Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Misty was silent as she followed Celestia though the vast halls of Canterlot Palace. Even though she had lived in a palace for the past month, Twilight’s castle felt much cozier and homelier than the marble walls of her new prospective home.

They appeared to be moving towards the back of the main area of the palace, towards the throneroom. Celestia would greet every guard by name, and even wish one of them a happy birthday. Misty was impressed; she could barely remember her own birthday.

She supposed that one gets better at remembering things after living for millennia.

Every now and again, Celestia would glance back at her. Each time she did, a fond smile would form on her face. Misty thought that she probably should smile back, but found herself just staring instead. Strange emotions were coming off the Alicorn, ones that Misty couldn’t quite put her hoof on.

After walking through endless corridors and halls, they eventually reached the main hall. Misty slowed down as she entered, coming to a full stop as she reached the middle of the room. The windows all had stained glass representations of ponies doing heroic feats, some of whom she recognized, but it wasn’t observing the artwork that made her stomach drop.

She had been here before.

She looked upwards. The roof was completely intact, but a large portion was a very slightly different colour to the rest of it. It looked less weathered and aged. Glancing to one of the far windows, she saw a similar effect around some of the stained glass. It was without a doubt the same room that she had seen Sunset’s attempt on Celestia's life.

“Is something the matter, little one?”

Misty’s concentration broke, and she looked to Celestia, who had a curious eyebrow raised.

“Uhm, nothing, just…” she mumbled. She wasn’t ready to explain her vision.

Celestia just nodded and carried on. “Follow me out to the balcony when you are ready.”

Misty nodded, the image of Celestia furiously trying to blast Sunset reappearing in her mind as she watched her leave.

Would Misty be that powerful someday?

Misty quietly scuttled after Celestia, passing by two empty panes of stained glass, one of which had gently started to shimmer.

Misty walked out onto the balcony, her hooves tapping off the stone. Princess Celestia stood there as expected, but Misty felt her stomach fill with an uneasy feeling as she saw a second Alicorn standing by her.

“I do not believe you have met my sister, little one. This is Princess Luna, the Alicorn of the Moon,” Celestia explained. Luna bowed her head regally, her firm gaze not wavering as her eyes seemed to bore into Misty.

Misty nervously bowed her head back, only moving closer as Celestia beckoned her.

“I watch over the day, and she watches over the night. However, at dawn and dusk, we meet for a very important reason. Do you know what that is?” Celestia asked. Misty’s ear twitched a little, not enjoying how Celestia was talking to her like she was 6, despite her having about as much experience as one.

“You lower the Sun, and Luna raises the Moon?” she replied.

“Correct. Watch closely.”

Celestia turned around to face Canterlot Valley and after sharing a brisk nod with Luna, shut her eyes.

Their horns lighting up with gold and dark blue magic, both Alicorns spread their wings. Misty watched as the energy shot up into the heavens. She had to squint, but she saw the Sun finally dip itself below the horizon to the eastern mountains. As it did, she saw the moon start to rise in the west. After a gasp of exertion, the magic around their horns faded.

Misty's eyes were wide as she looked up at them. They had the power to move Celestial bodies, and here she was; pretty much just a shaken up can of soda, desperate to burst into flames. The precision and skill they wielded made Misty feel uneasy; how much damage would Opaline have been able to do with that level of power?

“This power was granted to us many millennia ago, little one,” Celestia said, striding over to her and gently brushing the hair out of Misty’s face. Misty shuddered. It was kind of nice, but she still had her guard raised.

“It is this power that allows us, and the other Alicorn Princesses of Equestria, to rule and keep the citizens safe,” Luna continued, joining her sister.

Celestia nodded sagely along with her sister. “It is a power that you share with us too, despite its untamed strength.”

Misty frowned in discomfort. She couldn't get a clear read on either of them, her eye flicking between the pair. Celestia seemed filled with anticipation, whereas Luna had a soft curiosity.

“Misty. I don't think I need to explain the great responsibility that comes with such power,” Luna said, her tone somewhat grave, “In wrong or inexperienced hooves, the fire that roars within you could level cities and topple kingdoms”.

Misty’s discomfort only grew as she felt the tips of her wings starting to ember.

“However…” Celestia said, laying down to get closer to her level, despite still being considerably taller than her, “This does not mean we expect you to become a Princess, or fulfil some great foretold destiny. Twilight, Luna and I have agreed it is best that we teach you how to truly control your power, but we do so so that you can lead whatever life you would like to lead. Should you wish, you may help keep Equestria safe from any threats that may arise. If not, you may live a… somewhat normal life, pursuing whatever dreams you may develop. We will all be here to aid you every step of the way.”

Misty listened as she spoke, her wings slowly simmering down as she absorbed what she was saying. She couldn't deny it was a slight relief; more than anything, she was grateful that she still had a choice.

That was something she never really had with Opaline.

However, the mention of learning to control her power did make her shudder a little. She had seen how effective it could be in her fight against Chrysalis, but it still terrified her.

“I understand, I think, but… why can't I do that in Ponyville? That's where all of my friends are. It's where Twilight and Sunset live too.”

