Celestia sat perfectly upright as she jotted down notes for the upcoming negotiation. The slight flicker of the lit candle on her grand oak desk illuminated the left side of her face, revealing the raw tiredness she felt from the long day prior. She would let out the occasional yawn and use her hoof to cover her face so as to not acknowledge her fatigue entirely.
A light known on her door created a distinct reverberation throughout her room. She paused her writing, the quill at a standstill as she perked up at the new foreign noise. Setting her quill aside and rolling up the scroll she was working on she then took her time to blink away her lethargy before acknowledging her guest. “Come in,” she beckoned to the pony awaiting her on the other side.
The rustic door creaked, from the years of worn. “Sister?” a soft voice said as they entered Celestia’s massive bed-chambers.
Celestia immediately turned her attention to face her sister. Her eyebrows furrowed upon seeing the night princess. When Luna entered her room directly it was often a time of desperation, a matter to be discussed instantly. Celestia started to worry about what news her little sister brought tonight, although she hadn’t even explained it yet.
Luna moved to take a seat in one of her lounge chairs by the fireplace, taking her time to adjust her position. She motioned for Celestia to sit as well. Climbing to the one adjacent she joined Luna as they sat in a comfortable silence in front of the fire. Luna’s slumped shoulders told her that it had been a long day for her as well.
“It’s about Twilight Sparkle,” Luna started.
She perked up hearing the name, and a new wave of concern washed over her. “Twilight?” Celestia asked to clarify if she had heard her correctly.
Luna nodded then frowned, she looked towards the window to avoid her sister’s dire eyes for an answer. “Yes, it’s a matter I think you would be best equipped to handle.”
“What is it?” Celestia said urgently, her worry was now ceasing the fatigue she had felt earlier.
Luna hesitated before explaining, “I think the years of confrontations with enemies are taking a massive toll on her. The recent emergence of Queen Chrysalis especially is causing her distress.” She paused, studying Celestia for a while to only be met with narrowing eyes: hidden fury. “After all those battles, anyone is bound to break. It takes a toll on your psyche. I am surprised she was able to keep going for so long…”
At some point, Luna’s words didn’t reach her. All Celestia could focus on was her seething anger. The anger she felt and withheld. She swore to annihilate the bug monster if given the opportunity. Though the anger she felt seemed to fade and became a secondary emotion. Now, her heart began to well up in sudden pain and longing. A sudden need to pull Twilight to Canterlot, to her side, to safety. “Twilight…” she breathed, still processing through her initial reaction. “We must do something about this! How could you have oversight this?!” Celestia nearly yelled, her anger was trying to find anyone to latch onto at this moment.
Luna scoffed at the unwarranted personal jab. “I did not overlook this,” she said in a dangerously low tone that commanded her respect back. “Believe me; I tried, Celestia. Do you think I enjoyed seeing her in pain every night?”
“Every night,” Celestia repeated to herself. “And you did nothing?”
“Sister! I cannot do anything, that is why I came to you!” Luna exclaimed, finally not taking any more of her sister’s blame.
Celestia’s eyes widened, fear was overtaking her. “What do you mean you can’t do anything?”
Luna sighed in a confession of defeat, “She has sealed me off. Kept me out of her nights. How she could have learned that is beyond me. A strong illusion spell was easy to unmask, but the protection spell? It’s something akin to Shining Armor’s. It’s a ridiculously powerful shield spell– That’s beside the point though, I believe she didn’t want anyone to know. It’s beside me why that only she could answer. However, what I do know is that they have been happening.”
She winced, “I can’t believe… How is that possible? I hadn't taught her how to use magic within dreams– But, you’re certain I can do something about it?”
Luna sat her hoof on Celestia's shoulder, a gesture of nothing but trust and reassurance, “I know you can, sister. The love between— teacher and student transcends the toughest of shields.”
Celestia pondered what she said for a moment. “This burden. For how long?”
“Months,” she said regrettably.
“Months,” Celestia softly repeated. “Every night… Luna, what sort of– mentor does that make me? I should’ve recognized this sooner!”
