literature

Those Distant Sisters CH23

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Ch23:

A pair of pegasus guards pulled hard at their cargo – a chariot bearing the princess of the sun. It was late in the night when Celesta's student had finally begun acting somewhat normal again – and more importantly was able to think about what had happened and what she could learn from it. Celestia left, trusting that Twilight's friends would be able to help her back to her old self while she went back to running the nation of Equestria. Looking east, her horn glowed gently, begging the sun to rise above the horizon and greet her. It did not disappoint.

"Princess?" One of the guards spoke up, catching Celestia's attention. "Where in Canterlot would you like us to take you? You were more eager to say goodbye than give us any real direction when we left." Celestia chuckled.

"I wish to see my sister, she will want to know first-hoof of the progress in Ponyville. She should be attending a meeting in the grand hall." The pegasus guard nodded and the two began to bank slowly left toward the balcony of the grand hall. After a short while, the chariot came to rest and Celestia departed.

She entered the hall from a high balcony, looking down to see what preparations or talks she may be interrupting by entering. Seeing only her sister and two very busy looking catering staff, she stepped over the railing and glided down to Luna's side. As soon as she landed, the lunar goddess spun around toward her, grabbing her in a big hug.

"I have missed you too, sister." Celestia said, not used to Luna showing emotion in front of the staff. She was still a very old-fashioned leader, with good reason.

"I take it young Twilight has recovered?" Luna said, releasing her sister and taking a cautious step back. "Tell me, does she consider the hatching Spike to be her brother, or son?"

"I see you have been paying attention to my letters, sister. I apologize for not writing more, but the past few days have been stressful." Luna smiled impatiently. "Yes, Twilight has accepted Spike into her family once and for all – as her son. She felt it proper, since she had a hand in his hatching."

"I am happy for her, and him too. I know Spike has always seen Twilight as his protector and friend, now he can stop complaining about her treating him as a servant." Celestia subdued a chuckle at her sister's joke. "Yes, I read all the letters that come in addressed to 'the princess', not just the friendship reports. That little purple fiend can be quite the tattle-tale sometimes." Celestia sighed, watching the other ponies in the room prepare for the meeting with Covenant Truth.

"I wish I was as happy as I usually am after spending time with my student. What these ponies of Hearth have done to her is… quite unfortunate." She held her tongue against her true feelings, knowing the caterers like to gossip. "I do hope that the talks with this Covenant Truth go well. A first impression is important." Luna visibly shrunk at the comment. "Luna?" Celestia asked, ushering her sister to a side room away from prying ears. "Luna, has something happened?"

"No, no sister. We do not wish to interfere with the negotiations. It is important for us to allow dignitaries to begin anew with our sister." Celestia lifted a hoof to her sister's chin, pulling her up to look into her eyes.

"Luna, it is more important for you to tell me when you are troubled. We have to be open about our worries, you know this." Luna pulled away, acting offended.

"We do not have worries of the ambassador, for what reason are you suspicious of us?" Luna's attention was pulled away by a painting on the far wall falling with a heavy thud.

"Well, for one, you always speak in the royal Canterlot voice when you're nervous. Now calm down and tell me what has happened – preferably without the rest of the castle being able to hear, okay Luna?" Celestia stepped toward her sister, resting her head on Luna's shoulder. The lunar goddess sighed, agreeing to detail the events of the prior night to her sister. Celestia's gaze did not waiver through the entire telling, but her mind quickly did.

Theses ponies have done things to my student that I would gladly beat them senseless for if I could get them alone, and now this? The one they send as a chosen representative of their entire nation comes in and on his first night in Equestria tries to rip the royal family in two?

"Sister? Are you alright?" Luna asked. Her story had ended and Celestia had not given any indication she knew. "Sister?" Luna repeated. Celestia slowly rose to her hooves.

"I believe it is time for us to meet Covenant Truth, is it not?" Celestia began for the door, making it wholly into the grand hall before Luna was able to mentally catch up and chase after her. In the hall Covenant Truth sat to the left of the table's head, the traditional seat of a visiting dignitary. Celestia sat at the head, and Luna took the seat at her right hoof. Luna's worry was apparent on her face, but Celestia maintained the calm that comes with thousands of years of rule. "Negotiations for the friendly relation between the nations of Equestria and Hearth are set to begin. Representing Equestria are myself, Princess Celestia, and my sister Princess Luna. Representing Hearth?" The lime coated unicorn took his cue.

"Covenant Truth, ambassador of the nation of Hearth." There was the slightest worry in his voice, although he masked it beautifully in his posture.

"Negotiations have now begun." Celestia placed her forehooves on the table and took a deep breath. "Negotiations have now ended."

"Eh, I… What?" Covenant blurted out. Celestia fixed her gaze on him.

"My first encounter with your nation was in the aftermath of a murder in the Everfree, for which one of your soldiers was responsible and by which my student has been permanently scarred. Now, it comes to my attention that the pony your nation has chosen as the ideal representative of their nation has tried to usurp our rule by convincing my sister to abandon us and run away with you, in the name of maintaining a lie you use to control the innocent ponies that live in your nation? I thank only that she trusts me and her ponies enough to turn you down. You are no longer welcome in this castle, or this nation." Celestia rose, calling the attention of the posted guards. Her face briefly flashed anger when her back was turned to the ambassador – but Luna saw it.

I won't lose her again.

"I want all the ponies from the nation of Hearth found and brought to the runway outside, they will be leaving shortly." The guard passed the order to another outside, then moved to escort Covenant Truth out. He called out to the solar goddess:

"Wait! I don't understand, is there nothing I can do to convince you that what we need is just?" Celestia turned to face him, not hiding her anger any longer.

"I have seen what the ponies of your nation are. 'Just' is not the word I would use."

Celestia left on that remark, trailing a very worried Luna and a defeated Covenant – escorted by royal guard.
Almost uploaded 24 by accident, that woulda confused you lot XD.

This chapter and the next one are fairly long, but a lot happens. The story's coming to a head, and things are happening. Not all good things. Please comment XD

Every chapter will appear here: [link]

MLP:FiM (C)HASBRO, Faust
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