//------------------------------// // The Golden Path 6 // Story: Lunar Rebellion: The Golden Path // by Chengar Qordath //------------------------------// I returned to my tower once the immediate aftermath of the duel had been settled. With the thrill of battle long since faded, the minor wounds and bruises Veritanu had inflicted upon me had begun to feel far less minor. I might have allowed a medicae to see to me, but my wounds were not that severe and I had prepared for the possibility that I would need some treatment. I was not in the habit of allowing others to tend to my personal health when I was more than capable of doing so myself. Especially now that I was regent; ‘twould not do to have a common chirurgeon see me grunt and groan in pain. A regent must be above the frailties of mortality. As soon as I was safely within the privacy of my tower, I shed my robes and removed mine armor, letting out a soft groan with the mithril rings passed o’er a tender patch of flesh. The sound drew my daughter’s attention, and Midnight quickly came down from her room to seek me out. “Mother, are you well?” “Far better than Veritanu,” I answered pithily. I settled into my chair, letting out a grunt as my body protested the movement. “Couldst thou fetch me the green potion and poultice I laid out on my desk, child?” Midnight frowned at me for several seconds, her eyes carefully studying me as she took in the bruises that had begun to appear. Eventually, she relented and retrieved the items I had asked her for. “What happened?” “I was victorious, but the beast did manage to land a blow,” I answered, taking the items and making certain they were the correct ones. Not that I doubted my foresight or Midnight’s dutifulness, but better to waste the time of a second check than find myself accidentally consuming poison. Midnight looked me o’er once more. “Are you injured?” “Not in any way worth mentioning,” I assured her. “But I think I shall be quite sore for the next few days. Fortunately, there are solutions to that.” My daughter stared at me as I uncorked the potion bottle and drank deep of its contents. The liquid within tasted especially foul, but it should at least dull the ache spreading throughout my body. Once I was done, the next question came. “Did you destroy Veritanu?” “I did.” Midnight continued to stare at me, blinking very slowly, one eye slightly before the other. “Why am I not allowed to go into the basement?” I sighed. “Because I am in the midst of a project that should not be interrupted.” “What is that project?” “Something I would not want thee involved with, child.” I answered testily. “‘Tis not safe.” Midnight frowned at me. “That is vague and uninformative.” Her frown deepened. “Far too much for it to be unintentional. Why do you not wish for me to know what you are doing hidden away in your basement? I did assist you in constructing an especially elaborate magic circle. Is there some being captured within it? When I moved past the privacy spells you placed o’er the entrance I heard terrible screams. Pity I could not find my way past the lock upon the door to learn the cause of them.” “Did it not occur that I had locked the door for good reason?” I groused. “Thou art too curious for thine own safety, and if thou wilt not relent I shall be forced to take stronger measures so thou dost not pry into matters that should not concern thee.” Midnight tilted her head to the side. “Why do you refuse to allow me to know things? You have always said that learning would be to my advantage.” I sighed and suppressed the urge to snap at my daughter. Though her seemingly insatiable curiosity and refusal to accept anything other than an immediate and full answer to questions was often irksome, in this case the pain from my injuries was doubtless making me e’en more choleric than my usual custom. “Knowledge is good, but thou art yet a child and thy curiosity could lead thee to dangerous places.” Midnight slowly tilted her head to the opposite side as she considered this. “What sort of  danger? And what knowledge might be dangerous?” I began to long for silence. “I keep thee in ignorance to preserve thy safety. Telling thee the very secrets that could put thee in danger would defeat the purpose of that.” Now that the potion had begun taking effect, I set about applying the poultice to my wounds. Or at least, the ones I could easily reach. ‘Twas not long ere I found myself testing the limits of what I could see on my body. I could perhaps have used a mirror, but my daughter was present and would doubtless benefit from a task to occupy her o’er curious mind. “Apply this to my back where the bruises show, child.” My daughter let out an aggrieved sigh as though I had allowed myself to be injured simply to cause her this minor inconvenience. “Very well, Mother.” Despite the complaint, she set about tending my injuries with admirable efficiency. “I merely wish to know what unearthly screams echo from the basement and their origins.” I let out a soft sigh as the poultice began its work, gentle warmth soothing my sore muscles. “I will tend to that presently, child. And on the topic of dangerous curiosity, intruding upon what thou knowest to be an extremely powerful summoning circle containing a very angry entity would be an excellent example of such.” “I see.” My daughter remained silent for some time, evidently considering this new information. Mine answer must have satisfied her, given the change of topic