When the Sun Goes Down

by Foxy Fox

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Discord, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sad, Princess Luna
Length: 2537

When Princess Celestia finds her self spiraling into depression, the only pony who can save her from her pit of sadness is Twilight Sparkle. But will she be able to do it in time?

Princess Celestia is falling into a deep, dark depression. All those years of pain and tragedy are finally starting to take their toll on her well-being. Nothing is able to bring her happiness anymore. Not Luna, not Discord, not even the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. But there is a certain somepony named Twilight Sparkle, who just might be able to save her former instructor from drowning in her own sorrow. The real question is, will she be able to break through to her in time?

It seems like an eternity since I last updated this story. And now that it is summer, I have no excuse. I plan n finishing this story by the time summer is over. No 100% guarantees here, just something to go off of if anyone is still keeping track of this story.

Published 2015-05-29 18:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-13 12:40:19 UTC

Prologue

The mare began to make the steep climb up the cliff. She stared at the dusty ground and kicked a bare hoof in the dirt. As poor quality as it was, it still held more value than she did. As she walked up the steep hill, her usually voluminous and lustrous mane and tail, along with her usually bright, lavender eyes, were now dull and lifeless. Just like her heart. She was an empty, gray shell of her former self. She didn't even care anymore. Its not like anypony would want to bother wasting their energy to feel any real sympathy for her, though it disgusted her when somepony felt sorry for her, looking at her like she was some sort of poor, old lady. It disgusted her, because it was true.

Celestia finally reached the top. She marveled at the sunset. The beautiful, marvelous sunset, casting its red and orange rays across the land. And she had created it. It was the only thing she was good for nowadays. It had been a particularly difficult struggle to raise it this morning, as she hadn't done it for a long while, and she was deprived of her usually powerful magical abilities. She still felt a headache from the strain she had put on herself to raise it. But this was her last day on earth, and she wanted to see a sun that she had controlled in her last moments, not that she really deserved it anyway. Of course Luna would have to finish lowering it later, but as long as it wasn't interfering with Celestia's plans, she didn't really care . Heck, Celestia didn't care about what happened to anypony else after her plans were carried out. She knew everypony would be glad to see her gone anyway.

Although Celestia had lost all happiness and didn't care much for knowledge anymore, she still had common sense. It was quite a shame, such great wisdom wasted on her when so many other ponies deserved it more than she did. She had left the castle, not informing anypony of her intended whereabouts. She wouldn't be stopped, not this time. Although the guards that Luna had requested keep a 24-hour watch on Celestia, had sat outside of her room, to make sure she didn't leave and do something she would regret, (Celestia had laughed at this. She didn't regret anything anymore, besides being alive), they failed to notice their prominent leader's absence. She had mustered up enough strength to teleport to a hallway where nopony was watching, although it left her winded and she had to catch her breath before she could continue.

Celestia got as close to the edge as she could without falling, and stared at the long, steep drop, its bottom, as most ponies would have described it, a violent, and unforgiving river. To somepony else it might have looked like a path that ended in certain death, that the river's watery hands would drag them in, drowning them, resulting in their horrific end. But to Celestia, it was a peaceful haven, and the water was welcoming her to join it and stay with it for all of eternity. She liked the thought of that.

Celestia smiled, took a deep breath, then leaned over the ledge and fell. She felt like she was flying, yet falling at the same time, the familiar feeling of being airborne still present. As she descended, she shed a single tear, for her long lost loved ones, left behind centuries ago. The drop floated into the air, catching the light of the sun just perfectly so that it resembled a star.

Author's Note

Don't forget to like, comment, and follow for the latest updates on great new reading material! if you find any spelling errors or think something should be changed, leave it in the comments or PM me.:twilightsmile:

Nightmares

Nightmares

Celestia's head popped up from her pillow, and she was panting heavily, her face was damp with sweat, as if she had just run a marathon. Suddenly, Luna rushed in, almost ripping the door open, causing it to collide with the wall, creating a loud bang. Luna's eyes were wide with concern as she rushed to her sister's side.

"My dear sister, thou scared me half to death! I thought there was an intruder! What has troubled thee so much to where you cry out for help in the middle of the night? Is it another nightmare?"

