Chapter 4: Reunion

Modern day…

Astelle awoke in the forest to discover that Shadow was gone. Once she was sure she was alone, she breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had always been a faithful little minion, his endless optimism got on her nerves. Now that she was alone she would have time to think and reflect on what she wanted and where she should go. Most of her plans involving revenge of some kind required a substantial amount of power. She knew getting her magic back would be incredibly difficult and she wondered if she wanted it back at all. The desire for revenge was weakened due to the pain she felt internally. Celestia and her pet student had proven their magic could win out over Astelle's; so even if she got her magic back it could be easily taken from her. Was this to be an endless cycle of hatred and pain? The question had merit and weighed heavily on Astelle's mind.

Then Astelle tried to wrap her mind around the thought of spending a mortal life among the ponies. She could find a village far from the castle where she wouldn't be discovered or recognized. Could she fit in with the ponies there? What skill could she use to procure employment and a place to stay? The more she thought about it, the more it saddened her. If that was the life she chose, she would have to live the remainder of her life weighed down by the pains of her past. She would have to follow Celestia's laws and pretend she had no qualms with her or the other royalty of Equestria. Could she do it? If so, what kind of life would that be? It would be like an imprisonment, banishment, and a torment. It would also signify that she had allowed Celestia to win; and no manner of rationalization could ever make that a good feeling.

For the time being, Astelle decided to make her way back to the old castle. She had no immediate plan of action in mind, but she hoped she could find some trace of her magic still lingering there. If not, then perhaps there would be a spell book with useful information; anything to keep her occupied and her mind free from this constant struggle. However, Astelle knew there was some part of her that desired a particular spell; one she called her 'fail-safe' spell. Even though her magic had been stolen from her, she hoped the magic contained in that spell still held strong. It was not a particularly comforting thought to enact such a spell, but it appealed to her more as time passed. That spell would be her absolute last resort when she had nothing left to lose. It was hidden in the castle; all the more reason to venture there again.

Though she had been wandering aimlessly in the forest, Astelle knew exactly where to find her castle. The streets that had once led up to it were overgrown and hidden well in the mass of greenery, but Astelle could navigate with them regardless. As she neared her destination she heard a faint sound of armor clinking and methodical hoof steps. Pushing aside a tree branch, Astelle could see the castle perimeter but with an unwelcomed addition. A group of Canterlot guards were pacing around the castle, ever vigilant. Astelle let out a quiet but angry snort at the sight of them.

"I should have known better." She mumbled to herself. "Celestia will stop at nothing to get her hooves on me; or maybe to keep me away from more dark secrets she hides in those walls."

Knowing this gave Astelle hope. If there was something inside that could bring her back to power maybe her life might have meaning again. At the very least, it was a goal she could work towards and something to take her mind off her memories and failures.

Astelle pondered her best means of entry. She could attempt to cross the old moat, long dried up, but it was overly exposed and she could be easily seen. Scaling the castle walls was out of the question as well. She'd never attempted climbing before, and without her wings she was likely to fall and injure herself. She contemplated looking for a weakness along the side of the castle; but was thwarted again by the chance of exposure. In frustration she paced back and forth behind the cover of trees. This would have been a good moment for Shadow to reappear, with his magical assistance they could easily slip in unnoticed but she hadn't the slightest idea where he had gone.

Astelle paused her pacing when she heard the sound of wings flapping. She looked to the sky expecting to see Celestia. She held her breath when she realized it was Princess Luna flying over instead. Luna landed a few feet away from the guards. They bowed to her and she maintained regal posture.

"Gentlecolts, you are relieved of your duties here." Princess Luna said abruptly.

"But… your highness… Princess Celestia has asked us to—"

"We are well aware what our sister has requested of you." Luna said, cutting the guard off before he could finish. "But we have come to send you back to Canterlot with instruction to leave this place and its protection to us." Princess Luna said.

The guards looked from one to another. Many of them shifted uneasy on their hooves, unsure whose orders to follow. One brave guard stepped forward cautiously.

"But your highness, Celestia's orders were clear and absolute. Under no circumstances are we to leave the castle unguarded."

"Our presence will provide the protection needed, unless you dare to question the power of the night princess?" Luna snapped angrily.

"Of course not your highness." The guard replied, backing away from her slowly with his ears flat.

"Go!" Luna cried with a thunderous voice. Not wanting to upset her further, the guards filed out of their stations and back onto the path towards Ponyville.

Astelle ducked out of sight, watching them go. She heard a couple of them mutter under their breath but was too far from the path to hear what they were saying. Once they'd left her line of sight, she turned her attention back towards the castle, but Luna was gone. Astelle craned her neck trying to see where she had gone.

