Discord was defeated, imprisoned in stone. Princesses Celestia and Luna were heroes. The celebration had started almost immediately, yet one stressed hero did not feel up to it. Finally slipping away from the seemingly unending party, Celestia sought a moment of solitude in the chamber where the mysterious "Elements of Harmony" had been stored.
The door closed behind her, shutting out the light and muffling the sounds of the celebrating ponies. The white mare gave a sigh of relief... Normally she found the upper class "parties" far too dull but today... Today she was tired. She and her sister had just defeated a great and evil foe, plus it had turned out that she did indeed have a limit on how much cake she could consume.
The chamber was large and, unlike the brightly lit party, the only light was that of the night sky through the stained glass windows. Slowly Celestia's eyes became accustomed to the dim room. So this was where the Elements had been stored for years, only recently brought out for the sisters' struggle against Discord... The Elements had saved the day, whatever they were. Celestia approached their display pillar; it was a stone structure with six arms, each one holding an Element. Just stone orbs, surely? Yet when she and her sister had fought there was no doubt something else fighting alongside them...
"What are you...?" mumbled the princess to the stones, "Without your power I don't know how we could have beaten Discord... My sister and I, we had already tried, several times, but with... Little success... Yes, it'll be a relief not to hear his mocking voice at all hours of the day..."
The princess trailed off, looking up to one of the windows. It was a clear night and the stars were shining brightly. She could just about make out the distant sounds of wildlife but the room felt so quiet that it was making her ears ring...
What was that?
Looking towards the warmth she was shocked to see the orbs faintly glowing. It didn't feel powerful, just... Warm.
The door was pushed open and in came the sound of the party along with the words, "Sister, art thou here?"
"Yes, I..."
"They're expecting us, sister! Come!"
Celestia glanced back at the Elements as she left the room. Their warmth had disappeared the moment Luna had opened the door. What had caused that?
A few nights later Celestia crept back to the Elements. Her sister was busy attending to her duties and the guards did not patrol this room...
Closing the door quietly behind her Celestia rushed over to the Elements' stand.
"Hello?"
No response.
"It's me... You seemed to respond last time but... Oh, this is crazy... Ha..." She took a deep breath and continued, "Last time... It just seemed so easy to talk to you... I'm not used to that. I mean, I love my subjects, but I can't really spend time with them; outside of the castle I'm expected to put on that ridiculous voice and must never appear weak. My sister, she is there for me, but... I'm the elder, I must show her how to strongly and fairly rule a kingdom. It's hard to talk to her when I'm afraid she may worship my every mistake... Mm. I suppose you could argue that Discor-... No, it's different. He was... Always trying to get in my head. Trying to find my weakness. I couldn't tell anyone what was truly on my mind, least of all him... Philomeena, sometimes, but she's migrating at this time of year. She'll be back soon but it has been a very lonely few mon- oh!"
The Elements were glowing again. It was hardly visible but the heat hit Celestia's face like a blanket of warmth. Excited, she wasted little time in flying up onto the pillar, landing by one of the stone arms. She slowly approached the Element it held.
"So you CAN hear me? Are... Are you also ancient, like me? No one seems to know how you got here in the first place... Perhaps you have been around even longer than I? Oh, I do hope the ramblings of this old mare don't bore you..."
The temperature rose harshly, causing Celestia to lean back, but faded as quickly as it came. Was that a no?
The heat radiating from the stones was back to a comfortable level and Celestia felt herself drawn closer still, leaning her head over towards the Element.
"I... Have been so lonely... But I'm not sure I understand you, how... What are you? What are you trying to tell me?"
Staring at the faint red glow Celestia felt herself suddenly pulled in and, as her lips touched the nearest stone, a spark went rushing through her. The warmth rippled down over her skin and sunk in, spreading out to her wing tips, her hooves, her tail. It felt electric, so fast and yet so intense, Celestia's consciousness barely comprehending its reach, though it had already consumed her. The sensation was filling every part of her being so completely yet without any part of her ever being truly touched, save for her mouth. She writhed in the sensation, feeling hot sparks connect to her tongue every time she started to withdraw her head. It was as if the first touch had kicked off an instant orgasm that lasted, in full, for the whole experience...
"Princess? Princess?!?"
"Hnng?"
"The sun, ma'am! It should have been up an hour ago!"
"Oh... Right..."
Groggily Celestia got out of bed. She had only vague memories of stumbling back her room last night, after... Yes... Her body felt sore, but refreshed. Still, couldn't have late mornings...
"Miss Sunshine?"
"Ma'am?"
"Please see that the Elements are brought to my chambers. I intend to do some research."
"Yes ma'am!"
Indeed, it was time to "move in"...
It had been a tiresome day for the princess, impatiently waiting for her chance to get back to her room. Finally the time came and Celestia tried to appear casual as she hurried back to her chambers.
