The last solstice
Chapter 28: Reunited
“No! I won't do it!” Celestia yelled anxiously. “I already told you. I shall not leave the Ivory Tower, no matter what happened between us!”
“I didn't ask you to leave. I only asked to meet your sister. She really misses you, I can see through her mask of coldness. She's facing a lot of problems right now and she really needs your guidance!” Nocturnal Mirage replied gently.
“I said NO! Equestria is better of without me.” the sun goddess rejected sternly. “Besides, Luna and I have been growing apart even before I defeated that demon. Since she turned into Nightmare Moon she was never the same. And after that fateful day, the same applies to me. Why are you expecting me to be the mare I was?! Something I can never be again!”
“I don't. I only want you to be... yourself.” Mirage said, gently touching the alicorn's cheeks. “When I told you I'd help you, I meant it.”
“Why are you doing this to me? I can't leave! You know how ponies would look at me... I couldn't bare to live through such shame once more!”
“I have no other choice.” the cobalt stallion sighed resignedly. “Luna will pull me off the job, and I can never see you again. That is unless you meet with her.”
“What?!”
“There is something she wants to tell you... something of great importance.”
“She doesn't have the right! I'm still a Princess, even if I don't have a crown!” the solar goddess exclaimed sharply.
“Well, you made her the ruler of the Kingdom. She wears the dual crown, representing the Sun and the Moon, so technically, she does have the right.” Mirage countered on a reserved tone.
“Don't you dare lecture me on royal privileges, Mirage!”
“I was only pointing out a fact... I... don't want to lose you.” the dark blue stallion stuttered nervously.
“You won't. I believe it is time I met with my sister.” Celestia said, her voice and features turning steely.
But her confidence proved to be short-lived, it only lasted until she reached the door of her suite. Her thoughts were swirling, her breathing accelerated and her wings fluttered anxiously as she was tiptoeing in front of the domed gateway. Mirage opened the door and stepped outside, but the Princess didn't follow him.
“I know it must be hard for you. But I'll be right beside you in every step.” the earth pony said, his soothing baritone voice radiating with calmness and strength.
“I... I don't know if I can do this...” Celestia jabbered, as drops of sweat started to form on her forehead. “I can't...”
“Yes you can. You are stronger than this, even if you had forgotten! Come on! It's just one step!” Mirage urged and wrapped his right arm around the alicorn's dainty neck, gently forcing her into motion. “That's right, you're doing great!”
Celestia raised her shaky leg, her throat was dry as the desert. They idled in this position for some length and eventually she crossed the invisible line thanks to a soft push of the stallion. A sigh of relief escaped her chest when her hooves touched the marble floor which she hasn't walked on for more than a decade. With Mirage's help, the Sun Princess took a few more steps away from the door.
“See? I knew you could do it.” the earth pony smiled warmly.
Twenty minutes passed by and they were only halfway through the archway, when Celestia came to an abrupt halt. She looked back at the open doors of her suite and her body froze.
“No... no... this is far enough... I can't... please... we have to go back...” she stuttered on a dying, raucous voice.
Mirage stared into her begging purple eyes. The majestic alicorn was like a little, scared filly and he did not have the heart to push her any forward.
“All right.” he eventually caved in and led her back to the suite. When the door closed, Celestia flopped down to the floor, gasping for air.
“You did a wonderful job today, my Princess.” the cobalt stallion remarked and kissed the scars on her cheek passionately.
*** ***
Their first little “trip” made the royal blue earth pony realize that over the years of her exile, Celestia has developed agoraphobia, and was now scared of open spaces. The next week truly put his patience to the test, every hour they spent with this task felt like whiplashes to him. Sometimes he just wanted to shout at the fragile Princess to move faster. But he knew it would ruin everything and the snow white alicorn needs time to adjust to the different circumstances. Their efforts were not in vein. Each day, Celestia got farther from the door without freezing down completely and she began to gain some of her confidence back. Now they were together day and night all the time; their relationship blossomed and as the stallion was preparing Celestia to the encounter with her sister, the sun goddess continued to share her endless wisdom with him. During these days, Mirage absorbed more knowledge than he did in his entire life. It seemed there was no topic the Princess did not feel home at: Astronomy, Philosophy, History, Literature, Music, it did not matter which, her intellect had no limits. The only exception of course was being able to leave the Ivory Tower.
