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The group’s arrival in Ponyville kick started an immediate celebration when the populace saw the return of both the day and their sovereign. They even accepted the presence of the new Princess Luna without question, laughing and celebrating. Rarity and Applejack were soon swamped by their respective families, hugging and nuzzling, grateful to see them home safe. Fluttershy was surrounded by a small crowd of chipmunks, birds, squirrels and bunnies—including one white bunny who stomped his foot impatiently before Fluttershy swooped him up in a tight hug.
But there was no more heartwarming sight than that of little Dinky Doo wiggling away from Carrot Top and charging for Ditzy. “Momma!!” She squealed as she tackle hugged her mom.
“Muffin!” Ditzy replied, throwing her arms wide and wrapping them around her daughter as the two of them were knocked to the ground, the two of them nuzzling each other lovingly.
Rainbow Dash, unable to fully get into the spirit of the celebrations for the two princesses, kept her distance and spent her time regaling the story of her and her friends’ adventure to the fillies and colts of Ponyville. Dinky sat in Ditzy’s lap as a small herd of foals hung on Rainbow’s every word of her (overly) dramatic retelling of the struggle against Nightmare Moon.
All of a sudden a pale filly in the front with a frizzy red mane and blocky glasses gasped. “The Printhethh!” She gasped through a lisp, the other fillies and colts exclaiming and pointing. Rainbow turned her head to see Princess Celestia standing over her, bowing her head to the children. “Hello my little ponies.” She smiled gently. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I need to borrow Rainbow Dash for a while but I’m sure she’ll be back to finish telling you about her amazing story later.”
Oohs and wows greeted her as the foals realized that the Princess was talking to them! They all nodded and waved, eager to have the Princess talk to them. It was only by promising to speak with them later that Celestia managed to extract herself and Rainbow Dash away.
Rainbow was content to simply follow Celestia into the Golden Oaks Library, which was as empty as it had been the night Nightmare Moon took over. After closing the door behind them, Celestia gave her student a solemn glance. “I believe you and I have much to discuss.”
Snorting disrespectfully and blowing her mane out of her face, Rainbow half-turned away from her teacher and mentor. “No, really, ya think? What could we *possibly* have to talk about? I mean except for, you now, EVERYTHING?!”
Celestia didn’t react, accepting Rainbow Dash’s anger with a nod. “You're right. I’m sorry.”
That made Rainbow whirl around like something that bit her on the tail. “No! Oh no! You don’t get to start off by saying you’re sorry! I’m still mad at you and I need to yell at you! You need to defend what you did so I can yell at you and get it off my chest—that’s how this is supposed to go!” Rainbow’s wings spread up and out, a sign of aggressive behavior to make a pegasus seem larger and more intimidating.
Closing her eyes sadly, Celestia sighed. “I see.” She sat down. “I understand. I know I put an incredible burden upon you. That you acquitted yourself beyond all expectations and performed better than I could ever have doesn’t change that. I am so, so sorry.”
Rainbow Dash tried to keep her angry face plastered on but the corners of her mouth twitched and her eyes started tearing up. She closed her eyes trying to remember all the anger and rage she felt but it was no use. Without even realizing it she had ran to Celestia, her alicorn’s massive wings gently stroking her back as she cried on her shoulder. “W-why?” Dash hiccupped, her throat convulsing as she fought down sobs while trying to speak.
“Oh Rainbow Dash…” Celestia nuzzled her. Neither said anything for a long time. They just held each other, drawing strength and comfort from each other’s presence. The only sound was Rainbow’s occasional sniffling and some hushed soothing words from Celestia. Once she had calmed down, Rainbow lifted her head up to look Celestia in the eye. “Feeling better?” The princess asked gently. At Rainbow’s nod, she stepped back, letting Rainbow compose herself.
Taking a deep breath, Rainbow Dash started again. “Why didn’t you ever tell me about all this?”
“Because I felt that the more you knew, the more Nightmare Moon would consider you a threat. I didn’t want to take the chance of her harming you, should she do as she did and scan your mind. But more than that…I was afraid. Yes, afraid.” She added seeing the surprise on her student’s face. “I feared that if I burdened you with the knowledge of what was ahead that the pressure would grind you down…that you would feel resentful and afraid of what I was preparing you for and shy away from the upcoming challenge.”
Rainbow licked her lips gently, trying to hide how hurt she was that Celestia had ever thought she would leave her hanging. It was like a giant vote of no-confidence. So...that's how the Princess--her mentor--thought about her? Something of what she was thinking must've been reflected on her face or how she held herself because Celestia gently laid a wing atop Rainbow's back.
"I see now that I sorely underestimated you and I am so sorry for ever thinking it." She whispered softly.
Rainbow Dash trembled, shivering slightly. “When Nightmare Moon…when she tried to convince me to abandon you…I almost believed her.” She whispered, ashamed. “The worst part is that some part of me still thinks that Nightmare Moon was telling the truth, that I was just somepony you were using to stop her.” Her voice was full of guilt, but she pressed on. “I mean, it made so much sense. Why else would you try to teach me all those things—to be a ‘proper mare’ and socialize with the Canterlot elite if you weren’t trying to make me some sort of leader…a weapon against Nightmare Moon.”
Celestia closed her eyes as if in pain, feeling her student’s hurt. “Never.” She breathed firmly. “You were never a weapon. I love you.”
“I-I know…and I know she was an evil lying tyrant, but I *still* feel that way!” Rainbow Dash sounded miserable and guilty.
