Can you ever truly know somepony, no matter how close they are to you? When a neighboring monarch and friend of Celestia's nears the end, she and her faithful student embark on a journey to seek the aid of those who reside in the lands far beyond Equestrian borders.

Twilight and Celestia only ever wanted to understand what's going on, and to return to their normal lives. But, when they look to solve the greatest riddle ever told, the answers they find... Might not be the ones they seek.

Because sometimes, just because you're immortal doesn't make you invulnerable. Sometimes, the one you're more proud of than anything else is the one that respects you the most, and sometimes respect goes deeper than either of you had ever realised.

Additionally, because sometimes an author wants to try and write something that doesn't end in horse sex, but instead adorable hugging and stuff. If this doesn't work out I'll probably go on and add some horse sex later, because people always like to see that, but I hope people enjoy it. My first foray into a full sized shipping fic, so please tell me what I screwed up.

EDIT: Updated with grammar improvements/education courtesy of the incredibly helpful kits.

There have long been elements of unrest in Equestria. A monarch who has reigned for a thousand years will surely be called a tyrant by some. Those who plot Celestia's downfall know the princess herself is beyond their reach, but they can still strike at those she cares for.

When the light dims and the flame burns out, the magic inside us all will forever endure.

After she is summoned to Canterlot Castle in the dead of night, Twilight Sparkle struggles to figure out the reasoning behind her teachers mysterious request. However, to her surprise, the Sovereigns motives were much more emotionally touching than she thought, and as a result Twilight is forced to question the veracity of their relationship as student and teacher.

The residents of Ponyville are unaccustomed to violence, but recent attacks are shaking up the normally peaceful town. On top of this, Twilight Sparkle has been experiencing short bouts of memory loss and is getting concerned with her own health. The truth in the situation may be harder to bear, however.

Nightmare Night goes a little differently and leads into a spiraling staircase of events. the Night will forever be mixed with the scent of Lavender.
this is basically my old story Lavender Night, but revised and redone completely, only the basic story elements are there

On the night of her return from exile Nightmare Moon comes across resistance as she had expected. However she had a backup plan on hoof for just such a predicament, tearing off a small fraction of her soul and attaching it to the bearer of the element of magic. Now she must play the long game to ensure that she can obtain the loyalty of her new host and once more rise to power over Equestria.

Cover art thanks to Tonto the trotter.

A pony from Twilight's past returns. Nopony should ever be forgotten.

Seriously, a lot.

(Now with a Spanish translation by the generous SPANIARD KIWI!)