A wooden box was inside her room when she arrived. She opened it, carefully lifting out the six orbs, and carried them to the bed to set them down on the sheets.
"Elements...? It's me... I've missed you..."
She lay on the bed and the orbs rolled towards her as it took her weight. She caught a couple and nuzzled them affectionately. So warm... Warm, warm, HOT. Celestia pulled back, sitting up. Her forehooves lowered new dents in the covers, causing the Elements to roll towards them, the orbs cooling down as they did so.
"Ah? So this is what you want...?"
Celestia stood up on her bed and slowly lowered herself down upon the Elements...
The intense feeling hit her far harder than it had before and soon the mare was moaning, grinding against the elements and rubbing herself over them as their heat dictated, wallowing in that all-encompassing thrill...
The sun was late again the next morning, a trend that repeated most every day for months to come.
One day, after a tiring morning fulfilling her royal duties, Princess Celestia found herself with free time much earlier than expected. She pranced back to her room, knowing that there awaited six willing to fulfil her...
She threw open the door, "What a day! First I had to- Luna? What are you doing in here?"
Luna hurriedly stood up. On the floor next to her was the box of the Elements, open.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon, I-"
"It's... It's mid evening Luna... What's going on?"
"I... I have to go..."
"Luna, wait!"
Her words had no impact, the night princess was gone. Celestia turned her attention to the box's contents.
"What is this?"
No response.
"I... Did you call her here? How? What are you intending to do?"
Still no response. Celestia magically grabbed the box and yanked it to head height.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING WITH MY SISTER?"
A slight glow came from the orbs.
"Don't you be like that with me! Do you think I'll let you get away with this? Do you think this is okay? You stay away from my little sister, do you understand? YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER!"
Throwing the box across the room Celestia collapsed onto her bed and pressed her face into the pillow. This couldn't be happening. Maybe it was just some sort of insanity than ran in her family... No. The Elements were to blame for this and she knew it. How could they do this to her? She had trusted them...
It was late the next day when Celestia finally picked up the strength to go see her sister. By this time she'd had the Elements sent back to the chamber, where they belonged, but still felt embarrassed just thinking about the conversation to come. Still, she was determined, and set forth to find her sibling. It took two searches of the castle before she finally succeeded in finding the night mare's location, up on the balcony of the highest tower. Luna was facing her sky and, taking a deep breath, Celestia approached her...
"Sister, listen..."
"They ignore me."
"They... What?"
"The ponies..."
"Luna, look, I want to talk about the Elements, I... I don't know what you think was happening but-"
"I spend so long on these stars."
Celestia went quiet. Something was wrong. Luna's voice sounded... Strange. She looked a bit different too; wasn't her cutie mark a slightly different colour? Maybe it was a trick of the light...
"They have such fun with your days but ignore my gorgeous, beautiful, nights..."
Celestia took a step forward, speaking with a concerned tone, "Sister, are you okay?"
"Leave me be."
"If this is about-"
"I said LEAVE ME!"
Celestia backed away, pausing before turning and heading back to her room. Something seemed off... Maybe that was just her though. It had been a long day and, what with crying herself to sleep the night before, she hadn't felt rested... Luna probably just needed some time. Most likely it'd all be better in the morning...
That night Celestia had a strange dream. It was warm, very warm, and she could hear and feel but not see. As her blind dream continued it turned into a nightmare... The princess woke drenched in sweat and was glad to see the stars shining through her window. Brightness. This day needed much more of it and an early morning wouldn't hurt anyone... Celestia looked to the horizon and focused, her horn lighting up. She could feel the sun and, pulling it with her magic, she gradually...
...Did nothing?
Why wasn't it moving? Where was the sunrise?
A servant burst into the room, shouting out, "Celestia!"
"What is it?"
"There's something wrong with Luna!"
Celestia was out of that room in a flash, galloping down the halls. She'd been galloping in her dream too... There had been pain...
She soon came to the highest tower's balcony and there stood a being, the tell-tale starry hair flowing out behind her.
Was it that dark? Celestia lit up her horn and- no! Was this really her sister? Before her was a black mare.
"They ignore my night..."
"Luna?!?"
The dark mare turned, yelling out in a booming voice, "FOAL! You thought you could keep all of that love for yourself?"
"What? What are you talking about!" cried Celestia, backing away.
"Do you think I didn't notice? How much more they adore their precious sun princess? Do you think I was blind to it all?"
"Luna, this isn't you, this-"
"SILENCE! I am no longer your darling little "Luna", I am FAR more, I am NIGHTMARE MOON! From now on the night shall rule Equestria! I shall be its queen and you... You... YOU SHALL DIE!"
The dark mare reared up and as she did so her armour warped, becoming a liquid rainbow before reforming into a twisted mockery of her royal garb as she aimed her horn.