when at last she asked her next question. “How did you defeat Veritanu? If I am to judge by all the preparations you made, ‘twas not simply a matter of setting him aflame and listening to his monstrous howls of agony as the stench of burning flesh assaulted your nostrils until at last pain and the destruction of his flesh o’erwhelmed him and broke all resistance.” I sighed and shook my head. “‘Twould take some time to explain the details of the spell to thee, and I am tired. Suffice to say I separated the spirit from the host.” I knew that answer would not satisfy her for long. “A more detailed lesson will come once I am rested.” My daughter nodded gravely. “I would like that. There may come a time when I too need to slay a false god, and ‘twould be wise to be prepared for such an eventuality.” She scowled petulantly. “Though I am greatly disappointed that I did not get to see a god die. ‘Twould have been a truly unique experience.” “‘Twas not so grand as thou wouldst hope,” I assured her. “Veritanu died the same as any other mortal, albeit with more difficulty on my part. Considering his minions took Mosaic as a hostage, I did not think it wise to have thee close to hoof whilst I slew their false god.” Midnight frowned, cocking her head to the side. “Would they risk kidnapping me in full view of the public in the middle of a duel?” “I thought it wiser not to give them the chance.” ‘Twould have been a gross violation of the rules of dueling and common decency that would have spelled doom for Veritanu and all who followed them, but why take the risk they would do something exceedingly foolish? Midnight sighed heavily. “But when else will I have the opportunity to see a god die?” I could not stop myself from smiling. “If the spell I used to destroy Veritanu becomes commonly known? Quite often, I should hope. And as a magus of Equestria, ‘tis only proper that I inform all other magi of the new spell I have created, and how it might best be used. It might e’en spread beyond our borders to other kingdoms.” My daughter stared at me unblinkingly. “Do the gods of the world offend you so gravely that you would show all the world how best to kill them?” “The world would certainly be better off without the likes of the Golden Path or the Avatar of Nightmare Moon,” I pointed out. “I cannot see how anything but good could come from the means to destroy them becoming common knowledge. Mayhaps ‘twill even break them of the delusion that they are divine beings.” A faint tremble shot down my daughter’s spine at the mention of the Avatar, and her expression hardened. “Will we be going to Freeport to cast down their false gods? Will we show them for the frauds they are while destroying them before all their worshippers, so that they may wail in despair at the uplifting disaster we have smote them with?” Tempting as the idea was... “Neigh, we have other responsibilities that preclude launching such a crusade, and the other nations would object to us launching a war of conquest against Freeport. For now, this defeat will be enough.” “I see.” Midnight frowned down at the floor. “Your brother should be free now? I should hope Veritanu’s followers do not subject him to some horrible fate as retribution for the death of their false idol.” Her gaze turned to me. “But doubtless you considered that possibility and have already taken action to address it. Perhaps relating to the cryptic message I conveyed to Lady Protector Shadow?” “Perhaps,” I allowed with an approving smile. My daughter was already developing a mind for devious maneuvering which would doubtless serve her well as she grew into her own. Ere my daughter could trouble me with further questions, the guest I had been eagerly awaiting knocked at the front door to my tower. The guards I had posted outside it since becoming regent would have kept out any who did not have legitimate business. I would have to see if I could persuade Her Majesty to continue allocating some to me once my time as regent was finished. In my youth I had foolishly believed that going unguarded showed confidence in mine own abilities. Now, I grasped the symbolic weight of such guards, as well as the fact that for all my power, I could be taken unawares. I quickly put my armor and robe back on, and checked the mirror to ensure that I once more looked the part of Regent Sunbeam. When I opened the door, I found both my brother and Mors Charger waiting on the other side. “Ah, good. Thy timing is impeccable, mercenary.” While my daughter did her best to peer at the two guests whilst I occupied the doorway, the one-eyed mercenary grunted and nodded. “I thought it best to comply with your wishes as precisely as possible. I certainly do not want to be on the bad side of a godslayer.” He snorted softly. “Not that I e’er believed them gods, but they are powerful.” “So they were,” I agreed. “Less so now that all the world has seen they are mortal.” I looked the mercenary o’er, considering my next words carefully. “Thy company can depart in peace. I trust thou wilt recall this mercy when the time comes.” “I will not forget,” Mors rumbled. “As I expect you will remember who brought your brother back when Silver wanted to avenge his fallen god.” He turned about and likely would have departed had I not spoken. “I am sure thou knowest that Celestia has offered a full pardon to any rebel soldiers who would swear loyalty to the crown once more, providing they were not guilty of foul or infamous