To Chase The Shadows of Redemption

As Dire and their caravan finally arrived in Canterlot, the sight was one for sore eyes. Besides him, Rainbow Dash was smiling as well at the sight.

They were surrounded by other ponies, mostly injured like Dire himself, all packed into the caravan back home for discharge.

Dire had received additional attention on the way back. He was getting close to being fully healthy again.

The coach driver, who was the strongest of the earth ponies, gave them the indication they could get off and return to wherever they lived. Rainbow had chosen not to get off on the previous stop, which would've been closer to Ponyville. He had asked her why, and she had given him a mostly non-answer. Not that he minded.

They stayed together for a bit while ascending the city.

"Listen, my place is down by Riverlime road, you can visit anytime you like. Just like I've told you many times before. My doors are open to you, and any of your friends you want to bring along for that matter."

"Got it, Dire. Listen... uhh, look," the pause was was quite long, even for her. "I want you to know that... you helped me get through all of that. More than you could ever know. I'm not sure I... could've kept going if you hadn't been there. But hey? We won right? We may not have been there to see it ourselves, but our princess supposedly kicked some serious flank on her side of things. General Reacher is occupying their capital as we speak in her wake. Kinda awesome."

He wanted to say that she had done the same for him.

"That makes two of us being glad this is all over, if that's what you mean. And yes," he brought a hoof to lightly stroke the side of her head down to her neck in a caring and gentle manner, something he had seen a father do for his daughter in the past, that he tried to emulate. "I wouldn't be alive if weren't for you. I cannot thank you enough. When I think of our fallen comrades... I know that deep down they are smiling down us, glad to see us back here. Go. Be with your friends and family back in Ponyville again. It's been too long. Just remember to come visit me once in a while, alright?"

She looked like she had something to say, but nothing came out. Seeing this, he gave her a nod of acknowledgement.

"To the next time we meet. Stay safe, Rainbow Dash."

"Back at you, Dire."

He heard her whisper something under her breath as he turned and began walking away from her. He couldn't risk staying any longer unless he wanted the ducts of old to break their hinges.

He slowly made his way back home. There was a key hidden at his estate, so getting back in would be easy as always.

When he was nearing the upper limits of the city and a few turns away from his place, he noticed a commotion near the castle. It was kind of hard to miss in this open area, the path to the castle was the largest after all.

He wasn't sure why, but he decided to go see what was the big fuss. Maybe there was more news from the post-war state of things?

Princess Celestia appeared back inside a dark room.

Home. She was back home.

She quickly lit the nearest candles in the room and turned towards the bed that held her sister. She held her breath in fear for the worst of what she'd see. But she could not avert her eyes. She had to know.

Approaching the bed, and eyes adjusting to the lighting quickly, the sight of something came into her vision.

"What... oh... oh gods Luna? LUNA!!"

She quickly rushed to her side and closer to her on the bed to observe her more carefully.

Before her the mare who had once looked something like her sister looked far more like an old corpse you'd find in an ancient burial site. No... please don't let it be true....

Panic filled her entire being, and she let out several moans and whimpers in despair.

Please... please... don't be gone. Don't leave me. Not after all of this. Celestia had no idea what she would do if she was unable to find any sign of life.

She slowly brought her ear towards what she believed to be the chest of her sister.

After connecting as gently as she could, she listened.

Several agonizing seconds went by. Just as pure terror filled her veins, the heard it.

Thump. After another ten seconds, she was sure she heard it again. Thump

She slowly lifted herself away after hearing it enough times.

Seeing her sister in this state was enough to bring her back into tears. It hurt to cry again at this point.

"I'm so proud of you Luna. You're far stronger than I've ever been. Hold on tight sister, big sister will save you soon enough."

Celestia turned and looked at the Sanctuary, which had dropped onto the floor, realizing it existed again after confirming this wasn't all for naught.

But... a dilemma formed in her mind.

Did she really have the time to go collect energy? Luna looked like she had nothing left, certainly not days and days!

Dark whispers of her own creation re-emerged as fate laughed on in the background.

Finishing the summoning circle in Oblatio would be almost no time at all if she went as fast as possible... she had already started that....

Every second her heart pounded. She looked back to her sister. She had to stop wasting time.

The decision loomed over her again, and all the relief she had felt earlier felt so foolish she vowed to never underestimate fates cruel irony ever again. Why did she ever allow herself to relax?

Celestia, completely locked in place firmly, found her features darkening, and thoughts finishing which had already been started long ago that same day.

Then, she broke her trance. She solemnly looked over her sister again and scanned her features, letting it all sink in.

Then, she once again powered up for teleportation. Seconds later she was gone.

The room, completely silent except for the flicker of the candle Celestia hadn't bothered to put out, remained stagnant.

Yet... not five minutes later... the door creaked open slowly.

An unknown pony entered the room cautiously, noticing that it had been recently occupied.

The figure moved halfway through the room, paused as it hit something with its hoof, looked down and eventually reached down to the offending obstacle, and picked up the Inner World Sanctuary with curiosity. The figure stared at it.

After, the figure tucked it away and came close to the bed, looking at the sole thing on it.

Another sound broke out, and the figure turned its head towards the door. The figure watched as another pony entered the room.

What happened next....