Celestia's Sacrificeby Thunder SeetheChaptersCh.1Ch.2Ch.3Ch.4Ch.5Ch.1Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor Ch.1 - Hitting Reality Dear My Beloved Sister Luna, Hi Luna... I'm... I guess what I want to start off with is... I have been a terrible sister. Forgive me. I have told lies that spread throughout Equestria. I'm sorry! You may not know what happened to you, so I will explain. I'm sorry for what you're about to read. Ever since the beginning of our monarchy, we have been given the attribute to raise the sun, and raise the moon. You probably know that, so I won't waste time getting into it. My time is running short. The whole Nightmare Moon thing is a lie... a lie that I had created. What really happened... was something that was all my fault. My overreaction that caused you to be banished to the moon. It was unjustified, and for that I can only hope for your forgiveness. This is the story I have remembered for over a thousand years Luna. I remember it like it was yesterday, and hopefully you'll remember some of this. It was another day, we were only a few hundred years old at the time. You were still aged like a filly, and I more as a teen. I was fascinated with spells, and their attributes, so I took the will on trying to create my own. We were closer than ever at the time, so I thought... why not test it on you, as it isn't to do any harm. It was meant to treat ponies who were depressed, and needed help to move on. It was supposed to help... "Luna? Luna!?" The young princess called out to her beloved younger sister. "Yes sister?" Luna came prancing in the room with a book enveloped by the dark purple aura from her magic. "Do you mind if I test something on you? It won't hurt or harm you in any way. I promise." "Okay, what is it supposed to do?" "Well, with the recent economic problems, many ponies are getting depressed. So this spell is supposed to help them feel better and happier!" Celestia said with much enthusiasm. This would be her first spell that she had created. The younger sister replied with a large smile, and violently nodded her head. Princess Celestia had sparked up her spell, and cast it upon her sister who began to shimmer bright yellow. This went on for a few minutes, but there was no result. No change. "Was that it Tia?" "I... I guess so, maybe I should do more studying on this spell. Sorry if I bothered you." This is probably because she's not sad or anything... I should have thought that through, maybe I could find a volunteer who is actually depressed about something. She thought to herself. "Don't worry about it... can you read me a story?" "Sorry Lulu, I gotta find out what I've done wrong. Maybe... hmm." The older sister continued her studying about what went wrong with her spell as her younger sister went out to find someone who will actually read her a story. The older princess decided to put it on hold while she went to drink tea, but never got back to it. The spell forever laid in the book, which soon became known to her as, "The Book of Failed Spells." She meant well with that spell, but she didn't bother to look at the spell she actually cast. Instead, she just looked around for a spell that's already been created and tested. She was successful on that, but due to her apathy of the spell she cast, it would greatly affect not only Luna's future, but greatly affect Celestia as well. As they aged more and more throughout the centuries, they had grown apart. They wouldn't speak to each other. Luna wouldn't speak to her older sister, as Celestia would not speak to her younger sister. The more they grew apart, the more they had arguments. It was usually the battle of wits, so Luna usually lost since she's four-hundred years younger than her sister. ++++ Over the course of three more long years, the older sister has stumbled upon some old books of her failed spells that she had promised herself she would make them work. For some reason, she felt provoked to open them up, so she did. The book of failure was in now in her presence. She scanned through the spells heedlessly until she stumbled upon the spell she tested on her sister. She looked at it more and more, each time with more dedication and persistence. It was then when she heard a crash coming from Luna's room. "What could that little twerp be up to now!" Celestia thought as she slammed the book shut, and tossed it to a near corner. She walked up the stairs to her little sisters room, and expected a huge mess with her little sister crying. The older sister opened the door slowly to peek at the turmoil in the room. But, everything was the same in the room itself. Her round bed with a crescent moon and star was neatly done, the purple floor and walls were still its same shade, the walls still glistened with the sparkly stars, everything was as it should be. But Luna had something in her hoofs. She tried her best to cover it with her small filly body, but it failed miserably. What she had found, did not only surprise her, but it also enraged her. "Sister! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" "You broke it! That was the only memory of our parents!" "I-I know, but please, don't be mad." The Luna pleaded as she received no mercy from her older sister. Tears were flushing down her eyes, and began forming a puddle around her small purple body. "Don't be mad? How can I not be mad when you have destroyed the only thing we have left of them!?" Princess Celestia's horn started glowing, but she was too infuriated to even notice that she was about to cast a spell on her sister. They were both young and new to being an alicorn; despite being a few centuries old. "I'm sorry..." A golden aura besieged Luna's body. Celestia's eyes were closed and clad with tears. She didn't know what was about to happen. The older princess blinked a few times and saw the crying Luna sitting in the puddle of tears with the ornament with sentimental value in her hoofs slowly become translucent. Luna had well known what was going to happen, but didn't speak up because her tears were too caught up in her throat. Her final words before unjustified banishment were as soft and mellifluous. "I'm so sorry sister... I hope you will forgive me in time." Luna was now transparent with only the slight image of her still being there. She was like a ghost, and that's when the older princess had opened her eyes. Just when it was too late to stop the spell. "Luna!" She charged for her sister faster than a boulder would resign to gravity, but it was too late for that. Luna had been banished to the moon for a thousand years. "No!" Princess Celestia exclaimed as she plopped herself on the floor and hitting her hoofs against the nearest wall. She blinked, she hit her head on the wall multiple times, she looked around the castle, under her bed, under the couch... she wanted this to be a dream; a nightmare. She wanted to wake up, but it was reality. She had sent her sister to the moon. Ch.2Celestia’s Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor Ch.2 - Within The Years The older sister had to release some excuse as to why the Princess had been sent to the moon. She didn't like what had come to mind, but she had no choice. She had to lie, and make her sister an enemy. Her proposal would be at dusk in Canterlot, and there she will propose the incident of Nightmare Moon. "I can't believe I'm doing this... lying to my own little ponies, I never thought that I'd be at fault. However, if I say that I sent her to the moon when she just made a small mistake, then I would be overthrown. There are already extremist groups forming about this incident, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself. Do I dare call her my sister anymore? She will never forgive me..." Celestia thought said to herself. She never missed her sister anymore than before, and could only wonder what Lulu was thinking. It was time for the ceremony. Celestia walked up on the stage in front of the podium, and there were many mad ponies in the crowd throwing fits, prepared with rotten tomatoes and various other fruits; and Celestia only wished that they would cause her public humiliation so she could just leave. To her dismay, they gradually quieted down, and waited for her to propose her reasons. "My little ponies. I'm certain and without a doubt you know what I have done." Tears starting forming from her