Celestia’s expression faltered a little. Misty got a big pulse of discomfort from her. From Luna, she noticed her give Celestia a sideways glance.

“I believe it is safer here. The palace is far better protected than Ponyville, and with both Luna and I on watch at all times, any incidents with your fire can be kept well in check,” explained Celestia, “You will be able to visit Ponyville, of course, and I’m sure your new friends will be more than willing to visit you here, too! Besides, I doubt I’d be able to keep Twilight away from here even if I cast an arcane seal on the doors to the palace. And Sunset…”

Celestia was unable to keep her smile from escaping out into the world.

“Well, I do hope it means Sunset will spend more time in Canterlot, too.”

Misty caught Luna rolling her eyes. Misty tried her best to read Luna, her face of concentration seemed to put her off.

“I will begin my watch, Sister. Do rest soon,” Luna announced as she took flight, soaring off into the night sky. Misty watched her leave with a frown.

“Now, little one. If you wish to rest, then you may rest. However… I would like to do a few experiments with you,” Celestia said as she turned her head to look down at Misty once again, “They will likely be tough and might hurt a little, but I believe they are the key to finding out how best to maintain control of your power.”

Misty’s ears flattened as she looked up at her once again. “What kind of experiments?”

“Well, something that Twilight has told me is that any time you attempt to cast any magic, fire bursts out. I have a theory of how we may grant you the ability to cast regular unicorn spells once again, but it will require you to expel a lot of energy at once which would be… uncomfortable to say the least,” Celestia explained, her tone becoming grave.

Misty pondered it for a few moments. It wasn’t like fire didn’t burst out of her on the regular anyway… and more help on how to control it could never be a bad thing.

“Do we have to do it now?” she asked eventually.

“Not at all, little one. We have all the time in the world,” said Celestia, her expression softening as she placed one of her mighty wings to Misty’s side, “Would you like to see where you will be sleeping?”

Misty looked up at her, squinting.

“Do you mean my bedroom?”

After following Celestia through another winding set of corridors, Misty found herself standing in her new bedroom. It must have been twice the size of her room back in Ponyville. Even the bed, which sat right in the center of the room, felt bigger. It would be a journey to roll from one side to the other. The walls were bare, save for a few decorative blank purple tapestries, and the room was lined with a few wardrobes, dressers, mirrors and other furniture. It was far bigger than the cozy room that Misty had seen in Sunset’s memory.

“Do you like it? I was thinking later in the week, Raven or I could take you down into the upper city to find some more personalized decorations,” Celestia commented, Misty sensing a little discomfort in her voice. Turning to look at her, she squinted, focusing in. Celestia felt… anxious?

Misty didn’t think it was possible for someone as old and powerful as Celestia to feel anxious.

“Misty?” asked Celestia curiously. Misty jolted.

“Sorry!” she spluttered. Sunset was right; she did have to learn how to be more subtle. She did not want to incur Celestia’s anger.

“It’s nice, definitely! It just seems a bit… big?” Misty commented eventually.

“Oh,” Celestia seemed a bit put out, “That is a fair observation. In time, as you grow older, you will get bigger.”

Misty looked at her. “Uhm, I think I'm almost fully grown already.”

In response, Celestia just smiled. “As a unicorn, for sure. But as an Alicorn, you will continue to grow as you age. One day, you will perhaps be as tall as me!”

Misty was having to tilt her neck to make proper eye contact with Celestia. She couldn't imagine being that tall. Where would she go if she didn't want to be seen? The young Alicorn looked over the room again, ears flicked back. The bed looked comfy, at least. But right in the middle of the room?

“Can I move the bed?” she asked gingerly.

“Of course. Would you like me to do so now?” replied Celestia, lighting her horn up. Misty was surprised.

“Oh. Uhm. Ok,” she said, eyeing her up hesitantly.

“Why do you seem so surprised?” asked Celestia curiously.

“Well, uhm, I would have assumed you had like… other ponies to do it for you or something,” she said, “Opaline would always…”

She cut herself off as she realized that she had done it again; assumed something that her old caretaker had done was anything close to normal.

Celestia’s horn immediately extinguished, her expression growing grave.

“... Misty, would you have a seat on the bed, please?” she instructed.

Misty felt her throat close as she complied. Was she in trouble? She shuffled over and hopped up onto the vast bed.

Celestia lay down on the floor next to the resting place. She took a few moments to find her words; Misty waited patiently.

“It may not seem like it, Misty, but we share something that very, very few creatures have,” she started. Misty’s eyes were immediately drawn to her wing, which made Celestia shake her head.

“Not those, although I do suppose that is something else we share. It is our understanding of how unpleasant an entity Opaline Arcana was. Has Twilight or Sunset told you about our relationship?”

Misty nodded. “A little… Sunset said you knew her from… Skyros? But not really her. Her from before, when the one that… uhm- yeah.”

