//------------------------------//
// Post-Meal Mint 
// Story: The Rise of Lunchtime Luster 
// by Twinkletail 
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Four days later...

Princess Celestia sat at her throne, exhausted and irritated.

She had thanked her lucky stars that the concept of lunchtime was an abstract one that did not follow a strict time of day. Ponies could have "lunch" whenever they wanted, after all. In truth, she had been a bit worried on that first day that she would not be able to lower the sun, but her worries were quickly dashed when it worked just as it always had.

That wasn't to say that things had been just peachy ever since the rise of Post Meridian. Things had still managed to be somewhat inconvenient, which is what led to today's meeting. Celestia had briefly considered calling for help from Twilight and her friends, but in the end, she'd decided that this matter wasn't quite dire enough to get them involved. She was confident she could handle it herself without the use of force. The princess of the sun stared across the table at the gloating Meridian.

"So," Meridian said, a self-important smirk crossing her face. "You have brought me here for negotiations?"

"I suppose it could be called that," Celestia responded, her calm demeanor hiding the mild disdain she held for her guest.

"I noticed that your secretary is missing," Meridian said smugly.

"You must put a stop to this nonsense," Celestia said, her voice raising slightly. "I've been getting bombarded with letters from angry citizens who have not been able to order from the breakfast menus of their favorite restaurants for days now. My favorite bed and breakfast has seen their daily income cut in half, and Equestria is experiencing a critical shortage of both peanut butter and jelly. This must be stopped."

"A-ha!" Meridian exclaimed triumphantly. "Now you realize the true extent of my catastrophic power!"

"Right," Celestia said tersely. Catastrophic might not have been the word she would have used, but it was easier to just agree, despite Meridian's irritating cackle that arose from her agreement.

"So," the sun princess said, resting her front hooves on the table. "What are your demands?"

"I want to be known amongst your people," Meridian said. "And to be held in the same regard as you and the other princesses. I wish my name to appear alongside those of the other princesses in the history books."

"I can't simply add you to the history of Equestria," Celestia told her. "At least not to what was already written."

"Then include me in future history books!" Meridian insisted. "I want all of Equestria to know my name!"

Celestia hummed thoughtfully to herself. "It will take some time before a new history book is written, but if you release my land from your...power, then I promise that you will be included with your proper title."

"Not good enough!" Meridian shouted. "I wish to see immediate results as well!"

Celestia rolled her eyes. Dealing with tough negotiators was irritating, especially when the pony in question only just barely had enough power and influence to warrant it. It took a moment of thought before she came up with a brilliant idea.

"What is your favorite sandwich?" Celestia asked. Meridian tilted her head, thrown off by the strange query, but it didn't take much thought for her to come up with an answer.

"Peanut butter and bananas on potato bread," Meridian answered. "Why do you ask?"

"From this day forward," Celestia said, speaking with authority. "In Equestria, a peanut butter and banana sandwich on potato bread shall henceforth be known as the Lunchtime Luster."

The princess watched her guest carefully for her reaction. For a rough few moments, Meridian did not react in any noticeable fashion. Finally, the white and orange alicorn nodded.

"This is acceptable," Meridian said. "But I have one more demand!"

"What is it?" Celestia asked, the relief from Meridian's previous acceptance already shaking at the mention of another demand.

"I want a tiara," Meridian said simply. "All princesses have tiaras. I am a princess, and if I am to be treated as an equal, I require a tiara."

"Very well," Celestia said, figuring this was not too much of a problem. "I'll have one made for you as soon as possible, on the conditions that you will not...erm...endanger...our citizens ever again."

"As long as I am getting the recognition I deserve, there will be no need for me to do so," Meridian said. "I would much prefer to inspire ponies to follow me through good tidings than force anyway."

Celestia nodded silently. Perhaps there was a good pony under those strange mannerisms and that short temper.

"Then it is agreed," Celestia said. She opened her drawer and removed a large orange jewel from it. She levitated it over to Meridian, setting it into the front of the fez that she was still wearing for some reason. "I hereby recognize you as Princess Lunchtime Luster."

Meridian smiled a genuine smile as white and orange energy began flowing out of her. The bright light soon dissipated into the air, leaving her as the same sky-blue alicorn that Celestia had met four days ago.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia," Luster said, her smile as bright as the afternoon sun. "You will not regret this, I promise!" With that, the newly-recognized Princess offered her hoof for a shake, adding in a respectable little bow. Celestia accepted the hoofshake, although she wasn't quite ready to bow in response. Thankfully, Luster seemed to not mind this at all, and she quickly departed, looking the happiest that she had been in days.

Celestia watched the newly-crowned Princess depart. She supposed another princess for Equestria wasn't a bad thing. Her attention was then drawn back to her chamber door by the entrance of her secretary.

"Gosh," the secretary said as she entered. "That felt like the longest lunch break of my life."

"Tell me about it," Celestia said,