2.2

Celestia was in her observatory, quietly reading. The crowning had gone well enough and Cadance was now an official Princess of Canterlot, but now it was over. Celestia had retired to her study. She had spent whatever time she could spare on understanding the nature of The Elements of Harmony. Even though Lady Rhyme couldn’t hold her to her promise, Celestia loved Cadance as a daughter and was now very much concerned for her safety.

So hours upon days were spent studying and experimenting with the elements. Her only companion in all this was her pet bird Philomena. Her phoenix was busy cleaning her feathers on her perch in the corner. Celestia finished the page she was on from the notes Starswirl the Bearded left on the Elements.

“I do not understand Philomena. Luna rejected the elements to turn into Nightmare Moon which is why I was able to harness all six for the short period that I did. However they did not fully leave her,” Celestia thought out loud, “So when I sealed her into the moon, the elements should have stayed with her, yet Cadance seems to wield them.”

Philomena cawed at her in response.

“Perhaps Luna’s recent movement to escape has caused her to forsake the Elements yet again and she passed them on,” she continued.

Celestia read a few pages further.

“Oh my then it reads that ‘should the elements be used for any such unharmonious act, they will abandon their current masters and lay themselves to rest in the destined pure souls’,” Celestia recited, taking a moment to think, “Philomena, I am not sure that Starswirl kept the best notes on the elements, because this doesn’t explain the situation we are in now.”

Reading even further, Celestia found some useful information.

“Upon studying the specific elements, I have deduced that ‘magic’ is the sixth element and is also the catalyst to the assembly of the elements. The other five will be drawn to it by forces unknown,” she read.

There was a knock at the door.

“Yes, come in,” she called out without moving or looking up.

“I was hoping we could have a word, Celestia,” spoke Princess Rosetta.

Celestia glared from the corner of her eye at Rosetta. She stood there in her private study quite unannounced.

“Yes, of course, what is it?” Celestia said with a hint of scorn in her tone.

“Concerning Cadance, you very well know the magnitude of this decision and you still chose to follow through,” Rosetta said flatly, “After your sister failed so miserably and Canterlot was put to shame. You think it is a good idea to separate the throne yet again?”

“You are forgetting yourself and whose castle you reside in,” Celestia replied angrily.

“Tell me Celestia, do you plan to make her the Princess of the Night?” Rosetta said, raising her voice. She was becoming very offensive in her words.

“Rosetta, do not chastise me,” Celestia said, feeling her temper take control of her.

Celestia let out a heavy sigh. She knew nothing good would come of her getting angry.

“I know the consequences of my actions, but I did it with good cause and reason. Canterlot is in trouble and I may need your help.”

Rosetta was surprised by Celestia’s submission. It was unusual for a princess to turn over so easily, even to another princess.

“I’m listening,” Rosetta said smugly.

“My sister may be planning a return and if Cadance cannot wield the Elements of Harmony, they I may need you to,” Celestia explained.

Rosetta was now genuinely surprised by Celestia. She gave her a skeptical look, but was convinced she saw no doubt of dishonesty in Celestia’s expression.

“My my, this has become far more interesting than I suspected,” Rosetta mused as she began to slowly pace, “I honestly thought you were just trying to consolidate power in Canterlot by having two princesses, but now…”

She trailed off as she looked through skyward at the various lenses in Celestia’s observatory. She gazed up at the many worlds and viewpoints just beyond the lenses. Looking through one she stopped and stood still. Celestia turned away from them.

“Is that her…?” Rosetta asked, now truly concerned, “Oh my divine heavens. This is Princess Luna….”

Through one of the lenses she saw Luna. She sat in a white space and was quite animated. She was doing something, but it was hard to tell as the world was featureless. Celestia looked at her with increasing sadness.

The sadness that has dwelled inside her for so long was about to come out. Celestia had been so blind and now in the face of another pony, she was going to answer for her truest crime.

“Do you sit here and watch her? What is she doing?” Rosetta blurted, shooting off question after question, “Does she only see white? Celestia, answer me!”

