> Temporary Rulers
>  by Nineveh Orion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Simple Request/Please?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot had changed much since the last time she had seen it, Celestia thought with a smile, as she and Luna exited the train and tried to mingle with the crowd. Even from the station, they could see the changes.

Some of which they didn't have to look far for. Around them, every creature native to Equus went here and there on whatever business they had. Few paid them much mind, and those that did, didn't linger long before moving on.

And that was something that both sisters were happy with. To most creatures, they just seemed overly tall and majestic. But considering who lived in the castle, no one seemed to mind.

"You would think more would recognize us," Luna grumbled slightly as they left the station behind and entered Canterlot proper. Though much had changed, they could still see the city they had once called their own.

Celestia shook her head. "Princess Twilight may keep the Festival of the Two Sisters running year after year, but no one but her, Spike, Cadance, and Princess Flurry Heart, remember us as ever being real."

Luna rolled her eyes. It sounded oddly familiar to her. But even she could recognize that this was not the same as what had spawned Nightmare Night all those centuries ago. Something she still hadn't fully forgiven her sister for.

She watched the crowds. Here and there, mixed-race couples went about their daily lives, and no one said a thing about it. At one time, this might have shocked her to the core. Now, it only made her smile more.

"She really has done amazing things. I never would have thought any of this could have been possible, let alone even tried," Luna said, as she watched a pony and griffon family shop at the market.

Celestia's smile grew as she watched the family laugh at some joke the stall owner had told. "She has. Twilight has done far more for Equestria and the world than we ever did." Her smile softened as she looked up at the castle's towers, and the pink starburst symbol that hung from several banners. "I could not be more proud of her."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Don't tell her that. She'll have a heart attack and launch into an hours-long speech about how everything we did blows what she and her friends did out of the water."

Celestia giggled. "And I would remind little miss Sparkle that it is rood to argue with your elders. She may still see me as her teacher and mentor. But I am proud to have been left behind in what she has done."

Luna nodded. "So am I."

During all of this, the two sisters had come to the Gates of Canterlot Castle. A yak guard was waiting for them. To their surprise, the guard did not stop them and merely pointed them in the direction of the Throne Room.

Luna scoffed as soon as they were out of earshot. "I think we can find our own way around. We used to live here you know."

Celestia gently prodded her sister with a wing. "Luna. She was just doing her job. And it has been a long time since we walked these halls. Maybe Twilight changed things around."

Luna shook her head. "That would require rebuilding the castle again. I do not see Twilight as somepony who would do that."

Celestia hoped that was the case. While Twilight seemed to have outgrown her Twilighting episodes, as Spike called them, stranger things had happened. She hoped she was wrong of course.

It was hard enough knowing the newly rebuilt castle in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bell before they left for Silver Shoals. She didn't want to do that again.

Eventually, after several missed turns and having to be redirected by one guard or another, the pair came to the Throne Room doors. A griffon guard seemed to have been awaiting their arrival, for as soon as they came close enough, he pushed the doors open for them without a word, and silently closed them again behind them.

Walking down the aisle was a novel experience, both Celestia and Luna would agree. Along the walls, the many stain-glassed windows told many stories, some they knew, and some they did not.

The many adventures of Twilight and her friends still brought a tear of joy to Celestia's eyes even now, and while the Young Six's weren't as numerous, she was still proud of them. But two stood out the most for her and Luna.

The window commemorating High Princess Twilight Sparkle's ascension to the sole throne of Equestria was a day that still stood out for them, and the window showing Flurry Heart's ascension to the throne of the Crystal Empire was a day the empire still talked about.

Cadance and Shining Armor had never looked so proud of their daughter than they had that day. And even Twilight had outdone Pinkie Pie in having the biggest smile of those there for the celebration.

Some windows though, only a few ponies knew the significance of. One showed Twilight and her friends facing down a corrupted Sunset Shimmer at the Fall Formal, and another showed the girls all together now, facing down the Dazzlings at the Battle of the Bands.

All the windows though led to one point, the centerpiece of the whole room. At the far end of the room sat the High Throne of Equestria. On it sat Princess Twilight Sparkle in all her regal glory. Her expression remained neutral as Celestia and Luna came to the foot of the throne.

As one, the two sisters bowed. "To what do we owe the honor, Princess Twilight?" Celestia asked formally, her expression one of reverence.

"What would you have little old us do?" Luna asked, bowing just a little more.

Princess Twilight rose from her throne and walked down the steps to the same level as the sisters. Here, the height difference between them became obvious. Where once Celestia had been the tallest of the alicorns, now Twilight Sparkle stood even taller than her.

For a moment, nopony said anything as the three stood there. Finally, Twilight's mask broke, and she broke out into a fit of giggles. "Oh, would you two get up already! I won't have you, above anypony, bowing to me."

That broke the damn as Luna and Celestia both started to giggle as they stood up. Twilight was quick to pull them into a hug, one they were happy to return. They held it for several moments before breaking apart.

Celestia smiled up at her former student. "It is good to see you again Twilight."

"Indeed. I was becoming bored with Silver Shoals if I am, to be honest. It feels good to be back in Canterlot after so long," Luna added.

Twilight's smile slipt somewhat. "I just wish this was a social call. But I need your help," she sighed.

Now Celestia and Luna shared a concerned look. They did not like the tone Twilight was using. "Is there something wrong Twilight? Is it about Equestria?" Luna asked.

Twilight shook her head, her ethereal mane whipping around all three of them. "Not quite. Normally I'd ask Spike to handle this. But he's deep in his first Dragon Nap, and who knows when he'll wake up."

Celestia nodded. That had been an interesting letter between her and her favorite dragon, to say the least. She hoped he would be alright. "Then what is it? You know you can tell us Twilight," she said, placing a hoof on her fellow princess' shoulder.

Twilight nodded, sighed, and smiled sheepishly. "Celestia, Luna. Will you take over the rulership of Equestria while I am away for a bit?"

Neither Celestia nor Luna said anything for a moment, their mouths hanging open in shock. Finally, Luna replied for her sister as well in the only way she knew how.

WHAT?!

Twilight flinched as the full volume of the Royal Canterlot Voice hit her like a ton of bricks. She rubbed her ears to try and stop the ringing in them. "Oooh. I forgot how loud that is."

Celestia, while no less shocked than Luna, had the good graces to keep her response at a normal volume. "You cannot be serious Princess Twilight. Why would you even ask us?"

Twilight wilted under the looks she was getting. Somethings she had never grown out of it seemed. "Because I don't know who else to ask. Flurry Heart will be too busy with the anniversary of King Sombra's final death, and nopony else has any experience of running a country."

Luna scoffed. "Yes. Five hundred years ago maybe. Or have you forgotten that we are retired? And I for one plan to stay that way, thank you very much."

Celestia nodded, her gaze falling slightly. "Even if we wanted to, Twilight. I highly doubt that how we ruled is the same as you. I would be disappointed if you didn't try and change some things with us gone."

Twilight's ear fell, an old fear she had once had reawakened. "I know, and I have changed things. A lot of things." She shook her head, smiling a little. "I don't know how you managed Equestria for so long, even with each other."

That got a chuckle out of the sisters at least. "Long experience, and after a while, I just got used to it," Celestia replied.

Luna nodded. "I did not have the same length of time as Tia here to get used to it, but I hope you learned from some of our mistakes." She shot her sister a knowing look. "Like the Royal Cake Advisor."

Celestia shot her sister a hurt look, while Twilight giggled. "I did after the one you hired past on. I mean, I like cake as much as the next pony. But not to that extent."

Celestia grumbled as Twilight and Luna chuckled. But the mirth was soon cut short as Luna turned back to the princess. "Be that as it may, that still leaves what you are asking of us. You are asking us to take back the thrones we tried to get away from, a life we have put behind us."

Twilight nodded sadly. "I know. I wish there was literally anything else I could do, but I can't put this off any longer. The Lion Khanate has asked for me personally. I can't send anyone else. They're a young country, and this is their chance to start on the right paw."

Celestia and Luna shared a look. They had heard of the Lands of the Golden Pride. A young but proud country founded on the ruins of Zebrica, a country only known from its last surviving member, and resident Ponyville shaman, Zecora, from the time when Twilight and Spike had first moved to the then small town.

Nopony really knew what had brought Zebrica low, for Zecora never spoke of it. Only saying she was the last of her kind. Now the Lion Khanate was sure of itself it seemed, that it was reaching out to the most powerful country on Equus.

Twilight's head bowed, her eyes distant. "Please. Don't make me do it. Don't make me cross that line. Don't make me say it. Not to you two."