Celestia dodged the first beam, which punched through the wall and floor behind her, and yelled, "Luna! Please, stop this madness! Whatever it is we can fix it, whatever you're feeling-"
"I FEEL NOTHING! No truth, no loyalty, no joy, no gratitude, no kindness, no connection... I feel NOTHING!"
Luna fired again and Celestia countered with her own magic, the shock of its impact shaking the tower, dust starting to fall from its rafters.
"The... The Elements? If that's what you need then I'll give them back, Luna! I'll give them to you, just... FOLLOW ME!"
Celestia turned and ran, the dark mare charging after, firing shots of magic at the white mare. As the sun princess rushed down the spiral staircase one of the attacks grazed her flank, burning into her fur, its force causing her to trip and fall down the rest of the stairs.
Battered and aching she scrambled to her feet as her sister gained on her.
Not far now, come on...
Summoning up a shield Celestia charged down the corridor and the dark mare, having refound her target, resumed her attack, each full on hit of the powerful magic causing Celestia's shield to shudder, threatening to fail at any moment as she ran through the castle, getting closer and closer to her destination...
We're almost there, sister!
At the Elements' chamber at last, Celestia magically grabbed the orbs.
"Luna, I've got them!"
"You have NOTHING I want, NOW DIE!"
Celestia dodged and countered her sister's attacks, whispering under her breath, "Please, clear her mind, help her; I need my sister back..."
Feeling the power of the Elements rising within her Celestia stopped dodging, the force of the Elements now protecting her from Luna's assaults. The power rose up, towering above her in a bright rainbow that fell crashing down upon her sister.
"NOOOOOOO!"
Celestia opened her eyes. It was hard to see what was happening...
"You cannot defeat me! Nightmare Moon shall have her kingdom!"
Luna screamed, she was being washed away! Torn into a cloud of pieces by the rainbow river and each piece being swept outside, up into the night sky!
"LUNAAA!"
Celestia rushed over to the window, reaching out to the air, but she knew already that it was too late. The rainbow river hit the moon with a bright flash and there, upon its surface, was a blotched pattern of the moon princess' dark silhouette. All too suddenly her own sister had become imprisoned by magic stronger than her own.
"Luna... No..."
She sobbed at the windowsill, feeling pain, regret, and slowly becoming aware of another feeling... Physical warmth.
Celestia turned upon the six orbs that lay upon the ground.
"You..."
Warmth.
The white mare approached them slowly, fury burning in her eyes as she spoke, "What have you done..."
Strong warmth.
"How dare you... How DARE you assault my family...!"
Burning heat, the orbs started to glow red hot as they rose into the air. Celestia narrowed her eyes. She would not have attacked her own sister but felt no such qualms here. Her horn started to glow...
One of the orbs shot towards her and, faltering with her magic, Celestia was hit square in the jaw. She reeled back from the blow, barely fending off the next orb with her horn. Rearing up she used her forelegs to counter another couple of attacks. The orbs backed off and started to whiz about in the air around her, zipping past at close and far range. Celestia crouched down into a defensive position, sending out bursts of energy that the Elements merely dodged. One orb grazed past her, then another. They were closing in, preparing for another full on attack, and the sun princess decided she would take no more.
"ENOUGH!" Celestia struck out with her magic, sending an explosion bursting up from her horn, the whole chamber shuddering as its ceiling was blasted into pieces by a column of raw power. The orbs, caught in the blast, fell to the ground. They wobbled where they lay, apparently stunned. Celestia walked slowly over to the nearest, lifting it with her magic and crushing it into dust. The other five went instantly still.
"There. Do we have an understanding?"
The princess lifted the orbs. They gave no reaction.
"Good."
Putting them back on their stand Celestia looked around the room. It was wrecked, the damage would not be easily fixed... Maybe it shouldn't be? This was the room where she'd lost her sister, after all. This was also the room where she'd met the accursed objects in the first place... Perhaps it was time for a change of scenery.
The mare turned to exit, announcing, "I'll be moving. Do not try to follow me."
So it was that Princess Celestia left for what became the kingdom of Canterlot, her old home in ruins. The area was off limits to pony folk and, over time, there grew a forest so dark that none wished to enter.
A thousand years passed before the Elements of Harmony came back into Celestia's life. At first she did not wish to see them again, instead sending her student. She was more than a little surprised when she found her sister returned and the Elements' form entirely altered. Once again they numbered six but, along with the slight changes to their names that time had made, it was as if they had been entirely reborn with the help of her student. Perhaps now the Elements had truly become the force for harmony they were believed to be? It was possible, but the princess was not convinced of their intentions and insisted they stay locked in Canterlot, behind a door only she could open.
"But princess, there's one thing I don't understand..."
"What is it, dear Twilight?"
"What do you mean you're not "connected" to the Elements any more?"
"Ah... It's complicated..." We split up.
