Tomorrow is the 950th Summer Sun Celebration, and with it, the bond between a nation and its princess will be renewed once more. For the 950th time, Celestia will take up the burden of rule, the worries of her people, and the divine task which she alone can fulfill.

Tonight, Celestia reaches the end of one journey. Tomorrow, she begins again.

An entry in the Imposing Sovereigns IV contest, using the prompts Celestia/Persistence.

CW: Self-Harm tag included as a precaution for non mental-health induced events.

Pre-reading assistance by Dewdrops on the Grass
Cover art by Melody Libris

Did you think a princess always had peaceful, pleasant dreams?

Princess Luna, newly back from her banishment, begins dreamwalking again and witnesses something all too real.

A hunt begins, and it will lead down a path of violence, betrayal, and a guilt that festers...

Suggested for "Suggest A Story September" by Surfing Pikachu.

They love each other. But they don’t always understand. Centuries of shared time still haven’t been enough for each sister to fully comprehend how the other views the world, and that’s just one of the reasons Celestia and Luna still have fights. And sometimes it’s the smallest, stupidest differences, like how Luna prefers the longest of baths and Celestia doesn’t…

Luna feels that being immersed brings a pony closer to her world. And Celestia doesn’t understand.

Some lessons require special measures. Along with a lot of water.

And tiles. There’s definitely going to be tiles.

(Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.)

Twilight is the new Princess of Equestria, and she's hosting her first Grand Galloping Gala. Celestia joins her, and Twilight asks her why she and Luna stepped down as Princesses. Celestia decides she's ready to answer.

Princess Twilight Sparkle has been faced with a difficult decision. Unsure of what to do, she seeks advice from her old mentor, Celestia. The ex-ruler of Equestria may not have an answer for her, but she does have a story. A story about guilt. A story about the greater good.

A story about the day after the worst day of her life.

For a thousand years, the alicorns of House Solaris have ruled over the ponies of Equestria with wisdom and care. Now, in the present, Twilight, youngest daughter of the Queen, goes about her day as befits a Princess of the Realm.

Celestia has been raising the sun later in the day than normal, and setting it earlier than usual. Luna wants to find out why and help her sister with whatever problem she's facing. But help can be hard to give when your sister is in the middle of a depressive spell that will last for weeks more, one that she always faces at this time of year, every year.

Cover art by Mayhem Moth.

Author's Note: This takes place the year after the Grand Galloping Gala shown in The Best Night Ever.

Princess Celestia has a secret shame, but she planned its rectification long ago.