Celestia watched as the Sun Court debated. She sat upon her throne, watching them bicker and argue. This was a normal thing for her because would bicker and debate from the moment she rose the sun, to when her sister brought the night. Everyday was the same monotonous thing but her duties for Equestria came first before anything.

"We can't afford to let the changelings take the wastelands! That's too close for comfort!" a blue stallion protested.

"We have to make a compromise with Queen Chrysalis soon or we could face war! You saw what they did during the Captain of the Royal Guard's wedding! Imagine if they launched a full scale invasion!" an orange pegasus replied.

Celestia was getting tired of this. She looked toward one of the stained windows and noticed it was almost time for her sister to bring the night. She thought about Luna, and how she had been so reclusive the past couple years. Now that she thought of it, she been getting more and more reclusive ever since the bearers of the elements passed away. She knew Luna was hurt when she learned their gruesome end, and she felt horrible when she appointed her sister to take on the investigation, but she had a rising war to deal with.

For the past decade, ever since Chrysalis was defeated, she has been trying to negotiate with the Changeling Queen, but it hasn't gone as well as she hoped. It was always an issue of what land they could have and also the matter of the fact that they had to feed on another pony's love.

The Sun Court constantly debated about it, but she knew if a resolution wasn't found soon, Equestria was going to find itself neck deep in a new war. She had much on her mind to stress about, but for now, she just wanted all the arguing ponies to go away, to give her mind some type of quiet.

"I think that's enough, General Blaze." She motioned her hoof towards the orange pegasus. "The Royal Sun Court is dismissed."

He looked at the princess in shock. "But Princess, we need to find a solution to the changeling and the wastelands. They are literally-" but he was interrupted with firm authority.

"I said dismissed, General." Celestia said with more bass in her voice.

The officials started filing out into the hall, leaving Celestia to her thoughts in quiet serenity. She looked back at the stained glass, noticing how brightly the moon shone. Celestia sometimes envied her sister. She would never admit it to Luna, but she loved her night sky. It was like a canvas and Luna was the artist, painting her beautiful creations across the sky for all to behold.

She thought more on her sister. She missed how Luna and her would talk so much, especially after she was free from her banishment. They had much to catch up on. Now, Luna only resided in her tower, bringing the night and reading. Celestia had asked why she reads so much now, though she had no problem about one's yearning to learn, but Luna seemed obsessed with it. She would only tell her she wanted to catch up on Equestrian history, considering that she has been locked up for 1,000 years.

Celestia's mind switched gears. The thought of Luna reading made her think of a certain lavender unicorn. She missed her faithful student. It's been so long since she last spoke her, but she made it clear to Luna that she didn't want to talk until she had Pinkie Pie. She didn't blame her. She knew it wasn't because she had to find Pinkie, but she knew that Twilight felt abandoned by her. The only thing she did to comfort her student was a simple letter expressing how sorry she was. The feeling was genuine, but to send it through a letter and leaving it at that was cruel. Even Celestia knew this.

She wanted to see her many times through the years, but her royal duties kept her from seeing her adored student. She always had to have Luna check on her, which wasn't bad, but she was Twilight's mentor. She watched as Twilight grew up into an intelligent and powerful young mare. It ate at her soul to this very day that she didn't do more, but that was the past now, and all she had was now.

The giant doors that stood at the entrance of the grand hall opened, giving passage to Luna. Celestia broke away from her thinking and watched as her sister came in, her mane ever flowing of the night. This was definitely different with Luna actually not staying within her tower to read, but she was not one to protest this change.

"Hello Luna. What brings you here? I would have expected you to be reading some history tonight as you have done for so long?" Celestia noticed unintended bitterness in her voice, but she missed Luna keeping her company.

"I need a break from the books dear sister. Besides, I haven't spent any time with you for awhile. Is this a bad time?" Celestia was happy to hear that Luna wanted to actually spend time with her.

"No.no, Luna! I just rather not speak in this blasted hall. All I ever hear is echoes of the recent arguing within these walls. Walk with me to the gardens so that we may be alone under your night."

Celestia rose from her throne and walked with Luna to the serenity of the gardens. They entered the lush and vibrant garden teeming with life. Celestia felt the damp grass under her golden encrusted hooves, feeling the sensation of nature as if it was long lost to her.

"It's been awhile, Luna, since we had some time alone together." She didn't want to waste this chance to talk to her sister.

"True sister. It has been a while. With you busy with the changelings and my research, we haven't really made time to speak to one another." Luna replied. She turned to Celestia smiling. "But at least we have now." Celestia smiled back.

