The years following since were terrible to Celestia.

A paltry two years since the string of misfortunes and loss impacted Celestia, and it took a toll upon her. During that time, her once youthful smile dimmed into a facsimile used in the presence of others, even to her own mentor and friend.

Despite her condition, Starswirl and her advisors returned her to the throne of Equestria and aided her in their best efforts to rule the kingdom in a capable fashion. In spite of Starswirl's help alongside her assigned caretakers, Celestia's progress to mental and emotional recovery was slow. And despite how Starswirl wasn't happy about it, he couldn't blame how much what had happened to Celestia would impact her heavily, nor could he bring himself to gripe against how much it affected her decisions in ruling.

Finally, the Archmage conceded and played the role of Steward of Equestria while Celestia was locked within his home.

"Archmage Starswirl, if I may ask how Princess Celestia is?" asked Clean Sweep, an unicorn mare with a coat the color of ripened wheat stalks and a mane of yellow cinquefoil flowers. Her eyes of sapphire blinked with concern as she held a broom and a small pan in a magical grip.

Starswirl sighed, the dark rings underneath his eyes signaling his exhaustion as he spared a glance at the room before replying to the maid, one of many who stubbornly kept their jobs in following the Princess to Starswirl's home.

Albeit, having maids take care and clean his small castle and tower was certainly an additional benefit, as he himself had gotten irritated and unhappy at his own messy habits of leaving scrolls which would mysteriously ‘disappear’ for days upon end only to stumble upon them later on, leaving him to wonder why on Equis it was there.

It didn't help that his age was clearly aiding and abetting the mysterious movements of his scrolls.

The maids' constant presence and randomly encountering them wasn't necessarily a welcome sight, however. Not in his abode at the most.

"I still remain worried for her. I’ve already placed a couple of guards to watch and escort her at all times because I fear for her mental health and what she may decide to do." He stayed silent for a brief moment before continuing, looking at Clean Sweep with a hundred yard stare.

"You may enter and perform your duties, Clean Sweep. But be aware and understand; the Princess has lost many of whom she held precious to her, not just her sister." The growingly old mage's voice drifted off before he shook his head and trotted away.

Two of the aforementioned guards which stood by the Princess' door scanned over Clean Sweep before allowing her to enter. Even as she entered, the Chief Maid could see three guardmares silently watching and standing nearby the Princess, who slumbered on her bed, which lacked even bedcovers, lest she attempt anything with them, either on herself or her 'captors' as she would grumble at them.

Clean could only look at the Princess with worry.

A magic cancelling ring had been placed upon Princess Celestia's beautiful and sleek horn, a set of hoofcuffs held tightly to her gauze-wrapped forehooves and a silk band wrapped and restrained the Princess' wings.

All in all, the Princess looked like a hostage held prisoner in her own room. It only made Clean Sweep frown as her sadness deepened while she set about her work as another year of little improvement in her princess’ wellbeing and the depressing sight and state of Princess Celestia would continue for the time being.

As Clean Sweep passed by the guards and entered her Princess' private chambers, she looked to see the Princess, flanked by her guardmares, out on the balcony. Celestia gazed up at the bright, full moon in the sky as tears fell from her muzzle as she stared at the silhouette of the ‘Mare in the Moon,’ the title ponies had taken to calling the result of her sister's rebellion. To many ponies, it was a reminder of Nightmare Moon's defeat. However to Celestia, it was a constant reminder of whom she lost and whom she failed to save.

Clean Sweep looked down as she swept a small patch of dust into her small pan before noticing a bit of parchment had gotten caught by her broom. Seeing that it had been written, Clean picked it up and silently read it, finding out that it was a poem written by Celestia:

Behold the night, ruined art without your light
behold the moon, shining light in deepening gloom.
But under the horizon, somewhere far away
the sun races along its course, to bring and brighten a new day.
The moon’s glory has faded away, once full and bright, now stained by sin, imprisoned sister, contained within.
Hear my cry, oh hear my plea
my beloved sister, watch over me.
The sun outshone, in foolish pride
neglected the glory of celestial night
and now you’re gone, so far away.
I miss you and regret every single day
I have no right, yet still I say
forgive me, sister
forgive I pray
forgive me, sister
for neglecting you that way

Clean looked back at the lamenting Princess before placing the poem on the nearby desk that it likely fell from before returning to her duty, unsure if her presence or words would've helped or do anything for her Princess.

It wasn't until she was about to leave the Princess' chambers did she find inspiration and the courage to go over to Princess Celestia, who, under the watchful eyes of her guards, gave the Alicorn mare a hug around her barrel.

Celestia gave a choked gasp from her reverie before looking down at the maid as Clean simply stayed there in her embrace. The Alicorn mare didn't push her away, and she didn't voice her displeasure at the maid's attempt of comforting and show of support and solidarity.

Instead, Celestia gently squeezed Clean Sweep with a hoof and wing, whispering, "thank you." as the two stayed there for half an hour before one of the guards gave a gentle nudge with an armored hoof, telling them that it was time for Princess Celestia to sleep in order to be rested and ready for tomorrow morning.

«««✧✦✧»»»

Clean Sweep continued to make continuous trips to Celestia's chambers, though she had to swat a few fellow maids with a broom to stop them from making gossip that additional perks were being granted during Princess Celestia's emotional moments.

One day, Clean Sweep had found Celestia at her desk, staring blankly and listlessly at an empty book, a freshly inked quill lying next to it. It was a diary that Starswirl had supplied to the Princess as a way to release her thoughts and emotions rather than bottling it and letting them rot within her.

However, getting Celestia to start using the book was another matter. At the start of being given the diary, she ignored it. She kept placing it aside and lying that she would work on it later on, almost like the same petulant filly she used to be many years ago, Celestia looked and searched for any excuse that would allow her to not use the diary.

That was until Starswirl informed Clean Sweep and Celestia's immediate guards about making Celestia establish the habit of writing on it at least once a day.

Clean Sweep nudged the Princess gently, startling her a bit as she asked, "Maybe you could write about the new maid, Polished Hoof, and about her panicking about knocking over one of the display vases this afternoon?"

All she got was an unamused huff from the Princess, likely unhappy about being pushed into writing, "You don't need to write everything about your day or about how you feel, just what happened at specific points about your day." Clean Sweep assured as she waited until she saw Celestia got past writing down the date before she began busing herself about the chambers, occasionally looking back at her Princess expectantly whenever she didn't hear the near silent scratching from the quill.