Luna shook her head, “You couldn’t have known. Even I was deceived for some time before I noticed her illusion spells seemed rather off. No one has the same dream of recategorizing the Crystal Empire’s library every single night,” she laughed dryly.
Celestia laughed at the notion as well, which instantly lightened the mood. “Thank you for telling me, Luna. And I’m sorry for snapping at you,” she said earnestly.
“It’s fine. Truly. Though I don’t share the same love you have for Twilight, I do care for her. She was my first friend after all,” she smiled.
☆ ☆ ☆
Celestia sent the letter out that night. It was an invitation: to come to Canterlot immediately for assistance with the negotiation between Trottingham and Griffonstone. It was the perfect farce. Allows Twilight to get practice in diplomacy and have her away from the place that festered all of this.
A guard entered the throne room, halting her train of thought. He gave a low polite bow before speaking before her, “Princess, she’s here.”
Celestia nodded, a smile instantly manifested unknowingly. Setting aside the scroll she was reading she immediately began to make her way toward the southwest tower of the castle. Twilight’s tower.
When she turned the corridor, staff members were completely distraught with the appearance of another princess in the castle. They were sweeping and scrubbing the windows at a record pace as this particular section of the castle was the most neglected. Celestia gave all of them a polite, reassuring smile before she started to climb the steps.
Reaching the top she tapped gently on the door. It took a few more knocks until her presence could be acknowledged. But when the door did open the first time she noticed were the eyebags. Aggressive dark circles under her eyes that were starkly uncharacteristic compared to the happiness she displayed upon seeing her.
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed, approaching the princess with an affectionate nuzzle.
“It’s good to see you too, Twilight,” she breathed, relieved. “I’m glad you’re here, there is much to do in Canterlot,” she said, pulling apart from the exchange.
Twilight nodded eagerly, “Of course Princess, I’m happy to be of service.”
Celestia giggled at her excitement, “The debate is in an hour, are you prepared?”
She nodded quickly, “Yup! I’ve been actually following the issue for a while now!” Twilight jumped in enthusiasm. She cast a levitation spell which made stacks, upon stacks of paper approach Celestia to support her claim. Her shocked expression from the well-prepared notes made Twilight grin proudly.
“Perfect,” Celestia beamed, “I expected no less from Equestria’s best diplomat.”
Twilight blushed from the compliment, “Thank you, Princess!”
Celestia motioned to the door, “I think we should get set up first in the conference room. It gives us an opportunity to catch up too,” she offered.
“Good idea!” Twilight exclaimed and swiftly stuffed her notes in her saddle bag and followed the princess out of her tower and to the corresponding corridor.
As the pair made their way to the conference room, Twilight took her time looking at the change in flowers displayed in the garden and smiled and waved to the castle guards. It had been a while since her last stay in Canterlot and she was taking in the new changes with an awe a newborn could only possess. Celestia smiled seeing Twilight adapt back into the environment and satisfied, she was able to take her away from Ponyville briefly to enjoy time together: albeit through work.
“I was wondering how the efforts after the Changeling attack are going?” Celestia asked, her eyes trailing Twilight’s expression to gauge her reaction to the sensitive topic.
Twilight paused pondering how to put everything in concise words. She opened the grandiose door to the conference room taking her time to just think as the Princesses took their seats on the head of the table and gave a polite wave to Raven, Celestia’s aide, who was already in the room set up.
“Surprisingly well,” she started. “Everyone in Ponyville continued back into their lives fairly quickly– I think we’re just all glad to get out of that gooey encasing…” Twilight shivered remembering the feeling.
Celestia frowned, though slightly, “That’s wonderful to hear. How are you holding up? I can imagine how busy you are leading the repairs,” she said, honestly concerned for her well-being.
“I’m fine, Princess. It’s my duty,” she said dismissively, waving off Celestia’s concerns and averting her gaze.
Celestia put a wing under Twilight’s chin and lifted her head towards her so their eyes could meet, “Have you been getting enough rest?”