"So Luna, have you gotten anywhere with your study of Equestrian history?" Luna spoke of how much she was looking into it but never really asked her about her studies.

Luna replied with enthusiasm. "Oh yes, I have read many manuscripts, but the one I have took the most interest in is my banishment. The writer of that piece seemed to have believed that it was just a fight between you and I. This interested us considering we remember a whole lot of bodies..."

Celestia grimaced, hearing this come from Luna. She didn't want to think about when she had to fight her sister's alter ego, Nightmare Moon, and all the ponies that lost their lives during that battle.

"Please Luna, I rather not talk about that..... and you said 'us' again." Over the years, Celestia had helped Luna put away her old lingo of using the royal 'we' and the royal voice. She had been doing a good job withholding it, but it sometimes still slipped up.

"Oh, I apologize sister. I did not realize." Celestia smiled at her adored sister. "It's okay Luna, you have gotten much better over the years with it anyways."

Luna nodded, looking up at the night sky. Celestia took notice of the gold chained necklace hanging across her neck with a black pendant. She had seen this many times before, but it always looked so oddly misplaced, but she never questioned where she had obtained it from. She never felt the need to. She had her own things while Luna had hers.

"Do you wish to know how your student is doing, dear sister?" Luna said, still staring into the night sky. Celestia's heart twisted into a knot at the mention of Twilight.

"It's okay Luna. I know you're taking care of her, so I need not to ask how she is." She trusted Luna, and knew that Twilight was safe with her, but she couldn't help but be concerned for her student. She knew that she was looking for Pinkie Pie, but she could only imagine how much anger she could have by now. Luna made it very clear how angry Twilight would get at the mention of Pinkie's name. It concerned Celestia to hear this, and now with ten years for those feeling to manifest within her student, she could only imagine how much rage she had, not only towards Pinkie, but toward her also.

"I did not ask that sister. I know you wish to know how your beloved student is doing. You make it very clear in your mannerisms." Celestia was surprised at how well Luna could read her. She had to hide her emotions, and wear a mask of a leader, not of one as a mother who was worried for their foal when they were lost. Luna saw right through all of it, truly seeing how she missed and worried for Twilight.

"I am worried for her, Luna. I haven't seen her for such a long time. I miss her letters, her reports. I miss my Twilight. She was more than just a student to me, Luna." Celestia didn't know why she was spilling this all out to Luna. Her sister was not a very emotional type. The last time she saw her sister show any strong emotion was when she had to investigate the bearers' murders. She locked herself in her tower for months, not wanting to speak to anyone, until Celestia had to force her out and take on her duties. It was a harsh lesson, with her saying that Equestria comes first, everything else is secondary. Now when she thinks about it, it probably hadn't been the best advice. Since then, Luna did her duties without fault and still checked on Twilight, making sure she was safe and okay.

"Then why don't you go to Ponyville and visit her sister?" Celestia only shook her head, looking into Luna's teal eyes.

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Luna. I simply can't just show up." Luna took her eyes off Celestia and looked back up to her stars once again.

"Of course you can. You're a princess, who is she to deny you?" Celestia was taken back by her response.

"Luna! You know I do not use my status as Princess to take advantage of my subjects. What kind of ruler would I be to do that?" Celestia ruled Equestria, but not with an iron fist as other leaders would, but with treating her subjects as equals to her, and they respected her for it. She did not want to earn her subjects loyalty and respect through fear. Tyrants employed that method.

"Do not take it to heart, sister. I was merely reminding you of what you are." Celestia now looked up at the stars with Luna. They were always changing and moving, unlike herself. She stood at a standstill in time, merely watching and participating in its events.

"Sister, you need a break. Go see your student in the morn. I can take over your duties for the day." This was unlike Luna to make such an offer.

"Luna, I couldn't impose that level of responsibility on you. Equestria demands me here. I have to keep this war at bay from manifesting along with keeping it from the public. I have to stay." She had too much responsibility here, and as much as she wanted to see Twilight, she couldn't. Her selfish want may cost lives.

Luna turned toward Celestia, "Sister, you will go see her. I am giving you no choice. Now get some rest."

Celestia tried to protest, but Luna only stared at her, a dark aura seemingly to surround her. Celestia got the point very quickly.

"Okay, fine, I will see her tomorrow. All I ask is that you withhold your temper when the court meets tomorrow." She knew Luna had a temper with ponies sho disrespected her, but Celestia treated her subjects as equals, while Luna failed to understand why. They were regal beings, and they were mortals.

