Princess Celestia looked out her window with a melancholic expression. She had ruled this land for millennia. She had kept the ponies safe from harm as much as she could, protecting them from the influence of evil, real evil. But the longer she ruled, the more she realized that the world was changing. She had always been able to see what had to happen, what she must do to guard her subjects. Lately however, her vision had become more clouded. She had come to realize that as the world changed, shifted, and realigned, so too must Equestria. To her great dismay, sacrifices would have to be made to see the transition through. Because of her inaction, more than 150 of her ponies would die. 150 Soldiers who had dedicated their lives to the fulfilling of her orders, would be butchered on a foreign field. And every one of their deaths would be necessary. This was what Celestia had told herself. This was what she had come to know. But despite all her knowledge and clairvoyance she could not accept her decision. Even with the end in sight, she could not reconcile her means with her conscience.
What would Twilight Sparkle say if she could see all of this? Celestia thought. What would she think of your scheming? How would she view your sending innocent ponies to die for a 'greater good'? What kind of example is this to set for your subjects? For your student? For your sister? When she thought of Luna, Celestia swallowed spit, fighting back a tear. Luna had been back for what felt like so short a time. Attending to her duties left her little time to interact with other ponies, and without anypony to talk to, she had trouble adjusting to the way things were done in this day and age. it had been scandalous for the nobility to openly sacrifice soldiers for their own personal motives a thousand years ago, today it was practically unthinkable. Celestia could hardly imagine the horror with which Luna would envision her if she knew of her sisters intentions this day.
The lingering doubt was simply too much for Celestia. Perhaps she would allow Luna to rest; she found it hard to believe that she would find any sleep this night.
“Any word from them yet?” Keys said, turning to face his friend.
“Nope. Not a peep. Weird, ponies aren’t usually this late.” The yellow unicorn replied. The tone of his voice suggested an air of apathy which was understandable, but hardly helpful.
The earth pony got up off his bench, walking to the window. “This is really unusual. Spark, we ought to report it.” He turned his head back and shot a concerned look at Spark Beard.
Spark glared at him, clearly annoyed. “Keys, we clock out in five. I’m meeting a client right after I open tomorrow. For the love of Celestia please don’t ask me to stay late again.”
Keys rolled his eyes. Sometimes Spark just didn’t care. He didn’t seem to understand how important the job was. Ponies could get lost or hurt in the Everfree Forest, and without border watch ponies looking out for them, things might get bad. At least that’s what he had read in the pamphlets. “Come on Spark, you know the rules and so do they! They were supposed to be back twenty four hours ago according to the travel plans that YOU signed.”
“I signed those travel plans because YOU made me stay late. If you do that again, it’ll be the fourth time this month.” Spark paused for a moment, and Keys took the opportunity to straighten himself up, about to deliver a lecture about duty to his old friend. But Spark saw it coming, and before Keys had even opened his mouth he was cut off. “Keys listen to me. You’re young, you got handed responsibility, and I get it. You want to prove that you’re trustworthy and loyal and all that. But this isn’t that big of a job. We’re not cops, we’re barely even private security. Put it into perspective. You work on the Apple farm, right? What do you make there, twenty one bits an hour? This job is twelve fifty and we do it from six to eleven.”
“It’s not about the money Spark,” Keys said indignantly.
“Hah, for you it isn’t. You live alone. Your idea of ‘expense’ is a visit to Sugarcube Corner with your buds.”
Keys stopped him there. “I’m not that young Spark.”
The old stallion continued on as if he hadn't heard. “Me? I got two fillies and a wife that likes a nice dinner every now and then. I’m here ‘cause I need the money. With unicorns like that Twilight Sparkle running around lighting up the town with their horns, there ain’t a lot of demand for an electrician. But that ain’t even the point. Look Keys, you’re a good kid, but you take yourself too seriously. And no one will have any kind of respect for you if you treat every late traveler like a national emergency. Sit back and relax. You ain’t getting paid much, but you’re still being paid to spend your Thursday nights sitting on a bench looking out a window. Enjoy it.”
Spark spoke plain and simple, as he always did. Whether or not Keys agreed with him, he had to admit that the old pony knew what he was talking about. Keys looked at the ground for a minute, then spoke again. “Alright Spark, we'll do it your way. I may as well get some actual sleep tonight.”
Spark smiled. “That’s the spirit, you head on home, I’ll close up here.”
“Thanks Spark, I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.”
“You too bud.”
Keys grabbed his saddlebag and threw it over his back. Some rest would be nice, so what if some ponies were late back from their vacation? After all, all that stuff about the Everfree Forest was just an old pony tail, it wasn’t like anypony ever actually went missing in there.