Chapter 2: A Night To Remember: Luna's Big Decision Part 3
Reporters from around equestria began to gather in the throne room for the much anticipated announcement, Luna had given no hints as to what it might be about to any of them securing that it would not reach any ponies ears before she was ready. A few workers were still setting up the podium for Luna as more filed into the palace. Celestia had gathered herself and was readying to set out to join Luna, Cielo alluding to her that it was a big announcement not that Celestia would have missed it even if it was something of trivial matter. A light knock came at her door "Celestia? Are you almost ready?" Princess Cadence asked from the other side.
"Yes I am and to answer your next question it's open" she called back while fixing her mane a bit.
Cadence opened the door and walked in letting it close behind her "Sorry I took so long, I came by earlier but I heard yelling between Cielo and you so I thought it would be a bad idea to bother you"
"It's fine dear, really" Celestia replied setting the brush down.
"So... I take it things did not go how you had hoped?"
"No not as hoped but they did go the way I believe they needed to, because of that I see things a bit more clearly now. I'm hoping after this little announcement I can work on repairing the damage I have caused" Celestia let out a little sigh "not that it will be fixed just like that but I have a feeling that the best time to start might be after this"
Cadence trotted up to Celestia and gave her a little nuzzle sensing she was a bit upset "Everything will work out I'm sure, you always find a way to make things right if they can be set right to begin with" Cadence pulled back a little and smiled "with Luna or Cielo, this is not the first time you have had a rough time with them two and I'm sure it won't be the last. Luna is your sister and Cielo; well you treat him like he was family"
"And ponies who are so close sometimes fight and argue I know" Celestia replied cutting Cadence off knowing where she was going "It still does not make it any less difficult to admit when you were wrong" she added looking at Cadence and smile a little "thank you Cadence"
"What's family for right?" she replied feeling a little better, Celestia seemed not as gloomy as she was before
Taking a deep breath, Celestia readied herself for what might come "Well let's get out there, no point in putting it off, I just hope Luna has put some serious thought into whatever she has planned" Luna took deep breaths in and out relaxing herself in preparation while Cielo sat silently keeping his eyes on the time so she did not have to, every few minutes she would take a small sip from her cup of tea Cielo had fetched for her "Given what happened do you think my sister will make a fuss?" she asked softly without opening her eyes. She could not remember the last time she had gotten up in front of a crowd and given any kind of announcement, even though the audience would be strictly press and under 50 ponies it still made her a nervous.
"Even if things had gone her way she would have made a big deal out of it Luna, she's overprotective you know this well so be prepared for her to be angry with you" Cielo replied still watching the clock "You can't let her bother you now before you go out there, just relax"
"It's not her I'm stressing about Cielo, what if I mess up out there? Not only will my sister not let me live that down but the press might not either, if I'm not calm and collected who will take me seriously?" Luna asked with a small hint of fear in her voice.
"You won't mess anything up, you're worrying too much. Luna if you can't remember what you wrote down then speak from the heart, that's where this speech originated from is it not?" Cielo glanced over to see Luna nodding slowly in agreement "Well then how can you fail? It's not like you're spewing somepony else's thoughts and concerns, these are yours. Speak honestly and from the heart, you'll never go wrong"
Luna cracked a soft smile and slowly opened her eyes "Thanks for that Cielo, I think I'm ready now" she said feeling much more relaxed. Getting off her bed and took one last deep breath "Let's do this"
Cielo trotted over to her chamber doors and opened them for her, watching her pass him with her head held high looking quite confident . Closing the doors, he quickly followed walking alongside her to the throne room. Royal guards were posted about at all the entrances to the throne room along with several near the podium "A bit overkill don't you think?" Luna asked looking over at Cielo.
"Yes but it's not just you here, I have to make your sister and Cadence feel comfortable too... well mostly your sister, you know how she feels about security so try not to pay it much mind" Cielo replied
Luna picked her head back up and her eyes met with Celestia's, the two exchanged glances for a moment before Luna reached her mark. Cielo gave Luna a smile followed by good luck before taking a seat off to the side next to Celestia and Cadence. Turning to face the reporters, a few flashes went off from various cameras getting there front page picture. All of them readying their notepads and ears perked eagerly waiting on the princess to speak. Celestia tapped her hoof a little feeling nervous watching Luna take the podium not just for the fact that she hoped Luna did not do anything foolish but she also wondered if she could pull it off, anypony could see Luna was still a bit nervous. Despite that Luna swallowed all fear and buried them deep down inside forcing a smile to her face before beginning.