eyes, and she couldn't look any more guilty than now. "I must tell you that she has become a victim of this random aura called the Nightmare, which caused her to become Nightmare Moon." The lie hurt her more than what a steel longsword could emit. "What is this Nightmare?" A pony called out from the audience which was followed by a stream of agreements. "The Nightmare is a type of parasite that flies around to take over a body. It happened to her, and the only way to rid of it was to send her to the moon. I couldn't risk the fate of Equestria by keeping her here. It was the only way." The older sister had lied again, and she started to feel even worse. Her stomach started twisting and turning at the thought of somepony finding out the truth. "What makes you think that she was infected by the Nightmare?" The same pony asked in the audience. "She threatened to make the night last forever. She had grown relentless over the years... keep in mind, when she comes back she will be normal. So please, show respect and no fear of her return." The ponies just nodded uneasily, and parted for some of the gourmet. ++++ The rest of the ceremony had carried out as it should have. The proposal, food, more talking, food, and everypony went home. Celestia still felt uneasy about all the lies she had committed. She was a princess, and she had just lied to her citizens. Then again, it had to be done. Every night, the older princess would go up to the highest mountain of Equestria, and sit down and talk to her sister. She would stay there for the night, and go back to Canterlot to raise the sun. "Lulu... I still don't know if you can hear me, and this must be the hundredth time I've said this... but I'm sorry. I wish there was a way for me to have you return... but I have no breakthrough. When you come back, the ponies will most likely fear you, and please blame me for that. Hate me for that." Celestia looked down as her tears started to bead the blades of grass. "I am an idiot aren't I?" The older princess started thinking about what she had done, and wanted to just run away. She knew she couldn't for the sake of her citizens of Equestria. "Princess? What are you doing up here?" A purple unicorn filly asked as she approached. "N-Nothing..." She tried her best to swallow her tears and regain composure, but failed. Her sister was in her mind at the time, and she couldn't stop blaming herself. "Where are your parents?" "They're at home... and I decided to go for a walk!" The young filly said brightly with a smile, which soon turned into a frown when she noticed that the princess was clearly thinking of something. The princess was looking up at the moon, and had an abundance of tears streaming from her eyes. "What are you thinking about princess? Nightmare Moon? Yeah, my parents told me about that tragedy... you must miss your sister right?" Celestia looked back down at the filly who still didn't have her cutie mark. Time slowed down for her. Within those seconds of slowed time, she contemplated about letting the filly know the truth, or if she should just go along and lie again. In those seconds, she thought of what Luna would want, and came to her decision of telling the truth to the innocent mind. "Young filly... do you wish to know the truth?" The princess said with a slight smile and her tears ceased. "Truth?" "Yes... the truth about how Luna had really been sent to the moon." "Well, I guess, but what do you mean; the truth?" The filly asked curiously. "What everypony knows about Luna's current state is a lie... I sent her to the moon in vain. She broke an ornament that was given to us by our mother and father. It was an accident, but I was so mad... I didn't even know. I..." She was starting to cry again, but the filly walked up to her and started nuzzling her to calm her down. She continued, "I yelled at her, made her seem at fault. She was young; we were both young at the time. The magic must have reacted to my anger and I guess... it just cast one of the most powerful spells out there. It's even worse because I don't even know how to get her back! Tell me to stop when you want to leave..." The princess started sobbing again, and now the filly was right at her side sitting down next to her listening. "It's okay... you can keep going." The filly said with such a gentle voice, but tears were forming from her eyes too. "Then let me tell you how everything started..." The filly nodded, and the princess began her story. ++++ The princess told the story of how things were before they grew apart, and things led to this. However, she was still missing a single detail that would be very costly. She had told the story until dawn, but the young filly was still awake and listening attentively. Her eyes were slightly swollen and darkened from the tears shed within the hours. The princess used her magic to lower the moon and raise the sun. While the moon was setting, she stared at it, and said her goodbye. When the sun rose, she looked back to the filly laying next to her and realized how long she was kept here. "Thank you child... sorry to have kept you here for so long, let me take you back to your home." The princess got up to prepare to carry the filly home, but was stopped by the rejection. "It's fine princess, and I do hope you and Luna are happy soon. I take it that you want me to keep this a secret, right?" "You don't need to keep it a secret... and thank you for listening." Celestia looked back up to where the moon used to be, and smiled. "Well... bye princess." The young filly got up and started walking away, but turned around and gave the princess an embracing hug. "I hope you feel better soon." The filly whispered as she continued to hug Celestia. "Thank you." Ch.3Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.3 - Truth The filly spread the word, and at first nopony believed her, but I confirmed that it was the truth. So you won't need to worry about it. Hopefully they hate me more than you, but by now... we should both be long forgotten. Upon your return, you'll be known as the only true princess by bloodline. Princess Celestia finally made her way back to her castle while receiving many thanks from her fellow ponies. Everyday it got worse. Everyday, she was praised as a hero. A book had already been written about the story of how it all supposedly happened. Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon... This had been written another a few years after the princess told the filly the real story, and the princess was still oblivious to what she had actually done. Her guilt has not only made her feel guilty, but also made her avert contact from her servants and people. She secluded herself from the public at all costs, but still went up to the highest mountain in Canterlot to visit her sister. On days when she wasn't busy, she studied her book of failed spells, and was still missing that important detail. She still constantly thought of the filly who she had revealed the truth to. She constantly thought, "Has she told anypony yet?" as she was still receiving praise from her act of heroism on days of public speaking. As it turns out, the filly did try to tell every pony that she could, like the princess asked. However, nopony believed her... or at least, not many. Most addressed as crazy or liar, but the few who did believe her had formed an extremist group who's vow was to rid of Celestia's leadership. They named themselves the New Lunar Republic. "One day, this will all be over..." She thought to herself looking around in Luna's room. In the middle of the room, on a large dark purple carpet, she found the little ornament that had shattered and made Luna yelp. She stared at it for some time now, but did nothing. She thought of how silly it was for her to overreact to such a simple inanimate object. She facehoofed multiple times before throwing the ornament into the trash. It may have been a sentimental thing to both of the sisters, but it was no use putting it back together anyway. She laid on her sisters bed and started fiddling with the fragments of the ornament; the gift from her parents. It was a clay ornament in shape of an archangel. The archangel was not of a pony, but of some humanoid structure. It's wings were spread wide and had a full set of iron armor, he wielded a shield and sword. On both the sword and shield, they had words. The sword