"Yes. But I am okay now sister. It was just a little bad dream, that's all." Royal guards burst into the room holding their spears, ready to fight off any danger that might bring harm either princess.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, all you all right?!" Luna looked at them, highly annoyed at them for coming so late. If there had been an actual intruder, they would've had enough time to ponynap Celestia or do other horrible things to her. As Luna opened her mouth angrily, about to tell them off for not doing their job correctly, Celestia spoke up first.

"There is no need to panic. Everything is quite alright, and thank you for having concern. But you may leave now as your services are not needed for the time being. Good night." The guards nodded, said 'good night Celestia, Luna' and went back to their posts.

Luna was still surprised at how calmly her sister had handled the situation. If it had been her she surely would've used the Royal Canterlot voice on them and fired them on the spot. "Sister, aren't you mad? They should've been in here the second you let out a yelp!" Celestia chuckled.

"Oh Luna, you have to know that they're trying their best. Besides, I could probably take care of any trouble that might happen. Don't be such a worrywart."

"You're right. I know you can handle yourself but....I don't want anything to happen to you. I don't know what I'd do without you." Her eyes started to tear up and a salty drop found its way down her dark cheek. Luna's words had also struck a painful chord in Celestia's heart as she reminded her of the 1000 year absence of her little sister. Celestia couldn't help but cry a little too. She hugged Luna tight to her chest and cooed in her ear.

"Don't worry Luna. Everything will be all right." Luna looked up at Celestia with wide, glistening eyes.

"Promise?" Celestia crossed her heart and put her hoof over one eye, acting out the Pinkie Promise.

"Tia?"

"Yes Luna?"

"May I sleep in your bed tonight?"

"Of course you can." Luna walked over to the other side of the bed and pulled the sheets down with her magic. She then proceeded to slip under the covers, cuddling with her sister, her head on Celestia's chest.

"Tia," Luna paused for a second and continued," do you really mean that promise?"

"I meant it with all of my heart. Now Good night Luna. Sleep well. Nothing bad is going to happen to me."

"Good night Tia. I love you."

"I love you too Luna." Luna soon fell asleep, snuggled up against Celestia. There were no more worries, at least on Luna's behalf. Celestia wasn't so sure. Those nightmares unsettled her. Made her feel heavy with sadness each morning she woke up after having one. But she shrugged it off, hoping the promise she made to Luna would be kept.

Little did the two sisters know, that promise wasn't going to remain for very long.

Author's Note

Don't forget to like, comment, and follow for the latest updates on great new reading material! If you find any spelling errors or think something should be changed, leave it in the comments or PM me.:twilightsmile:

Memories

Celestia woke up to a soft nudge from her sister Luna. She rose her head from her pillow and saw that Luna was dressed in her black royal wear already. This wasn't usually the case, Luna being ready before Celestia was, even though Luna tended to stay awake during the night, but that was her first night with some peaceful sleep and her body tried to take advantage of it. She would have to ask Luna to lay with her again, for comfort.

The white alicorn placed her hooves on the glassy marble floor and stretched her elegant wings. Using her magic, she floated her royal shoes, neck piece, and crown over to her and put them on. Luna sat there the whole time, patiently waiting for her sister to fully clothe herself. When she was done, she turned towards her sister and nodded. Luna got to her hooves and started to walk over to the balcony where they performed there royal duty of changing night to day.

"Okay then, let's get moving." Celestia followed her sister to the terrace and waited for Luna to lower the moon. Luna closed her eyes and focused her magic towards the moon, her horn glowing a dark cerulean. The moon made its descent until it was out of sight. Luna stepped back and Celestia walked forward, taking her place. Celestia's horn glowed a bright gold and the sun rose as if from the dead. Its golden rays and warmth washed over the land. The sky slowly changed from dark blue to red-orange and finally settled on a powder blue.

"It's very beautiful sister."

Celestia looked surprised, as Luna had never once complimented her sunrise or sunset. Luna looked up into Celestia's eyes and gave her a smile even warmer than the sun. Celestia returned the smile and hugged the smaller alicorn to her bosom. "I still can't believe I've been missing out on all of this for so long. We shall spend more quality time together Celestia, beginning now!" Celestia giggled at her sister's eagerness.

" I'd love to, but I'm afraid Twilight and I have a meeting with Ponyville's mayor. We have to discuss the arrangement of the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration." Celestia pointed out. Luna scowled at the prospect of the scheduled assembly.

