Checkmate Monarch, or simply Checker to her friends smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"You look beautiful today dear, then again, you're beautiful every day," said the older mare behind her.

"Thank you mother," Checker replied turning around and nuzzling her. "Will Trixie be joining us today?"

Her mother slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, she won't be visiting."

"Oh well," Checker said in a dignified tone striking a ladylike pose, "I suppose it's for the better. She's never been one for company. She's always been such a lonely little thing."

"You should really reach out to her more Checker, you could really show her how to be a successful mare."

"Why bother? She loves being all by herself. It always have to be about Trixie, Trixie, Trixie, no room for anypony else."

"That doesn't mean you should stop trying," her mother said.

"She has to be willing to try too mother."

Checking the mirror one more time, her servants opened the bedroom door. They seemed to insist on her waiting for them to open it for some reason. "Good morning Miss Monarch."

"Good morning." Who were these two again? She wished Helping Hoof was here. Where was he again? She couldn't believe he was shirking his responsibilities again, she was going to have to have a long talk when she found where he had snuck off to.

She didn't enjoy having to share the breakfast hall with so many other ponies, but business was business, and having as many connections as possible was vital for any businessmare, in particular one as big as herself. She doubted most ponies appreciated the stress a mare such as her was constantly under, not just running such large and diverse businesses but also maintaining control from those always seeking to drag you down and carve you up among themselves the second you showed weakness. But if there was always one strength Checker had, it was her calm mind letting her see how every detail connected to each other, and her determination to make sure she never became food for corporate sharks.

Speaking of food, her breakfast was passable, but simply not up to her normal standards, he made a mental note of needing to find a replacement chef. There was a strange taste to the food too, she'd need to complain about that as well. Mother ate and drank little, she had her own holdings to look after after all. Checker knew she'd never be as good as her mother, but she could be better than everypony else if she just applied herself.

She really wish her father would pay a visit, they were all adults so she couldn't expect him to drop by tra-la-la, but ignoring mother like this was totally rude. She'd have to talk to him about it when she saw him next.

"Are you sure you're up for taking visitors today Miss Monarch?" The servant asked.

"Of course I am. I'm not some helpless filly," she said a little too forcefully but calmed herself. Seriously, one incident and the hired help thought she wasn't up to the task of her daily routines?

That hellish abomination had left Helping Hoof without a face and as white as a piece of paper (perhaps a joke on how he hadn't realized his cutie mark until becoming the loyal servant Checker knew he was?), while Checker herself had spent the day/night (it was hard to tell how long it was with the sun and moon having gone mad, likely the same as the princesses), going about like an automaton, thinking only what others told her to think, feeling only what others told her to feel, doing what others told her to feel like some moon-sent robot!

She had recovered from that incident perfectly. She was the one in control of her life, not anypony else. That beast hadn't shaken her confidence in herself to forge her own destiny like she always had, and always would. Oh, and Helping Hoof was right as rain as well.

"Dear, don't you think you should tell someone about the sleepwalking?" mother asked, concern clear in her tone.

Checker had noticed she seemed to have a habit of waking up in odd places. Sometimes she'd come to awareness in the breakfast hall or in her room when she could've sworn she'd been at a business meeting. Not that she couldn't tell the two apart or missed a meeting. She never did.

"Maybe. It is becoming annoying..."

Checker mingled after breakfast as a socialite should (that is after the servants helped her clean up, she never seemed to be able to get through a meal without making a mess of herself, it was humilating), she listened to the ramblings of her fellow elite, her so-called equals. She had nothing but contempt for these ponies who were wealthy but only as long as their families continued to breast-feed them. Moronic-idiots like Princess Blueblood had no place among the real movers and shakers of Equestria. Checker checked herself, calling him a Princess was an insult to the actual Princesses. That self-absorbed foal of a stallion never seeing he was a pet the Princess was forced to keep around for obtrusive and arbitrary reasons.

Most of these ponies likely wouldn't last a day without whatever pills they took to keep up with the stress of the great game. She had put her servants in their place when they suggested she do the same. Mother had insisted on having a long talk with her afterwards though.

Who was she seeing again today? How had it slipped her mind? Nothing ever slipped her mind. Maybe mother was right and she was working too hard. No! She could take it. One slip up didn't change things.

In the front room, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane was waiting for her. Blast it, she was already here? Monarch made it a point of always being there before her guests. Another slip up. Blast it. Well, this mare would see she was not to be trivialized.

