The Storm

Smoke and ash fell slowly through the night, were the color was like a deep and rich blanket covering the sky. Stars were nowhere to be seen. No, not tonight.

Stars had always calmed me. I can't explain it. Just whenever I see them, a soothing feeling comes to me. The night looked so empty and naked without them glimmering high above all of my worries.

I sighed. It had been days since the storm hit Equestria, although it seems like years ago when it struck. The Pegasi lost control of the storm clouds, and they spread out all over. Lightning struck, fire started, and our delicate balance of what was left of the community collapsed. My sister and I had tried to evacuate the citizens, but deep down inside, I know that thousands of lives were lost. I also can't help but feel like it's my fault.

I clench my eyes tight. I won't let the tears flow. The princess of the night will *not** be made a fool of herself.* But it's no use, I soon feel wet drops rolling down my cheek.

"Your Highness?"

I gasp, then turn around to see one of my royal guards behind me. I clear my throat nervously-hoping he didn't see me weeping like that earlier.

"Yes?" I say while trying to keep my posture. It's not easy to stay this professional and calm when it's basically the end of Equestria as we know it.

"We just got another report from Cloudsdale." He began. "And the results aren't good. The Pegasi are still having trouble controlling the storm clouds..." His voice became shaky. "They say we may be in for another storm."

I try to withhold my shock. "D-does Celestia know?" The guard nods. "Yes, she says we should prepare Equestria." I nod at that. Celestia always has good control of these things. "Yes. Go send out more ponies to fix houses and that sort." The guard nods again, then takes off.

                                                                                     ---

"Nnnggghhh!

                             I grunt as I lift a plank of wood up on a window. I never would normally do these type of things as princess, however, I enjoy the chance to get dirty.

My joy quickly fades as I see more royal guards fly in with another limp body. Every Minute we find another pony who didn't make it through the storm. We're still recovering from the first one, how are our already damaged buildings going to last through the next one?

My brain gives me an answer: They're not.

I quickly push the thought away. We will survive! Equestria will make it through this. I sighed again. If only I actually believed that.

My thoughts were interrupted by Celestia, who had walked up to me. I was a bit surprised to see her, for she hasn't been out of the castle for quite a long while now.

"Hello Sister." I said politely. Celestia nodded her greeting then muttered something about meeting her in the castle at 1:00. She then hurried away as though she was afraid of somepony seeing her out. I shrugged it off. Deciding that the whole storm thing was bringing out the worst of all of us.

I saw Celestia again in the castle at one, she was just on her bed. Staring at the wall opposite of her. she wasn't wearing any jewelry, and her normally flowing mane was down and looked a little grey to me.

Celestia eventually noticed me and immediately got her crown on. I never knew Celestia could be so weak and helpless. She looked so mortified about me seeing this other side of her. She cleared her throat awkwardly, then beckoned me out to the hall.

"Lets walk," she said.

"Sister," She said. "I think..." She paused and looked up at a photo of us as fillies.

"Celestia, you seem troubled."

"Yes...I believe..."

"Yes Tia?" I was growing a little impatient about how long Celestia was taking. I had work to do!

"Never mind." She said quickly, then she hurried away out of sight.

I sighed. There was something about Celestia that was off. I knew that she wasn't telling me something.

I sighed again then went outside back to work. They needed me here. Now most of all. Celestia wasn't doing anything. I felt a little cross with her, being so lazy and all. She couldn't give me the excuse that she was grieving, because many ponies working out here have lost many friends and family members.

I shake my head of thoughts. I needed to stop letting Celestia's odd behavior get in the way of me trying to storm-proof Equestria.

                                                                                            ---

I knocked on my sister's door impatiently. The odd behavior was forgivable, but forgetting to raise the sun? Celestia was not the type.

The door didn't open, so I went ahead and walked in myself. "Celestia? Why is the sun still up-" I looked and saw that my sister wasn't there. She wasn't in the hall, she wasn't in the dinning room, she was nowhere to be seen.

I finally found some trace of her at the castle entrance, for there was a note on the front door in her hoofwriting.

Dearest Sister Luna,

I have decided to leave Equestria for this reason, I am no good. I have felt thinner everyday since the storm. I can not stand to watch my country, which I have worked so hard to make what it is to this very day, be destroyed once again. I will be no help. I'm sorry I had to put you up to this, however, this is the best way possible.

-Celestia

Best way possible? I then saw bloodstains on the note. No...nononononononno!!!!!!

This couldn't be happening...this can't be happening! Celestia!

                                                                       CELESTIA!!!!