"Well, thou shalt postpone thy gathering! We can leave that to Princess Twilight for now! She knows what to do!" Celestia raised a hoof to her chin and rubbed it, pretending to think hard.

"Well....Okay! How about I send a letter to Princess Twilight to inform her I won't be able to arrive. Then we can head on down to the Canterlot Creamery and grab some ice cream." Luna flew into the air and let out a squee of delight.

"Yes, that sounds quite wonderful indeed! Let's go!" Luna looked down at Celestia who raised an eyebrow at her."Right after you send that letter of course."

Flashbacks

Author's Note

Hey there, if you were even still bothering to wait for the next chapter! I know, it's been like, what, only six months? That's not too long, right?:twilightsheepish:: Anyway, my extremest of apologies, I have things going on that get in the way of my writing so don't be too harsh on me, alright? I know it's on the short side, but I will start releasing longer ones later on. Oh yeah, and check for spelling errors and whatnot too. Thanks for sticking with this story! :pinkiesmile:

Flashbacks

Celestia and Luna trotted down the stone pavement in the Canterlot Market, chatting the day away. Luna licked on her chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream, while Celestia stuck to good ol' fashioned vanilla.

"Ooh, do you remember those time when you would try to teach me how raise the stars!"

"Of course Luna, how could I ever forget?" Celestia let her mind drift back to the times when she and Luna were younger, Celestia assisting Luna in her task of ascending each sparkling star.

"Ugh! We still can't get it right! We are failure!"

"Oh Luna, thou is not a failure! A little more practice and thou shall be raising those very stars like there is no tomorrow! Here, thou just hast to concentrate one's magic in a small area and-"

"Tia, thou hast told me that a minimum of one million times! Yet, we still seem to lack the talent to raise the stars. We wish we were more like thou."

"Now Luna, thou art unique, and everypony has their own individual strengths and weaknesses. But, did thou know that everyponys' strengths were indeed once weaknesses? Practice makes for perfection, little sister."

Celestia's flashback faded when Luna said something, reminding her that they were still walking and eating ice cream, steadying her cone with her magic before the vanilla goodness could slip onto the ground below.

"Tia, did you hear me?"

"No, I'm sorry, can you say that again?"

"I said I'm worried Celestia! You've been zoning out an awful lot, and those nightmares you've been having, I don't have a very good feeling towards them."

"Yes, the nightmares. Well, I'm sure they'll pass with time, things have just been so stressful lately, you know."

"Tia, are you sure that there is absolutely nothing on your mind that you would like to tell me about. I'm your sister, you can tell me anything that troubles you in the slightest."

Celestia was about to reply when she felt another flashback, not a gentle one, but one that forced itself onto her, and their was nothing she could do to stop it. Celestia's first thought regarded her question of why she was in her old castle and why it wasn't crumbled and worn, but then she heard the sinister cackle that she could only know as...

"Oh, no. It can't be..." Celestia whimpered. "It's Nightmare Moon."

Celestia could barely collect her thoughts before she registered the beam of evil magic shooting towards her at the speed of sound. She spread her wings and flew upwards, just in time to miss the eerie blue light that would have surely killed her. Celestia looked at the source of the deadly assault and saw none other than the black alicorn mare named Nightmare Moon. The dark figure began to aim another ball of energy at Celestia, all the while laughing maniacally, her pupils mere slits against her ice blue irises.

"You will never stop me Celestia, I am the true ruler of Equestria! My gorgeous night shall reign forever!' And with that Nightmare Moon shot the pent-up magic in her horn towards her sister, Celestia still hovering in the air above the steaming marble floor beneath her, flew even higher avoiding another failed attempt at murder.

"Please sister, stop this madness! Why are you doing this! Please, don't make me do it, not again..." Celestia sobbed, her wings failing to hold the white alicorn up any longer. She fell to the floor, too devastated to even bother to move.

"You have wronged me one too many times Celestia, this is merely my revenge and the taking back of my rightful throne! By getting rid of you, I guess I'm killing two birds with one stone, huh sis?" Another spell of dark magic was cast and Celestia's eyes were too blurry and tear-filled to bother with looking at the blue ray of death heading straight towards her vulnerable form.