“It’s okay…somepony once said that a lie that contains a tiny truth is the worst lie of all.” Celestia said. “I felt that you could be—WOULD be—the one who could stop Nightmare Moon when she returned and could save my sister. I suspected it ever since your first Sonic Rainboom and I felt the connection you formed with the others that would allow you to use the Elements of Harmony.” She made sure Rainbow was listening to her. “But you were NEVER a weapon to be used. Stopping Nightmare Moon is neither the beginning nor the end of our relationship. You are my beloved student and that will not change.” She smiled gently as she stroked Rainbow’s cheek with her wing. “And if I wanted you to develop yourself as much as possible, it was not because I wanted to better prepare you as a foe for Nightmare Moon. I did not wake up every morning and think, ‘what can I have Rainbow Dash do today to ready her for Nightmare Moon’s return?’ If I pushed you into social situations that you didn’t want to be in, then it was because I wanted you to make friends. I knew the ponies you bonded with through your Sonic Rainboom would be drawn to each other one way or another, but that didn’t mean that you could ever have too many friends. I’m sorry if I never took the time to explain myself well enough. I suppose that I sometimes forget that not everything I do is as readily apparent to those around me as I think they are.”
“And…about Ni—I mean, Princess Luna?” Rainbow Dash corrected herself. “Are you a hundred percent sure that she’s…” She gestured vaguely with her hoof.
Celestia nodded. “I understand, but you have nothing to fear from Princess Luna.”
“’m not afraid of her.” Rainbow grumbled, indignantly.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Celestia’s lips. “My apologies. I should’ve known better. In any event, the Elements of Harmony purged Luna of the darkness that turned her into Nightmare Moon.”
“How convenient.” Rainbow grumbled under her breath, ruffling her feathers.
“Your…skepticism is understandable.” Celestia allowed. "Let me explain: do you recall our argument that night in Canterlot? At Fancy Pants’ party?” A guilty flush spoke volumes. “Did you mean everything you said that night, about being sick of me?”
Rainbow Dash shook her head frantically. “Of course not!”
“I know.” The alicorn gave an easy smile, letting her know it was okay. “Do you remember that feeling of anger welling up, taking over? Of the irrepressible urge to say and do things your never would have otherwise?” Celestia asked as Rainbow nodded reluctantly. “If you magnify that feeling a hundred fold, then you’ll have an idea of what happened to Princess Luna. Her jealousy and bitterness festered in her heart and grew. I tried to dismiss it, thinking it was a bad mood or a phase she would simply get over…instead it sank deeper and deeper within her like a parasite. It kept building and building until at some point quantity changed into quality; like adding drop after drop into a cup until it finally runs over.” Celestia paused to make sure Rainbow Dash was following her. "Her anger grew until it was transformed into something else, something semi-separate from her."
“So…you’re saying Nightmare Moon wasn’t Luna? But the Nightmare came from Luna, didn’t she?”
“On one level, you’re right, Luna eventually gave into the darkness…but that isn’t the same as BEING the darkness.” Celestia tried to explain. “Even at her angriest, Luna would never have done what Nightmare Moon did. Nightmare Moon was born from her anger…but it grew into its own until it consumed Luna from the inside out. It was Nightmare Moon who sought to bring eternal night and tried to hurt you and your friends, not Luna. And with Nightmare Moon destroyed by the Elements of Harmony, only Luna is left now.”
“So that’s it? It’s all over and you throw a party for her?” Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably. “Even if she wasn’t Nightmare Moon exactly, doesn’t she deserve to be punished?”
“Rainbow Dash, Luna has been imprisoned for a thousand years. I think that’s punishment enough.” She gave her a look. “I think you’re letting your protectiveness turn into suspiciousness and allowing it to get the better of you.” Celestia chided gently.
Her patronizing got its way under Rainbow Dash’s skin. “And are you sure you aren’t allowing your desire to have your sister back to get the better of you?” Rainbow fired back.
Celestia’s nostrils flared slightly as she fought down her frustration. She sighed. “I know it’s hard…but please believe me, Luna isn’t a threat. I promise. After all, you made allies out of some of the foes you met along your way to Nightmare Moon, did you not?”
Rainbow Dash wanted to deny that what happened with the diamond dogs, seaponies and gargoyles was entirely different but couldn’t quite explain how. She trembled briefly with repressed anger, but swallowed it down. “All right.” She reluctantly yielded the point.
An awkward silence fell. Seeking a way to break it, Celestia’s horn lit up as she summoned a book over from the shelves. “Ah, here it is, ‘The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.’ Hmm, under the ‘E’ section? Odd.” Celestia mused.
The what now? Rainbow Dash felt her jaw drop. There was a BOOK about the Elements of Harmony the whole time? But Twilight told her…that they looked under the mythology and history sections. Rainbow facehooved. Who the hay would put a book under ‘E’ just because it starts with the letter E? Since when was there even such a THING as an ‘E’ section?!
Celestia apparently missed Rainbow Dash’s near-aneurism as she idly flipped through it. “I’m certainly glad you and your friends were able to make the most of this. I was worried that I might have been too subtle in planting the book here. Obviously, this isn’t something you would usually find in a small town library.” She added in an off-hoof manner.
“Uh huh.” Dash groaned, not wanting to think about how so much of their trouble could’ve been easily solved if the library had a better shelving system…instead she shifted the conversation to other grounds, namely the ponies’ impromptu allies. “So what’s gonna happen with the diamond dogs, the gargoyles and the seaponies?”
