Summer Asphodel, Celestia's secretary and chief of staff, was fond of the new castle policies. Of course, why wouldn't she be? They were her brainchild (brainchildren?). She designed her system so that no one could take advantage of it, so that all would be equal before the princess, especially the irritating, pushy nobles. Not unlike those trailing behind her, she noted with perhaps a bit too much pleasure. Unless the princess asked specifically for one pony, they had to wait with the rest of the laity, even the mare that ran the system.
It would be remiss of her not to take pride in the prestige of her position; it was after all, a hard fought battle. The Lunar Princess' own chief of staff had been next in line should Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia's...fall, to put it delicately. However, with the near disappearance of all Lunar staff, the position fell into dispute. Strangely, no one, save Asphodel, thought to ask the Princess what had happened to Celandine. Mayhap, she considered for a moment, that was my reason of promotion? The poor Princess just needed someone she could really confide her loss to. Does that translate into trust?. It made her smile to know the princess did trust her with power over her "beloved little ponies". The graying sage colored mare strutted through the eerily bright halls with gusto, for without her, the entire place would fall apart. She kept a haughty smile on her snout, and her burgundy eyes fixed on the glittering golden door ahead of the party that led to the hall of audiences.
As quietly as possible, Asphodel seized the door-pull with her teeth, and opened for the three ponies behind her. Surprisingly enough, the new royale were the ones who actually thanked her for opening the door, though the prince noticeably more genuinely than the princess. No matter. They were Celestia's problem now.
Dike knew she had no real reason to dislike Asphodel. Still, the fact that she had to make an appointment to see her aunt irked her. Not that she liked to see Celestia all the time anymore, but still.
"Hello, Dike."
A voice, warm and comforting as sunlight striking her coat on a crisp morning in the early spring, welcomed her in. Everything about the space was soft, and inviting. Annoyingly, Brilliance was humming some new song that seemed to fit in as well. The two sounds melded together, into something familiar, beautiful and disarming all at once. Dike fought not to let down her guard, though her resolve was trickling away in the presence of the Princess of the Day, the Archistorian, and Prince Brilliance.
"Good Morning, your highness."
Celestia winced. "I told you not to call me that. It's been years since I asked you both not to."
"I would not feel any need too if you would not be so distant."
The heaviness of the royal sigh was tangible in the air. She had known that Dike would still be bitter, but at least she had prepared this time instead of just pleading with her. Hardly befitting of a Princess to argue crime and punishment with her much younger niece, and even more foolish when said niece's special talent was justice itself. She put on a smile, kind, gentle, and as genuine as she could muster.
"Sometimes, things have to change. There have been several security breaches already, from 'family' requesting to visit, and it turns out to be something different altogether. But we have already discussed this. How was your evening? I trust you enjoyed the cocoa?" The glare she received in reply was enough.
"Ah. Your father didn't tell you I sent it, did he?"
"What is this about?"
"Well--"
"Pardon me, Your Majesty, but I do believe I should answer this question. Miss Dike..."
"Afterthought. She has a title. Use it. I was about to tell her myself the purpose of this meeting, and why Brilliance is here as well."
This piqued Dike's interest. Celestia thought it was important enough that she should tell both of them herself, and not leave it to some lackey? Even if it was the same question, there must be a new detail at work here.
"As I was saying, I called you here because of your involvement on Nightmare Night, so many years ago."
"So why now?"
Brilliance, even with all his humming, had been uncharacteristically quiet the entirety of the visit, so that even Dike had forgotten he was there. She did, however suddenly remember that after all these years, she still hadn't told him that one small detail that the whole mess was about.
Celestia however just smiled; inwardly she was bursting about in glee at her teachable moment. She rarely got them anymore. "Brilliance, most ponies remember that it was you and Dike that assisted me in wielding the Elements of Harmony against Nightmare Moon."
"Princess Luna." a pair of flat voices interrupted.
"Nightmare Moon. Anyways, while most ponies remember, some do not. Eventually, after about five generations, the story will disappear, and you two won't be around to tell it. Alternatively, it may still exist as a legend or myth, but there will be no proof.
"That is where the historians come in. They collect the facts about the event, write it down, and it becomes history, fact rather than fable. It becomes true for generations to come, and is taught in schools. The only problem is that for your story, there is no written history."
"Well why not? You were there, Dike was there, and so was I. I'm sure we could come up with a history between the three of us" He was blissfully unaware of Dike's wince, or the glare she directed to him.
"It would be that simple if not for one minor detail. Dike, I believe this one is yours to tell."
With raised eyebrows and tense shoulders, she complied. "I am not signing off on Celestia's version of the story. It is not the entire truth of what happened. As a former palace historian, her story cannot pass without my approval, and I will not give it."
"Well, what's wrong with the story?"
"For one, the change to Nightmare Moon was not overnight, nor do I believe it was complete. Two, it does not give a complete reason or explanation of the change. Three, Luna and Nightmare Moon are described as two separate entities, which goes back to point one. Four, there is no punishment in place for after the return from the moon. Last of all, we aren't in it."
It would not be difficult for Brilliance to say what he wanted to say. But he knew that it would be difficult for certain ponies to hear. He hoped he had chosen his words wisely as the escaped his lips.
"Would that be so bad?"
Dike's eye involuntarily twitched.
"You did say that part of this is based on your belief, not on the evidence or your own observation. Then, there is a reason, but we all know it's classified for the safety of the general public, as is that entire chapter of Equestrian History. and isn't one thousand years away from everything you know punishment enough? Furthermore,"He tried to lighten the load he was leaving on Dike, "I'm getting too much attention as it is!"
"Brilliance, I thought you liked the attention!" Celestia retorted brightly. Too brightly. Dike was fuming.
"I did, it just gets a little hard to handle all the well wishers, and fan mail, and that occasional hate mail..."
"You're serious?"
"....She just used a contraction didn't she?"
"Don't you ignore me!"
"Yes...she did. Now we die." He turned to face her, and the smile he would have used to disarm her again was lost in the weight of the rage on her face.
"How could you just... FORGET! She hurt us. She tried to kill us. She showed no quarter. Yet you would allow a falsehood of the highest degree be taught as history?" The tears were coming again, but they would not win, not today. "It would be far better to forget her existence than to give her the status of victim. She does not deserve it!"
Silence reigned in the room as Dike stood fast in the center of the room, huffing air through her nostrils like so many angry minotaurs. Finally, Celestia spoke.
"Archistorian, you have your answer. Leave us now."
"But, your Majesty..."
"If you would, her Ladyship needs a moment. Go."
Offended, Afterthought stormed from the room. Still, he now had the answer for the counsel.
When the door closed after him, Celestia rose from the throne, reminding Brilliance of the morning clouds catching the light stream over the horizon. This Princess was pure power, yet she never felt the need to display her might to those beneath her. In fact, she lifted them up, not only from the ground, but to her level, meeting them eye to eye, rather than secluding herself.
"Come, my little ponies," She whispered, with the sound of a gentle wind, "and I will show you my reasons."