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// Chapter XXXIV: Decisions 
// Story: Memoir of Misery 
// by Silvak 
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"So... how are we going to explain this to my sister?"

"We? You're the one that had the bright idea of me taking on my memories by tackling that nightmare I had, again."

"Well, how am I supposed to know that it was going to summon a giant nightmare monster?!"

"The arm that grabbed me the first time had to be a clue! Wasn't that enough of a hint to say that there might be something really bad related to the infernos?"

"Yet when it first grabbed you, it brought you to a memory that told us another piece of your past!" Luna cried out as she slammed the dining table, as Sapphire glared back at her from across the table which Luna returned. It was morning, and after the harrowing night that Luna and Sapphire had, they both agreed to give Sapphire's memories a rest for the night. Hence, after Luna left Sapphire in a dream that consisted the largest feast Sapphire had ever seen, the pair had met up in the dining room to inform the others of the results. That is, until Luna started to get some cold hooves.

"Yeah, but I was recovering my memories at a steady pace already, you're the one that wanted to ru—" Sapphire started to say until the doors opened, causing the two to look towards the newcomer. Which turned out to be newcomers as Celestia stepped into the room with a sleepy Cadance following right behind her.

"Oh, you're up early, Sapphire," Celestia stated as Cadance let out a yawn. Sitting next to her sister with Cadance at Sapphire's right side, Celestia asked, "So, how was the hunt for your lost memories?"

As Sapphire exchanged a glace with Luna, she replied, "It was... mixed. Let's just say... that instead of just recovering memories, we also encountered some kind of nightmare beast that was rather tough for Luna to destroy." as she gave Celestia a forced smile.

Raising an eyebrow, Celestia turned her attention towards Luna, who snorted as she said, "It is as Sapphire said, though the nightmare beast did fall to my magic... eventually."

"Considering that I’ve never heard of you encountering a creature in the dream realm that you couldn't vanquish on a whim, what does this mean for both the beast you encountered and Sapphire?" Celestia asked as she eyed Sapphire with a bit of caution.

"That, I am uncertain, sister. In the past, I have faced nightmares that were stronger than the average one, but that difference was maybe a minute in the end. The stronger ones only lasted a mere second longer, but since this one was able to not only resist but also fight back, the beast must be supported by some rather traumatic memories that Sapphire hasn't recovered yet. That, or perhaps due to Sapphire being an alicorn, any nightmare that she may have would be naturally stronger. Or it could even be a combination of both. Ultimately, I am uncertain about this matter until more light can be shown upon this unless you two would like to aid me by having some nightmarish beasts of your own," Luna proposed, causing both mares to widen their eyes at the idea.

"Umm... I would rather not have to experience some nightmare beast in my dreams, Auntie," Cadance stated as she waved her forelegs in front of her to reinforce her statement.

As Luna cocked an eyebrow at Cadance's actions, Celestia replied, "As much as I would love to help Sapphire, I rather not compromise my sleep for the night and find myself too drained for my duties. However, with the presence of this nightmare, it may be best that you spend some time teaching Sapphire how to manipulate her dreams as a form of precaution if this case occurs again Luna. Thus, until you deem Sapphire to be ready, I recommend that we don't even consider the thought of forcing her."

Nodding in agreement, Luna responded, "I am in agreement on this approach. However, there is the matter of Sapphire considering last night's events to be 'mixed news'. While I would consider the slaying of a monster to be of good news, I know that others would treat the mere encounter to be of the bad kind. So tell me, what is the good news, dear Sapphire?"

As Luna's words brought everypony's attention onto Sapphire, she sighed before saying, "The good news is that I manage to remember a couple of tidbits that might be of interest. Namely, that I might know about some tale called 'The Journey of Arulas' and something about her children." With the news causing everypony to rear their heads back in surprise, Sapphire quickly added, "But that's all I know, I didn't get to hear any details besides that."

Nodding as she rubbed her chin, Celestia stated, "As little as that may seem, that information would serve enough to confirm your ties to Arulas. Hence, you have ties to the lost sister and her clan, which we should pass this information along to the other clans. This would encourage them to send at the very least a representative from their clans to meet you instead of doing a headcount to see if they were missing anypony."

"Alright, though... there is one matter I want to address that I finally made up my mind on. I actually desire to settle on where I would be establishing my seat of power," Sapphire declared, taking on a determined look. Which she then started to regret based on how Cadance was stifling a snicker with a hoof.

Tilting her head, Celestia replied, "Are you certain, Sapphire? You haven't been to any other cities besides Manehatten and Vanhoover, and you only met the other cities' nobility during the gala for a brief time. Don't you think you're being a bit hasty about this? Furthermore, you'll be taking up more responsibilities sooner as a result of you taking your throne."

"I know... but honestly, I still want a diversion from my memories for a while. To be honest, my lessons won't be enough to keep me distracted," Sapphire explained.

Letting out a sigh as she gave Sapphire a disbelieving look, Celestia asked, "Very well, which city do you desire to rule from?"

"Vanhoover. I know there are other port cities, but there’s something that calls me there. That and the fact that there are some unexplored land to the southwest of the city, which I may want to look into some time, if I do have a wanderlust like the four sisters had," Sapphire stated, causing Celestia to lose some of her look as she looked down at the table in thought.