"I thought I might find you here." Luna said from behind Astelle.

Astelle whirled around in surprise and fell backwards on herself. Her eyes widened in fear; she didn't know what to expect.

"You don't have to be afraid of me." Luna said with a soft chuckle.

Astelle was still nervous and unsure. She hadn't planned on seeing Luna again; and certainly not alone like this. She wasn't yet ready to face her youngest sister. There was so much she wanted to tell her, but this sudden appearance stole the words from her mouth and she could only stare in confusion.

"Are you alright?" Luna asked, tilting her head and looking over Astelle.

"I'm..." Astelle started, then shook her head trying to find her thoughts. "Why are you here?"

"Because I knew I could find you here." Luna replied simply.

"So you've come to gloat, then?" Astelle asked bitterly.

"You think I would dismiss Celestia's guard and approach you alone just to gloat?" Luna asked.

"You know I have no magic, and no means to protest anything you say." Astelle answered.

"I am not here to gloat." Luna clarified. "I came here for the truth."

Astelle looked at her curiously. She didn't know whether or not to believe Luna; though it did give her joy to see her again.

"Shall we take this inside?" Luna asked, indicating to the castle.

"You'd trust me to enter the castle? Are you not concerned with what plans I have once inside?" Astelle asked.

"You said it yourself; you have no magic. Any plans of betrayal you may have I am confident that I can intercede. Unless you would rather stay out here in the weather?" Luna said, pointing to the sky where dark clouds were forming. Astelle looked from the clouds to Luna and back again.

"Alright." Astelle agreed. "Though I doubt you will accept any truth I have to give from your years listening to Celestia and her lies."

Luna smiled and followed after Astelle calmly.

"You might be surprised." Luna whispered, and from within her shadow, Shadow smiled happily.

"Do you have fond memories in this castle?" Luna asked as she and Astelle made their way inside the old castle.

"Mostly in the library; I wasn't on the throne long enough to… 'appreciate' the rest of the castle." Astelle admitted. She was surprised to find that it had lost its nostalgic appeal since her latest little adventure. Though there was some restoration efforts that had taken place there, the castle was still old and falling apart. Astelle likened its condition to her memories. What was once beautiful and inviting was now crumbling and distorted. She wasn't sure where in the castle she was leading Luna, but she made sure to steer clear of the library at all costs. She wasn't prepared to face those memories quite yet.

"What do you want to know?" Astelle asked, distracting herself from her thoughts as she climbed a flight of stairs.

"I want to know what happened that day; the day Celestia banished you to the tapestry." Luna said.

Astelle let out a half-laugh. She knew explaining that would be far more complicated than Luna had thought. The actual day of her greatest defeat was not something Astelle would think of often. Though it was a tragic moment in her life, she paid no heed to it. The deeper scars had come before that had occurred.

"From what I have gathered from Celestia, you had betrayed the ponies and fled Equestria only to return and demand absolute power." Luna said.

"Is that the lies she tells everypony?" Astelle asked.

"No. She hasn't told anypony anything, including myself. I had to force the confession from her while you had us locked here." Luna said.

"I am… sorry about that." Astelle stammered. "I never intended to keep you as a prisoner."

"What did you intend, then?"

"I thought perhaps you, more than anypony, would understand." Astelle whispered.

"I'm tired of the games, Astelle. I already have Celestia keeping the truth from me, are you going to do the same?" Luna asked.

"No." Astelle answered. "You deserve the truth, but I have to warn you now Luna, the truth is not going to be a comfort."

"I am not a child." Luna asserted.

Astelle paused before a large set of double doors and looked to Luna, indicating that this was the place she had been leading her to. Once the two had settled inside Luna recognized it as if it were from a dream.

"My old room…" she whispered.

"I thought it might be." Astelle said.

"How would you know?"

"You are the night princess, are you not?" Astelle asked, pointing to the carvings in the furniture of the moons and stars. Luna was slightly disappointed, she hoped her sister was just innate to such things. But unknown to Luna, it was not the furniture that had given away the origins of the room; Shadow had. "I came here often after I was released from the tapestry. It was a great place to think."

"There are things that Celestia would not want you to know, little sister; things that would only be a burden to your heart. However, I understand the desire for truth and I will do what Celestia has not and trust you with it at last. But before I divulge the truth of that day, there are other events that you should know." Astelle said.

Luna straightened up and listened intently to Astelle's story.

One year ago (just before the events of Princess Trixie Sparkle)…

"And this was her room." Shadow said, opening the door in the old castle for Astelle.

Astelle stepped inside the room in silence. She looked over the intricately designed furniture still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she had another sister. Astelle paced the room but touched nothing. Tears welled up in her eyes but she cast them aside with her magic.

