Over 1000 years ago...

---

The halls of the Everfree Grand Palace remains in a state of disrepair after Celestia continued to lament the loss of her younger sister. As she walked down the hall, there were constant reminders of Luna's absence. Passing by one corridor, she could see the ghosts of Luna standing idly by as she continued to speak with a few guards. In another corridor she could see Luna hiding behind one of the pillars, waiting for an opportunity to request that her beloved night would last longer.

She also remembered the fight that caused a rift in between her and the younger sibling, how Luna thought it was unfair that her night was to be shunned out of fear and for Celestia's day to be praised. Rage and envy took over the younger princess and in place, Nightmare Moon stood defiantly against her. But in the end, after the fight they had with one another, Luna was banished to the moon despite Celestia's desire not to.

Since then, there have been significant repercussions in regards to how the system of rule was established. Since Luna's banishment, a group consisting of nobles and lords of the many other lands across Equestria saw that Celestia had the potential to become 'too powerful'. Thus they united and formed a parliament to represent the will of the ponies and to check the executive powers of Princess Celestia... or so they say. Celestia agreed out of her need of assistance. With Luna gone, she'd have more on her plate besides being the sole mage of the sun and moon.

Though she would grow to regret that decision.

Not too long after, Celestia and her close associate Starswirl the Bearded created a portal to another world, a dimension that mirrored that of what they had. Originally, it was a quest of expedition, seeking resources from other worlds that they could implement into Equestria's way of life. But then, her heart grew fond of a young ruler who presided over his realm with the same kindness and compassion she did.

In time, she began to make unauthorized visits to his world, constantly engaging in several private outings and brushing off her duties in search of a distraction from her increasingly difficult task of being the princess of the day, as well as guardian of the night. Yet she believed that she belonged in that place as his queen. And as in one of those meetings took place she offered the young ruler all something he would not refuse.

But as the time carried on, Starswirl became suspicious of the princess' disappearing act. In discovering this, the young king and the infatuated princess began to cut down their meetings to that of a few minutes rather than a few hours. For many years, she carried on this secret relationship, meeting with the king in clandestine settings. And in their final meeting, she offered her maidenhood to him. For an hour, they spent the time sharing their most primal desires with one another. When they parted, she was without regret.

Unfortunately, it was that very meeting that got her caught by Starswirl. And as he closed the mirror behind her, a nosy lord peered into the situation and observed what had transpired. Rumors began to spread throughout the land, and the name of the lord she fell in love with was all-too familiar with the nobles and the lords of the northern region.

Her walk would take her to her trial. The offense: high treason.

"Celestia, please do what you can to remain calm." Starswirl whispered to the besmirched princess.

"Treason. How could this be possible? I have done nothing to warrant myself such a charge!" Answered quietly as she continued to be escorted by the stallion.

"I can already conclude that this is nothing more than a miraculous misunderstanding. However, to charge you with treason is a bit excessive."

"They don't understand."

"I know, my dear. We can only hope they give us a chance to explain the situation."

The young princess glanced back at the stallion. "You never understood either..."

"But you had a duty to perform. You can't just go leaving on a whim, especially in a time where your citizens would need you the most."

"I just wanted some time, a moment to mend the hole in my heart. You've not only ruined that for me, but you've also destroyed what we he and I could have had."

"It wasn't meant to be, Celestia. You saw what you-I mean she- looked like in that inverted world."

"But that was her, and I am me!"

"Celestia, if you had chosen to stay in that world, then she would've came and took over this one. This is much bigger than you, and if you have to put your heart to the side and suffer quietly for the sake of the land, then so be it. It is your duty, not some errand you can save for later."

As the approached the door, Celestia shook her head at the unicorn wizard. "I have already suffered that, and you know it. This was something just for me. I had everything under control. If you had not been so blind to see that, you would understand why I feel the way I do now. You're just so blind when it comes to true love."

While the door opened, Starswirl whispered back to the young alabaster princess. "And you're too naive."

"TRAITOR!"

The two ponies stood in baffled silence as the parliament proceeded to heckle the princess, calling her everything but her name. Some even made fun of her as she remained still, petrified from the sight of her own ponies turned against her. Her heart grew weak as she heard more insults being flung her way. Starswirl gave the princess a pat on the back.

"You can do this. I'll be here with you."

His words didn't have much of an effect on her as she started to walk towards the center of the hall, for all to see and publicly shame. A dark gray stallion stood at the center as he banged a gavel on the stand.

"Order. We will have order."

When Celestia approached the stand, she gulped audibly as she awaited the start of the trial. When the room finally came to a calm, the judge began to pull out a scroll and read out the proceedings.