Celestia and Luna shared a concerned look, for they knew what Twilight was speaking of. When they had handed over the reins of rulership to Twilight all those years ago, they had also cut each and every tie they had to Equestria's government or rulership. Which meant only one thing.

Princess Twilight Sparkle could make it a Royal Command that they take over for her while she was away, and they, as citizens of Equestria, would have to follow the command to the letter, and they had no choice in the matter.

It was a power Twilight hated and had tried for years to get rid of it. But some things it seemed could never be changed. She had even asked Discord for help once. He had just laughed and wished her luck, before bouncing off to Fluttershy's cottage for tea.

Stupid Chaos Spirit.

Both Celestia and Luna could see that Twilight, now of all times, did not want to have to use that power. And neither of them wanted her to have to either. They didn't like the power any more than the princess did.

Celestia put a hoof on her former student's shoulder. "Twilight. You know we wish to help. But what can we do? Where would we even start? So much has changed since our time."

Twilight smiled at that as she ignited her horn. In a flash, a rather thick stack of papers floated before the three of them. "And that's why I have these! This is everything you need to know about how Equestria."

Luna rolled her eyes. Of course, Twilight had been prepared for this. Very rarely was she ever not ready for something it seemed. "And what of the sun and moon? They no longer recognize us or respond to us. For a time, they did. No longer. And Starswirl is no longer alive to help us to do so."

Twilight nodded as her horn flashed again, and now next to the papers floated a familiar-looking pendent. "This still has some of your magic in it. I haven't had to use this for almost four hundred and eighty years. I doubt either of you is that out of practice."

Celestia giggled a bit. That was true. And if she was being honest, she had been growing bored with retirement for some time now. Maybe it was time to do something new. Silver Shoals had been picked clean of all fun things to do a long time ago.

Even Luna would agree that she was bored out of her mind at the moment back home. There was very little to do that she hadn't already done. Her mail mare days were long behind her, and there were no monsters to keep her busy. Boring, in other words.

They had thought of moving to the Crystal Empire for a time. But the city seemed full enough with two alicorns already living there, even if Cadance was now a full-time foalsitter, as she had once been during her teenage years. From what they had heard, she was the most popular in the empire.

Who wouldn't want a former princess as a foalsitter after all?

Twilight could see the sisters thinking it over. She hated to have to drop all of this on them, but she had no other choice. She never wanted to have to make it a Royal Command to them either, afraid it would destroy the relationship she had with both of them.

She didn't want that. She had made that mistake once before, when she and Spike had moved back to Canterlot, instead of staying in Ponyville as, literally every creature, said they should. Twilight had to try to justify it at the time with excuses. But now she would change all that in a heartbeat if she could.

Finally, Celestia sighed and smiled as she looked again at the princess. "When do you leave?"

Twilight tried not to bounce happily in place, instead just grinning widely. "In two days. It's a long trip to the Lion Khanate, and I need all the time I can get to learn all I can about them."

Luna sighed, but she too smiled. "Well then. Off your royal tushy missy! Tis my throne now!" And with that, Luna teleported to the throne and sat down like she owned the whole place.

That got an eye roll out of Twilight and Celestia both, who both soon broke down into hopeless giggles.





"Now. Are you sure you have everything you need?" Twilight asked, eying Celestia and Luna, as the Royal Bagge Train was loaded onto her personal airship, the Amicitia.

The three of them stood off to the side, the princess and her entourage about to leave for the Lion Khanate. All was in readiness around the castle, the guards and staff slowly getting used to the two new alicorns in charge.

At least temporarily.

Though it had been two days since the sisters had once more taken the throne, the news of such was still a huge talking point around Canterlot. No one could ever remember something like this ever happening.

Celestia rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. "Yes, Twilight. I am sure we have all need while you're away. We did do this for some time in case you have forgotten."

Luna nodded, smirking. "I for one am glad you got rid of the Grand Galloping Gala. I never saw the need for it. Among other things as well."

Twilight giggled. "I couldn't agree more. I don't know what was more useless. The Gala, or the Swanifying." She shuddered. "I still hate those swans. Even Fluttershy wondered why it was a thing."

She and Luna giggled while Celestia silently fumed. But there was little she could about those, but that didn't mean she had to like it. One thing though did strike her as odd, as she looked around. "Where is your student, Twilight? I thought you had one?"

Twilight nodded, looking eastwards. "Pearl Rose is indeed my student. But she's home visiting her family. She knows I will be gone for some time, so I told her to be with her family for as long as she wants."

Celestia nodded, smiling softly. "I am glad you're teaching her better than I did with you." She smirked. "I remember a certain filly who refused to go home and be with her family. I had to make it an order one year if I remember correctly."

"Hehe," Twilight giggled as she averted her eyes and looked at anything but her former mentor. "Pearl is a hoofull. I haven't seen a Pegasus with this much energy since Rainbow Dash. It's been even worse since she got her cutie mark."

Luna tapped a hoof against the ground. "I don't think you ever told us what her cutie mark is?"

Twilight nodded, smiling. "It's a red dragon, curled up and asleep. We're still not sure what it means. But Pearl's been bouncing off the walls with excitement ever since she got it."

Celestia's smile grew. She could not have been prouder of her former student for finally breaking with tradition, and taking a non-unicorn as her Faithful Student. If she remembered correctly, it had been Luster Dawn, Twilight's first, who had finally convinced her to do so. She smirked as a certain memory came to mind. "Did she, by chance, happen to hatch a dragon's egg?"

Twilight snorted in amusement. "Oh good grief no. I still don't know how you got Spike's egg, but I've never asked Ember if she could give us more for the School for Gifted Ponies."

Celestia and Luna shared a look. They weren't sure what to make of the change to the old School for Gifted Unicorns. While Celestia had finally admitted to Twilight some years before that it had been established, at its core, to find the next Element of Magic, she had hoped that now since Twilight was permanently bonded to it, she would leave it unchanged.

And speaking of Magic, Luna's eyes drifted upward to Twilight's crown and the starburst that sat there. While it had once been only a symbol on the crown, it was now in fact the actual Element of Magic itself, melded into the crown, and with Twilight at all times.

Twilight saw Luna's gaze and rolled her eyes. "The Tree of Harmony is fine. She does wish you two would visit her more often though." She sighed sadly, as her ears dropped. "The Treehouse is abandoned and deserted now. It's been like that for centuries. I'm the only one who even really knows it's still there, and I barely find time to go and just spend the day there. Smolder comes by now and then, but that's becoming rarer and rarer."

"She doesn't blame you for anything, does she?" Celestia asked.

Twilight shook her head. "No. She knew what it meant when she became friends with the others." She chuckled. "I think Harmony is just hoping she didn't waste so much by turning into a treehouse, and only one she built it for is still alive, but doesn't want to be in it."

"You could move there. Make the court come to you," Luna said.

Twilight giggled. "I've thought about doing just that. I'm the Princess of Friendship. Why not make my home in, basically, the source of everything that I am. Harmony is even coming to me now, all but begging me to move in. I think she's lonely. I still find it odd that she hasn't changed her appearance and still looks like a much younger me."

That got a giggle out of the three of them, as a guard came to Twilight's side and whispered something in her ear. Twilight nodded solemnly before looking at Celestia and Luna in earnestness. "The captain says everything is ready, and that if we want to be in the capitol in time, we have to leave soon."

Celestia and Luna nodded before they both pulled the princess into a hug, one that she had happily returned. "Then don't waste time with little old us. Go on. Equestria is safe hooves while you are away," Celestia said.

Luna nodded. "It's only for a month. What can go wrong?"
> Day 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was strange, Celestia thought, as she tried to make herself comfortable in her seat. This had once been her throne for longer than she had really wanted it to be. Very few had ever seen another in this spot during her time.

On purpose at least. More than once, she had caught one of her personal students sitting in the throne, trying to look regal and majestic, but more often than naught, looking silly in a chair meant for someone of her size.

Celestia of course had never said any of that to the pony in question of course. She hadn't even been mad if she caught them in the act. In fact, she had found rather silly and downright cute in some cases.

Sunset had been the most frequent of her students to do so. Even before Celestia had shown her the World Mirror and Sunset's darker side had come to the fore, the unicorn had been rather fond of the throne.

But now, as Celestia finally found a position she could work with, she found it distinctly uncomfortable to back in this spot. Not because she and Luna had given up their positions, or that this was just temporary.

But the feeling of wrongness was palpable. It just felt wrong for anypony but Princess Twilight Sparkle to be sitting in this spot. Whether Twilight knew it or not, she had put her indelible stamp on the throne and the area around it.