It'd be a month and a half before Celestia didn't need any motivation from the maid or her guardmares. What would've been something Celestia complained and did what she could to refuse and not write in the diary now started to fill pages after pages of her days, thoughts and the occasional depressed moments.

«««✧✦✧»»»

As Celestia continued to lament, write in her diary, or sleep within her given chambers, Starswirl sat upon the throne back at the ruined castle, taking up the duty of a Steward until a time where Princess Celestia could adequately rule without the risk of her emotionally breaking down.

Said nobleponies and militant leaders currently squabbled and quarreled amongst themselves as he rubbed his temple with a hoof. The current argument was what to do with the majority of the ruins of the castle where Luna and Celestia fought each other. The nobles demanded that it be rebuilt and the governmental stature of Equestria remain where it was even before the two sisters ascended to the thrones. It was a traditional and historical castle that was being left in ruins, and to them it was a terrible mistake to leave broken and destroyed.

The military leaders however, argued that the castle was about as compromised and vulnerable as the Princess' condition was. Adding on that the Everfree Forest was now growing exponentially around the castle, the wild life within it growing bolder and establishing territories. They argued that it was better to relocate and build a different castle someplace else.

It was then that Celestia's Majordomo, Clarion Call, cracked his staff against the marble floor and garnered the arguing masses attention. As they turned, he said with his voice reaching the entire room to not make himself unclear or misheard, "Enough of this. We have argued for hours upon end and the longer we continue, the less we will scavenge from what has happened. As it stands, this castle has fallen; both in figure of speech and literal. Our Princess is still recovering and it is clear she cannot lead Equestria from either the Archmage's Tower, or in this castle."

Starswirl added his thoughts onto the matter, "As many of you should be aware, Princess Celestia still laments and suffers under the scars of her fight and loss of her sister, Princess Luna. This castle, while having been the home of her and the Royal Family many years prior, is no longer a place where we can retain the location of the throne. Even if Princess Celestia recovers from her fight against her fallen sister, the memories surrounding it will be a great detriment to her ability to rule. Equestria needs an Alicorn capable of leading it ever onwards toward a better future. With Princess Celestia incapacitated and harboring terrible memories, as well as the banishment and fall of her sister; then our future has become uncertain and wrought with risk of falling back to the three tribes governance system."

Many of the nobles muttered or gave private thoughts about the idea of Equestria falling apart while the military leaders gave nods and murmurs of agreement as Starswirl continued, "As it stands, I agree with our commanders. The Everfree Forest has already proven far too inhospitable without more resources and efforts in stopping it, and this castle would consume even more necessary resources to maintain than to rebuild ... ."

Starswirl fell silent as he looked out above the holes in the ceiling, some of the tiles balancing precariously above everypony. It wasn't an easy thought of just leaving the castle to fall apart the rest of the way, and it wasn't easy to choose just where to move and establish a new location of where the throne of Equestria would be.

His eyes then strayed to a certain hole that showed a tall mountain.

Starswirl recalled that there was a construction project that aimed to construct a town on a mountain, hanging off from it and reaching as high as Cloudsdale was. It had been started by a group of unicorns that still held a sense of unicorn superiority and had gotten jealous of the pegasai's creation of their cloud-like city, but it had been struggling on gathering enough funds to fuel the construction and progress of the project.

"Clarion? If you would lend me your ear for a moment," Starswirl said as the Majordomo looked at him with a questioning expression.

«««✧✦✧»»»

Clean Sweep could only hug her Princess in silence as the Alicorn was wracked with yet another sobbing fit after raising the moon, shedding glistening tears of grief and regret. While it was an improvement to the mourning and wailing she went into a year or so ago, it still took its toll upon Celestia. Her disregard for her personal appearance was a frequent source of frustration and yet … and yet like soldiers on a battlefield, they daily entered the fray, not with weapons of war, but instruments of beautification. Her formerly regal posture had slumped and drooped down, looking as though she suffered from carrying the weight of the world on her back, the dark bags under her bloodshot and puffy eyes, and the haggard look of exhaustion appearing on her face.

Her guards were given permission to use sleep spells in order to treat her exhaustion, but they ended up being used rarely, as whenever they were placed on Princess Celestia, nightmares of varying situations and intensity would plague her sleep, often resulting in her feeling as exhausted as she had been prior to any attempts to sleep.

Celestia and her guards plus an on-duty maid began to head to her chambers in preparation to sleep for the oncoming visit with the Griffon King Shredder, who was a staunch ally to Equestria even before her parents and a fond friend of her and Luna. He and the nobles of both Equestria and Griffonstone were insistent upon such a meeting, both to discuss the future of the Griffons as they were starting to experience signs of an inflation that would lead to a great depression as well as Shredder wanting to visit Celestia and find out what happened to Luna, as he wasn’t aware of her banishment until not two days ago.

However, as the last guard left the balcony, a soft, melodious voice reached their ears in a song.

While a few ears from the guards twitched towards the song, trying to hear better as well as try and discern where it was coming from, Celestia stopped dead and turned around to look at the moon for several seconds before she whispered, “Luna.”

Celestia didn’t even think, it was all by instinct as she raced back to the balcony as her guards gave cries of alarm and panic, reacting to the worst outcome that the song was driving her to either suicide or some other purpose. Already, the majority of them being unicorns, they lit their horns and readied spells of either paralysis, temporal dialysis or gelatin encasement to keep the Princess from jumping or attempting to fly off despite her bound wings.

Said spells already flung and latched onto the Princess as she reached the railings and pulled her front hooves on the elegant metal as the ponies’ hearts leapt.

Whether it was instinct or some part of her that expected their reaction, Celestia was able to keep herself steady against their spells as she craned her head back to the moon, her ears and attention entirely focused upon what she internally believed was the source of the song.

The guards rushed to her side, additional spells ready to be cast a second time as a few pegasi took to the air in preparation as the song continued to hold their Princess’ attention. Her eyes fixed on the marked moon as she listened to what had to be Luna’s song.

She listened as she could hear the sorrow and guilt from her sister. Luna’s voice carrying forgiveness to Celestia, and a plea for the same. Luna prayed for her sister to hold better dreams, and her familial love which she still held for her sorrowing sister would be conveyed to Celestia as almost an hour passed.

At the end of the song, Celestia began to cry again, a broken smile appearing on her muzzle as she whispered, “Luna.”

Clean Sweep could only stare in wonder as she saw something change within Princess Celestia, it seemed like she imagined it and it almost sounded too impossible to be true to have occurred as the spells that held Celestia in place were let down and the guards encouraged the Princess back to her room and to her bed.