"Princess Celestia, you have been brought before the parliament via means of impeachment. In your otherworldly tenure, you have ignored several meetings, neglected to perform your duties at the times designated, evaded your tasks and assignments, failed to uphold the royal standard, and have been caught fornicating with an enemy of the realm. How do you plead?"

Celestia shook as she blinked, trying her best to be brave. She also kept in mind that her pleading innocent would result in a more severe punishment, and that pleading guilty would automatically label her as a traitor for the rest of her days. With those scenarios in mind, she opted to take the middle ground. "No contest."

Murmurs filled the room, as well as whispers that only served as insults to her ears. Starswirl continued to stand by the accused princess, offering her comfort while the judge continued the trial.

"Party of the accused has pleaded 'no contest'. Therefore, she shall be considered as innocent until proven guilty-"

"Innocent? Why she practically gave 'im a good shagging! A demon in the barn is what she is!" A heckler shouted out loud, earning many laughs.

"Order, order!" The judge banged his gavel against the counter several more times to get the attention of the entire parliament.

Celestia blushed as she knew that he was telling the truth, but scowled that he would also reveal that fact to the world so openly. "I am not so lewd as to-"

"The accused was not granted permission to speak. So silent is what the accused shall remain." The judge warned sternly.

Celestia pouted as she continued to sit through the trial.

"Will the prosecution present it's case?"

A stallion with an olive coat and a gray mane walked up to the princess and giggled before her, causing her to glare menacingly at him. He, however, proceeded to carry on the case.

"Your honor. My fellow lords and nobles... It is within our right to justly accuse the mare that stands before us. As for what, well we all know exactly why we're here. I am sure that the rumblings have managed to make it into your homes somehow, that our esteemed princess has done the unthinkable. Many of you are just as angry as I am, and there are some of you who wish you had a turn."

A few laughs erupted throughout the room, yet Starswirl and Celestia remained unamused.

"Anyhow, we are not here to joke at the princess' expense, but rather to bring the truth to light. Perhaps she did it, perhaps she didn't. As far as today is concerned, we don't know. However, with an investigation involving several nurses to pay witnesses, we may prove that the answers are just as clear as the sky above. In essence, her crime wouldn't really be that much of a crime. After all, she's doing nothing more than fulfilling her natural desires as a mare."

Celestia continued to stare at the stallion as he looked directly to her.

"But... there is one name that we all know that continues to instill fear within the hearts and minds of those within the snowy north. And as infamous as he is to us, as treacherous as he has shown himself to be, she has chosen to bed with him in spite of all of his crimes. And for that, we accuse her of the highest offense. Princess Celestia has shared her bed with the enemy, KING! SOMBRA!"

Gasps and shouts spattered throughout the room as hooves pointed to their accused ruler. She continued to hold her angry exterior, despite her growing more terrified as the time passed. Starswirl stepped away from the princess and took the floor.

"If I may be the voice of the defense," He stated loudly, looking to the judge. After a nod from him, the wizard carried on. "I would like to present to you the definitive evidence of our travels to this alternate world."

With a small wave of his magic, Starswirl summoned a number of items that were never created in Equestria. Some of the items made them turn their heads in curiosity. The first thing he held up was a small brown bag of ground up coffee beans.

"You see, this is a resource that is used in replacement of our tea we would normally drink. And similar to tea, it is to be brewed. Yet the process-"

"WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR STUPID TEA, STARSWIRL!" A noble shouted at him, causing the unicorn to be taken aback.

"Judge, please note that if my defense is to be interrupted again, I will make certain that his hide will be my newest cape."

"Duly noted!" The heckler shouted back as he quickly sat down. He knew that Starswirl was too powerful of a being to challenge on his own.

"Coward." Starswirl mumbled under his breath before carrying on. "Anyway, the main source of this beverage has originated from the very world that Celestia and I have recently closed off. As for the reason for our sealing that portal it is, as you'd say, because of a stallion. Nevertheless in this alternate world, the King Sombra as you all know does not reside there. In fact, the Celestia you know does not reside there either. It is a magical world that is very inverted from that of our own, meaning that their King Sombra is actually a fair king. Their Princess Celestia is a cruel and vicious tyrant. Their Princess Luna is a kind mare, devoid of any corruption."

"LIES!" The prosecutor shouted from the other side of the stand. "Starswirl, if anypony here knows anything at all, it is that you are a renowned magician with the ability to create items of a frankly specific nature. The items you've summoned could be here for nothing more than self-promotion. Furthermore, if there is an alternate world that exist, then show us to it! Let us meet this so-called 'just ruler' with our own eyes. Only then may we be able to confirm that your story holds true."