crimes.” “I have heard.” Mors chuckled softly and shook his head. “Not to say I have ne’er been tempted, but what we have built in Freeport ... it may not be much, a pale reflection of a society that might have deserved to fall, but it is ours.” “Then make the most of it.” As the mercenary left, I felt a curious sort of kinship with him. Both of us had been born to low stations, yet seized greatness when the opportunity presented itself. A small part of me wished I could do as Mors had, set out to build something entirely of mine own making rather than help Celestia in creating her better Equestria. But ... neigh, a passing fancy. Equestria was better with me, and I better with it. With Mors departed, Mosaic shed his hooded cloak and strode into my tower. He shared much of my looks, though where the blue in my coat was so faint ‘twas often mistaken for white, Mosaic was indisputably blue. His orange mane simply mixed the colors of mine, and we shared green eyes, though I thought mine a touch more vibrant. His forelimbs were dotted with small scars and burn marks, much as our parents’ had been. The legacy of a lifetime spent handling and shaping molten glass. Midnight’s head slowly tilted to the side as she studied him. “I have many questions.” Mosaic’s attention remained upon me for the moment. When he spoke, there was a faint rasp to his voice that I did not recall at our last meeting, though that had been more than a decade ago. “I suppose I should thank you for my safety, though by all accounts I was only taken captive on your account.” His eyes flicked to Mors’s retreating form. “Still building alliances, I see.” “Always.” I quickly checked him for injuries. “Your involvement in this matter was unfortunate. I hope you are well enough?” Mosaic nodded sharply. “Aye, other than being held I was not mistreated. And you?” I shrugged. “A few minor scrapes from slaying the mercenaries' paymaster, but nothing that bears commenting on.” “I see.” He said nothing more. Neither did I. As the silence dragged onwards, I remembered why my visits to him and my parents had eventually ceased. Midnight took the silence as permission to indulge her curiosity. “You are mine uncle, yes?” Mosaic shifted his attention o’er to her. “Ah, the daughter I have heard much talk of. Aye, I am thy mother’s brother.” Midnight nodded gravely, then fixed him with an especially intense inquisitive stare. “I wish to know everything about you.” Mosaic shrugged. “Well, I suppose there is no harm is answering a few questions. I confess I have been a touch curious about thee as well.” I felt I should give him some knowledge of the forces he was playing with. “I should warn thee, when she says she wishes to know everything she is not jesting. If there is an end to her curiosity, I have yet to find it.” “And yet you always say that having more knowledge would be to my benefit so long as ‘tis not too dangerous for me,” Midnight countered with her typical willfulness ere she returned her attention to Mosaic. “What was it like growing up with Mother?” Mosaic shrugged. “I imagine much the same as any family, at least until she left. Though most fillies at her age would not be quite so...” He hesitated, searching for a word. “Well, she was already conjuring fires hot enough to make a few basic experiments with molten glass. Doubtless that is what brought her to the attention of the magi.” “I see.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Why did you ne’er tell me this, Mother?” I shrugged. “The details hardly seemed important, and my tale was far from atypical. I displayed magical prowess far beyond what would be expected of a child my age, and so drew the interest of a magus who made an apprentice of me.” “I see.” Midnight returned her attention to my brother. “Are you married? Do you have a family?” “I am, with two children.” A proud smile tugged at Mosaic’s lips. “Both fine young stallions who are learning their father’s trade.” Midnight’s stare grew e’en more intense. “Can I meet them?” Mosaic smiled and nodded. “I am sure we can arrange that. I would imagine they are equally curious about thee. I know I have faced my share of questions as Sunbeam’s star rose.” “It is always important to answer questions,” Midnight agreed with utmost gravity. “You own your own glassmaking shop, then?” “I do,” Mosaic confirmed. “A master glassblower and member of the guild’s council, in fact.” His eyes briefly flicked to me as he mentioned the latter. Doubtless he suspected the guild had offered him that promotion in the hopes that having my brother high in their ranks would offer them more influence, not to mention his shop had grown in prominence since mine own rise to power. The Sparkle family name certainly commanded more respect, and had made it far easier for both my father and my brother to secure loans to expand their business. Midnight nodded along. “I am glad to know our family has found success. May I see some of your works?” “Aye, certainly.” He glanced around my foyer. “Though if mine eyes do not deceive me, the glassware within this tower is the product of my shop.” “I would hardly settle for anything less than the best Canterlot offers,” I answered airily. “And regardless of any other factors, certain standards should be upheld.” A smile tugged and Mosaic’s lips. “In any case, Midnight, both you and your mother are welcome to visit my shop at your leisure. We do have a few things that are much more impressive than bowls and