Celestia smiled. “Never fear, I won’t forgot the aid they rendered to you—even if it wasn’t always, hm, unqualified.” Her eyes rolled elegantly. “I was most impressed with you and your friends. Turning enemies into friends is one of the rarest and most difficult of tasks. And you were able to achieve it in the course of a single night.” She dipped her head respectfully. “The Diamond Dogs have always been a species apart, by nature and by habit. Hopefully your friend Rarity’s kind gesture will help bring down the doors between ponykind and theirs. The pack that helped you will be given the chance to settle in Equestrian land.”
“I think they’d appreciate gems more.” Rainbow commented, sitting down. “What about those seaponies? I mean, they threatened to drown Applejack! Are they even ponies? I mean, aren’t you their princess too?”
That prompted the sun princess to frown. “Yes and no. They occasionally pay homage and tribute to me—a practice I do not endorse, incidentally—and acknowledge me as the Princess of all ponies, seaponies included. But practically speaking they do what they want. The fact that they live deep in the oceans and in the rivers means that I have very little contact with them.” She sighed. “I am appalled by their threat, but at the same time much of their complaints cannot be dismissed out of hoof. Because the seaponies keep so much to themselves it is easy to forget they even exist. Waterways have been diverted or dammed and sometimes even polluted, without thought for what it means to ponies who live their entire lives in the water.”
Dash made a face. “They made a big deal out of AJ knocking over one old tree.”
Celestia nodded. “I will make arrangements with the royal gardeners to plant trees of their choosing along the river banks…under guard from the creatures of the Everfree Forest of course.” Seeing her confusion, the alicorn explained. “While seaponies have…unusual diets.” She said judiciously, “Even they like to have the occasional fruit or flower that falls into the water. And as I said, they are very sensitive to the ideas of being hemmed in by damns and cut off from their fellow seaponies. As for the gargoyles…” Celestia sighed.
Rainbow Dash thought back to what the gargoyles told her. “They said the used to guard the night ponies because of something Ni—I mean Princess Luna!—” THAT would take some getting used to. “—did for them.”
“Luna had so few admirers of her nights back then.” Celestia’s gaze unfocused as she stared back into her memories at a time long gone. “Ponies feared the night and the dark, for that’s when many predators stirred. The howl of timberwolves and the roars of Ursa Majors made ponies associate the night with a time of danger. When ponies came across a species that lived exclusively during the night, they were terrified of them.” Her wings spread out grandly. “And the gargoyles themselves are driven by their innate nature to protection. Indeed, it’s their primary purpose: be it territory, their Clan or even others, gargoyles have a need to act as guardians and protectors. When the first ponies encountered them, they were taken aback by their fierce nature and territorial nature. To further complicate matters, gargoyles loved to live in high places to make easier for them to glide and remain safe and hidden from potential foes, especially during the day when they are vulnerable. So when construction of Canterlot began in the mountains things were…”
“Awkward?” Dash supplied wryly.
“Quite.” Celestia nodded with a slight chuckle. “It was Luna who treated with them, impressed them with her mastery over the moon and stars. A pact was forged where clans of gargoyles would protect pony settlements against wild creatures or the odd aggressive griffon in return for being protected in turn when they enter their stone slumber. Luna was so proud when the gargoyles acclaimed her as their Princess and ‘Lady of the Night.’” Her smile was wistful. “Sadly, some of the more short sighted ponies distrusted Luna for befriending such a peculiar and even frightening race. Others shunned the gargoyles, not appreciating how much their protection safeguarded ponykind as they slept through the night.”
Rainbow nodded, seeing where this was going. “So when Luna became Nightmare Moon, they sided with her against you?”
“Yes. But they were neither evil nor cruel. It is only natural to come to the aid of the pony who had befriended them, defended them…when Nightmare Moon was defeated the gargoyles feared reprisals. They fled from pony towns and settlements. Most went into hiding beyond Equestria’s borders. Those that remained sought refuge in the ruins of the old castle.” She turned to face Rainbow Dash. “I feared that they would seek revenge against Equestria for Nightmare Moon’s banishment. Worse, I was afraid that ponies would seek revenge and destroy them when they were stone and helpless. Neither was acceptable. So I cast a spell for them to remain in their stone sleep, safely hidden in the depths of the Everfree Forest…until the moon was once again full and pure and the taint of Nightmare Moon no longer darkened it. Did I do the right thing? Even now I wonder.”
Rainbow Dash shrugged her wings awkwardly. “Hey, it’s over now right? And I’m sure you’ll allow the gargoyles back into Equestria since Luna isn’t loony any more…uh sorry.” She winced as Celestia gave her a look. Changing tracks Dash asked another question. “If my Sonic Rainboom was what connected me and my friends together, then why didn’t you help me do another one? I mean, I know you were helping me train and stuff, but…?” She trailed off, fishing for the right words.
Celestia shook her head. “Because there wasn’t anything more I could do to help you achieve another Sonic Rainboom.” She said simply. “It wasn’t a matter of me holding something back…it was a matter of you holding yourself back.”
“What? But I worked so hard! I wanted to do it so badly!” Rainbow protested. “How can you say that I was holding myself back?”
“You were holding yourself back because you were trying to achieve it for the wrong reasons. You didn’t want to do it for yourself—you wanted to do it to have other ponies be impressed of you, to prove that you were worthy of being my student.” Celestia explained. “When you really needed to do it—to save your friends—you were able to push through and you did so spectacularly. I doubt you’ll have any further trouble performing it again.” She chuckled. “I’m sure the Wonderbolts won’t be able to keep their hooves off you now.” She winked. “Performing a Sonic Rainboom and saving the world tends to look good on the resume.”
“You think so?” A smile suddenly crossed Rainbow Dash’s face. “Awesome!”