"Sister, that may be a good place for Sapphire to, as some would say, 'set up shop'," Luna stated as she lit her horn up, teleporting a map of the land of Equestria that she spread upon the table. Pointing at the eastern coast, Luna continued, "With the ports of Baltimare, Fillydephia, and Manehatten, the eastern coast of Equestria is already quite developed enough that Sapphire wouldn't provide much beyond a secure defense against the griffons to the east and the dragons to the southeast. Though, with the current economic depression that the griffons of Griffonstone are experiencing, the western Griffon Kingdoms are not a threat while we still have some friendly relations with Torch. Relations that may be less stable if an alicorn was to be positioned closer to the dragonlands, which may be perceived as a threat."

Moving her hoof to the other side of the map, Luna continued, "In the west, we only have the port cities of Vanhoover and Applewood. Applewood wouldn't be an ideal city for Sapphire since it is heavily associated with Las Pegasus, a city that Sapphire is unlikely to visit anytime soon due to her fear of clouds. However, with Vanhoover, Sapphire's presence would serve to strengthen our naval force in the North Luna Ocean, while providing aid to the Southern one in case trouble would arise there. Furthermore, if Sapphire indeed desires to explore the unexplored west, we would have an opportunity to expand Equestria's western border, possibly even giving us the chance to establish two more ports on both oceans. In the end, this would serve Equestria's interests and could help improve the new Golden Age that Equestria is about to enter."

"Hmm... you do have a poi—what is this about 'improve the new Golden Age'?" Celestia asked as she gave Luna a confused glance.

"Isn't it obvious, dear sister? My return will herald Equestria's new Golden Age! With my return to the Lunar Throne, I can lead Equestria to a period of prosperity!" Luna explained as she pointed a hoof at the ceiling, causing Celestia to give her a flat look in response.

Leaning towards Cadance, Sapphire whispered through the side of her mouth, "Is this the first time you’ve witnessed something like this?"

Sighing, Cadance answered, "At least once a month, though not normally during our meals together."

Raising her hooves to the sides of her head, Celestia started to rub them as she said, "Luna, Equestria isn't going to have a new Golden Age, since we're already having a period of prosperity already. If anything, we would have a Silver Age inste—"

"Ha, even better! A Silver Age to herald my return to power!" Luna declared as her voice raised up in volume.

Closing her eyes as she hastened her rubbing, Celestia suddenly came to a pause as her eyes snapped back open. Slowly turning her head towards Luna with an eerie smile plastered onto her muzzle, Celestia asked, "Very well then, Luna. If you think that Sapphire would help with your leading of the current 'Silver Age', how about you help her set up her position in Vanhoover?"

"That is a marvelous idea, sister! Of course I will help our fellow princess in taking her rightful place on the throne!" Luna declared before slamming her hoof onto the table, shaking it as Cadance slowly placed a hoof against her face.

Sighing, Cadance muttered, "Sweet Celestia, Luna is falling into Celestia's own trap," before shaking her head in disappointment.

Shaking her head ever so subtly, Celestia returned her attention to Sapphire, saying, "Based on my sister's observations along with your own desire, I will allow you to seat up your rule there, though it will take some time since there isn't a proper building for you to settle in beside the town hall. So, I will commission the construction of a castle for you to reside in, though you will have to pay a visit to select where it would be constructed. Hence, it would be a couple months for the castle to be made, at the very least, until you can finally settle down properly in Vanhoover. Is this situation still favorable for you?"

Nodding, Sapphire said, "It is, and it would allow me some time to learn some more about how to run a nation in the meantime. But would it really take some months before the castle is ready?"

"Sapphire, while you may have seen some miracles of construction in Ponyville, an actual castle is a completely different matter. However, if you want to come to it at an earlier date, I suppose once enough of the castle is constructed, you could move into some temporary lodging in the completed portions," Celestia proposed.

"That may be a good idea, young Sapphire. By being there during the castle's construction, you could oversee some of the construction so that it would meet your desires," Luna added in, as Celestia shot her an annoyed look.

Taking their words into thought, Sapphire scratched at the side of her head before stating, "Yeah, I don't mind moving in early if it would help with construction and anything else that would require my presence."

"Very well then, Sapphire, but there is one matter that you will be attending to soon then as a result of your decision," Celestia replied, causing Sapphire to tilt her head at that.

"What is it, Celestia?" Sapphire asked as she tried to wonder what would need her immediate attention.

"Since you're leaving Canterlot, you will be needing your own private guard to attend to your security. Hence, you will be meeting with Shining Armor in order to draw up the requirement fliers, which would draw in the attention of anypony that would want to apply to be part of your guard. You would also eventually need to set up an interview process for them unless you interview them yourself. Also, you’ll need to work on the finer details of what you would want your guard to be. Oh, and you would need to name your guard," Celestia explained.

Blinking at that, Sapphire timidly asked, "And how many guards do you think I would need?"

"Hmmm... for a city like Vanhoover, you will need around seventy guards for the time being, though you should expect it to grow as Vanhoover and the neighboring settlements grow over time," Celestia stated.

Folding her ears against her head, Sapphire thought to herself, I might have to interview seventy ponies?! I don't even know how to set up an interview!