forward to meeting her former student for a light supper. She had been overjoyed when Twilight’s letter had arrived, it was so rare these days that Equestria’s newest princess would write to Equestria’s olde… most seasoned princess. Ever since Twilight and her friends had started their own diary, Celestia had heard far less from her former pupil. But Twilight had finally written to Celestia, not as a pupil, not as a princess… but as a friend. Celestia had long desired a true friendship with the younger mare. She had long admired Twilight Sparkle, the four times saviour of Equestria (and one time assistant savior of the Crystal Empire), and had hoped that her ascension to alicornhood, as well as her new status as royalty, would endear the mare towards building a closer relationship with Celestia, and hopefully, her sister. She slowed to a walk as she approached her private dining room, though her heart was still a flutter. Pushing the door open with her magic, she slipped into the room to find her former student. Pacing. Muttering. Breathing rapidly. Celestia sighed. Okay, so this might not be a social visit. “Twilight Sparkle, how good to see you!” she said with cheer in her voice. While she was somewhat disappointed this was looking less like a social call, it was still good to see her former pupil. “P— Celestia! I didn’t hear you come in…” Twilight stammered. “N-Not that you can’t be here… or that I think you should not be quiet— “Maybe I will have to wear a bell instead of my peytral, then?” Celestia chuckled, but was met with silence. Twilight fidgeted nervously, shuffling from hoof to hoof. Celestia sighed, her humor wasn’t that stale, was it? “Perhaps we should sit, and we can speak of what ever is on your mind.” The solar alicorn sat down on the velvet cushion, but her former student remained standing. Twilight’s breath became more labored and panicked. “Twilight, please sit… what ever has you concerned, I am happy to help.” “I—” Twilight choked out the word. “I think I need to stand for this.” Celestia’s brow furrowed. While she did not expect it from Twilight, normally when she was given an instruc— polite suggestion, she would do as the Solar Alicorn instr— suggested. She wondered what would have the youngest princess in such a state. Celestia lit her horn to pour some tea. She was taken aback when Twilight let out a scream of “Please don’t banish me,” and her grip on the teapot slipped. The silver teapot landed with a clatter, the tea spilling out on to the clean table cloth. “Now, Twilight, please don’t be alarmed,” Celestia said with some exasperation to the cowering mare. “I am not going to banish you, I am just going to clean this up.” Waiting for the nervous mare to nod, she lit her horn up a second time, the tea evaporated from the cloth, though it did leave behind an unsightly stain. “Now, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said, adopting her ‘teacher’ voice. “Please sit down.” Twilight did as she was instruct— Suggested! “Now, Twilight. I thought we were past this,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “I am not going to banish you, or throw you in a dungeon, or throw you in a dungeon in the place I banish you to—” “But—” “No buts, Twilight. I will not banish you. Now, with that in mind…” Celestia’s face softened. “What is it that has you so distraught?” Celestia watched as Twilight stared at her hooves, wringing them around each other. “I— You see—” “Take a nice, calming breath, Twilight. Just like Cadance showed you.” Twilight did as instructed. She closed her eyes, pulled her hoof to her chest, and let it out as she breathed deeply. Opening her eyes, she saw Celestia was still there, and started panicking again. One breathing exercise, a fainting spell and an application of smelling salts later, Celestia presumed Twilight was ready to speak. Or explode. Twice. “Twilight… you know I consider you a good friend.” Celestia sighed. “I had hoped we had gotten over this part of our relationship, but it seems it is not so. So, shall we initiate the Sphere of Safety?” It was a silly little game Celestia had played with the younger Twilight, when she was still a filly in the princess’ tutor. The young Twilight, though inquisitive, had always been worried about asking things of her teacher that she suspected was the ‘wrong’ thing to ask. Celestia had told the filly that she knew a powerful spell, the Sphere of Safety, an agreement between Celestia and Twilight that the filly could ask any question without fear of repercussion. Even if they were awkward questions about that gentlecolt caller Twilight had seen entering Celestia’s chambers when she was young. The older Twilight had learned that the Sphere of Safety was nothing more than a simple light spell Celestia channeled as they spoke, but it had served its purpose. “I— I—” Twilight stammered. “I don’t know if that is enough.” This response had Celestia truly intrigued. What could be so heinous that even the SoS was not enough? “Y-You have to Pinkie Promise.” Celestia had read about the Pinkie Promise, a silly little rhyme Twilight and her friends would recite to prove their sincerity in keeping said promise. She thought back to the friendship letter in which Twilight had described the oath. “Cross my heart and hope to fly,” Celestia recited from memory as she went through the motions, “Stick a cupcake in my eye.” She ended the oath with the customary hoof in the eye, which she assumed was likely more comfortable without the golden shoe. The solar alicorn watched as some of the tension seemed to melt from Twilight. “Thank you…” Twilight whispered. Celestia waited for Twilight to speak. The younger mare seemed ready to speak a few times, before clamming back up. “Your Majesty,” Twilight finally spoke. Celestia was quite surprised to hear Twilight call her ‘Your Majesty’, considering in the current Equestrian triarchy, they were considered equals. “Your Majesty,” Twilight repeated, surprising Celestia a second time. “I have been greatly honored to call your sister, Princess Luna, a close friend. As you are aware, the Princess and I have become close in these past few months.” It was true. Celestia was a little jealous of Luna, she had managed to find more time to spend with Twilight. Luna had been making regular trips to visit her, where they shared their love of astronomy. And Twilight had been joining Luna on some of her patrols of the Everfree, though Celestia was not keen on her sister putting her