The Music of Harmony

Princess Luna strode slowly towards the balcony, preparing to cast the spell that she had done for so many years. Her sister, Celestia, was lowering the sun to make way for Luna's night. The sunset was beautiful, as it always was, casting a bright beam of light through the window and shining the last drops of sunlight around the room. The light eventually reached a large statue. It illuminated the figure, a stone carving of an alicorn. It was a statue of Luna herself, as Nightmare Moon. She remembered too well when she returned from her thousand year imprisonment in the moon to shroud Equestria in eternal night. Many ponies had asked her why she kept the statue, why she didn't try to forget, but it was hard for any of them to understand. It was to remind herself of what she had become that day. She nearly destroyed Equestria, and it was only because of her greed. She swore that she would never turn on her friends again, and the statue was there to tell her what she had almost done.

It was impossible to forget.

The memory made her shudder. She continued to the balcony. There was no longer any need to worry. Nightmare Moon was gone, she was Princess Luna now. She and her sister were the rulers of Equestria, it couldn't possibly be going better. Still, she couldn't help feeling the slightest bit of doubt in the back of her mind, and it bothered her that she didn't know the reason.

Doubt or not, the moon still needed to be raised, and night brought over Equestria. She concentrated and cast the familiar spell. As the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon, Luna raised the moon, and the night had officially begun.

The end of the day brought upon something new, but just as wonderful, she thought. All endings start new beginnings. Even when we think that it's all over, the next adventure is just starting.

Luna headed back into her bedroom and closed the balcony doors.

That's rather inspirational. Perhaps I should write a story about it.

Luna was a talented writer, and it was something she enjoyed in her spare time. She wrote it down quickly in her notebook and went off to bed. The doubt in her mind persisted, and she became a little worried.

Relax Luna, she told herself. It's nothing a princess can't handle.

That calmed her down, and she slept soundly for the rest of the night.

Luna woke up just in time to see the sunrise. Just as it was her job to raise and lower the moon, Celestia did the same with the sun. Luna got out of bed and trotted down the castle stairs to prepare for the day. Today, like any other day for the princesses, was immensely important. They were preparing for the Grand Galloping Gala, which was next week. She had a lot on her mind. Luna went to the dinner table to eat breakfast and read the newspaper, as she did every morning. She was delighted to see that there was a plate full of blueberry muffins on the table, next to the day's paper. Normally, Luna preferred to make her own breakfast, but somepony had already beat her to it. She assumed it was Celestia. She was always so kind to her. Luna said a silent thank you and picked up the paper. The pegasus weather report was nice and sunny today, they did not have a scheduled rainstorm until tomorrow night.

This means we will have to get most of our work done today, before it rains, she thought.

The rest of the paper was rather boring, and she set it aside to finish breakfast. Celestia then walked into the room. Luna waved a hoof to say hello.

"Good morning, sister," said Luna. "Thanks a lot for the breakfast. It's delicious."

"You're welcome. I want you to eat well. We have a lot to get to today," Celestia said.

She said it with a smile, but there was a bit of edginess in her voice that made Luna believe they had more than just the Gala preparations to be worried about.

"Is something wrong? You seem nervous," Luna said.

Celestia paced a little. "I wouldn't want to worry you with it right now. Finish your breakfast, then meet me in the throne room at eleven. There is much to discuss."

She turned around and left without another word. Luna was concerned. She had never seen her sister this way, not ever. Not with Discord, King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, or any villain they had faced. She was always calm and collected, never nervous.

Whatever it is, it can't be good, she thought.

Luna got up and headed towards the throne room. It was a bit early, but she couldn't concentrate on anything else. The only time the sisters discussed things in the throne room was when they were in danger. It was the most secure place in the entire castle. As she went to the door, she couldn't help but imagine the possible horrible things that could have happened.

She pushed it open to see her sister standing there. Celestia no longer looked nervous or scared, but confident. Luna relaxed a little.