Starswirl grimaced at the stallion, knowing that he would be unable to do so at that very moment. The whole purpose he summoned those goods was to show them that they did indeed travel to other realms and worlds outside of this dimension. But their suspicions of his creative nature does hold true, he has created numerous spells and magical devices that have been considered revolutionary for their time. And if there was no portal to show, then his argument was rendered invalid. He closed his eyes and confirmed the truth of their situation.

"The portal is sealed. It will be for another several hundred years. I cannot undo the spell that I've already cast."

The prosecutor smiled as he continued to twist the trial in his favor. "Then this 'portal' does not exist."

"And neither does this 'King Sombra' you speak of... With your permission, honorable judge." Celestia interjected, hoping to defend herself. The judge nodded his head and allowed the alabaster alicorn to point out the contradiction of her accuser's statements. "If we abide by your logic, which states that these items are of his own creation, then it is simple to assume that this entire story about this 'alternate universe' is as invalid as any proof Starswirl has presented."

The judge observed silently as the prosecutor stepped directly in front of the princess. "That may be, your highness. But there is one piece of evidence that will either confirm or deny your truth about the existence of this 'alternate' King Sombra... Or better yet, let us examine the one thing that matters the most right now."

The prosecutor turned away from the princess and pointed his hoof towards the doors on the other side of the room. "Since the princess states that her relationship with King Sombra is nothing more than a work of fiction, I hereby call upon the royal maidens to conduct a thorough investigation."

Celestia's eyes widened as her personal maiden, alongside several others entered into the room. Immediately, her ears fell as she heard the announcement of her prosecutor.

"The nurse, alongside several other witnesses, shall perform an inspection of the princess' virtue."

---

Present day...

---

I stood silently, my heart trying desperately to climb up my throat and out of my mouth. Instead, it managed to bury itself against my stomach, causing me to become nauseous. The palms of my hands moistened while I felt a dull chill wash over my entire body. My eyes remained fixated towards the two mares in front of me. Twilight was looking down towards the floor, looking as if she was a word or two away from bursting into tears. And Celestia was quietly looking at me, just standing and watching.

Watching... and waiting... and waiting... and waiting.

Please say something...

Anything...

Just... speak for fucks sake. I don't care how much you wanna drive my head on a pike, I just want to hear you say something.

The tension in the room was practically thick enough, you could use it to line bricks. And right now, I was hoping that a brick wall would somehow drop in and break Celestia's gaze towards me.

Where's Discord when you need him?

Twilight almost looked as if she was about to fall completely apart as she whispered to her former mentor. "Princess-"

"In a moment."

I think if I had anything left in me, I would've shat it out by now. Those lavender eyes with burning daggers, they showed me just how pissed-off she was. I didn't know whether I should look away or get on my hands and knees, she obviously wanted me to do something. Just what it was I didn't know, but I'd be more than happy to do anything that could make her stop staring at me.

My mind ran several scenarios, trying to come up with the best possible action. While nothing came to mind, I tried to pester myself for some sort of response, anything that I could use to get that uncanny look out of her eyes.

Really? You choose now to shut the fuck up? Guess I'll just close my eyes and hope that this is some sort of nightmare.

...A nightmare, that could be it. I could be having a horrible nightmare and none of this could be happening. After all, I've had several nightmares while I was here. I even had one where I did something horrific to Rarity. This, in tandem to the events of last night, could be one of those horrible night terrors. And my only solution is to close my eyes and wish it away.

The next thing I allowed myself to see was the darkness my eyelids produced. I continued to hide behind my veil hoping for the dream to pass, but all I could hear was the sound of hoofsteps... really heavy hoofsteps... slowly closing in on me.

My lungs demanded more air. I needed more air, yet I was already with plenty. I have so much air around me, inside my mouth, inside my lungs. Why the hell do I need so much air? Why the fuck am I not getting any!? I can't breathe!

Now my heart was practically screaming in my ears. My body was shouting to me that I was an immanent danger. I knew that I shouldn't feel that way but I can't seem to get out of this damn dream.

"Well..."

My eyes opened as soon as I felt the moist heat brushing against my ear. Every consonant and vowel was so pronounced, so sharp that it could cleave through almost anything... including flesh. And that very word was spoke directly into my ear, the breath burning across my neck as it dispersed upon contact.

I am going to die, aren't I?

*gulp* "...Your majesty." I barely whispered, still afraid of what she would do next.

Next I felt something warm and airy at the left side of my face. A golden glow gently pulled me to look towards my right, looking directly into those same purple eyes. The eerie look she gave me has yet to disappear. I tried to turn my head away, but her magic held as if she had a hand clasping at my chin and anchoring me in place. She might not have reached up to me in height, but her power and her stare was nothing short of devastating. And her presence was far too powerful for me to just simply look past her. She's no Shining Armor, I can't just ignore her and look past her like I did in training.