As Princess Celestia passed by the maid, she paused long enough to hug Clean Sweep tightly to her, getting a reciprocating hug in return, and holding it for a few minutes before she steadily trotted off to bed.

Clean dumbly watched her Princess settle into bed before a smile began to creep in, feeling a small but growing sense of hope and believing that things were turning around. Though she wished she could do more, Clean Sweep gave an audible whisper, “Good night, Princess.” before the mare hurried off to finish her rounds through the castle and give the good news.

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As much as the nobleponies, Starswirl included among them, and many of the maids to former staff of the royal castle held skepticism to Clean Sweep’s news, there had been a remarkable change in the Princess’ behavior.

Princess Celestia began to move around more, both inside and outside of Starswirl’s home. Some could see she gave effort in being social and being around others, though there still were moments they could see either tears or a saddened frown.

It wasn’t until the ponies began noticing her appearance gradually improving and her effort in giving attendance to many of the meetings with Starswirl and the nobleponies in the passing weeks did they start realizing that the maid had a point. Celestia started to give genuine smiles, she didn’t drag her hooves or hold her head low as much as she had used to, and she did her best in ensuring that when she spoke, she didn’t waver or mumble her words.

Regardless, it was a certain sign to them that their Princess was surely returning to the throne and returning to her duties, even with the noticeable slips and staggers.

One thing that sadly didn’t change was her moments of breaking down in fits of depression. This often led to moments where anypony who was with her when she started frowning, looking down and her ears flattening to her head assumed they had said something that had affected her more than they thought.

But despite some of these setbacks happening and remaining, it was certainly a sign of improvement upon Princess Celestia’s disposition. And it was only a matter of time until Starswirl would allow the Princess to return to the throne and lead Equestria once again.

Celestia now frequently smiled at the moon now, whenever she set the moon on its course through the night sky. Each evening, with the rising of the sun, Celestia swore she could hear Luna singing her song to her, that song of loss, loneliness and forgiveness from her only sister whom she missed terribly, sealed away on the moon as she was. Celestia's serene smile grew into a happier grin as she whispered, praying the words would travel to the moon, "Good night, Luna … . Thank you …"

The door to her room suddenly opened without warning and made her startle terribly and her forelegs accidentally slipped off of the railing and landed over the rail, making her land hard on her stomach with a loud 'Gh-huh!'

"Princess!" The same voice yelled, this time joined by all her guards. After looking down again and seeing just how high of a balcony her bedroom had, Celestia panicked and started backpedaling desperately as her guards quickly grabbed her with magic and hooves and after pulling herself back onto the balcony, she quickly scrambled away from the balcony rails so as to prevent anything else that could cause her to fall. She panted from her desperate act as her guards looked over her and ushered her further away from the balcony as she looked to see nearby the old unicorn sage, Starswirl. His horn was lit, mouth gaping in horror and his left foreleg outstretched, preparing to catch her in case the fear that was apparent in his eyes proved true.

"S-Starswirl, how … can I … help you?" Celestia gasped slightly, the force of landing on her stomach still smarting and leaving her almost breathless, tears still streaming down and her eyes slightly red.

Starswirl's eyes grew with concern as he closed his mouth, "Princess, I was coming to see you. I …" The sage sighed, his age becoming ever more apparent and looked at his ruling princess with weariness and love, one that only appeared among closest friends, "Celestia. It has been two years since … Her exile. While I’ve seen and heard of you making progress since a week ago, but …" Starswirl moved over to Celestia and placed a hoof over her shoulder.

But Celestia lowered her head ever so slightly, and lightly brushed his hoof off, "I know, Starswirl … In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever return to what joy and happiness I held before. However," She sighed deeply but then moved her head to look at her friend, strength finding its way to her eyes, "I have something to live for now."

Starswirl stared at Celestia, quietly studying his longtime friend and ruler, seeing the oft lowered head raised in expressive regal majesty. Her once reddened, blurry eyes fraught with tears now had an expressive life and a growing resolve. This was a Celestia that was not nearly the same as the one he knew before Luna was banished, but she looked much better than how she had suffered during the preceding two years.

Celestia continued, looking back up at the moon, “I needed to know my sister would. Or even could, forgive me for failing her. That even now, separated as far as we are, that she still loved me. I want to believe that Luna would rather return home and see her sister alive and well and waiting for her, rather than the wretch I have been.”

Starswirl’s eyes became unfocused as he remembered that night when she was brought to this very room, he had to keep her company through the long, star-filled night, as he felt her body tremble and wrack, and hearing the sniffling and gasping cries of his ruler and dear friend.

His attention returned to the present as he gave her a long and hard stare, searching eyes intently to see if she would look away, blink, or meet his gaze with honest sincerity. He had long since gotten a practice down in looking and telling if a pony’s words or intentions were genuine or dishonest during his temporary reign over the kingdom. And for all that was worth, Starswirl wanted more than anything to ensure that everything that his immortal friend, whom he had heard and watched suffer under her grief, was speaking in complete honesty.

Even though a good part of him wanted to find and catch her lying, that she merely said what she said to appease him and gain just enough free movement from him.

A good five minutes later, Starswirl found his answer, and he moved forward and hugged her tightly, his worries and concerns significantly reduced.

"I'm glad, Princess. I'm so very glad." He whispered, as Celestia returned the hug and began to lightly cry again. They held the hug for a few minutes before parting. Starswirl asked, a smile breaking upon his wizened muzzle, "Will you need anything then, Princess?"

Celestia shook her head, "No, my friend. I don't think I will for tonight."

«««✧✦✧»»»

Despite the hopeful attitudes that had spread amongst the ponies who lived and interacted around Celestia, many of them were cautious to almost completely disbelieving that their Princess had emotionally and mentally stabilized into a more functioning pony, her guards first and foremost.

They refused to consider their duty in guarding Celestia from herself completed, and continuously waved off her complaints, ranging from jokes to direct orders. Even after Starswirl had allowed Celestia to leave his castle, it seemed as if they couldn’t believe that their Princess had mentally and emotionally recovered and gotten past her depression and grief.

It would take almost six months before they would be convinced by both Celestia and Starswirl that they could relax and stop thinking she was lying to them and stop surrounding her with a tight ring of bodyguards around her every day.

Bypassing all the issues, problems and other sorts of distractions, Princess Celestia had progressed with rediscovered her strength and fortitude to return to her duties. Though when she expected to be brought back to the castle she and Luna had taken ownership as Princesses of Equestria, Celestia watched from the window that they were flying away from the Everfree Forest.