Perhaps it won't be so bad after all, she thought.

"Close the door behind you," said Celestia. When Luna did this, she continued. "I brought you here for something very important. I will need you to listen carefully. Do you understand?"

Luna was now even more concerned, but she tried her best to regain her composure.

"Of course, sister," she said. "I understand."

"Good." She gestured to one of the stained glass windows, each one told a story. This one was the tale of Nightmare Moon, one that Luna knew very well.

"You remember this, don't you?" she asked.

Luna was confused. Celestia was acting very strange. She never forced Luna to talk about Nightmare Moon before, but now she was.

"Yes, I... I do," she said hesitantly.

"And do you remember your thousand year imprisonment in the moon?"

"Yes. I'd really prefer not to talk about it. It's not a good memory."

"Did you ever wonder what I was doing while you were there?"

"No, not particularly. I know you had to be the lone ruler for a while. You had to be in charge of everything without my help. Look, if you brought me here to make me apologize, I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to do to make it up to you.”

Celestia smiled, but it was not warm and comforting. It was more sinister, as if she knew something that nopony else did.

“Oh don’t worry, Luna,” she said. “I didn’t bring you here for that.”

She paused.

“I realized something while you were gone. I learned what I truly wanted and dreamed of. It took years without you to figure it out.”

Luna had no idea where this conversation was going anymore. She said nothing.

Celestia continued. “I learned that what I truly wanted out of life was to have absolute power. I thought I wanted you here next to me, but I realized you were just getting in the way."

But I... I don't understand," stammered Luna. "We're sisters, and friends. Why would you..." her voice trailed off.

"Oh, I think you do understand, Luna," she said. "We can do this easily, or it could get difficult."

Celestia stepped closer.

"The easy way is for you to resign. We can say you were tired of the job. No lives will be lost. You will, of course lose your immortality, but that is the least violent route,"

Luna gathered herself. She wasn't about to submit to her sister's greed. There was no way that she would give up her position.

"And if I refuse?" she said.

"Then things might not go so well. I will have to hunt you down and kill you. You are much too dangerous to be left alive if you don't cooperate."

Luna was shocked. Celestia never threatened anypony, let alone her sister.

"You can't kill me, not while I still have my immortality. Even if you could, you would never get away with it. The ponies would see how evil you really are," Luna said with determination.

"That's where you are wrong. I trust you know of the Elements of Harmony. Every time they have been used, they have only been to defeat or weaken the enemy. But the Elements have another, much more powerful spell that can be cast. Only Princess Twilight Sparkle and myself know this. If cast right, the Elements can kill any being, mortal or immortal. Even a princess."

Luna couldn't believe it. After all this time, Celestia had been keeping secrets, even about something as powerful as the Elements. However, she had to stand her ground.

"Even so, you will need to convince everypony to join your side. You can't fight me alone."

"I know that, Luna. But you have to understand, they already are on my side, or at least they will be. They think of you as the more dangerous, unpredictable one. You tried to run away and ruin Equestria once before, who's to say they won't believe that you did it again? Once I tell them, they won't hesitate to believe me."

They stared coldly at each other. Seeing no response from her younger sister, Celestia continued.

"So, what will it be? You can leave now and save yourself and your friends, or you can fight me and every pony in Equestria. It's your choice."

"You're not my sister. Celestia would never do this. She always cares for and protects me. We have always ruled together, and we function as one. She would rather die than lose me, and I would do the same for her."

Luna stepped forward and met her eyes.

"I will fight you. No matter what it takes, or if I lose the respect of every pony alive, I will get her back. She matters too much for me to let her go."

Celestia shook her head. "That's what I thought you would say. I will give you until the Gala to prepare. On that day, I will come and find you. You must leave now, if you want to survive."

Luna turned around and went to the door in silence.

"And Luna," Celestia said with a sinister smile. "Your loyalty to your friends will be your downfall."