But the constant struggle was successful in the end. Only two days left till Luna's deadline when Nocturnal Mirage emerged from the corridor of the stairway which led up to the Tower. And he was not alone. He looked back and sent a reassuring glance to the tall figure behind him. There were numerous Royal Guards posting in the archway toward Luna's quarters, but they all had the same, shocked expression once they lay eyes upon the form of Celestia. They were so surprised, that it took them nearly ten seconds to remember to bow down before her. When this happened, Mirage discretely faded into the background, but was still walking close to the solar Princess. Excited whispers filled Canterlot Castle and soon everypony knew.
“Celestia...”
“The Princess of the Sun...”
“Luna's sister...”
“She's alive!”
“Princess Celestia is back!”
Her long mane and tail whirled around her nervously, flashing in blue, orange and pink hues, changing its color in every second like a chameleon, as different emotions flooded her being with every passing moment. Fortunately, Celestia was vain enough to do a haircut and organize her mane, before showing up in public. The magnificent, sparkling hair charitably covered her scars, so she was more reminiscent of her old self than ever before since that day. Her royal instincts immediately took over her brain, allowing her to endure the curious stares of the Guards and the staff as she walked toward Luna's quarters with slow, regal steps. By the time she reached her destination, the entire Castle knew about her return. All, but one mare. The sun goddess closed her eyes for a second, took one final inhale and glanced at Mirage who was discretely beside her, before she knocked on the door. A pegasus stallion in the armor of the Royal Guards politely opened the door for her and she stepped inside.
“Spearhead, I told you I don't want to be disturbed...” the Princess of the Night exclaimed angrily.
Luna was sitting behind her large mahogany desk, writing some orders and levitating a few scrolls with her magic. She didn't even look up from her work.
“Even if it's family?” Celestia inquired softly, as Mirage closed the door behind them.
At first it seemed Luna didn't recognize her sister's voice, but the quill encased in her cyan magical aura stopped and her eyes widened. When she looked up a second later, Mirage could see her true face. She dropped the mask of the cold ruler and the spark of recognition flashed in her eyes. The younger alicorn gazed at Celestia, her mouth forming a silent scream of joy and delight, but her features resembling disbelief, like she could not believe this was reality and her sister was truly standing in front of her in person.
“T... Tia?” the nocturnal Princess asked in shock.
“Yes. It's me...” the white alicorn replied on a dying voice. “You wanted to see me...”
Before she could say anything else, Luna stood up from her desk with a rapid move and ran to her sister, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“Oh my dear sister! I can't believe it's really you!” Luna cried happily.
Celestia was surprised by this sudden burst of emotion but returned the hug a few moments later.
“I missed you too, my sweet Luna.” she said warmly and a flow of tears began to come down on her cheeks.
“I'll leave you two alone. You must have a lot of catching up to do.” Mirage stated quietly and started to back out of the room.
“You did it!” Luna exclaimed and was already in front of the stallion.
A moment later, Mirage found himself in the cobalt alicorn's arms as she hugged him as well.
“You brought her back! You did it, you...” the lunar goddess continued and suddenly gave the earth pony a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Thank you!”
Then she shook her head and released Mirage.
“Err... I mean...” Luna said, clearing her throat, reassuming her royal mannerisms. “Excellent job, Nocturnal Mirage. Well done! Your efforts shall be rewarded.... We'll talk about that later. You are dismissed!”
“Understood.” the shocked stallion replied, his face turning all red. “I'll be outside...”
He bowed before the Princesses and quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. The sisters were speechless for a while, they just gazed at each other, like if what they saw was impossible to be real.
“12 years...” Luna whispered.
“12 years.” Celestia repeated.
No words could possibly be able to describe how happy they both were to see each other. But Luna knew she will have to shatter this wonderful moment to pieces very soon.
