Willing The Heavens

"Come on Luna! We're almost to the top!"

Celestia flew up the hill, eyeing the summit. Luna was behind her, chasing after her sister.

"Give me a break! I'm still growing into my wings!"

Celestia reached the top and landed, taking a deep breath. Luna joined her and collapsed on the grass.

"Sweet heavens! Why do we always have to climb to the top?"

Celestia smiled down at her sister.

"Because the Canterlot Hills have the best view!"

They both looked out over the valley. Their village was down at the bottom of the hill they were sitting on, nestled among the surrounding hills. Celestia sighed, thinking of how small their world seemed down there.

"Don't you ever wish we could see more of the world?"

Luna sat up and smiled.

"We're young Tia. It's not like we've missed out or something."

Celestia groaned.

"But I want to see what's beyond the Hills! Look out there! There are forests, lakes, rivers, mountains-"

"Sounds like a lot of walking and flying."

Celestia glared at Luna.

"Come on Luna! Don't you wonder what's out there?"

Luna shook her head.

"I don't have to wonder. I know!"

Celestia's head jerked back in surprise.

"What?! How could you know?!"

Luna stood up and held her hoof out, pointing to the valley.

"Because I am the princess! Do you think a princess does not know her own kingdom?"

Celestia rolled her eyes.

"Aren't we getting a little old to play "Princess" anymore?"

Luna glanced at her, a smug grin on her face.

"I'll let you wear the tiara first."

Celestia was silent for a moment.

"....It better have some rubies on it this time."

Luna giggled and began searching the hill as Celestia made a play-crown. Luna's horn lit up as she began to locate some gems in the soil. Little by little, she gathered a small pile of jewels together.

"Diamonds, opals, emeralds...Aha!"

Luna held up a small ruby, the red stone sparkling in the sunlight.

"Behold the crown jewel!"

Celestia held up an intricate crown made of flowers.

"The perfect ornament for my crown!"

Luna set the ruby in the front of the flower crown as Celestia put it on.

"Do I look royal enough?"

Luna snickered.

"No. But you'll do as a ruler I suppose."

"Rude! As my first declaration, all ponies named Luna must be sat on for their rudeness!"

Celestia tried to tackle Luna, only to have her sister take off into the air.

"Stay away! You'll crush me with your butt!"

Celestia scowled.

"More rudeness? I shall have to sit on you longer now!"

She chased after Luna, the two of them flying down the hillside. They laughed and screamed as each of them attempted to better the other.

After several minutes, Celestia caught Luna.

"Gotcha!"

Luna screamed and as she and Celestia tumbled to the ground. Celestia quickly sat on her sister's back.

"Get off me!"

Celestia shook her head.

"I promised our subjects I would punish you."

"What subjects?"

Celestia looked around, pointing to a rabbit nearby.

"That subject! And...those ones!"

She spotted two squirrels in a tree and pointed to them. Luna groaned.

"Fine! How long do I have to have your big butt on me?"

"Keep calling it big and it will be all day."

Luna giggled as she lit up her horn.

"Are you sure?"

The grass at Celestia's feet began to wave back and forth, brushing her hooves. Celestia fell backward off Luna as she tried not to laugh.

"No! That's cheating!"

Luna jumped up and grabbed the crown from Celestia's head.

"BEHOLD CITIZENS OF THE CANTERLOT HILLS! YOU HAVE A NEW RULER!"

She looked around, discovering the animals had fled. Celestia stood up, brushing some grass off.

"You've got to learn to control that voice better."

Luna shrugged.

"Gusty said it's how royal ponies talk."

"But we're not royal ponies. It just sounds like you're yelling."

"Don't royal ponies yell?"

"How should I know?"

"Besides, we could be one day."

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

"You heard it with everypony else! The kingdoms are looking for somepony to rule over the country!"

"We're kids Luna. Nopony wants us to rule. Besides, they said that months ago. I'm sure they've found somepony by now."

"Wouldn't we have heard if they had?"

Celestia shrugged.

"Who knows."

