The Rest Is Up To You
The forest was going about its normal business. Birds sang their songs and greetings to each other from their homes in the high branches. Squirrels and other small creatures darted quickly across the ground as they went about the daily search for food. Insects of all kinds roamed undetected, shielded from sight by the many leaves and shadows of the trees that blanketed the forest floor.
Suddenly, the singing of the birds stopped. The many creatures halted as a single figure trekked its way through the trees. The whole forest seemed to halt its normal order of things in respect... But also in confusion.
On any other day, the forest would rejoice over the arrival of their rulers; their protectors. On any other day, the birds would sing a bit louder to welcome the bringers of day and night.
But this was not a normal day.
Today she was alone.
The lone traveler of the forest had her head hung low. Her hooves dragged the ground with every step. Her mane, that used to flow unchallenged by the air with such beauty and grace fell towards the ground. Her white coat, that used to shine with its own light, was dimmed and the mark of the sun that commanded so much respect, was faded.
It was not a good sign, the princess of the day being alone. Where was the commander of the night? What happened to reduce the great leader of day to this state? What had made her so... gloomy?
The entire world seemed to share in her mysterious grief, and dark clouds slowly began covering the whole land.
As she continued to walk, her eyes glazed over her surroundings. It was the look of one who was remembering. Each step she took shook the ground in sadness.
Finally, after an eternity of moving along in silence, she stopped. In front of her was a small curved stone coming up from the ground. On the front was an inscription that made the lone princess’ eyes begin to well up.
HERE LIES “MOTHER”
The One Who Brought My Sister and I Into This World
Few Knew You
But We Will Remember You Forever
The looming clouds turned the day into a void of dim light.
The tears began to build, water filling her eyes as memories filled her head.
Painful memories...
* *
The newly formed statue fell to the ground with a loud *clunk*.
Two figures, sweaty, dusty, and covered in dirt drew heavy breaths and fell forward in exhaustion.
“We did it...” said the older white figure as she struggled to get to her hooves.
“We did it, big sister...” replied her younger sibling, her dark wings spread about along the ground.
Six small round objects slowly floated to the ground, taking positions around the two weakened alicorn sisters.
For first time in centuries, something had been accomplished that called for joy and victorious celebration. The two individuals should have been rejoicing that finally, after 1000 years of pure torment for the ponies of Equestria, the embodiment of chaos himself, Discord, was now defeated; encased in a prison of stone.
Celebration was not possible, however, for Discord had struck one final blow before being defeated.
Behind the two sisters, someone began to cough violently.
“Celestia... Luna... Come here...” called a soft, weak voice.
At the voice, the older one known as Celestia widened her eyes. “Oh no...”
Celestia and Luna jumped to their hooves, fatigue forgotten as they ran to the source of the voice. As they arrived, deep pangs of horror and panic attacked them. Lying before them was another alicorn like them. Her coat was white like Celestia’s but her mane flowed in a dark red pattern.
Standing up, her large and majestic figure would have humbled the great and inspired the lowly. But now, she lay on the ground; her beautiful mane and coat indistinguishable from the clumps of dirt and dried blood that ran all along her figure. Both of her wings were bent at unnatural angles and across her face was a large gash that slowly dripped blood onto the ground.
“Mother? Mother can you hear us?” begged Celestia, both her and Luna bowing low to be face to face with their dying mother.
“Please mother, you’re going to be okay right?” asked Luna, tears already falling from her young face.
Mother looked up, a smile shining through her wounded face. “My dearest daughters... You did it... I’m so proud of you...”
“Yes! We did it mother. But now you need to save your strength. We-we-we just need to get you out of here...” replied Celestia, her own tears falling now as well.
“We did everything you taught us, and it worked! Discord is gone mother... He can’t hurt you anymore...” added Luna. “Please... Please don’t leave with him...”
Mother laughed softly. “Why would I ever leave you? I... I will always be here for you when you need me...”
“Then stay with us! How will we go on without you?” cried Celestia.
“You will find the strength young ones... Just remember that I love you... And remember your love for each other, and nothing will stand in your way...”