And plus she was forcing me to look at her, which made me feel even worse.

"...What would be my-"

Suddenly, I felt my lips seal shut, unable to move any further as she walked into me. "Perhaps I have not made it clear in our first meeting that I had placed my complete trust in you... But here you are, violating that trust. You have placed one of my most esteemed pupils in great turmoil... I am most unhappy with you."

Disappointment, one of man's biggest fears.

"Both of you." She finished, causing Twilight to use her wings to hide her face. "The two of you could never understand the ramifications of your actions."

"I'm sorry, princess..." Twilight sniffled quietly.

"Twilight," Celestia turned to her student, finally giving me a break from that scary look she gave me. "I have warned you the last time, I have been lenient with you also. If anypony called for punishment then, it was you. But now I cannot sit idly by as you have broken your most sacred of vows. I'm afraid that I will be taking stern measures this time, young lady."

Twilight squeaked as she nearly curled into a tiny purple ball.

"And as for you," She continued, turning back to me. "...I trust that you are at full health."

Twilight jumped out of her pose and called back to the infuriated princess. "Please, his shoulder is still injured! You can't p-"

"I will speak with you later, Twilight Sparkle." She answered coldly, causing the purple alicorn to back away. She then focused her attention back to me. "I ask again, are you healthy?"

"...I'm up for whatever you may assign to me." It wasn't like I could refuse. At a moment like this, I wasn't in a position to make bargains. If she was going to give me an order, then I was going to follow through on it.

She placed a hoof on my shoulder to see how I would react. I twitched a bit from the pain, but continued to act as if I was unaffected. To my misfortune, she saw right through me. "I see... You are still recuperating."

"I can still-"

"You will have another six days before you report to Canterlot. Just be prepared for when I send for you."

I really didn't like that she didn't tell me exactly what she was going to do to me. "Princess, if I may inquire, what is to be my punishment?"

Celestia shook her head at me. "There will be something I'll have in mind for you. Until then, you may ponder on what the consequences will be."

So she was going to let me think about what she was possibly going to do to me? There's punishment, but then there's cruelty. She's being the worst kind of cruel by letting me wallow in my expectations. She could be planning a one-way ticket for me to head back to my place for all I know.

She looked back to her former pupil and sighed. "And you have already been notified of your punishments."

"Yes ma'am."

"After this demonstration, you and I will head back to Canterlot. We will carry out the manners of your chastisement there. So I suggest that you will be mentally and physically prepared for what you may have to endure."

Mentally and physically? Oh man, that doesn't sound the least bit of good. If I can recall what could happen with the princess if she was to be discovered, they could rip her title away, confiscate any royal assets and... in Twilight's case, take her wings away.

"Twilight Sparkle, you may dismiss yourself."

The purple alicorn made herself scarce as she slowly walked out of the room, leaving only me and Celestia inside. She continued to give me that creepy look while she spoke in a harsh tone.

"I have given you guidelines as well. Have you not used your clause to prevent such an issue to occur?"

"Ma'am, Twilight asked me not to enact upon that clause." And it wasn't like I was going to.

...I really don't wanna hear from you right now.

Celestia closed the door behind Twilight as she spoke to me. "I can understand your desire to make good on your agreement with Twilight, but you have placed my former student, my best friend, a figure I could easily assume as my own daughter, in a precarious position. You know the consequences she will have to face because of you."

"Please, your highness. Don't take-"

"I have already decided on what her punishment shall be, and it will not be very pleasant for her. My only regret is that the law forbids me from overlooking this situation."

"But-"

"There have been rumors of her staff suddenly given a nightly leave, and this reached my ears upon our arrival into town. Imagine what would happen if I would allow this to fester any longer than this."

Wow, that's already circulating around the town? Word spreads fast around here, so it would be safe to say that her reputation would take a fall if it was confirmed that we were doing something. "I suppose it would cause a bit of controversy."

"Indeed, but as soon as the parliament hears about this, they will be clamoring for a punishment to be given. And if I would not give her one, then they would. And believe me, they would not be as merciful as I am."

The parliament? What do they have to do with this? I thought this was something Celestia did to protect anyone who was given a title. "What? I thought the law was in place to protect anypony who was inducted into royalty."

Celestia stood silent for a moment, wearing a frown upon her face as she lowered her voice. "...I made it so, but I was not it's creator."

So... she didn't create this law!? THEN WHO DID!? Why is it that I'm just simply unable to have a healthy relationship without all the extreme guidelines? Why is it that Twilight and I can't simply be ourselves and enjoy each other's company without a dark shadow looming over our relationship? What the hell is the cause of it all?

"I'm... I'm lost here."

"I can understand your frustration, especially since the law was created to punish me."