read; Sacrifice, and the shield read; Forgiveness. The princess had fully reassembled the many fragments of the ornament, and now left with only a few chips missing here and there, she placed the fixed ornament on Luna's bed. "Luna, the day you come back will be the day that I ask of your forgiveness, and maybe before... there will be a sacrifice made." She left the room and closed the door behind her which was also purple like Luna's wallpaper, and had a crescent moon; like her Cutie Mark, on the door knob. Princess Celestia went back to her room where she now kept her studies. Her failed spells, the effects, and everything else related to Luna. She read the books over and over again, and always missed the same details. Never really discovering anything new, she hired some prodigies in magic to double check on her work. You see Luna... at first I thought the sacrifice would be of some object, or taking time away from what I'd rather be doing, but then... this happened. I still hope that you can forgive me. Ch.4Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.4 - Successor You see sister, it has been some time since the filly started to spread the word, but with much failure she had given up. For years she had come to visit me on that mountain, just to talk to me; to be a friend. She started trying out for my school of gifted students to help me with my studies, which almost came to a breakthrough. I made her my successor when she was only nine! She was indeed, a very talented pony. She sent me letters everyday of her discoveries, findings, breakthroughs, and on occasions, something that benefited my stupid book of failed spells. When she came across the spell I used on you many years back, when we were both new to ruling Equestria, she figured out something that I had missed. Something careless, and could have cost you your life. So I'm glad she made her way there in time. You should thank her for me; not that I haven't already, but do it again. "Ms. Sparkle, this letter is to you, from the Princess." A white coated stallion in full golden armor said while holding out a scroll. "Thank you." Ms. Sparkle said accepting the scroll. Once the guard left the room, she proceeded to read it. Dear Twilight Sparkle, I was wondering if you had any updates for my Book of Failed Spells for me. Specifically the one I tested on Luna, which should be on page thirteen. Once you get some results, please inform me on your progress, or completion. Many Thanks, Princess Celestia "Seems simple enough." She put the scroll on her desk, and started going through her library in search of the Book of Failed Spells that the Princess made when she was younger. Most of the spells that had to be fixed were already worked on by the other students. Not to mention that Twilight Sparkle was the smartest student in Equestria, so nothing really ever confused her. The only thing that would ever bother her was being tardy, getting an A on a test instead of an A++, or when ponies asked her to go out and have a good time. To her, a good time was studying, reading books and novels, then re-reading them to memorize the novel word for word, or joining book clubs which she never really did much of. The young mare stared at the spell, performed it on the mannequin pony to fully understand how it works, then she went towards the mechanics of the spell. She performed it on microorganisms to see the effects of it on life. The microorganism is a species created by Twilight Sparkle herself. The organism is used for testing spells, or other chemical anomalies. Despite its great use, it still is unnamed. The average lifespan of this organism is supposed to be three hours upon its summon. When the spell was cast, the microorganisms lived for only four minutes. This means the life span has been decreased by roughly ninety-eight percent. "She performed the spell on Luna many years ago, about one-hundred twenty-one to be exact. Since Princess Luna is immortal, it shouldn't have any effect to her... unless..." She grabbed a few books from the library shelves and began reading through the pages with haste. "The spell is eternally lodged into the body..." she muttered to herself as she flipped through more pages, very familiar with the book. "If used with a massive instantaneous transportation, the spell may get leaked and turn the immortal being, mortal. The lifespan will be longer than a normal being, but only by fifty percent of its average life expectancy..." She grabbed another book from the shelf that contained the census, along with the deaths of all ponies. It was a more depressing book to read, nonetheless, she read it anyway and got very familiar with the book. She mainly grabbed it for a reference. "Eighty-eight years is our average life expectancy if I calculated correctly..." she paused again to double check her math. "Yup, it should be right. Now added the fifty percent, she should have about one-hundred and twenty-two years. Given the fact that this really is the average life expectancy. I need to inform the Princess." She said to herself once again. Twilight was not like the other ponies. She never went out, never had many friends, except for Princess Celestia. She was more a friend to her than all the books in the library. She sometimes called her Aunt Tia, or Momma Tia. Twilight practically considered her family, and the Princess thought the same. Twilight grabbed her quill and ink bottle and frantically began writing the letter. "Dear Princess Celestia," she spoke aloud as she wrote. "I have come to a breakthrough in page thirteen, and I have really bad news. I thought that it'll be best if I'd tell you personally, so please meet me in my room when you're ready. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle." She quickly tossed the letter into the fireplace where it would be transported to the Princess. She sighed as she went to put away her books and readied herself for the Princesses arrival. She usually responded quickly to her letters, and reacted just as fast. She didn't know how she would break this to her, but she wouldn't even have enough time to plan it out if she tried. Once finishing the setup for two chairs, she just sat down and waited. +++ "Twilight, what's wrong?" The Princess asked, uncertain of what news she was to bare. "I'm afraid I discovered something about your sister. I know how much you care for her, so thank you for coming down quickly." Twilight said with a bit of hesitation. "Your sister, is on the verge of death..." she looked down at the table. "Death? She's immortal. Upon her return, she'll be fine right?" The Princess replied optimistically, but the facts were there. Twilight laid the research she had done on the table, and passed them over to the Princess. "Apparently, when you cast that spell; who knows how long ago, you had accidentally given her a spell to shorten a life by roughly ninety-eight percent." The Princess shuffled through the papers as Twilight continued to describe the situation. "But since your sister is immortal, she was immune to it; it had no effect. Unfortunately, the spell was lodged in her soul. It still would have no effect unless she were to travel in any massive instantaneous transportation... which unfortunately... yeah." Both of them looked down at the table feeling hopeless in this situation. However, the Princess had an idea to save her sister... with a cost. She hadn't planned on doing this until she reached at least ten thousand years old, but she had no choice now. "Twilight?" The Princess said dropping the papers on the table. "How much time does she have left?" "Depending on the date she was sent to the moon, approximately one year... if not, less." Twilight said putting her two fore hoofs on the table and rest on them. "Okay... I understand. Twilight," The Princess said, raising her head back up with watery eyes. "How would you like to come with me back on the mountain tonight?" "I'd love to." Ch.5Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.5 - Bidding Adieu The Princess continued her letter writing as much as she could. She wanted to get every confession out, and try her best to set everything straight before she did what she must. Her time was limited, and so was her sister's. She made haste, and had gone through every memory throughout the years. Fillyhood, first becomings of Princesses, adulthood, the