There's a lot of unpleasant surprises that can be found in photo albums. A third pony in what you thought was a private moment, inexpertly applied bodypaint, or just evidence of that time that your mother dressed you up like a burrito.

Twilight Sparkle was expecting to come out of Family Night with a few fresh blushes on her cheeks. What she wasn't expecting was a mysterious pair of wings in her baby pictures.

Hopefully Celestia will have some answers.

Many thanks to Present Perfect for supplying the brilliant concept, and to Evehly for the beautiful artwork.

Celestia. Princess, leader, some might say even a god.

But not many know what goes on in the princess' mind. What she could be thinking, that fateful day.

The day she was defeated at Cadance's wedding.

Two thousand bits.

That's the prize for the pony who best pranks Princess Celestia on her upcoming visit.

A lot of ponies want that money.

Letters. Everyone writes them, and they're not just for ponies. Be they carriers of serious news, friendly correspondence between pen pals, or declarations of heart and heartbreak, each one is written with a clear purpose or goal in mind.

Celestia uses them to try and keep her faithful student and friends in line, and try to keep an unbalanced world on the straight and narrow.

This is much harder than it sounds.

Now with an audio reading by Lady Tenkage!

Side Stories:

Old-Fashioned Bar Hoppers, featuring Celestia, Mayor Mare, and Granny Smith shenanigans.
Journal of an Adolescent Clone, featuring Sunny and Moony shenanigans since Season 5.

Losing a child is the most terrifying thing that can happen to a parent.

Sunset Shimmer had been gone for years. Celestia had never really given up hope that she would see her again, but the doubt had always been in the back of her mind: what if she never returns? The echoes of their last fight followed her all those years.

And now that Sunset Shimmer has returned, Celestia wants to see her again. She has an offer to make, to a filly she raised as a daughter.

This story is a sequel to Condemnation

Luna has had a hard time adjusting to life in Equestria since her return. And after talking with Cadence about the Nightmare Moon incident, Princess Luna is left with some unhappy feelings when she pays a visit to her sister. It's time they really talked about what happened 1000 years ago.

P.s I'm sorry I'm awful and too lazy to get this proofread or edited.

Prequels:
With Tears in Her Eyes
Condemnation

Sequel:
The Flower's Grove

Featured on Equestria Daily! [Link]

In the wake of a great tragedy, Celestia opens up, and, for the first time, tells her own story. For the first time, she tells what happened with Discord and King Sombra. And, for the first time, she tells what it's like to have to give up everything she's ever had, everything she's ever wanted, everything she's ever dreamed of--all of it, for the good of Equestria.

Please note: this is an "AU-ish" fic--that is, it sticks to canon in most respects, except when it doesn't.

Unfortunately, not planning on continuing this story arc [Blog Post]. I hope you enjoy it nevertheless!

Rated Teen for mild language.

Thanks to Eruantalon, CCC_037, and Rainb0w_Dashie for proofreading.
Awesome art by Alanymph. Go check 'em out!
Original cover art, also by Alanymph.