“The sky’s herald then declared, ‘Dusk should not be too bright, or too dark. She will give
the Sun some time to catch her breath, and the Moon a brief moment of glory before
she can truly shine in the night.’ Oh, sweet Dusk. Precious, precious Dusk.”

• Alcyoneus

When the Sun awakens and rises by the east, the first rays of light would blind her—and Celestia would relish the satisfying burn it gives before it fully takes its place in the sky—like ember against ember. During the busier hours of the day, she would take a moment to breathe in and feel the Sun shift gracefully with the clouds, like a mother following her children. Afternoon would later on arrive, and the internal weight locked in her heart would slacken, little by little; alongside the gradually sinking Sun.

Once the Sun has begun its slumber, then comes Twilight.

A raging beauty to see every time it appears. Various ardent hues would splatter across the sky, as if the artist raged with the brush. After a while, Dusk would slither to its throne, blessing the sky an opportunity to exhale among the darker clouds.

As well as giving her heart an opportunity to break, because it desired to.

Here and now, as she sat quietly at the balcony of the highest tower of Canterlot Castle, she appreciated her younger sister’s work of art. Each night her sister hosts is different from the ones she did before her return. Celestia does not know how her sister does it, but she has been told by Luna she could make the Moon smile—albeit not literally, but through the light it pours into each corner of Equestria. She adored the constellations Luna would draw across the dark paper of the heavens, and the other stars placed carefully all over the Princess of the Night’s vast canvas.

Regardless of how the stars only polish Celestia’s cascading tears whenever she weeps under the roof of the night.

While Celestia does allow her heart to breathe, to break, like any regular pony’s, it cannot stay as so. It is her obligation and her wish to put it back together again. She could only cry and mourn over every severed fracture for so long, after all.

But her heart cannot stay fixed either.

Not with the reasons still continuously floating in the surface of her mind.

Every hour,

minute,

and second.

The sound of wings settling to a landing pace stroked Celestia’s ears, breaking the silence and ending her solitude. Luna was surprised her older sister didn’t even turn around, as she usually would each moment of her arrival. The taller mare seemed focused on something located far off into the distance. This was the castle’s highest point, and that meant their view expanded to more than just the dozing sight of Canterlot. Following the Princess of the Sun’s gaze, Luna’s eyes finally arrived at the same distant location her older sister’s attention was gathered at.

Ponyville.

And there’s only one pony Celestia could be thinking of who belongs there.

“She can stop him, Tia,” Luna whispered.

Luna had already predicted for this to happen. Though her drowsing eyes commanded for her consciousness to dissipate, Celestia had turned away the chances of returning back to sleep after the prophetic vision of Tirek’s escape invaded her dreams.

Celestia sighs. This wasn’t the first time Luna heard the noise come from her sister’s mouth, but if she were to be honest, it sounded far too grave to her liking.

Guilty, even.

“I know that, Luna. But if I had the power to stop him myself, I would.”

“Except you do not. You do know that we are no longer connected to the Elements of Harmony, sister, and that reduces our chances of defeating Tirek from one to zero. We may be Alicorns of the Sun and Moon, but we have always needed the strength of the Elements in terms of imprisonment… and banishment.”

Both the Royal Siblings shifted uncomfortably at the last word that roughly rolled off the younger mare’s tongue. It pertained to an eternally sensitive topic that was sculpted by both sisters, with chisels of jealousy and anguish. However, while Nightmare Moon’s image is immortalized by the past and history books (and well, timely nightmares) the cut of regret runs too deep to not carve a vow of redemption.

Celestia shakes her head and gives her sister a comforting smile. “And I have never failed to acknowledge that fact, Luna. But Tirek…” Her expression darkens. “That ambitious Centaur’s greed for power is second to none, and he can do more than steal magic from a pony if he wishes to, with his victim utterly defenseless against his strength.”

“Truly the embodiment of scum," Luna darkly muttered.

Celestia smiled in agreement, shooting the far outlines of Ponyville a brief glance once more. “That is why we must provide Twilight the protection she needs before she faces Tirek.”

“Enlighten me, sister, on how we can accomplish your objective,” Luna frowns, “I am all aboard with this plan of yours, of course. But I fail to see any methods that can allow us to shield Twilight. While I highly respect our Royal Guard, I believe sending even a great deal of troops to her would be quite a fruitless conclusion when it is Tirek we are talking about.”

