I awoke before the sun had risen, as I did every morning, and stared out the window from my bed with bleary eyes. Sometimes, I would give anything for the pleasure of being awoken again by the newly risen sun. Alas, those moments from my childhood had long since passed.

Gently extracting myself from the twisted and rumpled silk covers of my bed I briefly let out a tired yawn. There had been many late nights over the past week, and I had not been sleeping well either. Recently, it seemed that every time that I was about to drift off to sleep, my mind would linger on some of the more morally questionable actions that I had recently committed.

Moving from my bed to a more spacious section of my quarters, I commenced my morning routine. Briefly I performed a number of different contortions that I had learnt over my long life. These ranged from a simple stretching of my wings that any pegasus would know, to a more complicated manoeuvre: where I jerked my head so violently that it produced a satisfying cracking sensation and a corresponding relieved sigh. Over time, this simple series of motions had come to be a cornerstone of my mornings; as important to me as the rising of the Sun itself.

Letting out a relieved sigh, I quickly trotted over to the balcony doors, unlatching and pushing them open with a quick burst of telekinesis.

Casting out my magical sense, I could feel that the sun was at the point in its path where it was ready to be arisen.

Below me lay the slumbering city of Canterlot, in all its magnificence: from the tops of its golden spires, to the sheen of the innumerable marble buildings that it contained. Even after all these years since its founding, I still felt pride at what we had accomplished. Having gone from a few broken down ponies with nothing to their names, to the centre of the civilised world.

Already, I could spot a few distant lights flickering in windows and the rise of wood fire smoke from chimneys. Perhaps, I wondered to myself, one of those lights heralded Joshua’s return to the waking world; a world filled with promises of new friends and unbound happiness. I hoped with all my heart that it was true. After all that he had gone through, and all the unintentional suffering I had caused him, he deserved it.

My pondering was interrupted, when my internal schedule began to nag me that it was growing close for the sun to rise.

Beginning to channel my vast reserve of magic, I directed it towards the still hidden sun. Whilst power coursed through my entire being, I felt the touch of my sister’s magic directed towards her setting moon. After all of those years of solidarity, it felt good to feel her magic again. If not for her return, I could not have stood to suffer the emotional and magical burden of being responsible for both the sun and moon for much longer.

Just as the sun’s glittering sphere pierced the horizon, the magical storm raging within me reached its peak—as it did every morning. A familiar crackling of discharging energy rang in my ears as the sensation departed, leaving me to watch the Sun as it made its slow ascent into the sky.

Whilst I still stood in the cool air I summoned up my magic once more, this time directing the wind towards myself. With the application of a quick spell I soon felt a tickling sensation over my entire body. As it begun to slowly fade away it left me with a clean and fragrant coat and my previously dishevelled hair in its usual pristine state.

Stepping back inside and shutting the glass doors behind me, I let myself relish in the feeling of the plush carpet under my hooves, shutting my eyes to better experience the feeling of soft wool on my bare hooves. Though it was such a simple sensation, it was none the less a joyful one. After all, my hooves spent so much of their time encased in gold that any sensation they felt was invigorating to say the least.

After I had spent enough time indulging myself, I reluctantly stepped into the four golden horseshoes that were ubiquitous with my public image. The rich sensation underhoof now having been reduced to nothing. Next came my tiara and gorget, both being of the purest gold with a simple gem inset into each. My regalia always seemed to weigh me down, even though enchantments were inlaid to greatly reduce their weight. However, rather than being a burden most days I was grateful for that quality as it reminded me of just how much responsibility my position held.

Taking several deep steadying breaths, I readied myself for the challenges that would present themselves to me today.

Stepping out of my bedroom and into the living area of my spacious personal suite, I was greeted with an unexpected surprise.

“Lulu,” I spoke happily, “I didn’t expect to see you this fine morning.”

Finding my sister sitting at the table which was usually reserved for entertaining guests at meal times, I made my way over to the chair across from her. Already, it appeared that the servants had delivered the meal as a simple bowl filled with a fine selection of fruit lay in its exact centre. Luna herself seemed to have completely ignored this wonderful display, a number of pages spread out over the table instead encapsulating her attention. When she looked like that, her resembled to my faithful student was uncanny, bringing a small giggle to my lips.

“Yes, sister! We th—,” she began, her distracted state causing her to slip into the royal “we” before catching herself. Taking a breath, she continued. “I mean, I thought that I would call in to see you before the council’s vote.”

The slight downward curve of her lips on her otherwise neutral expression was enough to alert me that something was wrong. The fact that the papers her eyes remained glued to happened to be our proposal was another.