former student in potential danger. “Princess Luna is, as you are well aware, very steeped in tradition, for which I have the utmost respect,” Twilight said. “And it is in respect to her, and to those traditions that I find myself here. While traditionally it would be proper to seek the blessing of a mare’s father, that is… uhhh…” Twilight stumbled, hanging her head in embarrassment. “That is, ummm, not exactly possible anymore, so I must defer to the most senior member of her house.” Celestia held her breath. Twilight couldn’t be… no! “Princess Celestia, I seek your permission… and blessing… to court your sister, Princess Luna.” Discord relapsed. Sombra returned. Chrysalis had come to the doorstep of Canterlot seeking Celestia’s forgiveness. As these implausible things had not actually happened… but the bottom of Celestia’s world fell out like they had. Her former student… and her sister. Her former student and her sister! She thanked the millennia of rule that had taught her to steel herself from showing any emotion. The turmoil and chaos that she had been plunged into barely manifested as a slight tic below her left eye. “Who is that?” the filly asked, looking up at the large painted portrait of a midnight blue mare. “That is a Princess, from a long time ago,” Celestia replied. It hurt, looking up at the picture. Remembering who her sister was, who she had become… what Celestia had had to do. “She’s beautiful!” the filly gushed. “When I grow up, I’m going to marry somepony just like her!” No, that meant nothing! It was just the idle talk of a filly enamored by a pretty picture. And it was an amazing portrait, Celestia still kept it in her private gallery. “Princess…” the unicorn asked, nerves apparent in her voice. “C-Can royalty be… uhh… special someponies with… ummm, commoners?” Celestia had staggered a bit, as Twilight had asked the question. Surely her student… no, her student was far too smart to fall for the likes of the alicorn’s nephew. “Y-Yes, Twilight,” Celestia answered with caution. “If a member of the Royal Family so chooses, they may marry one of non-noble blood.” After a thought, she added, “It is very rare though, most Royals look to consolidate their own power, and marriage is, sadly, a powerful way of doing so.” “Oh…” Twilight replied, her head sinking low as they walked. “But it is not outside the realms of possibility, no,” Celestia said, hoping to buoy her students feelings. “Love can do amazing things.” No! Of course Twilight had not been talking about herself, it was obvious from the way Rarity had acted at the Gala, that Celestia’s student was merely asking on behalf of her friend. “Oh, my beloved moon,” Twilight moaned as she sprawled out across her down mattress. The room was dimmed, dark drapes covering the windows. A gramophone played gentle music in the background. The newest alicorn’s breathing was ragged and laboured, her moans barely stifled as she bit down on a hoof. Celestia severely regretted not knocking on the door before entering Twilight’s personal boudoir. Okay, yeah, maybe Celestia should have seen that one coming. Chapter TwoOkay, Celestia, just calm down. Celestia controlled her breathing. This wasn’t such a terrible thing. A little unexpected, yes, but hardly terrible. And her sister had been a lot more cheerful lately, as opposed to her normal moping about the castle. And Twilight was visiting more often… and would likely spend more time at the castle, staying over more frequent— Celestia suppressed the cold shiver that ran up her spine as her thoughts roamed into territory best left untrod. Her sister, and her former student. She could get used to the idea, she supposed. Her over six-thousand year old little sister, and her twenty-one year old former student. Oh dear, that shiver was back. I shall have to start knocking on doors again, she thought to herself uncomfortably. Or maybe I should hang a cow bell from my peytral. Warning, big sister coming, please keep your hooves— Celestia was certain there was something drastically wrong with the heating in the room. “Very well, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia finally replied. Which was probably well and good, because the younger alicorn had gone from nervous shuffling, to nervous muttering and pacing, all the way to nervous glances towards the stain glassed windows and a potential demonstration of the dictionary definition of defenestration. “Eep!” the younger alicorn squealed, as lioness focused her attention back on the field mouse. Celestia sighed. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, as the elder sister of Princess Luna, in lieu of my departed father, I give my blessing and permission for you to court my little sister.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Celestia. Thank you so much. I was so—” “I am not finished,” Celestia barked. She stood to her full stature, reminding Twilight that she was much taller than the youngest alicorn. Celestia turned her back on Twilight, and stared out the window. “My sister is very important to me,” she explained. “So much so, that I risked the fate of Equestria to see her returned. While I was confident in your ability to see my sister returned to sanity, there was always the possibility of your failure, and I did not have it in me to banish my sister again. “Truth be told, I would see night eternal, the fall of our beautiful nation… than to see her hurt again.” Celestia turned back towards the young mare. “Understand that my permission comes with one caveat.” Twilight yelped as the doors to the dining hall snapped shut, the ominous sounds of locks clicking all around her. Celestia’s mane, normally the beautiful colours of dawn, now burned with the full radiance of the sun. Twilight began to cough as heatwaves blasted through the room. The delicate tapestries that hung around the room burst into flames. The solar alicorn, truly living up to her name, stepped carefully and deliberately towards the cowering mare. With every hooffall, the marble under foot would scorch, every step leaving behind a smoking crater. Her beautifully crafted shoes were already left as pools of liquid gold on the floor behind her, and her crown and peytral were melting like wax, dripping as she stalked around the table. “My sister is most dear to my heart, Twilight Sparkle, and to wound her…” Celestia bent down to face the mare, brow furrowed in the most un-Celestia like scowl Twilight had ever seen, staring directly into the cowering