Chapters A Celebration. But Is It?
Today was a special day. Celestia had been abuzz about it for weeks, and was clearly very proud of her former student. Such was why she first had the idea to commission such a grande statuary in her honor. Luna guessed that Celestia had finally grown tired of her fixation on stained glass for a while.
At Celestia's insistence, Luna had agreed to help her sister in interviewing ponies who were the best of the best in their craft. And once they were selected, those ponies spent many months toiling under Celestia's instructions, so that it may be perfect. Luna herself also came to check in on the projects grandeur once in a while. But she had not been by in quite some time, so had not yet the pleasure to see it in it's completion.
Now, many months after the project had been started, it was finally the evening that Twilight and her friends had been gathered with many of the 'upper crust' ponies of Canterlot for the unveiling. Luna did her best to put on a sociable face and to appear as overjoyed as her elder sister. Even Cadance and Shining Armor had made the trip down from The Crystal Empire for the event, so it was important to her that the make a good impression on her new family.
The princesses stood side by side as the crowds gathered around them in the courtyard, and Luna couldn't help but notice their buzz of excitement. Celestia had been sure to play up the unveiling to the public, and had seen to it that not only would there be the unveiling of the statue, but an entire after-party in the Canterlot gardens to celebrate it's completion as well as the ponies it had been dedicated to.
"My dear citizens of Canterlot! I thank you all so much for joining us on this special day to celebrate the marking of our first year with Equestria's newest Princess, Twilight Sparkle!" Celestia beamed out over the cheering crowd of ponies before her. Luna snapped back to attention as Celestia spoke. She wanted to remember well this day, knowing that despite the fact that there would be many more like it to come, this was the day that truly marked the rest of Twilight Sparkle's life.
There was a spread out ring of guards that kept the crowd at a reasonable distance from the princesses and the so that they had plenty of room to stand, but not so far that the townsponies wouldn't be able to see the unveiling of the gift to Twilight and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
"Without any further ado, I would like to present Princess Twilight Sparkle as well as her dearest friends: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and of course, her ever-faithful assistant, Spike the dragon." Celestia smiled, welcoming Twilight to come forward and say a few words. With an extra nod and smile of assurance from Princess Luna and Princess Cadence, Twilight bashfully stepped forward.
"Thank you all so much for this generous gift. I am truly touched at your kindness, and am very excited to see the finished product after the craftsponies of the kingdom worked so hard!" Twilight projected out over the crowd. A roar of cheers and applause rose out from the crowd, causing the fairly introverted Twilight to blush a little.
"Without further delay then, I would like to ask the guards placed beside the statue to now pull the cover aside please, and reveal this wonderful gift beneath!" As she spoke, two pegasus guards flew to each side of the canvas tarp which concealed the statue underneath and pulled.
The crowd oohed and awwed as the tarp slipped from the beautiful statue. It was carved from the highest quality white granite, and was inlaid with gems in their eyes, as well as into the gold plated poitrels that adorned each of their necks, each one signifying their elements. Millions of tiny chiselled decorative scrolling lines embroidered every gold piece and every every hair seemed individually carved. Celestia beamed with pride at the fine craftsmanship of the creation, knowing she had hired the very best she could find in all of western Equestria.
The rest of the ceremony flew by in a blur, despite Luna's best efforts to remain at attention. She knew that the ponies cheered, Celestia and Twilight both spoke again, but Luna wasn't really listening at this point. She was more concerned with the statue below, fixating on each of the finely sculpted faces. Despite every attempt otherwise, she could not shake a sense of sorrow as she gazed upon it. If only they knew...
Celestia had planned the luncheon after the ceremony to perfection, it took place nearby, in the royal gardens as to accommodate all the guests. Luna joined them and even enjoyed herself for a while, but as the afternoon wore on, more and more ponies took their leave. When most of the guests had gone, Twilight, Cadance and the others remained in the gardens to visit with one another.
They all told stories and laughed. Celestia even joined in telling jokes, and was overall jovial. How Luna envied it, but her hearts desire to join and laugh and play were set aside as a deep sadness lingered within it. The image of the statue was etched into her mind, and it deeply unsettled her.
"I'm glad you came tonight, Luna." Celestia smiled, stepping away from the circle of others. "It's been a while."