Chapter 28: Reunited
“No! I won't do it!” Celestia yelled anxiously. “I already told you. I shall not leave the Ivory Tower, no matter what happened between us!”
“I didn't ask you to leave. I only asked to meet your sister. She really misses you, I can see through her mask of coldness. She's facing a lot of problems right now and she really needs your guidance!” Nocturnal Mirage replied gently.
“I said NO! Equestria is better of without me.” the sun goddess rejected sternly. “Besides, Luna and I have been growing apart even before I defeated that demon. Since she turned into Nightmare Moon she was never the same. And after that fateful day, the same applies to me. Why are you expecting me to be the mare I was?! Something I can never be again!”
“I don't. I only want you to be... yourself.” Mirage said, gently touching the alicorn's cheeks. “When I told you I'd help you, I meant it.”
“Why are you doing this to me? I can't leave! You know how ponies would look at me... I couldn't bare to live through such shame once more!”
“I have no other choice.” the cobalt stallion sighed resignedly. “Luna will pull me off the job, and I can never see you again. That is unless you meet with her.”
“What?!”
“There is something she wants to tell you... something of great importance.”
“She doesn't have the right! I'm still a Princess, even if I don't have a crown!” the solar goddess exclaimed sharply.
“Well, you made her the ruler of the Kingdom. She wears the dual crown, representing the Sun and the Moon, so technically, she does have the right.” Mirage countered on a reserved tone.
“Don't you dare lecture me on royal privileges, Mirage!”
“I was only pointing out a fact... I... don't want to lose you.” the dark blue stallion stuttered nervously.
“You won't. I believe it is time I met with my sister.” Celestia said, her voice and features turning steely.
But her confidence proved to be short-lived, it only lasted until she reached the door of her suite. Her thoughts were swirling, her breathing accelerated and her wings fluttered anxiously as she was tiptoeing in front of the domed gateway. Mirage opened the door and stepped outside, but the Princess didn't follow him.
“I know it must be hard for you. But I'll be right beside you in every step.” the earth pony said, his soothing baritone voice radiating with calmness and strength.
“I... I don't know if I can do this...” Celestia jabbered, as drops of sweat started to form on her forehead. “I can't...”
“Yes you can. You are stronger than this, even if you had forgotten! Come on! It's just one step!” Mirage urged and wrapped his right arm around the alicorn's dainty neck, gently forcing her into motion. “That's right, you're doing great!”
Celestia raised her shaky leg, her throat was dry as the desert. They idled in this position for some length and eventually she crossed the invisible line thanks to a soft push of the stallion. A sigh of relief escaped her chest when her hooves touched the marble floor which she hasn't walked on for more than a decade. With Mirage's help, the Sun Princess took a few more steps away from the door.
“See? I knew you could do it.” the earth pony smiled warmly.
Twenty minutes passed by and they were only halfway through the archway, when Celestia came to an abrupt halt. She looked back at the open doors of her suite and her body froze.
“No... no... this is far enough... I can't... please... we have to go back...” she stuttered on a dying, raucous voice.
Mirage stared into her begging purple eyes. The majestic alicorn was like a little, scared filly and he did not have the heart to push her any forward.
“All right.” he eventually caved in and led her back to the suite. When the door closed, Celestia flopped down to the floor, gasping for air.
“You did a wonderful job today, my Princess.” the cobalt stallion remarked and kissed the scars on her cheek passionately.
*** ***
Their first little “trip” made the royal blue earth pony realize that over the years of her exile, Celestia has developed agoraphobia, and was now scared of open spaces. The next week truly put his patience to the test, every hour they spent with this task felt like whiplashes to him. Sometimes he just wanted to shout at the fragile Princess to move faster. But he knew it would ruin everything and the snow white alicorn needs time to adjust to the different circumstances. Their efforts were not in vein. Each day, Celestia got farther from the door without freezing down completely and she began to gain some of her confidence back. Now they were together day and night all the time; their relationship blossomed and as the stallion was preparing Celestia to the encounter with her sister, the sun goddess continued to share her endless wisdom with him. During these days, Mirage absorbed more knowledge than he did in his entire life. It seemed there was no topic the Princess did not feel home at: Astronomy, Philosophy, History, Literature, Music, it did not matter which, her intellect had no limits. The only exception of course was being able to leave the Ivory Tower.