"Punish you? Punish you for what!?"

"I am sure you recall our conversation on the day I was smitten with a terrible cold."

I do. I remember something about her having a love interest and she was punished for it. Could that be it? "If I can recall, you said you've given yourself up to someone. I don't recall any other details aside from you being punished for it."

"That's correct. But my punishments were nothing short of... humiliating."

"Humiliating?" I questioned.

Celestia used her magic to lock the door behind her. Afterwards, she walked over to the bed and sat herself down, urging me to do the same. As I placed myself beside her, she began to speak.

"Perhaps, it is time I told you the story of how I fell in love... and how my name became tainted with shame."

---

Over 1000 Years Ago...

---

Several minutes later, the nurses walked into the room. Along side them was a disheartened Celestia who's bravado was all but extinguished. Though she tried her best to remain stoic about what was to come, Starswirl, as well as many others, could all see that she was visibly shaken. Even her hoofsteps, which were already slow to begin with, had become unsteady and clumsy as she tried her best not to show any emotion. By the time she made it back to the center stand, the head maiden turned to the princess.

"I'm sorry, your majesty." She whispered. "But I am under oath. If I lie-"

"I understand..." Celestia answered weakly, unsure as what her fate would be. The maid closed her eyes as she faced away from her ruler.

"We, the personal maidens of the princess have conducted a thorough inspection. And in the eyes of exactly seven other witnesses..." She hesitated to speak as she started to tremble.

"OUT WITH IT!" The prosecutor barked at the maiden, causing her to jump violently.

"A-a-and in t-the eyes of... s-seven other witnesses... she was found... impure."

Shouts and more cries were made at the sullied princess. Her face began to run red from embarrassment and shame, tears beginning to well within her eyes. Clenching her eyes shut, she held back her tears so that her accusers would not see them. The maid began to cry and immediately galloped for the exit, feeling as if she had betrayed the one who she served. Starswirl reached of a hoof to comfort her, but she batted him away out of fear that his touch would cause her to release before them. Taking a deep breath, she raised her head up high and proudly stood to face whatever punishment they may had in store.

"So, it is true that she has given herself to the like of King Sombra!" One voice called out loudly.

"Ultimate dishonor, she has brought shame to our realm! Our enemies will think that it would be as simple as sharing a bed with her to negotiate terms!" Another noble shouted out.

"THAT IS NOT TRUE!" Starswirl screamed back.

"Well, what does this prove?" The prosecutor began. "It doesn't prove that she is without stain! She has allowed the seed of an enemy to infiltrate her womb! She shall be punished!"

Starswirl stood before the angry crowd of nobles and started to channel his magic through his horn. "You won't! And I won't let you-"

"I'll accept the punishment."

Starswirl looked back in disbelief, seeing Celestia doing something that he wouldn't imagine her doing at a time like this. For the first time throughout the trial, she smiled.

"It was you who said that I should take more responsibility for my actions. And because of my actions, I have threatened our very way of life-"

"See!? She confessed! She confessed to her wrong doings!" The prosecutor pointed out to the judge.

Starswirl continued to defend the princess, attempting to give context to her statements. "You misunderstand-"

Celestia cut the wizard short as she started to walk off of the stand and towards her accuser. "And it is without regret that I have done what I've did. It is true that I offered myself to him, and I won't deny that now. The only regret I have is that I didn't do it as much as I would've liked."

"Brash statements, from the mouth of a traitor!" The stallion started to back away as Celestia closed in on him.

"I have betrayed nothing. If I choose to follow what is inside of my heart, then I would continue to do what is right. And what I did with him, the times we shared, the moments that will continue to burn throughout my existence as my sun will do so after my life has long ended, those thoughts will remain."

"Guards!" The stallion called out as she backed him into a wall, giving him little room to maneuver.

"And they will stay that way as long as I draw breath!"

"You will receive the ultimate punishment!"

Her mane began to transition from it's multicolored, wind-swept state to actual flames that started to shed embers onto the wall behind him. She snarled at him as she pinned him against the wall. "You cannot and WILL NOT EXTINGUISH ME! I, who holds control of the day and night, will continue to protect my citizens from any threat. And if you dare to strike me down, I will use my vengeful spirit to smite you as you sleep! All of you..."

As her head slowly turned to the guards and the politicians across the room, they finally fell silent before the cornered princess. Her mane gave off an immense heat that started to singe the tapestries that hung off the walls and incinerate the banners that hung in the air. Starswirl looked on with fear of what would happen if her anger swelled anymore than it did.

"Celestia..." Starswirl called out calmly. "My dearest ally."

"But doing that would solve nothing." Her eyes closed as she retracted her hoof, her mane returning to it's gentle and harmless state. "I have agreed to accept my punishment, no matter how painful it may be."