mares eyes. “… is to wound me. Should you hurt her, there will be no place in Equestria you can run. “I would hunt you to the very ends of the world.” And like that, Celestia was back to herself. “Other than that, have fun. Make my sister happy, I know she deserves it.” She looked around the room. “Oh, dear. I was hoping we could still have tea after our little chat, but…” “Gfrglnx?” Twilight choked. “I’m sorry, Twilight, what was that?” “Ftngardbpl!” she tried again. Celestia frowned. Maybe she had laid it on just a little too thick. “Brt oop pwanasd!” Twilight yelled, before passing out. The solar alicorn looked around the room, and wondered to herself. Yes, definitely too thick. Poor Twilight is such a sensitive soul. She levitated the mare onto her back, reminiscing of the times she had done so with the little unicorn filly who had so endeared herself to Celestia’s old heart. “Come, Twilight. It’s been a stressful day for you,” Celestia whispered as she opened the door. “Let’s get you to your private suite.” Celestia cantered down the dark marble halls that led to the Gloaming Wing. She had given her sister free reign to redecorate the wing as she saw fit, and of course, her penchant for colours of the night were in full display. The two night guards, standing sentinel on either side of their princess’ door, nodded their acknowledgement, but made no other move. Knock first, a small voice in the back of Celestia’s mind prompted. She lifted her now scandalously naked hoof and knocked gently on her sister’s door. “W-Who is it?” Luna’s voice croaked. “It’s just me, Lulu,” Celestia called out. “I’m sorry if I woke you.” The doors opened, a taciturn permission for Celestia to enter. “‘tis okay, Sister,” Luna said, yawning. “We have not been able to sleep.” Celestia looked over her sister, the signs of extreme fatigue evident on the younger alicorn’s features. Her eyes were red and puffy, her wings mattered and unkempt, her crown sat askew on her head. “S-so…” Luna said, breaking the awkward silence. “So…” Celestia repeated. “W-We take it that Twilight Sparkle has come to see thee?” “She has, yes.” Celestia nodded. “A-Ahh… well…” Luna shifted about, shuffling her hooves and darting her eyes around the room nervously. “A-And?” she asked, when Celestia had made no indication of continuing. “And I gave her my blessing,” Celestia responded, with a smile. A look of relief washed over Luna, as she lunged forward and pulled her sister into a hug. “O joyous day!” the night alicorn squealed. Yes, squealed. Royalty may squeal, should they so choose. “Sister, thou hath made Us happier than a pig in—” “I am very glad that you are happy,” Celestia said, cutting her sister off. “You deserve some happiness, and that my former student and one of my closest friends might be the pony to bring it to you… well, I as I said, I am very happy for you Luna.” Luna laughed as she hugged her sister; tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks. “That being said…” Celestia added in an ominous tone. Luna jolted away from Celestia, as if she had been burned. Her gulp was audible in the unnatural silence that pervaded her room. Celestia’s eyes burned with white hot fury, her mane blazed like the surface of the sun. Luna backed away as fast as she could, but the audible click of the locks to her room made certain she would not get far. “Twilight Sparkle is very dear to me, Sister…” Celestia trotted along the corridor to her room. Her sister had understood exactly where they stood, vis-à-vis Twilight Sparkle and their relationship. Well, she had, after Luna had reconstituted her corporeal form. There may have been some indignant shouting. Princess Celestia may have been sporting a nice shiner at the moment. But the two alicorns had come to an agreement as to where they stood. Too wrapped up in her own world, Celestia may not have noticed that most of her guards posted throughout the hall were passed out, face first, into whipped-chloroform pies. Pushing the door to her chambers open, Celestia crossed the room and flopped unceremoniously onto her bed. Today had been a good day. Why then, did she feel a cold shiver crawl up her spine, as if every last drop of warmth had been sucked from the room. “You…” a cold, malevolent voice spoke from a dark corner of her room, “… broke a Pinkie Promise!” Chapter ThreeCelestia’s heart beat loudly in her chest. It was still following her. She who had defeated Discord (with some help), she who banished Nightmare Moon, and she who had turned the tide of wars with a simple glare… nothing she could throw at the monster behind her slowed it down. A haunting melody filled the airs around Canterlot Castle. Celestia darted through the open door, trying to give the monster the slip. There was little in the room aside from an old armoire. She desperately scrambled across the room, and closed herself inside the old cabinet, pleading that her pursuer would pass her by. “Round and round the castle she runs,” the monster chanted as she dragged something metallic along the marble floor. “When she stops we’ll have some fun!” Celestia dared to peek through a crack in the armoire door. The monster walked slowly by the open door of the room, dragging a large metal blade behind her. “Pink and red, black and blue,” the monster sang as she continued her chant, “That’s what’ll happen when I catch you!” The scraping metal sound echoing through the halls was getting further and further away. Celestia thanked her lucky stars that she could still be stealthy despite her size. “Flicky fetlock, itchy tail,” the chant continued, “turn around and make her wail. Try to give Pinkie the slip… get a grip! Sorry, Celly, but you fail!” Celestia lost all pretense of stealth, and galloped down the empty hall, screaming. Luna’s heart beat heavily in her chest. Tonight was the first official date night Twilight and Luna were to share. Despite certain sibling-related-setbacks, Twilight had managed to recover and organise a wonderful meal for the two of them to share. Even though the castle chefs were the ones who had done the bulk of the work, Twilight had certainly helped set the mood and atmosphere. The room was barely lit, only by the faintest of candlelight, magically enchanted as to not be affected by the breeze. She had chosen one of the western tea rooms for their meal, and while Luna would normally have protested (a tea room is for tea, and a dining hall is for dining!) she understood the younger alicorn’s