Empire of the Sun

Weeks had passed since the arrival of Sirius A, from Halott. The news had finally spread all over Equestria, and the results, were unfortunate. Letter after letter was nothing but controversy. Some of them were comforting; the writers showed their support for the Princess, and encouraged her to stay strong. Most of them were angry citizens demanding the banishment of Sirius in complete disregard for what she wanted to decide on the matter. When the letters started to come in, initially, she replied to all of them, feeling like it was her duty that as leader, she address everypony’s concerns.

But, as days turned into a few weeks, everypony from the castle started telling her she was beginning to look worn, tired and sick. After some persuasion, the Princess agreed to stop responding to the negative letters and then eventually to stop looking at them altogether. This meant that an entirely new team had to be made to sort through the letters, something that had not been done before, and she didn’t like it. She cherished the idea of her citizens sending her personal letters, but, her staff was insistent.

Sirius routinely dropped by the throne room, which was easy for him since he was staying in the castle. His visits were the only good parts of her day. He was friendly, caring and actually helpful, bringing her needed things like water and anything else she asked for.

However, outside of his visits, played an endless nightmare. She lay awake for long hours during the night, often questioning herself.

What am I meant to do? Should I banish him to please my subjects? Do I then have to worry about his vengeance? No scenario turned out well in her head, no matter how many she made up.

Celestia had begun to stop eating as much as she used to, and pangs of anxiety would plague some hours of the day. The subjects of the castle began to look frequently worried, but she kept telling them she had a plan, not knowing if they believed her or not. She didn’t believe herself, and highly doubted something would come along and save her.

One particular morning, was when she realized that things had gone further than she thought initially thought. One of the guards came in, looking terrified, saying she had a visitor, who “had made it clear she had all intentions to talk, and insisted she was not a danger.” A knot tied itself in her already sick feeling stomach, when the “visitor” was escorted in by eight guards.

“Chrysalis…” Celestia whispered, hopeless, “Oh no.” The Queen looked outraged, not at being escorted, strangely. She was alone, which the Princess thought was strange, usually she’d have some guards with her. The sight of the Changeling Queen coming into her throne room started making her heart pound. No good could come from this meeting and she didn’t know if she could deal with her right now.

“Celestia!” Chrysalis exclaimed in her cruel, twisted, double voice. It came upon the Princess in that instant. She got up, and galloped full force to the nearest restroom and locked the door with her magic. She shriveled in the farthest corner as it bulged when it surface and then exploded into hot tears. She sobbed for a few minutes, as quietly as she could, letting out the tension from her head and heart. Somepony knocked on the door frantically, asking if she was alright. She didn’t respond, just continued to let it out until she calmed down. When she got up, she said nothing, trying to avoid eye contact and instead heading straight back into the throne room.

Chrysalis did not look any less angry, but was waiting there, instead, tapping her hoof against the long rug.

“S-sorry about that,” Celestia shakily apologized, “W-welcome to Canterl-”

“Spare me,” Chrysalis hissed, “Formalities will not save you.” For a split second the Sun Princess thought she was going to attack her in front of all her guards. But instead, she stayed silent, not wanting to use more energy trying to get her voice to work.

“I’ve been holding back on this visit for a long time now,” the Queen started. What, a week? she thought bitterly, sniffling. Everypony was so bent on exaggerating how long this was going on; not to mention, Sirius wasn’t even doing anything. He made few appearances in public, hardly talked to anypony, and only did acts of kindness to those around him. Only the castle staff really liked him, Luna in particular getting along with him. Celestia smiled for a second, recalling that the two often talk through the long nights, like the best of friends.

“But, that disgrace you’re housing, cannot stay in Equestria any longer,” Chrysalis’ eyes burned as she buzzed her wings, Oh yeah, you’re talking,  “It’s about enough chaos that’s come about here!”

The Princess sighed,

“Have you even met him?” Surprisingly that didn’t phase her like it did most ponies,

“I don’t have to, to know he’s trouble. Trouble that you’re allowing.” There was a sliver of worry behind her harsh voice. Suddenly she realized that, despite hating her, Chrysalis was afraid that Celestia was going to let Equestria fall into some sort of chaotic state. Even Queen Chrysalis depended on Princess Celestia to keep Equestria in balance when she couldn’t. How ironic.

“I can promise you,” she started to laugh, entertained, “he won’t and can’t even cause any trouble.” There were hoof trots coming from the door as she realized her sister was coming into the throne room, a neutral expression on her face. The guards and everypony in the room were in complete suspense, their eyes in tight focus.

“You don’t know,” Chrysalis was insistent for some reason, “You can’t know what he-” a surprising burst of anger bloomed inside her. Celestia thrust forward and slammed her head into the Queen’s unguarded face, and, without thinking, in a swift move, swung her foreleg in a clean arc, neatly connecting with her face, tossing the Changeling to the side. Rage was bubbling even hotter as there were gasps around the room and Chrysalis' surprised face looked up at her.

“Instead of being grateful,” Celestia gritted her teeth, “That I bother to raise the Sun over all Equestria every morning… you come here,” her horn charged up brightly with a deadly spell, “and demand I meet your hateful need!” A small tear escaped her face, “I’m SICK OF IT!”

“Five weeks have gone by!” Celestia continued, “Nothing has happened. Your mistrust of the unknown is now plaguing me!” Chrysalis suddenly became wide eyed,

“You’re in love with him!?”

Oh, great. It was too late to try and cover it up now. No one wasn’t going to believe the creature that fed off of love. Her horn fizzled in power and she backed away from the Changeling,

“Why, yes, actually, but I don’t see how that’s any of your business!” She turned away, once again tearing up. It was unfair. The whole thing was completely unfair. How could this happen to her? The entirety of Equestria hated Sirius… and now they knew she loved him.

Chrysalis got to her hooves, seeming to have calmed down,

“Things have happened, Celestia, things you can't see from this fancy throne room.” She walked to stand beside her; the Princess was looking straight ahead at her throne, unyielding.

“My changelings… They are suffering. There's a disease… a disorder, malfunction whatever you wish to call it,” Celestia began to turn her head slightly to acknowledge her, “Their magic betrays them… Turns on their bodies. But yet I am unaffected…” There was a hint of sorrow in her voice, “My magic cannot help them. It started happening around this arrival of… ‘Sirius’.”

Celestia said nothing, only thinking. Chrysalis only had come here to protect her subjects.

To make matters worse, the throne doors opened and a familiar voice that sent joy into her heart spoke,

“Celestia?” It was Sirius. Both mares looked back and the white Alicorn stood there with beaming blue eyes among the crowd of her subjects.

“Celestia what's wrong?” he began to trot forward. Chrysalis hissed furiously, and blocked his way,

“Come no further blue eyed demon… I can say with certainty that your days are limited!” she cursed him.

“Chrysalis, move!” Celestia nudged her out of the way, and faced Sirius, “I'm fine,” she said, “I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment.”

Sirius smiled his comforting smile, “I was hearing about me in here, and naturally, I got worried.” The Princess couldn't help but smile back. He had a way of really softening her heart.

“I don't care what happens,” he said, looking determined, “There'll never be a good time to do this, so I'm finally gonna do it now.” She widened her eyes, sudden realization hitting her. Before she could say anything, he bowed his head, kneeling before her,

“Princess Celestia… Will you marry me?”