Willing The Heavens

Celestia looked over the decorations, satisfied with their placement.

"Perfect!"

Luna looked around the room.

"Do we really need to have a party?"

"Of course we do! It's our anniversary!"

"Stop calling it that. You make us sound like a married couple."

"Well what do you call marking one year of being Princesses?"

Luna grumbled under her breath.

"An anniversary."

Celestia grinned.

"Equestria has had one year of peace under us! It's cause for celebration!"

"But it's going to be so crowded! Did you have to invite everypony?!"

Celestia scoffed.

"I didn't invite everypony. Just the leaders. And their seconds. And Princess Amore with some of her Crystal Ponies."

Luna frowned as her sister continued.

"The Zebras. The Griffons. Melvin the manticore, as long as he behaves."

"So, it's going to be a full castle."

Celestia nodded her grin turning sheepish.

"I suppose I did invite a lot of guests."

Luna rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to see if Star Swirl has perfected time travel yet. Maybe he can save me from this night."

"Why do you have to be such a stick in the mud?"

"Why do you have to be so...constantly chipper?"

Celestia beamed at her.

"Because nothing could bring me down today."

Celestia returned to her inspection. She thought back over their time on the thrones. The first year had been eventful to say the least; they had a beautiful castle they'd designed themselves, they'd made contact with the Zebra tribe, and they'd prevented a war with the Griffons. They'd seen all of Equestria and familiarized themselves with the neighboring nations, ready to keep the peace and maintain their new alliances.

And then there was how well her studies were going! Star Swirl really was a wonderful teacher. He'd agreed to take over her and Luna's education now that they'd left the village. He had such a vast knowledge when it came to magic! THere was so much she could learn from a mind like his, despite his eccentricity.

As she checked a set of streamers, Celestia couldn't help but smile as she thought about the upcoming party. It would be so much fun! They'd made so many friends in the short time they'd been ruling and a majority of them were coming!

Her life had become even better than she could have ever imagined.

Her gaze drifted to Luna. Her sister seemed bored. A little sad even. It made Celestia worry at times. Was Luna not happy?

"Luna?"

Luna locked eyes with her.

"Yes?"

"Are you...okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just...not very excited for the party."

Celestia felt her smile fade a little.

"I would think you of all ponies would be excited about a party."

Luna nodded.

"I know, right? But...it just doesn't sound fun having to have a million creatures come up and say, 'good job' and 'keep it up' and what have you."

"Why is praise a bad thing?"

"Because...I don't feel like I've done enough."

Celestia stopped adjusting a bow and frowned. She approached her sister.

"You've done just as much as me for everypony so far. Don't downplay your importance like that! You befriended Melvin! You helped stop a war! And your magic lessons... Well I know you've been struggling lately, but it will click in no time!"

"Thanks."

Celestia sighed.

"Why do you feel like you're not helping?"

"I don't know... I just feel like I'm not."

"Well maybe that's true sometimes. But not constantly!"

"You take this stuff a lot more serious than I do."

Celestia booped her on the nose.

"I'm the older sister. I have to be the serious one. Sometimes I wish I were the younger one."

Luna shook her head as a small smile formed.

"You couldn't handle it."

They both giggled.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

They turned to see Star Swirl walking towards them. Celestia smiled.

"Not at all. We were just looking over everything before tonight."

"Ah! That's right. A whole year as the leaders of Equestria! You two have done well."

Luna waved a hoof at him.

"Oh, it was no trouble."

Celestia smirked at her sister.

"Are you going to be like this all night?"

Luna sighed.

"I'll behave myself tonight. I'm going to spend some time with Melvin now. I doubt I'll see him much, even if he is at the party."

Celestia nodded.

"Okay, but you'd better not be late."

Luna bowed.

"Of course not. I wouldn't want Her Majesty to be kept waiting."

Celestia frowned as Luna turned away with a giggle.

Luna giggled as she walked away, knowing that Celestia was annoyed by the show. She made her way to the courtyard, finding Melvin lounging by a fountain.

"Hey Melvin! Do you want to go for a flight?"

The manticore opened an eye.

"Can't I sleep?"

"Oh, come on! I'm bored."

"I'm resting up for the party."

"Ugh! Everypony and this dumb party!"

"Aren't you excited?"

"No! I just want to be alone honestly. Even Tia is too much right now. Ever since we took over, I feel like we are heading in different directions. Sure, we spend a lot of time together, but I feel like we want such different things."

"Well what do you want?"

Luna sat down, resting her head against the manticore.

"I don't know. I…I'd like to be equal.”

"Equal?"

“Yes. I just feel like Tia's outpacing me everywhere. And it's only gotten worse since we became the Princesses."

"Have you talked to her about it?"

Luna rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah. ‘Hey sis! Can you stop being better than me in everything?’ That would go over well."

Melvin huffed.

"If you don't tell her, it will only get worse."

Luna stared at the manticore and sighed.

"I know. But...I have to try harder too. I can be regal and stuff too. And I know I could be better at magic. I mean, there's still basics I'm trying to master, but I’ll get there!"

Luna felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"I just...don't want to be left out. What if years from now everypony is like 'Oh look it's Princess Celestia! And there's her sister. Isn't it nice they made her a Princess too?'"

Melvin used his tail to wipe away the tear.

"You're overthinking it Luna. Celestia won't let you be forgotten.

Luna looked down at the ground.

"I know she wouldn't. But I won't either. I'll make sure I'm remembered, no matter what."

Melvin opened his eyes and stood up, stretching out his limbs.

"How about that flight? Flying always helps calm your nerves."

Luna looked up at the manticore and smiled.

"You always know how to make me feel better, don't you?"

Melvin smiled, extending his wings. Luna followed suit and they took off into the sky.

Luna's thoughts drifted as she glided over the Everfree Forest. It was so peaceful up here in the sky. All her worries melted away as she felt the breeze on her face and wings.

Melvin followed alongside her, equally content.

"You and Celestia may part when it comes to your goals, but you'll always be sisters. Just remember that."

Luna smiled at the manticore.

"I suppose you're right. As always."

Sisters. They'd always have that going for them, wouldn't they? They would be together no matter what. And they'd already been through a lot! Maybe Melvin had a point. Even if Luna lagged behind, it didn't mean she was lesser than her sister. That would be ridiculous, right?

Her focus shifted as she caught sight of ponies making their way through the forest.

"Looks like the first party guests will arrive shortly. I'd better head back."

She drifted over to Melvin and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Melvin."

She turned back towards the castle, picking up her speed. She didn't want to keep Celestia waiting.