intentions. The high arched balcony doors were open, letting the cool night air flow through. From this side of the castle, the breeze carried the faintest smell of rain, as well as scented flowers from the royal gardens. Visible, in all its splendor, was her beloved night. “I didn’t want to spoil the view,” Twilight said, motioning the candles. Luna was amazed that Twilight was such the romantic. “I mean, not that you aren’t beautiful in the light,” Twilight stammered. “Or that I prefer seeing you in the dark, I mean—” Twilight ‘eeped’ as Luna wrapped a wing around her shoulder. “Stars. Moon. Night.” Twilight whispered, pointing a hoof towards the open door. “We knew what thee meant, dearest Twilight,” Luna said with a chuckle. “Shall we get started?” Celestia’s pulse pounded in her ears, making it harder to listen for the pink monster. “Where in tartarus are all the guards?” Celestia whispered to herself as she crept across the courtyard to the guard house. “They could at least slow her down a little.” She opened the door to the oddly-quiet guard house, fearing what she might find inside. Celestia gasped in horror. Every one of her guards were laid face down in a pool of their own—Levitating a small dollop of the viscous red fluid, she took a tentative sniff—cranberry sauce. With a trace of chloroform. Every. Single. Guard. She could hear the mare calling out to her in the courtyard. “Tia, Tia, wouldn’t wanna be ya!” the mare chortled. “Cut you up and make sangria!” Celestia lit her horn, praying she could teleport before the mare made it through the doors. The sound of that blade scraping against stone suggested she didn’t have long. “There was a little princess who once told a lie,” the song echoed out. “When I catch her she’s going to d—” A flash of light filled the guard house, and Celestia was gone. Twilight’s heart beat heavily in her chest. The heady perfume Luna wore filled her nostrils. Twilight buried her muzzle in Luna’s mane. “We have waited long for thee, dearest Twilight.” Twilight didn’t care if it sounded strange, or that Luna’s mannerisms were somewhat anachronistic with old Equestrian. Coming from those beautiful lips, it was like the sweetest poetry. Twilight crawled across Luna’s bed. The silk sheets brushed lightly against her coat, sending shivers down her spine. She wanted this, Luna wanted this. Celestia had given them her blessing, so there was nothing to stop them now. Twilight breathed a long breath out as Luna nipped at Twilight’s ear. The midnight princess trailed her muzzle teasingly down the side of Twilight’s cheek, down her neck and barrel. Luna slowed, whispering into the soft fur of Twilight’s belly. “Art thou sure thou wishes to—” “Yes, Luna, yes!” Twilight moaned. “I want this more than anything else in the world!” Immortal goddess aside, Celestia was certain her heart had actually stopped beating. She had come to Luna for help, but had forgotten the cardinal rule of siblings. One she had recently only reminded herself of. She had forgotten to knock before teleporting inside. Now she wished she had. “S-Sister?” Luna asked, sheepishly squirming across her bed, away from a catatonic Twilight Sparkle. “‘Tis… ‘tis not what it looks like!” “L-Luna…” Celestia couldn’t help but stare, a wild blush crossing her face. “P-Please cover your… Twilight. Please cover Twilight.” “Oh, yes…” Luna quickly pulled a midnight blue silk bedsheet across the exposed mare. “W-What are you doing here?” Luna hissed, her embarrassment quickly turning to anger. “And why didst thou not knock?” “I’m sorry, Lulu, I—” A loud banging on the doors behind her quickly reminded Celestia why she had barged in. “That!” Celestia screamed. “Hide me!” Celestia dove across the room, hiding behind her sister and the thankfully covered Twilight. Luna jumped as a large blade smashed through her door. Luna readied her magic, prepared to face what ever had come to hurt her sister. The intruder continued to hack at the door until there was a sizeable hole. It finally poked its head through. “Heeeeeeere’s Pinkie!” Luna could barely recognise the mare that stuck her head through the hole in the door. She watched in horror, as the earth pony twisted and contorted her body, squeezing through the opening, and it seemed to Luna, pouring herself into the room. It would have been more disturbing if Discord wasn’t a frequent visitor to the castle these days. “Celly, Celly, cakes in belly,” Pinkie sung as she lifted herself from the floor. “Grind her up and make royal jell—” Pinkie’s straightened mane bounced back to its normal, poofy self. She grinned wildly, none of the former mare visible anymore. “Oh, hiya, Princess Luna! Just looking for your sister. Have you seen her?” “Pinkie!” Twilight screamed, finally out of her stupor. “What are you doing here?” “Hey, Twilight. Enjoying your date so far?” When Twilight didn’t respond, Pinkie Pie continued. “Princess Celestia broke a Pinkie Promise today, so, you know what that means…” Twilight suppressed a shudder, before leveling a glare at her friend. “Nothing permanent, understand?” “But Twilight…” Pinkie looked to Twilight with her most soulful eyes. Twilight silently hoped said souls were actually Pinkie’s. “No buts!” Twilight snapped. “Pinkie Promise me you won’t do permanent damage.” Pinkie Pie kicked at the ground with a frown on her face. She finally wilted, relenting under Twilight’s glare. “Fine! Cross my heart on hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Neither Luna nor Twilight even flinched as Pinkie procured said cupcake from nowhere and smooshed it into her eye. Pinkie Pie skipped across the room, bounding over the bed in a single leap, and clamping her jaw down on Celestia’s tail. “Pwinfeff?” she asked. “How doowable are pwinfeffevs?” “That one?” Luna asked, looking down at her sister, who was silently pleading for help. Celestia’s eyes burned with white hot fury, her mane blazed like the surface of the sun. Luna backed away as fast as she could, but the audible click of the locks to her room made certain she would not get far. “Twilight Sparkle is very dear to me, Sister…” “Very durable,” Luna replied. Pinkie Pie skipped merrily out of the room, dragging Celestia behind her. “How could you?” Celestia cried. “Your own sist—” The door slammed behind Celestia, the handle still glowing in Luna’s aura. “Now,” Luna said, turning back to her darling. “Where were we?”