"Ladies and gentle stallions I thank you all for coming this night, I know a lot of you have made quite a trip to be here and I hope I can make this well worth it for you all" Luna was off to a good start once she began speaking, her posture composed and confident now, not a hint of nervousness could be heard in her voice. "As everypony knows it's no secret I have been gone for some time, one-thousand years to be more specific if anypony happened to miss that report upon my return. Some ponies have welcomed me back with open hooves while others remain distant, still fearing or suspicious of me for my past deeds. Not that I blame any of them one bit, it's hard to just forgive on somepony's word. Which is why I asked for you all to come, I have an announcement I hope will help ease some minds and hopefully dispel some of my old stereotypes"
"What are you up to Luna...?" Celestia whispered out loud getting a little more nervous.
"One-thousand years is a long time to be away, I mean how can I expect to be able to connect with anypony when I'm not really up to par on what's happening out in equestria. I'm still getting use to this way of speaking but I digress, more importantly how can I help lead effectively when I'm so out of touch" at this point more flashes went off and quills were jotting quickly not missing a single word from Princess Luna's lips. "That is why I have decided to leave Canterlot and get out into Equestria to meet ponies, connect with them and get to know them better, understand the culture of this new age and show everypony that not only am I sorry for what I did but that I have changed and what to be the ruler they deserve, a better princess for a better Equestria" Celestia's and Cadence's jaws dropped a little at this announcement as flashbulbs went off wildly, the crowd abuzz at this news "I will depart tomorrow night and will be stopping in Ponyville first from there I will be stopping in each city and town starting with a little visit to Dodge city from there Appleloosa, Los Pegasus, Vanhoover, Tall Tale then on to Cloudsdale, Hollow Shades, Manehatten, Fillydelphia, and last but not least Baltimare" Luna finished with a big smile feeling genuinely happy with herself.
"Told you~" Cielo grinned looking over at Celestia and Cadence's expression "now that's a look of surprise" Neither of them responded at the moment still processing the information, it had been some time since Celestia herself had been out among the citizens of equestria aside from ponyville and even longer since a campaign like this had been done to help build goodwill and relations.
"Once more I thank you all for coming~" Luna said with a big smile still "I do hope this was worth your trip and I hope to see each and every one of you again when I come to your respective towns, before you all depart I will take a few questions should anypony have something on their mind"
"Will you be open for interviews!?" a young mare reporter called out from the crowd.
"Yes I will be as well as open to any questions anypony might want to ask." Luna replied.
"What about the moon? Who will raise it with you away?" another reporter asked.
"Well my dear sister Celestia will be helping with that, she did take care of it after all while I was away so I think she can handle a few weeks" Luna said with a hint of spite looking back at Celestia forcing her grin even wider as if to say take that. Celestia on the other hand was not amused yet she did not try to get up or interrupt her sister but rather remained seated. The questioning continued for a while more with questions ranging from what Luna hoped to change on this trip all the way to her hobbies as silly as it was but no matter the question she answered it happily.
Slowly the reporters started to file out one by one eager to get back to their towns and get this story printed for the paper. Luna stepped down and Cielo joined her once more at her side, one last flash went off to their surprise as they were looking at one another happily. Luna turned her attention to the young stallion who took the picture, he gave a smile and a slight bow of his head to show his respect before exiting himself "Guess he wanted one more, then again who could blame him for wanting to capture an everlasting example of beauty and perfection~" Cielo said in a soft and teasing voice making Luna blush as he gave her a tiny nudge.
"Stop it~" Luna replied playfully nudging back "so... how do you think I did honestly?"
"You did amazing Luna, you really showed composure up there. I was a little worried at first but I can see there was no need for that." Cielo answered as the two started walking and soon reached the hall before Celestia caught up to them with Cadence by her side.
"Don't you think you could have run this by me first? Or gave me a little heads up!?" Celestia was visibly angry though to her credit was trying really hard to hide it so as not to spark a fight.
"Why?" Luna asked turning to her sister "You should have already known but your spy had a change of heart, is that why you're mad? Because Cielo decided to be faithful to me and prove to me he can be trusted unlike you!?"
Celestia swallowed her anger "Luna... I should not have needed Cielo in the first place if you would have just been honest with me, I was worried about you and your dreams"
"So you sent him to spy on me just in case you I started to slip again right? Are you so eager to imprison me again Celestia!? To drive me out of YOUR castle and kingdom!?" Luna snapped first raising her voice.
Celestia breathed in and was about to snap back but Cadence and Cielo stepped in respectively trying to stop this from escalating any more "Take a deep breath Celestia" Cadence said softly looking into her aunt's eyes "You don't want this do you?"
