Looking Back to Take a Step Forward

by SixRoller

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6024

Description and exploration of Celestia's virtues.

Celestia has lived a long life, and she has few private things left.

Her poetry is one of these things that she can only share with those she loves the most. But after her most recent work creates some turmoil in her emotions, she will find that her dreams are not a bastion of solitude either...

This is a fable. Perhaps it is longer than fables normally are, but it carries distinct messages. In it I hope that you will take pause to think, as I adapt and twist (in homage to) a very famous allegory by Plato. Whilst still remaining a story in its own right, one that explores Celestia's virtues in life, it is also my hope (and aim) that it will be accessible by all.

It is cut into two parts. One part being a poem, the other being prose. Neither is necessary for each other, however, they do both compliment each other. Should you choose, you can read them in any order if you like.

Published 2012-10-12 16:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-04 18:23:45 UTC

Prose

Celestia’s face was downturned and visibly thoughtful of her most recent work, considering the implications of the emotions that have been brought to surface whilst writing this; and their dismissal now that it is finished. Every single moment of her life seemed to be in action, ready to be summoned again, or to be laid down to rest in comatose. This process is not unfamiliar to Celestia; her mind has been stirred many times before, in times of worry, strife and of course, happiness and joy. She is no stranger now to the troubles of a nation and its people, but in times like these ones mind can be found dwelling on the beginning; as she was doing now.

Celestia has always held that to summarize a life, is to not do it justice. A life--indeed all life--is a journey; it is to be experienced together in harmony, or not at all.

Experience, that’s the key word. If we don’t feel, how can we know? “Maybe I should send this to my dear sister and Twilight. I’m sure they would enjoy it.” said Celestia with an uncharacteristic lack of conviction. “But what if they don’t like it, what if they think differently of me because of it?! Oh, I could never forgive myself... still, it’s not like they rejected the others that I send them. In fact they were extremely supportive and overjoyed that I would even consider giving them the privilege. But how could I not? They, in the ever changing world, are my anchor. I couldn’t do this without them...” said Celestia, inwardly contemplating her decision whilst adopting the nervous tick of biting her lower lip; one that Luna had pointed out to her, much to her annoyance. “But they will soon. This is something I need to do, and I only trust them to know...” admitted Celestia, and with a flick of her horn, it was done.

Celestia didn’t expect any feedback for some time. Twilight would be wrapped up in study till the early morning, where she would promptly collapse with exhaustion. Luna however, was in court, so Celestia made a courteous point of setting it to appear upon her sister’s dresser, lest she interrupt some prime turnip negotiations amongst local farmers, who--and rightly so--often took their livelihoods very seriously.

But the night was drawing on, and Celestia begged for the release of sleep from her wary bonds of duty. Setting herself softly upon her extremely adequate bed, Celestia laid her head down on the ample pillows, splayed her wings out far enough to dangle off the opposite side of the mattress, and pulled her cream sheets over her elegant form. Quickly finding herself pass into unconsciousness...

***

The distinctive crackling and aroma of a fire filled Celestia’s senses. As she slowly opened her eyes it was apparent that the surroundings were dim and the mood was dark. Nothing much out of the ordinary for one of Luna’s nights she thought. But still, there was something different about her surroundings, and it wasn’t something Celestia could quite put a point on. Moonlight shone through her window, but it seemed worthless and shallow of all the raw emotion it normally reflected. "Strange, maybe I should talk to her about that..." reflected Celestia. But this slight revelation still struck fear into her, and Celestia thought that surely both her and Luna will jest at the overreaction after she is assured nothing is amiss.

However, just before she was about to make a move off her bed to contact her sister, she found herself to be worryingly exhausted and lethargic; her breaths were short and shallow, barely raising the volume of the air around her as it left her. Celestia decided she needed to calm herself. Fear would not provide much help when exhausted, especially when she was in chains--"wait, how did I not notice that before?" thought Celestia, too tired to even open her mouth to breath fully, but instead allowing her nostrils to flare automatically with the task. Soon, despite her worry and effort, she felt herself start to drift off to unconsciousness again as the gentle rhythm overtook her.

