Celestia and Anon part 5

>It's going to be awkward, but it has to be done.

>He's not stupid.

>There's no way he didn't realise something was wrong last night.

>At least I'll be able to explain Luna's frustration.

>I hope.

 

The low sun streamed in through the windows of the long corridor as Celestia made her way to Anon's room. She was impeccably groomed as always, but today her composure a façade, masking a sleepless night full of worry.

 

>Worry.

>I haven't worried like this for a long time.

>Even in the darkest days of the last century, I have not been this unsure of the future.

>But it's not my own future I'm worried about.

>It's his.

>Why?

 

The princess contemplated the loss of control over her thoughts as she approached Anon's door. She knocked and entered, not waiting for a reply.

"Anon? I need to speak with you."

Her introspection vanished when she realised the room was empty.

 

>Strange, he should be here.

>Perhaps he's gone to breakfast.

 

Celestia left the room and headed towards the dining hall, walking a little faster than usual.

 

When she arrived, she sat in her place at the head table as fruits, breads, jams and teas were brought out and laid before her. She took a few cursory nibbles, scanning the hall for any sigh of Anon. Disappointed, she left, thanking the waiters.

 

>Where could he have gone?

>Surely he's not got lost in the palace.

>He must have gone for a walk in the gardens.

 

Celestia went to the nearest balcony and leapt off, soaring into the air. She flew high, back and forth over the gardens. After fruitlessly searching the enormous grounds, she landed by the main gate out of frustration. An armed pony saluted as she touched the ground.

"Excuse me, Gatekeeper, have you seen Anon at all today?"

 

>A stupid question really.

>I must be desperate.

>Of course he hasn't-

 

"Yes your Highness, he passed through here not an hour ago."

"What!? And you let him?"

"Y-yes, your Highness," he replied, cowering beneath her sudden wrath, "by order of Princess Luna..."

 

 

>Luna.

 

Rage gave Celestia strength as she leapt into the sky. Her powerful wings beat against the air, sending her over the fortified walls of the palace. She flew low and fast over the roofs of Canterlot, dodging towers and rushing along avenues.

 

>This is the last straw.

>Disobeying me.

>Putting Canterlot at risk.

>All for some misplaced ideal.

>She's not fit to rule.

>I have to be rid of her.

>Somehow.

 

Celestia's anger at her sister dissipated as soon as she heard it. A high pitched scream just a couple of streets over caught her ears. She turned upwards, trying to get a better idea of it's source.

 

>And now I'm going to have to clean this mess up.

>Hopefully it hasn't spread too far already.

>A group of panicked ponies is always more dangerous than the sum of it's parts.

 

Another scream allowed her to pinpoint the source. She swooped down towards it, readying a spell that would both amplify her voice and calm those that heard it. She landed on a roof nearby and looked down at the scene. Anon was surrounded by a group of ponies, clamouring forward and nearly jumping over him. She inhaled, ready to take control of the situation, but her breath caught in her throat as she heard a cry from below.

"Me! Do me next!"

Celestia watched intently as he pulled a coin from behind the pony's ear.

"Eeeeeee!" The young filly squealed, rubbing her skull with a hoof. "How did you do that?"

Anon winked and flipped the coin into the air, only for it to disappear before falling back down.

"Magic."

 

 

"It's good, but he's kind of a one-trick human, don't you think?"

Celestia turned towards the voice, and was shocked to see Luna sat next to her, watching Anon

"I assume you know by now that I was the one that let him out. I couldn't stand by and do nothing." Luna turned to her sister. "You had imprisoned him, Celestia. And for what? So that our subjects couldn't delight in meeting an entirely new creature?" She turned back to the street below. "Just look at them. I've never seen such spontaneous joy."

"I must admit, I didn't anticipate this reaction. I was sure they would never appreciate what a unique opportunity this is. I was-"

"Jealous?"

Celestia frowned at the sly smile Luna wore. "Worried. For his safety, and that of our subjects."

"Call it what you will. Either way, I think you owe someone an apology. Come, let's return to the Palace. He'll be back before sundown."

 

 

Both Celestia and Luna were sat on their thrones as Anon entered the Throne Room.

"You wanted to see me, Princesses?"

"Yes, Anon." Celestia answered. "After your trial run in Canterlot that Luna convinced me to allow..." The Princess of the Night winked at Anon, drawing forth a giggle. "we have decided that it would be best that we grant you free movement in Equestria."

"Thank you, Celestia. I promise to make good use of this gift."

Celestia nodded. "See that you do. You are dismissed."

 

A knock on Celestia's door disturbed her from her writing. She laid her quill down and called out. "Who is it?" No answer came. Instead the door opened a crack and Anon peered in. "Anon! Come in, I thought you had gone already."

"Not just yet. I wanted to thank you one last time."

"Really? I took up so much of your precious time."

"True, but you also welcomed me to a strange place with open arms and made me feel more at home than "I ever did back where I came from. I'd liked to have stayed longer, actually, but I don't think that would be good for either of us."

Celestia pulled him into an embrace with her wing. "You're probably right. I will miss you though. Do you ever think we'll see each other again?"

"I'm sure we will." A few seconds passed, Anon still in Celestia's tight embrace. "Uh Celestia, I really should go."

"Oh, sorry." Celestia said as she let him go. "No matter how practiced I am, goodbyes never get easier."

Anon smiled. "How about one last trick then? Close your eyes."

Celestia closed her eyes. "OK, but make it a good one Anon."

She waited for a few soundless moments. "Anon?"

Her eyes opened, and he was gone.