ups and downs, the favors never fulfilled, promises broken and kept. All written on one piece of paper. It was a beautiful night, one again raised by the sun goddess who sat on top of the mountain, and stared at the beautiful shining moon, which was her sister's prison. She sighed at the thought. She wouldn't be here long, and goddesses; unlike other ponies, don't have a second life. An afterlife. Once they give up their immortality - or lose it, they're gone forever. Then soon to be forgotten by others as time goes on, no matter how big of an impact they left on society. It's only a matter of time... The Princess finished her thought when she heard the grass being disturbed, followed by crunching of small sticks from the nearby tree that had grown over the years. Without turning around, she greeted her. "Thank you for joining me tonight Twilight." Twilight stopped for a second, surprised that she knew of her presence, but continued not wanting to be rude. "It was no problem." Twilight walked up to her loving mentor, and sat next to her while staring up at the moon. They sat there in silence for a few moments until the Princess spoke up. "Twilight?" Twilight looked over at the Princess who was still staring at the moon and replied, "Yes?" "How would you like to be... a successor?" Celestia said as she looked towards Twilight, while keeping one eye on the moon. "What?" Twilight asked in surprise. "I will be gone soon... You only need to rule until Luna's return, which should be soon. Please, this is the last favor I ask of you." Celestia pleaded. Twilight stopped to think for a few moments. She thought of when her sister Luna was supposed to return, and the date she was supposed to pass. She looked back up to her mentor to find tears streaming down her face. She was no longer looking at Twilight, but she was up against the tree. Her head rested on its roots as she cried, letting the moisture of her tears feed the tree. Without any further thinking, Twilight walked up to her mentor and lay next to her as a few tears started to form in her own eyes, and replied, "Yes." They both lay there in silence as the moon shone above, and Twilight drifted off into a deep sleep. The Princess was still wide awake, and was still crying on the roots of the tree. She tried to regain her composure, but was only able to stand and realize that Twilight was asleep. She picked Twilight up with her magic, and brought her back to the castle. She lay her in the bed, her tears now slowly forming from her face. She decided to cast a spell on Twilight to give her sweet dreams. The Princess walked back to her room, and glanced looking at the empty piece of paper, that was supposed to be her goodbye to her sister. She started it at last, and she planned for this to be her last night. Dear My Beloved Sister Luna, Hi Luna... I'm... I guess what I want to start off with is... I have been a terrible sister. Forgive me. I have told lies that spread throughout Equestria. I'm sorry! You may not know what happened to you, so I will explain. I'm sorry for what you're about to read. Ever since the beginning of our monarchy, we have been given the attribute to raise the sun, and raise the moon. You probably know that, so I won't waste time getting into it. My time is running short. The whole Nightmare Moon thing is a lie... a lie that I had created. What really happened... was something that was all my fault. My overreaction that caused you to be banished to the moon. It was unjustified, and for that I can only hope for your forgiveness. This is the story I have remembered for over a thousand years Luna. I remember it like it was yesterday, and hopefully you'll remember some of this. It was another day, we were only a few hundred years old at the time. You were still aged like a filly, and I more as a teen. I was fascinated with spells, and their attributes, so I took the will on trying to create my own. We were closer than ever at the time, so I thought... why not test it on you, as it isn't to do any harm. It was meant to treat ponies who were depressed, and needed help to move on. It was supposed to help... the spell I tested on you many years ago. I should have been thinking, or done more studying. If only I haven't done such a thing, I would still be here... I wouldn't have been such a terrible sister. I apologize. I don't know where to start; how this all began, the current news? The advances in technology have definitely improved since your last presence. I'm not very good at this... I've never thought that I'd have to do it this early. I just hope you know that I truly do love you, and I will always. Even if I won't have an afterlife. A few years after I banished you, I had to make a speech explaining my action. People weren't very proud of my excuse, and I regret making one. I lied. I made up this monster called, "Nightmare Moon" which supposedly took control of you and that you threatened to make night last forever. What I regret even more is, ponies began to hate you. Others started a cult called The New Lunar Republic. I've started such chaos, I may as well be banished. Then, a young filly approached me one night when I visited you on the highest mountain in Canterlot. I told her the full truth, one of the only ponies I really exposed the truth to. The filly spread the word, and at first nopony believed her, but I confirmed that it was the truth. So you won't need to worry about it. Hopefully they hate me more than you, but by now... we should both be long forgotten. Upon your return, you'll be known as the only true princess by bloodline. Still, some ponies never forget. You see sister, it has been some time since the filly started to spread the word, but with much failure she had given up. For years she had come to visit me on that mountain, just to talk to me; to be a friend. She started trying out for my school of gifted students to help me with my studies, which almost came to a breakthrough. I made her my successor when she was only nine! She was indeed, a very talented pony. She sent me letters everyday of her discoveries, findings, breakthroughs, and on occasions, something that benefited my stupid book of failed spells. When she came across the spell I used on you many years back, when we were both new to ruling Equestria, she figured out something that I had missed. Something careless, and could have cost you your life. So I'm glad she made her way there in time. You should thank her for me; not that I haven't already, but do it again. Perhaps I will just write her a separate letter. Disregard my last statement. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, and I trust her to do the sun and moon changes until you return. I've already taught her on our spare time, and occasionally, she'd help me raise the moon. She reminded me of you. Twilight is very friendly, and is very knowledgeable, so hopefully now that you're here, things are better than it should be. So Luna, I apologize once again. I wish there had been another way; I truly do. I remember every night I was up on those mountains, I kept thinking to myself, there's got to be a way. But there wasn't. This is the only way it would work out for the better. I hope you understand, and forgive me. I would really never know for myself. P.S Will always love you before, and beyond death. Your Loving Sister, Tia Once she finished the letter, she walked back on the mountain where the beautiful tree stood in the moonlight. On the tree, were flowers. They were large, and had represented the Jasmine flower. It reminded her of the Princess of the moon, and she closed her eyes as she conjured the spell. Her horn started to emit an golden glow as it surrounded her body. A trail of sparkling multicolored mist started to take form away from her body, as hers started to grow pale and her mane lose color. The mist started moving to the moon where her sister lay for almost a thousand years. The Princess dropped to the ground, and the spell was finished. Her mane lost all color, and her coat became paler. She lay on the ground staring at the tree, unable to move her body. In the distance, she could see the moon shining above Equestria, and she let out a small smile for the first time in a very long time. It felt good. She closed her eyes, and everything darkened into nothing. Then she muttered one last thing, "Forgive me."