Fortunately though, before she could, Celestia felt a sudden surge of strength, not only physical, but mental. Strange, "I’ve never found myself more alert just before sleep," mused Celestia, now feeling an inspiration and uncalled compulsion to see the wall in front of her. Letting her eyes bore deep into it, almost as to observe its very fabric. She continued to look on at the wall for what seemed like ages, before suddenly, it came closer towards her. Astonished to see the other side of her bedroom had actually move, it was more of a worry as to why it felt distant before.

Suddenly remembering the chains and her station, this would meant that she need only cry out to her guards for help, and then she would be free! Or not. Because it seems that--as she drew a breath to scream out--that she is still too exhausted to speak. So she laid there, on her bed, totally motionless and vulnerable, becoming more desperate in her own mind.

But again she focused her will and took control of her emotions to quell her fear. Now suitably calm, Celestia decided that it would be sensible to take in her surroundings lest she find anything else to surprise her; despite this being her room, and therefore it being trespassed upon was not a normal thing, unfortunately though she had no such luck of being disappointed.

Perking her ears slightly Celestia found herself aware of a shallow breathing coming from both sides of her, breathing that was as shallow as hers was only moments ago. Looking first to her right she saw only herself, quite literally--"okay, now this is getting really creepy! As if it wasn’t creepy enough already..." added Celestia. Now though, the astonishment of this revelation only succeeded to make her even more quizzical of her situation, "how is this possible? Was this some sort of sick magical trick; had Discord escaped again?! No, that’s silly," Celestia reasoned, "I would of detected a sudden disturbance if that were the case. It seems much more mysterious works of magic are ahoof here"-- but before he train of thought could go any further, her counterpart’s eyes suddenly jolted open.

Her eyes searched the room frantically, pupils like pinpricks in shock. “Hey, hey. It’s okay, I’m here.” Celestia softly cooed, not only surprised that she could now speak but desperately trying to calm her counterpart--who she only just noticed with a slightly desensitised shock--was herself as a filly. Seeing any filly in such distress just made her maternal instincts roar with protective fury, and the filly appearing to be her made no difference in that respect. Seeing the filly look straight at her in such fear sent shivers up her spine, and she wanted nothing other than to cover and protect her. But her shackles would not allow it... instead she settled for the most loving gaze she could muster, which seemed to calm the filly to an extent. However, before she could open her mouth to speak again, the filly’s eyes drew shut and she once again fell into her slumber as suddenly as she awoke.

Gathering herself, Celestia realised the fillies now slow and easy breathing did not put an end to the obviously arrhythmic breathing that seemed to resonate around her, as if she were surrounded by others who whispered into her ears. As she turned to her left, her eyes met another of herself, surprised--albeit lessoned by the increasingly ridiculous situation--she gave this version a quizzical look. It was herself, but quite clearly not herself; more to the point, it was her without harmony: melancholic and grey, devoid of all hope and purpose. Just looking at ‘herself’ was such a sad sight, and she could barely contain her emotions enough to not cry out is despair of this abysmal sigh. Because for Celestia this was more than just sad, it was horrifying, harrowing and sickening to see herself become the only thing she truly feared. Void of herself.

Despite this however, Celestia pushed on, she willed herself--no, she was compelled-- to look. Perhaps, it crossed her mind, if she knew what she feared, it would fail to have purchase upon her. Which seemed to work, as she observed herself lying there peaceful without purpose Celestia felt herself become stronger somehow, more aware and less afraid. When she looked at the dis-harmonised version of herself, she felt only love; the feeling that she only wanted to help guide her to become colourful and vibrant. But as her vision settled upon her grey counterpart; allowing herself to see her without fear, the room adopted the same ethereal property of doubt that was formerly held by the other occupants of the bed. What she saw was that the room was not how it seemed at first glance, that in other words, it was not real, but a shimmering illusion conjured by her wilful ignorance of the fire which she knew to exist though its smell and sound. How could I have so blatantly ignored that? worried Celestia. No matter though, as she if felt that it didn’t really matter that she didn’t before, but that the only thing that matters, is that she understands now.