Celestia began to sob quietly. The tone of the conversation had changed dramatically. From a standoffish power play, to a point of the greatest humility, Rosetta had not predicted this event and didn’t know how to react.

“I know your magic. That is a vacuum of infinite blindness and deafness where madness takes your soul. How long has she been there?!” Rosetta demanded, reacting with rage and appall.

“Over 900 years…” Celestia sobbed.

“I can’t believe you… The poor soul must have lost her mind by now...” Rosetta said, staring at the pony, “The pathetic creature is just wallowing in her own imagined fantasy realm. And you sat here and watched her.”

Celestia was now choking up a bit. The tears ran freely from her eyes, day after day she had watched her sister. As the years went on she saw her sister’s descent into madness. Some days she would lie there or she would walk, but sometimes for days or even months she would fly as high as she could and then dive at the ground trying to kill herself. Over and over again she would try to kill herself, Celestia could only watch those moments in tears. So many times she wished that she would be successful and that she’d end it, but she always got back up. Celestia could barely contain her own hatred for herself and the sadness she felt for Luna. Only most recently did she begin to talk often and smile and fly as though she had purpose. Celestia knew that she had gone mad, and she only felt misery and pity.

“Please, I know I cannot redeem myself for what I’ve done, but it is my duty to return her to her home, so that she may have comfort again,” Celestia cried out, through gentle sobs.

Rosetta stood there and looked from one pathetic sister to the other. Her princess’s heart got the better of her. She saw a call for help in front of her and she couldn’t ignore it. Seeing Celestia like this was beyond anything she could imagine, but thinking of her sorry situation, Rosetta didn’t think she would have fared any better.

“Celestia come now, this is no way for a Princess to behave,” she said with the tone of an old friend, “You did what you had to do. As for Luna, I will help you however I can. I does not matter whose fault it is, we just owe it to your sister to bring her back.”

Celestia looked up at Rosetta with heartfelt eyes and embraced her. Rosetta wasn’t sure if she’d regret what she just did, but Celestia had stopped crying at least.

The two of them talked out the matter of the elements and Cadance’s crowning and Luna’s return for a few long hours, eventually moving to more casual subjects and actually shared a few laughs. Rosetta retired to her suite and Celestia to her bedroom with smiles on their faces and hope in their minds.

The next day Rosetta had met Celestia for breakfast in the grand dining hall. Cadance came down too for a bowl of oats. Upon reaching the table, Cadance looked at the odd situation in front of her. Just the day before they had talked to each other as great rivals and now they seemed like good friends, she wasn’t opposed to it, just weary.

“Good morning Celestia, Princess Rosetta,” Cadance greeted.

“No need for such formalities Cadance, we are all of equal rank now,” Rosetta replied, “It would be unwise to surrender the title to me.”  

“Okie dokie, so I need to tell you about this wonderful filly I met last night,” Cadance explained to Celestia.

“Oh?”

“She was the sweetest little unicorn. I’m not quite sure why, but there is something that just makes her so special,” Cadance continued. She paused to get a mouthful of oats, “She told me that after she saw you raise the sun, she was going to go home and learn as much about magic as she could.”

Celestia thought back to the filly she saw.

“How interesting, what colour was her coat and mane?” Celestia asked.

“She’s purple with a violet mane with two highlighted stripes down her bangs, no cutie mark,” described Cadance.

Celestia continued eating gracefully but was quite shocked to learn that it was the exact same filly. She remembered having a musing that, that little filly was something special.

“Anyways, I loved that filly so much, I decreed that I would become her official foal-sitter,” Cadance said smiling.

Rosetta laughed merrily.

“What a fine use of royal privilege. Very good Cadance my dear, very good, you’ll make a fine princess it appears,” Rosetta joked.

“What was her name?” Celestia asked, laughing a bit too.

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“Well if she does wish to pursue magic, give her a royal recommendation for our school once you think she is ready,” Celestia suggested, “I’d very much like to meet her.” Next Chapter: 2.3 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 2 Minutes