Chapter OneCelestia skipped merrily through the halls of Canterlot castle. The day had been one of those rare days that were completely uneventful, and she was looking forward to meeting her former student for a light supper. She had been overjoyed when Twilight’s letter had arrived, it was so rare these days that Equestria’s newest princess would write to Equestria’s olde… most seasoned princess. Ever since Twilight and her friends had started their own diary, Celestia had heard far less from her former pupil. But Twilight had finally written to Celestia, not as a pupil, not as a princess… but as a friend. Celestia had long desired a true friendship with the younger mare. She had long admired Twilight Sparkle, the four times saviour of Equestria (and one time assistant savior of the Crystal Empire), and had hoped that her ascension to alicornhood, as well as her new status as royalty, would endear the mare towards building a closer relationship with Celestia, and hopefully, her sister. She slowed to a walk as she approached her private dining room, though her heart was still a flutter. Pushing the door open with her magic, she slipped into the room to find her former student. Pacing. Muttering. Breathing rapidly. Celestia sighed. Okay, so this might not be a social visit. “Twilight Sparkle, how good to see you!” she said with cheer in her voice. While she was somewhat disappointed this was looking less like a social call, it was still good to see her former pupil. “P— Celestia! I didn’t hear you come in…” Twilight stammered. “N-Not that you can’t be here… or that I think you should not be quiet— “Maybe I will have to wear a bell instead of my peytral, then?” Celestia chuckled, but was met with silence. Twilight fidgeted nervously, shuffling from hoof to hoof. Celestia sighed, her humor wasn’t that stale, was it? “Perhaps we should sit, and we can speak of what ever is on your mind.” The solar alicorn sat down on the velvet cushion, but her former student remained standing. Twilight’s breath became more labored and panicked. “Twilight, please sit… what ever has you concerned, I am happy to help.” “I—” Twilight choked out the word. “I think I need to stand for this.” Celestia’s brow furrowed. While she did not expect it from Twilight, normally when she was given an instruc— polite suggestion, she would do as the Solar Alicorn instr— suggested. She wondered what would have the youngest princess in such a state. Celestia lit her horn to pour some tea. She was taken aback when Twilight let out a scream of “Please don’t banish me,” and her grip on the teapot slipped. The silver teapot landed with a clatter, the tea spilling out on to the clean table cloth. “Now, Twilight, please don’t be alarmed,” Celestia said with some exasperation to the cowering mare. “I am not going to banish you, I am just going to clean this up.” Waiting for the nervous mare to nod, she lit her horn up a second time, the tea evaporated from the cloth, though it did leave behind an unsightly stain. “Now, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said, adopting her ‘teacher’ voice. “Please sit down.” Twilight did as she was instruct— Suggested! “Now, Twilight. I thought we were past this,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “I am not going to banish you, or throw you in a dungeon, or throw you in a dungeon in the place I banish you to—” “But—” “No buts, Twilight. I will not banish you. Now, with that in mind…” Celestia’s face softened. “What is it that has you so distraught?” Celestia watched as Twilight stared at her hooves, wringing them around each other. “I— You see—” “Take a nice, calming breath, Twilight. Just like Cadance showed you.” Twilight did as instructed. She closed her eyes, pulled her hoof to her chest, and let it out as she breathed deeply. Opening her eyes, she saw Celestia was still there, and started panicking again. One breathing exercise, a fainting spell and an application of smelling salts later, Celestia presumed Twilight was ready to speak. Or explode. Twice. “Twilight… you know I consider you a good friend.” Celestia sighed. “I had hoped we had gotten over this part of our relationship, but it seems it is not so. So, shall we initiate the Sphere of Safety?” It was a silly little game Celestia had played with the younger Twilight, when she was still a filly in the princess’ tutor. The young Twilight, though inquisitive, had always been worried about asking things of her teacher that she suspected was the ‘wrong’ thing to ask. Celestia had told the filly that she knew a powerful spell, the Sphere of Safety, an agreement between Celestia and Twilight that the filly could ask any question without fear of repercussion. Even if they were awkward questions about that gentlecolt caller Twilight had seen entering Celestia’s chambers when she was young. The older Twilight had learned that the Sphere of Safety was nothing more than a simple light spell Celestia channeled as they spoke, but it had served its purpose. “I— I—” Twilight stammered. “I don’t know if that is enough.” This response had Celestia truly intrigued. What could be so heinous that even the SoS was not enough? “Y-You have to Pinkie Promise.” Celestia had read about the Pinkie Promise, a silly little rhyme Twilight and her friends would recite to prove their sincerity in keeping said promise. She thought back to the friendship letter in which Twilight had described the oath. “Cross my heart and hope to fly,” Celestia recited from memory as she went through the motions, “Stick a cupcake in my eye.” She ended the oath with the customary hoof in the eye, which she assumed was likely more comfortable without the golden shoe. The solar alicorn watched as some of the tension seemed to melt from Twilight. “Thank you…” Twilight whispered. Celestia waited for Twilight to speak. The younger mare seemed ready to speak a few times, before clamming back up. “Your Majesty,” Twilight finally spoke. Celestia was quite surprised to hear Twilight call her ‘Your Majesty’, considering in the current Equestrian triarchy, they were considered equals. “Your Majesty,” Twilight repeated, surprising Celestia a second time. “I have been greatly honored to call your sister, Princess Luna, a close friend. As you are aware, the Princess and I have become close in these past few months.” It was true. Celestia was a little jealous of Luna, she had managed to find more time to spend with Twilight. Luna had been making regular trips to visit her, where they shared their love of astronomy. And Twilight had been joining Luna on some of