goblets.” I saw no reason not to accept the offer. Midnight plainly wished to be closer to her extended family, and in truth it had been far too long since I had properly visited my childhood home. “We can perhaps make time once Her Majesty has returned.” Mosaic slowly nodded. “Aye, that would be good. It has ... been a long time since we were a proper family.” “So it has,” I murmured, feeling strangely self-conscious. ‘Twas not a pleasant feeling. Midnight struck into the awkward silence with all the subtlety one might expect of an overly curious and willful child. “Why are you estranged? So far as I have heard, there was no great evil or terrible argument that led to the sundering of ties.” Tempted as I was to rebuke her, it seemed wiser to allow Mosaic to answer her. My brother let out a heavy sigh. “Because your mother and I lead very different lives. There was no place in hers for a glassblower, or in mine for a politician.” “My decisions have already caused thine uncle enough trouble as is,” I pointed out. “And this is not the first time he has suffered complications on mine account.” Mosaic shot a look my way, evidently surprised to hear my words. Though why should he be? ‘Twas no surprise that his shop’s fortunes had been indisputably influenced by mine own career. Several nobles who had long been clients now refused him any patronage, while others had now taken to purchasing from him as a statement of support for my policies. Troubles he could have done without when he would much prefer that his work was judged purely on its own merits. Still, it should hardly be surprising that I did not wish for such things. “‘Tis only natural that some of mine enemies would strike at my family merely to vex me, and I would prefer it if they did not see thee or thy family as a target. Thou hast little to do with the policies I promote, and I have no desire to see thee to suffer because of mine ambitions. I regret thine involvement in this matter, and the distress ‘twill doubtless cause thy family.” I shot a pointed look Midnight’s way. “Something my daughter should keep in mind.” Midnight frowned. “But you protected your brother from Veritanu, and doubtless made any others who thought to use him against you lament that choice.” “Aye,” I agreed. “But he should ne’er have been brought into these conflicts to begin with. That was Veritanu’s first error, and for that he suffered. The distance ‘tween us has offered him some measure of insulation from mine own actions.” Mosaic nodded. “I would certainly prefer not to be involved in such political affairs. I have troubles enough managing guild politics, I have no need to involve myself with the clashes of queens, nobles, and whate’er Veritanu was.” His gaze shifted to me once more. “Though I confess, I had not considered that you remained distant from me for that reason. I had thought it a matter of...” He trailed off uncertainly. “Shame?” I finished for him. “No. I have made no secret of mine origins. I simply know the life I have chosen and the life you have. We have little place in those lives for one another.” “I see.” My daughter’s ears fell flat against her skull, and her gaze dropped to the floor. “Then...” Mosaic cleared his throat. “Still ... e’en if a certain distance would be for the best, we need not be strangers.” “Aye, I am sure a balance could be struck.” I shrugged. “If naught else, my daughter and I could always make our visits discreet.” Midnight nodded and shared one of her unique smiles. “Aye, I can move most stealthily when the circumstances call for it. I would welcome the opportunity to know mine uncle, as well as his wife and their children.” “And I would like the opportunity to know thee better, niece,” Mosaid answered. “And thee as well, sister. Thou art ... not the mare I remembered from years ago.” “The one constant in this world is change,” I murmured, already considering how best to arrange the meeting we all desired. “I cannot say ‘twill be easy, nor can I undo the past, but if we wish to grow closer as a family we will find a way to make it happen.” Once we settled the matter of our family, Mosaic returned to his shop and the wife and children that were no doubt fearfully awaiting his return. I endured my daughter’s questions for some time afterwards, both on the matter of my duel with Veritanu and old history and family. Once I had finally set her to bed (barring the risk of her nightly curiosity) I could finally turn to the unresolved business in my basement. As I stepped past the protective spells and opened the doorway to see the circle once more, the being trapped within it let out a furious howl and slammed itself against the barrier. Despite the flashes of light and the creature’s berserk cries, my defenses did not e’en come close to breaking. Considering the time and funds I had invested into the circle, I would have been most surprised if it were anything less than perfect. Not that I would be in any position to complain of its failure if the being in question succeeded in escaping. Despite the dangers, I could not help but smirk as I strode into the room, watching as the ball of light and energy hammer itself futilely against my defenses. “Hello, Veritanu.” My spell had done a commendable job of sundering Veritanu from his host body, but that was only part of my goal. Given sufficient time, resources, and determination, the Golden Path doubtless could have recovered the wandering spirit and provided him with