Knowing her former student, Celestia had the feeling it drove Twilight crazy to even think about it like that. 

Today marked the first day of her and Luna's return to the throne. Twilight had been kind enough to handle the sun and moon from where ever she was the evening before, giving the sisters time to readjust to the amulet.

Celestia had tried to raise the sun this morning though, as she once had for over a millennium, following a routine she had established while doing so.

Nothing had happened.

Celestia had tried once more, and again nothing had happened. It confirmed something she had begun to suspect sometime before now. The sun no longer recognized or even remembered her. The same might hold true for Luna and the moon.

Turning around, she checked to see if her cutie mark was still there or different. It was still the same sun in glory it had been for so long now. It was something she would have to ask Twilight about when she got back.

Forced to use the amulet, Celestia had eventually been able to get the sun into the sky to start the morning. Then had come breakfast, a quick bath, and now here she was in the Throne Room. Not at all sure what she was supposed to do now.

Turning to the Pegasus at her side, who had introduced herself as Azure Bolt, personal assistant to Princess Twilight herself, Celestia finally asked what was bothering her. "What happens now then?"

Azure looked down at the notes she held. "Normally, this is when Twilight opens her Morning Friendship Court. Where any creature can come and ask for her advice or help with a friendship problem. It's really an informal thing, and usually lasts a couple of hours. After that is Lunch, followed by the Afternoon Session of the court, and then it's whatever she feels like doing on that particular day."

Celestia nodded. It sounded much more fun than her Day Court had ever been. She did notice something, however. "When does she find time to handle the business of government? You did not mention that."

Azure nodded, smiling slightly. "Most of the small stuff is handled by various departments. All still ultimately fall under her authority, and anything major or a big expenditure must-have Princess Twilight's signature. But that's about it really."

Celestia's smile grew, proud of how much Twilight had handled the things that used to drive herself crazy. "And if there is an emergency in Equestria?"

Azure rolled her eyes. "Then Twilight handles it herself. It doesn't happen much, but if there's a monster attack, she'll usually go out and see what can be done about it herself."

Celestia nodded. "You seem to be okay with using the princess's name like that?"

Azure nodded. "Twilight made it clear when I first became her assistant she didn't want me to faun over her as some do. I've been at her side for a few years now. I've seen every side of her. The good, the bad, and the Twilighting."

Celestia's brows rose. "She still does that?"

Azure chuckled. "Not as much as she used to, she tells me. With the Royal Advisor Spike not expected to wake up any time soon, I'm the one who has to handle it. A newspaper upside the head usually does the trick just fine."

Celestia burst out laughing at that, wiping her eyes with a hoof. "I see you've learned the Sunset Shimmer method of dealing with overthinking ponies. Sunset would approve."

"There's that name again," Azure muttered, as she looked at the window for the Battle of the Bands. "Who was she? The princess says that yellow unicorn in the window is her, but I've never met her."

Celestia nodded, her expression softening. "You wouldn't have ever known her. Sunset died long before you were born Azure. That is her there. One of her proudest moments she once told me."

Azure looked up at the elder alicorn. "Do you know the stories for those windows? No one around does. We have theories, but Twilight never talks about them."

Celestia shook her head. "I only know them secondhoof from Princess Twilight herself, backed up by what Sunset herself told me. I do not know why she doesn't talk about them. I remember them being joyous, and they all stayed friends until the very end."

"Must be an alicorn thing," Azure said, though there was no animosity in her response.

Celestia chuckled. "Maybe it is. It's not my place to tell the princess how she should do anything. Not anymore. She has long outgrown needing that." She sat straighter in the throne, an old light returning to her eyes. "Shall we get started then?"

Azure nodded and gestured to the Door Wardens that they allow those waiting outside to begin coming in now.





As the last pony left for the day, still a little confused at seeing somepony else but Princess Twilight on the throne, but with a happy spring in her step, Celestia sighed, and slumped down in her seat. "Please tell me that was the last one?"

Azure looked out at the hallway leading to the Throne Room. The only ones in sight were the Door Wardens. She nodded as she checked her list one more time. "That was her. I wouldn't call it a perfect day, but it was a good start."

Celestia nodded. "Friendship is not my domain. It never was. But I like to think I've learned a thing or two over the centuries. Is there anything else I need to handle or know of?"

Azure looked at the next page she had, before shaking her head. "You're free actually, Only until your sister takes over this evening. Do you have anything in mind? There is a donut shop not far from here. Twilight raves about it all the time."

That piqued Celestia's interest, as an old memory came to her. "Is it called Donut Joe's? I remember Canterlot used to have a shop called that."

Azure shrugged. "I don't know what it's called honestly. But the princess says it makes the best sweets on this side of Ponyville's Sugarcube Corner."

Celestia smiled as she stood and stretched her wings for all they were worth, several pops being heard if one listened hard enough. "Donuts it is then. I need something sweet after all of that. I had forgotten how tedious the Court can be."

Azure chuckled as she placed her list down on the table next to the throne. "That works for me."





It was only night one, and Luna already felt bored. More so than she had when she had first returned from her time on the moon, and she had been recovering her strength and magic.

At least then, she had a good reason for having nothing to do. With her magic having been severely restricted by the Elements of Harmony, she hadn't been able to perform her nightly duties for some months.

Now though? With the moon taken care of, there didn't seem anything to do. So much so that Luna slumped down in her throne with an annoyed sigh as she looked at the unicorn next to her. "Is it always this quiet?"

Shadow Weaver nodded, looking at her notes quickly. "Normally. If Princess Twilight is able to handle all petitioners during the Afternoon Court, this time is usually pretty quiet. She doesn't seem to mind though."

"Of course she doesn't," Luna grumbled. "So what is there to do? Celestia seems to have handled all the usual stuff. Again. Is there anything for me to do?"

Shadow bit her lip, but she was here to help, and so she turned to a page near the back of a stack of papers before hoofing it over to Luna. "There is one thing. Twilight has been studying the idea of a source of unlimited energy. One that doesn't require magic. She has been looking for an outside opinion on it."

That piqued Luna's interest as she looked over the papers she had been given. It was all written in Princess Twilight's horn work, but she was able to make sense of it. But what it showed looked suspiciously like something she had seen before. "Princess Twilight seeks to use the by-products of baryonic decay as an energy source in a Solar Furnace?"

Shadow nodded, hiding her surprise that Luna seemed to catch on so fast. "Yes. How did you guess that so fast? Most don't get it for a while once they know about it."

Luna rolled her eyes as she looked over the papers again, her ideas confirmed. "Because I have seen something like this before. It is not a real thing of course. But a manga from Neighpon once used the same idea as a virtually unlimited power supply in the story's setting."

And aside from not using it in mobile suits, this was virtually identical to the GN Drive of Celestial Being, Luna thought as she looked over Twilight's various ideas. But there was one major stopping point that she could see. "Twilight has not, as of yet, found something like a fuel source and a way to create the particles needed in the Generation Furnace."

Shadow nodded. "Yes. She's spent so much time looking for it and has even tasked some of our best scientists and engineers to look into it. So far, they have found nothing. Most think it's a hopeless dream of hers. No one has told her that, but most of us that know about this think this is never going to work."

Luna gave the mare a look. "Do you believe as much?"

Shadow nodded. "The idea in of itself is not bad. In fact, I think it's a great idea. But this seems far too advanced for Equestria. We have made great strides in technology in the last five hundred years. But I can't see this ever working no matter how long the princess works on it."

Luna tapped her chin. "How long has Princess Twilight been working on this? I do not remember ever seeing this."

Shadow shrugged. "We don't know. Who can tell with her sometimes? Only the Royal Advisor Spike knows her best, and Princess Flurry Heart when she comes to visit. But she's not around all that often."

Luna giggled at that. That was true enough. "That may be why Princess Twilight has not made this more well known. I have known her for a very long time now. Not as well as my sister mind you. But I have learned one thing about her in all that time. Above anything else about her."

Shadow gave her a hopeful look, unable to keep her own curiosity down. "What's that?"

Luna looked out a nearby window. "It is that Princess Twilight Sparkle will not give up on this dream until she has exhausted literally possibility and avenue of research into making it a reality. Twilight wants this to be real. For this to be her lasting legacy to Equestria and the world, something she can point at with pride. Far than what she's accomplished as a ruler." Luna rolled her eyes as a thought came to her. "Short of asking Discord for help, of course."

