The Crystal War
Celestia took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of wet grass, fresh air and blooming flowers. It was a familiar scent. She knew all the different kinds of flowers and could distinguish between them before they were even named by ponykind. Before Canterlot was built, before she and her sister took rule over Equestria, at the very beginning of time itself, she wandered across the fields and the woods that were not named yet. For centuries, she was alone in the world, living amongst these very trees and flowers. Their smell had not changed a bit. It felt like she was put back in time, when she was the only living being in the world, when the concepts of 'evil' and 'danger' were something she couldn't even imagine. She opened her eyes and took a vast look around the landscape. She was standing on a wide, inclined field of grass. The flowers she smelled bloomed across it in a variety of colors. She smiled in view of this pure beauty, the view of pure harmony. For one single moment, she felt the same peace and rest she felt all those centuries ago. She loved Equestria. She loved the world itself. Every single blade of grass, every single flower and every single tree there was. From the smallest bug up to the greatest dragons. Every single Pony in this world was like her own child to her. She was filled with joy and pride when the Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies were born into this world and turned it into an even more beautiful place. They brought creativity, love and coherence with them and filled Equestria with delight, happiness, and, most of all, life.
The scent of metal and rattling sound of clashing iron reached her senses, and as such, the short moment of peace vanished.
She gazed into the distance and saw a black cloud approaching her position. She heard the sound of iron boots, marching in order, bawling ponies and anticipated, insane laughing. The sound of an army, crawling towards her, looking forward to destroying the land she loved so much, to burn cities and ponies alike, to lay waste upon the whole Kingdom of Equestria. The army of no one else than King Sombra himself. One of the greatest evils of this world, banished for a thousand years, and now ruling over the Crystal Empire, thirsty for the throne Celestia possessed such a long time ago. She lowered her head, not in fear, but in sadness and sorrow. A single tear ran down her face. She heard the hoofsteps of a pony next to her. Even though she didn't see her at first, she knew in an instant who it was. She quickly raised her head and tried to put a restrained look on her face as she turned around and looked into the eyes of her dear sister, Luna.
"Greetings, Luna.“ Celestia said smiling. She was so familiar with this face, with every single inch, every single blue hair. The face of her sister, which she first saw thousands of years ago and showed her how big the world truly was and how variegated life could be if there were other beings to share it with. The face of the pony that taught her so much about herself. The face of the pony that would always life alongside her, that would share an eternity with her that would be horribly lonely otherwise.
"Greetings, Sister.“ Luna said in a calm, and yet slightly worried voice. Celestia noticed that tone, and she instantly knew what she was about to say. Her smile slowly disappeared. Luna was about to bring up the discussion which they already had several times. The discussion that always ended up the same.
"Luna, please. Not again...“ But she was interrupted as Luna burst out into a storm of words.
"Celestia, you don't have to do this on your own! You know that, don't you? Cadance offered her help, and the army stands ready to march! You can't fight this war on your own, you will-“ This time, Luna stopped when Celestia raised an hoof.
"No, Luna. Spare your words. We already had this discussion, and I will not change my mind. I am not going to put any of my subjects in danger. I will not take the risk of them losing their lives or being hurt. Not...not again.“ The last two words were nothing but a silent, painful whisper.
"It wasn't your fault what happened, Sister! You couldn't possibly have known what was about to happen! You are not to blame. You didn't mean for any of this to happen! We can help you, Tia! This is why we are here.“
Celestia smiled as Luna used her nickname. She knew that she only used it to catch her off-guard, to appeal to her emotional side.
"Oh, but it is my fault, Luna. I underestimated Sombra enormously, and I overestimated Twilight. I was so foolish and short-sightened.“ Tears started running down her face, dropping at the grass to her hooves.