She practically bolted out of the carriage in both a panic and fear that where she was going was nowhere near where she wanted to go, seeing that they were over green rolling hills and halfway between the Everfree and Canterhorn Mountain.

Before both the Royal Guard pegasi and the two pegasi carrying the carriage itself could stop her, she flew off straight towards her home, hoping that either it was an attempt of kidnapping or some other mistake.

That outlook quickly changed when she saw the castle that had been her home since foalhood. Celestia’s heart fell at the sight as the pegasi guards found her and landed nearby. The dilapidated castle had been left to be reclaimed by the forest as moss, and bird nests were seen on the broken holes of stone.

Starswirl teleported nearby not soon after as one guard had flown back to inform him as Celestia sat down and stared at the remains of her former home with sadness. The mage trotted over to her and said softly, “While you were away, we argued and debated for many days whether to rebuild it. However as we all recovered and recuperated from what happened those years ago, the Everfree was becoming wild and dangerous again. In the end, we couldn’t keep the castle for long.”

Celestia didn’t respond, though one of her ears twitched, signaling she did hear him. Starswirl sighed and said to her, “I’m sorry. We recovered what we could before leaving, but … .”

The two stayed there for a few minutes before Starswirl got up and started nudging Celestia away from the castle and went with her back into the royal carriage that awaited her outside the forest’s edge and to her new home upon Canterhorn Mountain.

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The beginnings of Canterlot, a unicorn-focused project hoofed-over by Starswirl and Clarion Call and turned into the capital of Equestria, was a humbling one. At first there were only a few buildings that housed Princess Celestia, her Majordomo, half the maids and servants, a spare room dedicated to Starswirl whenever he visited often, and a storage room where all of Celestia’s and Luna’s belongings were placed in an almost labyrinthian way. The petitioners and nobles visiting could only stay for a few hours at a time, forcing only those who had the utmost dire need of a personal visit to come.

Said petitioners and nobles had at first arrived in droves, lining both the skies and base of Canterhorn Mountain to bring in attempts of either securing power so as a pathway to have themselves be seated upon the throne instead of Princess Celestia, wanting more economical or physical gains. However, they did not expect their Princess to still retain her sharp mind and shrewd judgement against their corrupt intentions. Whatever escaped Starswirl and the curiously dwindling circle of advisors, Celestia would see it and not fall to their attempts of manipulation or sleight of hoof.

Still, hearing word the return of their only surviving Princess set much of the kingdom ablaze with hope of better times to come. After hearing Princess Luna disappearing, an evil Alicorn appeared shortly after, challenging and failing against Princess Celestia only to have no news about her for more than a year? This series of events had left many cities in an uncertain limbo with no idea of what the future would be for them without an Alicorn ruling from the throne.

Some had started to dedicate the announcement as a means of celebration, though it was an unofficial one and only a hoof-full of ponies maintained it. That was until Princess Celestia had been giving a request to personally arrive and raise the sun for them, utterly unaware of such a situation amongst her subjects.

Her accepting and performing that request set everything off to create what would later be called the Summer Sun Celebration, which at first was waved off by Celestia until she heard how quickly the Celebration was taken in and adopted throughout the kingdom.

Starswirl quickly came to the idea of having Celestia participate and interact with the civilians. Soon after, he made plans and began to spread them throughout the kingdom of events, holidays and celebrations. Ranging from a day of giving thanks, though the name was still in pending, to turning Founding Day into Hearth’s Warming.

Despite his intentions, he could only name or make a few as they were still a refugee civilization in a new land after escaping the Windigos and there were very few special occasions that the ponies could make. It didn’t help that some of the cities didn’t have or understand the same kind of events or holidays that occurred to them.

But his attempt was still successful to some degree, as after a year of watching his friend with a careful eye, he brought her to Cloudsdale where they were due to celebrate the first Summer Sun Celebration.

Princess Celestia was surprised and shocked at the number of ponies who had gathered to attend the Celebration, and soon enough once word got out that Princess Celestia was in Cloudsdale, she was surrounded and badgered by the civilians into raising the sun on a podium that was hastily created for her. The roaring and ecstatic crowds of royals and civilian ponies had cramped themselves as much as they could into Cloudsdale. Through the noise and bright lights, Celestia learned that during the time of her depression, she had utterly forgotten just how cherished she had been to the Equestrian Kingdom.

As she, rather forcefully by the unicorn mages around her, participated in the Celebration and ended the night with her publicly raising the sun, she cast a revitalization spell upon herself and took a few moments to record her thoughts of yesterday and last night and slept rather heavily and soundly.

Month of Juna, Day 21, Year 4 After Banishment

I wonder to myself how often does anypony see the impact their lives have upon others? How much worse off are we, deprived of the good, the potential that we might have experienced had one of our subjects who had or are contemplating suicide not succeeded in killing themselves? I, myself, have been subject to not a few thoughts about committing suicide. Not a few times have I looked at the railing of my balcony and then the bindings upon my wings and been sorely tempted to gallop towards that railing and with a desperate hope that this time, this time that I’d be successful in plummeting to my death. However, my advisors and court magicians escorted me from place to place both as a way for my subjects to see me alive and well, as well as let me see how happy my subjects were.

I can’t even begin to imagine, let alone bring myself to think of the kind of lives our subjects might have been forced to live in, had I succeeded in my attempts. By my own hoof, I could have very well undone the efforts of everypony I cared for. My sister, my parents. Faust in Elysium, the Founders of Equestria themselves. Luna’s fall and transformation would have been a blessing in comparison … .

~Celestia~

«««✧✦✧»»»

It had been five years since Princess Celestia had returned to the throne and began feeling more and more of her former self return, even if there were still present scars that would take a great deal of time to scab over.

However, one thought did continue to linger and bother her greatly, and it was that despite how the Elements of Harmony had locked and banished her beloved sister into the moon, the Elements had left a lingering warning that it wouldn’t be permanent.

And when she saw and read Starswirl’s book that had spoken about the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon and her prophesied return, Princess Celestia couldn’t begin to figure out just what to do during the time between now and then. The stars themselves would aid her escaping. It was all but obvious that Nightmare Moon would be the one returning, still holding a strong presence and source of control upon Luna.

There was no way Celestia could bring herself to fight her. Celestia still could not bear nor bring herself to harm Luna, regardless whether she was Nightmare Moon. Celestia could not hurt her, and she would rather perish alongside Luna than kill her. She had lost too much of those she loved and cherished already.

Worse still, the Elements rejected and refused to work for her. Despite both her and the brightest unicorns could do, all it resulted and ended was the Element of Magic to disappear and refuse to return, rendering the rest as useless as they had been. All because of Nightmare Moon taking her sister away … And her own negligence to Luna.