"Good night, Luna." Celestia said as she walked away, heading toward her bed chambers wanting to rest.

"Good night, sister." Luna whispered to herself, now admiring the black gem in the necklace that hung around her neck.

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Celestia entered her bed chamber. The fireplace suddenly lit up at her presence and radiated its light to fill the room. Her bed was draped in red linen with two overly stuffed pillows. Beside it was a nightstand with a couple books on top, and across was a rug next to fireplace. She got on all fours, relaxing next to the fire, feeling its inviting warmth against her body.

She remembered all the times she would lay next to the fire to read Twilight's letters. Her heart twisted into a knot once again. She missed her faithful student more than she realized, and only memories brought her this heart-wrenching feeling in her chest. She gave out a long sigh, now wanting to raise the morning sun so she could see her, and maybe rekindle their seemingly lost friendship.

Celestia looked down, closing her eyes, wanting the embrace of sleep to take her. Suddenly she heard a popping sound. She shot her head up and saw before her a green flame appearing before her, revealing a scroll with a red sash tied across it. Her eyes went into disbelief, knowing exactly where this scroll came from. It dropped to the floor, Celestia's mouth agape. After all these years, a letter from no other than Twilight Sparkle, laid on the ground before her. Her mind raced with endless possibilities of what the letter could say, but there was only one way to find out. She levitated the letter with her magic and held it before her eyes, carefully undoing the red sash that bound it closed. She opened it, her eyes following her student's words.......

Dear Princess Celestia

I am sending a letter to you now concerning my progress with finding Pinkie Pie. I know you may have not been concerned or simply busy to ask about it, but it is important I relay this information to you. I have found Pinkie Pie-

Celestia's heart jumped. She had found her, but why was she telling her this? She thought once she had found Pinkie, that she was to bring her to Canterlot and to Luna immediately. Celestia continued reading, knowing her student wouldn't do something such as this without explanation.

I will not be bringing her to Princess Luna. I have found Pinkie Pie innocent by the magic of the mind, and entered her memories and saw what she remembered.

Her student was performing Dark Magic? Celestia has never taught her Dark Magic! She had forbid it from being used! Has ten years of Twilight's anger with her took her to such darkness?

Pinkie Pie never committed the murders. So in that respect, I have her living with me for the time being. Also, I know know who really killed my friends. It was your sister, Princess Luna-

Celestia involuntarily stood up seeing Luna printed on such accusation. In all her years of ruling Equestria, she has heard many claims and accusations, but never against her dear sister. Luna could never commit such an atrocity! Luna had her faults, but she was not known to mercilessly and mindlessly kill ponies. Celestia's anger rose understandably. She understood Twilight was her faithful student, but to accuse her own flesh and blood? But has Twilight ever lied to her? Ever came short for her? She continued reading....

Now, I'm not one to accuse ponies of such things, especially of this magnitude, and let alone the Princess of the Night, but I have an idea of her motive. She killed them to attain the essence of the elements, and she needs all of them. For what purpose, I don't know. I have also learned that I can bring them back if I can get a hold of their essence once again.

Celestia was in complete shock. She knew about the elements and the essence that was held within the bearers, but there would only be one reason one would want to acquire all of them. But how could Luna even know about essence that the Elements of Harmony held? She was the only one who knew that they existed, besides Twilight now. She had never told Luna about them.

But to get them back, I need the item she used to trap their essence. She used a necklace, with a black stone held in the middle to take them. I need that necklace to bring them back. I do not know how exactly yet, and I will be doing extensive research to find out, but I can't make this happen without you. I can imagine how you feel by reading this, but I need you more than ever.

Celestia was conflicted inside. She knew of the necklace she asked for, but she couldn't simply go off accusations, even if it was her student. This was her own sister she was convicting, but Twilight needed her. She needed her for the first time now in years, though she knew she had failed her many times before her when she needed her the most. This was a chance to redeem herself.

I need you to meet me in the morning, near the Everfree Forest so we can talk alone. I will be there at dawn. If you decide not to show up, then I will take matters into my own hooves and get what I need.


-Twilight Sparkle

Celestia' heart was pulled in too many ways. She noticed her sign off, only reading her name, no longer 'Your faithful student'. It felt like a chunk of her heart was ripped out of her chest, not seeing this piece she was so used to seeing. But should she be surprised? Ten years she has not seen her once, and to expect Twilight to still look up to her as her mentor and teacher was a foalish thought.

