//------------------------------//
// Civilization 
// Story: Slices from the Mind 
// by Pump It Up 
//------------------------------//

	Celestia watched through her bedroom window as earth ponies moved blocks of marble and stone to where unicorns stood at the ready, waiting to levitate the materials to the workers high above on the mountain. 

"It is a shame you cannot see what work the ponies are doing, Starswirl," she said, turning away from the window. "They're working very diligently."

"I have Clover to describe things for me," said the skull of Starswirl the Bearded, eye sockets glowing when he spoke. "This is much better than anything I had in life. I am able to teach and discuss without any inconveniences of the body." 

Shaking her head, Celestia sat at her desk and faced the skull on it. "I can't believe they chose Lulu and I to be rulers. We're barely out of our teenage years! Luna's merely nineteen!"

Like a teacher reminds a student, Starswirl said, "They needed somepony more powerful and able to lead than themselves—"

"They had perfectly good rulers!"

"—and alicorns are regarded by many as near-deities. You know this, Celestia." 

The mare sighed. "And I do, Starswirl.  I simply needed to vent my frustration." Celestia looked out the window. "Our castle in the Everfree was perfectly fine. We don't need a fancy palace." 

"Look on the bright side,' Starswirl said. "They will build houses near you, and it will be easier to protect them." 

"Protect?" Celestia snorted. "I can protect a country about as well as I can prevent a sneeze." 

"Without you, they would eventually fall into ruin. Civilization would be no more. You are the glue that holds them together."

Silently, Celestia walked back to the window. 

Am I?