“... But … The Tree …" She muttered. The Tree of Harmony did in fact show that there would be others.

She recalled the Cutie Marks on the upper trunk and branches of the Tree, just above her and Luna's Cutie Marks.

"Does this mean the Tree expected this …?" Celestia muttered again.

Perhaps.

And perhaps … she may have to plan things in the very long run, similar to how the Tree of Harmony used her and Luna as it’s bearers during Discord’s reign.

She hated it.

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A Thousand Years After Luna’s Banishment

A tower.

A tall, marble tower of the purest white, piercing through the heavens and any clouds which got in its way of ascension like a spear running through a sheep and continued to climb, even beyond the clouds through which it pierced. It held little to no exterior details but a rising cylinder of marble. There was no door, nor were there any windows, and the very top of the tower could not be seen from the ground.

Surrounding it was rolling green hills, reaching far and forever stretching to the horizon and beyond, sporadically dotted with rocks of various sizes, the largest only as long as six feet and the tallest a mere four. The clouds above, wispy and light, parting ever gently with the Tower of Eternity. The sun was warm, welcoming and bright, but was little more than an illusion.

An Elysium, neither Heaven nor Hell; Neither living nor dead.

All was quiet.

All was peaceful.

All was eternally sleeping.

The air resounded with a banging sound, followed by the sound of a rumble very much like thunder.

There was a sudden explosion of activity within the skies. A ring of rainbow surged with power through the heavens and over the land, impacting the Tower. The Tower shook and trembled, but did not fall or crumble. The ring instead painted the area of impact upon the Tower, and passed through as the arc of light and color raced from one horizon from whence it came to the other end of the horizon, never fading, never losing strength.

The earth trembled and shook from the sonic boom and resulting rumbling sound which followed in the ring's wake. The vibrations caused by the rumbling sound caused many of the rocks to shake and move, some of them becoming unearthed and shifted.

Then all was silent once again.

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Celestia gave a sigh with amusement upon reading the contents of her student's letter from the comfort of her personal bedchambers. Twilight was, out of the two students whom she had taken on to be her protégé, the more literary scholar of the two. Where Sunset … Celestia physically hesitated, but shook her head as she had learned how to move past such pain over the course of the century. Where Sunset Shimmer had been desperate to the path of power and prestige, Twilight had a far more intense adoration and dedication of her mentor. What Princess Celestia found very interesting was just how low the little unicorn's ear was to the ground.

Or perhaps it was just coincidence that Twilight knew about Nightmare Moon's return? She did have a habit of changing subjects the moment they didn't interest her or when she felt that had exhausted any advancement of her understanding on whichever particular subject she had been studying at that time.

Princess Celestia gave a light giggle before lighting her horn and summoning a feathered quill pen in a small bottle of ink, and a scroll before sending her reply, telling Twilight that while she valued her suspicions, Twilight was reading old mare tales.

Celestia added that she was sending Twilight to Ponyville to prepare for the Celebration, although she knew that the Celebration was going to be put on a temporary hold as Celestia looked up at the sky through the glass windows in her room.

She hated what she had done and was still doing.

’Faust forgive me,’ Celestia thought helplessly and regretfully, 'I've not just been manipulating Twilight's life, but the lives surrounding the soon-to-be Bearers of Harmony. I've studied, I've searched, I've hunted and whispered the right words ... Faust, I've even abused my own power upon my loyal subjects. Twisting thoughts, daydreams created, hopes dashed or created, events that could never happen made to happen even to the very manipulation of the weather itself, twisting, corrupting or changing words and causing them to be misheard or misunderstood. My abuse of power as Alicorn and as the Princess of Equestria has caused and created not just six little ponies for the sake of freeing my sister, but the creation of Ponyville itself and the little ponies that now inhabit it …’

The door to her bedchambers opened, gaining her attention as the descendant of Quiet Comfort, Calm Comfort entered and asked, “Princess Celestia? Are you awake?”

Celestia turned her head and got up from her bed saying, “I am, Calm. Is there something you need?”

“Only to talk to you about your student, Your Highness.” The maid admitted as she closed the door and walked closer.

Celestia could remember the days when Quiet had taken a stallion and eventually retired from her position as a maid in Canterlot, it had been a tad upsetting but an understandable occurrence to the Alicorn. During her youth it wasn’t uncommon to notice a prolonged absence of one of her admirers or hear about a few ponies she knew and encountered to have passed away for one reason or another.

It was only until the time Princess Celestia encountered Twilight and her uncontrolled magical surge did she hear about Calm and learned how she was related to the mare who had been a close friend during her depression.

“What is it, Calm?” Celestia asked, her mind snapping away from her quick trip in memory lane.

“Well ...” Calm hesitated before continuing, “Are you certain that Twilight is the next Bearer? I mean, I had listened to you about the Tree of Harmony and all of this ... but are we really certain you have the right mare? And even if she wasn’t, would you have sent her to Ponyville regardless?”

Celestia gave a bit of a sigh, more out of disappointment with herself. When Calm had been employed, Celestia was hasty in bringing her close. Far too soon and closer than she should have, as not soon after talking to the mare about her ancestor Quiet Comfort, Celestia had started to pour much of herself towards Calm, wrongfully assuming she would be similar to Quiet.

A tad far too much of herself.

“Even if Twilight wasn’t due to be a Bearer, I would’ve certainly encouraged her to move out from Canterlot.” Princess Celestia replied, putting Twilight’s letter of warning down, “Given her habits and day to night activities, I didn’t want to raise my student into being a royal librarian when she has such a talent in magic. I may not know her parents greatly, but I can give a good guess they wanted the best for their daughter.”

Calm didn’t look entirely convinced as Celestia continued, “And I had told you about the Tree of Harmony and the marks on its trunk and branches. And Twilight’s Cutie Mark matches it perfectly, Calm. And once the trunk had both mine and my sister’s Marks as well before ...” Her voice drifted off at the memory.

Calm still didn’t seem satisfied with both her Princess’ decision and plan, “It should be handled by you and the Royal Guard...”

“My sister nearly defeated me before I used the Elements,” Celestia countered, shaking her head in disagreement, “and I fear for the well-being of the Royal Guards should they ever try to attack her. No, I cannot face her again. And I cannot use military force for somepony who is far stronger, this requires a special touch and move.”

Again, Calm seemed like she wanted to argue and convince Princess Celestia from using her student and instead find another way, but she was cut off from arguing further, “My decision stands final, Calm. I have had a thousand years to decide what to do when my sister returned and this is the only answer I have found and made.”