She turned away from the Princess and dismissed her affection. Twilight shook her head, “I’m not a foal anymore. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Celestia slumped, “Sometimes I can’t help to…” she whispered under her breath. “Twilight–”
The door swung open making a distinguishable woosh noise which drew their eyes to the newcomer, “AH PRINCESSES,” he roared, his voice travelled and ringed throughout the room. “It’s good to see you this afternoon! Thank you for hearing what we have to say!” He boomed.
Celestia gave the pegasus a polite smile, “Of course, Bright Wing. The well-being of Equestria is of utmost importance to maintain. The issue with the griffons is no different in upholding this.”
Bright Wing nodded enthusiastically and took his seat on the left of Twilight. He adjusted the name card on the table before crossing, setting notes neatly beside him.
The door opened again, this time a griffon with a badge of the symbol of Griffonstone entered, his posture was strong and righteous, it commanded respect. The scars lining his face conveyed that he shouldn’t be crossed either. “Your majesty, your highness,” he said, getting into a low respectful bow before them. “Thank you for allowing us to settle this issue in your presence.”
Celestia nodded in acknowledgment of the Griffonstone ambassador and continued to wait as the rest of the delegates filed into the room. One by one everyone took their seats and talked amongst themselves amicably.
After everyone seemed to be settled Raven cleared her throat to gather the attention in the room. “We will begin. We will give time for General Blackbeak first.”
Blackbeak stood up tall from his seat, “We understand the recent event of the Changeling attack has taken a large toll on the resources in Trottingham, specifically food. As we know, Trottingham was hit the hardest in the recent attack because it was the hub for Changeling. They leeched off the city's supplies as they continued to make their strategic advances into Equestria. As we have an alliance with Equestria Griffonstone was swift to enact a system to export food and other resources to the city. However, Griffonstone should not be the sole provider of food for the city. Especially considering Equestria as a whole, has an abundance of food it can transport to Trottingham. Having Griffonstone continue to export to the city is not plausible,” he finished sitting down again.
The table muttered in agreement, they were already on the same page before the meeting and had no objections to the statement General Blackbeak made.
The Trottingham ambassador, Bright Wing, stood up to reply, “We understand that, as an emergency period we have accepted supplies from Griffonstone as it was out of urgency, it’s a fact Griffons deliver much faster than ponies. That was why we kept having Griffonstone resources exported. It was a matter of life or death for the residents of Trottingham.”
General Blackbeak nodded, “I think we need a change of agreement then. It isn’t sustainable for Trottingham to continue to have resources from Griffonstone when the attack was months ago. Everything is back to normal now, and everyone is fine. What we need is the smooth transition of suppliers.”
“We agree. We’re prompting this in front of your majesty, and your highness purely because of efficiency. If you can waive a solution it can be enacted quicker than if it was processed through,” Bright Wing stated.
“And this is an urgent matter, if we do not figure out a way to get resources to Trottingham then the city will be in ruins,” General Blackbeak explained, choosing his words wisely to convey the detriment of the issue if it is not dealt with properly.
Celestia nodded, taking the situation in. She turned to Twilight, who was furiously scribbling down everything that was exchanged faster than Raven herself. She cleared her throat to catch the attention of her former student, “Twilight, do you have an idea?”
Twilight set down her quill and rolled up her scroll in satisfaction, she smiled, “In fact, I do Princess.”
“Then go ahead, I trust you,” she whispered.
“Thank you.” Twilight flared her wings grabbing the attention of the room, “It is clear that the system in place currently is not sustainable for both cities. Continuing this will only drive both under. Because Griffonstone’s resources are also quite scarce too. Am I correct with this assumption?”
Blackbeak grunted, “Yes, you are right, your highness.”
“Then I agree with what is being said, that change needs to happen. I propose this: we’ll have farms such as Appleloosa supply food. Manehatten, who’s the closest city to Trottingham can share their trades, kickstarting the economy again. While Canterlot will supply our own national guards to assist with the transportation of goods, until the city can operate on its own again without any support,” Twilight said, it was a sound solution.
The room all nodded. Fancy Pants put up a hoof to address the room, “I am fine with that agreement, Princess Twilight. And I am sure the rest of the ambassadors are as well?” They nodded again.
