Princess Celestia smiled at her sister. Nine hundred and seventy-five long years on the moon, for Luna. Nine hundred and seventy-five years seeming centuries to Celestia. And now, they stood apart from each other, separated only by dust settling in the air around them. It was broken after several long, heavy moments, and soon the two were running towards each other, wings and hooves embracing, sisterly kisses shared, tears dripping onto the floor, where dust stirred once again.
~*~*~Fifteen Years Later~*~*~
"Dearest sister?" inquired Princess Luna, approaching Celestia hesitantly, if not fearfully. Princess Celestia froze, detecting the wariness in her sister's voice, then magically set down her quill and turned towards her younger sister, her eyes filled with concern.
"What is it, lovely Luna?" Celestia tried to keep her tone teasing, though she knew it wouldn't be very effective.
"I am with foal. A filly. She'll be born in about ten months," added Luna hurriedly, her voice becoming an incomprehensible blur. "I don't want a foal yet and I'm afraid and what if she's the chosen one of course she's the chosen one that's why she'd be born I have no suitors that I am involved with andIdon'twanttodieCelly!" Luna exclaimed with a sob, launching herself onto her sister's shoulder and soon moistening it with sparkling tears. Celestia froze, then soon rose a wing to stroke along her sister's back.
"You won't die," whispered Celestia. "Not if I can do anything," she murmured.
"You can't control it," choked Luna, launching into more tears and sniffles. Celestia nodded, feeling her own eyes begin to fill with the golden tears only she knew.
"I've got you," she continued to murmur. "And I won't let go."
~*~*~A Year After That~*~*~
"You may come in now," offered Doctor Red Blood kindly, and Celestia shot him a weary nod before dragging herself into her sister's room. With a gentle flap of her wings, she landed squarely next to her younger sister's bed, and let out a shuddering sigh.
"Celly?" Luna asked weakly, looking up from her position on her stomach, a small bundle underneath her.
"Lulu... may I see her?" asked Celestia hesitantly, her voice trembling.
"O-of course," she coughed, spitting a bit of phlegm into the garbage beside her. Celestia gave her a worried frown, but Luna simply shook her head and gestured towards the bundle. The elder nodded and levitated the small bundle of pale purple blankets, peeling one away with a gentle wisp of golden magic.
"Ohhh," cooed Celestia, staring into the small lavender face of the foal below her. "What's her name?"
"Twilight. Twilight Sparkle," whispered Luna, and Celestia chuckled.
"Sparkle?"
Luna shot her sister an annoyed glare, her horn sparking a bit. "Yes. Sparkle, my dear sister."
~*~*~Just Before Twilight Unlocks Luna~*~*~
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Celestia worriedly, staring disdainfully at the Alicorn Amulet in front of her.
"Positive," said Luna confidently, a spark of uncertainty dancing in her eyes.
"If you say so..." sighed Celestia, clasping the Amulet around Luna's neck with a few whispered spells. Several sentences later, Luna had transformed into Nightmare Moon, and Celestia had slipped away. This night was going to be the most excellent test for Twilight. After all, simply because she had been born to Luna didn't mean she was the chosen one. Celestia could only hope Twilight would fail.