As Celestia looks ahead again at the shimmering wall opposite her, she feels compelled to get a closer look at it, she needed understand the nature of the illusion that she was now so sure encompassed the room so that perhaps then she could defuse it. It doesn’t really matter though, that’s not the point. All that matters is that she knows she ought to examine its nature, and in that though so did the chains that keep her become as weak as melted wax; Celestia need only put some force on the constraints to allow herself to be freed. Liberated from the shackles that kept her, she only knew she wanted to know more about the nature of the wall, and before she knew it, she was clambering over the bed where her two peacefully sleeping counterparts lay to approach the mysterious wall that enthralled her so. The wondrous look in her eyes only showed how little her fear and doubt took ahold of her as she leisurely walked up to the wall, they literally glistened with wonder and anticipation at what should could know, but despite being not entirely sure as to why there was no caution in her step, one thing was clear: she didn’t care.

Celestia tentatively sniffed the air, it was intoxicating, filling her senses with an appeasement that she had never experienced before. Everything about the wall screamed satisfaction, something that only increased and she drew nearer, and nearer, until finally she could go no further. There was no control in Celestia’s expression and actions now, she was entirely compelled to go as far as she could possibly go.

As her nose touched the wall it shimmered and changed, and as its previous appearance faded her curiosity for the wall was sated, because now she knew what she previously come to expect, but not see. That this was not her room at all. In fact it was cavern, dimly lit and cold, its air was a refreshing upon her senses, but somehow still eery. As she looked back all she could see was her other two selfs, laying peacefully on a bed that strangely still remained. It struck her as to how they could be so peaceful, just lying there. Did they not know the situation they were in? Did they not want to escape? “I can only hope that the flame behind them keeps them warm enough for me to get help, it seems that the previous illusion was blocking the exit to the cavern. Once I get help I’ll make them safe and find the person responsible for their shackling. Well, I can only hope...” said Celestia with conviction.

Concerned but with hope, Celestia turned her back on the two prisoners and the flame that cast dancing shadows around the cavern to make her way to the exit. Its light was warm and liberating upon her skin, making the very hairs of her coat tingle with the energy of hope as she approached the exit. It was blinding, but she persistently pushed on, wanting to push on. Not only for herself, but also because she wanted to help the others free from their prison inside the gloom.

As she reached the precipice of the exit the light was burning her, painful, and yet she still carried on, hurrying now as fast as her weak muscles could manage to anything that she thought would give her temporary relief from this, anything but the shade of the caven. Squinting her eyes, Celestia saw only blotches of previously unseen colour as she crossed the threshold, just blobs of green and blue, although compared to the cavern it's vidider, totally compelling and amazing.

Drawn to a spot which she noticed was dimmer than the rest of the surroundings, Celestia lept into its cooler embrace, shoving her eyes between her crossed hooves to relieve her of the glare. A safe place where her eyes could adjust to the light slowly at her leisure, which happened to be something that she found suddenly quite desirable. Along with her eyes, her mind also needed to adjust, it was less constrained and she could feel it in her thoughts. Now that she has seen this place, even so poorly, it would be inconceivable for her to not know and understand as she now does having felt it in every way she can currently conceive. Currently conceive, “what if this isn’t all there is, all I can experience?!” thought Celestia, “then I must know. I must tell the others what I’ve seen. Once I find help of course.”

Now that Celestia has more of a purpose, she found her thoughts drift once again to her surroundings, the spiky and yet pliable green stuff that seemed to just cover the entire area in a surprisingly soft and warm surface--its place feeling so right, so natural. The rustling from above that gave her shade, not giving to the wind; unlike the lesser things that it was in the midst of. It was if it knew its place was to endure far longer than anything around it, so why would it concern itself with something as trifling as time? Above that was only space, vast unfathomable space. Its existence defied all that the cavern stood for; never constrained, enabling the freedom of light to illuminate the world that surrounded her. Harbouring the sun--that radiant and incandescent light, Celestia paled in comparison, she could do nothing but be in awe at its splendour.