The guards that were about to subdue her looked at the spears they held. The iron blades that once pointed to her had become nothing more than drippings of molten metal. Celestia walked passed them and stopped just a few feet away from them. As she did, she looked back to them and spoke in a low tone. "If you wish to keep your jobs, then you would apprehend the traitor before you."

Casting their ruined arms aside, the four guards walked side by side with her, trying to maintain their distance should she provide an encore of her earlier performance. When she and her escort left the court, the judge finally found his voice once more.

"...Sentencing will commence at dawn tomorrow. For now... let us retire."

The next day...

The dawn of a new day sounded with the calls of several stallions chanting as they watched the prisoner approach the stand. Instead of wearing her usual regalia, she was bound by chains and locks, her horn sealed off and her wings bound to her body as she ungracefully struggled to the stand. The balls that trailed behind her moved faster than what would've been should they be placed on a normal pony, but they still affected her speed to the point where she could no longer run. Her eyes, filled with determination to see her punishment through, remained locked onto the stand. When she finally made her way up, the judge unraveled a scroll.

"Celestia, raiser of the sun and moon, walker of dreams, princess of the realm, you have been charged with high treason and have confessed to your crime. As naturally stated, the response would be death. However, due to circumstances that are far beyond our control, circumstances that only you may hope to quell with your own power, we have decided to offer a much lighter sentence. First, the power you once had prior to your arrest will be restored to you as of now. Second, your duties will resume as usual, but with constant supervision. Third..."

Celestia's eyes wandered around the room, searching for her dearest ally. Soon she started to realize that he was absent. "I suppose he wouldn't want to see me like this." She thought to herself, unaware of what was really going on outside of the room.

---

Meanwhile, further down the hall, the way to the room where Celestia was located was heavily guarded. At the same time, a white unicorn stallion continued to strive to get himself through.

"Let me through here! I command you to allow me to see to her sentencing this instant!"

Starswirl angrily stood against a pair of raised spears aimed for him. His horn was sealed off by two other guards, who looked away. They apologetically bowed their heads as they pushed back the unicorn wizard. Another guard continued to bar the door as he continued to stand against him.

"I said let me in!"

"I'm sorry. But it was under strict orders that we were to disallow you entry into the room. I wish we could, but we were given our orders."

"Then disobey your orders and let me in!"

"I'm sorry sire. But our orders came strictly from the princess herself."

"What!?" Starswirl's eyes widened with surprise.

"She said that you we going to do something irrational, and wouldn't want you to get into any legal trouble because of her. So prior to her formally being stripped of her power, she issued out a final order. She even told us to take the 'necessary precautions', to answer your question about us sealing off your horn."

Starswirl groaned angrily as he started to physically press his way through. "I don't care what 'precautions' she has in place, I demand access!"

The guard shook his head as he drew his sword, seeing that the wizard would not be so easily persuaded. "I'm sorry sir. But to go against those orders is to go against the kingdom of Equestria. I will not hesitate to perform my duties, even if I have to show you my stance on the matter."

Starswirl sighed heavily as he realized that he couldn't simply convince the guard to move aside. He knew that he would have to resort to more drastic measures.

"Very well then, if you insist..."

---

"WHAT!?"

Celestia shouted loudly as she looked at another scroll set before her, this one with several signatures wrote throughout the bottom. A smoke-gray unicorn stood beside her with a small phial of ink and a handkerchief sat upon a tray. The prosecutor walked up to the princess and pointed to a large empty space at the bottom of the scroll.

"There is where you will place your seal, princess. And don't worry about the ink, should you spill yours before you finish placing your seal upon it, we'll gladly provide you with more."

Celestia cut her eyes at the stallion who mocked her. "A law such as this is highly unethical and most repulsive! I refuse to agree to it's terms!"

The prosecutor gave the stallion standing by her a nod. "Unfortunately, you don't have much of a voice in the matter. We all have agreed to create this law, and no matter how many times you may try to pull it down, we will always ratify it. That is the power you gave to us, and now we shall use that power to it's fullest extent."

"I will not sign!" Celestia hollered out as she felt the stallion wiping her hoof with ink. As she looked at what he was doing, her eyes widened and her pupils shrank, realizing that they were going to force her into signing the law into existence. And given her current condition, she wouldn't be able to provide too much resistance.

As she felt the unicorn trying to extend her hoof outwards, she pulled herself back. But before she could fully retract herself, two other stallions jumped from their seats to help out. Celestia grunted as she tried her hardest to resist. The prosecutor held the scroll below her hoof, placing it just where she tried to curl away. Laying it flat on the ground, he placed his attention on the hoof that barely hovered above it.