“Luna, If I unveil my specific intent too swiftly like a bat out of Tartarus—there is a good chance for you to not cooperate. So, do I have your word to let me speak first?”

The Princess of the Night raised a brow. She appreciated the convincing amount of diplomacy Celestia is putting in this conversation, but the desperation overruling the amethyst-hued eyes her sister possessed is telling Luna there will be a questionable element in her proposal.

Sighing in defeat, Luna reluctantly nods.

Celestia readied herself, prompting to be as convincing as possible. After taking a deep breath, she does her best to mask the urgency that threatened to shroud over her aim.

“I think we should give Twilight our magic, temporarily. We are already certain Tirek’s liberation has already happened, and that means we need to prepare her. For the worst to ever come.”

Luna wanted to disbelieve her ears, but there was no way she heard that wrong—that crazy, groundless—idea, wrong.

Goodness, if it even is an idea, Luna thought in disbelief. Her jaw relentlessly hung agape, while her wings unfurled; her body now simply dominated by shock. The older mare’s words kept prancing around her head, echoing repeatedly, until her recovered sentience finally accepted that Celestia’s statement was loud and clear as the days she regularly bestows upon Equestria.

Celestia nervously waved a hoof in front of her sibling’s face, “Equus to Luna?”

She regretted repairing the younger mare’s ability to respond.

“Sister, art thou simply mad?!”

The Princess of the Sun sighs. ‘The Royal We’ was never a good sign. Blended with the Royal Canterlot Voice? Chances of Luna’s agreement are beyond gone.

“Please, Luna, I know it may sound overwhelming and irrational at first but if you would let me explain–”

“Nay, for if I allow you to speak any further, I will only hear more absurdity! You said it yourself, Tirek is already a concrete prediction! I understand that dearest Twilight does truly need to have a safety net once she goes against Tirek, but do not be so blinded by your concern as we also need to protect ourselves against the fiend!”

“Twilight is the Element of Magic! She can put our magic to use more than we can!” Celestia countered defensively, “If you can just listen to me–”

“Listen to how you are only going to make Twilight Sparkle a bigger target for Tirek?! Tia, don’t tell me this is just something to make up for all the times you keep tossing her right into the hurricane!”

“Luna Estella Artemis, that is not my intention!”

The painful volume Celestia expelled made Luna sit back on her haunches in an instant, her eyes blinking in surprise.

Funny, Celestia’s current stance looked awfully familiar to a forest bear ready to shield her cub.

Who is certainly slumbering in Ponyville.

In the Golden Oaks Library.

The use of her full name eradicated Luna’s retaliation before it could live verbally. No, the use of it did not heighten the degree of her own rage. It was just so strange, as there was something seemingly too boundless in Celestia’s determination to shield Twilight. Her thunderous articulation perfectly emphasized that.

Her mind did its best to justify her older sister’s reasoning. Indeed, Celestia had sent her former student into other challenging quests—and she herself was the first unexpected one Twilight succeeded in accomplishing. Chrysalis was another obstacle, but the Changeling invasion had been unanticipated. Discord could only be stopped and reformed by Twilight and the other Element bearers, so that was truly foreseen. Sombra’s tyranny was thwarted mainly by Cadence and the Crystal Ponies, but the Elements of Harmony (and Cadence once noted, especially Spike) also had a big role in the Umbrum King’s defeat.

Undoubtedly, Tirek is explicitly dangerous. He is proven to be far more difficult to conquer. With his replenished strength, and his ability to steal magic, he is exceedingly formidable than Chrysalis, Discord, and Sombra.

“I’m sorry, sister,” Celestia whispered in regret, “That was… unnecessary.”

Luna abandoned her thoughts and returned her full attention to the taller mare. Curving her lips into an apologetic smile, she spoke, “I apologize for my rashness as well. I should not have voiced my opposition while you have yet to explain your side. And the last comment was uncalled for. Only Twilight and her friends could vanquish the threats that keep invading Equestria, as the current Elements of Harmony. And you are indeed correct that it is our rightful cue to be at their aid. Especially now.”

“Thank you,” Celestia nuzzled her in gratitude, and Luna nuzzled her back, equally remorseful about the argument.

Clearing her throat, Celestia reinstated her solemn expression. “Tirek has no knowledge of Twilight’s existence as an alicorn—or even as a regular unicorn. She will not even be in his radar at all, and there is a low chance of him ever knowing of her Alicornation. The only possible way of that, is if he had somehow formed an alliance with a pony which we know is very unlikely. Transferring our magic to her may leave us defenseless against Tirek, yes, but knowing his insatiability, he would have no time in… ill-treating us further. Sooner or later, I’m certain he will learn of Twilight, but at least we have bought her enough time to gather the other Elements so they can banish him to Tartarus once again.”

