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// 8 Stepping Up 
// Story: Like Sister, Like Student 
// by Bronyxy 
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The page who had been tactfully maintaining a diplomatic distance between himself and the lilac Princess advanced, once having confirmed that the young deputy to the Princess of the Night was retiring to her chambers.
“Your Majesty” he said, “Court is ready to assemble and awaits your pleasure.”
Twilight thanked him and set off for the throne room where she was admitted by two imposing looking guards and made her way up to Celestia’s throne where she took her seat as the locum Sun Princess.

Once introductions had been made and formalities had been observed, the Princess of Friendship settled herself down allowing the Court to be convened and the first petitioner admitted. She sat in unbiased judgement, showing total concentration as the earth pony before her explained how a new housing development was spreading onto fields that he cultivated as part of his farm. Twilight was patient despite the farmer’s obvious lack of aptitude for public speaking and listened attentively until the allotted time had expired then interrupted him by raising her forehoof.
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention” she said to the farmer, “But I do have a lot of other ponies to see today and I think we’ve just about covered this from every angle.”

Turning to the Court stenographer, she delivered her judgement, “Please write to the land developer in question and order him to cease his activities until this dispute is settled. He is to provide evidence as to why he believes he has the right to build on this land within fourteen days or he will be ordered to withdraw. I shall weigh the evidence from both sides and issue my decision fifteen days from now.”

The farmer bowed reverentially, proffered his thanks for the hearing and backed from the Court. In the period before the next petitioner was admitted, Twilight turned to the Court usher.
“This is fun!” she exclaimed wearing a broad smile across her face, “So many ponies I can help through understanding and friendship. How many more cases do we have to hear today?”
“That all depends on Council issues” he replied.
Twilight’s smile grew wider and she clapped her forehooves together.
“Great! So when do we meet with the Council?” she asked, barely containing her enthusiasm.
“Not we, your Majesty” he corrected, “But you. Council business is held at the Council Offices and commences sometime this afternoon.
“You are expected at the Council Offices at 2pm your Majesty” interjected the adviser “Princess Celestia would work until 1pm and then partake of luncheon on her way over.”
“Lunch!” thought Twilight, “I can now see why Celestia fixes a set time for it. This is all so exciting that it must be so easy to overrun!”
Nopony present seemed to share or even understand her excitement. They all knew Celestia sometimes found it hard to stay awake, and gave each other subtle sideways glances at the almost manic enthusiasm being shown by the Princess of Friendship.

She relished the remaining cases that came before her, taking the opportunity to exercise different aspects from her portfolio of friendship to bring about solutions even in challenging situations. After a while, the Court got used to her way of doing things and warmed to her personal approach that differed from Celestia’s more regal demeanour.

Twilight was prompted by her adviser when the session drew close to its end, and sadly adjourned the Court for lunch, although when she rose, her tummy rumbled and she realised that it was probably a good idea to stop. When she was seated in the dining room, she had so many things she wanted to talk about, but she suddenly realised that she was alone, save for the serving staff and for the first time since coming to Canterlot, felt lonely.

With no company, Twilight couldn’t wait to leave the sterile atmosphere of the dining room and headed off for the Council Offices where she arrived ahead of time. To fill the embarrassed wait while the Council officials arrived, she was offered tea and cake, something that she was starting to appreciate was a feature of her role. She paused for a moment to consider whether immortality also meant a never expanding waistline, but dismissed the idea as she helped herself to a generous slice of gateau.

When the Council meeting convened, Twilight listened intently to the discussions about repainting streetlamps, routing new sewers and the colours of new roadsigns, playing an active part in each. Once again, the officials she was with were taken aback by her enthusiasm and attention to detail, although it did slow down proceedings much more than they had become accustomed to. It wasn’t until hours later that they had to conclude their business for the day, having only got through a fraction of what had been scheduled.

Once she had thanked each of the Council officials personally, Twilight was on the cusp of being late to lower the sun and decided that running, no matter how fast would be impractically slow, so sprang into the air. She flew towards the castle, silhouetted against the pinks and oranges of the oncoming sunset as the sun sat low in the sky waiting to be magically assisted below the horizon. Flying faster than she was truly comfortable, Twilight found herself closing on a tower much more quickly than expected, and span round the turret on one wingtip in a trick that Rainbow Dash had once showed her. Taking a firmer grip on herself, she levelled off and descended towards the balcony where an ebony pony could be seen waiting for her.