"Indeed it has. I was honored to receive an invitation. It was a lovely ceremony." Luna smiled in return, but it hurt. Most of her smiles these days were false.
"You know you're always welcome here, Luna." Celestia gently bumped her sister playfully. "You don't have to linger elsewhere if you'd rather be here."
"I am aware, and it is certainly tempting, but I am doing research elsewhere at the moment on night-blooming flora that is rather pressing. It is truly fascinating, and I'd hate to leave it just yet." Luna dodged.
"I see..." Celestia's smile faded. "Well the offer stands. Always. And perhaps the writings of your research could go into the new wing of the library. It's construction was just recently completed." the elder Princess tempted, almost desperately trying to connect with her younger sister.
"WOAH! Wait a second!" Princess Twilight chimed in. "Did I just hear you say that you built a new wing to the library?!" Celestia rolled her eyes, but chuckled.
"You've heard correctly, Twilight." Celestia beamed. Luna was grateful for the new distraction. Conversations with her sister had become... sparse in the last year. It had become a struggle of sorts to keep a connection alive between them.
"And you didn't tell me?!" Twilight's jaw dropped. "Oh, you need to show it to me! Is it big? How many new sections have been added? Or how many have been expanded ?" Twilight's eyes glittered with excitement. "Can we go see it now? Can we go? Oh please, please, please, please!" she practically danced, much to the amusement of her friends.
"Well..." Celestia considered, shooting a glance to her sister. Luna rolled her eyes and nudged her elder to go. "Alright then, we'll go. But Luna, it'd be nice if you'd stay. I'd love to talk with you more later." Celestia smiled, pleading with her eyes.
"Ah... Well... As you wish, sister. I will stay." Luna agreed, albeit unwillingly.
"Wonderful! I will see you later tonight then." Celestia grinned, and waved slightly before leading on to the library with Twilight, Cadence and her friends in tow. Luna watched, waving until they had left sight. At last, she was alone. When she could no longer hear them laughing down the corridor, Luna spread her wings and silently took flight.
She enjoyed the cool evening breeze in her face for a while, and circled the more beautiful courtyards before landing gently in front of the precious statue. It was not yet lit up for the night, but it's white stone shined like a beacon against the approaching darkness. With a sigh, she gently approached the statue and sat at the foot of it. The detail was indeed impeccable.
"My dear sister, I hope you know what you're doing." she said as a few tears welled up.
Author's Note
I had originally intended for this to be another single chapter thing, but there was just too much ground to cover in it. So expect a few more chapters from here.
"It's a beautiful monument, is it not?" a gentle voice sang out across the courtyard. Luna jumped, quickly wiped any sign of her tears away and turned to the intruder. A pink alicorn approached the ground from her flight.
"Ah! Cadance! I thought you'd gone to the library with the others!" Luna blinked.
"Well, I was, but I didn't feel right leaving you all alone out there in the gardens." Cadance explained as she fluttered down from the sky and landed beside the night princess. "When I found you weren't there, I decided to come find you... Why are you all alone out here?" she questioned.
"We... I like our time alone, it serves us- er, me well for meditation." Luna explained.
"I see... then why were you crying?" Cadance's concern was evident.
"We weren't crying, young Cadance. We merely had something in our eye." Luna flourished her words proudly, and flicked her hair as to imply that she was by far above the act of crying. But her response was met with a raised eyebrow.
"So... why were you crying?" the younger alicorn pressed. With a heavy sigh, Luna deflated, and drooped her wings.
"The truth is, we haven't talked with anypony in a great many years so openly. If we... I... tell you, would you promise to keep it a secret for me?" Luna scratched at the ground, refusing to look Cadance in the eye.
"Of course, Luna. I promise you." Cadance replied, and sat beside her lunar relative.
"Pinkie Pie promise?" Luna insisted. Cadance smiled, crossed her heart and recited the pinkie promise oath from memory. Luna smiled, clearly satisfied and convinced.
"Okay... we are out here tonight, because this statue breaks our... my... heart." Luna explained. Cadance's shocked expression led her to explain further. "This statue was intended to commemorate a wonderful time for young Twilight, to celebrate her joining the ranks as a princess of Equestria... But to me, it is a celebration of what will be her pain. It feels wrong."