Ch.1Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor Ch.1 - Hitting Reality Dear My Beloved Sister Luna, Hi Luna... I'm... I guess what I want to start off with is... I have been a terrible sister. Forgive me. I have told lies that spread throughout Equestria. I'm sorry! You may not know what happened to you, so I will explain. I'm sorry for what you're about to read. Ever since the beginning of our monarchy, we have been given the attribute to raise the sun, and raise the moon. You probably know that, so I won't waste time getting into it. My time is running short. The whole Nightmare Moon thing is a lie... a lie that I had created. What really happened... was something that was all my fault. My overreaction that caused you to be banished to the moon. It was unjustified, and for that I can only hope for your forgiveness. This is the story I have remembered for over a thousand years Luna. I remember it like it was yesterday, and hopefully you'll remember some of this. It was another day, we were only a few hundred years old at the time. You were still aged like a filly, and I more as a teen. I was fascinated with spells, and their attributes, so I took the will on trying to create my own. We were closer than ever at the time, so I thought... why not test it on you, as it isn't to do any harm. It was meant to treat ponies who were depressed, and needed help to move on. It was supposed to help... "Luna? Luna!?" The young princess called out to her beloved younger sister. "Yes sister?" Luna came prancing in the room with a book enveloped by the dark purple aura from her magic. "Do you mind if I test something on you? It won't hurt or harm you in any way. I promise." "Okay, what is it supposed to do?" "Well, with the recent economic problems, many ponies are getting depressed. So this spell is supposed to help them feel better and happier!" Celestia said with much enthusiasm. This would be her first spell that she had created. The younger sister replied with a large smile, and violently nodded her head. Princess Celestia had sparked up her spell, and cast it upon her sister who began to shimmer bright yellow. This went on for a few minutes, but there was no result. No change. "Was that it Tia?" "I... I guess so, maybe I should do more studying on this spell. Sorry if I bothered you." This is probably because she's not sad or anything... I should have thought that through, maybe I could find a volunteer who is actually depressed about something. She thought to herself. "Don't worry about it... can you read me a story?" "Sorry Lulu, I gotta find out what I've done wrong. Maybe... hmm." The older sister continued her studying about what went wrong with her spell as her younger sister went out to find someone who will actually read her a story. The older princess decided to put it on hold while she went to drink tea, but never got back to it. The spell forever laid in the book, which soon became known to her as, "The Book of Failed Spells." She meant well with that spell, but she didn't bother to look at the spell she actually cast. Instead, she just looked around for a spell that's already been created and tested. She was successful on that, but due to her apathy of the spell she cast, it would greatly affect not only Luna's future, but greatly affect Celestia as well. As they aged more and more throughout the centuries, they had grown apart. They wouldn't speak to each other. Luna wouldn't speak to her older sister, as Celestia would not speak to her younger sister. The more they grew apart, the more they had arguments. It was usually the battle of wits, so Luna usually lost since she's four-hundred years younger than her sister. ++++ Over the course of three more long years, the older sister has stumbled upon some old books of her failed spells that she had promised herself she would make them work. For some reason, she felt provoked to open them up, so she did. The book of failure was in now in her presence. She scanned through the spells heedlessly until she stumbled upon the spell she tested on her sister. She looked at it more and more, each time with more dedication and persistence. It was then when she heard a crash coming from Luna's room. "What could that little twerp be up to now!" Celestia thought as she slammed the book shut, and tossed it to a near corner. She walked up the stairs to her little sisters room, and expected a huge mess with her little sister crying. The older sister opened the door slowly to peek at the turmoil in the room. But, everything was the same in the room itself. Her round bed with a crescent moon and star was neatly done, the purple floor and walls were still its same shade, the walls still glistened with the sparkly stars, everything was as it should be. But Luna had something in her hoofs. She tried her best to cover it with her small filly body, but it failed miserably. What she had found, did not only surprise her, but it also enraged her. "Sister! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" "You broke it! That was the only memory of our parents!" "I-I know, but please, don't be mad." The Luna pleaded as she received no mercy from her older sister. Tears were flushing down her eyes, and began forming a puddle around her small purple body. "Don't be mad? How can I not be mad when you have destroyed the only thing we have left of them!?" Princess Celestia's horn started glowing, but she was too infuriated to even notice that she was about to cast a spell on her sister. They were both young and new to being an alicorn; despite being a few centuries old. "I'm sorry..." A golden aura besieged Luna's body. Celestia's eyes were closed and clad with tears. She didn't know what was about to happen. The older princess blinked a few times and saw the crying Luna sitting in the puddle of tears with the ornament with sentimental value in her hoofs slowly become translucent. Luna had well known what was going to happen, but didn't speak up because her tears were too caught up in her throat. Her final words before unjustified banishment were as soft and mellifluous. "I'm so sorry sister... I hope you will forgive me in time." Luna was now transparent with only the slight image of her still being there. She was like a ghost, and that's when the older princess had opened her eyes. Just when it was too late to stop the spell. "Luna!" She charged for her sister faster than a boulder would resign to gravity, but it was too late for that. Luna had been banished to the moon for a thousand years. "No!" Princess Celestia exclaimed as she plopped herself on the floor and hitting her hoofs against the nearest wall. She blinked, she hit her head on the wall multiple times, she looked around the castle, under her bed, under the couch... she wanted this to be a dream; a nightmare. She wanted to wake up, but it was reality. She had sent her sister to the moon.
Ch.2Celestia’s Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor Ch.2 - Within The Years The older sister had to release some excuse as to why the Princess had been sent to the moon. She didn't like what had come to mind, but she had no choice. She had to lie, and make her sister an enemy. Her proposal would be at dusk in Canterlot, and there she will propose the incident of Nightmare Moon. "I can't believe I'm doing this... lying to my own little ponies, I never thought that I'd be at fault. However, if I say that I sent her to the moon when she just made a small mistake, then I would be overthrown. There are already extremist groups forming about this incident, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself. Do I dare call her my sister anymore? She will never forgive me..." Celestia thought said to herself. She never missed her sister anymore than before, and could only wonder what Lulu was thinking. It was time for the ceremony. Celestia walked up on the stage in front of the podium, and there were many mad ponies in the crowd throwing fits, prepared with rotten tomatoes and various other fruits; and Celestia only wished that they would cause her public humiliation so she could just leave. To her dismay, they gradually quieted down, and waited for her to propose her reasons. "My little ponies. I'm certain and without a doubt you know what I have done." Tears starting forming from her eyes, and she couldn't look any more guilty than now. "I must tell you