Cosmos and Galaxia: The Birth of a Kingdom (MLP AU)

Chapter 57: Sisterly Shenanigans

                        The royal palace, normally a bastion of grace and decorum, was anything but on this sunny morning. Celestia and Luna were engaged in one of their many lighthearted squabbles, their laughter ringing through the halls.

It had all started innocently enough—Celestia, in her usual radiant mood, had decided to tease her younger sister with a harmless prank. Early that morning, she enchanted the royal kitchen to send a cloud of flour flying as soon as Luna entered to grab her breakfast. When Luna strolled in, humming to herself, she was met with a puff of flour that left her covered in white powder from mane to hooves.

Luna stood in the middle of the kitchen, blinking as the flour settled. "Really, Tia?" she asked, her voice deadpan but with a hint of amusement behind it.

Celestia appeared in the doorway, stifling a giggle as she saw her younger sister's white-caked figure. "Oh, I thought you'd look better in white," she teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Luna shook her head, fighting the urge to smile. "You know what this means, right?"

Celestia raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What?"

"It means war."

Later that afternoon, while Celestia was in the royal gardens reading her daily correspondence, Luna struck back. She had enlisted the help of the royal guards—who were more than happy to assist—and set up her prank with the precision and patience only an alicorn of the night could muster.

Celestia's peaceful afternoon was interrupted when she felt something strange in the air around her. Suddenly, her book, her teacup, and even the flowers surrounding her began to float. She looked up, startled, only to find that her entire lounge area was slowly lifting into the air—surrounded by a bubble of Luna's magic.

Celestia gasped as she found herself hovering several feet off the ground, her wings flapping in a sudden panic. "Luna!"

Her sister appeared from behind a nearby hedge, grinning wickedly. "Oh, dear sister, I thought you could use a little lift to brighten your day."

Celestia crossed her hooves, trying to maintain her dignity despite her precarious floating situation. "Very funny," she said, though she couldn't help but chuckle as she realized the absurdity of it all.

Luna released her magic, and Celestia, along with her teacup and book, gently descended back to the ground. She gave her younger sister a mock glare. "This isn't over."

Later that evening, the palace halls were quieter, with most of the staff and guards having retired for the night. However, in Celestia and Luna's private quarters, the mischief continued.

Celestia, determined to get the last laugh, had devised a plan. As Luna settled into bed, she had no idea what awaited her. In the middle of the night, Celestia, moving as stealthily as she could, slipped into Luna's room. With the aid of her magic, she conjured a cloud of enchanted feathers—light and ticklish, hovering right over Luna's sleeping form.

The feathers descended, gently brushing against Luna's face and wings. The reaction was immediate. Luna, still half-asleep, swatted at the feathers with her hooves, mumbling in confusion. "What... what is this?"

Celestia, watching from the doorway, struggled to contain her laughter as Luna tossed and turned, trying to escape the ticklish assault.

"Celestia!" Luna finally cried, now fully awake and glaring at her older sister. "You've gone too far!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Celestia burst into laughter, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "You should have seen your face!"

Luna rolled out of bed, shaking the feathers from her mane and wings. "You know what this means," she said ominously, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

Celestia, still chuckling, grinned. "Another war?"

Luna smirked. "Oh, it's far from over."

The next morning, the palace staff had grown accustomed to the sisters' antics. It was a rare sight to see the usually regal and composed Celestia and Luna engaged in such playful banter, but it was moments like these that reminded everyone how deeply they cared for one another.

During breakfast, Luna made her next move. As Celestia was about to sip from her teacup, Luna subtly cast a spell. The tea inside the cup began to glow a bright, shimmering pink. The moment Celestia raised the cup to her lips, it exploded in a harmless—but highly embarrassing—puff of pink smoke.

The table erupted in laughter as Celestia sat there, her face now covered in bright pink glitter. Luna, biting her lip to keep from laughing too loudly, feigned innocence. "Oh dear, sister. It seems your tea was... enchanted."

Celestia sighed dramatically, though she couldn't help but laugh. "Well played, Luna. Well played."

By the end of the day, the palace had returned to its usual calm, the pranks having subsided for now. Celestia and Luna sat together in the royal garden, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink. Despite all their teasing and pranking, their bond was stronger than ever.

"I wouldn't trade these moments for anything," Luna said, smiling at her sister.

Celestia nodded, her heart warm. "Neither would I, Luna. Laughter has always been our greatest strength."

They sat together in peaceful silence, the warmth of the setting sun casting a golden glow over them. Despite their responsibilities, despite the weight of their future roles, they found joy in the small moments they shared—moments filled with laughter, love, and the simple joy of being sisters.

And no matter what the future held, Celestia knew that as long as she had Luna by her side, they would face it together—with a smile.