"Luna we have come this far right?" Cielo asked placing his hoof gently on her chest "Listen to me you can't always go right to anger, part of being a good leader is being able to have a civil conversation even if you strongly disagree with what the other party has done, Let's not let this escalate show you have matured" "She's the one being unreasonable!" Luna protested "It's always about her and her wants, she never cares about who she hurts in the process"
"How's that fair!?" Celestia countered "What have I done to make you despise me so, if this is all about Cielo I placed him there to keep an eye on you because I was worried!" tears started to flow down Celestia's cheeks, a little from her anger but mostly she was hurt by Luna's words. "You idiot! I love you what do you not get about that, he was there to protect you because I was afraid of losing you again!" Celestia could not help it anymore, all the sorrow she had pent up inside was coming out now no matter how hard she tried to stop it. All the shouting was starting to draw attention from the guards, though none of them stepped in they were peeping around the corners as if eavesdropping on a private conversation.
Cielo took notice and gave Luna a little push back as she stood speechless; she had never before seen her sister cry in her life. Even when Celestia was hurt as a filly she always forced a smile never showing pain, and now that Luna not only saw her in pain but cause it she felt guilty "Okay come on lets go you two are causing a scene" Cielo said in a whispered giving Luna another little shove getting her to move "Come on, it's clear you two need to work this out now but not here"
"Come on" Cadence said in a soft voice going to her aunt's side and willing her to walk along with her leading her back towards her chambers following Cielo's lead.
Luna looked over at Cielo as they walked "S-sorry" Luna hung her head a little showing remorse "I know I should not have caused a scene"
"It was bound to happen, you two have been at odds for a while now but I think you can agree this needs to stop. It's time you two have a civil conversation with one another and work this out" reaching Celestia's "Sorry I gave you a little shove back there... I did not think that just asking you to move would have done the trick"
"It's fine I understand" Luna replied entering Celestia's room with Celestia and Cadence close behind. Celestia's eyes were a little red but she had managed to stop crying for the time being at least, Cielo closed the door behind them while Luna took a seat near the fireplace and Cadence helped Celestia over to her floor bed.
"We should go" Cadence said looking over at Cielo who agreed with a nod, they both started for the door but here stopped by Celestia
"No it's okay you can both stay, it might be good to have you here and part of this involves Cielo. If we are really going to talk things out he should be a part of it too... if that's okay with you Luna" Celestia said asking her sisters permission to keep both Cielo and Cadence in the room, it was not done with sarcasm either Celestia was being genuine with her question.
"Yes that's fine and I agree Cielo should stay and as for Cadence, if you want you are welcome to. You have always been a good voice of reason and are a very smart mare. If not for the both of you we would have looked even more like fools out in the hall" Luna replied.
Cadence looked at Cielo who gave her a little shrug as if to say why not "As you wish" Cielo answered before walking over near Luna and had a seat while Cadence joined Celestia.
"May I start with something that has been troubling me?" Celestia asked softly looking up at her sister who nodded her approval but did not make eye contact yet. "Thank you... please Luna will you tell me why you think I would ever want to imprison you again or drive you away, what did I do to give you that impression?"
Celestia's question was a fair one and was asked in a calm all be it sad tone, Luna took a deep breath before looking at her sister and answering "because you never really seemed happy I was back and..." Luna stopped herself "Okay to be fair at first you did seem happy I was back but shortly after that you went back to your old ways, it felt like you just wanted to keep me under hoof and run everything yourself. On top of that I find out you are prepping Twilight Sparkle to become a princess, what was I to feel. It's like you're preparing a replacement and I'm filling a role until she is ready, once she is then what? Am I to be cast aside?"
Celestia shook her head in disbelief at what she heard, it was true she was overbearing but not for the reasons Luna though "Luna, I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I became so use to doing things on my own I never stopped to consider how it would make you feel if I didn't consult you. I never felt you were lesser than me in any way, you are my equal and I know I have not been treating you like it as of late. I'll stop and start being more considerate to you and your feelings but as for replacing you my dear sister you could not be more wrong. I would never replace you, not in this life or any other life. My decision to make Twilight into a princess should she be able to fulfil her destiny was made before your return to this world. Yes I should have told you about it upon your return but I did not, I was too worried about trying to get you settled in and make you feel safe here" Celestia continued "She would never be a replacement for you, you're my sister, Luna princess of the night. Even if there were somepony out there who could fulfil your duties I would never allow it because they are not you... am I make any sense to you at all?"
