Another year, another Hearth's Warming Day. With it comes presents, wishing ponies goodwill, presents, sisterly love amongst all ponies, and most importantly, presents. Time to celebrate it with Celestia.

Cover image: Royal Canterlot Christmas by, whitestar1802 (Check out his gallery, he has some really amazing pictures there).

Now with a reading by AShadowOfCygnus.

Also with a reading by ThelifeonCloud9.

Celestia ponders what she has done, who she is now, and what she will do if she can't stop herself.

Now has a sequel 3,835,125 Moons; My Descent

Author's Note
Mostly canon with a few important changes.
Feedback is appreciated.

If there are three things Principal Celestia can't stand, it's paperwork, princesses and her past. Unfortunately, the first makes up her job... and she desperately needs the second to help her resolve the last.

Nightmare Moon spends a thousand years banished to the Moon, fighting herself and the Shadows both within and without. She watches civilization rise and spread, a quarter-million miles away.

Can she reclaim her power? Can she overcome the six champions her sister has sent to defeat her?

Why do three of the champions look terribly familiar to the renegade Moon Princess? Why does the sight of one, in particular, break her heart?

And why, as the battle continues, does she increasingly hope that she does not win?

This is an expanded version of the two-part Series Opener. From Nightmare Moon's point of view.

Now with its own TVTropes page!

If you want to find out what the Great and Powerful Trixie was doing in Manehattan, and what happened in some other parts of Equestria during the Longest Night, read An Extended Performance. The direct sequel, however, is All the Way Back.

‘Twas the Night before Hearth’s Warming, and all through the castle…

On Hearth’s Warming eve, Princess Celestia has always spent the night alone in her private study, allowing the castle staff and most of the guards time to spend with their loved ones on this night of friendship and family. But tonight she has a present of her own to give to her faithful student, a gift that has been needing to be given for years.

The beautiful cover art was done by Earthsong9405 on Deviantart
Editing assistance by Peter, Shaleclaw, Sarcasmo, Tek, and Themaskedferret
Featured on Equestria Daily in 2014

Celestia, princess of Equestria. She is the Diarch of the Sun, beloved by all especially her student Twilight Sparkle. However few know about Celestia's past. Even her faithful student knows little to nothing about her parents. Only two others really know about who Celestia was before. Her sister and the recently reformed Discord know, though the secrets are all contained within her private diaries.

Now Discord has decided to visit Celestia, having a small chat that only brings up bitter memories and old pains. For there is a secret that Celestia has kept for as long as she's been in Equestria. Something that she has tried to forget, but only managed to keep putting in the back of her mind. Now with the secret once again at the forefronts of her thoughts Celestia has to make a decision. Does she keep hiding the secret, or does she come clean with Equestria?

Primary Editor: DarkPhoenix Final Chapter Editor: Perigrine Caged

Luna has been home from the moon for six months now. She thought she had most everything figured out, but, when those guards dragged in that large evergreen tree she came to the realization that there is plenty left to learn! Celestia watched as her little sister continued to hide herself with a sigh. Maybe the magic of Hearth warming would help her break through?

Since my normal editor is having some problems I gave him this story off. So thanks to my stand in editors! Adren who did the first half and Spike and Listener who finished it. My thanks and merry Christmas guys!

It is Twilight Sparkle's first night as a princess of Equestria, and she cannot sleep. As the excitement she felt during coronation fades away, it gives way to a deeper anxiety. The young alicorn lies awake, her thoughts dwelling on her new destiny, her responsibilities, her fears, and her own mortality.

Or, as the case may be, her lack of it.

As morning draws nearer, Twilight leaves her bed haunted by a question, and so she decides to seek out the one pony who can answer it.

Now has a dramatic reading on Youtube! Major props to Goombasa.

Starswirl the Bearded, his faithful student Celestia and her little sister Luna, find themselves battling the frigid cold, the cursed wailing of the Windigos everywhere around them. It is up to Starswirl the Bearded to see the two winged unicorns safely to the lands of the north.

But the windigos are unrelenting in their chase of Starswirl and his charges. To protect them, he is forced to keep using an item of incredible power… one that is slowly corrupting his mind.

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A Simon/Marcy inspired (read: ripped off) fic. Wait, no, let's go with "tribute", that sounds better, right?

A slightly different take on the Starswirl/Discord idea.

Luna wants to protect her little ponies too. It is her duty to step into their slumber and keep them safe from the horrors of the Dreamtime. But she has been away for a thousand years, and before she can help others face their nightmares, she must come to terms with her own. As she tries to transcend reality and enter into the sea of dreams, Luna remembers how she let hatred into her heart, and the price both she and her Nightguard paid for her fall.

Can she ever earn forgiveness for her crimes? Perhaps Equestria truly is better off with just one Princess to rule over the day and night. She is small, her body weakened by the Elements of Harmony, and this beautiful world her sister watches over has no need for her.

No. No, we will not be forgotten. It is our duty to guard the dreams of our subjects, and guard them we shall!