"Luna, do you not think Twilight will make a fair ruler?" the concern on Cadance's face leaked heavily into her speech.
"You misunderstand, dear niece. I am more than certain that Twilight will make a fine ruler. My concerns with it lay... elsewhere." Luna chanced a glance up, gauging Cadance's expression.
"How do you mean?" the pink alicorn's stare intensified. Luna sighed and looked away.
"Cadance, you know of my time as Nightmare Moon... You know of my banishment, my imprisonment on the moon, and you therefore know of my shame. But tell me, what do you really know of my sister?" Luna asked.
"Auntie Celestia?" Cadance said warmly, but toned herself down as Luna winced at the fondness of her sister's name. "Well, it was under her instruction and tutelage that I ever became an alicorn. Same goes for Twilight. Celestia gave me the life I live now... After my parents died, well, she gave me a home and a purpose. If you're looking for ill things to say of her, I have none to give you."
"That is the problem, dear Cadance. Nopony is left alive, aside from Discord perhaps, who knows Celestia as I do. Nopony who would dare speak a disparaging word of her. Nopony knows the truth of the pony underneath that smile, good or bad." Luna frowned.
"But she's forgiven you, hasn't she? After everything that happened between you, she's accepted you with love?" Cadance ventured.
"Of course. But it is not she who has done all the forgiving, Cadance. But she is the one who has yet to offer an apology. The situation surrounding my decision to take on my visage of Nightmare Moon is much deeper that either of us have spoken of. Someday, I hope she'll come to face the wrongs she committed as I have had to do since my return, and to profess sincerely to me that she means it when she says she is sorry." Luna squinted up to the setting sun, heavy thoughts flashing across her eyes.
"No offense Luna, so please forgive me my forwardness, but it seems to me that you were primarily the one doing wrong, seeing as you forced the night upon the day. From what I've seen, Celestia has been nothing but kind to you since your return." Cadance defended her mentor.
"I did far worse than that. I was deserving of my sentence by the end. That much is certain... I have no doubts that my sister has kindness in her, but could you believe me if I told you that she was not always as such?" Cadance furrowed her brow, an obvious conflict taking place in her mind.
"Luna, I'll admit that it's hard for me to imagine. As long as I've ever known her, she's never been anything less than kind to anypony... But as you said earlier, I have not known her all through her life. So I suppose I'd have to take you at your word on it." Cadance conceded. "And I don't think you'd lie to me. I have a knack for telling when somepony has ill things at heart, and I don't sense anything insincere from you." Luna smiled at this, the first genuine smile in a long time.
"Thank you Cadance. I think I actually needed to hear that." Luna sniffed, a few tears had welled up again.
"But Luna, I still don't understand. Why does this statue make you sad? What does it have to do with Celestia?" Cadance motioned towards the monument looming above them. They both turned their gazes up and marveled the pristine stones that glittered fabulously in the evening light.
"It goes back to before my banishment. Back then, my sister was much more... how do I say... controlling , if you will." Luna's smile faded and her ears flattened back. "She did some very terrible things to me, Cadance. Some wounds never really heal, I suppose. I won't say too much more on that, because she's clearly no longer that pony, and jading your opinion of her is not my intention. But her need for control and attention led her to making some very rash decisions back then, and it cost us both greatly." she continued.
"She was hot-headed, and selfish. But perhaps worst of all, she had and has a silver tongue, so to speak. She has a way with words that ponies just seem to trust. And she knows this. She was so manipulative back then, and she had strings attached into everything, like the world was a puppet and she the puppeteer." Luna turned her back to the statue. "I spent a long time observing my sister before my banishment, and was appalled at this realization. The reason it connects to this statue now is that I can see that still, more than 1000 years later, she has her influence over the lives of others." Cadance raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
"Luna, you make it sound as though you think she's controlling ponies' lives... I must ask, and please don't be mad, but are you sure this isn't based on remnant feelings toward the problems you had with your sister all those years ago?" the princess of love's trepidation of the concept Luna presented was very evident.
"Cadance. A part of me will always love my sister. Never doubt that fact. But she has many secrets well hidden from others, she keeps her personal failings from you and Twilight above all else." said Luna sternly. "Do you truly think she does not have her threads in others' lives?" Luna asked.