a new body. I was not in the habit of allowing mine enemies the freedom to return and seek vengeance against me, not to mention my family. Far wiser to end the matter here. “Thou wouldst dare?!” the formless spirit howled. “Thou wouldst dare imprison a god?! Thy suffering shall be legendary! Tales shall be sung of it a thousand years hence!” “There are few things less dignified than a god reduced to naught but hurling out empty bluster,” I commented. “What canst thou do?” Veritanu taunted. “Hold me here for a time? I shall escape soon enough, and once I do, all the world shall tremble to behold the vengeance I shall rain down upon thee!” “Perhaps thou couldst escape,” I conceded, though I judged that to be impossible without some outside aid. “But I do not intend to give thee the opportunity to do. This will be thine end, false god. All thy power shall be sundered, and what remains will not be enough to hurt a fly.” “Never!” Veritanu howled. “I am the very incarnation of truth and justice! Thou couldst ne’er destroy such as me!” He was not entirely wrong. The complete destruction of spiritual entities like Veritanu was not possible through any known spell. Howe’er, there were a great many things short of destruction one could suffer. “Thou wilt surrender thy power to me. All that the Golden Path made of thee, anything beyond thy most basic essence. Then, and only then, will whate’er remains of thee be granted leave to depart.” Though Veritanu’s utter destruction would have been preferable, his complete neutering and claiming that stolen power for myself seemed the next best alternative. Due care would need to be taken to ensure that there was no possibility of corruption, but I had the false god as a prisoner and completely within mine own power. There would be time enough to ensure I was at no risk. Mayhaps purging the spirit of the dark powers the Golden Path had granted it would even be to its ultimate benefit. Supposedly the beings that had become the false gods had once truly been benevolent entities embodying the virtues they now made a mockery of. If that were indeed the case, then whate’er would eventually be reborn from the shattered remnants of Veritanu would be more like its original self, and less the abomination the Golden Path had made it. The possibility of Veritanu’s reformation into a less wicked being was at best a secondary goal; far more important would be that whate’er this new creature would be, ‘twould be a great many years ere the spirit truly gained cohesion. If ‘twere benevolent, so much the better. If the new Veritanu sought vengeance, ‘twould be much diminished and at the earliest would be a threat to Midnight’s grandchildren in their old age. First, howe’er, I needed to break Veritanu’s will. The spirit certainly had no intention of cooperating. “Surrender my power to thee?” the spirit snarled incredulously. “I would ne’er do such a thing!” “Then thou wilt remain here for a very long time indeed,” I countered. “So be it!” Veritanu snapped. “I am an immortal, a god! Hold me for the entire span of thy life, ‘twill be naught but the blink of mine eye! In time, all that thou hast wrought will be lost, and yet I shall remain. E’en after a thousand generations, I would not bend to thy will.” “Mayhaps not, if all I had to persuade thee were boredom.” I drew out the first of several scrolls I had prepared especially for this occasion. Scrolls with Veritanu’s true name written upon them. Or rather, very slight variations upon that name. To know a spirit’s true name gave a measure of influence o’er it, and there were few things more unpleasant to them than to hear that true name mangled and misshapen. Doubtless my detractors would make mocking comment on the fact that I had somehow found a way to torment a creature that had no body and was incapable of feeling pain or any other physical sensation. “Thou wouldst defy me for a thousand generations?” I mocked. “I think we shall see if thou canst endure e’en a thousand minutes.” He did not. The next few weeks of my regency were far less exciting. ‘Twould seem that Veritanu’s demise sufficed to put an end to any notions of challenging my right to the throne. Certainly watching me end a god was more than sufficient to intimidate a few pampered nobles who had yet grasped that the new Equestria had no need of them and their ilk. Pity I would not be able to abolish the class entirely within my lifetime, but at least I had laid the foundations for future generations to finish the task. I was hard at work going o’er official documents and letters before affixing both the royal seal and mine own to each of them. One of the more tedious aspects of leadership, but only a fool attaches their personal seal as well as that of the crown to an unread document. ‘Twould not do to accidentally sign away a portion of the royal demesne. I was an hour into that work when somepony knocked upon the door to mine office. As Midnight would likely not have concerned herself with such courtesies and the hour was relatively late, it would have been either a guest or messenger of some importance. “Enter.” A pegasus mare I did not recognize strode in. Her armor marked her as one of the Kickers, as did her significant height. “Regent Sunbeam, I have a message from Queen Celestia.” “Ah, good.” I set the paperwork aside for the moment. “Set it down then.” Rather than setting down a letter or scroll, the soldier stood perfectly still. There was a sudden