“That's right. She was spiteful, arrogant, and above all else, childish. When my sister and I were granted stewardship over the sun and moon, she fought us, believing she deserved both saying it was her “birthright”, despite this being the first time Alicorns were chosen for such a task. The thought of someone such as her raising a child is…” Celestia shook her head in dismay. “Unthinkable. Your various guardians in Ponyville have told me of your struggles of shaking off her influence. Is that correct?”

Misty felt her bottom lip wobble a bit as she looked away. None of the memories were particularly happy. “Yeah. I-I’m getting better, though. I think.”

“It would seem you are,” replied Celestia, “You have already taken great strides, little one. If she truly did raise you from a young age, it is incredible that you have been able to shake off her influence so quickly. To be perfectly honest…”

Celestia looked up at the high ceiling, her gaze cold.

“I was not too upset to find her the way I did.

Misty shuddered.

“I don't think it's that incredible. She wasn’t a very nice pony. Almost all the ponies here are nice to me, and I don’t think it’s just because I have wings now.” she said, glancing warily at Celestia, who frowned.

“I can assure you, wings or not, they would all be treating you the same way; with kindness and patience. I…” Celestia seemed to pause in thought once again. Misty tried her best to be subtle as she tried to read her once more. Celestia started speaking again before she could do so.

“I… understand that I must intimidate you somewhat, little one. I know how upsetting it must be to be uprooted from the place you called home, especially since this time it was a castle you enjoyed staying in,” she said. Misty tilted her head gently. Celestia sounded… mournful?

“But please know, Twilight and I did not make this decision lightly. The threats to your safety from around Equestria may be too great for Twilight to handle on her own, as we saw with your kidnapping. Rest assured, that will not happen again. The entire castle is warded from such attacks, and the royal guard is the finest in the entirety of Equus. You will be safe here; that I can guarantee.”

Misty listened along quietly to Celestia, watching her carefully choose her words. She sounded genuine, at least as far as the young Alicorn could tell.

Celestia’s mouth curled into an unexpected coy smile.

“Speaking of which… I understand you managed to dispatch Queen Chrysalis?”

Misty shook her head, “Oh! Uhm, no. That was mostly Tempest. I just scared her away.”

“Believe me, little one. It takes a lot to scare Chrysalis. We have clashed many times over the years, and she often didn’t quite know when to quit. Driving fear into her heart is no easy feat.”

Misty’s ears flattened.

“It, uhm, really hurt. Alot. I almost couldn’t stop the fire. What if that happens when I’m around other ponies? Ones that I like?”

Misty almost flinched as the spike of purple radiated around Celestia’s body, the strong jolt of fear striking her in the chest.

“I am hoping that with some focused training, that will no longer be a danger,” Celestia said firmly.

Misty felt a sudden tension in the room, and she found herself scraping her hoof against her other leg in discomfort, her wings ruffling. That last comment had really seemed to rile Celestia up for some reason.

Misty quickly tried to move the conversation along.

“U-Uhm! Do you know what’s for dinner?” she asked quickly. Celestia turned to her, eyebrow raised.

“Well, I believe the kitchen staff were preparing some rice and vegetables for us tonight,” she answered, “Does that sound good?”

“Y-Yep! It’s, uhm, better than anything that Opaline ever made!” she continued briskly.

“Did Opaline…” Celestia started, before chuckling softly to herself, “Did she ever try to cook for you?”

Misty blinked a few times.

“Yes,” she mumbled.

“And did she ever make you risotto?”

Misty felt the corners of her mouth tick upwards as she realized what she was about to say.

“Yeah?”

Celestia chuckled much louder.

“Yes, she made me a risotto once. I thought it was made as some sort of peace offering, but in reality, I think she was just trying to give me food poisoning. It was so horribly undercooked that I nearly spat it back out.”

Misty’s smile grew as she nodded, “She always told me that the crunch would make my teeth stronger.”

Celestia’ chuckle died down a bit, “I do hope Twilight has been feeding you proper food?”

Misty nodded, “Yes! Starlight and Spike usually do most of the cooking, though. Have you ever had an oatburger?”

“I have, although I can’t say I have made one myself. I have, however, made risotto before. And I can assure you, I cook it thoroughly,” Celestia replied, nodding sagely, “and it would be my great honour as Ruler of Equestria to grant you the power to taste what real risotto tastes like, little one.”

The idea of having a real risotto was one that excited the young alicorn, whose ears went up.

“I… don’t actually really know how to make a risotto,” she admitted, “or what, uhm, actually goes in one.”

“Well…” Celestia said, rising to her hooves, “How about I teach you? We can make one together?”

Misty felt herself smiling, and nodded.

Despite her fears, Celestia truly wasn’t that bad. She was very different from Twilight or Sunset, but Misty could tell that she was truthful in her desires to help Misty control her powers. Something about the way she treated her was bothering her slightly, but she couldn’t put her hoof on what. The spike of fear that had burst out of her also had Misty nervous.

Perhaps she would keep her ability hidden from her for a short while longer.

Still, despite her anxiety, it wasn’t like her friends were out of reach; she could almost see Ponyville from her window. Sunset was still in the building, of course, and she would be sure to talk to her properly before she left.

Maybe things would be okay.

Different? Certainly.

But they would be okay.