Shadow rolled her eyes. Having had to deal with the Lord of Chaos himself on several occasions, she could very well see why Princess Twilight would not ask him for help. "Knowing him, he'd probably make it blow up in her face. Literally."

They both giggled at the idea. Discord would more than likely do it as well if he got the chance. Luna looked again at the papers floating in her magic. "I cannot say how much help I will be on this. But I will do what I can."

Shadow nodded, sighing in relief. "I think that's all Princess Twilight could ask for." She smirked after a moment. "And if nothing else, this gives you something to do during the night, doesn't it?"

Luna nodded, and before long, she was totally absorbed into reading what Twilight had laid out.
> Day 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the latest petitioner left the Throne Room, happy with his verdict but confused to seeing somepony other than Princess Twilight on the High Throne, Celestia sighed and seemed to deflate a little. "I had forgotten how tedious the court could be."

Azure nodded in sympathy. "You are not the only one. Princess Twilight has tried for years to make this more fun. She is the Princess of Friendship after all. But someponies are particularly stubborn. Especially when it comes to friendship-related troubles."

Celestia chuckled. "I would like to think that I have learned a thing or two in my long life about friendship and how to help ponies overcome their troubles. Twilight has always been better at it than me, however. No matter what she might say."

Azure chuckled. "She would more than likely say otherwise. Especially when the time for the Festival of the Two Sisters comes around, she goes on and on about how everything you did far outstrips what she has done."

Celestia nodded. That did sound like her former student. "Do ponies still go to them? I remember they were quite popular for many years. But I stopped paying attention a long time ago."

Azure shrugged. "Some do. Most ponies know your names at least from the history books. But few ever pay them much mind. To most of Equestria, it is ancient history. Few actually believe the events in those windows even happened."

Celestia looked at her, hearing the concern in her voice. "Why is that?"

Azure shook her head. "I do not know. I know that Queen Skystar of Mount Aris has tried to keep the memory of that time alive. She and Princess Twilight have tried for years to get our two countries to memorialize the contributions those days have given us. To no avail so far. Ponies are stubborn, and hippogryphs are even more so if possible."

Celestia winced in sympathy. While Skystar was nowhere near as stubborn and set in her ways as her mother had been, the same could not be said for the rest of her kind. Relations between the two countries remained good. But hippogryph pride was a hard thing to work around.

Azure tapped her chin, as she seemed to remember something. "There is more to the friendship troubles though. I am no expert on it by any means. But it seems to be happening more and more often across Equestria."

Celestia's brows rose. "What do you mean?"

Azure looked out a nearby window, toward east the coast in fact. "Last year, the Mayor of Maretime Bay came with a petition he said was signed by most of the city. To segregate each Tribe back into their own separate areas, with no interaction allowed except under strict controls."

Celestia's jaw dropped in horror. "He what?"

Azure nodded sadly. "That is what we all thought as well. Princess Twilight was beyond angry of course, and flatly rejected the whole idea of course. And for a time, it seemed like it had been a one-off thing."

Celestia didn't like where this was going. "But?"

Azure sighed. "Then all of the mayors of the cities and towns of Equestria started to bring in these. All demanding the same thing, and claiming to be signed by the whole town or the vast majority of the population in them. Sometimes on the same day as well. Only Canterlot, Ponyville, and the Crystal Empire never showed any signs of this."

Celestia tapped her chin. She did not remember any of this from Silver Shoals. There were arguments and fights of course. But nowhere near to this level. She actually liked the mayor of the town.

Azure seemed to guess her next question, for she soon continued. "Princess Twilight finally snapped and called each and every mayor in Equestria to a meeting. No exceptions. I will not repeat all of what she said here. But she called this an act of sedition and treason, and those who bandied about such ideas as traitors to the crown. She put an immediate end to any such ideas by decreeing that any such attempt in the future would be treated as high treason and prosecuted as such."

Celestia winced. She knew the penalty of high treason was death. It was one that she had never thankfully had to use when she had ruled. Even when in the aftermath of the Nightmare Moon incident, when ponies had demanded that all of Luna's guards and those closest to her be put to death as traitors, she had refused. For she knew that those that had followed her sister before her fall had, every last one of them refused to follow her into darkness. "I am assuming nothing happened since I do not remember hearing of anything about it."

Azure nodded. "Being on the receiving end of a peeved-off alicorn was more than enough for most of them. Those that did not were placed on indefinite probation. And to prove her point, Twilight took on her, as she called it, Midnight Sparkle form and burned each and every proposal, and asked if anypony wished to join it? None of them did and took the hint. She took sadistic glee in seeing them squirm. I know she did. She returned to normal after they had left, and so many buckets of sorrow ice cream were had that I think even her old friend Rarity would've been jealous."

Celestia's ears fell. That Twilight had released her Inner Nightmare, a form all alicorns possessed, spoke to how angry her former student had been, and how close she had come to losing control entirely and losing herself to her hatred and anger. "That would explain why the mayor of Silver Shoals was so shaken up last year. He never said why though."

Azure nodded. "I don't blame him in the slightest though. It took Twilight a few minutes to calm down to any degree, and nopony dared to get near her while she was still in that form. We did not know if she would lash out at us or not. Or worse. Spike can usually calm her down. But he is deep asleep for many years yet."

Celestia nodded. This had given her much to think about, and something that she and Luna needed to discuss this evening.





Luna didn't say anything as her sister finished recounting all that she had learned earlier that day. It did not bode well at all. "I do not like this. Ponies should know better than to try something like this."

Celestia nodded, sipping her tea. "I do not like it either. Democracy is a sham to me. Giving power to the few, even if others put them there. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But now I question why I ever thought so."

Luna nodded. It was a feeling that she knew well. The idea of democracy as it existed now in Equestria had not existed when she had been banished. It had confused her to no end on her return when she had learned of it.

Why some ponies had ever thought she would ever get behind it or would try and form her country with it in mind, was beyond her. She had not laughed so hard in a long time when she had first heard of the crackpot travesty called the New Lunar Republic. Almost as crackpot as the Solar Empire for her sister in fact.

But that was beside the point. "So what is Princess Twilight doing about it? I doubt it will be that easy to sweep away."

Celestia nodded. "From what I understand, she has placed the most malcontent ponies under surveillance. If they try anything, then she will know of it. I do not know what she would do if it came to that."

Luna snorted, finishing off her banana. "If it were up to me, I would sweep them all away and throw them in the dungeons, or worse. She is too nice to them."

Celestia sighed. "Twilight will not do that, Luna."

Luna gave her a look. "Why not? Princess Twilight has the full power and authority to do so. Or have you forgotten what she did to Klugetown?"

Celestia winced. "I remember, Luna. To this day, I regret teaching her that spell. The Rain of Colorless Fire is something that never should have existed. I also know how much it destroyed her to cast it. She hated herself for doing so. Twilight swore that she would never allow herself to become that angry again."

Luna's ears fell. That was something that held true for them all in fact. Only the alicorns knew of the Forbidden Ultima spells. The Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire. Magic that was so powerful and destructive, that any who cast them risked ripping reality apart if they missed just a single piece of the complex spell weave necessary to cast them. And only an alicorn who had cast aside all restraint on their anger stood even a chance of surviving the backlash from casting one.

Celestia shook her head sadly. "Twilight will not risk doing that again. Not unless there is literally no other option. She risked too much by unleashing her Inner Nightmare as she did. I fear what might come of this becomes more. Has there been any news from the Human World?"

Luna shook her head. "Nay. I asked Sci Twi before I came here. Nothing is out of the ordinary. No more than usual anyway. 

Celestia's eye twitched. "Luna. How many times has she asked you to stop calling her that? She is no longer your student."

Luna rolled her eyes at the thought of the human-turned-alicorn. "Trying telling her that. I seem to remember a certain student of yours who was not much better," she smirked. "How long did it take Princess Twilight to stop completely treating you like that again?"

Celestia shifted uncomfortably. "A few centuries."

Luna nodded triumphantly. "And she had the benefit of seeing you all the time. Mine does not. Unless she ever moves to our world, I do not think she ever will see me as anything but her teacher. Sunset Shimmer was good. But she never taught her enough. Nor could she in that world." She shook her head. "Do not mistake my tone for unkindness. I love her. But our relationship will never be the same as yours and Princess Twilights was."

Celestia conceded the point. This was nothing new to think of, and many a night had been wasted on thinking about it. She soon turned to something less down. "And what of Twilight's project? Have you made any progress on it? I know she would be happy for any good news."