"What's wrong?" Shadow asked worriedly. "I thought you would be pleased to learn you had another sister."

"Pleased, Shadow?" Astelle whispered both in anger and sadness. "Pleased that I spent 2,000 years locked in a tapestry having never known her? She is a complete stranger to me, and her head must be filled with Celestia's lies! This new sister is nothing more than another pony whose eventual but certain betrayal will weaken me."

Astelle strode right through Shadow and back out the door.

"Luna is different." Shadow interjected.

"How could you possibly know that, Shadow?" Astelle demanded.

"Because…. Because we grew up together."

"Spending years inside the shadow of another pony does not grant you access to her mind. If what you say is correct, she still has no knowledge of me or of Celestia's lies." Astelle snapped. "She's had 2,000 years to learn, respect, and love Celestia. How could she ever see anything but a monster in me?"

"Only 1,000 years mistress." Shadow corrected.

"Ah yes. Luna's banishment to the moon, you've told me." Astelle clarified.

"This is exactly why she will listen. Celestia has betrayed her as she betrayed you." Shadow said. "Don't you think that will form a bond between you?"

"Ah, but you said they reconciled." Astelle pointed out. "And you couldn't possibly compare my betrayal to hers."

"You're right, yours was far worse." Shadow amended.

"Still… you have a point. No sister should ever have to endure the betrayal of a sibling. If what you say of Luna is true, perhaps I could be the sister she's always needed." Astelle said with a glimmer of hope. "Do you think Luna would like me, Shadow? Do you think she could ever learn to love somepony she had never known?"

"How could she not?" Shadow asked, nuzzling his mistress happily.

Despite her continual efforts, Astelle could not make Shadow leave her side. Since her release from the tapestry he had followed her as happily as a puppy whose master had finally come home.

"Luna is the missing piece. With her help, I will finally get what I have desired for most of my existence. With Celestia gone, Luna and I will finally see justice for the pain we had to endure."

"Not if I can help it!" Came an unwelcomed but familiar voice from behind Astelle. Shadow disappeared moments before her arrival, latching himself onto Astelle's shadow to hide. Astelle turned to face Celestia with a dark twisted grin.

"Well well well… if it isn't my dear little sister. I was just thinking of you, Cele." Astelle said.

"Enough games Astelle. I know why you are here." Celestia said, lighting her horn with magic.

"OH do you now?" Astelle laughed. "Pray tell!"

"For 2,000 years I have protected the ponies from every threat that wished to overthrow the crown. You stand no chance if you plan to rise up against me." Celestia warned.

Astelle threw her head back in laughter.

"You think I want your precious CROWN, Celestia? You forget which of us was bestowed with the power of a Queen. You, as a mere princess, could never hold a candle to my might alone; or have you forgotten that it was Starswirl, and not you, who had truly bested me all those years ago."

"You cannot fool me, Astelle. You've always been after the throne." Celestia said.

"LIES!" Astelle screamed, aiming a spell towards Celestia. Celestia dodged and counterattacked with one of her own.

"Did you really expect to live as an immortal without the crimes of your past catching up to you? It was not I that was power-hungry all those years ago; it was you!" Astelle said blasting Celestia into the hallway.

Celestia coughed from the dust and debris that had fallen from her collision. She couldn't see Astelle through the haze of dust but she knew she was nearby when she answered:

"You abandoned your ponies because you could not accept your own destiny!"

"My DESTINY was ripped from me by somepony I cared about the most." Astelle said, reappearing on the other side of Celestia and shooting another spell in her direction. Celestia attempted to dodge but was struck again, this time she tumbled towards the stairs. Astelle was approaching her slowly, like a predator that had its prey cornered. Celestia used her magic to cast a spell of blindingly bright light to appear between them. While Astelle was turned away from its glow, Celestia took flight and attacked.

"He loved you like a daughter, Astelle. The same way he loved me. All he wanted was to finally be set free from the burden of immortality. You had no idea the lifetime he had to endure caring for other ponies and never for himself. He was already at the end of the line when he met us; there was nothing you could have said that would have changed his mind."

"You're WRONG!" Astelle screamed. "A life without love, even an immortal one, is meaningless. If he had embraced the love I had for him, he could have found happiness in immortality once more." Astelle said, joining her sister in flight.

Celestia directed a spell towards Astelle but she dodged. Astelle shot another spell towards her sister, but missed on purpose. The wall and the remains of the second floor above Celestia crumbled on top of her. Celestia attempted to transport herself out of harm's way, but her vision was blocked by something she could not see: Shadow. Shadow had dislodged himself from Astelle to come to her aid the moment one of Celestia's spells harmed his mistress. Shadow's distraction kept Celestia from escaping the falling debris and she fell to the floor trapped underneath it; only her head and one hoof was free. Astelle landed gracefully beside her sister with a smirk little grin.