Celestia walked up to Luna.

"But I did hear something recently."

Luna's eyes grew bigger.

"What?"

Celestia got close enough to whisper.

"I heard that-"

She snatched the crown off Luna and started running.

"There's a coup in progress! Equestria is mine!"

Luna ran after her.

"No fair!"

Celestia started running toward the village. Luna trailed after her, fighting to keep up. They barreled into the village, swerving around ponies. Cries of shock and mild panic filled the air as Celestia wove through everypony.

Luna watched her sister's first few moves and made her plan. She took a different path, gliding through the small market that was set up in the center of the village. She came to a halt behind a nearby house, waiting for her prey.

Celestia came flying down the street, looking over her shoulder for signs of her pursuer.

"Ha! Can't catch me!"

"Wanna bet?"

Celestia lost control as Luna flew out in front of her. Her body crashed into Luna's and they crashed to the dirt, rolling for a few feet. The last thing Celestia saw was the ground coming to meet her face.

But her face stopped an inch short.

Celestia looked around and realized she and Luna were surrounded in a white aura.

"Uh-oh."

Luna stuck her head up.

"What?"

"And what do you two think you're doing?"

They both looked up as Gusty approached them.

"The two of you are worse than a hurricane!"

Celestia looked down again.

"I'm sorry Gusty. We were playing."

Gusty picked up the flower crown, examining the ruby on the front.

"I can see that. Grand dreams for the future?"

Luna smiled.

"Yeah! We're going to be princesses!"

Gusty couldn't help but smile.

"Oh really? And do princesses chase each other through their kingdom?"

That shut Luna up. She looked back down, trying to hide her face. Gusty looked back at Celestia.

"You're supposed to be the older sibling. You're going to have responsibilities before long. What kind of example are you for Luna by flying through the village like a mad mare?"

Celestia sighed.

"I'm sorry."

Gusty stared between the two ponies for a moment before releasing her magic.

"Honestly you two. If you want a future like your make-believe, then you'd better learn to act properly."

Celestia dusted herself off and looked up at Gusty.

"Nopony cares what we do. We're not going to be princesses ever."

"Oh? You're so sure about that?"

Luna nudged her sister.

"Come on Tia! We've got as much chance as anypony!"

Gusty moved closer to them.

"More than you might think. I've heard tell that the kingdoms are looking for younger ponies. Somepony that doesn't hold a bias toward any of the kingdoms."

Luna lit up.

"So, they want...an alicorn?!"

Gusty nodded.

"But they'll only want mature ponies. Not a couple of fillies chasing each other through crowds."

Celestia sat up straight.

"Do you really mean it Gusty? Could we really be royalty one day?"

Gusty smiled.

"That's up to the two of you. If you want to really be princesses, you'll have to show them the type of ponies you are. Somepony who is kind, generous, honest, and loyal."

Luna piped up.

"Can't we have a good sense of humor too?"

Gusty chuckled.

"I suppose that would be necessary in such a position."

Celestia sparked her horn.

"And magic?"

Gusty nodded.

"Magic is a force that can be used for great good in this world. And Equestria will need all the good it can get."

Celestia's eyes sparkled.

"Do you really think we could be princesses Gusty?"

The old pony smiled, nodding her head.

"I've watched over the two of you all your lives and see the potential for greatness. You're both strong ponies. And you balance each other out. With a little help, you could learn to act properly and regally. I've met some of these new ponies and can tell you that will be important to them."

Luna and Celestia stood there in awe, pressed against each other. Luna grinned.

"Will you really teach us?"

Celestia began grinning too.

"We'll do anything you say!"

Gusty nodded.

"I know you would. But I can only show you how to act. What Equestria needs is leadership. I may be the elder in the village, but I'm by no means a leader. You will need to figure out for yourselves the type of leaders you are."

"How do we do that?"

"Well..."

Celestia and Luna leaned in as the old pony began chuckling.

"I don't rightfully know."

Luna groaned, looking at Celestia.

"We're never going to be princesses, are we?"