Luna shook her head sadly. "There is none. Her theories are fine in principle. But putting them into practice is altogether different. We do not have the technology, and if such a fuel source does exist, we have not yet found it. I doubt that it even exists on Equus. If it exists at all."

Celestia sighed. She had been afraid of that. While she didn't understand most of what Twilight was working on, the goal was a noble one. Unlimited energy was something worth looking into. All of Equus would benefit greatly from it for far longer than however long Twilight would rule.

But if Luna, who had a love for this kind of thing, could offer nothing new. Then she could see why Princess Twilight was having so much trouble with it. Maybe she should look into it more. It could not hurt anyway.

Something for tomorrow, however. For now, Celestia yawned as she excused herself from the dining table, she was ready for bed. Today had been too long, and sleep was exactly what she needed.
> Day 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia frowned as the latest pony left the court. "I do not like this. The news that Princess Twilight is away from Equestria has emboldened these malcontents far more than it should. They do not even try to hide it now."

Azure nodded, no happier. "There have been reports from some districts of ponies trying to start trouble with other races. Or even between ponies of different tribes. None have succeeded thankfully. But it can't be a coincidence that this is happening all over Equestria."

Celestia nodded. "If there is one thing that I have learned the hard way over my long life. It is that it is never a coincidence. These are too well-timed to be anything other than planned. Princess Twilight made no secret that she was leaving. I hope that it was not a mistake."

Azure gave her a worried look. "Has anything like this happened before?"

Celestia nodded sadly. "Yes. Not long after I lost my sister to her inner darkness, Equestria rose up and tried to lynch all of Luna's followers. For the sole crime of being associated with Luna, though none of them stood with her as Nightmare Moon. I finally had to step in myself and made it clear that any attempt to eliminate my sister's followers, would not be tolerated and that any caught doing so would be tried by me personally."

Azure blinked in surprise. "Doesn't that seem, I don't know? A bit much?"

Celestia chuckled. "The Courts of Law were not as impartial as they are today. Many shared the same views of Luna's followers as those who tried to eliminate them. I would not take that chance."

She sighed as she looked east. "The same can not be done today. I will not call Twilight back. Not until there is no other option. To do so would be to admit defeat to these... ponies."

Azure gulped as the air in the room went up several degrees. She almost swore that she saw Celestia's eyes turn slit for a moment before it passed.

Celestia shook her head, seemingly trying to dispel an unpleasant thought. "Is there any reason that we can see that would explain why this movement seems to be coming mostly from Maretime Bay, Zephyr Heights, and Bridalwood?"

Azure shook her head. "No. They are relatively new towns, but that seems to be the extent of what they have in common. Nothing about them has ever stood out as something to worry about." She tapped her chin. "There was talk about an eccentric earth pony in Maretime Bay that seem really fascinated with alicorns. But nothing ever came of it."

Celestia nodded. She still didn't like any of this. Too much of it reminded her of what the Legion of Doom had managed to do during the Battle of the Bell. For now, though, she put it from her mind. "Who is next then? Another pony asking these same questions?"

Azure looked down at her list. "Sunny Starscout. From Maretime Bay. It doesn't say why she came all the way here though. She seemed really excited about something earlier."

Celestia blinked. Something about that name, for some reason, struck her as important. But she couldn't say for sure why. She smiled, however. "Send her in, please. I can only hope that she is nicer than the others have been."

The door guards nodded, before admitting the mare. The earth pony mare couldn't have been much older than Twilight herself had been when she had first moved to Ponyville so long ago now. Her eyes shown with wonder and excitement as she took in everything around her. When her eyes fell on Celestia, they widened even more, before she fell into a bow.

Celestia smiled. She knew that look in the young mare's eyes, and it warmed her heart. "Please, miss Starscout. There is no need for that."

Sunny blinked as she looked up. "But I thought you were supposed to bow to the princess? Or did Pipp and Zipp get it wrong?"

Celestia chuckled, her smile never faltering. "That is true. But I am not a princess. I have not been one in a very long time. I am merely filling in for Princess Twilight."

Sunny didn't look completely convinced, but she wasn't sure what else she could do. "Izzy was right. I really need to lighten up for this."

Celestia held back a giggle, while Azure fought to keep her mouth straight. "To what do we owe the pleasure, miss Starscout? It is a long way from Maretime Bay. Nothing wrong I hope?"

Sunny's smile fell somewhat as she dug around in her saddlebags. "Actually. There are a few reasons I'm here. I've always wanted to see Canterlot and meet Princess Twilight. I've been a huge fan of hers since I was a filly. Not just as the princess, but for everything she and her friends did, and what they stood for."

Celestia's smile grew. "I am sure Twilight will be thrilled to hear that when she returns."

Sunny smiled widely at this, but it fell a moment later. "There's something else, though. I know about the rumblings all around Equestria. Ponies trying to divide the tribes once more. I think I know who is behind it."

Before Celestia or Azure could respond, Sunny layout a poster showing Twilight's cutie mark, but now slashed with red that looked far too much like blood. On the bottom was a symbol that Celestia recognized.

"Canterlogic," Celestia said quietly, before turning to Azure. "Didn't Princess Twilight..."

Azure nodded grimly. "She shut them down herself. We had discovered they were performing highly unethical and illegal experiments to develop anti-Pegasi and unicorn magic. Phyliss Cloverleaf, their CEO, disavowed any knowledge of any of this. But there was enough evidence to prove she knew of it and greenlit it herself."

Sunny nodded sadly. "I used to be friends with her son, Sprout. He never seemed to be this way, until he vanished a few years ago. Last week he turned up, but he was so different. Now he won't shut up about this anti friendship nonsense."

Celestia frowned. "Does anypony believe him? Maretime Bay is small enough that I would think many in the town would know him."

Sunny nodded. "Most of the town does know him. He used to be a Deputy Sherrif to Hitch. Luckily, nopony is listening to him. Especially after he tried to declare himself Emperor of Maretime Bay. He even used a song. It wasn't very good. Like. We were throwing fruit at him to get him to stop, it was that bad."

Celestia and Azure giggled more than they probably should have at that, and even Sunny couldn't keep a straight face. "I know it wasn't the friendliest thing to do. But nails on a chalkboard are less irritating than the song was. We helped clean up the mess afterward though. Our Sherrif insisted on it," Sunny added with a sheepish smile.

Azure chuckled. "I think Princess Twilight mandated that, as long as you helped clean up the mess afterward, there would be no harsh penalty for throwing fruit at a horrible singer. But if you do more than that? The penalty would depend on what you did to them."

Celestia's smile grew. "Then I believe that you and the other ponies will be fine. Twilight would most likely comment that you could have handled it better. But this is hardly the worst thing she will have ever heard about."

Sunny sighed in relief, a weight off of her shoulders. She made sure that to tell her friends knew this as soon as possible. "I just don't understand why anypony could ever think like this. For Twilight's sake, some of my best friends are from other pony tribes! We graduated from the School of Friendship together! Sure, we fight and argue. But we always come back together. So how..."

Celestia sighed sadly. She could sense that there was a deep bond between Sunny and her friends. Even though she didn't know them, if they were anything like the mare before her, they could do great things together. "I do not know, my little pony. I just do not know. Equestria has enjoyed five centuries of peace and prosperity. I cannot imagine why or how anyone would want to change that."

Azure looked again at the poster. "What I do not understand is what do they hope to accomplish? Equestria is not falling for this from the reports we have been receiving. Princess Twilight will not back down from this."

Celestia nodded. "This is not the Three Tribes Era, or when the Legion of Doom attacked. This, whatever it may be, is doomed to failure."

Sunny shifted uncomfortably. "Sprout said that they had help. High-level help. From Bridalwood and Zephyr Heights. But he didn't say who they might be. My friend Izzy hasn't said anything's changed in Bridalwood, and my friends Pipp and Zipp have said the same thing about Zephyr Heights."

Celestia and Azure shared a concerned look. Nothing about this felt right to them. Was someone pulling the strings behind the scenes? Someone they did not know of? 

Sunny saw the look, and her ears dropped. "I'm sorry I had to bring this up. I never wanted my first trip to Canterlot to be like this. Dad was right. I should have done this years ago."

Celestia shook her head, her smile softening. "It is not your fault, miss Starscout. I too wish your first time I Canterlot could have been under better circumstances." Her brows rose after a moment. "Do you have a place to stay?"

Sunny shook her head. "No. I was planning to go back home tonight. But there's so much to see and do that..."

Celestia giggled. "Then it is decided. You will stay here in the castle. For as long as you wish." She saw the mare ready to argue and held up a hoof. "I must insist. It is a long way back to Maretime Bay. Why don't you relax for a few days before you go home? Unless there is something that you must get back to?"