Twilight backwinged as she made a vertical descent and touched down surprisingly gracefully given her recent near miss against the castle’s turret.
“Wow Mom!” gasped Nyx, “I’ve never seen you fly like that before. Have you ever thought about trying out for the Wonderbolts?”
“Good evening, Nyx” she said, composing herself, “I think I’ll leave the fancy flying to them, it still kinda scares me a bit.”
“Are we good to go, Mom?”
“Yes. Yes we are” said Twilight, focusing her energy on the sun waiting patiently for her command. Nyx saw her mother blush a little and the sun went down without discernible protest.
“Err, Mom” said the filly, “Was that a trick of the light, or did I just see you blush?”
“Umm … yes, actually” replied Twilight, “I was a little tardy and well … well, the sun kinda told me.”
“What, like you only got a B+ and must try harder you mean?” Nyx giggled.
“Hey!” she said a little defensively, “It’s been a hard day. Let’s see what you can do.”
“OK Mom” her daughter replied with a mischievous grin, “I’m only teasing.”

Nyx stepped up and aimed her magic out over the horizon, reaching out for the moon that she knew was there. She found it and drew it up gently into its place, heralding the beginning of the night.
“That was a good job” said Twilight admiringly.
“Thanks Mom. You up for breakfast?”
“I’ll take supper with you, if that’s what you mean” teased Twilight and they walked happily into the dining room together.

Twilight really appreciated the company during her supper, a total antidote to the solitary penance she had been served over lunch. She bubbled away, sharing anecdotes from what she had been doing all day and when she started to run out of steam, Nyx could see by the rings around her eyes that she really needed her bed.
“Are you going to be alright by yourself tonight?” asked Twilight.
“Don’t worry, Mom” replied Nyx, “If there’s any problems I’ll have you woken up straight away, I promise.”
They embraced and Twilight turned to leave her daughter in charge - in sole charge of Equestria. She hadn’t held such a position of responsibility since she had been Nightmare Moon, bestowed with all the evil power in the shreds from which she had been created. Twilight baulked momentarily and then just as quickly dismissed it; Luna had stripped her of all that evil power and had since trusted her fully. After all, she wouldn’t have handed over responsibility if she didn’t trust her. And Twilight trusted her too – with her life.

Nyx started by arranging the stars and creating two new minor constellations, one in honour of each of the two Royal Sisters. She was pleased with her work and wanted to show it to somepony, but there was nopony there to share it with; no Twilight and no Princess Luna. She felt alone, alone in a way she hadn’t in a very long time.

She entered the dining room with her head hung noticeably down and even missed Luna’s tapestries that were once more on show, presenting herself to the Bat Pony maître d’ who stood ready to attend to her order. 
“Your Majesty” he began, “Would you like me to guide you through the menu …”
“Your Majesty?” interrupted Nyx quizzically as unpleasant flashbacks from her past life as Nightmare Moon flooded back to her.
“Your Majesty?” she repeated in a more raised voice as the horrors associated with being addressed by that title and all it signified hit her with frightening clarity.
Although Luna may have stripped her of Nightmare Moon’s evil magic, some of the memories remained; memories of things she had done of which she was not proud and wanted to forget. Those two simple words that had not been addressed to her since she was Nightmare Moon had acted as a trigger to unlocking thoughts and emotions that she hadn’t realised she had retained and had lain dormant. They frightened her, especially now that she was in charge of Equestria once more.

The scared jet black filly ran from the dining room with tears in her eyes and raced towards Twilight’s chambers leaving the maître d’ clutching the night’s menu, now with no apparent purpose.

She ran through the corridors and took the turns she thought were correct, but as she was unfamiliar with the castle’s layout she got lost among the featureless corridors, ending up at the throne room. She skidded to a halt fearing this coincidence to be part of a bad dream. She did not want to wield this power again and yet fate had brought her back to the very seat of power she wished to avoid.

Nyx fell to the floor, covered her muzzle with her forelegs and cried.