that she has become a victim of this random aura called the Nightmare, which caused her to become Nightmare Moon." The lie hurt her more than what a steel longsword could emit. "What is this Nightmare?" A pony called out from the audience which was followed by a stream of agreements. "The Nightmare is a type of parasite that flies around to take over a body. It happened to her, and the only way to rid of it was to send her to the moon. I couldn't risk the fate of Equestria by keeping her here. It was the only way." The older sister had lied again, and she started to feel even worse. Her stomach started twisting and turning at the thought of somepony finding out the truth. "What makes you think that she was infected by the Nightmare?" The same pony asked in the audience. "She threatened to make the night last forever. She had grown relentless over the years... keep in mind, when she comes back she will be normal. So please, show respect and no fear of her return." The ponies just nodded uneasily, and parted for some of the gourmet. ++++ The rest of the ceremony had carried out as it should have. The proposal, food, more talking, food, and everypony went home. Celestia still felt uneasy about all the lies she had committed. She was a princess, and she had just lied to her citizens. Then again, it had to be done. Every night, the older princess would go up to the highest mountain of Equestria, and sit down and talk to her sister. She would stay there for the night, and go back to Canterlot to raise the sun. "Lulu... I still don't know if you can hear me, and this must be the hundredth time I've said this... but I'm sorry. I wish there was a way for me to have you return... but I have no breakthrough. When you come back, the ponies will most likely fear you, and please blame me for that. Hate me for that." Celestia looked down as her tears started to bead the blades of grass. "I am an idiot aren't I?" The older princess started thinking about what she had done, and wanted to just run away. She knew she couldn't for the sake of her citizens of Equestria. "Princess? What are you doing up here?" A purple unicorn filly asked as she approached. "N-Nothing..." She tried her best to swallow her tears and regain composure, but failed. Her sister was in her mind at the time, and she couldn't stop blaming herself. "Where are your parents?" "They're at home... and I decided to go for a walk!" The young filly said brightly with a smile, which soon turned into a frown when she noticed that the princess was clearly thinking of something. The princess was looking up at the moon, and had an abundance of tears streaming from her eyes. "What are you thinking about princess? Nightmare Moon? Yeah, my parents told me about that tragedy... you must miss your sister right?" Celestia looked back down at the filly who still didn't have her cutie mark. Time slowed down for her. Within those seconds of slowed time, she contemplated about letting the filly know the truth, or if she should just go along and lie again. In those seconds, she thought of what Luna would want, and came to her decision of telling the truth to the innocent mind. "Young filly... do you wish to know the truth?" The princess said with a slight smile and her tears ceased. "Truth?" "Yes... the truth about how Luna had really been sent to the moon." "Well, I guess, but what do you mean; the truth?" The filly asked curiously. "What everypony knows about Luna's current state is a lie... I sent her to the moon in vain. She broke an ornament that was given to us by our mother and father. It was an accident, but I was so mad... I didn't even know. I..." She was starting to cry again, but the filly walked up to her and started nuzzling her to calm her down. She continued, "I yelled at her, made her seem at fault. She was young; we were both young at the time. The magic must have reacted to my anger and I guess... it just cast one of the most powerful spells out there. It's even worse because I don't even know how to get her back! Tell me to stop when you want to leave..." The princess started sobbing again, and now the filly was right at her side sitting down next to her listening. "It's okay... you can keep going." The filly said with such a gentle voice, but tears were forming from her eyes too. "Then let me tell you how everything started..." The filly nodded, and the princess began her story. ++++ The princess told the story of how things were before they grew apart, and things led to this. However, she was still missing a single detail that would be very costly. She had told the story until dawn, but the young filly was still awake and listening attentively. Her eyes were slightly swollen and darkened from the tears shed within the hours. The princess used her magic to lower the moon and raise the sun. While the moon was setting, she stared at it, and said her goodbye. When the sun rose, she looked back to the filly laying next to her and realized how long she was kept here. "Thank you child... sorry to have kept you here for so long, let me take you back to your home." The princess got up to prepare to carry the filly home, but was stopped by the rejection. "It's fine princess, and I do hope you and Luna are happy soon. I take it that you want me to keep this a secret, right?" "You don't need to keep it a secret... and thank you for listening." Celestia looked back up to where the moon used to be, and smiled. "Well... bye princess." The young filly got up and started walking away, but turned around and gave the princess an embracing hug. "I hope you feel better soon." The filly whispered as she continued to hug Celestia. "Thank you."
Ch.3Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.3 - Truth The filly spread the word, and at first nopony believed her, but I confirmed that it was the truth. So you won't need to worry about it. Hopefully they hate me more than you, but by now... we should both be long forgotten. Upon your return, you'll be known as the only true princess by bloodline. Princess Celestia finally made her way back to her castle while receiving many thanks from her fellow ponies. Everyday it got worse. Everyday, she was praised as a hero. A book had already been written about the story of how it all supposedly happened. Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon... This had been written another a few years after the princess told the filly the real story, and the princess was still oblivious to what she had actually done. Her guilt has not only made her feel guilty, but also made her avert contact from her servants and people. She secluded herself from the public at all costs, but still went up to the highest mountain in Canterlot to visit her sister. On days when she wasn't busy, she studied her book of failed spells, and was still missing that important detail. She still constantly thought of the filly who she had revealed the truth to. She constantly thought, "Has she told anypony yet?" as she was still receiving praise from her act of heroism on days of public speaking. As it turns out, the filly did try to tell every pony that she could, like the princess asked. However, nopony believed her... or at least, not many. Most addressed as crazy or liar, but the few who did believe her had formed an extremist group who's vow was to rid of Celestia's leadership. They named themselves the New Lunar Republic. "One day, this will all be over..." She thought to herself looking around in Luna's room. In the middle of the room, on a large dark purple carpet, she found the little ornament that had shattered and made Luna yelp. She stared at it for some time now, but did nothing. She thought of how silly it was for her to overreact to such a simple inanimate object. She facehoofed multiple times before throwing the ornament into the trash. It may have been a sentimental thing to both of the sisters, but it was no use putting it back together anyway. She laid on her sisters bed and started fiddling with the fragments of the ornament; the gift from her parents. It was a clay ornament in shape of an archangel. The archangel was not of a pony, but of some humanoid structure. It's wings were spread wide and had a full set of iron armor, he wielded a shield and sword. On both the sword and shield, they had words. The sword read; Sacrifice, and the shield read; Forgiveness. The princess had fully reassembled the many fragments of the ornament, and now left with only a few chips missing here and there, she placed the fixed ornament on Luna's bed. "Luna, the day you come back will be the day that I ask of your forgiveness, and maybe before... there will be a sacrifice made." She left the room and closed the door behind her which was also purple like Luna's wallpaper, and had a crescent moon; like her Cutie Mark, on the door knob. Princess Celestia went back to her room where she now kept her studies. Her failed spells, the effects, and everything else related to Luna. She read the books over and over again, and always missed the same details. Never really discovering anything new, she hired some prodigies in magic to double check on her work. You see Luna... at first I thought the sacrifice would be of some object, or taking time away from what I'd rather be doing, but then... this happened. I still hope that you can forgive me.