Sunny's wide grin and squee was all the answer they needed.
> Day 21
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So this is the Legion of Doom?" Sunny asked, looking at the statue trio with a curious look.

Luna nodded. "Indeed. And with what has been happening in Equestria recently, I am glad to see that they are still here. I had almost begun to fear that they may have escaped and had something to do with all of this."

Sunny couldn't deny that the same thought had crossed her mind as well. She of course knew the story of the Legion's defeat. Every colt and filly in Equestria knew the story. How the nation had come together to defeat them in the end. On that day, friendship really was magic.

Luna watched the young mare for a moment, There was something about her that just stood out to her. What it was, she couldn't be sure. Perhaps it was because Sunny reminded Luna of a much younger Twilight Sparkle. Or maybe she was finally going senile in her old age.

She tried not to think about that idea, as she shook her head. "That is all of the castle and its ground that is open to the public. Any place else requires the authorization of Princess Twilight herself."

Sunny nodded. She had enjoyed her week spent in Canterlot Castle. It was a fillyhood dream come true. She just wished her friends were here as well. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave yet though. Something doesn't feel right. And there's what Zipp and Pipp said. What their mom has done."

Luna frowned. "Yes. The self-proclaimed Queen of Zephyr Heights. And, oh what was his name? That old unicorn in Bridalwood who took over the town. In a way that we still do not know about."

Sunny's ears fell. "My friend Izzy lives in Bridalwood, and she doesn't know either. I have met Haven and Alphabrittle. They were always so nice to me and everypony else. So why would they do this?"

Luna shook her head. "I do not know. I cannot claim to know them myself. But this is not a coincidence. Haven has some claim since her family is minor nobility. But this is a play for power far beyond her station. I do not understand why she would do this. The family has always stood by Twilight's side."

Sunny nodded. "Zipp and Pipp are two of my best friends. I've known them since I started at the School of Friendship. They refused to have anything to do with what their mom has done. Same with Izzy and what's happened to Bridalwood. Only Maretime Bay seems fine. I just hope it stays that way. They're all on their way to Canterlot now."

Luna nodded. It seemed prudent. Something told her, however, that things were far from done, and that things would only get worse from here, for it was never so simple.

At that moment, a Pegasus mare of the Royal Guard ran up and whispered something in Luna's ear. Whatever it was, it shocked the mare, for her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.

Sunny was confused. "What is it?"

Luna shook her head. "We are needed in the Council Room, now."





By the time the duo arrived, Celestia and many of Princess Twilight's advisors were already there. The concerned and horrified looks on their faces did little to ease their fears.

Celestia nodded as the two joined them. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, everyone. We face a serious crisis." Here she nodded to Azure, who gulped before she started.

"One hour ago, Maretime Bay, Zephyr Heights, and Bridalwood declared war on Equestria. They have succeeded from the nation and formed an alliance with each other. Sprout Springleaf has declared himself Emperor of Maretime Bay after somehow escaping from the local jail before destroying the local lighthouse with a mech of some kind."

Sunny's ears fell in horror. "My home. Everything me and dad had..."

Azure nodded in sympathy. "Ponie are fleeing from all three towns towards Canterlot as we speak. As far as we know, none have joined these traitors. But that could change. And there is another thing."

Celestia nodded gravely. "They are demanding Princess Twilight be handed over to them or else they will bomb any town that stands against them. Including Canterlot."

Luna's frown grew. "Has the evacuation order been given?"

Azure nodded. "Yes. The first trains should be arriving today. Some did not need the orders to do so."

Luna nodded. It was a start. "What has caused them to go this far, sister? Are they demanding more than just Princess Twilight herself?"

Celestia shook her head. "As of now? No. And I cannot imagine what has caused this. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred, has it?"

"Nay. The Legion of Doom has not changed, and this is far beyond anything Discord would do. Wherever that misbegotten Chaos spirit is," Luna grumbled. She shook her head. "Sister. You know what you must do. They will not stop now. Their kind never does. They will be at our gates before we know it."

Celestia nodded sadly. "Yes. Return to your duties. We will reconvene later to discuss what can be done for the city's defenses in the time that we have left."

The others nodded solemnly as they left. Luna and Azure helped a despondent Sunny back to her room, and it broke Celestia's heart to see such an energetic and loving mare brought so low, as she floated a parchment and quill over and began to write something she had hoped never to say.

"My dearest Twilight. You must return to Equestria immediately.





Five days later, Celestia stood on Canterlot's Main Gate, watching as the smoke from the fires grew denser and denser on the horizon. And now even the Everfree Forest burned. At her side stood Sunny Starscout and all of her friends. Hitch was wearing an eye patch from a close shave in the evacuation from Maretime Bay. His owm fury grew by the moment at Sprout's betrayal.

A member of the Royal Guard was with them as well. She was no happier about this. "Your highness. You must give the order. The lines are cut. No more trains are coming."

Celestia looked back at the city. Everywhere she looked, she could see signs of the refugees. Every room and space were filled. Even the castle itself was full. No more room could be found if they tried.

"How has it come to this?" Celestia thought as she closed her eyes. Where had it all gone wrong?

Sunny and her friends all shared worried looks. They wanted to say something. Anything to help. But what could be said? This was beyond anything they had ever imagined. "What about Princess Twilight?" Izzy asked.

"We don't even know if she got that letter," Zipp grumbled. "And it's a long way back to Equestria."

Celestia nodded. "Indeed. We are on our own, I am afraid." She shook her head as she stood to her full height. "Then the order is given, captain. Fire On the Mountain. Seal the city."

Everyone's heads dropped, as the gate was sealed. 





On the thirteenth day of Secundus, the first bombs fell on Canterlot.
> Night Falls on the Golden Age
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later scholars would claim the Siege of Canterlot marked the death of the old Equestria. When ponies turned from the light of Harmony to embrace ideals not seen since the Three Tribes Era and stood against Princess Twilight for their own selfish ends.

To this day, no one knows why those who turned did so. The truth most likely died with them.





It began with a single bomb aimed at Canterlot Castle, the heart of Equestria. No one knew which of the besieging armies fired it, but the message and afront was clear. Princess Twilight would fall, and it mattered not how many fell with her.

The bomb exploded harmlessly on the shield that surrounded the castle. All eyes in the city followed its flight, and none could miss that it was aimed directly at Princess Twilight's bedroom in the highest tower. A symbolic gesture, if futile.

With the city sealed, an order that not even in their worst nightmares had Princess Celestia or Princess Luna ever thought they would give, all thoughts of talking this out, or without bloodshed, were gone. This was no longer a rebellion.

It was a civil war.





Celestia frowned as another bomb exploded on the shield around Canterlot Castle. "They are persistent, I will give them that."

Azure shook her head. "The City Wall will not hold much longer. All non-combatants have been ordered to the old mines under the city." She eyed the Pegasus family that stood with the commanders. "Except for you. Pearl. I once again must implore you and your family to go with them."

Pearl Rose shook her head. "I'm not leaving. I've never run from a fight in my life, and I won't start now. What would I tell Princess Twilight when she gets back if I did?"

Luna sighed. "And what do we tell her if she returns and finds you hurt or worse?"

Pearl bit her lip, but she knew Luna was right. She knew the princess loved her above and beyond just as her student, and it was a feeling she shared as well. She looked at her parents for support.

Her mother shook her head. "I'm afraid that once Pearl has her mind set on something, nothing will change it. Not even an order from the princess herself. Just ask Princess Twilight."

Celestia giggled. It was a good mentality to have, and one she wished more of her own students had once had. Pearl and her family had been on one of the last trains to make it into the city before the gate was sealed, having barely escaped Baltimare before it fell to an attack from Maretonia.

The backstab bit deep the most for Celestia. She had long hoped the worst of the dukedom's past was behind them and the country was on the road to prosperity. It had all been a lie, and the heat in the room went up several degrees at her anger.

"What about our allies?" Celestia finally asked, calming herself for the moment.

Azure shook her head. "The Crystal Empire has sealed the border and refuses to treat them as nothing more than terrorists. Same with Mount Aris. Queen Skystar is assembling a fleet to take back Baltimare, as is the Crystal Empire to relieve us. But it is anyone's guess when either will arrive."

Luna shook her head. "It will not reach us in time. As you said, the City Wall is almost breached. Once it falls..."

Celestia nodded sadly, as her head fell. "Once the wall falls, Canterlot will fall not long after. We cannot hold out for long here. The citizens must begin the evacuation. They will find the caves before long. There is a secret pathway that leads to the other side of the mountain. It is still open."

