Everypony has one 'Longest Night', a night that just never seems to end, whether they want it to end or not. For Celestia, her Longest Night began on the first night she had to raise her sister's moon.

Heartbroken and filled with despair that she may never see her sister again, Celestia makes a wish upon a falling star to see her sister one more time. Little did she realise that the stars listen.

A one-shot story of two sisters, and one Faithful Student.

Side-quel: Myths and Birthrights

Partially inspired by Ponyphonics amazing song 'Lullaby for a Princess'.
Cover art used with permission by InuHoshi-to-DarkPen.
Special thanks to Honey Mead and Iroh for helping iron out some details.

New Year resolutions are a bit a dozen. Ponies all around Equestria make them but not all can keep them. After Princess Celestia banishes her sister to the moon, she ultimately decides to keep one until her return.

As with every living creature, once every year, Princess Celestia has a day that commemorates the anniversary of her birth. Given that she is blessed with many wonderful friends and family members, she receives many gifts on her birthday. Some she likes more than others, while some are rather odd.

On this one thousand seven hundred and nineteenth birthday of hers, she receives a large stuffed squid plushie.

She is perplexed.

"Today, I decree that we shall have a snowball fight."

With those simple words, Princess Celestia completely turns the entirety of Canterlot upside-down, and relishes how wonderful life can be when it is at its simplest.

Celestia keeps her own diary of her thoughts, beliefs, and experiences concerning the work of the ancient organization now under her rule, Sol Dominus. Explore her thoughts on perfection and what the perfect Equestrian should be as she gathers an army of ponies to protect the secrets of the land ever if she meets demise.

Once, I was alone.

I felt neither sorrow nor joy at this. The presence or absence of others meant nothing to me. The universe moved in silence, and I drifted in its flow.

Then came the song.

Philomena is reborn after she dies. Ponies are reborn before they die. But always changed.

It's hard for a bird to understand.

Below her, the remains of the world, and everyone in it, spin slowly, around and around, in a sea of purple goo. But that doesn't mean Celestia's work is done. The Road lies ahead of her, and at its end—the most difficult decision of her life. Again.

How long can one pony keep hope alive?

Long.

2nd place in the "History Repeats" write-off.
Dramatic reading by AShadowOfCygnus.
Dramatic reading by Cherax.
On EQD Aug 12, 2014.

"Suppose I killed them all?"

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius

Another day, another dawn, another morning. For Celestia, time is a road that goes on past the horizon. But she will endure.