Ch.4Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.4 - Successor You see sister, it has been some time since the filly started to spread the word, but with much failure she had given up. For years she had come to visit me on that mountain, just to talk to me; to be a friend. She started trying out for my school of gifted students to help me with my studies, which almost came to a breakthrough. I made her my successor when she was only nine! She was indeed, a very talented pony. She sent me letters everyday of her discoveries, findings, breakthroughs, and on occasions, something that benefited my stupid book of failed spells. When she came across the spell I used on you many years back, when we were both new to ruling Equestria, she figured out something that I had missed. Something careless, and could have cost you your life. So I'm glad she made her way there in time. You should thank her for me; not that I haven't already, but do it again. "Ms. Sparkle, this letter is to you, from the Princess." A white coated stallion in full golden armor said while holding out a scroll. "Thank you." Ms. Sparkle said accepting the scroll. Once the guard left the room, she proceeded to read it. Dear Twilight Sparkle, I was wondering if you had any updates for my Book of Failed Spells for me. Specifically the one I tested on Luna, which should be on page thirteen. Once you get some results, please inform me on your progress, or completion. Many Thanks, Princess Celestia "Seems simple enough." She put the scroll on her desk, and started going through her library in search of the Book of Failed Spells that the Princess made when she was younger. Most of the spells that had to be fixed were already worked on by the other students. Not to mention that Twilight Sparkle was the smartest student in Equestria, so nothing really ever confused her. The only thing that would ever bother her was being tardy, getting an A on a test instead of an A++, or when ponies asked her to go out and have a good time. To her, a good time was studying, reading books and novels, then re-reading them to memorize the novel word for word, or joining book clubs which she never really did much of. The young mare stared at the spell, performed it on the mannequin pony to fully understand how it works, then she went towards the mechanics of the spell. She performed it on microorganisms to see the effects of it on life. The microorganism is a species created by Twilight Sparkle herself. The organism is used for testing spells, or other chemical anomalies. Despite its great use, it still is unnamed. The average lifespan of this organism is supposed to be three hours upon its summon. When the spell was cast, the microorganisms lived for only four minutes. This means the life span has been decreased by roughly ninety-eight percent. "She performed the spell on Luna many years ago, about one-hundred twenty-one to be exact. Since Princess Luna is immortal, it shouldn't have any effect to her... unless..." She grabbed a few books from the library shelves and began reading through the pages with haste. "The spell is eternally lodged into the body..." she muttered to herself as she flipped through more pages, very familiar with the book. "If used with a massive instantaneous transportation, the spell may get leaked and turn the immortal being, mortal. The lifespan will be longer than a normal being, but only by fifty percent of its average life expectancy..." She grabbed another book from the shelf that contained the census, along with the deaths of all ponies. It was a more depressing book to read, nonetheless, she read it anyway and got very familiar with the book. She mainly grabbed it for a reference. "Eighty-eight years is our average life expectancy if I calculated correctly..." she paused again to double check her math. "Yup, it should be right. Now added the fifty percent, she should have about one-hundred and twenty-two years. Given the fact that this really is the average life expectancy. I need to inform the Princess." She said to herself once again. Twilight was not like the other ponies. She never went out, never had many friends, except for Princess Celestia. She was more a friend to her than all the books in the library. She sometimes called her Aunt Tia, or Momma Tia. Twilight practically considered her family, and the Princess thought the same. Twilight grabbed her quill and ink bottle and frantically began writing the letter. "Dear Princess Celestia," she spoke aloud as she wrote. "I have come to a breakthrough in page thirteen, and I have really bad news. I thought that it'll be best if I'd tell you personally, so please meet me in my room when you're ready. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle." She quickly tossed the letter into the fireplace where it would be transported to the Princess. She sighed as she went to put away her books and readied herself for the Princesses arrival. She usually responded quickly to her letters, and reacted just as fast. She didn't know how she would break this to her, but she wouldn't even have enough time to plan it out if she tried. Once finishing the setup for two chairs, she just sat down and waited. +++ "Twilight, what's wrong?" The Princess asked, uncertain of what news she was to bare. "I'm afraid I discovered something about your sister. I know how much you care for her, so thank you for coming down quickly." Twilight said with a bit of hesitation. "Your sister, is on the verge of death..." she looked down at the table. "Death? She's immortal. Upon her return, she'll be fine right?" The Princess replied optimistically, but the facts were there. Twilight laid the research she had done on the table, and passed them over to the Princess. "Apparently, when you cast that spell; who knows how long ago, you had accidentally given her a spell to shorten a life by roughly ninety-eight percent." The Princess shuffled through the papers as Twilight continued to describe the situation. "But since your sister is immortal, she was immune to it; it had no effect. Unfortunately, the spell was lodged in her soul. It still would have no effect unless she were to travel in any massive instantaneous transportation... which unfortunately... yeah." Both of them looked down at the table feeling hopeless in this situation. However, the Princess had an idea to save her sister... with a cost. She hadn't planned on doing this until she reached at least ten thousand years old, but she had no choice now. "Twilight?" The Princess said dropping the papers on the table. "How much time does she have left?" "Depending on the date she was sent to the moon, approximately one year... if not, less." Twilight said putting her two fore hoofs on the table and rest on them. "Okay... I understand. Twilight," The Princess said, raising her head back up with watery eyes. "How would you like to come with me back on the mountain tonight?" "I'd love to."