It was because of that light that she could now see, the sun shone its essence upon the land and she was only observing a pathetically short period of its purpose. Celestia looked up at the beacon though the foliage of the tree above her and only glimmering admiration reflected in her eyes: it was the context of futility, and the proposition of hope.

Suddenly, Celestia felt the burning heat of the sun increase, she started to worry--but the heat was only focused on her flank, why? She looked down with more focused eyes only to be met with a sudden flash, it only lasted a moment before leaving something behind. Something strange and foreign to her, despite this, she knew its name: a cutie mark. Tears started to well up in her eyes, yet she didn’t quite know why. She had not been hurt, she is not in pain. So why does she cry, how can she cry without misery? “Maybe it’s not bad to cry now, I’m happy. I’m happy... and that is fine.” Celestia spoke her admission softly under her breath, before she endured without knowing how she suffered. Now that she had found happiness she knew how unsatisfied she was; more like a shell of a being compared to now.

Finding her strength and stretching her limbs, Celestia stood a free individual for the first time. Now when she looked, she did not see a light to be shied away from, but a beautiful landscape teeming with life. She could not wait to discover more, but more importantly, she could not wait to find someone else so that could help the two prisoners inside the cavern. But unfortunately she had no experience with, well, anything of the outside world. So instead she looked in the direction of a nearby stream that she could hear trickling in the distance--Celestia would often hear such things from her ‘room’ before she escaped, but at the time she assumed it was rain. Now though she knew that this was not the case, so, hoping to see if its current would direct her to some semblance of civilisation she set of promptly, using her recently stretched limbs and newfound energy to trot across the crunching grass--as she now felt compelled to call it--until she drew closer to the bank of the promised waterway. The water was fresh and smelled of hydration--"if that’s even such a thing", thought Celestia. Never before has she come across such a lively thing, constantly moving; never the same twice. She thought of how wondrous it is for this water to come from somewhere, but for it to not be immediately apparent, and that wherever this place is, the water that came from it would always be purer than it is downstream.

Celestia bent her front legs and squatted her rear whilst stretching her neck through the short-- but tickling reeds lining the bank--to comfortably lap up the delicious liquid. "Who would've thought that something as plain could be this enjoyable to drink? Certainly not me..." Celestia noted as she savoured the crisp, cool water easily slide down her throat, and it was almost as if the stream-water revitalised her from being parched; despite not particularly being thirsty before. “Well, I know for certain that there's no civilisation upstream, or the water would be... less pure.” Celestia outwardly mused, “seems as if my original assumption was correct. I’m getting good at this!” Said Celestia, allowing for the small victory to be a smug one. Drawing her head back and licking her lips, Celestia set her sights on the downstream horizon, making sure to only follow a path besides the river lest she lose her way and not be able to help her former companions escape.

***

Celestia had now been walking for--actually, she has no idea who long she’s been walking for, but she does know that the sun’s light is now threatening to lose its potence by dropping below the horizon to her right. She cannot wait to see its light cascade across the land and sky; painting it with colours so pure that its display is inevitable to rouse emotion from any onlookers. Still, she feels a pang of sadness that it must end; not because she doesn't want to walk at night, no, but because she now feels a connection to the celestial object: her star. But if the day lasted forever the world would be cruel for those creatures who lived for the night, and because of this she welcomed the night, their enjoyment from the night during her exited wait for dawn.

However, on the cool, more crisp air of the soon-to-be dusk, she smelled smoke. Unlike the fire in the cave that was maintained by magic, this one was more fragrant, not odorous at all--a distinctly pleasant smell. Realising this, and therefore what it must mean, just set Celestia’s heart alight with joy. She had finally found civilisation. Setting off into a gallop, Celestia trampled the now more dry, grassy terrain underhoof in an effort to reach the crest of the hill as quickly as possible. Hopefully, she thought, to confirm her suspicions..