“Remind me to have a word with the Wonderbolts and we can see if they’ll be willing to give you an audition.” Celestia smiled. “I daresay you’ve certainly earned it.”
Rainbow’s joy suddenly turned into confusion. “Wait, you mean you could do that? Then why didn’t you a long time ago?”
“I didn’t think it would be fair for me to show undue favoritism to you, no matter how great a flier I know you to be.”
“So what changed?” Rainbow pressed tensely, suspicion creeping into her tone.
Celestia’s brows lowered in confusion and with just a hint of worry. “You performed a Sonic Rainboom again…a most impressive feat! And after all you’ve endured with Nightmare Moon, I thought—”
Rainbow cut her off. “You thought what?” She bit off angrily. “That you could just dangle my dreams out of reach like a sugarcube and now that I’ve done good I get a treat? Like I’m some kind of puppy that learned a trick?”
“Rainbow Dash, I never meant—”
“I help save the world and I get a pat on the head and a ‘good girl Rainbow Dash, here’s your dream on a platter? By the way, sorry for keeping you in the dark?’ No way!” She stomped her hoof. “If admission to the Wonderbolts is your idea of an apology or a prize, then no thanks. I’ll get there on my own! Without, you!” She barked, huffing and out of breath.
Celestia was shaking her head, wondering how things had gone so wrong so fast. “It isn’t like that, truly. I thought—I thought this was what you wanted…”
“What I wanted?!” Dash yelped. “Since when did what I want include getting sent on a mission that almost gets me and my friends killed because you can’t stop being so cryptic?” She snorted. “And now that you got your precious sister back, you don’t need me anymore so you might as well finally get around to get me into the Wonderbolts—which you could’ve done at ANYTIME? Got to get me out of the way, right?”
Pale pink eyes widened with realization as Celestia realized the source of Rainbow’s hurt. “Rainbow Dash, Luna is not replacing you…no more than you were a replacement for her.”
Rainbow bristled. “Oh yeah? Why should I believe you? It’s not like you haven’t kept things from me before!”
“…because I care about you. Please, whatever you think of me, please don’t doubt that.” Celestia said gently.
Dash took a deep breath. “Fine. Answer me this: if you could contact the Wonderbolts anytime, why didn’t you? Were you just saving it up for a special occasion? Was it supposed to be my incentive for stopping Nightmare Moon?” She demanded.
Celestia wrestled to find the right words as she spoke. “I was afraid that if I offered you your dreams too early, you would become so wrapped up in them that you would no longer have cause to take heed to what I had to teach you.” Celestia lowered her head. “I allowed my fears to dictate my actions. I was afraid that if you achieved everything you wanted, you would no longer have a place for me as your teacher. And friend.” She added in a hushed whisper.
If anything that only made Rainbow Dash madder. “You thought I would just ditch you the second I got into the Wonderbolts?” She looked appalled. “The ponies I met this week knew I was more loyal than that! Hay, that’s why I represent the Element of Loyalty, right? You’ve known me since I was a filly! How could you ever think that of me?” Hurt and fury raged for control. “You thought I would just…” She sputtered, trying to find the right words. “You JERK!”
Accepting her condemnation, Celestia closed her eyes. “I was not guided by what I knew to be true, but what I feared what might occur. Once more, I underestimated you. I am sorry.”
“You’re saying that a lot lately.” Dash noted with a snarl. “The thing is, the more you say it, the less I believe it. And what about your whole ‘death?’ Was that just an act—making sure I was properly motivated?”
“NEVER!” Celestia swore her eyes hardening as she swung her head to the smaller pony. “I swear to you, I merged myself with the sun fully prepared to give up my existence. I did not expect I would be able to return…I can only guess that your Sonic Rainboom or the power unleashed by the Elements of Harmony—or both—somehow created a bridge that allowed me to return to Equestria. It was never my intent to deceive you nor absent myself as a cynical trick.”
The pegasus snorted. “Kay, fine. I believe you….but why? I mean, Nightmare Moon almost convinced me that if I got rid of her and you were gone for good, then what would happen to the sun and moon? To Equestria?”
Celestia bit her lip. “…With Luna returned I feel Equestria would be fine.” She said finally.
Rainbow wasn’t having any of it. “Without you? With the pony responsible for your disappearance in charge? Sure, that would’ve gone over just FINE.” She rolled her eyes contemptuously. “Hay, how do you think Luna herself would’ve felt when she found out that you basically offed yourself?” Celestia flinched. “And while we’re on the subject WHY couldn't you stop Nightmare Moon yourself?” Dash demanded. “Something tells me it wasn’t just to avoid collateral damage, was it?”
“There were…complications.” Celestia sighed, hanging her head. “Luna and I once wielded the Elements of Harmony. But with her…change, that was no longer the case. Something happened when I sought to use them against her. I don’t know exactly what. Perhaps that’s why the Elements banished Luna instead of freeing her, as they did when you and your friends used them. With me no longer connected to them, I had no idea if they would work at all or simply banish her again or even…” She bit her lip. “I…I couldn’t take that chance. I couldn’t do it again. She’s my SISTER.” She looked up, practically begging Rainbow Dash to understand. “I couldn’t risk losing her. Not again.”
"Her?" A hot flash of something Rainbow Dash would bitterly deny was anything even resembling jealousy, ran through her. “But you could risk ME.” Rainbow retorted, “You could risk my friends, you could risk Shining Armor and your guards who swore to protect you, you could Dinky’s mother, you could risk ME…but you couldn’t risk your evil insane sister?!”
“You don’t understand! How could I charge into a battle between my student and my sister and have to choose a side?” Celestia implored Dash to understand. “I would either have to risk destroying my own flesh and blood or…or the filly I love like a daughter.” She whispered.