Luna nodded her head slowly taking in every word feeling kinda stupid that she let her mind stray so far from the truth "What about Cielo... if you were worried why didn't you try to help me yourself" Luna asked.
"I did if you recall Luna but by the time I took notice you were changing you had already considered me your enemy and seemed set on that conclusion. I had no choice but to send Cielo to keep an eye on you not because I wanted to see if you would mess up or try to do anything that would go against me but because I was worried for you and your safety, if you think imprisoning you was easy for me think again. It tore me up to do so I could not stop crying for weeks, you think I didn't know it was my fault you were turned into Nightmare Moon? I know I pushed you to that and I have never forgiven myself for it Luna... I was even blind to see I was doing it all over again"
Luna remained silent for a moment searching her sisters eyes, she saw no hint of a lie only remorse and sorrow for her actions. "Well... what about you trying to butt into my personal life? Cielo told me you were asking questions about what we were doing accusing him of trying to seduce me"
"Yes... yes I did accuse him of that" Celestia admitted looking over at Cielo "And for that I am sorry, you were right to get upset with me"
"It's okay Celestia, I'm sorry for having spoken at you in such a disrespectful manner" Cielo bowed his head a bit to Celestia in apology.
"It's okay you did what you felt was right and stood up for what you believed in, that's why I always respected what you had to say. You are honest and not afraid to challenge somepony regardless of who they may be is you believe they were in the wrong" Celestia turned back to Luna. "To put it out there honestly I was afraid, afraid of what might happen should you two have an argument or split apart. I was worried where you might turn if he broke your heart"
Luna blushed intensely and got a little defensive "What do you mean if he broke my heart? What are you implying?"
"Anypony can see you two clearly are in love Luna" Celestia answered comely now causing Cielo to blush a little as well "Or am I wrong, do you deny you love him?"
"I... no! I mean...." Luna was flustered unable to really give an answer.
"Then let me ask Cielo" Celestia looked over at him making the stallion gulp, Cielo felt his muscles tense up. Part of him was screaming to get out of there and never show his face again. "Well Cielo do you deny that you Love my sister?"
"No ma'am I do not deny it" Cielo replied causing Luna lo look back at him, his voice was a little shaky though it was to be expected with three princesses giving him there undivided attention. "I do love Princess Luna I just never had the guts to properly ask her how she felt about me or for her hoof in courtship." Cielo's eyes met Luna's as she looked back at him, that unspoken feeling they had towards one another now out in the open had him questioning his answer, what if she only liked him and was not in love with him, what if he had misread her all this time and just made a fool of himself.
"I thank you Cielo for your honestly" Celestia said softly feeling how hard it was for him to put his heart out there like that in front of Luna without truly knowing how she felt "I was worried because..."
Luna cut Celestia off "Do you really mean that?" she asked Cielo turning to him completely now ignoring her sister "You... you are in love with me?"
"Yes Luna I do" Cielo replied nervously "I meant every word of it just like I meant it when I said I can't see myself happy without you, I was afraid to say it because I worried I would push you away because you didn't love me back. I was and still am afraid of losing what we have, losing you"
Luna lowered her head walking over to Cielo slowly; Cielo could feel his worry growing with each step, why was she not talking to him? Was she thinking of how to word her rejection? His mind racing with negative thoughts until she wrapped her hooves around him and pulled him in close to her "You fool... making me worry all this time..." Luna whispered softly holding Cielo tight to her nuzzling the side of his neck softly "I was afraid to tell you how I felt..." Luna continued as Celestia and Cadence looked on, Cielo still in a slight state of shock. "I was worried you would think I was crazy for saying... I love you too"
Cielo nuzzled the side of Luna's neck letting out a happy sigh of relief an hugging her back "It feels so good to hear you say it back to me Luna"
Celestia let outs a little sigh "I hate to break up this sweet moment, I'm happy for the both of you, I really am. It has been a long time since I have seen you so happy Luna" Celestia continued as Luna and Cielo stopped hugging. "But here is my concern, what if something happens between you two. I'm not saying you Cielo would ever hurt Luna on purpose but what if it did happen, could you handle that Luna?"
Luna and Cielo looked at one another before Cielo spoke up "Celestia I would never..."
"Cielo please" Celestia interrupted "this is hypothetical and I really need my sister to answer it for me"
Cielo did not try to finish his sentence but instead left the answer to Luna as requested, Luna thought for a moment with Cielo right at her side before answering "I guess I would have to right? Sure I would be crushed and it would hurt... a lot but that don't mean I couldn't move forward. I can see why you would question me given how I have acted recently and in the past when it comes to my emotions but... well you said it best Celestia I have not felt this happy in as long as I can remember, I do trust Cielo with my heart. He has proven his loyalty to me and to you as well, if not then I don't see why you would have put him at my side if you did not trust him. You trusted me once sister... will you trust me again?"