her patrols of the Everfree, though Celestia was not keen on her sister putting her former student in potential danger. “Princess Luna is, as you are well aware, very steeped in tradition, for which I have the utmost respect,” Twilight said. “And it is in respect to her, and to those traditions that I find myself here. While traditionally it would be proper to seek the blessing of a mare’s father, that is… uhhh…” Twilight stumbled, hanging her head in embarrassment. “That is, ummm, not exactly possible anymore, so I must defer to the most senior member of her house.” Celestia held her breath. Twilight couldn’t be… no! “Princess Celestia, I seek your permission… and blessing… to court your sister, Princess Luna.” Discord relapsed. Sombra returned. Chrysalis had come to the doorstep of Canterlot seeking Celestia’s forgiveness. As these implausible things had not actually happened… but the bottom of Celestia’s world fell out like they had. Her former student… and her sister. Her former student and her sister! She thanked the millennia of rule that had taught her to steel herself from showing any emotion. The turmoil and chaos that she had been plunged into barely manifested as a slight tic below her left eye. “Who is that?” the filly asked, looking up at the large painted portrait of a midnight blue mare. “That is a Princess, from a long time ago,” Celestia replied. It hurt, looking up at the picture. Remembering who her sister was, who she had become… what Celestia had had to do. “She’s beautiful!” the filly gushed. “When I grow up, I’m going to marry somepony just like her!” No, that meant nothing! It was just the idle talk of a filly enamored by a pretty picture. And it was an amazing portrait, Celestia still kept it in her private gallery. “Princess…” the unicorn asked, nerves apparent in her voice. “C-Can royalty be… uhh… special someponies with… ummm, commoners?” Celestia had staggered a bit, as Twilight had asked the question. Surely her student… no, her student was far too smart to fall for the likes of the alicorn’s nephew. “Y-Yes, Twilight,” Celestia answered with caution. “If a member of the Royal Family so chooses, they may marry one of non-noble blood.” After a thought, she added, “It is very rare though, most Royals look to consolidate their own power, and marriage is, sadly, a powerful way of doing so.” “Oh…” Twilight replied, her head sinking low as they walked. “But it is not outside the realms of possibility, no,” Celestia said, hoping to buoy her students feelings. “Love can do amazing things.” No! Of course Twilight had not been talking about herself, it was obvious from the way Rarity had acted at the Gala, that Celestia’s student was merely asking on behalf of her friend. “Oh, my beloved moon,” Twilight moaned as she sprawled out across her down mattress. The room was dimmed, dark drapes covering the windows. A gramophone played gentle music in the background. The newest alicorn’s breathing was ragged and laboured, her moans barely stifled as she bit down on a hoof. Celestia severely regretted not knocking on the door before entering Twilight’s personal boudoir. Okay, yeah, maybe Celestia should have seen that one coming.
Chapter TwoOkay, Celestia, just calm down. Celestia controlled her breathing. This wasn’t such a terrible thing. A little unexpected, yes, but hardly terrible. And her sister had been a lot more cheerful lately, as opposed to her normal moping about the castle. And Twilight was visiting more often… and would likely spend more time at the castle, staying over more frequent— Celestia suppressed the cold shiver that ran up her spine as her thoughts roamed into territory best left untrod. Her sister, and her former student. She could get used to the idea, she supposed. Her over six-thousand year old little sister, and her twenty-one year old former student. Oh dear, that shiver was back. I shall have to start knocking on doors again, she thought to herself uncomfortably. Or maybe I should hang a cow bell from my peytral. Warning, big sister coming, please keep your hooves— Celestia was certain there was something drastically wrong with the heating in the room. “Very well, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia finally replied. Which was probably well and good, because the younger alicorn had gone from nervous shuffling, to nervous muttering and pacing, all the way to nervous glances towards the stain glassed windows and a potential demonstration of the dictionary definition of defenestration. “Eep!” the younger alicorn squealed, as lioness focused her attention back on the field mouse. Celestia sighed. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, as the elder sister of Princess Luna, in lieu of my departed father, I give my blessing and permission for you to court my little sister.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Celestia. Thank you so much. I was so—” “I am not finished,” Celestia barked. She stood to her full stature, reminding Twilight that she was much taller than the youngest alicorn. Celestia turned her back on Twilight, and stared out the window. “My sister is very important to me,” she explained. “So much so, that I risked the fate of Equestria to see her returned. While I was confident in your ability to see my sister returned to sanity, there was always the possibility of your failure, and I did not have it in me to banish my sister again. “Truth be told, I would see night eternal, the fall of our beautiful nation… than to see her hurt again.” Celestia turned back towards the young mare. “Understand that my permission comes with one caveat.” Twilight yelped as the doors to the dining hall snapped shut, the ominous sounds of locks clicking all around her. Celestia’s mane, normally the beautiful colours of dawn, now burned with the full radiance of the sun. Twilight began to cough as heatwaves blasted through the room. The delicate tapestries that hung around the room burst into flames. The solar alicorn, truly living up to her name, stepped carefully and deliberately towards the cowering mare. With every hooffall, the marble under foot would scorch, every step leaving behind a smoking crater. Her beautifully crafted shoes were already left as pools of liquid gold on the floor behind her, and her crown and peytral were melting like wax, dripping as she stalked around the table. “My sister is most dear to my heart, Twilight Sparkle, and to wound her…” Celestia bent down to face the mare, brow furrowed in the