Echoes of the Past

At last night arrived. After a long day the moon has finally risen in the sky. I was in Luna's bed room. She let me have her room as a way of saying thanks. Luna on the other hoof was living in her sister's room because she felt she needed to live in a less isolated part of the castle. I was watching night sky in awe when I heard a thump behind me. It was Luna; she was trying to get into the bedroom.

I saw her enter the room. Before I could ask her any thing she said to me "How could Celestia not have her own telescope?" The princess strutted over to the window and grabbed her own telescope and began setting it up.

I was not paying attention to her. I was mesmerized at what was happening in the sky. I asked her in a trance "What is that?"

What I could see outside my window was truly remarkable. I have never seen anything like it. It was some sort of light show in the night sky. There were dozens of these long ribbons, all different sizes, shapes and colors. They were moving slowly and gracefully through the sky. This phenomenon was so beautiful, so majestic but had no idea what it was or why it was there. What is it?

Princess Luna answered my question "This known as an aurora. I have seen this only one time before in my life. That was when me and my sister traveled to the northern most city of Equestria known as Stalliongrad. I was just as amazed as you are when I first saw the aurora. I never thought it be possible for the aurora to come here."

"But why is this happening here? Why is this happening now?"

Luna was puzzled with my question. She answered with uncertainty "I'm not sure myself, but a princess has her theories. Auroras occur because of solar storms released from the sun. When it enters our atmosphere the solar storm creates an aurora. However auroras typically are only seen in the far north and south. This is because of the magnetic field that surrounds this planet. When a solar storm reaches this barrier the storm is pushed either north or south away from Equestria. So that is why we have only seen the auroras in the north or south of our planet. Today is different. Today an aurora is visible far away from the North or South Pole. I believe that this is caused by Celestia's rage. This is also why the sun was significantly brighter today. Celestia's anger has made her sun give off more light and energy. Now the sun is unleashing far more intense and frequent solar storms. These storms are stronger that our magnetic field and therefore have broken through into the planet's atmosphere. Thus an aurora is created."

I could only understand half of what Luna just told me. I decided to change the subject "So what are your plans for the future?"

At this point the princess has finished setting up the telescope and was now making some minor adjustments. She said in quiet voice "I did promise the ponies that I would not change anything but I believe I will have to make two exceptions. The first thing is now that the sun gives off a lot more light our plants could wither away. In order to prevent this, the Pegasi will have to change their recipe for clouds. They will need to make their clouds block more sunlight or else we will lose our crops. The other change is something that I originally doubted ponies would like. But I feel it is necessary if I am going to rule this kingdom by myself. Tonight however makes me believe that perhaps ponies may actually want me to do this. What I want to do is... well see for yourself." Luna gestured toward the telescope.

I positioned myself behind the telescope and looked into the eyepiece. The telescope was not aimed the night sky but instead it was looking directly at Ponyville. At a glance there seemed nothing unusual. Ponyville was usually very busy around harvest. But then I remembered what time it was. It was nearly midnight but I could see dozens of ponies through the telescope. Some of them were lying on the grass watching the aurora. Others were talking and laughing to each other. Some were dancing around because of this extraordinary night. The ponies were doing all sorts of things but this powerful telescope could make out a smile on every one of their faces.

Luna said to me in a loud whisper "I want my ponies to live their lives during the night. I want them to spend their days under moonlight and not sunlight. I want them to be nocturnal. This aurora, this parting gift that my sister gave us may just be the leverage I need to make my dreams a reality. Finally ponies can enjoy my night, finally I will..." Luna stopped talking and closed her eyes.

I could tell she wanted to be left alone for a moment. At this point I was also getting really curious about that aurora. So to kill two birds with one stone I told the princess "You know what? I'm not that tired. I going to see it can touch the aurora."

Luna almost laughed as I dashed outside and soared into the distance. She watched me disappear into the night, into the aurora. Slowly she began to realize what was taking place. Slowly Princess Luna began to cry.

After thousands of years it is finally over. No longer will she have endure ponies ignoring her nights. The hardest thing that she had to face being princess is gone. Finally her sorrow and bitterness is at long last over. These long waited tears of joy trickled down her face and on to the floor creating a large stain in the rug. She realized that she was wrong about one thing she said to her sister. This was worth the death of all Earth ponies.

I returned half an hour later failing to touch the aurora. I was standing in the room I could see that Luna was still crying. That was the only time I believe she did not know I was there. As I took another step the floor creaked and the Princess charged toward me. She galloped to me and contrary to all of my expectations she embraced me.

Princess Luna said to me in a voice of great gratitude with tears sill rolling down her eyes "Thank you. Thank you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for lifting my sorrows and pain away. Thank you for being the best friend I have had for thousands of years. Thank you so much." She continued to hug me. Luna was still crying. We clutched each other for a long time. Only when Luna began to stop crying did she let go.

Now I lay in what was Princess Luna's bed. I could not fall asleep. The sandpony would no doubt be skipping this room tonight. I had too much to think about. What is the fate of Equestria? What will I now be doing? What will happen to Celestia? That aurora...

Now what is the fate of Equestria? Luna said she wants everypony to live during the night Can she really do that? Could ponies possibly want to be busy during moonlight? Only time can tell.

Let's see, what am I going to do now? I believe I am going to help Luna around the castle. But there is now way I am giving up my... thievery. I will not stop sneaking around and watching other ponies. This is my talent, must pursue it. I do hope I still get plenty of spare time still.

But what about Celestia? What will she be do doing on the sun? How can she even survive on the sun? Well, I guess the same way Luna survived on the moon for a thousand years. I wonder what she will do being trapped of sun for a very long time. I really should ask Luna that same question. What did she do while she was on the moon? I know that eventually Celestia will return. But that won't happen for a long time. She will return when I'm long gone.

This aurora... so mysterious. Made from the anger of Celestia. But it does not make me think or feel angry. It's so unusual, so graceful, and so magical. This aurora creates joy, love, peace, and happiness. How ironic these curtains of red and green were created from lies, hatred and rage. These lights will make sure we remember Princess Celestia. They will prevent us from ever from forgetting the truth. This aurora will loom over our lands serving as a constant reminder of how close Equestria came to a holocaust.