Hey!

I can't believe we're there already, but that's it, the end. We go back to the present time, back to Twilight, Celestia and Luna.

I want to thank all of you who read this story, favorited and reviewed it. This is the first time I have so much positive feedback, and it's pretty encouraging for what I have planned next.

I am working on the sequel. My original idea was to focus on how the relationship between the sisters worsened until Nightmare Moon happened, by just using a different character to watch it unfold, but I've grown attached to Staria. There is a question you might ask yourselves at the end of the chapter: what happened to Staria after Nightmare Moon? Where did she go? When did she start raising the stars again and why? The sequel will focus on that, if I can get it done. So stay tuned for more!

I'm leaving you with this for now and I'll keep you updated, but I am a rather slow writer (more like a lazy one), so expect some time before the sequel. I'll try to make it a priority, but I make no promise.

That said...enjoy the epilogue of The Lost Star!

XxxX

"So…that's it?"

Celestia looked lost for a moment, lost in memories which had happened so long ago. She eventually gazed back at her faithful student, in her deep, sorrow-filled eyes…sorrow for her, and a tragedy that had happened so long ago. Luna was silent by her side too, remembering that terrible night and the voice that had taken a hold of her…the feeling of helplessness, there, on the moon, the longing for her sisters…and the pain of not finding the one who had always understood her better than anyone else.

"After that night, Staria became even more distant. She barely spoke, barely ate…she was just a shell of herself, empty and numb to the world. I was struggling with my own pain and the added duties of raising the moon, so I did not really speak with her…and I regret it every day. Perhaps, if we had talked…" She trailed off, letting the other two figure it out for themselves.

Luna decided to fill in for Celestia, even though she wasn't there at the time –to allow her sister some respite.

"Staria left about a month after that night." She said, facing Twilight. "She just left a letter in which she said, 'I can't take it anymore. Forgive me, Sister.' And she was gone. No one saw her leave or anything. They only noticed because the Stars did not shine that night." Twilight arched a brow.

"She did not raise the stars? But they still shine every night? Do you raise them too, princess?"

"Neither of us do," Celestia finally answered. "For ten long years, the sky never saw the stars. Only the Moon illuminated the night, and for years I wondered whether she would ever bring them back." Luna shook her head.

"She did not believe in the value of the night –in her own value as princess of the Stars. She always believed Night existed only because Day needed a counterpart –and that her own existence wasn't really needed."

"That's…that's so sad." Twilight swallowed hard. "How can anypony believe they were not meant to exist –that they aren't needed?"

Luna's reply was full of a wisdom earned through her years of exile.

"We define ourselves through the way others look at us. Back then, we were practically invisible…when no one recognises you, or your work –who can stay strong and never falter?"

"Part of it was my fault," Celestia smiled humourlessly. "I ruled in a way that made them both feel left out and forgotten. And it took Nightmare Moon to make me realize…but by then, it was already too late."

"I forgave you, Sister," Luna reminded her, gently nuzzling her cheek. "And you forgave me too."

"But did Staria forgive me? Did she forgive herself? I don't know. But, as long as she's happy…" Celestia gazed outside, at the gently fading sun, "then I guess it's alright."

The sisters shared an understanding glance, and the room fell silent once more. But there was one thing Twilight still struggled to understand.

"Wait…so she ended up raising the stars again, one day? Just like that? And none of you know why?"

"I believe if she raised them again," Celestia said, "then it means she finally understood their worth."

"And if she did…" Luna added, hopeful, "then she must have found the place where she rightfully belongs and where she can be happy."

"And you're okay with that?" Twilight was confused. "You're okay with never seeing her again?"

"As we said, Twilight," Luna stood up, and Celestia followed suit. "As long as she's happy, it doesn't matter where she is. Her happiness is more important than anything else in all of Equestria."

"Besides, I do believe we'll see her again," Celestia smiled, a much happier and hopeful smile than ever before. "When the time is right. Ready, Sister?"

Luna did not answer, merely following Celestia out of the room, bidding Twilight goodbye and suggesting she regained her castle. Twilight did not move, contemplating the restored picture in a new light –now knowing the truth of this third alicorn, of Celestia's and Luna's lost sister. Where was she now? Was she as happy as they both seemed to believe? Would she really come back one day? Perhaps Celestia would not mind if she did some research…

Nodding to herself, Twilight left the painting alone in the room, a new plan of research already forming in her mind. She'd first check her own books, then the Canterlot library, then the old castle…

The door slammed shut behind her, and the picture was engulfed in the darkness of the falling night. Outside, on the balcony, Luna and Celestia sat side by side, the former gently raising the moon in the dark sky. Slowly, one by one, small lights started to shine around the moon, lighting up the whole sky with the stars' gentle glow. The peacefulness of the night embraced the whole city, and silence softly replaced the busy noises of the day, until the sisters were the only beings still awake in the night.

"Do you really believe it, sister?" Luna's voice broke the silence around them. "Do you really believe she will come back to us?"

"I have to, Luna." Celestia closed her eyes. "I have to believe that she will forgive me –that one day, I will be able to apologize. If I didn't, the weight of my guilt would tear me apart." Luna looked away.

"I miss her so much…"

"I miss her, too. But in due time…in due time, she will come back. I know she will."

Luna did not answer, and both lost themselves in their thoughts, their bright eyes looking up at the shining stars above. One day perhaps, what had been broken for so long would be made whole again. And the deepest wish of the two sisters would be more than a mere hope shattered by time and endless regrets.

Please come back, Sister.

And forgive me for being so blind.