Ch.5Celestia's Sacrifice Thunder Seethe Special Thanks: AppleMLP < Editor | Grim Reaper < Proofreader ~ Check out his story! Ch.5 - Bidding Adieu The Princess continued her letter writing as much as she could. She wanted to get every confession out, and try her best to set everything straight before she did what she must. Her time was limited, and so was her sister's. She made haste, and had gone through every memory throughout the years. Fillyhood, first becomings of Princesses, adulthood, the ups and downs, the favors never fulfilled, promises broken and kept. All written on one piece of paper. It was a beautiful night, one again raised by the sun goddess who sat on top of the mountain, and stared at the beautiful shining moon, which was her sister's prison. She sighed at the thought. She wouldn't be here long, and goddesses; unlike other ponies, don't have a second life. An afterlife. Once they give up their immortality - or lose it, they're gone forever. Then soon to be forgotten by others as time goes on, no matter how big of an impact they left on society. It's only a matter of time... The Princess finished her thought when she heard the grass being disturbed, followed by crunching of small sticks from the nearby tree that had grown over the years. Without turning around, she greeted her. "Thank you for joining me tonight Twilight." Twilight stopped for a second, surprised that she knew of her presence, but continued not wanting to be rude. "It was no problem." Twilight walked up to her loving mentor, and sat next to her while staring up at the moon. They sat there in silence for a few moments until the Princess spoke up. "Twilight?" Twilight looked over at the Princess who was still staring at the moon and replied, "Yes?" "How would you like to be... a successor?" Celestia said as she looked towards Twilight, while keeping one eye on the moon. "What?" Twilight asked in surprise. "I will be gone soon... You only need to rule until Luna's return, which should be soon. Please, this is the last favor I ask of you." Celestia pleaded. Twilight stopped to think for a few moments. She thought of when her sister Luna was supposed to return, and the date she was supposed to pass. She looked back up to her mentor to find tears streaming down her face. She was no longer looking at Twilight, but she was up against the tree. Her head rested on its roots as she cried, letting the moisture of her tears feed the tree. Without any further thinking, Twilight walked up to her mentor and lay next to her as a few tears started to form in her own eyes, and replied, "Yes." They both lay there in silence as the moon shone above, and Twilight drifted off into a deep sleep. The Princess was still wide awake, and was still crying on the roots of the tree. She tried to regain her composure, but was only able to stand and realize that Twilight was asleep. She picked Twilight up with her magic, and brought her back to the castle. She lay her in the bed, her tears now slowly forming from her face. She decided to cast a spell on Twilight to give her sweet dreams. The Princess walked back to her room, and glanced looking at the empty piece of paper, that was supposed to be her goodbye to her sister. She started it at last, and she planned for this to be her last night. Dear My Beloved Sister Luna, Hi Luna... I'm... I guess what I want to start off with is... I have been a terrible sister. Forgive me. I have told lies that spread throughout Equestria. I'm sorry! You may not know what happened to you, so I will explain. I'm sorry for what you're about to read. Ever since the beginning of our monarchy, we have been given the attribute to raise the sun, and raise the moon. You probably know that, so I won't waste time getting into it. My time is running short. The whole Nightmare Moon thing is a lie... a lie that I had created. What really happened... was something that was all my fault. My overreaction that caused you to be banished to the moon. It was unjustified, and for that I can only hope for your forgiveness. This is the story I have remembered for over a thousand years Luna. I remember it like it was yesterday, and hopefully you'll remember some of this. It was another day, we were only a few hundred years old at the time. You were still aged like a filly, and I more as a teen. I was fascinated with spells, and their attributes, so I took the will on trying to create my own. We were closer than ever at the time, so I thought... why not test it on you, as it isn't to do any harm. It was meant to treat ponies who were depressed, and needed help to move on. It was supposed to help... the spell I tested on you many years ago. I should have been thinking, or done more studying. If only I haven't done such a thing, I would still be here... I wouldn't have been such a terrible sister. I apologize. I don't know where to start; how this all began, the current news? The advances in technology have definitely improved since your last presence. I'm not very good at this... I've never thought that I'd have to do it this early. I just hope you know that I truly do love you, and I will always. Even if I won't have an afterlife. A few years after I banished you, I had to make a speech explaining my action. People weren't very proud of my excuse, and I regret making one. I lied. I made up this monster called, "Nightmare Moon" which supposedly took control of you and that you threatened to make night last forever. What I regret even more is, ponies began to hate you. Others started a cult called The New Lunar Republic. I've started such chaos, I may as well be banished. Then, a young filly approached me one night when I visited you on the highest mountain in Canterlot. I told her the full truth, one of the only ponies I really exposed the truth to. The filly spread the word, and at first nopony believed her, but I confirmed that it was the truth. So you won't need to worry about it. Hopefully they hate me more than you, but by now... we should both be long forgotten. Upon your return, you'll be known as the only true princess by bloodline. Still, some ponies never forget. You see sister, it has been some time since the filly started to spread the word, but with much failure she had given up. For years she had come to visit me on that mountain, just to talk to me; to be a friend. She started trying out for my school of gifted students to help me with my studies, which almost came to a breakthrough. I made her my successor when she was only nine! She was indeed, a very talented pony. She sent me letters everyday of her discoveries, findings, breakthroughs, and on occasions, something that benefited my stupid book of failed spells. When she came across the spell I used on you many years back, when we were both new to ruling Equestria, she figured out something that I had missed. Something careless, and could have cost you your life. So I'm glad she made her way there in time. You should thank her for me; not that I haven't already, but do it again. Perhaps I will just write her a separate letter. Disregard my last statement. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, and I trust her to do the sun and moon changes until you return. I've already taught her on our spare time, and occasionally, she'd help me raise the moon. She reminded me of you. Twilight is very friendly, and is very knowledgeable, so hopefully now that you're here, things are better than it should be. So Luna, I apologize once again. I wish there had been another way; I truly do. I remember every night I was up on those mountains, I kept thinking to myself, there's got to be a way. But there wasn't. This is the only way it would work out for the better. I hope you understand, and forgive me. I would really never know for myself. P.S Will always love you before, and beyond death. Your Loving Sister, Tia Once she finished the letter, she walked back on the mountain where the beautiful tree stood in the moonlight. On the tree, were flowers. They were large, and had represented the Jasmine flower. It reminded her of the Princess of the moon, and she closed her eyes as she conjured the spell. Her horn started to emit an golden glow as it surrounded her body. A trail of sparkling multicolored mist started to take form away from her body, as hers started to grow pale and her mane lose color. The mist started moving to the moon where her sister lay for almost a thousand years. The Princess dropped to the ground, and the spell was finished. Her mane lost all color, and her coat became paler. She lay on the ground staring at the tree, unable to move her body. In the distance, she could see the moon shining above Equestria, and she let out a small smile for the first time in a very long time. It felt good. She closed her eyes, and everything darkened into nothing. Then she muttered one last thing, "Forgive me."
