By the Moonlight

The Seventh - Flicker

Celestia tossed and turned once more. Maybe she'd adjust and be able to ease herself into slumber. Then again, the chances of that happening seemed rather slim, what with the thoughts plaguing her at this hour. Oh, little sister, why did it ever have to come to that?

She kept telling herself that there was no one to blame- that she had tried diplomacy before anything else and that even then, Luna hadn't quite been herself when she was banished. But even so, the fact that the potential for such a scenario even existed and that Luna, however uncharacteristically bitter, had to endure a millennium of exile brought pain to her heart. Even more pitifully, the unquenchable loneliness she had felt during that time made her feel so selfish.

It was only natural she missed her sister, but she was a ruler above all else, and if things got in the way of her nation's security, she was the first one who was expected to do something about it. And yet she had cried every night for all those years- for herself and for the sister she loved and lost- until she hardly even remembered why she was weeping in the first place.

When she had returned, Luna- no, Nightmare Moon. It wasn't Luna and it would never be Luna. Luna was the one you sobbed for, the one you loved with all your heart and missed so much, the one you wished you could have saved.

The Elements had come together then, for the first time in her lifetime, and Luna's shell had been shattered by the might of friendship. But true friendship seemed to have forsaken the two sisters. Luna was still her confidante and co-ruler, and she hers, but there seemed to be a stifling air of withdrawal  between them. And the worst part was that one of the mightiest and most-revered ponies in all of Equestria had no idea how to begin removing the barrier. There were so many wounds... Perhaps a little walk would help her think- and so the princess rose from her bed and stepped out of her quarters.

As the white alicorn passed one of the castle's many balconies, however, a sound caught her attention. It was a pitiful wail- and the voice behind it was hauntingly familiar. Celestia froze. "Luna? Is that you?"

Two Alicorns - Harmony

By the Moonlight

The Last - Harmony

Luna gasped and cursed herself for not hearing the hoofsteps. She turned to face her sister, eyes still moist. "Oh. Hello, Celly. What's keeping you up?"

"I've got... things. On my mind. Why the tears, dear sister?"

"There's a few thoughts troubling me as well, it would seem," She sniffled. "I've been, ah, observing the night, you see."

Just as Celestia had thought. No point in being vague about it. "Still disappointed almost everypony sleeps through it?"

The dark one sighed and looked down. How could she expect to hide her secrets from her closest friend, neigh, her only friend? "Yes."

The other joined her on the balcony. "Well, anypony who does happen to be awake is delighted by it, I'm sure."

Luna sighed. "It is rather beautiful, isn't it? The way the stars all seem to gather around the moon..."

"And just the stars themselves! Identical at first glance, but they're all so wonderfully diverse," Celestia was genuinely delighted. "Some have just been born, a faint glow in the sky. Others have already collapsed unto themselves but their last glimmers have yet to reach us. Meanwhile, I've only got one star to worry about." She chuckled.

"Oh, sister. I've just felt so lonely lately. Unwanted."

"I'm sure spending your days in the library catching up on the last thousand years and never going out to actually meet your subjects has helped your reputation." As soon as she had spoken, the white alicorn wished she hadn't. Where had that come from?

Luna, unsurprisingly, didn't take it very well. "And I'm sure spending your days with the six holders of the Elements and touring the nation in that damned chariot of yours has helped your relationship with your sister," She looked down in shame, her seething rage fading into melancholy. "I'm sorry. I suppose we've both been neglecting our duties- as rulers and as siblings." And now it was out. Relief flooded her, followed by a rush of worry.

Her companion seemed to recognize this. "Feeling better, sis?"

She nuzzled her compassionately, crying again- but her tears were of exalted joy. "Yes. Yes." The words flowed out of her as they embraced each other- and for the first time that day, the pair smiled, as one.

Celestia closed her eyes and let the simple pleasure of happiness hit her. Somehow they were together again- and the moment seemed to last forever. Until she herself broke it, the tenseness gone from her voice. "Ah, Luna, I was just wondering if you- if you could give me some room to breathe!" She chuckled.

The azure one retreated. "Oh, sorry!"

"As I was saying... I was wondering if you'd like to switch places for a day. You raise the sun and I'll take care of the moon."

"Seems to me you've taken an interest in my stars." She trotted over to the edge of the overlook.

The other skipped after her like a little schoolfilly. "Well, aren't they simply amazing? Great glowing masses of plasma, suspended in the sky, as unique as the populace of our nation. And the constellations-"

"Alright, alright. I'm sold!" She gave a hearty laugh. "Anything for you, dear sister."

Celestia gave an involuntary yawn. "Thank you. I'm off to bed now." She turned away.

"Oh, uh, sis? I was going to ask you something as well."

She stopped. "Yes?"

"Could I..." She paused. "Could I sleep with you tonight?"

"I do hope you aren't planning anything mischievous." the alicorn teased.

"Wha-?!"

"Only kidding. Of course you can."

"Yay!"