“However, how is now the question. Setting up railway systems to simultaneously reach Trottingham is not viable because of time,” the Manehatten ambassador interjected.
Twilight hummed at the new problem the solution created. “Then we will use a different way to transport everything.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow, not in doubt, but in curiosity, “What do you have in mind, Princess Twilight?”
“I prompt we create portals–” murmurs of uncertainty spawned before she could explain further. “A teleportation system to each city, like what is already seen with Vanhoover and Griffonstone already. I can create them myself.”
The Vanhoover ambassador stood up, “Are you certain, Princess? A portal spell of that caliber and size, nearly impossible,” she said.
General Blackbeak cleared his throat, “I believe we should trust the element of magic. One of Equestria’s most potent magic wielders,” he said with a bow.
Twilight blushed, “Well, thank you, General. I believe I can do it, three portals set up for a limited amount of time will not be as taxing as many would believe.”
“Uhm, how so?” The Appleloosa ambassador asked.
“The hard part of portal spells is the maintenance, the casting of it will be simple, as simple as drawing them up, it may take a bit of math and a lot of cooperation, but I am certain it will work,” she clarified.
Blackbeak raised his hand, “Then I’m all in!” All around the table also raised their hands in perfect agreement with the solution.
“Perfect. Princess Twilight will set up portals in Manehattan, Appleloosaa, and Canterlot connecting to Trottingham to transport emergency resources. In the meantime, Griffonstone will continue to allocate supplies as they have been until this system is set up,” Celestia summarized. “And Griffonstone will be compensated for your kindness of course,” she added.
“Sounds perfect, your majesty. Thank you,” General Blackbeak said, cracking a small smile.
“With that, I believe this negotiation is adjourned. Have a nice day everyone,” Celestia finished. The room nodded and filed out of the room respectfully.
Once everyone was out Twilight let out a sigh of relief. “Good solution, Twilight,” Celestia said proudly.
‘Thank you, Celestia. It looks like I have my work cut out for me,” she laughed.
“I’ll help you. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.” Celestia said sternly, trying to be firm so she could understand that she didn’t have to work on such a taxing project alone.
Twilight smiled, “I’ll appreciate that a lot. Well, I better get started on those spells.”
“Of course, good luck,” she nodded and Twilight also exited the room. Celestia allowed her mask to slip off and the concern to come back. She was no closer to cracking her former student than she was the previous night.
☆ ☆ ☆
Celestia just entered the room after her attempt at knocking failed. She frowned seeing Twilight in her trance, completely engrossed in her book. It had been hours since the meeting and there was no sign of her halting. And the smell of newly made coffee. Celestia wanted to curse it.
“Twilight, I brought you your dinner,” Celestia said, placing the plate on the nearby stack of books. Twilight spun to meet Celestia when she heard her voice beside her.
“Oh, Princess! You didn’t need to deliver it to me, I’m nearly done,” she laughed, though she was appreciative of the gesture, she was getting a little hungry.
Celestia took a step to look at her whiteboard, her eyes widened, “I’m impressed, it looks done.”
Twilight giggled, “No, not yet. It's a rough draft. I need to re-write the sigma notations and do a test run and then we can apply it.”
“Always a diligent worker,” she laughed. “It’s getting late, promise me you’ll go straight to bed after eating?”
“Depends, I really want this done. I'm almost there,” Twilight rebuked, turning back to look at her work jotting down a few more sentences as she did.
Celestia sighed, giving in, “Just don’t stay up too late?”
“I’ll try... but you seriously don't need to worry about me, Princess. I like to think I have a good grasp on how to take care of myself,” Twilight muttered.
Celestia shook her head to disagree. She was about to walk out when she felt the urge to say something else, “I want you to know that I’m always there for you, Twilight.”
She hummed, barely acknowledging what Celestia said, too distracted with the task at hand to give any sort of substantial reply.
“I will leave you to it. Don’t work yourself too hard, okay?” Celestia said earnestly. It didn’t reach her ears.