Love Works In Mysterious Ways

Twilight ran as fast as she could, crying as she did so. She wove through the dark hallways, noticed only by a couple of the castle guards, but she was past them before they could ask what was wrong. As she came around another corner, she ran into a pony.
“Oof! What’re you doing- Oh! Twilight? What’s wrong?” Luna picked herself up from the ground, walking over to Twilight.
“You’re crying! Tell me what’s happened?”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“Trust me, I will try to help you however I can.”
So Twilight retold her tale of her feeling towards Celestia, how she had presented her thesis, and eventually, Celestia’s rejection.
“She denounced me as her student for a year.” She wiped a tear from her eye.
“I cannot believe she would simply cast you aside like that! She must be either oblivious or stupid to lose someone like you!” Twilight chuckled weakly at that.
“Are you coming on to me, Princess?”
“Heavens, no! You need to take a break from all of this. Go to Ponyville; try to forget about all of this business. I do believe I’ll be having a strong word or two with my sister.” She hugged the distressed unicorn.
“Thanks, Princess. It felt good to talk to you.”
“Likewise, Twilight. Until we meet again, I bid you goodbye.”

Next morning
Ponyville library

Rarity snorted angrily “That’s simply horrible! Most unbecoming of a Princess! How can she do that to our poor Twilight?” Rainbow Dash was trying to get herself free from Applejack’s clutches.
“Come on, AJ, let me go! I’ll show her what happens when somepony messes with our friends!”
“Whoa there, sugarcube! What we need to do now is calm down and approach this situation rationally!”
Pinkie Pie was sitting in a corner, the usually jovial pony wasn’t even saying anything. Spike just sat in his chair, rubbing his face sullenly, trying to think of what he could to cheer Twilight up. Fluttershy was trying to coax her friend out of her bedroom, but to no avail. She trotted down the stairs, and shook her head.
“She’s not answering. I don’t think we can do anything other than wait for her to show up. Spike, will you tell us when she leaves her room?”
“You can count on me. I owe her that much, at least.”
“Well, then. Ah believe we should go. See ya ‘til t’morrow, Spike.”
“I guess I’ll be going as well.”
“See you next time, Spike.”
“I hope Twilight gets better.”
“Goodbye.”
One by one, the ponies left the library, until Spike was alone. He sighed, picking up a newspaper, Luna’s words still fresh in his memory.
“Boy, do I hope you pull through this, Twilight. Your friends are worried sick about you.”

Two weeks later
Canterlot castle

Celestia trotted across the pavement, revelling in the warmth. Flowers were in full bloom, everypony was happy and content with their lives, and everything was perfect. As she walked across the freshly cut lawn, she noticed a very familiar unicorn slowly walking towards the castle.
“Twilight! Nice to see-“
“Hi.” Celestia paused uncertainly, inspecting Twilight closer. She didn’t look too good. Her mane was ruffled and unkempt, her eyes were bleary and red, and there were dark lines seemingly etched under her eyes.
“So… What brings you here this-“
“Need to return a couple of books to the archives.”
“…Well, good luck with th-“
“Thanks.” Without so much as a second glance towards the alicorn princess, Twilight resumed her walk, disappearing inside the castle moments later. Celestia shook her head, trying to forget the whole ordeal. Unbeknownst to her, Luna was observing her, getting angrier by the minute.

