Dreaming Of The Other Dimensions

Princess Celestia sat on her throne awaiting her sister to come so they could change the night in to day. Her sister was running a bit late, but just a bit. In all the years her sister had been back; she had never missed a turn over. She made sure she was always on time and never to give the appearance of her not wanting to lower the moon. So ashamed was she of her past deeds as Nightmare Moon; she went above and beyond what she needed to in order to avoid any appearance of backsliding.

The doors to the throne room opened and Princess Luna walked in. Celestia noticed immediately that there was something different about Luna. She walked with an agitation, her head hung down, and she did not look at Celestia. She seemed distracted. Celestia was immediately worried.

"Sister?" she asked.

Luna shook her head. "Let us do the turn over then we shall talk." Her voice held a slight amount of anger in it. Clearly she was agitated. But since she said she wanted to talk afterward, Celestia decided not to press the issue.

Together both Princesses walked out on to the balcony and stood side by side. They closed their eyes and their horns lit up. Slowly the moon set and the sun rose. Night gave way to day, darkness gave way to light. Once the turn over was complete; the sisters walked back inside.

Once inside, Luna spoke. "I would have words with you in private. Please send the guards away that we make speak with complete candor."

Celestia was concerned. Her sister's voice was a mixture of anger and sadness. For her to ask for the guards to be dismissed was unusual and with her current tone of voice, potentially dangerous. But as she thought earlier; her sister had been a model Princess since returning, so she decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She looked at the guards and motioned for them to leave. They bowed and left. Celestia then turned to Luna with a look that said, ok, so now what?

"It's Twilight. She's been dreaming again of the other realm." Luna's voice was somewhat softer but there was still an accusatory tone to it.

Celestia shook her head in sadness. "Just of the boy, Sunset and the Sirens; or of the full other timeline?"

"You already know that answer." Luna sounded much angrier than she actually was. It wasn't anger that propelled her but concern for Twilight and Equestria as a whole. "She dreams of what happened and what would have happened. She see's herself as married to the boy, having a daughter, Nova is her name, she dreams of the others, she . . . dreams."

Celestia turned around and walked to her throne. "And what would you have me do dear sister?" She addressed Luna, but she was really asking the universe.

"Talk to her Celestia. Explain things to her. She might not like what she hears, but at least she'll know." Luna was almost begging her sister.

"Twilight is to take over your position Luna. It is you who should speak with her." Celestia knew that was a cop out. It made her sick to even say it. But she rather say it than actually talk to Twilight. Like Sunset before her, she had come to see Twilight as a daughter; but unlike Sunset, she had met and exceeded her expectations. She cared so much about her, that having that talk with her, broke Celestia's heart just thinking about it.

Luna raised her one eyebrow in a look of both disgust and amusement that the great Celestia would cower so from her responsibility. "So I take it you've been making plans to talk to Sunset?" Celestia turned and looked in anger at Luna who continued. "She might be my replacement, but she is your student. She looks up to you and is closer to than anyone save her parents; and even that's debatable."

"And if she doesn't like what I have to say? Wants to go back? Then what?"

"She made the choice once Celestia; she'll make it again." Luna found it strange and somewhat unnerving that she was the one comforting and trying to get her sister to do the right thing.

"She made that decision surrounded by the bodies of the dead. It's easy to choose the right thing when the horrors of the wrong are all around you."

"You still told her what she was giving up. Even the best pony would find it hard to make the right decision knowing the alternative would be a perfect life for them. She still chose to come back even with that knowledge. And you know as well as I do she'll have to go back eventually. The trials are not over yet. Both she and Sunset have tests they must face alone and together before they ascend to the Throne. Is it not better she knows exactly what she is in for instead of having her go back and be tempted again?"

"But that is it, I can't tell her what she is in store for. Can I? This is beyond even my will. The goddess energy is not with us anymore. Partially, but it's already started moving on to Sunset and Twilight. To fill them in a little, even a little; could corrupt them."

"Tell her what you can. But please comfort her. Give her piece of mind or at least what you can. You know what she's going through. I might have started going down my dark road, but I was still paying attention. I know you loved a human. Star Swirl had to go get you from the Earthly realm."

"And I've never forgiven him for it!" Celestai said bitterly.

"But you came back. You defeated me and saved Equestria. If Twilight is to ascend, she must be allowed to know the cost and to know that it is a cost that has been paid before, paid by you."

Celestia sat down on her throne and looked down at the ground. Her time as Princess was coming to an end. Her days of guarding against the dark forces were almost over. It was something she couldn't even look forward to. Until Sunset and Twilight passed their final tests, she would still be called upon to make the hard decisions. And once they did, it meant she and her sister would die. She was overwhelmed but sadness and anger at the unfairness of it.

Celestia looked back up at Luna. "I'll talk to her. It is still my duty."

Luna nodded. "I know this is not easy. I wish I could do something to make this easier for you; but I can't. All I can say is that I am here for you."

"I know dear sister, I know. And that means the world to me. Now go to sleep, you need your rest. I have a feeling Twilight will be needing you again tonight."