flash of light, and when it cleared, Queen Celestia stood before me, her disguise shed and a knowing smile on her lips. “Greetings, my regent.” I suppose I should have been surprised by my queen’s sudden appearance, but I had suspected she would return in such a manner. Thankfully she had not chosen to engage in something far more public, like revealing herself before the entire court. “Your Majesty,” I greeted with a wry smile. “Not quite the return I was expecting from you, but I imagine you will be making a much more glamorous official return on the morrow.” The Queen dipped her head, acknowledging my point. “I thought I would make an unofficial visit to make sure I was up to date and give you a bit of time to prepare for the transition of power.” “Naturally.” I shifted the paperwork back a touch more. Let her go through it all if she was returned. “I trust the hunt for the Blightspawn went well, then?” “Aye, the nests are no more and all the beasts we could find have been seen to.” A faint frown flicked across her lips. “Blackfyre naturally denied any involvement, and the wards we have o’er his lair were not tripped. It might well have just been a few survivors from the war as he claimed. Howe’er...” “From all I have read he was a canny foe.” Though I fully grasped Celestia’s reasons for letting him surrender rather than drag out a long and costly war, the elder dragon’s survival sat ill with me. Intelligence, ruthlessness, and immortality were a very dangerous combination of traits for one’s enemies to possess. “If he had any scheme, ‘tis thwarted for now.” I smiled at my queen. “And it is good to have you back.” Her Majesty returned my smile. “It is good to be back. I admit, I dearly missed my home. ‘Tis good to leave every so often and see the world more often, I seem to recall a certain advisor chiding me for isolating myself too much from my subjects. Howe’er after the battles in Northmarch, I think I have earned a measure of rest in Canterlot. I hope thy last few weeks were not near as eventful as mine.” I settled back in my chair, considering how best to put it. “We have had our share of excitement, but nothing your regent could not see to.” “I had every confidence thou wouldst rise to the occasion.” Her eyes flicked to the stack of papers that awaited her. “So what transpired while I was away? By thy words, I presume you faced far greater dangers than papercuts.” “There was a minor incident with the Golden Path.” I chose my next words carefully. “The false gods of Freeport sent one of their own here, demanding that we release the smuggling ship our customs agents captured. When I refused to bow to his whims, he threw a tantrum and challenged me to a duel, ignoring all the rules of diplomacy and hospitality. I think poor Ambassador Tithe was embarrassed by his god’s behavior. Regardless, Veritanu died at my hooves for his error.” By the end of it Celestia’s eyebrows had risen quite a bit, and a hint of disapproval tugged at her lips. “I see. Well, other than slaying a visiting head of state, didst thou do anything else of note?” “Quite a few other less exciting matters.” I shrugged. “I thought you would prefer to know of the most important events first. I imagine Ambassador Tithe will have something to say on the matter once he learns of your return.” “Doubtless he will.” The Queen frowned at me. “What did he do to provoke thee? And do not try to say that ‘twas entirely his own doing, I know thee too well to believe that.” I saw no reason not to tell her the truth, and would not have lied to my queen regardless. “When I refused his attempt at diplomacy, the false god took my brother as a hostage and threatened his life if I would not meet his demands.” “Ah.” Her frown did not fade, but after a few seconds she sighed and shook her head. “I wish it would not have come to something like this.” I was in no mood to endure a lecture delivered from hindsight. “Is that so? You have no love for the abominations of the Golden Path. Or hostage-takers. Should I have humiliated both the throne and myself merely to spare the life of a being who deserved his doom many times o’er?” The Queen held up a hoof to cut me off. “I think you mistake my meaning, Sunbeam. I regret Veritanu’s death as I would that of any intelligent being, not to mention the complications that will doubtless arise from him passing. Who can say how the Golden Path will react to the loss of one of their gods, especially at the hands of a mortal mage. Much trouble may arise from this, and all of it could have been avoided all too easily.” I opened my mouth to object, but she spoke o’er me. “By Veritanu, not by thee. The crown cannot bend to the whims of a criminal who takes hostages. Though ‘tis a pity it came to violence, he was the one responsible for it.” “That he was.” Not that I had especially objected to the chance to slaughter a false god. “In any case, I should think I managed the regency admirably.” Her Majesty smiled and chuckled softly. “As confident in thyself as always, I see.” I answered her smile with one of mine own. “And why should I not be?” “That is the question,” Celestia agreed. “From all thou hast said, thou wert quite capable of serving as a fine regent. Shadow certainly did not dispute that account.” Ah. So she had visited Shadow first. I might have known. “You named me as regent precisely because I would reign best, no?” The Queen smiled down at me. “Dost thou think I would make anypony my regent if