"Dozens of victories made me blind against the danger we were facing. And if it wasn't for me and my arrogance, Sombra would never have returned. The ponies of the Crystal Empire wouldn't be enslaved, forced to fight their former friends, and Twilight...“
She stopped as she started sobbing. She tried to hold back her tears while memories were flooding her mind. Memories of Twilight Sparkle, her most faithful student, the pony who was, more than anypony else, like a daughter to her. The one that looked up to her, the one she cared for the most, the one she was supposed to protect from any danger. Her energetic and admiring eyes, looking up to her like a godess. But Celestia wasn't a godess. If she was, she could've saved her. She could turn back time and still do so. Her life hadn't even begun yet, but because of Celestia's pride and arrogance, it would never start at all.
"And Twilight would still be alive.“ she finished her sentence.
Luna remained silent for a few more seconds. Then she walked up to Celestia and laid an hoof on her shoulder.
"In thousands of years, you have been imperfect for once. I know how horrible it feels. It is me who tried to force my own will upon Equestria once, as you remember. Even we make mistakes. Our age and our experience doesn't protect us from these flaws. But because of these experiences and our role in this world, it is best for us to learn from our mistakes and make sure that we won't repeat them.“
Celestia smiled weakly. Her face was wet from tears, and loose sobs cut her sentences.
"It was I who taught you that, wasn't it?“ she said, her voice almost breaking again. Luna nodded.
"Right after I was defeated as Nightmare Moon and returned to you. Listen, Tia. I know it's hard. I know that it feels like the guilt is eating you up from the inside. I know that you are currently questioning yourself and that you never want to feel this sense of guilt and self-hatred again. But Twilight wouldn't want you to put yourself into danger. None of us want that. These ponies stand together to protect our Kingdom, Equestria. They stand together to protect you, the one who gave this beautiful present to them, to their forefathers and to countless generations to come. We will fight together, Tia. We will not let you fight alone.“
Celestia slightly smiled and turned around, looking at the distant, black clouds, bringing King Sombra's army with them.
"Oh, but I have learned from this experience, Luna. I have indeed learned my lesson.“
She spread her wings and stormed off towards the clouds before her sister could even react. She had learned her lesson. Because of her sightlessness, her arrogance and her overconfidence, her whole Kingdom was put into a war. The Kingdom she loved so much. The ponies she cared for since they first appeared on earth. They all were put into a great danger just because she did not see her own imperfectness. She thought of Twilight Sparkle, and tears started flowing into her eyes again. This war had just begun, and yet, it had already caused too much damage.
She finally got a free look at the King's army. She gazed from one side to another and into the horizon, but the sheer mass of soldiers and warmachines never seemed to end. She was filled with grim surprise as she spotted Yaks and even Centaurs amongst the troops. Former allies of the Equestrian Kingdom, now united against it under the banner of the Crystal Empire. The rulers who, as it seemed, only waited their turn to take over, who were just put into their places by Celestias power and authority, had now found someone powerful enough to lead them. They were all wearing the same armor, made of black iron and laced with spikes to hurt anybody who would even come near them. Armors not made to protect the one who wore it, but to injure and kill like the weapons they were carrying. They marched in order and left behind them nothing but a destroyed, trampled wasteland. Celestia noticed that they were singing dispraises and taunts against Equestria. Finally, she spotted King Sombra. He was carried by dozens of Crystal Ponies in a huge chariot, made from the same black metal as the armor and weapons of his army, and also laced with sharp, pointy spikes that would sting the ones who carried it once they'd lower it.
The King's eyes met Celestia's, and she noticed what his chariot was decorated with.
The corpse of Twilight Sparkle, impaled on an iron skewer, was attached at the chariot's front.
The King smiled, his eyes glowing in amusement. The army finally noticed Celestia. Thousands of arrows, canons and spears were suddenly pointed in her. A deafening roar, containing the anger, hatred and sadness of thousands of years living on earth, broke it's way through the princess' throat as she unleashed her magic, dashing at the King's army, her hatred burning like the sun itself.
Author's Note
So, this is a one-shot of mine which I wrote a few weeks ago. Again, thanks to Sci-Writer for correcting all the mistakes I made (seriously, even non-grammar nazis would go crazy if it wasn't for him). For the story itself, there is not much to say. Just let me know how you like it and what I can do better. Thank you for reading, and: See ya next story ^^