Rainbow took half a step back at her admission. "But--you--" She sputtered, trying and failing to come up with a response.
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, I’m NOT perfect.” Celestia confessed. “I just knew that I couldn’t face my little sister again…not if it meant sealing her away for another thousand years or worse. I’m not a goddess…I just wanted my sister back!” Her voice broke into a near sob.
Dash’s angry resolve was shaken by Celestia’s admission of just what she meant to her. “So you dumped it on me and my friends to fix something you were too afraid to.” She said, trying to cling to her anger. “So Nightmare Moon WAS telling the truth after all.” She narrowed her eyes. “Instead of fighting her yourself you used me and my friends to do it for you. With all your power, you hid away and used ponies and fashioned them into weapons instead. Nightmare Moon made the Shadowbolts. You made me: shaped me, influenced me until I could be what you wanted me to be—regardless of what I wanted. What’s worse…you didn’t even have the guts to ask me. Because I would’ve said yes.” Rainbow Dash felt her anger peak and start to fade. “Y-you know I would’ve said yes…you had to! I would’ve done anything for you…” She rubbed a hoof roughly across her face. “A-anything…”
“Rainbow Dash…” Celestia moved forward quickly and wrapped her up in a tight hug, her wings wrapped around the small pony as she rested her neck down across Rainbow’s own. “You were never a weapon to me. Never." She repeated fiercely. "I am so very sorry for making you think that was the case. I never wanted to deceive you.” The smaller pony shook and soon broke into teary sobs herself. Celestia held her tight and gently rocked her. Hot tears spilled down the alicorn’s own cheeks as she started to cry as well. They held each other again as they gave voice to their pain and their hurts and their love. One cannot have great hurt without great love. Only those who you truly love are capable of hurting you so deeply, so thoroughly.
Celestia knew this better than anypony living. As soon as the two broke apart, having vented the worst of their anger and sorrow, she looked to her pupil. “Rainbow…I made mistakes—oh so many mistakes!—a thousand years ago that I was terrified of making them again. Instead I made newer and perhaps more terrible ones. I can only beg your forgiveness for keeping this from you. Were I in your place I would find forgiveness difficult if not nigh-impossible. But I have underestimated you before and you have repeatedly shown that you are a better mare than I give you credit for. So I hold out the hope that some day, perhaps you will find it in your heart to forgive me.” Her regal voice cracked, having run out of things to say.
Rainbow Dash took a breath and looked up. “Celestia…ever since I was a filly you’ve been there for me. I love you so much…and that’s why all this hurts me so much.” She swallowed. “And I can forgive you for a lot of things because I love you. And I know you just wanted what was best for me, even if you hurt me. If it was just me…maybe I would’ve been okay with this.” She looked up at her teacher, her mentor, her friend. “But it wasn’t just me. You risked Ditzy Doo’s life, Shining Armor’s life, the guards, my friends in Ponyville and all of Equestria! That…no, I don’t think I can let that slide.” Her sigh was weary, one of resignation. “So I guess I can forgive you someday, because I love you. But not today.”
For all her size and grandeur, Celestia seemed to shrink and collapse in on herself. She nodded numbly, accepting her words. Rainbow Dash didn’t know what else to say or do. In the end she settled for giving the princess a soft nuzzle before turning for the door.
She opened the door and cast one last look back at Celestia, princess of the sun and ruler of Equestria as she stood alone in the middle of the library, looking hopelessly lost and defeated. Rainbow Dash turned and headed out, leaving Celestia alone with her regrets.
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Why can I only give one thumbs up. Very good job getting the feeling of the scene across. Rainbow's loyalty is a precious thing and Celestia is close to losing it. Can't wait to see how the rest plays out.
Uh...
What in the world was that about, exactly? I'm sorry, but having Rainbow Dash call Celestia out like that and siding with her, asking us to sympathize with her, simply doesn't work for me. If this reaction was in any way appropriate, why didn't Twilight react similarly in the show?
Sorry, this chapter doesn't work for me. At all. Celestia should have better answers ready here than the ones she gives. She's over a thousand years old and the ruler of Equestria - a standard pony, even Dash, doesn't get to do this to her. I don't mean that she's wrong - I mean that this situation should never have arisen in the first place. This whole fic has had a slight shadow over it, making it darker than usual FiM fare, but this went too far in siding with the protagonist against the mentor - so far, in fact, that it raises suspicions of the author venting against perceived instances of fridge logic and plot holes in the series (with a hefty spoonful of Celestia bashing mixed in, which makes it all the worse). That is a deathblow to any kind of immersion, which up until now was a strong point of this fic, and that's unfortunate. Keep your personal vendettas at home when you write, please.
Wow...that was almost too painful to read through...Poor Rainbow. Poor Celestia...
Harsh, but it does make sense to be reprimanded for what she did.
Hope she finds her sister's company enough to fill a small, filly shaped void in her heart. Which, rather ironically, Luna takes the shape of from S1E2 all the way till S2E4!
That was....Painful
Dash kinda gets on my nerves sometimes with her trusting issues. But this was very well written. I didn't really like how Twi just forgave Celestia for abandoning them.
Damn....
.......man, I feel sorry for Celestia, but at the same time, I think Rainbow Dash is completely right...
Thank you Sir!!! Thank you so much for not going with the cliche cry and all is forgiven post-conflict. So many authors seem to feel the need to end happily, forgiveness all around, even if it isn't deserved. This captures the feeling of the story so well. It truly felt like how your Rainbow Dash would have reacted. You did good, sir, and for that, i thank you.