«««✧✦✧»»»

The day proceeded without a hitch or concern, though between Princess Celestia and Calm Comfort, a small rift of perspectives had been revealed. The two didn’t argue or go deep into that rift, though it always showed itself through glances and stares between them. As much as Celestia tried to explain and show Calm her reasonings and how difficult it was to change plans so suddenly and expect them to just go okay, Calm always seemed to be placicated but it was clear she still remained unconvinced that it would work; Or that it should work.

Regardless, Princess Celestia had come this far and had kept to the one plan she had made and cultured after recovering from the fallout of her failure with Luna, and she wouldn’t and couldn’t change those plans now on the eve of her return.

Day turned to evening and Celestia kept a consistent watch on the skies, already seeing the stars start to coalesce around the moon, the last night and time her sister’s face would ever be stamped on its surface.

Once the sun had started its descent below the horizon was when Celestia started to quickly gather things, assigning a few guard details to specific parts of Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale. She even sent word to the Night Guard, Luna’s former legion, to be assigned on patrol duty well away from Canterlot and Ponyville. She knew that Luna would be quick and vengeful to find her, and Celestia would see to it that there were as few complications as possible.

Princess Celestia had already gathered a few snacks from the castle’s kitchen and was just about to leave for a few books to wait before she passed by one of the windows in the castle that gave her a good view of Twilight’s tower.

An idle thought about giving a small look around came to mind before memory took over. Hadn’t she given Twilight a minor Scrying Orb for one Hearth's Warming after she had fallen ill and still tried to attend her lessons?

Celestia tilted her head in consideration before lighting a teleportation spell and arriving at the door of the tower, unlocking it with her magic and entering inside.

She sighed as she saw her student's now old home. Even now, as Celestia moved to the center of the library, she still saw that small ‘bed’ Twilight had converted the couch that was nearby the front door. Celestia shook her head from the nostalgia before she turned her attention to the library. Moving up the stairs, she stopped in front of a pedestal containing a hoof-sized, translucent, teal colored orb.

The Alicorn quickly pocketed the orb and left the library, fearing she would get too caught up in her memories, again, when she needed to hurry. Already, she could feel the sealing spell that the Elements had used to seal her sister in the moon was starting to strain. The position of the sun was showing that the sun had to be set in its course on the other side of the horizon, and she did not want the chain of events she worked hard to set up to go to waste.

After quickly moving the sun down beneath the horizon, and in her haste forgone to give Luna her last lullaby, Celestia had returned to her room in order to give the appearance that she was preparing herself for the Summer Sun Celebration. In truth, she was preparing a teleportation spell, In addition to the food which she had stored within her saddlebags, she added several tomes, her favorite doll, Paper Mâché, a few candles, as well as a spare pillow and blanket. She then added the coordinates for where she wanted to go to the teleportation runes.

Celestia immediately winced as she felt the seals strain again, this time with more force. In fact, it almost fell apart sooner than she wanted had she not placed some of her reinforcement magic to ensure that the seals held out for just a little longer.

Now hurrying, she activated the runes with her standing inside the circle, her destination set and fed the runic glyph spellwork the activation magic it needed to power up and execute the spell spelled out by the runic arrangement.

A brilliant flash of light erupted around Celestia's room just as a maid, a mare who was the last to leave the castle, entered and saw her Princess leave.

She shielded her eyes then blinked at the remains of the teleportation in confusion, before shrugging it off and believing it to simply be Her Majesty's way of appearing down at Ponyville for the Summer Sun Celebration Festival which was about to begin in a matter of hours. She set herself to the task of cleaning up the Princess' room.

«««✧✦✧»»»

The Tomb of The Warrior, or rather the ancient site Celestia discovered and had been named long after, had ever since remained undisturbed. For over a thousand years, the site had passed and faded away from the minds of both young and scholar. Its legend faded into myth before becoming but simple memory and passing mentions, as no pony could discover anything more than what the pictures upon the walls could give, while the mysterious language remained untranslatable.

The thrum of arcane power and a sudden burst of light destroyed that silent peace, the thrumming sound of teleportation magic quickly followed by light panting from a white Alicorn, who had a pair of saddlebags secured on her barrel.

Celestia gulped more air before smiling. She never did tell Luna that she kept coming to this site during their reign as Princesses. Not once did she ever mention visiting and using the site as a place to be away and have a refuge in which she might enjoy a semblance of peace and quiet. It was the perfect getaway location that kept her within Equestria’s borders and close to Canterlot and Ponyville that nopony knew of; Or rather, anypony would have remembered.

She quickly bustled herself on making the site a temporary home for her. She laid the blanket and pillow at the base of the small flight of stairs which led to the statue, as it was the only comfortable spot within the room. After a quick Malleability spell at the ground, leading the stone to act more like a sponge rather than rough and hard stone, she turned and placed an Invisible spell over the entrance of the Tomb so as to shield herself from anypony from accidentally stumbling upon her place of refuge during her stay away from Canterlot and Ponyville.

Celestia then stored her saddlebags over into a nearby corner, taking one cupcake as a midnight snack, she trotted over to the Statue so as she could lie in its lap before activating the orb to watch the events unfold.

She was just about to make herself comfortable when her eyes lazily trailed up the statue.

Celestia immediately froze and her heart leapt as she saw a very long crack across the Statue's leg.

"No ... No, no no no. Please, no ..." she whispered as she tried to find a way to seal and fix the crack, her magic flowing over the statue, "Please, not on this ..." However, regardless of her knowledge and power, she couldn't fix the damage. It seemed resistant to every attempt she made in repairing and sealing its mysterious damages. She continued to fuss and worry over trying to fix the Statue before she gave a cry of pain from feeling the seal finally break. Celestia nearly collapsed as she felt Nightmare Moon's presence exert itself over Equestria before instantly fading.

The Statue long forgotten, Celestia levitated the orb to her quickly and activated it. She focused upon Canterlot and the orb first turned grey before the orb colored and gave almost a picturesque view of her castle. She studied and waited before she found a trailing dark “wisp” flying towards the Castle at fervent speeds. After getting the orb, by use of the tomes that allowed her to expand the uses of scrying, to focus and follow Nightmare Moon, she watched as her transformed sister broke through the throne room and appeared in her terrible glory.

"SISTER! THY TIME HATH COME!" Nightmare Moon cried, making Celestia wince at her sister’s suddenly loud speech before using another spell to adjust the “volume” of the scrying orb, "The night is here to reign fore-" Her speech was suddenly cut short as she opened her eyes to find the throne comically empty.