“Lulu, is everything okay?” I questioned, my brow etched with worry.

“It is nothing Tia,” she quickly responded, finally shifting her gaze to me. For a second, a look of uncertainty was etched on her features before she spoke again. “It’s just that it has been so long since I have had to draft laws of such importance as these,” she said, tapping the document in emphasis, “I—I am nervous that I have missed something important.”

“It is okay Luna, we have both drafted it multiple times, I can assure you that there is nothing we have missed. If you are so nervous, why don’t you accompany me to the meeting to see the vote passed for yourself?”

For a second my sister’s eyes lit up, clearly tempted by the offer, though they doused themselves almost immediately. “I cannot sister,” Luna replied with a sad shake of her head. “This vote is too important and the council’s animosity towards me too great. We cannot risk them potentially rejecting these laws purely out of spite directed at me.”

“If you truly want to come, then do so sister,” I said encouragingly, a pang of sadness filling me at Luna’s dispiritedness, “this vote will pass with no problems, just as they always do.”

All I received in reply was a shake of Luna’s head, though a look of resolution overtook her features.”Even so, I am not willing to chance it,” I overheard her mumble to herself.

I knew then that there was no use arguing with her. “Okay sister, I understand. Now, how about you give me those documents, so we can enjoy each other’s company?”

Reluctantly, she levitated over the stack of typed papers that we had spent the majority of the few previous days working on over to me. Giving her a reassuring smile, I quickly engulfed her magic with my own and placed them down on a table on the other side of the room.

“Don’t give me that smile,” Luna groused, crossing her forehooves and pouting in such an adorable manner that any foal would be proud to claim it as their own.

“What smile?” I confusedly asked.

“The exact same one that mother used to give us when she reassured us about the monsters we claim lurked in our bedrooms. I am a grown mare, Tia.”

“I am sorry, Lulu,” I apologised, flashing her a sheepish grin, “I did not mean to disrespect you, I was not even aware I was doing it.”

Immediately, Luna’s own gaze softened. “I know you didn’t Tia. It just startles me sometimes how much you can look like her.”

After that, we lapsed into silence for a while. In the meantime, I busied myself by critically eyeing every piece of fruit in the bowl before me. Eventually I decided on a particularly delectable apple, its red skin shining like a ruby in the sun. Extracting it carefully from amongst its compatriots with telekinesis, I eagerly brought it to my lips. Taking a more than princess sized bite—something that I would never do in another’s company besides that of my sister—produced a crisp crunch and a wonderful taste that none the less made me feel slightly queasy. My stomach could never handle much more than a piece of fruit after I had just awoken anyway, and even that was pushing it.

Without even realising it my gaze had somehow drifted out the window. As I watched the sun rise, my mind began to drift, once again, towards a pony who I had caused great pain that in turn pained my trouble soul.

“You are thinking of him, are you not?” Luna asked softly, breaking me out of my pondering with a start.

“...Yes,” I hesitantly admitted.

Silence once again filled the room, as a singular question continued to circle around in my head. It had been haunting me for weeks now, and every day, I grew a little bit more desperate to ask it. However, today was the first time in a while that I was in my sister’s company, in total privacy, with no greater pressing matters. I could no longer contain it.

“Did I do the right thing sister, transforming Joshua against his will?” I blurted out.

“I will not lie to you sister,” Luna began with a heavy sigh, “from his viewpoint, he thinks you did not. From what you told me, the reaction that he had to you when you went to see him makes it undoubtable,” I winced, as Luna’s blunt words sent a burning dagger straight through me. “But, in my own opinion, you did the right thing. Perhaps not the popular thing, but you of all ponies would know that they are not always the same.”

Though my sister’s words helped to relieve my burden slightly, it did not remove it. I feared that it would be another regret I would carry with me for the rest of my days.

“Lulu, are his dreams happy?” I questioned, knowing full well what her answer would be.

“You know I cannot tell you that sister,” replied Luna, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face, “dreams are one of the most intimate moments a pony can ever have, what I witness is between them and me.”

Even though I did not wish them to, I could feel my shoulders sag beneath my guilt. Luna was the only pony that I would ever reveal my true emotions to, and even in the darkest of times I still appreciate the joy I felt to be able to share them.

Seeming to take pity on me, Luna stretched across the table and laid a gentle hoof on my shoulder. “I promise you sister,” Luna reassured, looking up at me with kind eyes. “I am doing my best to safeguard his dreams against nightmares. As long as I remain vigilant he should be capable of warding them off most, if not every, night.”

“Thank you Luna,” I said, my voice cracking slightly just before my emotional control reasserted itself, “I am glad you are here.”