She now turned her attention to Luna. She had been accused of killing Twilight's friends but this was her own sister that she adored and loved unconditionally. They have had their differences, but she was still her sister. No one would ever know how painful it was to banish her sister to the moon 1,000 years ago. She had to go see Twilight, not only for herself but for her sister's sake now.

Celestia wrapped the letter back up, and set it on her nightstand. She would not confront Luna about this...not yet. She needed to see her student... Twilight...and learn if these convictions are really true. She left her bed chambers and briskly trotted down the hall to a small room. She knocked on the door, and the Captain of the Royal Guard appeared.

"Shining Armor, I need a favor. It is quite urgent."

Shining Armor looked over to his wife, who was now sleeping and didn't want to wake her up.

"Of course, Princess." he whispered quietly. Celestia realized how he was trying not to wake his wife and took the same level of tone.

"I need you to arrange an escort for me to leave before dawn to Ponyville. I know this is short notice, but it concerns your sister, and I must speak to her."

Shining Armor's face turned into worry. "Is she okay? Did she do anything?"

"No, just it's been awhile since I spoke to her, but I need to leave early." She wasn't going to tell him that Twilight was accusing her sister of killing the Elements of Harmony. He knew too well how hurt Twilight was by all the letters they wrote back and forth. Celestia felt ashamed that Shining Armor, who was in charge of an armada of guards in Canterlot, still made time to write to his sister and visit her, but the Ruler of Equestria could not.

"I understand. I will have an escort waiting for you early. Anything else you need, Princess?" he said politely.

"Yes, I need you to attend the Royal Sun Court, and watch Princess Luna for me, so she does not do anything rash." Shining Armor completely understood. He knew more than anybody about the war that loomed. He was always now training his guards to be ready for an attack if the negotiations would fail, and the changelings launched an invasion of Equestria.

He also knew of the temper that Luna had. He would see her rip a new one into her guards and sometimes her subjects if they seemed to have disrespected her, or at the mention of her banishment. That kind of short fuse at the court could cause a political standoff, and nothing would be resolved.

"Very well Princess. I will be at the Sun Court tomorrow early." Celestia smiled, grateful for him, always willing to take a job for her.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem your highness." Shining Armor gently closed the door, still not trying to wake his wife.

Before Celestia could turn back to head back towards her chambers, she heard a small cry from behind the door, one of a foal. Celestia smiled, laughing a bit inside, at how Shining Armor was so intent on not waking up his wife, to only wake his small foal. She slowly walked down the hall, heading towards her room to rest.

She thought about Twilight, and what she would say and all the different scenarios played in her head. Twilight could be mad, enraged, being how she has not taken the time to see her for so long, or maybe one of forgiveness, and how would she take it if Twilight was right? That her own sister was the one who killed them? She knew what would have to be done if it was so, but she didn't know if she could bring herself to do it.

Suddenly she felt a tug on her tail, and quickly turned around. It was a guard, looking at her worriedly.

"Princess, a fight has broken out between the general and one of the delegates. We need your help to cease the fighting, your majesty."

Celestia frowned, once again, remembered her royal duties came first. She sighed long and heavy."Fine. Take me to them." and followed the guard. Princess Celestia, once again, worked to keep the peace.

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Luna knocked on Celestia's bedroom chamber door once more. Still no answer. She knew her sister could sleep, but not to the point where her own hoof was cracking the door. Luna had enough, needing to speak to her sister about her duties for tommorow within the Sun court. She forced the door open with her magic, and entered the room, determined to wake her sister. She closed the doors behind her, looking for Celestia, but it was apparent that she was not here. Luna was now simply becoming frustrated with her.

She looked around taking in how beautiful her room was, compared to her stony tower that she spent many moons in. She looked and noticed a scroll with a red sash on it on Celestia's nightstand. She walked over to it, noticing immediately who it was from. She summoned the letter towards her with her magic, the scroll enveloped in her blue aura. She looked around, seeing if any pony was watching her, but knew she was alone.

She wondered why Twilight would write to Celestia considering they haven't spoke for several years. Twilight usually spoke to her now, considering she has been with her for most part of this dark journey she was going down to find Pinkie. Her curiosity was peaked and gently and carefully undid the sash that held the scroll in its rolled position. The letter opened before her revealing the truth that surely her sister has laid eyes on. Luna read the letter intently, taking every word and detail in. Moments later, she finished reading the incriminating parchment, and rolled it back up and bound the sash to it once again and placed it back on her sister's nightstand, looking as if it was never touched.

She only smiled...

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**