"Wh- What?!" The blackened Alicorn looked around, confused and infuriated that not only did her speech get cut short and go unheard, but that the subject for which it was meant was not even there! She stomped over to one door, shoving it open with magic before giving a loud groan when not even a single guard was present, leading Celestia to giggle madly at cutting her sister's thunder incredibly short.

After marching through and scouring half the entire castle Nightmare Moon, in a growing foul mood, finally had enough. She transformed back into her wispy form before flying off to the servant's quarters, where she immediately found one maid that was just about to sleep. The mare was suddenly lifted and held tightly as Nightmare Moon's head formed and demanded, "Maid! Where is she?!"

The poor maiden immediately screamed and began struggling before she was silenced with part of Nightmare Moon's 'mist' wrapping tightly around her muzzle and neck, covering both mouth and nostrils and held her there until she nearly passed out. Once she nearly stopped struggling, the 'mist' moved away from her muzzle and Nightmare Moon hissed as she demanded once again, "Where. Is. Celestia."

The young maiden shivered and tried to struggle again, but couldn't avoid looking at the corrupted Alicorn in the eyes, "Sh- She's—she's at the Summer S-sun C-Celebration in P-P-Ponyv-ville! S-She said sh-she would go there early!"

The aforementioned Alicorn quickly made note to give the poor maid a day off to be with her family so as to recover from being interrogated so harshly.

Nightmare Moon stared blankly at the maiden before demanding, “Where?”

After snorting in anger once she was quickly told, Nightmare Moon returned into a wisp and flew out of the maid's window, smashing it along the way. The scrying orb continued to follow the wisp as she made her way to the small town. Knowing that it would take a while, Celestia focused the orb away from her corrupted sister to Twilight Sparkle.

The orb turned grey for a moment, then colored to show her student with her assistant Spike on her back trotting over to a heavily decorated building in the town center. After a few moments of Celestia appreciating and looking at the decoration, and somewhat ignoring her student's blatant unhappiness at her given duty, she watched and waited for both her sister’s arrival and the chain of events that she was certain and had planned so much to happen.

And she was not disappointed throughout the night.

Princess Celestia sighed at her apprentice’s antics, as well as the antics and quirks of her newfound friends. How the athletic pegasus whom she heard and learned had performed the Sonic Rainboom after so many years was brash and quick to accuse, while the fanciful seamstress of a unicorn would complain and wail at mud and misfortune occurring to her mane, tail and coat.

She giggled at the sight of the pink Earth Pony’s jokes and nonsensical nature as well as the shy pegasus’ reluctance and rare instances of bravery.

How the Alicorn princess watched with concern and intense worry as she watched the group of six ponies travel from Ponyville to the ancient castle, memories once again sallying forth against the walls of her meditation, time and efforts in holding back what had sent her into the dark.

After several moments of face-hoofing of Twilight missing the point a few times as well as trying to fight Luna, Celestia couldn’t help herself but grin as all her efforts had paid off and worked as she watched Twilight and the five young mares reveal themselves as the new Bearers of Harmony.

And finally this time the Elements didn’t banish her sister, or cast her in stone.

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After establishing Twilight’s new mission, which was to study the Magic of Friendship from her new home in Ponyville, reuniting and giving the mares a surprise revealing how she had a sister, Celestia and Luna returned to the Canterlot Castle.

“Mine Sister, whyfor doth the guardians and maids give us such strange looks? Is it so strange there art other Alicorns besides thee? Doth not our subjects not remember I am thine sister?”

“After you were banished on the moon, it was too painful to be constantly reminded of how far away you were, to be reminded of how I failed you. I believe Starswirl ordered the literature and artistic treasures which depicted you stored within the treasury of the castle, so that it might spare my bleeding heart from bleeding even more. Then, as time went on, your fame faded to that of lore and fables, and as generations passed, our subjects only knew the rule of the one remaining Alicorn princess, me. Our staff stare for they can hardly believe what their eyes see, that not only is there more than one Alicorn, but that she’s also my sister and entitled to rule by my side, with all the rights and responsibilities thereof.”

As they made a small tour to Luna's new bedchambers, Celestia started to shiver, overwhelmed with fear and apprehension despite finally being so close to the one and remaining family member she had left returning to her after a thousand years.

“What troubleth thee, mine sister?” Luna queried, feeling her sister’s coat shiver as they walked side by side through this castle which had been built during her absence.

Celestia scrunched her eyes closed tightly as she once again shivered violently but did not respond. And so she continued to show her young sister around the castle’s layout which had been built during Luna’s absence while her emotions began to overwhelm her.

Luna waited until she was shown where her personal chambers was and before she decided to take a look at her new room, the younger Alicorn turned around and used her magic to close the door and sound-proof it before demanding, "Sister, thy attitude hath been silent upon our questioning and this hath become far unlike thee! Just what that hath thee so troubled? Angered and upset, we expect such, but thou hast been most tremulous and silent upon our pry!"

Celestia at first stared at Luna before she bowed her head, her hair covering her expression. Luna waited and waited, with each passing second causing her to grow even more annoyed and concerned. As she was about to demand something from Celestia, it was quickly forgotten as Luna found herself being tackled and held tightly by a now sobbing Celestia. She was barely able to breathe, let alone hear her own thoughts at the sound of her eldest crying and holding her tightly akin to a foal who had just awoken from a terrible nightmare, holding their parents just as close and tightly.

Luna, hesitatingly at first, hugged Celestia and held her as the eldest simply wailed on. There were times she said, ‘I am so sorry,’ ‘I missed you so much,’ ‘I love you,’ and ‘Please don't leave me’ in random order.

"S- 'Tia?" Luna asked tentatively, unsure and afraid of what happened to Celestia during her “solitude”.

Celestia flinched from Luna's voice before her sobs quickly quieted into soft, choked gasps, "I have missed you. So very much. I am scared, Luna. I’m so scared of losing you again to the nightmare. I cannot handle losing you again, sister. I am scared of repeating my mistakes and having to banish you again ... or worse.” Celestia's tears ran anew as she whispered, "Not again. Just not again."

At that, she continued to hold Luna as if she was about to be banished to the moon once again.

It was almost an hour later when the sun was to set did Celestia finally let Luna go, however that also meant the elder sister had cried herself to sleep, resorting Luna to use her new bed for Celestia while the night would allow Luna to wander the now candle-lit Canterlot Castle.

However, just as she got outside her chamber's doors, she saw a small detail of Royal Guards who looked at her in questioning expectation.