I did not have confidence they would be capable?” “I ne’er imagined you would choose someone less than capable,” I agreed. After a few seconds of thought, I did voice what had lingered long within my mind. “Although ... I did perhaps wonder why you chose me. Not that I lack for qualifications to hold the post; I am an expert at statecraft and would know how you would wish to rule far better than most. Howe’er, Shadow could perform much the same task and is clearly your favorite.” “Is that jealousy I hear in thy voice?” Celestia probed with a wry grin. “‘Twould hardly be proper for a queen to play favorites or set her two closest advisors against one another. But to answer thy question, while I think Shadow could do the task and do it well if given to her, I severely doubt she would enjoy the duty. I fear what would happen to anypony who came to court after she had been forced to mediate several disputes among especially petty and vexatious petitioners. She has a very low tolerance for the more foolish aspects of Court.” Ah. I had long suspected that Shadow’s claims she was no politician could be more accurately rendered as saying that she had an extremely low tolerance for the follies of politics. “Aye, I suspect that if forced to listen to two stuffed-up fools arguing o’er ancient claims for hours, she would eventually decide to seize the land for the crown as neither of them seemed capable stewards, and order both of them flogged for wasting her time.” “She does not suffer fools as well as we do.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Or is at least less subtle than thou in thy retribution. ‘Twould be best if I did not return to find the heads of half Equestria’s nobles mounted on stakes o’er the palace gates.” I did not entirely agree that Equestria would be worse for such a change, but I knew Her Majesty would not approve of such sentiments. Mass executions do tend to unsettle the masses and cause no small amount of terror and instability, regardless of how justified they might be. “Neigh, that is the outcome all expect of me.” Celestia shook her head. “And yet but a single death in mine absence, and that of a foreign tyrant rather than one of our own. I do hope they appreciate thy remarkable restraint.” She leaned in and privately whispered. “‘Tween just the two of us, while I do not entirely agree with thine assessment of the class as a whole, there are certainly individuals within it who make a very good case for the nobility’s complete abolition.” Too right they did. The remnants of House Line remained especially vexatious. I had pushed Her Majesty to strip the house of all lands and titles for their patriarch’s treason, but she felt it wrong to wholly dispossess members of the family who had no involvement in the crime. Howe’er, now was not the time to drag up old arguments. “Half of them seemed convinced the regency was a lie and I had murdered you to seize the throne for myself.” Not that any of them had dared say so within my hearing, especially after Veritanu’s doom. The Queen let out a soft snort and shook her head. “Ponies have a way of making up all sorts of stories. The things I heard while in the North ... let us say that rumors are already wild, and once they have passed through enough mouths to reach Northmarch, they are impressive works of fiction. Perhaps once matters are properly settled I can share a few of the most fanciful with thee and Shadow. We could do it during one of our nightly romps, after the two of thee reveal thy status as hidden stallions and my secret lovers.” I scoffed. “That sounds remarkably tame. I shall see if I can schedule some time between plotting with foreign powers and all your past, present, and future enemies, selling my soul to all the demons in the world, seducing the High King of Gryphonia, and keeping the sun carefully hidden ‘neath my robes whene’er ‘tis not in the sky.” Celestia and I shared a laugh at the foolishness of such tales. “Regardless of the fanciful tales swirling about thee, I would like to thank thee for thy service in acting as my regent. There were challenges far beyond what I expected thee to face, and thou didst an admirable job of it. I think if duty calls me away again I shall be far more willing to leave, for I know that my subjects will be in capable hooves.” I ducked my head, not quite a proper bow but I would hardly stand up just to lower myself once more. “My thanks, Your Majesty.” Celestia took a deep breath, and when she spoke there was a weight to her words. “I think that mayhaps there are truths ‘tis past time I shared with thee. When I first met thee, I thought thee to be a vicious, cold-hearted, evil mare who thought only of expanding her own power. Howe’er, that was long ago, and much has happened since then to give me a better understanding of thee. Thou hast proven to be unflinchingly loyal to me and Equestria, even when it might have been easier or dearly tempting to betray me for thine own advancement. And I have also come to see thy virtues, as well as thy flaws.” I was silent for some time after she finished. There was a great deal to take in. “Those ... are not words I had e'er expected to hear from thee.” I quickly corrected myself. “You. My apologies.” “Thou hast earned my words.” Celestia murmured. “And with how long and closely we have known one another, I think we need not stand on formality. At least so long as we are not in full view of the public.” She chuckled