However, our tender moment was interrupted when the bell that I had installed for my apartments rang suddenly, causing my sister to jump slightly as she always did.

“Heavens, Celestia!” my sister exclaimed, trying her hardest to mask the slight blush on her cheeks, “why did you have that awful thing installed?”

I let out a giggle at my sister‘s reaction, before re-establishing my more public demeanour. “I felt like a change, dear sister. One can only hear a knock at their apartments so many times before it grows boring.”

Though this reason was partially true, what I would never admit to my sister was that there was an ulterior motive for the bell. After all, it was beginning to grow embarrassing to have guards burst into my rooms fearing for my safety, only to catch me in a rather compromising position whilst I enjoyed an afternoon nap.

“You may enter,” I called towards the door after receiving an affirmative in the form of a nod from Lulu.

After the door had been engulfed with two identical magical fields, they opened themselves to reveal the form of a pegasus member of my royal guard. I could already tell who it was, though the enchantments hid the physical aspects of the guard it did not alter each ponies unique signature left on the magic field lines.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Luna shoot me a look I immediately recognised as her, ‘this is your business, I won’t interfere’ face.

“Lieutenant Shieldwing,” I greeted him with a warm smile, “how is your search progressing?”

As soon as talk about Joshua’s rather explosive confrontation with Shining Armor and Princess Cadence had surfaced, Shieldwing had been a stallion possessed. He had come before me and practically begged for me to send out a detachment of guards to search for him. However, I was unable to fulfill that request, as I could not justify the amount of stallion-hours it would take find somepony who had no legal reason to be found. After all, he had only gotten into a particularly venomous argument; something that was by no means illegal. Instead, I had formulated the plan that I would allow him some time off to search for Joshua, outside of the guards authority. In exchange, Shieldwing would report his latest findings to me each morning.

The slight frown that accompanied the deep bow he gave did little to assure me, but I forced myself to think positively. Motioning for him to stand, he immediately launched into his daily report, the tired tone of his voice so far from the stallion that once smiled so readily.

“Not well I’m afraid, Your Highness. I searched through some of the lowered class districts yesterday but I had little luck. I went combing through some of the local bars asking any patrons if they had seen him, but I didn’t really turn up any solid leads. I thought I had got something from one bartender after I flashed a few coins, but the trail went cold before I could follow it up. If he was ever there, it’s like he disappeared off the face of Equestria immediately afterwards.”

“And what did this bartender say he witnessed?” I asked curiously, unconsciously shifting forward in my seat.

“He said that a stallion that matched Josh’s colours and cutie mark walked in one afternoon a couple of days ago and paid far too much for two drinks.”

“But why did he purchase two drinks when he could do it one at a time?” questioned Luna, her own curiosity seeming to win out over her non-involvement.

Moving so that he could face the both of us simultaneously, Shieldwing continued. “Apparently he gave the other one to a griffoness who was having an argument with the owner, talked with her for a while and then left with her.”

Though this report worried me, there was simply not enough evidence to support it. Another thing that made me skeptical, was the fact that Joshua did not have any money when he had departed the castle. It would be more likely that the glint of gold produced the bartender’s story, rather than any true events. Besides, no matter what Joshua was up to, he had made his wishes to me quite clear; and so far, I had restrained myself from going after him.

“Shieldwing,” I spoke cautiously, “I understand that you are his friend, but it has been nearly a week. You must realise that Joshua wants to be left alone right now. If he wished to be found, I do not doubt that he would be.” Making my way over to where he stood, I gave him a motherly nuzzle. “I know that you are on vacation right now and have no duty to listen to me, but perhaps you should leave it be for now. Excuse me for saying so, but you look tired. A few days of rest would do you well.”

It pained me to suggest abandoning his search, the guilt over not knowing what happened to him felt so heavy that sometimes I thought that I would be dragged to the ground. However, the well-being of my subjects came before my own; my ignorance would simply need to be another burden for me to bear.

It seemed that my informal interaction with Shieldwing made him forget protocol for a moment, as he dropped the standard military stance and pawed awkwardly at the ground.

“I’m sorry Princess, but I can’t.”

“Lieutenant,” I said in a worried tone, “why do you insist on torturing yourself so?”

“...Princess,” Shieldwing hesitated, his eyes fixed firmly onto the floor.

“It is okay Shieldwing,” I reassured him, “you may tell me. I promise that I won’t be mad at either you or Joshua.”

“He hates you,” my loyal guard finally admitted, raising his eyes to meet my own. “I have never seen somepony so filled with hate my whole life. Not to mention that he was having a rather tough time with accepting that he has a special talent.” For several moments, he paused again, before speaking in a voice just over just a whisper, “I’m worried what he might do and what might happen to him, if he’s left alone out there.”