"As... long... as you challenge one to a show of strength... you will win. But in the face of many..." He and the other stallions struggled as they pushed her hoof against the parchment. "You... will... yield!"

"Nooooo!" She cried out as they began to place much of their weight against her. The force they produced on her lonely hoof was far too great for her to overcome. Eventually, her hoof landed on the scroll and the stallions removed themselves from her. As she lied on the ground, feeling a sense of helplessness, the prosecutor held up the newly approved law high above his head, earning many cheers and praises.

And as they cheered, she felt the world around her crashing to the ground, sounding similar to shattered glass falling to the ground.

"Our new law has been made! And it shall stand as a testament to our power, that we will continue to check her every move! This princess is no longer above the laws we make! And should she slip, she shall be punished accordingly!"

Never have she felt so weak in her life.

"What say you, princess?"

Celestia refused to say anything to the stallion, instead she stared back at him angrily.

"Very well then! Now, we shall commence her royal majesty's punishment, as stated in our new law! As per the Law of Processu Approbatio, any prince/princess granted ascension or power, is to be chaste until approval by family and/or peers! Any violation of that power will result in the reduction, or total nullification of their power! Those that have ascended without wings, shall be stripped of flight permanently, likewise with horn! And in the case of Princess Celestia, who's origin has been identified as unicorn, shall be pushed accordingly!"

Celestia continued to remain bound by the chains and the stallions that sat atop of her. The politicians continued to mock and tease her as she lied defeated on the ground. Her mind ran with the images of the one she gave herself to, trying to use the memories they had together as a means to soothe herself. But her thoughts of him became clouded by the words of the prosecutor before her, waving their new law in her face... A law that would continue to plague her and anyone like her for the rest of time.

The Law of Processu Approbatio, commonly known as the approval process, was born.

---

Present Day...

---

I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

Seriously, the infrastructure of the government here was that bad? I knew that Obama catches hell no matter what happens, but she's literally and figuratively screwed over when they create a law. And back then, they didn't care about how it 'hurts your feelings'. They didn't care about your personal desires or what kind of relationship you're in. If you do something that's considered scandalous, which at the time was mares of noble/royal influence having premarital sex, then they would put your dirty laundry out to air and make sure that you were reprimanded for your 'transgressions', similar to how the old system of my world used to work.

Again, my former expectations of this being a utopia filled with talking technicolor equines have been all but dashed.

But that didn't stop Celestia from functioning. She continued to work through the hell they put her through. And I've got to hand it to her. Despite all of her constantly being mistreated, despite how many of her former students were punished severely, regardless of how the parliament made her so unhappy at times and cornered her, she didn't harden her heart. She didn't become cold or cruel. She let her heart stay open, no matter how many scars she'd get.

...What do I have to do to be as strong as her?

After our conversation, she continued to remind me that her punishment for Twilight would be inevitable. I often pleaded with her to reconsider, but she remained undeterred. I offered myself to be punished in place, but she argued that Twilight would never forgive her if she was to punish me in her stead. So my continuous bargaining led to absolutely no profit.

We left the room and carried on with our demonstration, though our time had to be brief. Cadance and Shining Armor was getting ready for a trip back up to the north while Luna had to be back in Canterlot to continue with her duties. And of course, Celestia was trying to get Twilight out of the way before the rumors got into the ears of one of those politicians. But Celestia did manage to pull the two of us aside to inform us that she would keep our 'extracurricular activities' a secret from Shining Armor.

As far as Cadance goes, hell she probably already saw this one coming from three months back.

As expected, the demonstration with Sunset Shimmer went well, and their interest in my world's media had captured their attention. We could only watch the first fifteen minutes of the first Lord of the Rings movie, but that seemed to be more than enough to impress everypony else. It's too bad that the royal entourage was too busy to stay, but then again Twilight seemed somewhat relieved when Cadance and Shining Armor announced that they had to take their leave. But at the very least, everyone else who wasn't wearing a crown or a title was free to enjoy themselves.

Unfortunately, I was not enjoying the reason behind Twilight's absence.

After the huge climactic battle in the final movie, I decided to take my leave. I did enjoy seeing everypony else's reactions to the movies, but the recent turn of events put a damper on my mood. Sadly, I was too nervous to enjoy myself and retired early, quietly exiting the room without anyone's knowledge.

As I walked back to the room, I tried to keep myself calm. I also tried doing push-ups and sit-ups to place my mind on something else.

Damn, I almost forgot. I guess exercise is off the menu.

Once more, my mind was busy thinking about what Twilight could be going through, what Celestia went through when she was on the hot seat, and what I'll be going through when the time comes. It's true that my shoulder isn't up to par as of yet, but something tells me that I would be needing to go hunting as soon as I'm called up to Canterlot.