"Luna, if you feel you are ready to court and Cielo truly makes you happy I will not interfere, my only worry was would Nightmare Moon have a better chance of manipulating you should you two falter"
"You know the answer to that Celestia" Luna looked into her sister's eyes "I would just have to be strong but I don't think I would ever come to that"
Another sigh left Celestia's lips as Cadence tossed her crown into the conversation "If I may add my feeling here the bond Luna and Cielo share is a strong one and that's impressive for the amount of time they have been together. With the proper nurturing and support I think it could one day become unbreakable Celestia"
"Thank you Cadence" Luna smiled a little the blush starting to fade finally from her cheeks "Means a lot to hear you say that"
"I speak the truth; Celestia has not been the only one watching you two. Not that I was doing it for anypony before you jump to that thought but I was doing it to satisfy my own curiosity" Cadence admitted.
"Well it seems that it's been decided then, I'll back off and give you more free range to be the mare you are Luna, I can't promise I will change completely though. You are my sister and I will always worry for you and want to protect you that I cannot help but I will also listen more and consult you on decisions as well as respect your answers" Celestia continued "But you Luna must also be willing to communicate with me, that means no more leaving me out of the loop on troubles you're having an giving me another chance, you'll have to trust me and work with me... as my sister and equal, like we use to"
Luna gave Cielo a little nuzzle before leaving his side and going to her sister, Celestia got up from her floor bed to greet Luna with a hug. The two sisters embraced seeming to now be on the same page "I'm sorry I kept my dreams caused my Nightmare Moon from you" Luna said apologizing "I'm also sorry for thinking you were trying to get rid of me and for being a class A brat... and treating you like dirt"
"And I'm sorry for making you think that way and making the same mistakes over again, smothering you and being just overbearing. I'm sorry for not being sympathetic and understanding, I'm also sorry for sending Cielo to keep an eye on you"
"Don't be sorry for Cielo, I'm glad that happened" Luna let go of her sister and looked back at Cielo who smiled happily "If not for you sending him I might not have never found the stallion of my dreams"
Cielo rubbed the back of his neck blushing once more "This open affection is going to take a little getting used to" he chuckle nervously making the princesses all giggle a little.
"Speaking of which not to push things but Cielo shouldn't you make it official?" Cadence asked in a teasing tone causing Luna to once more join Cielo in blushing.
Cielo gave Cadence a bit of a glance who in return was grinning widely at Cielo's embarrassment "You are right Cadence I should" Cielo admitted getting up and walking towards Luna, Luna in turn walked towards Cielo meeting him halfway symbolic of their willingness to work together. "Princess Luna" Cielo stopped in front of Luna bowing his head to her "Would you do me the honor of giving me your hoof in courtship?"
Luna smiled softly feeling her heart skip a beat "It would be a pleasure to be courted by you masters Cielo Rey" she replied addressing him not as a guard or servant but as a proper mare would address a proper eldest gentle stallion of the house.
Looking up at Luna Cielo leaned his muzzle up to hers and for the first time their lips touched in a soft and loving kiss, Luna's cheeks felt like they were burning up as she closed her eyes and leaned back into the kiss meeting Cielo and showing him his advance was welcome. Celestia and Cadence both watching for a moment, Celestia averted her gaze blushing a little in embarrassment watching her sister kiss though it did not seem to faze Cadence in the least. She just seemed happy for the two. Luna's heart skipped a beat as the two broke the kiss gazing back softly now into each other's eyes.
"I would say that makes it official don't you~" Cadence whispered softly to Celestia with a little nudge
"Yes Cadence thank you" Celestia slowly looked back at Luna and Cielo, a smile slowly overtook her lips realizing how happy her sister was. She knew there would be trying times ahead for all of them but for now Celestia let herself just be happy and be in the moment. Luna was willing to give her another shot, she had her sister back and was watching her grow up before her eyes. Celestia took that moment to say a silent thank you to Cielo and Cadence knowing without their help this would have not ended up so well "Well now that we have that all wrapped up what do you say we all get a bite to eat?"
Luna and Cielo happily agreed followed by Cadence, the night went on almost perfectly something that had not happened in some time. Gathered together in the dining room all laughing and having a good time while enjoying good food Celestia realized this is what she wanted all along. Finally even if just for this one night her wish came true, she felt like her family was whole once more.