Azure nodded, quickly giving orders to one of the Royal Guard officers. Even as the Pegasus ran off, a tremendous explosion rocked the room, sending Pearl and her family to the floor in a heap.

Celestia's ears fell even before a unicorn ran in, a look of terror on his face. "The wall is breached! Centurions are flooding into the city!"

Luna frowned at the informal name for the machines the attackers were using, but it was as good a name as any for them, and it made destroying them easier knowing they were not living. "Pull the guard back to the Second Line. Buy us as much time as you can."

The stallion hesitated a moment, receiving a report on his communicator. "The Second Line is also breached. The Third Line will not hold for long with these numbers. It appears they are sending in the entire army."

Celestia shook her head in despair, sharing a forlorn look with her sister. This was it, then? "Then the city is lost. We will make our last stand here. They will get nothing out of us. We must give Twilight more time. Time to end this. Even if it means laying down our lives for Equestria's future." She looked again at Twilight's student, and her heart fell that a filly so young would see the end of Equestria. "Pearl. I am not asking you this time. I am telling you. You and your family must evacuate now. They must never find you. They will use you in ways I refuse to even think of."

Pearl's ears fell as she shared a sorrowful look with her parents, even as she could begin to hear the sounds of combat outside the castle. This was it then, wasn't it? Not even three months as Princess Twilight's Personal Student and it was all over. She sniffed as her mother hugged her as they were led out of the room. "And if I see Princess Twilight?" In her heart, she knew that she would never see them alive again.

Celestia smiled as her own tears fell, knowing that she would never see her student and friend again. "Tell her, we love her, and that we will always be proud of her."





Celestia grunted as she blasted another Centurion into atoms, only to have ten more replace it, and twice that number of Spheres rolled at its feet. "I do not understand how they could have built an army like this and we did not know about it?"

Luna grunted, as she too blasted her way through the encircling throng. "Really, Tia? You're asking that question now of all times?"

Celestia ducked a blade aimed at her head. "I cannot help it, Luna. You know how I am?"

Azure shook her head, as she and Zipp and Pipp weaved through the throngs, taking out as many as they could. "Is now really the time for sisters to bicker?"

Pipp chuckled. "You must be an only child. All sisters are like that. Just ask Zipp." Zipp only stuck her tongue out at her.

Izzy was adding what magic she could to the firefight, while Hitch and Sunny did their best to direct the magic at what seemed like command units. If they could take those out, then it might be able to buy them some more time.

The group had refused to evacuate with the rest of Canterlot's citizens and the refugees, even when Celestia and Luna had made it a direct order. And again, there was that feeling that there was something more to their friendship than was on the surface, Luna thought with a smile.

At that moment, every machine stopped, before pulling back and standing in serried ranks, earning confused looks from the ponies now surrounded at the center of Canterlot's Main Plazza.

"Why did they stop?" Izzy asked nervously.

Celestia frowned as the ranks split and three ponies stepped forward. "I know why."

An earth pony mare stepped forward, a smug smile on her face. "Celestia! I didn't expect you to be here of all places."

Celestia's frown grew. "Phyliss. Why am I not surprised to see you here with this rabble of traitors?"

Luna nodded, looking over the other two ponies at her side. One she recognized, while the unicorn was new to her, but judging from Izzy's reaction, she knew the stallion. "Haven. I never thought you of all ponies would stoop so low as this."

The Pegasus mare frowned as well. "That is Queen Haven to you, freak."

Luna spat in her face, taking great satisfaction in seeing the look of horror on the mare's face as she did so. "You have no right to that title. Your daughters have a greater claim to it."

Haven looked to the two younger Pegasi, hoping they would see sense and join her as they should. But all she saw in their eyes was betrayal and loss at what their mother was doing.

Alphabrittle shook his head. "Be that as it may. Surrender, Celestia and Luna. You have lost. Equestria is ours. Princess Twilight will not save you now, no matter where she is. Your lives will be spared if you do so."

Celestia cackled. "I doubt that. Your kind is always the same. We will die as soon as we're no longer of any use to you."

Phyliss ground her teeth. "Then die, as you should have long ago. I do not care. All I care about is one thing. Where is the princess's student?"

Luna's eyes narrowed. And there it was. "Someplace you will never find her. Pearl is everything that makes Equestria great, everything that we stand for, and the hope for the future. You will not tarnish her by laying your hooves on her."

Phyliss smirked. "I doubt that," she said, before turning to the largest mech in the army that stood behind the trio. "Sprout, honey. Be a dear and go find her. Tear this city apart if you have to. Drag her out of whatever hole she's in. But I want that Pegasus alive." Her smirk grew. "For now anyway."

"Yes, mommy," the mech replied, in a surprisingly young voice as it began to trudge off.

Celestia's eyes widened. But even as she began to charge a spell, she felt the temperature rise dramatically, and judging by the reactions of the ponies around her, they were all feeling it as well. But how?

Just then, a beam of magic sliced down from the sky, burning through rank upon rank of machines, causing Luna to cast a shield spell over the group to protect them from flying parts, and Sprout's machine was picked up and tossed around like a rag doll before being thrown at his mother's hooves.

ENOUGH!

The commanding voice brought a halt to everything, as everypony watched in shock and awe as Princess Twilight Sparkle landed between the groups, her face a mask of barely restrained rage and disgust as she looked at the trio, before looking at Celestia, Luna, and Sunny and her friends.

For a moment, she felt something between them that she had not felt in a long time. A bond that reminded her so much of the one she once had with five ponies so close to her heart. She smiled, and the group couldn't help but smile in return before Twilight looked back at the attacking forces with a sigh.

"I go away for one month, and this happens! Is Equestria that immature?!" She wailed, flailing her hooves in exasperation, earning a giggle from Celestia and Luna at the sight.

Alphabrittle smiled. "Princess Twilight. Just the mare we were looking for. You have saved us the trouble of looking for you."

Haven nodded. "I suggest you surrender now. You are hopelessly outnumbered, and we do not need you alive. None of you in fact."

Phyliss nodded "I have been holding this back for you, in fact. So please. Do try to make this interesting. Even you cannot fight an entire army."

Twilight tapped her chin, seemingly nonplused about this, much to the confusion of her friends. They were right. She had seen the vast numbers that waited outside Canterlot's walls. A number that beggared belief. "True. Even I am not that good. Wish I had thought of that."

The trio looked triumphant before Twilight smiled widely. "Oh wait. I did."

Before anyone could ask what she meant by that, fireball landed in the ranks of machines behind the trio, much to their shock and confusion. As well as everyone else's. It had come from behind the defenders. Twilight only pointed up as everypony looked at her, and their jaws dropped in shock at what was revealed.

Hundreds of airships, an entire aerial armada, drifted down from the clouds. At their head stood the HMS Harmony, the flagship of Princess Twilight herself. Next to her floated an ornate airship of unknown origin, but the golden lion banner that flew from her prow spoke to her homeland. The Swordstorm, flagship of the Khagan of the Lands of the Golden Pride, herself.

At that moment, Twilight fired a pre-arranged signal from her horn. As one, the armada opened fire. Twilight managed to put a shield over everypony as the rain of fire began. The machines in Canterlot were obliterated in mere minutes, and Twilight took smug satisfaction in watching the trio's eyes widen with each passing second.

"Now," she said, walking over and atop Sprout's mech, giving it a good few kicks just to spite this whole thing. "I believe you said something about surrender? Or would you like to skip the show trials and I treat you as the traitors you are and deal with you myself?"

Phyliss ground her teeth. This was not how this was meant to go, but they could still win as she dug around in her pack before pulling out a rock blacker than the most moonless night. "No. We can still win. I am sure you know what this is, Princess Twilight?"

Twilight, Celestia, and Luna's eyes widened in horror. "Null Stone," Luna replied.

Haven nodded at Alphabrittle. "Do you know how hard it was to find even this much? How many died to refine it down into something that could be carried around? Quite a few in fact."

Alphabrittle nodded. Just being near it was painful for him. "Call off your dogs, and we won't use it. I know you know what would happen if it is released on the ground."

Twilight's ears fell in despair. She did know, and it sickened her to know something like this even existed at all. Null Stone was also called the Life Eater, for it would release a virus that was extremely virulent, infecting every living thing, animal or plant, in a wide radius, depending on how large the sample. The virus would lyse cells, essentially melting all living things into a contaminated soup of organic matter, and individuals would suffer an excruciating death as their bodies decayed into organic sludge. Just being near it was dangerous for those with high levels of life magic, and Twilight forced her lunch to stay where it belonged.