“Okay, Shieldwing,” I said, my stoic demeanour still in place despite my emotional turmoil, “I understand. You are dismissed, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After snapping a quick salute, he shot me his signature grin, though the dark bags under his eyes revealed just how strained he truly was. “Do not worry, princess. I’ll find him and make sure he’s safe in no time.”

He turned and left, his departure just as swift as his entrance. Just before the doors had fully shut behind him, a helmeted head quickly darted in and opened them wider.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, Your Majesties,” gulped the rather nervous looking unicorn guard. “But the Council wanted me to remind you that the meeting will be starting in fifteen minutes.”

“Yes, thank you Private Pauldron.” I acknowledged with a nod, rewarding him with a smile in an attempt to ease his nerves.

Snapping a clumsy salute, the private quickly backed himself out from the room. As he shut the doors behind him, he applied more magical force than was entirely necessary, making me cringe at the loud noise it produced.

“The nerve of them!” Luna fumed, her eyes narrowing and nostrils flaring dangerously. “Implying that you would forget a meeting as important as that. Why do you insist on this ridiculous Council of Nobles, Tia?” questioned Luna, stabbing a hoof at me accusingly. “Surely, they have served no purpose since my return.”

“It’s like I tell you every time, Luna,” I replied with a slight sigh of annoyance. “I can’t just go and play around with the government however I feel like it. I need to follow the correct steps.”

“But why?” Luna pushed, banging her hoof down on the table for emphasis. “Why is it so important for you to involve those blowhards? They barely even pay attention to what they are approving.”

For some reason, I hesitated over telling my sister my motivation. It had happened so long ago but the wounds still felt fresh.

“Just tell me, Tia,” Luna continued, “I can see you biting your lip. You can hide your true feelings from most ponies, but you can’t from me.”

“Because,” I reluctantly began, suddenly finding great interest in the bottom of one of my horseshoes, “if I do whatever it is that takes my fancy, then I am no better than the griffon emperor.”

Unconsciously, I felt a shiver run down my spine at having to mention that monster out loud. I still suffered nightmares of him standing over our mother with his bloodstained beak, some unrecognisable chunk of gore clasped in his claw. But always this was secondary to the body that he stood over, my mothers, her usually snow white coat, so very similar to my own, stained red. Her chest, which she once hugged us to so tightly, having been completely ripped open and her heart torn out, used in one of his perverse rituals.

He thought that it would make him a god, but my sister and I ensured that no one, griffon or pony, would remembered his name. After all, how could someone be a god if nopony remembered or worshiped them?

Sensing my distress, Luna abandoned her seat and, with the aid of her wings, enveloped me into a comforting hug. She held me close to her for a good while, before drawing me out to arm’s length. “It is okay sister,” she soothed, “that tyrant is long dead and forgotten. There is nothing more that he could do to hurt us.”

Glancing up at the clock, I gave a brief start.

“Luna, I’m sorry, but I need to get going. The council meeting starts in a few minutes.”

“It is okay, sister,” Luna replied with a smile, “we can continue this conversation at a later, less pressing, time. Besides, it is time for me to rest.”

Gently I pulled her back into the hug, her wings refolding at her sides with a flutter so that it was a more equal experience.

“Thank you for understanding sister, we should do this more often.”

“We should,” came my Luna’s quiet reply in my ear.

Breaking apart, we both made our way out of the doorway and walked alongside each other for a short distance, until our paths diverged.

I followed the usual passageway to the council hall almost unconsciously, the fact that I had made so many journeys to it over my life making it hardly surprising.

Letting my hooves guide me, I left my jumbled thoughts free to roam over the troubling events that had befallen Equestria and myself in more recent times.

Eventually, I found myself before the great doors of the chamber, with a row of five well-dressed ponies standing respectfully to each side. Upon catching sight of me, every one of them dipped into a low bow, which they remained in until I motioned for them to stand.

Without any further delay, I opened the heavy doors and allowed the council’s members to file in, as was dictated by protocol. I personally followed a few paces behind and moved to stand in the direct centre of a large stylised sun imprinted on the floor, which itself sat in the direct centre of the room. I had made moves to include the crescent moon of my sister, but this was met with harsh backlash by the nobility, many of whom’s ancestors had earned their noble titles fighting against Nightmare Moon, forcing me to waylay my plans for the future. The nobility were nothing if not strict adherers to tradition, even if it would have made their ancestors balk.