most un-Celestia like scowl Twilight had ever seen, staring directly into the cowering mares eyes. “… is to wound me. Should you hurt her, there will be no place in Equestria you can run. “I would hunt you to the very ends of the world.” And like that, Celestia was back to herself. “Other than that, have fun. Make my sister happy, I know she deserves it.” She looked around the room. “Oh, dear. I was hoping we could still have tea after our little chat, but…” “Gfrglnx?” Twilight choked. “I’m sorry, Twilight, what was that?” “Ftngardbpl!” she tried again. Celestia frowned. Maybe she had laid it on just a little too thick. “Brt oop pwanasd!” Twilight yelled, before passing out. The solar alicorn looked around the room, and wondered to herself. Yes, definitely too thick. Poor Twilight is such a sensitive soul. She levitated the mare onto her back, reminiscing of the times she had done so with the little unicorn filly who had so endeared herself to Celestia’s old heart. “Come, Twilight. It’s been a stressful day for you,” Celestia whispered as she opened the door. “Let’s get you to your private suite.” Celestia cantered down the dark marble halls that led to the Gloaming Wing. She had given her sister free reign to redecorate the wing as she saw fit, and of course, her penchant for colours of the night were in full display. The two night guards, standing sentinel on either side of their princess’ door, nodded their acknowledgement, but made no other move. Knock first, a small voice in the back of Celestia’s mind prompted. She lifted her now scandalously naked hoof and knocked gently on her sister’s door. “W-Who is it?” Luna’s voice croaked. “It’s just me, Lulu,” Celestia called out. “I’m sorry if I woke you.” The doors opened, a taciturn permission for Celestia to enter. “‘tis okay, Sister,” Luna said, yawning. “We have not been able to sleep.” Celestia looked over her sister, the signs of extreme fatigue evident on the younger alicorn’s features. Her eyes were red and puffy, her wings mattered and unkempt, her crown sat askew on her head. “S-so…” Luna said, breaking the awkward silence. “So…” Celestia repeated. “W-We take it that Twilight Sparkle has come to see thee?” “She has, yes.” Celestia nodded. “A-Ahh… well…” Luna shifted about, shuffling her hooves and darting her eyes around the room nervously. “A-And?” she asked, when Celestia had made no indication of continuing. “And I gave her my blessing,” Celestia responded, with a smile. A look of relief washed over Luna, as she lunged forward and pulled her sister into a hug. “O joyous day!” the night alicorn squealed. Yes, squealed. Royalty may squeal, should they so choose. “Sister, thou hath made Us happier than a pig in—” “I am very glad that you are happy,” Celestia said, cutting her sister off. “You deserve some happiness, and that my former student and one of my closest friends might be the pony to bring it to you… well, I as I said, I am very happy for you Luna.” Luna laughed as she hugged her sister; tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks. “That being said…” Celestia added in an ominous tone. Luna jolted away from Celestia, as if she had been burned. Her gulp was audible in the unnatural silence that pervaded her room. Celestia’s eyes burned with white hot fury, her mane blazed like the surface of the sun. Luna backed away as fast as she could, but the audible click of the locks to her room made certain she would not get far. “Twilight Sparkle is very dear to me, Sister…” Celestia trotted along the corridor to her room. Her sister had understood exactly where they stood, vis-à-vis Twilight Sparkle and their relationship. Well, she had, after Luna had reconstituted her corporeal form. There may have been some indignant shouting. Princess Celestia may have been sporting a nice shiner at the moment. But the two alicorns had come to an agreement as to where they stood. Too wrapped up in her own world, Celestia may not have noticed that most of her guards posted throughout the hall were passed out, face first, into whipped-chloroform pies. Pushing the door to her chambers open, Celestia crossed the room and flopped unceremoniously onto her bed. Today had been a good day. Why then, did she feel a cold shiver crawl up her spine, as if every last drop of warmth had been sucked from the room. “You…” a cold, malevolent voice spoke from a dark corner of her room, “… broke a Pinkie Promise!”
Chapter ThreeCelestia’s heart beat loudly in her chest. It was still following her. She who had defeated Discord (with some help), she who banished Nightmare Moon, and she who had turned the tide of wars with a simple glare… nothing she could throw at the monster behind her slowed it down. A haunting melody filled the airs around Canterlot Castle. Celestia darted through the open door, trying to give the monster the slip. There was little in the room aside from an old armoire. She desperately scrambled across the room, and closed herself inside the old cabinet, pleading that her pursuer would pass her by. “Round and round the castle she runs,” the monster chanted as she dragged something metallic along the marble floor. “When she stops we’ll have some fun!” Celestia dared to peek through a crack in the armoire door. The monster walked slowly by the open door of the room, dragging a large metal blade behind her. “Pink and red, black and blue,” the monster sang as she continued her chant, “That’s what’ll happen when I catch you!” The scraping metal sound echoing through the halls was getting further and further away. Celestia thanked her lucky stars that she could still be stealthy despite her size. “Flicky fetlock, itchy tail,” the chant continued, “turn around and make her wail. Try to give Pinkie the slip… get a grip! Sorry, Celly, but you fail!” Celestia lost all pretense of stealth, and galloped down the empty hall, screaming. Luna’s heart beat heavily in her chest. Tonight was the first official date night Twilight and Luna were to share. Despite certain sibling-related-setbacks, Twilight had managed to recover and organise a wonderful meal for the two of them to share. Even though the castle chefs were the ones who had done the bulk of the work, Twilight had certainly helped set the mood and atmosphere. The room was barely lit, only by the faintest of candlelight, magically enchanted as to not be affected by the breeze. She had chosen one of the western tea rooms for their meal, and while Luna would normally have protested (a tea room is