Darkness. All encompassing, darkness. Celestia was drowning in it with no hope of escape. The only thing she had to cling to, was Twilight, who was suffering just as much. But together, they brought light to that darkness.

It was now morning in the once bustling place of Canterlot, but with the death of Princess Luna, nopony was in a very cheery mood. The aspect of a leader, more even, leaving and not returning rendered everypony in the whole of Equestria forced deep inside of themselves with little escape. The last remaining Goddess and her Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle, had gotten up as best they could and rose the Sun together, then painfully faced their duties.

Twilight was there more to support her teacher, but also because she, of course, had known Princess Luna well. She may have not known her as well as Princess Celestia, but to see her die was like being stabbed with a dagger that only twisted inside the wound. They had reluctantly agreed to oversee how the burial plans were going. Princess Luna was to be buried at the center of the Grand Hedge Maze, a place where she often went for a time if quiet.

To Twilight’s surprise, Celestia had no reluctance or sadness in seeing where Luna, her little sister, was to be buried.

“Are--Are you sure you want to do this, Princess?” Twilight asked as they made their way into the maze.

The workers had cleared a path straight to the middle to get the statue into place and Luna to her resting place.

“Yes...” The Goddess sighed and continued in a firm and meaningful tone. “Yes--I am. Sadness has no place in this matter, Twilight. It is still there, in you even, but for this, there will be none.”

Twilight simply nodded, pushing all emotion back as best as she could, and followed the majestic Alicorn.

--- --- --- --~(___()___)~-- --- --- ---

They had entered the middle. It was a wide open, rounded, space. In the direct center, from what the two had seen, had been placed a rather large statue, depicting Princess Luna, laying down, gazing up at the sky with a peaceful smile on her lips. The sight bittersweet, for it gave them both calmness and a touch of happiness at the smile, but also made the realization of her never returning more true with every passing second.

Engraved into the base of the statue was a quote from Princess Luna herself. It read:

“It has been one thousand years since I set hoof in the land of Equestria. So much has changed--for the better I feel. I never blamed my big sister for what happened, but never got the chance to thank her either. Why thank her? Well, it cleared my mind of all and I found things within myself that I had never seen, and for that, I truly thank you big sister.”

Twilight read along with Celestia. She did not quite understand the ending of the first paragraph, but saw that Celestia had a sorrowful smile of understanding with tears streaking her face, not able to be pushed back anymore.

“I watched over Equestria from the moon more than once. What I was able to see, even if it was not much, flashes of images of Canterlot and other places, was a quickly growing nation still with no use for the night. I learned while so far away, that taking things out on others for things you yourself cannot stop just ends up hurting yourself and your loved ones. I let my jealousy and unguided anger take control, and what I did with it, I am not proud.

So many years waisted because I was a small foul not willing to let the true nature of things, things that were and could not be stopped, take place as it should have been. Big sister, if you ever find this, just know that I am sorry. Know that I thank you as well, for stopping what could have become. And thank you as well, Twilight Sparkle and the others, for showing me the light of my mistakes and making me the mare I am today.”

Princess Celestia’s smile turned into a smile of content happiness once she was done reading the quote. She turned to face Twilight and sighed.

“Let us go, there is much needed to be done.”

Twilight nodded and turned to leave. Celestia glanced back at the statue one last time before departing. As she turned, she saw, engraved into the ground, the face of the moon. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked to a pony whom had helped with the plans.

“Thank you.” Celestia said to her as she looked back to the marks in the ground.

The mare looked at her wide-eyed for a moment, startled, and nodded slowly, understanding.

--- --- --- --~(___()___)~-- --- --- ---

They slowly made their way back to the the castle, trying to calm the nerves by looking at the scenery, but soon found it only reminded them of all the things that had to be and what had become.

After moments passed, Celestia turned to Twilight and said in a calm and soothing voice, “Twilight, I want you to invite your friends here, to Canterlot, and tell them about what happened. They have been left in the dark for long enough, I feel.”

Twilight was startled at the sudden calm that had swept her. Twilight thought it was acceptance, but after a moment of studying the Alicorn’s face, she soon saw that it was something else completely.

The magical mare hesitated for a moment, but soon spoke. “All right. Why--why the sudden change in mood, Princess?”

Twilight’s question was sound, and Celestia answered with something she had not seen coming.

“I am tired, Twilight. I deal with many things, you must know, and I am tired of it all. I am not quite sure myself, maybe it is acceptance?” She shook her head. “No... That will have to come with time.”

Twilight gave her a weak smile, but the thought of asking why still persisted.

“You mean you do not know why yourself?” She asked.

Celestia sighed and lowered her head, staring at the ground.

“That is right.” Celestia shuddered.

Twilight watched with concern, but said nought a thing.

“Maybe--Maybe it is the realization that I am not fit to rule Equestria anymore.”

A single, lone tear fell as she heard Twilight gasp in shock and worry.