Her pride isn’t very fond of admitting, but as bruising as it was, Celestia’s proposal now appeared valid.

Sighing defeatedly, Luna questions:

“Does Cadenza know of this plan?”

Celestia shakes her head, “I will send her a letter of urgency, willing her to be in Canterlot by tomorrow. Once she arrives, only then shall I explain this matter to her.”

Luna did not reply, a part of her still unsure of the other mare’s plan. She honestly did not know what to call it. Tirek is a serious threat, and this is somehow a gamble…

“Sister?”

Glimmering pools of Teal met a pair of pleading Amethysts.

Luna took a good look at the Princess of the Sun, studying her carefully.

No.

Was Celestia actually—on the verge of tears?

The last time her older sister pleaded like this with her, it was to remind her it is her duty to lower the Moon. During the early minutes of her reformation, as she held on tightly to her sister’s embrace, that was the moment she understood Celestia’s plea she should have fulfilled thousands of years ago. The plea that tried to withhold the birth of a nightmare.

Perhaps Twilight was more precious to her sister than she thought.

The single tear that breached Celestia’s self-control proved that.

She had to make a decision, and maybe just resume her wonder later on.

“You have my agreement. I can see that this is immensely important to you,” Luna sighs, “And to Equestria.”

Thus, her mind is set. On the alleviating side, Twilight and her friends had never failed in putting an end to villainy. Twilight’s possession of their magic will be merely temporary, and she had put her faith in them long after her redemption, for they were the ponies who made it possible.

Lastly, Twilight is also very dear to her. Though she may not show it (they don’t have much time for her to make that more evident) the mare had a special seat in her heart since she really could not forget the absence of fear and intimidation in Twilight’s approach during that one memorable Nightmare Night years back.

And goodness, Luna, tis’ quite a small deed to overthink about. A little sacrifice for the best of Equestria.

Her ears flickered.

“And Twilight,” Celestia murmured under her breath.

Luna suspiciously raised a brow, “Did you say something, Ti-”

White fur smothered her last syllable, though with gentle force, Celestia was quick to pull her sister into a grateful embrace that almost fooled her that its purpose was to make sure her muzzle was to land on her chest. “I cannot thank you enough, Lulu. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

… Huh.

Luna dismissively waved a hoof with an awkward smile, trying to dismiss the tiny, tiny notion rapidly growing at the back of her mind. “Do head back to your chambers now and salvage the remaining amount of sleep you can get, Tia. It is very late.”

The Solar Monarch nodded and gave the younger mare a brief nuzzle in return before spreading her great white wings and preparing for her departure.

Not before taking one last glimpse of Ponyville.

Sweet dreams, little one.

Her gaze lingered there for much longer, unable to drift away. Luna caught her stare, but kept her thoughts in silence.

Celestia then took flight and parted from the Surveillance Tower. The fresh evening breeze kissed her coat most satisfyingly, as the moonlight caressed the satisfied smile she bore on her lips.

No, she cannot sleep. Not yet.

Ascending higher, higher and higher, Celestia flew up and wayward around the sky. The glittering array of stars kept her company while she stayed adrift. The alicorn then began searching for a cloud, and once she found one large enough to rest upon, Celestia found herself gazing at the distant outlines of Equestria.

She bitterly chuckled, closing her eyes as she allowed herself to weep in the quiet of the night.

Oh Equestria,

Equestria.

The child she had chosen.

The child she had kept.

The child her crown commanded for her to choose.

Author's Note

Hello there fellow Equestrians, I am Alcyoneus, or you can simply call me Alcyone. It's not my real name, but more of my writing identity. While I am a big fan of MLP, I've only gathered enough courage to write a story for it just now. By the way, this is set on Season 4, Episode 25, after Celestia's prophetic dream/vision about Tirek's escape and growing strength—except she and Luna has already gone home to Canterlot from the Crystal Empire and she dreamt it there instead. I'm not going to lie, I was extremely nervous while I was writing this chapter. I am sorry in advance for any unnoticed errors, I don't have anyone for proofreading, and English is not my first language. Before I end this Author's Note, let me just say, I accept polite criticism and honest reviews. Thank you and have a great day, dearest reader!