Wow. Is it wrong that I kinda agree with Celestia in this argument?
It's a testament to how well this story was put together that I went into this chapter knowing exactly what to expect and got it. That went down almost precisely as I envisioned it, what with the anger and the hurtful words and the tears. And the eventual (but not immediate) forgiveness. Because this situation is more visceral than canon, yes, but also because Dash is driven more by emotion than logic. Twilight would have seen the necessity and the reasoning and focused mainly on that, but RD doesn't bother with reason when she can go with her gut instead. And when embodiment of Loyalty's gut is saying she feels betrayed, there are bound to be a few explosions.
Also, I do love Celestia, but DAMN did it feel like she had most of that coming to her. This neatly answers a bunch of the unresolved issues I had regarding the Pilot episodes, actually. Let it forever be known that fanfiction can indeed be a cathartic influence!
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Twilight forgives too easily, for one, and beyond that the simple fact is that she is more of a logical thinker than RD is. Twilight can take Celestia's reasoning and see the necessity behind it, and for her that logic is enough to ease any emotional response that may have come of her actions. RD cares little for the logical path when she can just follow her gut, and her gut is telling her that she feels betrayed and used; when Loyalty feels betrayed, you can expect some heads to roll. Moreover, these are things Celestia should have been called out on, because they're never adequately explored. We (and they) know her reasoning and all know it to be sound, but simply knowing why someone has taken an action does not waive the repercussions of taking that action.
Put in simple terms, RD feels betrayed. If you haven't noticed, RD tends to tackle things head-on, which means an outright no-holds-barred confrontation with strong emotions and harsh words flying left, right and center. She wants to understand why Celestia would seemingly betray her in this way (RD loves the Princess like a mother, and she desperately wants to think the best of her), but her emotions are getting in the way. That and she's not completely convinced of Celestia's moral rightness in this--she's trying to reconcile her feelings of betrayal and the knowledge that Celestia did all of this behind her back with the idea that there may well have been a good reason for her to do so, and it's not meshing. Because if Celestia was right in her actions, than RD must be wrong in feeling so betrayed by it, yes? Dash doesn't want her feelings to be wrong, and therein lies the rub.
Admittedly, this is my take on the situation; I'm hardly the author, so perhaps there is something more here that I am completely overlooking.
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This chapter was very difficult to write because it involves deep pain on behalf of two characters who love each other very much and who I both like a lot. The very premise that prompted this story (and the commissioned image accompanying it) is exploring Dash and Celestia's relationship which--and I cannot stress this enough--is one I think is really interesting and has a lot of promise. And in my story it is a strong and loving relationship . But what is shown is what happens in and around the premiere which subjects their relationship to its hardest hammer blows.
I re-read the chapter wondering if it makes sense. In the context of my story and the characters as we know them, I think it does. I am not out to portray Celestia as the cruel or emotionless chess master. She is the ruler of a nation, the sister of a lost soul, and a mentor to a brash, head-strong young pony. Celestia HAD to make tough calls and, whether she was right or wrong, those have consequences, both the initial banishment of Nightmare Moon and her decisions to subtly guide Rainbow Dash (as she did with Twilight in the show itself).
Whereas Twilight would be more forgiving and understanding of Celestia's decisions, being more logical, Rainbow Dash as I understand her would take great exception to being 'used' (this is her p.o.v. not necessarily what I think or what the story reflects) even if it was for her own good. The chapter is not about me and Dash vs. Celestia. It's me writing how I think these two would act. I DON'T have a side between the two of them. The chapter is just a reflection of what I think was motivating them and how they would react. It is not a chance to bash Celestia or for me to do a hatchet job on her. Again, this is an interpretation, a re-telling/re-imagining of the pilot.
Dash is NOT one to keep her mouth shut and accept it when other ponies keep things from her...even if it was in her own best interest. And Celestia is caught between wanting to save her sister and at the same time safeguarding Equestria. All things considered, given how it worked out, she didn't do a half-bad job at that. But whether or not Rainbow sees it that way is another story.
Both had legitimate reasons for what they did and what they feel. Who is right and who is wrong is open to interpretation. Dash is angry and Celestia undoubtedly feels hurt that her actions caused somepony she loves pain. Her requests for forgiveness is not an indication that Dash is right and Celestia is wrong, but merely an acknowledgement by Celestia that what she did had repercussions that hurt Dash. Being Princess there were things that she couldn't take a chance on being wrong about, such as Dash's willingness to help stop Nightmare Moon or being able to balance being a Wonderbolt with being her student. Celestia might have known Dash would be loyal, but as Princess she couldn't take that chance. Her dilemma was one of ninjo vs. giri, compassion vs. duty. As Princess, she chose duty and there's a price when you do that.
Again, I am NOT endorsing either side in this argument. I'm simply describing what I think would happen with these two in this situation following the events as I laid them out. I do not hate Celestia and do not have a grudge against her.
Thank you.
Whoa, harsh. I have to say, this was a pretty tough tension for the two. While Rainbow seemed pretty rash on what she was saying, and being a bit arrogant in some cases, in other cases, I am on her side.
However, what is hard to say is the fact Rainbow Dash is angry about Celestia being unable to fight her sister. If my sister went evil somehow, it'd simply be more of a battle between my heart and my brain, doing the right thing or doing the thing I find best for myself and my sister. Eventually, Celestia chose something that she would somewhat regret, especially with Rainbow being so harsh about it. Many lives were put in danger, but, hey, Celestia's right; she has her own faults, why should she have to suffer for her imperfection? The fact everything went fine in the end should be recognized, at least from my standing point.