Around me lay nine high arched windows, each allowing for the sunlight to spill in and warm the otherwise cold stone room. In the spaces between each of the windows—as well as the door—hung ten individual banners, each one being emblazoned with a sitting house’s crest and their traditional colours.

A raised stone bench lay in a semicircle directly facing the doorway, strategically designed so that the ponies seated behind it were at direct eye level to myself.

“We swear to ensure that our princess’s sun will set at dusk and rise anew at dawn,” droned the now seated council members, their enthusiasm dulled over years of repetition.

Without wasting any further time, the Council Speaker, Prince Blueblood, launched directly into the proceedings. "This council is seated before our princess to deliver its verdict in regards to latest proposed laws submitted under the joint title of The Equestrian Emergency Food Shortage Relief Act. This act involves the cutting of the tax rate for the lower classes to three percent, an introduction of a tax on the aristocratic class of twenty percent for all earnings, as well as permission to suspend winter periods during times of famine.”

As my nephew spoke, his words were accompanied by the rapid typing of a pegasus stallion that was seated to the left-hoof side of the bench. I had always made sure that every meeting was recorded and filed away in the Canterlot Public Library for anypony to read.

The arrogant smile that was plastered on Blueblood’s face brought me sorrow, as it always did. I could still remember the first Blueblood, the brave and humble pony that stood by me in the darkest hours. I loved him with all my being, as I have done for all his descendants. But, as time passed and his blood diluted with each subsequent generation, I could see the traits that earned him his nobility slowly erode away. Now, when I looked at Blueblood LVI, I could see nothing of his ancestor in him, no matter how hard I searched, though I still loved him all the same.

“After two days of careful deliberation,” Blueblood continued, “the council has reached its decision.”

For a second he paused for dramatic effect, his smug grin stretching so wide that it was beginning to grow unsettling.

“The amendments are denied, with a vote of eight to two. Our verdict has been made, and such is the will of the Noble Council.”

As he swung his gavel thrice, to mark the conclusion of the meeting; each strike felt like a spike was being driven deeper and deeper into my heart. As I cast my shocked gaze from representative to representative, it seemed that, aside from Blueblood, not a single member of the council was able to meet my eyes.

In the cavernous silence Blueblood, coughed into his hoof. The gesture itself was no doubt aimed at the stenographer, whose typing had fallen silent midway through the meeting, his jaw hanging open in utter shock as he looked at me for guidance.

“We are sorry princess,” spoke up an aging pegasus representative, “but the amendments you proposed would have crippled our economic system and, by extension, the entire world's economy. What good is resolving this crisis when it would create one that is a thousand times worse?”

His words sunk in, their true meaning was obvious to me, greed and nothing more. It disgusted me to witness the foundations of honor and selflessness that the council had been based upon spat on so openly. Glaring at each of the nobles in turn I felt a fury fill me the likes of which I hadn’t felt in centuries. As rage burned away the last semblance of restraint, I prepared myself to teach them all a lesson.

“You dare place your own material wealth over the wellbeing of the common pony?” I began, my voice shockingly low and cold. “You dare to have the gall to use your positions for personal gain?”

Suddenly, as I gazed down at the cowering form of the stenographer, I realised that somehow I had unconsciously spread my wings and was now hovering over the heads of the room’s occupants. Magical energy crackled in the air and I could feel my mane blowing wildly in an ethereal storm. I relished in the feeling of speaking freely after so long choosing my words so carefully. I felt alive.

Despite my exhilaration, I also realised, with growing horror, just how close I was to enacting some form of terrible vengeance on the council. Shutting my pure white eyes I fought with all my might to shackle my anger once more. Gently I felt my hooves touch the ground.

“All of you. Out,” I said again, my low voice strained with the effort of keeping myself in check.

At my command, the assembled ponies defiant spirits seemed to break. In unison, most of the councilponies bolted to the doors with a raucous clatter. The only one who did not was Blueblood, who had yet to even visibly react to my outburst, he instead seemed to move towards the exit at a leisurely stroll. He paused in between his seat and the door, turning to look back at me.

“Auntie,” he began, his casual tone grating on my frayed nerves. “This is ridiculous. Surely, you—.”

“NOW!” I yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice, “And never call me auntie again!”

Looking at me with utter shock for a moment, he appeared to finally grasp the meaning of my words. Without any further delay, he himself whipped around and galloped for the exit. Just after he passed under the doorways arch I grasp it with my magic, slamming it shut so that it passed mere inches from his rump.

Suddenly, all my anger had left me. I slumped down weakly to the floor. I was in shock, my mind blank and my muscles non-functioning. My shock ran so deep that when Luna eventually arrived after having received news about what had transpired, I had yet to move at all.