Grogar's final gift to the world before his final defeat by Gusty the Great. And there was enough in this sample that all life from Canterlot to Ponyville would die this way, and there was little she could do to stop it.

Twilight bowed her head in despair, missing the looks of smug triumph on Phyliss Haven, and Alphabrittle's faces. "Fine. You win. Do what you want with me. But please. Leave my ponies alone. They do not deserve this."

Phyliss nodded, stepping forward. "A wise choice, your highness," she sneered, delighting in seeing the princess brought so low. "Now call them off."

Twilight nodded sadly. But before she could give the order, a blur zoomed past her, and took the Null Stone from Phyliss' hooves, leaving the mare blinking in surprise as Pipp blew a raspberry at her, before Zipp flew up and punched her in the face with all of her might. It was enough to make the earth pony stagger at least.

Pipp nodded, as she flew up and handed the stone to a stunned Twilight. "I think this is in better hooves with you, Princess Twilight."

Twilight blinked for several seconds before she took the stone with a confused smile. "Um. Yes. Thank you my little pony..."

Pipp smiled. "Name's Pipp. And this is my sister Zipp," she said, gesturing to the strutting Pegasus at her side and then at Haven. "And that air-headed feather brain over there was our mom."

Zipp nodded as she landed, looking proud of herself. "Not anymore. I used to look up to her. I wanted to be her. But not like this. I don't want anything to do with her." Pipp nodded sadly, leaning into her sister's embrace.

The sight broke Twilight's heart, as she glared at the trio, now not as confident without their trump card. In the distance, they could hear the bombardment intensify. It was all Twilight needed to hear as she stood to her full height. "Phyliss Cloverleaf, Haven, Alphabrittle. For your acts of high treason, attempted murder, and threatening to unleash a horror best left forgotten, I declare you Excommunicate Traitoris. Your lives are forfeit under Equestrian law."

Her frown grew by the second. "Death would be the normal penalty for High Treason. But I have a better idea. So you will see how much you have failed." Igniting her horn, she fired a beam of magic at the trio, who watched in mounting horror as their bodies slowly turned to stone. After a moment, the process was finished, and a new statue trio would soon join the Legion of Doom in the Castle Statue Garden.

Twilight sighed, deflating noticeably as Celestia and Luna rushed to her side, as Sunny and Hitch did their best to comfort Zipp and Pipp. "It is done."
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia watched as the armada heaved too over what remained of Canterlot Castle. "I do not know how we will find room for everyone in the city now. Most of the city's citizens do not have a home to return to. They made sure of that at least."

Luna nodded, looking over the throngs of the refugee camps that now spread over much of Canterlot. "Some do not have homes to return to at all, Tia. Ponyville will take years to recover from what I hear. To say nothing of the other cities."

Twilight nodded, directing as best she could, but her heart was not truly in it. "We will rebuild. We always have. We did so after the Legion of Doom. We will do so again. I just..." She sighed sadly.

Celestia put a hoof on her student's shoulder. "You are worried about Pearl? We know that she and her family escaped to the mines along with the rest of the citizens. Ponies claim to have seen her. The traitors would have used her against you if they had found her."

Luna nodded. "Besides. She is too stubborn and hot-headed to let something like this stop her. I have not seen anypony this stubborn since Applejack. I would almost say they are related."

Twilight snorted but smiled nonetheless. "I know. It is part of why I love and admire her so. She will go places when she grows up. I just wish I knew where she was and that she was safe."

"It is the sign of a good ruler when she cares more for her subjects than she does herself. Especially one that is not family," a new voice said, as a large lion joined the trio. He was almost as large as Princess Twilight herself, and his tawny coat stood out next to his golden mane. For how young he was, though, his eyes showed wisdom beyond his years.

Celestia and Luna bowed, while Twilight merely bowed her head. "Khagan. I must thank you once more for your help in ending the siege," Twilight replied formally.

He smiled. "Come now, Princess Twilight. I believe we are past the stage of using our titles. And it was no trouble. An attack on you is an attack on all of us. The traitors paid for it in the end."

Twilight nodded, motioning Celestia and Luna to rise as well. "Not all of them, Temüjin. Maretonia will pay for this treachery. I never fully trusted them. But I had no reason to act on those suspicions until now. I will not ask you to join us a second time. The fleet from Mount Aris will make landfall in three days."

Temüjin nodded before he turned his attention to a certain group of five ponies who were doing what they could to help the refugees. "And what of the five that stood with you at the end? They showed great courage for ones so young. And to stand up to their own mother as two of them did."

Twilight smiled as she too looked at them. "I am not sure. There is a bond there that goes beyond just regular friendship. Bonds I have not felt in centuries. I do not know what it could mean. But I feel safer knowing that they are together."

"And the salvage?" Temüjin pointed to a large pile of scrap off to one side. "Some of it must be of value. Whatever these things were."

Twilight nodded, looking around. There were many such piles scattered all around them, and even more outside the city walls and down in the valley below. Foals were already playing King of the Mountain on many. A sight that made the princess smile. "We will find a use for them. Maybe Sprout can be of some use. His mother designed much of these. He has to know something."

Luna rolled her eyes. She doubted the stallion would be of any use. But she admitted that she was curious about the automatons. They were visually identical to the Dwemer machines in her Elder Scrolls games. Strange, since very few ponies even knew of the series.

Celestia, however, could not see it. "I doubt he will be of much use now. He has not left the Statue Garden since we put the trio there. I understand that one is his mother. But I am afraid for his sanity at this point."

"Sprout has always been like this. We used to be able to help him, but I don't know if we can this time," Sunny said as she joined them, trying and failing to not be in awe at the company she was now keeping. Her eyes were practically filled with stars as she looked up at Twilight with a wide grin.

Twilight only giggled as she smiled. "Hello, my little pony. I here you came to Canterlot to see me? I am so sorry that it had to be in these circumstances."

Sunny nodded happily. "Yes! I've been a huge fan of yours since I went to the School of Friendship. Not just because you're the princess, but because I believe in everything you stand for. Everything your friends stood for. All of my friends do. I wanted to visit with my dad, but he passed away several months ago. This trip was for both of us."

Twilight's ears fell. "Oh. I am so sorry."

Sunny shook her head, her smile slipping somewhat. "It wasn't your fault, princess. Dad lived a happy and full life. He might not have been able to be here, but he was with me in spirit."

Twilight shared a smile with Celestia and Luna. It was a buoy to their spirits to hear this, in a time when they needed all they could get.

"Princess!" A voice called out, causing Twilight's eyes to widen in surprise and joy before a white and crimson blur flew into her and buried their head in her shoulders. Twilight looked down at the Pegasus clinging to her in with a huge smile before she returned the hug.

"Pearl! You're alright. Where have you been young filly?" She choked out, not bothering to hold in her tears.

Pearl shook her head, letting her own tears fall as well. "We got separated from the others and ended up in the Everfree Forest somehow. We could see what was happening to Canterlot. It was so scary. And then the armada showed up, and it was awesome to watch those things burn. We've been trying to get back here ever since."

Twilight nodded, fixing her student's mane, but blinked in confusion at one part of the story. "How did you end up in the Everfree? No paths lead from the mountain down into it, let alone under it and up inside of the forest."

Pearl's parents shook their heads in confusion as well as the two joined the group. "We're not sure, princess. It just seemed to open up for us, and it just seemed right to follow it. The next thing we know, we come out inside the Everfree. It was too dangerous to come back, so we stayed till earlier," Cirrus said.

Stratos nodded. "It was strange, however. Nothing tried to hurt us while we were hidden. I understand we were on the outskirts of the forest, but I would have thought that something would have tried to."

Twilight blinked in surprise. How was that possible? The Everfree Forest had never been hospitable to ponies of any kind. Even Zecora had struggled to live in it, and she had known much of the forest compared to most.

Unless... There were older powers in this world than even the alicorns themselves. Could such a power live in the Everfree? It was not impossible, but why would it take such an interest in Pearl and her family like this? It made no sense.

She shook her head, as she pulled Pearl closer, letting out all of her emotions of the past few days. Everyone, she would never see alive again, everything they had lost. A moment later, she felt Celestia and Luna join her, as did Sunny.

Equestria as they had known it was gone forever. They would rebuild, and life would go on. But it would never be the same again.

"One day. We will make this right. One day, this will be nothing but a bad memory and a footnote in history. This I swear," Twilight whispered.

It was a promise they all swore to. Pinkie Promise.