This story is a sequel to A Mad Glimmer

The plan had been perfect, taking everything from Twilight Sparkle and trapping her in a no-win situation. Then Twilight showed Starlight the alleged consequences of her actions.

But there's a bit more to the story. Starlight Glimmer has paid a heavy price, but there's one more debt to call in.

After all, Discord doesn't make idle threats.

Story contains spoilers for the Season 5 finale, potentially disturbing imagery, and nuts. Story still does not contain Nikita Khrushchev or shoes.

A thousand years ago, my Princess showed us that there's a chance we can survive, even after everypony else in Equestria died. The griffon army is at our doorstep, as they have been for as long as anypony can remember, and yet my Princess insists upon her secret projects, and there's something more. Something bigger that she's keeping secret.

What else is she not telling me?

This story is the sister story to Children of the Sun, but both can be read independently of the other.

Coverart drawn by the incredibly talented Kai_KAMOI!

Thank you to my brilliant prereaders and editors: Axolu, Holtinater, Haphazred, AFanaticRabbit, Draconequues, Dioxin, Lofty Withers, Cynewulf, Red Parade, Vis A Viscera, Bill Cipher, Ruby, Flashgen, Moonshot, Luna, and to everyone that's supported me throughout the 3+ years of working on this fic and its sister fic.

Thank you especially to Zontan. Your help has been invaluable with this fic, and I appreciate all you do for me.

After being banished for casting a malignant spell on ponies in a fit of madness, Cadence returns to Equestria. Haunted by her actions and eager to redeem herself, she decides that only by serving ponykind will she be able to regain her self-respect and the trust of her loved ones. In going to Canterlot to face Celestia, she finds Equestria in a state of prosperity... but its ruler is acting strangely.

Thanks go out to Pascoite for editing, and Inquisitor M for pre-reading.

Originally written for March 2017 Writeoff Rising From the Ashes.

I'd also like to thank those who offered feedback on the contest version. In no particular order: Novel-Idea, Kritten, Fenton, Posh, Rao the Red Sun, horizon, Cold in Gardez, CoffeeMinion, AndrewRogue

The cover is a drawing by Mi-eau, used with permission.

Down in the deep, dark bowels of Canterlot, Flash Sentry meets Twilight for the first time.

Featured from 10/3-10/5/21

Reading by Sparrow!

Image by EpicSubterfuge
Here's there Twitter as well

As the apocalypse descends, Celestia flies upwards to give it battle.

The world spins, years pass, and everything comes to an end. Except Celestia. She sits on the shore of the last ocean, watching and waiting for her own chance at death. Because everything comes to an end if you wait long enough, and Celestia is patient indeed.

Celestia searches a ruined city for supplies after the end of the world.

At the end of the world, Twilight must convince Celestia to let go.

(Originally written for the Twilestia is Bestia Lightning Round, expanded upon and made into a one shot.)

I'd do just about anything to help my faithful assistant and dearest friend with his problems, but this time I may be out of my depth. Something's wrong with Spike... very wrong, and I'm not sure I can fix it on my own. I don't know what's going on, but I'm worried about him. Some of the things he's been saying lately... they scare me.

I'm afraid for him... and I think I might be afraid of him.

Twilight has been chosen as this year's addition to queen Nightmare Moon's mysterious cadre of personal students. She gets to live in a castle, receive lessons from their sovereign, yet her parents remain sad for some reason.

Twilight doesn't understand why they aren't happy for her.

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