Though few knew of their existence, there were realms beyond realms within the powers and magics of Equestria. Places both ethereal and eternal, where only those gifted in magic could ever go, assuming they had studied their whole lives to do so of course. Such was this place, a plane of existence most would never think possible, looking as though it were forged of stars and the very heavens. This was the place Queen Moon now stood, her eyes narrowing at all the light and magic that flowed around her. Her expression made it obvious that she had a lot on her mind right now, but nevertheless appeared as composed and regal as she always did, albeit with a degree of intimidation thrown in for good measure. For a while, she said nothing, merely staring at all there was to see in this place. But, as she turned, presumably to start her way out, she was halted by the sound of a familiar voice.
"Luna?"
Stopping in her tracks, the dark alicorn turned, seeing the pristine form of Celestia staring back at her. The elder sister seemed shocked at her younger sibling's presence here, but Moon, if indeed she did feel surprise herself, kept her nonchalant expression.
"...I believe I told you once already that I no longer go by that name."
In spite of that tone, Celestia sighed, her expression softening.
"Call yourself what you will...but you will always be Luna to me."
Slowly, Moon turned to face her in earnest.
"I was not aware that you still visited this place."
Celestia shook her head.
"I usually don't. But, I had some free time today, so...I thought I'd give the old place a look-in."
Her eyebrow raised.
"And you?"
Moon nodded.
"The same. I have been...thinking."
A chuckle escaped the white alicorn, and she nodded back.
"You always do."
Silence passed between the sisters for a time, and at the end of it all, Celestia spoke up, smiling, and with a softer tone to her voice.
"Do you still play?"
Moon, for a moment, looked to her with confusion, but then saw as her sister gestured to the side. Turning, the Lunar Queen looked upon a small table, upon which rested what appeared to be a chess set. Chortling, she made her way over.
"I enjoy a game, here and there. Although, most in my realm seldom play as well as you did back in the day."
Celestia too moved to join her, and after igniting her horn, managed to arrange all the pieces, looking to her younger sister afterwards.
"I believe you go first?"
Moon nodded, placing her hoof upon one piece and moving it forward.
"Tell me, Celestia...did you truly have time on your hooves today? Or was there some other reason for your presence here?"
Celestia sighed, moving a piece of her own.
"You know me well, Luna. Truly...I suppose I just wanted to speak to you."
Moon moved another piece, then looked up to her.
"About what?"
Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly after taking her turn.
"I believe you know. She hasn’t said anything, but I hear that my dear student had a rather...informal meeting with your agents lately."
Moon looked to her, clearly taken aback by this, then developed into something of a smirk.
"I'm impressed, sister. You're not normally so attentive about your subjects' comings and goings."
The dark alicorn moved her next piece, followed by Celestia, who then responded.
"Give me some credit, Luna. I've been ruling my country for just as long as you've been ruling yours. I am not completely blind to what happens."
Again, Moon moved a piece.
"So...you are bothered that your...sorry, my apprentice decided to meet with Twilight?"
Celestia frowned, but after taking another turn, let out a sigh.
"Luna...I know why you believe that yours is the correct way...but Twilight isn't ready for what you have planned for her."
Moon frowned right back, moving her piece in a slightly more abrupt way than before.
"Ready or not, we both know the destiny that awaits her. I know you have not been willing to divulge that particular knowledge, and so I have respected it, but sooner or later, she will find out what you've been keeping from her. The dreams have already started...so her finding the truth is only a matter of time."
Celestia nodded, and another piece moved.
"Perhaps...but I will not force such things...and nor should you."
Silently, Moon considered her next move, looking over all the turns that had been taken thus far. After a long silence, she finally made her next play, moving one piece in particular and managing to take one of Celestia's, much to the latter's annoyance. Though, she said nothing as Moon finally spoke again.
"You and I know what is coming, sister. Your domain, as much as mine, needs to be ready. Giving them a realm of comfort and peace is all well and good...but if it does not prepare them for...for that...then it will all be for naught."
Celestia shook her head.
"The danger has claimed much, it is true. But not all worlds have succumbed to it. Some, it has never even reached. Perhaps our world too may be spared."
After seeing her sister take her next turn, Moon raised an eyebrow.
"You were always optimistic, sister...but surely even you are not that naïve."
She moved her own piece shortly afterwards, continuing her words.
