Willing The Heavens

Celestia sighed as she left Luna's room. It had been a stressful day to say the least.

When Luna hadn't returned last night, Celestia had begun to panic. She'd barely slept, choosing to pace around the castle instead. Star Swirl assured her that Luna would be fine, but it didn't do anything to quiet the uneasy feeling Celestia had.

When morning came, Celestia was determined to go look for her sister. She'd made a plan and was ready to go!

And that's when Luna showed up.

Celestia screamed for ten minutes straight about how irresponsible Luna was and how worried she'd been. Luna sat there and took it all.

When Celestia had finally stopped, Luna told her story about the dragons and the bat ponies. Star Swirl found it fascinating. Celestia's temper was cooled slightly as she couldn't help but feel proud of her sister for being diplomatic.

Luna had promptly gone to bed as she was exhausted from the whole adventure.

And now Celestia could relax.

"Celestia!"

She turned to see Star Swirl approaching her.

"Now that Luna is safely home, you can get ready for your duties today."

Celestia groaned.

"Duties? What am I doing today?"

"You're going to visit with the three kingdoms today. Or I suppose I should really call them the three cities now."

"All three of them?"

"Yes. And since Luna is out of commission, you'll need to step up and meet with everypony."

Celestia took a deep breath.

"Okay. When do we leave?"

Star Swirl smiled.

"Five minutes."

Celestia's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"What?! I haven't even brushed my mane!"

She took off running as Star Swirl chuckled to himself.

Celestia blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted again. Star Swirl's transportation spell always threw her for a loop. She looked around, taking in the city around her.

"It's amazing! What do the unicorns call it?"

Star Swirl looked around.

"I'm not sure if they've come up with one yet. I'm sure they'll come up with something pompous as always."

Celestia giggled.

"You don't hold your own race in high regard, do you?"

"On the contrary! I hold unicorns in very high regard. It's their personalities I can't stand."

They both chuckled.

"Look! It's Princess Celestia!"

Celestia watched as unicorns began coming down the street toward her and Star Swirl. Ponies were waving and shooting sparks from their horns as they greeted them.

"Princess Celestia! Star Swirl!"

The crowd parted as two familiar ponies came forward. Celestia smiled.

"King Bullion! Princess Platinum!"

Bullion shook his head.

"I renounced my title a year ago. It's Mayor Bullion now. Welcome to Manehattan!"

Celestia bowed her head.

"It's an honor to be in your city Mayor."

Her gaze turned to Platinum.

"So, I suppose you no longer go by Princess?"

Platinum smiled.

"That's right. I can't very well be a Princess when you and Luna are around."

She looked around the crowd.

"Did she not come with you?"

Celestia shook her head.

"She couldn't make it today. But she says hello!"

Platinum beamed.

"Well, you'll have to tell her about everything you see today! Come! We want to show you everything!"

Star Swirl chimed in.

"The King-I mean Mayor-and I have some things to discuss. Why don't you two go ahead and we'll catch up for lunch?"

Celestia nodded to her mentor and followed Platinum into the city.

Celestia settled into a chair and smiled.

"It's going to be lovely Platinum! I can picture it all so well. The unicorns have already done so much to make this island a home."

Platinum took a sip of her tea, settling into her own seat.

"I know it's nothing extravagant, but we hope to make this place a center for business. We've always had an edge in commerce compared to the other ponies."

Celestia sighed.

"Why is it always a comparison? Surely you can see every race is perfectly capable. Just because you can wield magic doesn't make you better than anypony."

Platinum nodded.

"Yes, I know. Just how you taught me that lack of a cutie mark doesn't mean lack of ability."

Celestia glanced down at her blank flank and nodded.

"One of these days Luna and I will figure out our true talents."

"Speaking of Luna, why couldn't she come?"

Celestia sighed and turned her gaze back to Platinum.

"She was negotiating a peace treaty between some dragons and bat ponies. It kept her up all night."

Platinum's eyes widened.

"That's a story I'd like to hear from her!"

Celestia smiled.

"I'm sure you will one day. I'm surprised I'm functioning as well as I am. I was up all night worrying about her."

"You weren't confident in the negotiations?"

"I didn't even know she was negotiating. I thought she just ran off."

"Oh. Well that would make one worry."

Celestia rubbed her eyes, finally beginning to feel the effect of her sleepless night. Platinum sighed.

"You seem to hold a lot more responsibility than Luna at times. Does she run off like that often?"

"What? No! It was a one-time...thing..."

Come to think of it, Luna did tend to disappear when they needed to do more important things.

Platinum had a small smile.

"I know that look. And I understand it all too well."

Celestia focused on her friend again.

"What look?"

"The one where you realize you're the responsible one. And that there's not much you can do about it. That's how I feel about my younger brothers."

Celestia shook her head.

"It's not that Luna isn't responsible, she just...goes about things differently."

Platinum nodded.

"I know. I've sensed that from meeting with you both before. You handle social functions much more...elegantly."

"Luna's not big on social functions."

"I can tell you from experience that social functions are a huge part of being royalty."

Celestia slowly nodded as Platinum continued.

"Look at today. We've been walking through the city and you've been so cordial with everypony. You act like each pony you talk to is the most important pony in the world! That's a real gift. You're always smiling and happy to interact with others. I don't mean to be rude, but Luna is almost your opposite."

Celestia shifted in her chair.

"I know she can be...rough around the edges, but you've seen her act like royalty before."

Platinum nodded.

"You're right. She has the ability, but not the talent. You do."

Celestia felt her anger beginning to boil, but decided to nip it in the bud. Her next words came out sharp and short.

"Well I think you're wrong Platinum."

Platinum raised a hoof.

"I apologize. I only wished to voice my opinion as a friend."

Celestia gave her a curt nod.

"And I appreciate that you felt you could approach me with your thoughts. But perhaps a change of subject is in order."

Platinum smiled.

"Of course. In fact, it's about time for lunch!"

She stood up and walked to the door.

"Where could Father and Star Swirl be?"

Platinum exited the room, leaving Celestia alone. The Princess took a deep breath as she felt a tear roll down her cheek.

Celestia knew she should feel upset for what Platinum had said, but she wasn't. What upset her was the fact she agreed with her friend. Luna acted like it was such an inconvenience being a Princess.

Not her though. She loved being a Princess more than anything. She was loved by everypony in Equestria. She had the power to protect them. It was as if she was a mother protecting her children. Her day in this new city had proven that to her. Everypony was so excited to see her and treated her with a level of respect and admiration that she'd never known before. And she loved it. She felt like she was on top of the world.

So why didn't Luna share in that feeling? Why couldn't she see how important their work was?

Celestia quickly wiped her tears away and took another breath, standing to follow Platinum.