for tea, and a dining hall is for dining!) she understood the younger alicorn’s intentions. The high arched balcony doors were open, letting the cool night air flow through. From this side of the castle, the breeze carried the faintest smell of rain, as well as scented flowers from the royal gardens. Visible, in all its splendor, was her beloved night. “I didn’t want to spoil the view,” Twilight said, motioning the candles. Luna was amazed that Twilight was such the romantic. “I mean, not that you aren’t beautiful in the light,” Twilight stammered. “Or that I prefer seeing you in the dark, I mean—” Twilight ‘eeped’ as Luna wrapped a wing around her shoulder. “Stars. Moon. Night.” Twilight whispered, pointing a hoof towards the open door. “We knew what thee meant, dearest Twilight,” Luna said with a chuckle. “Shall we get started?” Celestia’s pulse pounded in her ears, making it harder to listen for the pink monster. “Where in tartarus are all the guards?” Celestia whispered to herself as she crept across the courtyard to the guard house. “They could at least slow her down a little.” She opened the door to the oddly-quiet guard house, fearing what she might find inside. Celestia gasped in horror. Every one of her guards were laid face down in a pool of their own—Levitating a small dollop of the viscous red fluid, she took a tentative sniff—cranberry sauce. With a trace of chloroform. Every. Single. Guard. She could hear the mare calling out to her in the courtyard. “Tia, Tia, wouldn’t wanna be ya!” the mare chortled. “Cut you up and make sangria!” Celestia lit her horn, praying she could teleport before the mare made it through the doors. The sound of that blade scraping against stone suggested she didn’t have long. “There was a little princess who once told a lie,” the song echoed out. “When I catch her she’s going to d—” A flash of light filled the guard house, and Celestia was gone. Twilight’s heart beat heavily in her chest. The heady perfume Luna wore filled her nostrils. Twilight buried her muzzle in Luna’s mane. “We have waited long for thee, dearest Twilight.” Twilight didn’t care if it sounded strange, or that Luna’s mannerisms were somewhat anachronistic with old Equestrian. Coming from those beautiful lips, it was like the sweetest poetry. Twilight crawled across Luna’s bed. The silk sheets brushed lightly against her coat, sending shivers down her spine. She wanted this, Luna wanted this. Celestia had given them her blessing, so there was nothing to stop them now. Twilight breathed a long breath out as Luna nipped at Twilight’s ear. The midnight princess trailed her muzzle teasingly down the side of Twilight’s cheek, down her neck and barrel. Luna slowed, whispering into the soft fur of Twilight’s belly. “Art thou sure thou wishes to—” “Yes, Luna, yes!” Twilight moaned. “I want this more than anything else in the world!” Immortal goddess aside, Celestia was certain her heart had actually stopped beating. She had come to Luna for help, but had forgotten the cardinal rule of siblings. One she had recently only reminded herself of. She had forgotten to knock before teleporting inside. Now she wished she had. “S-Sister?” Luna asked, sheepishly squirming across her bed, away from a catatonic Twilight Sparkle. “‘Tis… ‘tis not what it looks like!” “L-Luna…” Celestia couldn’t help but stare, a wild blush crossing her face. “P-Please cover your… Twilight. Please cover Twilight.” “Oh, yes…” Luna quickly pulled a midnight blue silk bedsheet across the exposed mare. “W-What are you doing here?” Luna hissed, her embarrassment quickly turning to anger. “And why didst thou not knock?” “I’m sorry, Lulu, I—” A loud banging on the doors behind her quickly reminded Celestia why she had barged in. “That!” Celestia screamed. “Hide me!” Celestia dove across the room, hiding behind her sister and the thankfully covered Twilight. Luna jumped as a large blade smashed through her door. Luna readied her magic, prepared to face what ever had come to hurt her sister. The intruder continued to hack at the door until there was a sizeable hole. It finally poked its head through. “Heeeeeeere’s Pinkie!” Luna could barely recognise the mare that stuck her head through the hole in the door. She watched in horror, as the earth pony twisted and contorted her body, squeezing through the opening, and it seemed to Luna, pouring herself into the room. It would have been more disturbing if Discord wasn’t a frequent visitor to the castle these days. “Celly, Celly, cakes in belly,” Pinkie sung as she lifted herself from the floor. “Grind her up and make royal jell—” Pinkie’s straightened mane bounced back to its normal, poofy self. She grinned wildly, none of the former mare visible anymore. “Oh, hiya, Princess Luna! Just looking for your sister. Have you seen her?” “Pinkie!” Twilight screamed, finally out of her stupor. “What are you doing here?” “Hey, Twilight. Enjoying your date so far?” When Twilight didn’t respond, Pinkie Pie continued. “Princess Celestia broke a Pinkie Promise today, so, you know what that means…” Twilight suppressed a shudder, before leveling a glare at her friend. “Nothing permanent, understand?” “But Twilight…” Pinkie looked to Twilight with her most soulful eyes. Twilight silently hoped said souls were actually Pinkie’s. “No buts!” Twilight snapped. “Pinkie Promise me you won’t do permanent damage.” Pinkie Pie kicked at the ground with a frown on her face. She finally wilted, relenting under Twilight’s glare. “Fine! Cross my heart on hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Neither Luna nor Twilight even flinched as Pinkie procured said cupcake from nowhere and smooshed it into her eye. Pinkie Pie skipped across the room, bounding over the bed in a single leap, and clamping her jaw down on Celestia’s tail. “Pwinfeff?” she asked. “How doowable are pwinfeffevs?” “That one?” Luna asked, looking down at her sister, who was silently pleading for help. Celestia’s eyes burned with white hot fury, her mane blazed like the surface of the sun. Luna backed away as fast as she could, but the audible click of the locks to her room made certain she would not get far. “Twilight Sparkle is very dear to me, Sister…” “Very durable,” Luna replied. Pinkie Pie skipped merrily out of the room, dragging Celestia behind her. “How could you?” Celestia cried. “Your own sist—” The door slammed behind Celestia, the handle still glowing in Luna’s aura. “Now,” Luna said, turning back to her darling. “Where were we?”