"Think about it Cadance. Who has been in complete power for the last millennia and beyond? Celestia has. Who is it that has opened nearly every school, educational facility, orphanage, hospital and program for gifted ponies in modern Equestria? Celestia did. Which pony is it that made a point so seek out and cozy up to specific ponies to put in high places of Nobility or otherwise, including your place as 'ruler' of the Crystal Empire? It was Celestia. Have you not noticed that whenever something happens of importance in Equestria or the surrounding Kingdoms, Celestia is involved?"
"That doesn't mean her intentions are ill." Cadance frowned.
"Certainly not. I never said her intentions were ill, but now tell me who put the effort into both yours and Twilight's lives to allow your transcendence into alicornhood?" the moon princess stared almost coldly at the younger alicorn.
"Well, Celestia did. But is that a bad thing?" Cadance shrunk back.
"Not necessarily. Clearly both you and Twilight were a good choice for the positions given you, the Universe would not have accepted your ascendance were you not. But I fear her intentions have been subconsciously muddied all this time. She believes that everything she does, she does only for the betterment of Equestria. But I submit that many things that she does are for the betterment of herself." Luna sighed, and gently placed a hoof on Cadance's shoulder.
"You are clearly befitting of the role of Princess, but has talked with you of the weight it bears?" Luna asked.
Author's Note
Alright, part 2 is done. There will be at least another chapter or 2 in order to finish this.
"She has instilled in me the importance and responsibility of being a good ruler. We've had many talks about the integrity and kindness a good Princess must have to be worthy of her throne." Cadance replied, as though reciting it from memory.
"That much is good, yes, but it is not what I mean. Has she spoken to you of the pains that come with the crown and alicornhood?" Luna's concern was more evident the longer Cadance paused.
"I... I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." admitted the younger princess.
"I was afraid of that. If she has not told you , then she certainly has not told dear Twilight either." Luna's lower lip shook as she held back a small sob. "Cadance, you and Twilight are indeed Alicorns. But you are not what would be called a 'natural' alicorn. By that I mean an alicorn born as an alicorn. A natural born alicorn is not created simply by the genetics of their parents, but by lifeblood of the universe. The magic that connects all living things runs heavily through their veins. This is what my sister and I are."
"Twilight and yourself are... different. Not in a bad way, mind you, but for either of you to have truly achieved the form you have now, Celestia has had to offer you up to the Universe for judgement, alongside the offer of a purpose you may fulfill for it. It not only toys with the natural balance of our world, but with your lives as well. I was unaware of her meddling in this sort of magic until my return from the moon. Perhaps it was her loneliness for family that pressured her to seek it out, or perhaps a need to fill my place royally while I was away. But it was wrong of her to do this without your understanding and consent beforehand." Luna explained.
"Do you mean to say that our becoming alicorns goes against nature ?" Cadance squinted in disbelief.
"Yes, and no. I'm sorry if my choice of words has offended you." Princess Luna chewed on her lower lip. "But you must understand, the nature of the Universe is fickle. Like I said, if it did not deem you worthy, you'd never have become who and what you are today." Luna tried to smile comfortingly. "My qualms do not lay with that fact, but in that my sister has brought you both into the life of an alicorn unprepared."
"What exactly am I not prepared for?" Cadance's ears twitched.
"If I may ask, how old are you right now, Cadance?" Luna asked.
"I'm 23 years, why do you ask?" Cadance replied.
"And how old is your Shining Armor?" Luna pressed on.
"25 years... again, I- I must ask why." Cadance stiffened, discomfort clearly taking hold.
"Little is known about how unnatural alicorns age. Natural alicorns like Celestia and I live a life that is often described as immortal. We live as long as our presence in the Universe is needed, though our appearance rarely changes. If your lifespan is exactly the same as ours, or has been at least lengthened by your ascendance, how long do you think you'll live?" Luna asked, staring intensely and blankly at the ground.
"W-what do you mean to say?" Cadance stammered, the inkling of fear reaching into her voice.
