~Brother and Sister~

February 11th
8:32 pm
Twilit Castle, Ventus's Room
Prince Ventus

Fluttershy and her friends had convinced me to stay. It hadn't taken much; her eyes alone told me it was okay to just enjoy a day or two here before risking my newly reborn body in a fight against a demon. I really couldn't deny Twilight's reasoning, either; now that I'm an alicorn, I need to get used to the vast amount of magic at my command. I had spent the two hours since my arrival practicing my powers under Twilight's teaching and Fluttershy's companionship. I had to say, having a horn and that much mana is slightly overwhelming.

After that, I had retreated to a guest room Twilight had set aside for the sole purpose of housing foreign dignitaries. Fluttershy accompanied me, and I had not complained. We had much to catch up on. "So, the shy little mare I know and love… faced down Death and the Fates to try to find me?" I asked back to her as we sat on my bed. It was a little far-fetched.

"Well, yes… it was scary, but I just had to find a way to bring you back, after what Celestia did…" she knew it was actually Despair that did it, but the figure was still the sun princess. A question formed on my lips.

"Speaking of which… where is Celestia? Please tell me she's not still under the control of Despair." Fluttershy gulped, and looked away. Her face told me much. The sadness I saw spoke only of tragedy. I braced myself for the worst news.

"Princess Celestia had returned to us, after fighting off Despair's influence…" Fluttershy started. "I didn't go near her, after what she did… but I knew she wasn't in the best mind. Twilight told us that she wanted to form an army and march upon Despair's home in the castle. But we're refugees, we don't know how to fight!"

"I wasn't expecting you to rise up and fight either way, Fluttershy. I know you're kind and gentle; far too much of that for any fighting."

"Thanks, Ventus…" she took a breath, calming down from slight panic. "Celestia started to go mad with power, and eventually attacked Twilight so she could take her kingdom away. Aria protected her, and then Luna intervened with the Elements of Harmony, borrowed from the Tree. I'm not sure what happened after that to her…"

The story seemed all too familiar. History is repeating itself in too many ways. Celestia fell from her grace, and Luna used the Elements to banish her? Sounds like a reversed Nightmare Moon story to me. And then there's the current situation regarding me - an evil presence is nearly destroying Equestria, born from the savior of the world one thousand years ago. There are too many parallels for any of this to seem like it is only our problem; how we deal with this situation will decide the fate of Equestria not only now, but far in the future as well.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," I called. The door swung open to reveal a blue mare, who had tears in her eyes. "Can I help you?" I asked.

"G-Gale…" she stuttered. "It's been so long!" the mare jump-hugged me, and I was flabbergasted. I don't know this mare, but she called me Gale…

"Ventus," I heard the colt in question say from within me. It was a new ability to hear him (or Highwind and Dusk, for that matter) at any time, but I guess being an Alicorn has its advantages. "I haven't seen my sister in ten years. Let me take control." Before I could ask how, Gale's soul took over my body. It was an odd feeling, not being in control; as well as being another mystery I'll chalk up to my newfangled alicorn body. That, and being the only alicorn with multiple souls, put me in a unique position.

I retreated into my mind, and let the two of them have their happy reunion. He told her that he went by the name 'Ventus' now, for easier communication later on. Fluttershy simply smiled as she saw siblings reunite, even in dark times like these. She simply thought that she and I were actually siblings. I would agree with her later that family is what's most important now.

~End of Segment~

~Crystal Chalice~

Same date
One hour later
Luna's Heart
Princess Luna

I had told the guards to make sure nopony would disturb me. Retreating into the chambers Twilight had given me, meditation was the only cure for what ailed me now. As I had done many times in my past, I delved deep into my own being to the stained-glass platform that was my soul. The night sky shone forth on it, with my form a dominant picture upon the surface. "I see you finally decided to show yourself to me." My sister's voice said, and I turned behind me.

Celestia was in a cage in my soul, chained with the most powerful restraining spells I knew of. "You know that there is a kingdom We must protect, sister." I replied. "We did not have enough time to visit until now."

"I'm sure." She replied. Her intense, cruel gaze was upon me for the entire duration of our conversation, and it was the first time she had done such. "Did you really have to drain my magic from me, though?" Her mane had fallen to the sides of her head and reverted to its pink state. I had not actively done that; instead, it was a side effect of absorbing her soul.

