Celestia was troubled. There were ponies out there, demanding that something was to be done about the humans. Get the criminals who dropped the asteroids. Make them return all the stolen gems. So much hate going around. It didn't help that the human ambassador had told her that there was unrest in Luna Aeternal, human capital. Apparently, more and more humans wanted to come to planetside. That mean increasing The Zone. However, they could not do it without losing a face to ponies. If they kept caving to human demands, it would seem as they were weak. That could lead to... a civil war. It was a tought she didn't want to think. It was enough during Nightmare Moons reign, those horrible two weeks when two sides collided, even if it was just corrupted guard versus loyal guard.

But now, there was no clear enemy. Ponies needed confidence, to see that their leaders were still strong. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't agitate humans. No, that was wrong. She had gotten much better grasp of human political system by now. It wasn't human government she needed to fear. It was few powerful political blocks. If she made something that could be understood as "a threat", those blocks would move to drum up support for a new war. It was not something she could allow to happen.

Human government was keeping the lid on the situation by carefully monitoring and controlling the media, but as the ambassador Fahrenheit had said, it was only temporal solution. Sooner or later something would slip by, or the people would start to question news blackout on the moon. They needed more permanent solution, a compromise. However, things she needed to be done to regain lost position were beyond what ambassador could give.

It left only one option. To talk to human leader, so called The First Citizen. She had already talked to ambassador about it and The First Citizen and send her an invitation for a state visit. But who could go? If she went, they would see the very symbol of the enemy, an extremely powerful magical pony. However, sending someone else would mean that they would in same position as they were with the ambassador, only in reversed roles.

That left only one option: Princess Luna. Humanity had some respect as a whole for her. It was she who had found key to end the war without further bloodshed. However, she was reluctant to let Luna to travel to middle of human territory. They would be out of contact for several days if that happened and she could not talk to her if needed. Plus, if humans really did have unrest among their population there was no way to know what would happen.

Life had become so complicated. She missed the times when the hardest decisions she had to make were related to ownership of a tree located on a border of two farms. In such a short time her life had turned into a minefield, where every step had to be carefully calculated.

"Yes. We need to find a compromise that will satisfy the warhawks on the both sides. You know what we need and what they need..."

"And we can't just give them what they want and they can't give us what we want. So what do you propose?"

"Well, problem is that the ambassador can't promise such things and she can't remain in constant contact with The First Citizen. So we would need to speak to The First Citizen directly. However, he can't come here." Celestia said tiredly.

"Yes. I have an invitation to visit their capital, Luna Aeternal. I think it's for the best if you go there. If I go it might agitate their populace and cause them to listen to those who want war..."

"Captain Stonewall shall come with squad of guards. Is there anyone else you might want to come with you?"

At this point Luna had to think hard. Who would want to come with her? Despite her efforts during the war, there were still poisonous voices whispering about her past as Nightmare Moon. Who would want to travel with her to the moon... Then she had an idea.

"Can I... Can I ask Twilight Sparkle to come with me?" Luna said meekly. Celestia raised an eyebrown at this.

"My faithful student? Well, if she wishes." Celestia was not exactly thrilled of idea of sending both Luna and Twilight to human capital, but if having Twilight with her helped Luna to handle the trip, she would allow it for now.

They talked for a while about how the visit to human capital would be done and when it would be done. Then there was matter of informing Twilight Sparkle.

...................................................

Ponyville was healing nicely from the war. Most of the damage had been repaired and ponies had settled in comfortable routines. Twilight was at the moment hosting two guest, Rainbow Dash and Rarity, with Rainbow Dash teasing Rarity and Spike.

"Dash! Such language is not suitable for proper lady!" Rarity shouted in a protest

"Besides, if we had we wouldn't tell about it to you." Came Spikes answer from the ladder where he was setting book in order.

"Okay, all of you calm down. No need to tease them when you see them, Dash. Fun as it is." Twilight wasn't really the best to imprint other about teasing, considered she did all the time with Spike.

"So. How have you been? Is Scootaloo doing fine?" It had been a shock to everyone when Rainbow Dash had one day arrived with Scootaloo under her wing, with adoption papers in her mouth. Apparently Scootaloos parents had not survived the war, with her dad enlisting in the Guard and mother dying during Battle of Ponyville. So when Rainbow Dash had seen her in Canterlot Orphanage, she had adopted her right away.

"She is doing fine. Her grades are actually improving. She finally passed flying test." Rainbow Dash said with a small smile. She had calmed down considerably after adopting Scootaloo. Guess the sudden transformation from "cool big sis" to "parent" caused her to rethink her actions. "I just wish I could help her with the nightmares."

"Poor little one." Rarity said, before trying to reach for a sandwich. It flew slightly pass her mouth, but she quickly corrected the mistake.

"Oh, no need. Spike promised he would help me to get there." Rarity said with a smile, while Spike turned visibly red. "Sweetie Bell has been great help with the shop now days, sometimes I think she might get better than me!" What was left out was that Sweetie Bell had the definite advantage of seeing what she was doing. A burp from Spike (and the accompanying crash) broke their discussion.

"Hey, a letter from Princess Celestia!" Twilight said as she picked up the letter.

My dear faithful student.

Due to political difficulties faced by us, we have decided to make a state visit to human capital, Luna Aeternal, on the dark side of the moon. We will personally remain on Canterlot, while Princess Luna conducts this visit. We wish to ask you to accompany Her during this trip, to ensure she has a friend and confidential with her.

Yours
Princess Celestia

Everyone just stared at Twilight, while Twilight read the letter several times trough. It wasn't a normal letter Celestia send her, but a formal request.

"Relax dear, take a deep breath. She wants you to accompany Princess Luna during her trip. She doesn't ask you to negotiate for her, does she?"

"Well, what do you think? Of course I agree. Princess Celestia asked me for this. She has been having hard time lately, this is the least I can do to help her. Spike, I need you to look after the library while I am gone. And no holding weddings while I am gone!"

"TWILIGHT!" Answered both Spike and Rarity in unison while Rainbow Dash chuckled.

The History Of The Human War

by Scorched Earth

After The War - State Visit