Later that evening
Celestia’s chambers

Celestia was sorting through the small pile of papers in front of her. Though she’d taken care of most of the paperwork during the day, some of it still remained unfinished. She was nearly finished when the door to her room burst open and a very angry Luna strode in, heading right for her. Celestia stood up, surprised.
“Luna! What’s happening? Is something wrong?” Without a word, the younger alicorn slapped Celestia across her face as hard as she could.
“Oh, I’d say there is something wrong indeed, dear sister.” She all but spat the last words, her voice dripping with contempt. All Celestia could do was stare at her dazedly.
“The only pony that has ever truly loved you is drowning in her sorrow, and all because of your cowardice, your unwillingness to face the truth!” She huffed furiously.
“B-but I was doing it for her own-“
“Good? Oh, don’t even try that. All you only did was rending her heart apart with your stupidity. I cannot dictate how you will act, but I will tell you this: When she told me of how you rejected her, I searched her feelings. Her words are true and from her heart, not a hint of lie to them. She loves you not because of fame, power or recognition, but because she wants to be with you. I may not be Cadence, but I know what I’m speaking of. So you better pull your head from your ass, you pathetic bucking excuse for a Princess!” She jabbed Celestia in the chest as the dazed alabaster alicorn fell back on her haunches, clutching her stinging cheek.
“So! What will you do, then?”
“…H-how could I have been so blind?”
Without a further word, Celestia sprang up, leaping out of her balcony, heading towards Ponyville as fast as her wings would carry her, tears flowing from her eyes.

Spike was about to go to sleep, when he heard frantic knocking at the library’s door. Muttering quietly, he made his way over to the door and opened it.
“Spike! Where’s Twilight?”
“Huh. I wondered when you would show up. Come on in.”
Celestia walked in, glancing around, seeking Twilight.
“So, where is she?”
“Not here. She left an hour ago. Didn’t tell where she went, though.”
“Oh, damn it all! I have to find her!” She turned to leave.
“Before you leave, let me tell you something. I know next to nothing about love, but, from what Luna told us, Twilight really loves you. When she sleeps, she's crying the whole time, muttering your name. What you did to her was low. You were the last pony I expected to do that.” He shut the door and Celestia wasted no time to visit her friends in a desperate try to find Twilight, but her efforts bore no fruit. She could feel the barely concealed contempt Twilight’s friends felt for her.

Celestia flew back to the castle, unable to find Twilight in the end. Wearily, she walked through the hallways, passing Twilight’s old room out of old habit. She had almost reached the corner when a revelation struck her.

The room’s doors were open. Tripping over her own legs, she ran inside the room, finally finding Twilight and she sighed in relief.
“Twilight, I have something to say.”
“Do you, really? Want to see if you can break me again?”
“No! Twilight, I’ve been an utter foal this whole time! Please, give me another chance to make this right.” She lay down on the floor, looking at Twilight pleadingly. The mare in question sighed, turning around and facing Celestia.
“What you did to me really hurt, Princess. You might’ve as well just torn my heart out, trampled on it and light it on fire for your own personal amusement.”
“Twilight, please, give me one chance, that is all I ask. I promise I will never leave you.”
“I... I will give you a chance, but you must do something first.”
Celestia nearly squealed with joy. “Anything, Twilight! Anything you wish!”
“Heh. You have to say that you love me.”
“I… I love you, Twilight Sparkle.”
“I’m not buying tha-“she’s interrupted as Celestia kisses her, but she does not pull back. Instead, she loops her forelegs around the alicorn’s neck, pulling herself closer, savouring the sweet scent of Celestia’s pristine coat, the minty taste of Celestia’s tongue as it explores her mouth. As Celestia breaks the kiss, she can see joy in Twilight’s eyes.
“More than my sun, more than my life, more than anything in this world, I love you, Twilight.”
Twilight chuckled quietly. “I guess I can believe that.”
“Twilight, I just want to say that I’m sorry. About everything.” Twilight nuzzled against her neck for a moment lovingly.
“I forgive you, Princess.”
“Twilight, please call me Celestia. You of all ponies should have that right.” She draped her wing across Twilight, delighted at the sensation of warmth at her side.
“Alright, I will.” She pulled herself clear of Celestia, making her worry what she had done wrong, but she giggled when Twilight climbed in her bed, beckoning Celestia to follow her, a seductive look on her face. She mustered a look as sultry as she could as Twilight rolled on her back, waiting for her lover. As Celestia rested beside her, Twilight heard a quiet whisper.
“Never shall I leave you, light of my life.” She felt Celestia’s wings, so strong yet so gentle, wrapped around her, bringing her to Celestia’s side. She curls up in a ball, as the wings cover them both, sealing the worries of world away from them, and it’s just the two of them, their souls and minds finally at peace.