"We will have to face that darkness one day, and when we do, our world and our people must be strong. We must be united, and ready to fight when the time comes."
Moving one of her pieces again, Celestia looked to her younger sister and frowned.
"United? Is that what you believe you are doing right now, sister? My people are terrified that your armies will march out and take them from their homes one day! Every day, I’m told of ponies fearing what you and yours have done!"
Moon scoffed as she thought over her next move.
“What we have done? Let us discuss that then. I have made overtures towards your people by opening diplomatic relations. I have brought stability to Griffonstone after years of decline and civil unrest, and after being invited you’ll remember. I’ve ensured the wellbeing of both you and your nation by vanquishing the Tantabus, and...oh, yes, my agent prevented your precious Twilight from being kidnapped by Changeling rebels. Do stop me when I get to something I should feel bad about, sister.”
Slowly, she considered her position.
"Do not think your own people flawless, Celestia. For I seem to recall a few transgressions by your citizens. Even Twilight being viewed rather negatively by a few of them, despite all she’s done. Traitor, she was called once, correct?"
Though clearly unhappy with that statement, Celestia looked away, hearing the sound of her sister moving her piece before responding at last.
"...We cannot fight, Luna. You believe you are making ponykind safe and strong. I have held that I am making them happy and free. We have clashed and argued and debated these points more times than I can count."
Slowly, she looked back to her sibling, sadness in her eyes.
"Must it always be this way? Us, fighting, to the point where those who follow us are thinking of all-out war? Ponies should never have been divided like this. Our family should never have been divided like this!"
Moon looked up form the board, seeing the dismay and honesty in Celestia's eyes as she'd spoken. For just a moment, the harshness and power she was projecting in the way she looked and held herself faltered, if only for a minute. But, it was a short-lived moment, and the sternness soon returned to her expression.
"Past choices...cannot be undone...no matter how much we may wish it so."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You and I are different, Celestia. We always have been. You? Fair. Myself? Firm. And our people have followed suit. Over a millennia has passed since ponykind split...and that is a divide that can never be healed."
She looked away.
"So...you and I will carry on as we have done, each making decisions we say and believe is in the best interests of our people."
Slowly, she looked back to her.
"We will never change, Celestia...you know that."
Again, there was an uncomfortable silence between the sisters. But this time, rather than an attitude of melancholy, it eventually ended with Celestia cracking a smile.
"Stubbornness...the one trait we ever truly shared."
Hearing that, Moon let out a chuckle.
"At least we can agree on that much."
For the first time in perhaps a thousand years, the two sisters laughed with each other. But, like so many other pleasant moments in this meeting, it did not last long, and as the laughter died down, the alicorns once more gazed down to their chess board, wherein Celestia noticed something rather irksome.
"Well...looks like you've won."
Moon nodded.
"You played well, sister. I enjoyed the game, as always."
Raising her hoof, Moon picked up a few of the pieces she'd claimed from Celestia's side, looking to one in particular, which was shaped like a unicorn mare.
"You lost a few important players, it would seem."
Celestia nodded, her tone sounding a touch more serious as she replied.
"Perhaps...though I'll try to avoid such things in...other games."
Moon nodded back, the subtext of their words still very much the focus of their thoughts as, with the end of the game, the board disappeared, once more returning to the magical realm from whence it came. Moon and Celestia stared into each other's eyes for a time but eventually, Moon simply gave a nod, turning around and starting to walk away from her elder sister.
"Fare thee well, Celestia. Try not to be too upset if things don't go your way in future."
To that, Celestia merely smirked.
"Nice to see you too, Luna."
But, as Moon walked further and further away from her, Celestia's face became one of softness yet again, and after a moment of hesitation, she called out.
"Lulu?"
Moon stopped, looking over her shoulder to Celestia, who, after a few seconds of pausing, spoke with clear emotion in her voice.
"The next time you see Sunset, could...could you tell her...I miss her?"
The dark alicorn's face was hard to read, and her dragon-like eyes were focused completely on her sister. Nopony said anything for a while, and Celestia just continued to look to Moon with earnestness in her expression. Then, when that time had come and gone, Moon simply gave a nod.
"I will, Tia...I will."
With that, the Lunar Queen turned back around, and before long faded away, no doubt going back to the physical realm. Now alone, Celestia let out a long exhale, her head hanging down for a moment before looking back up to where her sister had just been.
"...It was good to see you again...Luna."
