“I’m relinquishing my title!” 

And just so that everypony took her seriously, Luna grabbed the tiara on her head and hurled it forward. With a metallic ringing much like a blacksmith forging steel, the crown bounced thrice, then slid, landing next to the herald. 

Just as expected, the chamber was stilled with subjects and soldiers alike simultaneously turning toward the throne. When realization finally hit them, gasps echoed, whispers following after it. But Luna didn’t focus on the unintelligible gossip around her. Her sights kept on the filly deposited on the throne.

“Luna! What are you doing?” Celestia stomped, now standing. 

[i]That’s right. You think you’re sooo smart. Well, I bet you didn’t think I’d do [/i]this,[i] huh?[/i] Luna tried not to smile as much as Celestia tried to stay stoic. But a smirk accidentally unraveled on her face, and in return, Celestia’s wings flared.  

Looking ready to scold Luna, the princess trotted down the stairwell, grimacing. The anger in her eyes mimicked her cutie mark.  

Luna meanwhile opted not to notice Celestia and instead looked to the side. The herald, his eyes creased and his mouth ajar, picked up her crown. He inspected it, frowning. And it was then that Luna felt guilt-gnawing-worms wiggle down in her stomach. The crown had been made especially for her—she hoped it wasn’t too broken. 

“Luna! You can’t quit being a princess,” Celestia yelled.

“Yes I can. Ponies did it before.” If Celestia wanted proof, Luna was ready. Even though [i]she[/i] kept forgetting the ponies that actually abdicated titles, she could easily call for the librarian to solve that.  

Celestia grunted. “Stop being such a foal!” 

“Well, being one doesn’t even matter! Not when [i]you[/i] keep making decisions. You never do what I want. What’s the point if I can’t have a say?” 

“Wait, is this about that stupid castle?” 

“It’s not stupid!” 

“I already told you we can’t put a castle in Canterlot Mountains.” 

“But we have a better view of the moon from there!” 

“You look at the moon through a telescope, anyways.” Celestia rolled her eyes. She started to fly away, but Luna yanked her tail with her teeth. 

“Hey!” 

“It’s not fair! You never do what I want. You never listen!” Luna stomped her hooves this time. “So I’ll build my own castle and then I’ll ban all princesses from coming over because it’s I can do what I want!

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Half the things you do don’t make sense!”

“Yes they do!” the filly huffed. “So, what? You’ll be the only pony living there? “ 

“Star Swirl’s coming with me,” Luna defiantly said. 

“Star Swirl can’t go with you!” 

“You don’t own Star Swirl!” Luna cried, beginning to sniffle. 

“He belongs here!” Celestia yelled back. 

“No he doesn’t!” 

“Yes he does! He only helps princesses! And if you’re not a princess anymore…”  

Celestia was always so controlling. And so bossy. And sooo mean! “H-He’s my friend t-too!” Luna wiped her eyes.  Her eyes and nose burned. She didn’t want to cry in front of everypony. “I-It’s n-not…” And before she could finish, Star Swirl was suddenly at their sides. 

“My little ponies,” he said solemnly, “might we discuss this in another room?”



“Now, what is the problem?”

“Celestia never listens to me. She always shoots down my ideas!”  

“Because they’re bad ones! 

 “No they’re—”

A raised hoof stopped both of them.

He turned toward Luna. “Princess, if we move the castle where will the citizens go? Do you expect them to follow?”

“Yes…”

“Even earth ponies and old unicorns like me?” 

She looked at Star Swirl’s lanky legs and suddenly felt bad. “I… guess not.”

He turned to Celestia next, and once again, Star Swirl went into another life lecture. He talked of leadership and sacrifice. Of sisterhood and listening and, most of all, of love. 

“Ponies will pass before you. But all you have is each other…” 

Luna supposed that maybe she did overreact…

“Now,” Star Swirl started. 

Celestia cleared her throat. “Sorry, Luna, for not listening.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry too, Celestia. For wanting to leave and stuff… ” 

With Star Swirl hovering over them, they tentatively hugged. It was an awkward motion that eventually became sincere.  

“I guess I’ll try to be less controlling. Even though the older sister should know best.” 

“And you’ll listen to me more?” Luna rubbed her face in Celestia’s mane. 

“Yea, yea.” Celestia clenched her back. 

“Really? You promise?”

Her voice rang loud and clear. “I promise.”