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

Chapter 72: A Sister's Plea

                        The grand corridors of Canterlot Palace were eerily quiet as Princess Celestia retreated to her chambers. The weight of her responsibilities in Parliament felt heavier than ever, and no matter how hard she tried, her struggles only seemed to intensify. The pressure to succeed in the public eye, to rise to the level of her sister's popularity, was slowly taking its toll on her. Today, after a particularly grueling session in Parliament, Celestia reached her breaking point.

Celestia sat by her desk, her face buried in her hooves as the frustrations of her duties overwhelmed her. She had tried everything—policy changes, public appearances, and long hours spent working with Parliament members—but the results weren't enough. The scrutiny of her every decision, the whispers of doubt from the politicians, and the relentless comparisons to her sister, Princess Luna, had begun to sap her strength.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, and before long, the dam broke. Celestia sobbed quietly, feeling alone in her burden. She loved her kingdom, but the pressure was suffocating.

In her moment of vulnerability, Celestia made a decision. She couldn't carry this weight alone any longer. Her mind went to Luna, her beloved sister, who had always been a source of strength and comfort. Without hesitation, Celestia reached for a quill and parchment, hastily writing a heartfelt letter.

"Luna, I need you. Please come to the palace as soon as you can. I'm struggling, and I don't know how much longer I can do this on my own."

She sealed the letter with trembling hooves and summoned a royal messenger. "Deliver this to Princess Luna, immediately," she instructed, her voice laced with urgency.

Meanwhile, Luna and Orion were enjoying a rare, peaceful moment together in a secluded park outside Canterlot. The soft glow of the evening sky and the gentle breeze made it the perfect setting for their planned date. Luna had been looking forward to spending time with Orion, away from the responsibilities of royal life. They laughed together, sharing stories and enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company.

Orion glanced at Luna with a warm smile. "You seem more relaxed out here. It's nice to see you like this."

Luna chuckled softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "I suppose I've been caught up in all the recent events. But being with you helps me clear my mind."

Just as they were about to settle into their evening, a royal messenger arrived, his face flushed with urgency. "Princess Luna, an urgent message from Princess Celestia."

Luna immediately recognized the seal and opened the letter, her eyes scanning the page. Her smile quickly faded as she read Celestia's plea for help. She folded the letter carefully, her expression now serious.

"Orion, we have to return to the palace," Luna said, standing up. "Celestia needs me."

Orion nodded without hesitation. "Let's go."

The ride back to the palace was swift, but Luna's heart raced. She knew her sister had been struggling with her duties in Parliament, but she hadn't realized it had reached this point. Guilt tugged at her, wondering if her own successes had inadvertently cast a shadow over Celestia's efforts.

Arriving at the palace, Luna rushed to Celestia's chambers with Orion by her side. She found her sister sitting near the window, her eyes red from crying.

"Celestia!" Luna exclaimed, hurrying over to her.

Celestia looked up, her face a mix of relief and sorrow. "Luna... I didn't know who else to turn to."

Luna wrapped her wings around Celestia, holding her close. "I'm here now, Tia. You don't have to go through this alone."

The sisters sat together for what felt like hours, with Luna listening intently as Celestia poured out her frustrations. The Parliament sessions, the expectations, the constant comparisons—it all came spilling out. Celestia had tried to keep a brave face for so long, but now, with Luna by her side, she finally felt safe enough to let it all go.

"I just don't understand why I'm struggling so much," Celestia confessed, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm doing everything I can, but nothing seems to work. And everyone keeps praising you, Luna. It's like I'm not doing enough."

Luna took her sister's hoof in her own. "Tia, you're more than enough. You've always been strong, and you've always been the one to lead. But it's okay to need help sometimes. You don't have to do this alone."

"But Parliament..." Celestia hesitated. "I'm not sure I belong there. It feels like I'm failing."

Orion, who had been quietly listening from across the room, spoke up. "Princess Celestia, you're not failing. The role you're playing in Canterlot's government is one of the hardest there is. But you have the love of your people, and more importantly, you have Luna by your side. Together, you can figure this out."

Luna smiled at Orion's words before turning back to Celestia. "He's right, Tia. We'll figure this out. Maybe it's time we rethink our approach, but whatever happens, I'm here for you. We can handle anything together."

Celestia's tears had subsided, replaced by a sense of relief. Having Luna's support meant everything to her. "Thank you," she whispered. "I've been feeling so alone."

"You'll never be alone, Tia," Luna reassured her. "We're a team. And together, we'll find a way to make this work."

As the night deepened, Celestia felt the weight of her struggles lifting, even if just for a moment. With Luna and Orion by her side, she knew she had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they were unstoppable.

And as Luna and Celestia sat together, sharing a moment of sisterly love and support, Canterlot's future felt just a little brighter.