"Merely a precaution. You won't be getting your powers back, either. We shall take responsibility for the sun and moon, as you had done in Our absence." My reply was as stern as her gaze. However, now was the perfect time to get answers. "What We would like to know, sister, is how this all happened in the first place. How did Despair come to be?"

Celestia remained silent. Her eyes spoke volumes, and revealed to me her guilt. "This is all my fault, sister. Since the day we challenged King Sombra, this has all been my fault…" she laid down on the floor of the cage, and closed her eyes. "You have the ability to see dreams, sister. Look at my dreams, what I have been dreaming every night since Despair's appearance. I cannot say it out loud."

I was a little surprised, to be honest. My sister never allowed me inside of her mind before, and I respected her privacy. Now, though… I channeled magic through my entire being, aiming my consciousness towards my sister. In the dream, I would be but a bystander; I would not alter this memory, no matter how much I wished to see my sister's suffering end.

"Luna, he's in here. I can feel the evil radiating out of this room." I, or rather, Celestia said. I was viewing the dream from her eyes, to get all of the details she had witnessed.

"Then let Us go, sister." I heard my own voice say next to me. I was wearing my battle regalia from all those years ago, with my sword of moonstone in a telekinetic grip. Likewise, I could feel Celestia's armor upon her body, and the spear made of bleached Orichalcum floated next to her. "Let Us not stay his end further."

Celestia's magic flared up, and the throne room doors were blown clear off their hinges. In a fast flight, the two of us charged at the lone figure in the room - King Sombra atop his throne of darkness. The spear next to my field of vision fired a solar flare, while my body charged Sombra right behind it. An explosion rocked the throne, as Sombra charged up his magic in order to create a crystal barrier. The barrier blocked the flare and my body.

"Such a shame. I had thought you were more powerful than that." Sombra's demonic voice rang out. The crystal shattered and flew off in every direction. Celestia's magic created a barrier before my body could do the same. I remember this battle, of course; but this crystal attack knocked me out. Embarrassing, but that is how it played out. I was now watching the rest of the battle, the part I missed.

"Luna!" Celestia shouted, flying over to my side. My form was battered and bruised, but I would be alright in the long run. "Show yourself!"

An evil, vile laugh filled my ears. "So much despair I see in your eyes. I almost pity you, my student."

"I am your student no longer, Sombra! You will fall!" the dark unicorn king appeared from the shadows, with a lance of his own fashioned out of his dark crystal. Celestia deflected the attack with her spear, and thrusted the weapon towards him. The attack hit, but did little to deter him.

"My reign was gifted to me by the gods themselves!" Sombra cried out. "My powers are above yours!" dark waves of energy radiated off his form. Despite this, the clash of weapons rang true as the fight waged on. Celestia suffered many wounds, but dealt more to Sombra. Eventually, the better of the two, my sister, stood atop the fallen, broken body of Sombra.

"I have beaten you, Sombra. Stand down from your throne, and right your wrongs." Celestia proclaimed.

"I cannot." Sombra replied. "You have bested me… but I cannot change what I have done. Do what you must and end my existence." He seemed a little too calm for his death.

"I… but no, I can't kill you, how will that fix our world?" A bright, white light entered my vision. It emanated from a hovering chalice, shining with a divine light.

"If you want your wish granted…" it spoke, "Simply provide a fitting sacrifice…" Celestia actually considered it for a moment. She considered killing Sombra right there. I know I would have, even without the Chalice egging me on.

"I won't. Everypony deserves a second chance." Celestia honed her magic, and imparted pure light into Sombra's body. "Take this gift, so you may lead a life of redemption." The shadows left the king's body, and his horn shrank to a normal unicorn's appearance. The king fell limp, and the chalice vanished.

However, just before the dream ended, the darkness from Sombra appeared to create a doorway in space. From it, crawled two demons. One of which I knew personally. Despair and Nightmare.

The dream ended, leaving me back in my soul with Celestia. "Don't you see, Sister?" she said. "History will repeat itself. It doesn't matter if Despair is killed or not. Equestria as we know it is doomed." Her tears fell from her face. "And it is all my fault."

~End of Chapter~

Author's notice: before I get any hate, let me clarify: Luna has absorbed Celestia completely. Sunbutt won't be making a real-world appearance ever again.
Secondly, I know this clashes with so many headcannons. Keep in mind, this comes from my own and with little regards to yours.
Lastly, Celestia's last remark is her point of view. She knew Sombra heeded the Chalice, and she did not, and a similar fate befell Equestria. Whether or not the same thing happens with Ventus and Despair is anypony's guess. ~Nano