"And for your information, it was not Starswirl whom I had been referring to. The greatest betrayal of them all came from you, dear sister. You allowed magic to come between us. It clouded your judgment of right from wrong and instilled in you a sense of greed and power. You used to be innocent, but you were corrupted. Not by Starswirl, and not by me, by magic.

"I have not returned to take away your pathetic little kingdom. I want nothing more to do with power in any form. I have come back to finish what I had begun." Astelle snarled.

"And what's that?" Celestia said, struggling to get herself free.

"Have you never wondered why the Everfree forest refuses to obey your will? Why the plants, weather, and animals can exist without pony assistance?" Astelle asked.

"That was… your doing?" Celestia asked in horror.

"Hah! Of course it was my doing."

Celestia looked from Astelle to the forest which was barely visible from the wreckage around them. She was confused and had no idea what Astelle's true intentions could possibly be.

"You STILL don't get it, do you?" Astelle laughed. "Let me make this really simple for you, Celestia. Had our lives never been affected by Starswirl the Bearded; we would not have had to live the tragedy that we have. Our past demons would no longer exist. I am here to destroy the one true cause of all heartache and evil in all of Equestria: magic."

"You're insane…" Celestia whispered.

"Am I? It seems my influence did well in my absence. The forest can care for itself and it still stands after 2,000 years." Astelle said.

"You'll never get away with this, Astelle. If not me, there will be others who will rise against you, and stop you." Celestia said.

"Others?" Astelle laughed. "Are you referring to your precious little student Twilight Sparkle and her friends?"

"How did you know—"

"Oh I know much more than that, dear sister. I know all about your misdeeds since my imprisonment. Tell me, have you actually saved Equestria from somepony before? You know, on your own. From what I am told, you have had to have your wittle student come save the day whenever things get too tough for the sun princess."

"That's not true!" Celestia protested.

"Oh yes, that's right, Princess Cadance and her true love had to save you once, I forgot. And that was after the changeling queen had bested you. That must have been embarrassing for you; having other ponies see you for the weakling you are. At least it's nice to know that you learned the spell from Starswirl how to bestow wings and a horn on a pony. You have to make fake alicorns just to clean up your own messes." Astelle snapped. "Did you curse them with immortality too?"

"No." Celestia said, still struggling to get her other hoof free.

"Wise. I suppose if you had done that, they might rebel against you. You'd been making them suffer just to ease your own guilt and shame. Or perhaps you simply do not know how to perform such a curse."

"Immortality is not a curse; it's a blessing that should have never been given to you in the first place." Celestia snapped.

"Not a curse?" Astelle said, putting her face directly in front of Celestia's. "Tell me, was it a blessing watching all the ponies you loved age and die? To know that you could never find love because it would only last as long as somepony else's lifetime? And if you did, you would spend eternity knowing the ache of having lost said love?" Astelle said, scoffing at the end of her little speech. "It is yet another example why magic must be destroyed. No pony should ever have to deal with the torment of an eternal life."

"Then take your own immortality away and leave us be!" Celestia screamed.

"Us? You couldn't possibly be referring to Luna, could you?"

"You leave Luna out of this. This is between you and me."

"Oh this is far more than a petty argument between siblings, Celestia. This is only the beginning. Luna was hurt by you and your magic in the same way you hurt me. Convincing her of its destruction will be all too easy. I will give her something she always needed but never had: a true sister. Somepony willing to give everything just to be there for her sister. You would know nothing of that Celestia. You wasted Luna's youth on your greed and selfishness. You gave up the chance to be to her what she needed."

"I was more a sister to her then you ever were to me!" Celestia said, finally able to break her other hoof free. "Luna and I have had our trouble in the past, but we are a unified force for GOOD. She would never turn against me again."

"You seem to easily forget which of the two of us failed as a sister." Astelle said calmly. "And when Luna and I succeed in destroying the tree of harmony, and with it the core of your and every other unicorn's power, you will finally know the torment you have bestowed on the only two siblings you ever had."

"Never!" Celestia said, breaking free of the rubble and attempting to attack Astelle physically. However, before Celestia could reach her, Astelle stamped her hooves on the ground and sent out a shock-wave of dark magic emanating from Astelle herself. When the dark magic reached Celestia, she lost her wings and horn and came crashing to the ground. Astelle looked at her and laughed; her mane and tail whipping around wildly with her dark power.

"It has begun!" Astelle laughed, sending her wave of magic destruction out to begin her revenge.