"Cadance... Being an Alicorn is not a gift, but a condemnation. There is a price to be paid for the power and lifespan we hold." Luna turned forlorn eyes upon Cadance. "It pains me to say that the chances are very strong that you will outlive your beloved. You will likely outlive him, your families, Twilight aside, and all of your friends. Were you aware that by becoming an alicorn, you'd be forfeiting the fact that you will grow old with the ones you love?" Luna stated sorrowfully. "Were you aware that all the while, you will be expected to stand with your head high, and rule over your allotted ponies with the same poise as before you lost a single soul to time?"
Cadance sat wide-eyed and speechless. Confusion, a moment of anger, and fear flashed across her eyes. Luna knew that poor Cadance did not wish to hear this, least of all from someone other than her trusted Aunt Celestia. Cadance did not wish to believe what she'd just been told. Guilt panged at Luna's heart, and she feared she may have just driven her adopted niece away.
"I understand if you choose not to believe me." Luna said, rising to her feet. "I will leave you be if you wish, I will not torment you with things that I cannot prove to be true. These are my fears for you and young Twilight, and it has not been fair of me to unload this upon you if you did not wish to hear it." Luna turned to walk away, shame bearing heavily down upon her.
"Wait! Aunt Luna!" Cadance called out. "Even if what you said turns out to be true, the future cannot be so bleak! I am the Princess of love! I know for a fact that even those who suffered the loss of loved ones meet new ponies to care for. Their friendships and love for one another never really end! Can you deny me that truth?" Luna turned, lips pursed and wings tense. Cadance's pleading face pouted sadly toward her.
"My dear Cadance, it is true, you will meet new ponies. You will befriend them, and love them, but in time they too shall pass. I have not told you these things to upset you, or to express ill will upon you or Twilight, but because from experience I know how it hurts." Luna made no attempt to hide her tears as they began to well up. "I tell you this, because my sister loved you both too much to tell you, and I love you too much to not ." With a sob, Cadance stepped forward and embraced the lunar princess, catching her off-guard.
"Please tell me that that cannot be all the future will hold. Tell me there will be happiness." Cadance pleaded. "Dear Luna, I have to tell you what I've told to no-one else yet. I am pregnant! Am I destined to suffer that loss too?!" Luna stared at Cadance in shock, before holding Cadance in a tight, sorrowful hug. The princesses wept together for a few moments.
"I cannot know for certain." Luna eventually admitted. "As I said before, I cannot guarantee that these things I've told you are anything more than fears. But I implore you, assume that I am wrong, for the sake of the foal you carry. Don't ever stop loving others." Cadance sank to the ground and continued to weep. "My anger and sadness with this statue lay in the fact that it was not built to celebrate Twilight's new life, but Celestia's accomplishment in keeping someone she cared about by her side. It is truly a disgrace." Luna lifted Cadance's chin.
"But please, do not interpret this as a reason to hate my sister. You have a happy relationship with her, and I did not wish to tarnish her reputation in your eyes. Remember that she cares truly for you both, though I fear that her intentions have been unintentionally misplaced." Luna pleaded. "It is wrong that she has made this decision for you and Twilight. Without either of you ever knowing what it is you'd be potentially giving up. Should my theories be right, Twilight too will outlive her friends, and family. But in the very least you will have each other in this journey, and Celestia would not have made that decision if you were not precious to her." Cadance blinked back tears and smiled sadly.
"Thank you... And lease don't tell anypony I'm pregnant yet." Cadance sniffed. "I had wanted it to be a surprise to everyone." Luna smiled and crossed her heart.
"Stick a cupcake in my eye." with a tear-filled smile, she helped Cadance to her feet.
"But Luna?" Cadance paused, a moment of hesitation became present.
"Hmm?"
"I promise not to hold anything against her that you don't, but if I may ask..." Cadance paused again, calculating her words. "You said that your sister did something terrible to you... What exactly did Celestia do that pushed you to become Nightmare Moon?" The Lunar Princess froze, staring coldly up to the setting sun. Her magic flaring up, she grasped the moon, and raised it. From the library, she presumed, the sun too was grasped and lowered.
"Twilight herself asked me that very same question not too long ago." Luna said icily. "I'll tell you exactly what I told her: I can tell you everything that I know from my perspective. And I will do so now if you wish me to. But if you truly wish to know what her motives were... then you must ask the sun. Because someday, I too would like to know."
Author's Note
Okay, so I think I'll end this here. Yup. Seems like a good place.