She was, oh yes was she. Celestia gazed awestruck at the sight before her, frozen at the crest of the hill. It was more than she could ever have hoped, or even conceived of. What she saw was a sprawling metropolis, full of flourishing life, and the palpable liberty of those who occupied it was obvious in the range of culture; diverse architecture that the city flaunted so boldly though its complicated spiralling towers of the obvious public buildings and well-organised but organically set districts. This was a place of dreams, her dreams to be more precise. Here, she felt, was the place where she would find the help she so desperately sought, along with the new life she only recently envisioned for herself.

However, this posed a difficult question for Celestia--still open-mouthed in awe. How would she approach this place? Could she simply waltz straight in and then the citizens would leap to her aid? This was a trivial problem, but it was prudent enough to knock her facial expression into a small frown of contemplation. “Hmm, well they have built a fantastic city, and its clear from just looking at it, that its cultured. So, does that mean I would be welcomed? I haven’t seen why not...” outwardly thought Celestia, whilst maintaining her expression. Deciding that it would be unpleasant to be overly cynical; especially when she has only just been exposed to the wonders of nature. She elegantly walked down the grassy hill to the edge of the city that seemed to only blend its borders into its surroundings, making careful note to calm her body language from one of slight trepidation, to one that suggested her peaceful nature fully.

On the approach to the city, Celestia felt eyes upon her. How many, she could not be sure, but what she did know is that when they glanced her way, they always seemed to quickly avert their gaze away from her. It was if they didn’t want to be seen to be curious of her, "perhaps they are afraid, or it might be some sort of social custom," that was was two of many answers for the one simple question that flashed across her mind as she walked. Looking up she would see eyes peeping through the curtains when they think she had not noticed their movement. When she finally hit the cobble road, and her steps rang out through the streets; bouncing off the stone buildings surrounding her, she saw others go out of their way to cross the street, or turn a corner to avoid her. Anything, it seemed, to remove themselves from her presence in a weird sort of mild passive aggressive behaviour. Still, she trotted on through the cobble streets, trying her hardest to ignore the efforts of others to ignore her; thinking that perhaps if she didn’t cause them to react she could find someone before they decided to approach her and started to ask difficult questions. Hoping that if she didn’t offend them, they might find it in their hearts to return a favour. Celestia’s path took her though many of the winding streets of the city, and she saw many of the delightful buildings as she passed. "At least they don’t hide from me..."

Shortly after entering the city she saw a sight that she hoped would end this increasingly uneasy and oppressive atmosphere, in the form of some guards. They stood on a street corner, no doubt by their vigilant and stoic gazes they were keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. "Great! Finally, someone who’s obligated to help me; since no one else took it out of the kindness of their hearts to do so, their duty might hold them to my case." Celestia approached the guards with a smile on her face, determined to make a good first impression and to not have any problems resulting from the meeting on her head.

As she approached the guards, she noticed their body-language tense ever so slightly, but not enough for anyone not looking out for it to notice. Celestia was looking, and in spite of a cynical thought of hers--to put it down to herself causing the problems--she decided it was a cultural thing. "After all, if its unanimous, that must be the case. Everyone I have met has shied away from me. In fact, these guards are the only ones not to actively walk away."

Celestia--now a body’s length away from them--decided to wait a short while before clearing her throat. It certainly got their attention, but only--she expected--because they were obligated to. “Excuse me sirs, but I desperately need your help!” exclaimed Celestia, trying hard not to raise her voice, but at the same time conveying a sense of urgency. However, the guards seemed not to notice or care about the tone of her voice. But instead, they just turned slowly towards her; blinking in rhythm as if they were machines without feeling. “Yes, ma’am. Can we help?”

“Oh my yes. I only just escaped from someone who held me captive in a cave!”

“Really? You seem unhurt, who was this that did this to you, and where was this ‘cave’ you speak of?” Cautiously replied the guard.

“Well yes, but why does that matter? Just because the capturer wasn’t sadistic and malicious, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen...” Celestia trailed off, frowning into into the ground.

“HAH! What, do you think someone would just ‘capture’ you and leave you unmolested? Next you’ll be telling me that you haven’t seen this mystery capturer!” gave the guard with a snort of derision. It was clear now to Celestia that she wasn’t being taken seriously.