"Well that could of gone better...." -back hooves- YA THINK?!...Regardless ya I had a feeling this would happen and it makes perfect sense for RD to be that worked up over it, and she does have very good reasons to be as such anyway so bravo -claps-
Well this chapter answered some difficult questions.
Though Celestia is immortal and immortals do tend to get lost morally over time. Rainbow Dash and her friends are finite, replaceable beings destined to expire, their accomplishments blowing away in the sands of time.
This chapter feels very much like a chapter from Sunset where Twilight finds out she is just a tool created by Celestia to save Luna. Same sort of hurt and betrayal of trust.
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Interesting points, valid points.
Dash, not having a sister....that we know of....isn't as sensitive to the issues involved as someone who does. She's an emotional pony and most of her responses are fueled by emotion, either on her own behalf or on behalf of ponies she cares about. And that sentiment--especially on behalf of others--isn't something easily set aside.
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By the way folks, don't get so wrapped up in the Celestia-Rainbow Dash tension that you forget about everything else that happened and was revealed in this chapter. There's at least one BIG riddle left unanswered. See if you spot it. Here's a hint, have you noticed anything missing since Celestia returned?
Lady of the Night. Hm, wounder what that came from? Rigth Nyx?
1227373 Wait. You didn't intend for us to have sympathies either way? Sorry, but if that's the case, you utterly failed to bring that across convincingly. The impression I got was that we're supposed to feel sympathy for Rainbow Dash here, for her feelings of betrayal (leaving aside for a moment that whole "author goes on a fridge logic spree" thing), and I couldn't bring myself to do that. If she's unable to trust Celestia when the latter says she had her reasons and feels sorry for what she did, the Element of Loyalty has picked the wrong bearer. It would have come across better if she had eventually accepted Celestia's apologies, but she didn't do that. Even if darker and edgier, this still is the MLP:FiM universe, and something like this, which would feel realistic in a different universe, feels cynical and disillusioned here. Those are not emotions I read fanfic in this universe for.
TL;DR: The blame lies with me, most likely. This chapter shattered expectations, and not in a good way, but that's hardly your fault.
Rainbow is really far to angry. I think it makes her look bad. Always jumping to the negative conclusion of someone isn't very loyal
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Well that kinda does fit Dash's character ( never cared for that trait)
with Trixie, Gilda, Zecora.
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The sun didn't come back?
Another GREAT chapter. I loved it, not because it bashes Celestia, but because it humanizes(poninizes?) her and turns her into a character with emotion, fears, and flaws. Which is something I've felt the show has never moved on. Whenever she's seen in the show, it's simply to deliver/hear the Aesop of the episode or be a simple plot point. Only twice has she done neither of these, the first was in the Season 2 premiere in order to inform the Mane 6 of Discord, and the second was in the season 2 finally when she fell victim to the Worf Effect and was beaten by Chrysalis.
Oh, and nice Reference to Davros Speech to the Doctor in "Journeys End." It was subtle because it was given by the hero instead of the villain and was reworded, but I saw it there.
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Arguably. But consider, loyalty isn't something that can be applied to everyone like kindness or honesty. Being loyal to everyone is a) impossible and b) meaningless. So the flip side of being super-loyal to her friends, princess, etc. means being suspicious and wary--if not hostile--towards ponies she doesn't know and could be potential threats to those she IS loyal towards.
Very well done. This really reminds me of Harry's rage against Dumbledore in Order of the Phoenix, and a lot of similar plot points are brought up. @ Ospero, Twilight didn't rage against Celestia because that was not the focus of the cartoon, plus Twilight is much more reverent of her mentor's position than Dash. Dash pushes the envelope - that's just who she is. Plus, her element being Loyalty and all, it makes sense for her to be more deeply affected when that part of her character is taken advantage of and/or doubted. Celestia does both. So yeah, though its hard to read, it makes sense. And hmmm... has Zecora been missing? I don't remember off the top of my head, so its probably something completely different. Anywho, awesome work. Looking forward to more whenever you have the time
MMMMIIIINNNNDDDD BBBBLLLLOOOOWWWWNNNN!!!! FINALLY, a good story that ACTUALLY points out how much of a manipulative pony Celestia is! We all know she planned EVERYTHING! This, however, actually shows her having some remorse over it. I like that. Keep it up, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the story plays out!
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I must reflect on my emotions to determine how I feel about this chapter.
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Loved it
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Nope, the sun came back with Celestia. First sentence of the chapter: "The group’s arrival in Ponyville kick started an immediate celebration when the populace saw the return of both the day and their sovereign."
Keep trying.
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I agree 120%dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Rainbow_Dash_lolface.png
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I'm wracking my brains, but I can't think of what could be missing. Is it somepony? Something? It's not the moon, is it?
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I don't recall Zecora being mentioned as coming back into Ponyville, but I assume she could have easily just stayed at her cottage in the Everfree forest. If she could convince Pinkie Pie to let her, that is.
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Okay, I'll go with Zecora.
Celestia: I was in disguise/had a secret agent help you the whole time.
MUhahhahah!
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All I can think to say is that Twilight Sparkle is not Rainbow Dash. Beyond just different attitudes and personalities, they have completely different histories, altitudes, motivations, dreams, relationships, et al. It's impossible to use one as a template for how the other would behave. What we saw was years and years of anger, frustration, and resentment spilling out of Dash all at once. She can't forgive Celestia at this moment, but she will soon, once she calms down and starts thinking again, instead of letting her anger run the show.
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Wait a minute...where's Zecora?