"Wh-What doth thee want? Why have ye abandoned thine posts?" Luna asked.

One mare stepped forwards and gave a polite bow, "Princess Luna. My name is Quiet Guard, and we are ... well, were a personal guard division assigned to watch over Princess Celestia, that had been on standing orders since the era of Great Archmage Starswirl the Bearded."

"From Starswirl?" Luna asked, incredulously, "And what situation doth demand such an order, and what were thy orders?"

"From what our parents could tell, and from their own parents ... It was because Princess Celestia had been acting suicidal shortly after your banishment, Princess Luna ..."

This startled and almost made her heart stop in the instant the word "suicidal" broke upon her ears, "S-Suicide ... Suicidal …?" She nearly fainted when Calm nodded, "But ... explain thyselves, why?!"

"My grandmother once told me, that Archmage Starswirl had placed a suicide watch on Princess Celestia after he discovered her trying to slit her forelegs. She used to tell me horrible events during those dark years while you had been gone. Archmage Starswirl had even made every Royal Guard, maid and hoofmaid to swear in secrecy about this. When I applied to be a guard in Canterlot Castle and was placed in Princess Celestia’s personal guard, I was told of her condition. In fact, there is a diary that Starswirl had given to Princess Celestia, he said that when you returned, it was to be shown to you. Would you like for it to be retrieved for you?"

Luna considered the option. To pry on the written state of mind her sister had been through during these "dark times"? It almost felt as if she were tempted to enter a forbidden garden ...

Yet it's because of who it is, did she fall for such temptation, "Yes, Quiet Guard, we would very much like to see what has placed our sister in such a dark condition."

And so, Luna then spent the night reading and peering into her sister’s mind, not having any duties to attend to during her night, not just yet.

By the first and second pages of her sisters entries, everything she read nearly broke her heart, seeing the headstrong, loyal, kind, and happy Celestia fall into such a deep and dark pit. Adding upon that not thirty years after losing their parents … .

It was only when she read the time when Celestia heard her lullabies that prevented her in believing that 'Tia was completely and mentally broken.

Reading that she had heard Luna singing to her made Luna pause. She thought that the lullabies that she heard from Celestia was nothing but dreams that she had as she waited alone with nopony but the poison in her mind called Nightmare Moon. It was only around some time later that she decided that singing back was enough to make the dreams stop. All that did was make the songs come back more emotional and stronger and in different lyrics. Now that she read from Celestia's side of the 'dream' it made more sense.

Her sister had suffered just as Luna had because of the Elements choosing to banish her corrupted self into the moon. It was a bitter realization she had come back at their reunion within their old home, but to learn about the fallout from such an event? To hear and read just how close she lost her older and only sister, not from Nightmare Moon, but from the aftermath of her transformation and rebellion?

Thus, Luna passed her first night after her return and being freed from her Nightmare, that she read through the journal entries her sister had kept during her banishment. Even if it was merely recording her thoughts about what happened upon those days, or amusing anecdotes she’d heard from her staff, it was a look into her sister as she saw, thought, and felt during those many painful years of her absence. Though Luna had spent the entire night reading her sister’s journal entries, she was not capable of reading a millennium’s worth of journal entries in a single night.

Her moon neared the horizon, and its keeper Luna arose to her feet, igniting her horn, setting the moon along its course on the other side of the sphere. And with the setting of the moon, the sun nagged its keeper to set it in its course to journey across the celestial expanse of the sky.

Pestered by her charge, Celestia awoke from her slumber with a start, realizing that it was time to return the sun along its ancient path, as it had since time immemorial. Igniting her horn, she performed the same spell she had ever since she had gained her Cutie Mark. She stared sleepily at her sister, as though Luna was some waking dream and not truly there. Celestia mumbled, just audible enough for the younger Alicorn to hear, “Sister? Am I dreaming? Have you truly returned? Or do I envision my heart’s desire and not see the bleak and dreary reality of you being gone?”

“Nay, sister mine, far be it from we to torment thee with dreams held near the secrets of thine heart. Thine sister is before thee in very flesh, Celestia,” Luna reassured Celestia, trotting up and nuzzling her to prove her words. The white Alicorn blinked before giving a genuine smile as she slowly moved her head to nuzzle Luna back in a loving manner, “I’m so glad.” She whispered.

A new era had arrived with the coming dawn. No more were the royal sisters divided, but reunited together once again. Now was a time of new beginnings.

[Excerpt of Luna’s Diary]

Month of Juna, Day 22, Year 1 Of My Return (Post-Nightmare Moon)

We suppose We wouldst follow the advice from Our eldest sister, Celestia. As much as We hath reservations upon keeping records of Our thoughts, ‘tis useful to prevent bottled thoughts and emotions from doing harm, according to her. We cannot help but wonder if she meant what led to Our banishment.
We hath been gone from Equestria for a millennium, since that fateful day when Our sister’s hoof was forced to wield the Elements of Harmony against Our corrupted self. Despite Our absence, We remain the only one who truly knoweth mine sister as completely as We do. ‘Tis strange to knoweth a time many years ago, We wielded the Elements of Honesty, Laughter, and Generosity. Yet, in spite of holding and processing these virtues, We made the choices which wouldst turn Us into Our Nightmare and Our consequence wouldst be banishment, imprisoned away from everypony. Our jealousy, and selfishness wouldst result in a millennium of, not only being separated from Our sister, but the appreciation and to be forgotten by the ponies from whom We sought their love and adoration. Our sister shakes and shivered beside Us as she gave Us a tour of the castle she had built during Our absence, fearful of committing the same mistakes beforehoof. Though We art no longer connected to the Elements which We once wielded, We can not help but feel 'Tia hath not told Us everything.

And We art determined to know, so as to return Our sister to the glory We hath knew her.

~Luna~

Yet deep within the Tomb of the Warrior, the ancient tomb was being disturbed in such a way that it had not been in a very long time.
One 'rock' stirred and then jolted. Then a pair of eyes opened.

Author's Note

(Hey wait a second!)

Yeah as it turned out, I got impatient with the wanting to rewrite, and when looking back at The Road to Dawn chapter, kinda cringed and decided to dedicate time on this. And considering the drama I made for Celestia in her depression, yeah the cringe was really high.
Also had to fight with this site on letting you know that the rewrite existed since it never show up for me.

Newest chapter STILL on its WIP, but it IS coming along... Just kinda not liking how life tends to just distract and yank me away and whenever I DO get to work on the bloody thing, writer block just comes up and hits me.

Anyway, hopefully this one will be a new one and it'll do better than before.
please tell me its better, kinda banged my head at this