“Well, I didn’t exactly--”

“--See him or her?” finished the guard impatiently.

“Yes, b-but I was trapped you have to believe me!”

“Why?”

“Because there’s still two others in the cave!”

“Oh really? Where’s the cave?” this time it was the guards turn to frown, perhaps thinking that he should perhaps at least humour her next response.

“North, about half a day. I don’t know how far.”

“North did you say? Because there’s nothing north, only the basin of mountains that surround the city.” A small smile appeared in the corner of the guards mouth. He expected as much, the suspicion was false.

“What mountains, I only came through flat plains, and I definitely didn’t pass through any mountains. Or anything of the sort, really.”

“How, could you not? Bah, doesn’t matter. You’re clearly wasting our time. Please ma’am, leave before we apprehend you for wasting it.”

“WHAT?! How could I warrant that? Please, you have to help!” Exclaimed Celestia, clearly insulted at the guards blatant disregard of her claim. Did they not care?

“No, I don’t think we do. We’re not about to go looking for a cave in a wilderness where it cannot be found, through your directions that lead to nowhere, leading to a cave which doesn’t exist; all to help two others who--much like yourself I presume--are not hurt in any way, from a capturer that--in all likelihood--is just a figment of your imagination.” the guard replied smugly. Now Celestia thought, there was almost certainly no hope of getting their assistance.

“What about the other two, don’t you care about them at all?!”

“Frankly ma’am, from your lack of description of them, we cannot decide. Are you going to tell us what they look like?”

Celestia had never been so taken-aback in her life, how could they just stand there?! But she knew they would only laugh if she said the whole truth, “n-never mind...” Celestia settled. She could not say, nor would it help if she did...

***

It took Celestia longer to walk back to the cave, and the path was noticeably dimmer. Not because of the night and moon that risen to fill the sky, but because of a light in her heart flickering; threatening to dim. Now the trodden ground was a paler grey, boring and unattractive to her, sodden with futility. Celestia had shed several tears on her journey back, not because of how quickly her hopes of help within the city her torn apart, but because she feels that she has failed her companions in the cavern to which she now returns. Thinking, "how can I help them now? If they’re in the same sorry state as when I left them, I don’t know much help I can be... I only hope that I can consolidate them to reach out and pierce the veil as I did," too tired to even mumble to herself out loud. "How will they react? Well, its not like they could be disappointed, after all, they know of knowing else. But still, I know... so can the fact that I tried be enough?" continued Celestia. The admission that she tried gave her strength, or so she thought. At the very least its worth giving it her all to try and free the others; and even if she should fail, her conscience would be at peace.

The cave was now in sight, and even in the dim light of the moon the tendrils of deceptive light escaped the cave to crawl across the floor of the threshold. If Celestia were anything other than determined, then she might be scared. But her mission was far too important for such trivial complaints. So she walked on at steady pace, the rhythmic beats of steps on grass helping to settle her rustled nerves with focus.

Until finally, she reached the threshold of the cave once again. It seemed as though it was an eternity since she was last here, and she has learned so much since her perceptions have been widened, now she cannot fathom them being as narrow as they were. Now, looking back, she wouldn't have even considered her current position an impossible one, simply because she was ignorant of it, even in imagination.

Steadily walking downwards into the cave, she felt the air chill. Even outside in the dark the air was duller against her skin. Here though, in the cave, all outside comfort and illumination was lost to the dark, its gaping maw of uncertainty filing her heart with doubt. But before she had too long to dwell upon these infectious thought, Celestia happened upon the bed once again. The two figures still sleeping soundly beside each other, seemingly not having moved even slightly since her departure. Cautiously, Celestia approached the bed, not knowing if anything had changed. But as she drew closer it seemed as though nothing had. The light still glowed mildly behind-and-above the bed, and the spectres of the illusion still attempted to betray her, but this time to no avail.