1227514 The question that brings up is, should Celestia be treated as a "human" being in the first place? My answer to that: No, she most definitely shouldn't, because if she is "only human", if she does make mistakes same as everyone else, that leads to some very ugly questions about her exalted position that really have no place in a world like Equestria. Why would everyone willingly submit to (and more to the point, love) a princess that isn't all she's cracked up to be? She can make mistakes, but they shouldn't be the kind that others would make in her place - she's had centuries to make those and overcome them.
1227532 Wait, Celestia's behaviour is supposed to be a bad thing? What you call manipulative, I call clear-sighted. Celestia is over a thousand years old and more powerful than any other being in Equestria. She has every goddamn right to make plans that use others out of necessity, because she has the bigger picture in mind, and (unlike most everyone else who ever used that argument) actually has the power and wisdom to justify it. Of course she can get called out for it, and she doesn't need to be perfect all the time (which nicely dovetails with the point just above about how "humanly flawed" she should be), but questioning her general right to do what she does for the best of all ponies doesn't work out.
1227531 Yes, because Harry totally didn't come across as a whiny brat in 95 percent of that book. There's my point again - if you must call the old man (or mare) out, fine, but if possible, it shouldn't be done by a character who takes everything that happened personally. Calling Celestia out because of the consequences for wider Equestria would be one thing, but Rainbow Dash only appends that as an afterthought. She's angry because she thinks Celestia betrayed her and her immediate surroundings, and that's discursive logic I'd expect from a fifteen-year-old - someone in her early twenties who was raised at court should be beyond such pettiness.
Well this chapter had some really heavy conversations. (No Back to the Future references intended)
It was great! The characters did seem very in character everything said seemed spot on.
Ospero- while she might have learned from many of her mistakes over the centuries some things, such as training an apprentice to restore her corrupted sister would be things that don't happen often enough to practice.
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Is it Twilight and Shining Armour?
1227648 "Years and years of anger, frustration and resentment"? Did I miss something? Where did it say that Dash felt all that, and has done so for years? I don't think she'd be the type to let stuff like that build up the way this phrasing implies. And again, this is teenager behaviour we're dealing with here. Perhaps that's the central issue - Dash isn't cut out to be protagonist material, at least not at her in-show stage of maturity.
*nods slowly and seriously, lips pursed*
This chapter has many feels.
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This was my thought as well.
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I can get behind that. It's tough to act rationally when one is composed of two-tenths carbon and rainbows to eighth-tenths emotion.
Concerning the substance of what I wrote, Rainbow Dash spent years doing things she didn't want to (dinners, socials, etc.) but did out of a sense of duty (I.e. loyalty), trying and failing to perform a second rainboom, and knowing that in all likelihood, the object of her desires would probably never return the same feelings. In other words, years of never really feeling that she belonged. None of which was in anyway helped by Celestia's (rather poorly thought-out) gambit. I admit, anger and resentment may have not been appropriate descriptors. But there was certainly a lot of frustration.
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THERE. That right there is the point you're refusing to get. "... if you must call the old man (or mare) out, fine, but if possible, it shouldn't be done by a character who takes everything that happened personally."
That's the idea! RD is being emotional. Is she being fair to Celestia? Hell no! She's angry and she's hurt, and right now the very last thing she's thinking about is Celestia's feelings on the matter. She's too wrapped up in her own emotions to think things through, and that is the whole point. You talk about calling the old man (or mare) out, but that's not what this is about. This isn't the pupil calling out the master on their actions, this is Dash reacting to a situation that has hurt her. Trinary isn't using this plot as some covert manner of making Celestia pay for all her perceived wrongdoings, this is just Dash being Dash: brash, emotionally-driven and hardheaded. Moreover, this scene is not meant to make the reader side with Dash or Celestia, but to simply explore the situation at hand and how the characters in question might react to it. Who is right and who is wrong doesn't even come into play.
TL;DR If you read this chapter and picked a side (I was totally picking sides before Trinary's first explanatory post), you're doing it wrong.
I just... I just can't comprehend that sort of soul-crushing guilt.
At this rate, Celestia's entire life is defined by failure and cowardice. Dash feels betrayed and is deeply hurt, but Celestia must feel less than worthless.
1227455 crabcakes, I'm no good at these sort of things.
Something missing or mentioned or something...
{error: brain.exe has crashed}
great, now I have to go start him back up.
That was sad (in a good way) :')
Feels all over my everywhere.
1227926 If I need an explanation from the author before I "get it", that is certainly not my fault, hm? If a story conveys a moral the author didn't intend, that isn't the reader's fault, barring some really glaring misconception on their part; if the explanation is necessary to "get it", it should in some way be included in the story itself, because it's necessary to get the full picture. As Einstein said in a completely different context: "Make it as easy as possible - and no easier". This is a case of "easier". You misread this chapter, same as I did (if perhaps with inverted positions). Are we misreading, or did the author lead us astray unintentionally?
This is one of those eternal questions that can never really be satisfactorily answered, so I think I'll leave it at that. This chapter was a massive disappointment for me, no matter if I "get it" or not. It felt horrendously unfair to me - perhaps intentionally, but it still resides at an emotional level I don't feel comfortable at. I can handle "sad", I can even sometimes handle "tragic"; I can't (or more to the point, I'm not willing to) handle "deeply emotionally scarring". Not in MLP fanfics, and certainly not if all the emotion bursts out in one go after 31 chapters of entertaining adventure.
1227141 Twilight is an analytical pony. She can better understand the different views of each pony. Also Nightmare never truly attempted to kill or maim any pony in the show. Now replace heavy thinker Twi with brash Rainbow and then add homicidal Nightmare and you've got your answer