Photo Finish's overnight sensation, her name was Fluttershy, special talent animal care, had tail extensions, was known for having all the willpower of a daisy, but supposedly hid a much more violent and unstable personality under the surface if the Grand Galloping Gala was to be believed. How this mare hadn't ended up in a mental hospital or outright arrested for the damage she had caused was honestly and truly beyond Checker's comprehension. But it was the same old story she supposed, the mad-mares with enough popularity trotted free while ponies overlooked their 'little flaws.'

"Greeting Miss Fluttershy."

"Uh, hello Miss Monarch, you're… looking well."

"Please Miss Fluttershy, call me Checker. If we're to work together you need to know you can trust me."

"Oh, oh right. Alright, Checker. How have you, uh, been since… since… uh, since you last saw Trixie?"

Checker resisted tiling her head. When was the last time she had seen Trixie? Where had it been again? Some rural town? She had even allowed Trixie to perform some of her little shows for her. It was the least a big sister could do. Poor Trixie. It had been publicity for a new strip mall hadn't it? She really needed to visit the construction site soon to see how things were going.

"I've been perfectly fine, thank you for asking."

"You certainly, um, look better since I last saw you."

"When was that? Where you at one of my public speeches?"

"Um...you could say that..."

"Well, thank you. I have been trying to keep my health a priority." Her mother sat down next to her. "Oh yes, Miss 'Shy, this is my mother, I hope you can appreciate how important our meeting is for her to be an observer."

"What?" The mare looked around like she was blind or something. Ugh. "OH! I'm terribly sorry! I didn't see her there! I apologize! I'm very sorry. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And a pleasure to meet you too, Miss Fluttershy, you are a very beautiful young mare. Not quite as beautiful as my Checker but I doubt any pony is."

"Mother please." Checker felt herself blush at the praise.

The rude mare didn't even return mother's compliment. The nerve of some celebrities, they become the newest fad and think they're better than everypony else. How conceited.

"Uh, so Checker," Fluttershy said, "I…I want you to know that if there is any way I can help you, please don't . . . don't hesitate to ask."

"That is very nice of you Fluttershy, I expect such willingness from all those in my employ, quite commendable."

The pegasus seemed completely shocked by that. Checker wondered why, had she some sort of reputation she didn't know about?

"Uh, thank you. You know I have a cottage at the edge of Ponyville, if… if you'd like to, um, visit, I'm sure I might be able to arrange something, maybe? It might help you . . . uh, relax a little?"

"How very kind of you my dear. My mother has been insisting I go on a vacation but I simply haven't had the time, life waits for no mare, and stopping to smell the flowers only leaves you in last place."

"Your… your mother would be invited to come along too of course."

Mother spoke. "Such a wonderful and polite young mare. I'm sure it's a wonderful place, isn't that right Checker?"

"Yes mother. I guess I shall take it under consideration, but no promises Miss Fluttershy, I am a very busy mare."

"I.. I understand. I just believe no pony is beyond helping."

How naive and random. "How noble of you."

"...You really don't mind accepting help?"

Checker blinked, what an odd thing to ask. "Of course not. That'd be childish. My sister has always been like that but not me."

"Oh...yes...but Trixie has actually gotten better about that."

"Well that's a pleasant surprise. It's about time she grew up."

"...Yes...that is good..."

Sadly that was when the servants told them our appointment time was up. Oh well. Checker was sure Fluttershy would prove to be of service.

"Good day Miss Fluttershy."

"Uh… I hope to … see you again Checker...Oh, and Checker?"

"Yes, Miss Fluttershy?"

"Your eyes look really nice now. Last time I saw them they...weren't well."

What an odd statement. What could've been wrong with her eyes?

The day went on as normal, I had a few appointments with some other mares in my different offices and working with my personal trainer to stay in shape. My muscles seemed to have weakened somehow. Had I really neglected my exercise that badly?

I just wish the after lunch mint didn't keep making me sick, I swear I need to stop taking those, they do not make me feel better.

I retired early to my room, mother joining me.

Today was so tiring. So hard.

I laid down on the bed and mother hugged me, slowly stroking my mane. "It's okay Checker, mommy's here, you're the best, nothing is wrong, everything is okay, just relax here with mommy."

"Yes mama." I whispered to mommy, feelin' really tired. But first I draw a pretty picture for mommy. I hope to see the pretty pegaus lady again, she's nice. Maybe she could come by in the evening sometime, evening was time to play after all. Mommy said so. Mommy was the best. Mommy loves Checker. Mommy loves her best of all.

"How is she, Fluttershy?"

"It's hard to say, Helena...she's nicer and she's responsive now...but she seems to be in her own world....It's hard to say if she's improved or gotten worse...or if she's even the same pony anymore."

Author's Notes:

This is a companion piece written by my good buddy Alexwarlorn.

I should not this isn't the ONLY possible fate of Checker, so if you don't like it, feel free to ignore it.