Now beside the bed, Celestia peers into the gloom and shadow; the light was barely enough for her to see, its flickering nature gave the still bodies an animated appearance. “What am I to do with you two?” Celestia murmured. Hoping for something to come to mind, but it didn’t. Instead she sat there, next to them, keeping watch for as long as she could. Hoping her company would be felt by them in their dreams...

As she waited, the night grew old, and she felt a newfound responsibility to the moon to let it fall, allowing the ushering in of the new dawn of the bright sun, her bright sun. Celestia cast her eyes towards the opening, she didn't belong in the cave, this gloomy asphyxiating cave. Her place was in the sky, above and looking down upon one and all.

When suddenly--as this thought had only just crossed her mind--a rustling was heard beside her. Looking towards the sound she saw her two companions staring at her, just smiling. That they seemed unburdened from whatever exhausted them was the only observation Celestia could make before they turned to a glittering mist of gold; shimming with everything about them, they became the air around her and she breathed them into herself accompanied with no resistance; and only a flourishing of heat from the mist as she accepted them to become at one with herself.

Celestia was surprised, not awestruck at this revelation. It all seems so obvious to Celestia now in hindsight. Picking herself up off the ground Celestia walked towards the exit of the cave, and she knew it would be forever. As songs of the birds echoed throughout the tunnel, the music spurred her onto her duty to the world as the sun.

Stepping outside of the cavern, Celestia closed her eyes and filled her lungs with air of the dawn; to savour every scent and all of the precious life around her in that sweet moment of joy. As she opened her eyes, the crescent of the sun peeked above the horizon; bathing the land around her in light and substance. That very star enabled her sight in every way, and in it she would share its glorious enlightening gift, in all its fantastic piercing light, with all she could find. She would share it with everything, because everything deserves the best.

***

Celestia awoke to the sound of an audible pop coming through her balcony window, however this barely registered in light of her recent dream. Never before had she had one so vivid and meaningful as that, and it scared her. Not that she could dream this, no, that she could still feel after all these years filled her with great relief and joy. What truly worried her is that she forgot.

Vowing to never break her silent promise again, Celestia got out of her bed with no care for the sheets falling to the floor to cast a spell which she only uses whenever she cannot afford not to: a memory spell to project her memories onto a piece of material. Focusing her thoughts and her magic in one, she released the torrent onto the paper laying on the desk. Now standing above the desk, Celestia looked down upon the paper to see words appear in a perfectly crafted writing of loops and swirls, but as she did, the details of the fresh memory was erased from her mind; leaving only emotional impressions behind. "A fair trade," she thought.

It was just before dawn, and Celestia felt that meant something, it always did. It meant that she could apply herself in perpetual, and willing, servitude to all those around her. Remembering some semblance of the dream, a pure elation of her discovery. Celestia looked out to her land, all of their land, fully content in herself and purpose.

Poem

The light of the past is drawing thin,
Now its presence is becoming dim.
Looking back on those accomplishments,
Too much weighs down on my mind, I find.
More-than-enough songs fallen to time;
Further intertwined than they know are the lives of their kind.

I’ve heard pleas of guilt for unthought actions;
Throughout which I’ve chosen compassion.
The even scales are ours to fashion.
So never has justice waned in this fair land,
However, though I might persevere with conviction.
Blood always seems to soak the sand.

Natural remedies to disputes: ending in war;
Their life’s force too hastened to pour.
I question my right to challenge that,
It seems to satisfy.
Almost enamoured in fact.

Once I enter the fray,
Never am I the one to truly pay.
Always observant in futility,
I cannot forgo myself to console or comfort.
I’m bound to immortality in duty of consequence;
Moral dilemmas too difficult to consider recompense.

Unfortunate to be trapped,
Fortunate to realise futility;
What extent are we truly free.
I look down, and I see.
Glimmering back is the reason to be;
Perhaps it’s not so bad to be me.

I rise on high to be visible on low.
During my crest, I depart what I know.
Dip beyond the horizon to dim my glow;
Left behind, a time for anxious woe;
The undeniable truth is strife,
Cutting through ones hopes like a razor sharp knife.
We all reap what we sow in life.