But the constant struggle was successful in the end. Only two days left till Luna's deadline when Nocturnal Mirage emerged from the corridor of the stairway which led up to the Tower. And he was not alone. He looked back and sent a reassuring glance to the tall figure behind him. There were numerous Royal Guards posting in the archway toward Luna's quarters, but they all had the same, shocked expression once they lay eyes upon the form of Celestia. They were so surprised, that it took them nearly ten seconds to remember to bow down before her. When this happened, Mirage discretely faded into the background, but was still walking close to the solar Princess. Excited whispers filled Canterlot Castle and soon everypony knew.
“Celestia...”
“The Princess of the Sun...”
“Luna's sister...”
“She's alive!”
“Princess Celestia is back!”
Her long mane and tail whirled around her nervously, flashing in blue, orange and pink hues, changing its color in every second like a chameleon, as different emotions flooded her being with every passing moment. Fortunately, Celestia was vain enough to do a haircut and organize her mane, before showing up in public. The magnificent, sparkling hair charitably covered her scars, so she was more reminiscent of her old self than ever before since that day. Her royal instincts immediately took over her brain, allowing her to endure the curious stares of the Guards and the staff as she walked toward Luna's quarters with slow, regal steps. By the time she reached her destination, the entire Castle knew about her return. All, but one mare. The sun goddess closed her eyes for a second, took one final inhale and glanced at Mirage who was discretely beside her, before she knocked on the door. A pegasus stallion in the armor of the Royal Guards politely opened the door for her and she stepped inside.
“Spearhead, I told you I don't want to be disturbed...” the Princess of the Night exclaimed angrily.
Luna was sitting behind her large mahogany desk, writing some orders and levitating a few scrolls with her magic. She didn't even look up from her work.
“Even if it's family?” Celestia inquired softly, as Mirage closed the door behind them.
At first it seemed Luna didn't recognize her sister's voice, but the quill encased in her cyan magical aura stopped and her eyes widened. When she looked up a second later, Mirage could see her true face. She dropped the mask of the cold ruler and the spark of recognition flashed in her eyes. The younger alicorn gazed at Celestia, her mouth forming a silent scream of joy and delight, but her features resembling disbelief, like she could not believe this was reality and her sister was truly standing in front of her in person.
“T... Tia?” the nocturnal Princess asked in shock.
“Yes. It's me...” the white alicorn replied on a dying voice. “You wanted to see me...”
Before she could say anything else, Luna stood up from her desk with a rapid move and ran to her sister, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“Oh my dear sister! I can't believe it's really you!” Luna cried happily.
Celestia was surprised by this sudden burst of emotion but returned the hug a few moments later.
“I missed you too, my sweet Luna.” she said warmly and a flow of tears began to come down on her cheeks.
“I'll leave you two alone. You must have a lot of catching up to do.” Mirage stated quietly and started to back out of the room.
“You did it!” Luna exclaimed and was already in front of the stallion.
A moment later, Mirage found himself in the cobalt alicorn's arms as she hugged him as well.
“You brought her back! You did it, you...” the lunar goddess continued and suddenly gave the earth pony a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Thank you!”
Then she shook her head and released Mirage.
“Err... I mean...” Luna said, clearing her throat, reassuming her royal mannerisms. “Excellent job, Nocturnal Mirage. Well done! Your efforts shall be rewarded.... We'll talk about that later. You are dismissed!”
“Understood.” the shocked stallion replied, his face turning all red. “I'll be outside...”
He bowed before the Princesses and quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. The sisters were speechless for a while, they just gazed at each other, like if what they saw was impossible to be real.
“12 years...” Luna whispered.
“12 years.” Celestia repeated.
No words could possibly be able to describe how happy they both were to see each other. But Luna knew she will have to shatter this wonderful moment to pieces very soon.