For a long time, nothing was said. The two sisters merely grieved, helpless as their mother slowly slipped away from them.
“Daughters...” Mother called out, even weaker than before. “My time draws near... I must warn you... many, many painful years lay ahead, some that you will never expect or be prepared for... But through it all, you must remember to do as I did for you here... You must lead this land into the uncertain times ahead... Place everypony that will ever walk this land before yourselves... No matter what the cost...” Mother paused for a moment, her injuries and fatigue pulling her life away. “You must... place each other before yourself... and be there when the other needs you...”
“Mother no...” said Celestia through the tears.
“Look after each other... Love each other as I have loved you... Protect each other as I have done... Promise me... that you will”
Unable to respond in words, the two sisters nodded their heads.
With a final heave, the last breath slowly left Mother’s body.
* *
The memory went as quickly as it came.
“But I failed, mother!” Celestia cried out, now unable to hold back the tears. “I failed to look after Luna! I failed to love and protect her as you loved and protected us! I am alone because I did not love her as you taught me...”
The low storm clouds that had slowly gathered cracked loudly, and a bright flash of lightning lit up the dark sky. Large drops of water poured out from the sky.
Celestia’s soft coat soon became thoroughly drenched. The weight from the water clinging to her was nothing compared the weight of despair that yanked and pulled at her heart. She collapsed in front of the small grave and surrendered to the overwhelming feeling of regret and loss.
“I failed... I’m so sorry...”
* *
“Do you really think you failed me?”
Celestia jerked awake.
“What’s that? Who’s there?” she demanded.
“Child, do you not know me?”
Celestia let the voice sink deep into her mind. Could it be? She whipped around and became overwhelmed in joy. She was there. Mother was there, looking more beautiful than Celestia could ever remember. Her tall, beautiful figure lit up the area with its own majestic glow. Celestia ran forward to greet her, beaming with happiness.
“Mother! Is it really you?” Suddenly Celestia stopped. “Or is this just a dream?”
“Dearest, what would it matter if it were?” Mother replied. “I am here, aren’t I?”
“I... I don’t know what to say...” said Celestia.
“Then let me start. You came because you feel that you have failed me. Why?” asked Mother as she drew closer to Celestia.
Celestia was taken aback. “Why? Mother, don’t you know what I have done?”
“Please, tell me.”
Celestia lowered her head in shame. “I... I banished Luna far away. I was scared of what she had become, so I... I acted out of fear, forgetting the love that you always taught us to use.” When Mother did not react, Celestia continued, “Are you not angry? I promised you I would protect my sister, but instead I have sent her to where she will always be alone.”
To Celestia’s surprise, Mother began to chuckle softly. “Do you not remember your other promises? You promised to place the ponies of Equestria before yourself, ‘no matter what the cost.’ You have not failed me, child.”
Celestia was confused. “So... are you saying that I did the right thing? Banishing my own sister?”
Mother took a deep breath. “I did not say that. If you had not acted, your sister would have done the same to you as you did to her and destroyed this land, blinded by greed and jealousy. But you did act, and now you will have to face this world without your sister for a long time. Either way ends in pain and suffering.”
Mother paused to let her words sink in before continuing. “But you chose to take all of that pain upon yourself to save Equestria and live with the decision you made. For that, you have far surpassed what you promised me.”
Celestia pondered these words for a moment, and suddenly, a new feeling washed over her. A feeling of... peace.
“So what do I do now?” The sun princess asked after some time.
“Now?” Mother laughed and trotted forward to embrace her daughter. “Now you must decide. I have given you what I can, but the rest is up to you.”
Celestia noticed that Mother was beginning to fade. Both alicorns backed away and gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Will I ever see you again?” Celestia asked asked as Mother became harder and harder to see.
“I am with you every day, dear one.” Mother replied as the last of her figure faded from sight. “Remember, the rest is up to you.”
Celestia was alone in the forest once more. She stood for some time staring into the distance, but finally turned and began the return trip through the forest.
The rest is up to me...
* * *
Thanks goes out to Foxi Hooves, IAMNOTCRAZY24, and Split Mind for prereading this.