Celestia stared at the cold, gray stone that marked Luna's grave near the back of the castle, a little know alcove where royalty was buried. She laid down the bouquet she carried with her magic and spoke slowly, quivering.
"This is all my fault... I'm so sorry Luna..."
Tears began to well up in Celestia's eyes and as she wiped her eyes with a tissue using her magic she saw a tiny glimmer in the cold, harsh ground, and using her magic unearthed the heavy leather bounded book. It had no cover and was made out of leather and as she flipped to the first page the familiar writing struck her and she began crying again, before closing the book and wiping her eyes. Walking slowly and gravely, with her magic firmly on the book she retreated back to her palace.
It was only because she wished not her subjects to see her like this that she managed to put on a smile and answer a knock on the door. Opening the palace wall, A familiar purple maned unicorn trotted in.
"Huh. You're doing a lot better than I thought, today being the anniversary of...Well, never mind. Now what did you call me and my friends to canterlot for?"
With a sigh, Celestia replied,
"What? Does it have to be a important matter for me to want to see my most promising student and her friends? Unfortunately, I have things to do, But I shall call upon you later, And we can discuss the lessons you have learned about friendship."
Twilight replied with a hollow "okay", And as she trotted out of the palace and closed the doors behind her Celestia breathed a sigh of relief.
As she remembered the book she had found in Luna's grave she trotted slowly back to her royal quarters, checking her back for anypony watching her. As she shut the door and locked It with her magic she braced herself and turning to the first page she almost burst into tears, But so strong was her will, her determination to see what Luna had wrote before she died that Celestia flipped the page slowly and quivering.
And she was greeted by a journal entry from princess Luna.
The journal entry was dated about a couple months before the incident.
the quivering alicorn holding the book remembered the day, When Luna and Herself had gone to the park
and of the fun they had. It reminded Celestia too much about how many memories were taken from her that day, And how it was all her fault. It's all my fault her voice echoed.
"Princess Celestia? What are you doing here?"
Princess Celestia wheeled around in time to see Twilight Sparkle galloping towards her when she stopped suddenly and squinted.
"Is that...Luna's grave?"
The princess nodded solemnly.
"Why didn't you tell me?
"I'm sorry, But I didn't want to think I was sad...It's important I keep morale high..."
"But you need help! You can't just sit here and mourn! Life is about making new friends! Why don't you come with me to the park?"
"No, It's just...you don't understand."
"I'm not letting you do this alone! I'll help you whether you want me to or not! Please, let me help you..."
Princess Celestia struggled before slowly trotting with Twilight sparkle to the palace, And slowly trotting on a grassy wet hill. A series of images flashed before her mind, Of the journal entry she had just read. She blinked for a imperceptible moment and smelling the grass, she fought with her mind at each step, slowly until she reached the top and her mind relaxed for a moment. She had no idea how high she had climbed, and looking over a vast plot of the evergreen forest she suddenly snapped out of it and saw Twilight setting up a picnic, A beautiful red and white checkered quilt being laid on the tall hill. A small image flashed before her mind and she struggled to fight the voice in her mind to run away and cry alone and by herself, But no, she had to stay here for Twilight.
She tried not to think of Luna as she took a bite out of a dandelion petal sandwich.
It seemed quiet except for the occasional howl of wind, Until Twilight spoke up.
"Enjoying Your lunch?"
Celestia didn't answer.
"Well, Pack it to go because we need to find you some friends. Come on, once you start having some fun you'll forget all about Luna!"
But I don't want to forget about her...
With Twilight motioning to follow, Celestia followed slowly.
I'm sure she'll give up eventually scoffed Celestia in her mind.
Twilight was one of her prized pupils, And all she wanted to do was help her. But Celestia needed no help,
At least from her point of view. However, Celestia managed to put on a smile as she trotted slowly down the hill,
The howling wind blowing her majestic mane about.
Finally.
After a exhausting and fruitless day with Twilight Celestia was back at her palace in the middle of canterlot, and grabbing Luna's journal from where she hid it she picked It up and read through. Most of the book was about fairly mundane evenings they had spent together, but this page caught her attention. right there on the page was written these words:
I fear that by the time that you may read this sister, I will be dead.
I just want you to know that you must continue journeying without me. Life is a adventure you see,
And only a fool does not wish to progress. You must move on.
Celestia sank to the ground. The last words hit her like a rock. How could she move on?
If only she could. Her sister was one of her greatest friends, and when she was nightmare moon she could still sense her sister trapped underneath nightmare moon, but this was different.She was gone.As Celestia digested the words she had read she felt tears in her eyes as she picked up a pen and began to write.