softly. “Honestly, considering some of the arguments we have had, I am surprised you feel the need to address me formally. But then, I imagine to thee such arguments were always part of thy service.” I shrugged. “I would be a poor advisor if I did not warn thee when thou wert in error. Though I suppose at times I let my passions get the better of me.” “Something we have all been known to do in the midst of a heated discussion.” Celestia smiled at me. “And I think if thou wert less passionate, thou wouldst not be such a useful advisor. Not to mention that thy daughter, Shadow, and myself have had our influence on thee.” A recent conversation had shed some fresh light on that. “Aye, mine own brother said I was much changed from the mare he knew when we were young.” “Time has a way of changing us all,” Celestia agreed. “And for thee, those changes have been for the better. Maturity suits thee, Sunbeam.” Her eyes flicked o’er me, and a mischievous light entered them. “‘Twould seem thou art in agreement, if thy current manner of presenting thyself is anything to judge by. If thou wilt forgive me for saying so, ‘tis a quite becoming look.” “Thank you, Your Majesty.” I smoothed out my robes. “Though I initially chose it to appear a more proper regent, I think I might keep it for occasions when I need to look a proper statesmare. Of course, there will be times when my beauty, wisdom, or deadliness ought to be emphasized instead. Howe’er, such a change is relatively minor.” “Thou art quite the master of appearances, Sunbeam.” Her Majesty chuckled softly. “Perhaps I should seek advice from thee on that topic someday. Though I would say that I have no shortage of experience with change and reinventing myself. I am certainly not the mare I was a century ago. Or before I met thee.” She smiled and set a hoof on my shoulder. “Aye, thou hast had an influence. Thou hast certainly challenged my views on any number of topics, which can be nicely refreshing.” “I should hope so.” I smiled proudly as my thoughts turned to Midnight. “As I always tell my daughter, all views must be challenged. Those that are wanting can be revealed, while those that are true grow all the stronger for it.” Celestia nodded approvingly. “You have taught her well, e’en if encouraging her curiosity and tendency to ask questions has occasionally vexed us all. Still, I like to think I am stronger for having met thee. If naught else, I am far more able to articulate why my desires for harmony are better for Equestria. And ... mayhaps there are times when I need an advisor who is willing to challenge me. I can make an error as easily as any other pony. I am a better queen with thou at my side, Sunbeam Sparkle.” I felt a curious sort of thrill in the pit of my stomach. I think ‘twas ... vindication. “Then I have achieved all I sought to as thy grand vizier.” “I am glad to hear it.” She smiled down at me. “Well, I hope thou art willing to hand back the reins of power. I should be most upset if you intend to murder and depose me after we had such a lovely talk.” I scoffed and shook my head. “Not that I did not enjoy the opportunity to see what I might achieve in your absence, but just as I have made you stronger, so you have made me stronger. I am a better chancellor and mare for knowing you.” I took a deep breath. “I know that you think I am ... damaged. If that be so, then who better than you to make me whole?” Celestia gently set a hoof upon my shoulder. “We all have our flaws, Sunbeam. What matters is whether or not we seek to rise above them. I think there is a reason thou hast made such a study of honor, ethics, and morality, e’en if thou dost not agree with them. Why thou hast attached thyself to me. Thou art a driven mare, and not one to tolerate foolishness or willful weakness, least of all in thyself. Much as thou wouldst address a flaw in thy spellcasting technique, thou hast made a study of compensating for and working around the affliction within thy spirit. I cannot say that thou art the most virtuous mare I know, but thou hast devoted considerable efforts to bettering thyself. That speaks well of thee indeed.” I felt a curious sort of relief. I suppose a part of me had always been troubled by the thought that Celestia judged me as mad or at least badly flawed. As she said, I had little tolerance for any weakness within myself. To know that in her eyes I had done much to address that was ... I could not quite put the sensation into words, but ‘twas pleasant. “That is so? It is one thing to have flaws, and another to refuse to acknowledge or address them.” “Something thou hast done as well as thou couldst.” She rested a wing upon my back. “Though I have no intention of leaving the capital again any time soon, if I must I will do with every confidence that thou wilt watch o’er my ponies well in my absence.” I bowed my head to her once more. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” She held up a hoof. “Now now, I am not officially returned yet, and I have already said that we need not stand on formality when ‘tis but the two of us. I think we must spend at least some time taking advantage of these unique circumstances. I have a few thrilling and frivolous tales of my time in Northmarch, and I should hope thou wouldst do me the favor of sharing some of thy stories as well.” We did precisely that for hours. ‘Twas perhaps the first time in all the years I had known her when Celestia was not my queen, but ... dare I say, my friend.