...In speaking of hunting, where's my-

...Fuck.

That's the last thing I need to think about. I'm trying to focus on-

Deal with what?

A knock on the door sounded as I laid quietly in the bed, hoping that an answer to everything would somehow fall from the sky and land on top of my chest. But here I am, business as usual. I hopped out of the bed and walked to the door, cracking it open to see a pink pony standing outside.

"Hey, Non-non."

"Hey... what's up?"

She gave me a comforting smile as she looked to the ceiling above, giggling all the while. "The sky, silly."

Her humor kinda fell flat on me this time, I couldn't really find the energy or drive to laugh. "Heh, that's pretty funny."

"What's wrong?"

"Why'd you ask?"

"Well, you just up and left. Sunset Shimmer had to go back to her world and check up on something before she came back here, but she told me to bring this bag to you while she was away."

"What bag?"

Pinkie scoffed and rolled her eyes with a cheerful grin. "Well if you'd open the door far enough, maybe you'd see it, Nonnie."

I opened the door wide and stepped out of the room enough to see that the bag was sitting right next to the door. I picked it up and unzipped it, seeing that the projector, the DVD player and the movies were all there Even the cords were neatly wrapped up. I can guess that it was Sunset's doing.

"Thanks-" Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a pair of hooves wrap themselves around me very tightly. The pink pony continued to nuzzle me as she hummed happily against my lower chest. As she balanced herself on her hind legs, she continued to give me her best hug.

"I just thought that you needed that."

"...Thanks." I was slow to respond, my mind flashing back to the conundrum of the relationship Twilight and I have, and what we've done that may have cost her everything she worked hard for. But I have to admit, Pinkie's hugs did feel kinda nice. I guess I could go for one more.

"I may not know what's going on, and you might not ever tell me, but I just want you to know that I'm here. And if you ever need a friend, then you'd know where to find me."

For some odd reason, I never could get away with hiding my feelings from her. It was almost like she could read me like a book, like a certain someone used to do back in high school. But then again I needed this in my life, now more than ever.

"Hey, Pinkie."

"Yeah, Nonz?"

"Have you ever done something so silly that it ended up costing someone else dearly?"

"...You haven't forgotten it, haven't you?"

"What?"

"You and... him.

Me and... "Caramel?"

"I didn't tell you the truth from the start, I just told you to leave it be. And in the end you got hurt, while I had to sit back and watch over you."

How could I forget about that asshole? "Yeah, I remember him. But I don't remember it costing me much of anything. Just bruised pride and a broken nose."

"And a concussion."

"That too. But still, all of that can be healed overtime."

Pinkie stopped smiling for a moment. "But it was at that moment I could have lost you for good. That was something I couldn't take for granted."

"I know..."

"Then why do you do it?"

"Because I've gotten used to it. I used to not be able to fight, but now I can smack around anyone who messes with you, me, or anyone else. It's not a big deal to me anymore."

Pinkie started to smile as she pulled away from me, releasing me from her grip. "Well, I'm glad you don't. Anyways, why did you ask me something like that?"

I thought about telling her the situation I'm in, but I didn't think she would need to know until after everything had resolved itself. I didn't want her worrying about something that not even I know the answer to, that's the quickest way to cause panic. If Twilight didn't tell any of the others what was going on, then perhaps it would be best for me to follow her example. "Meh... no reason."

The pink pony shook her head as she started to walk away. "Well, remember to talk to me if you need anything. Even if it's a hug, or a scratch on the back, or maybe a midnight snack! I have plenty of snacks stashed around-"

"Ponyville, in case of snacking emergency, I know." I finished with a bit of a chuckle.

"...I'm glad you're feeling better, Nondie. Goodnight."

"G'night, Pinks."

After our brief exchange, I closed the door and made my way back into the bed. As I laid down, I had realized that throughout that entire ordeal I had with Caramel, she had immense faith that I would be okay. Even though I looked like I was on my last line, she still hung on to the expectation that I would be fine. And that feeling of expectation soon found it's way into the universe, ultimately coming back to fruition.

Perhaps I too need to keep faith in Celestia and Twilight. I know that she will be punished, but perhaps it won't be as bad as what I had made it out to be in my head... or at least I hope so.

Holding out hope, in the midst of trial and tribulations, that optimism that kept Pinkie fueled up, that hope that Twilight holds that our relationship would work out for the better, that expectation that Celestia has that everything would work to her favor despite the odds against her, that's what made them strong.

Perhaps I need to take a page out of their books and hold that same hope they've been sharing with me.

Laying my head down, I started to close my eyes. I took a deep breath and decided that hope would be my best alternative, considering that there wasn't much I could say or do to influence the outcome.

Another one? "Who is it?"

"Hey, it's me."

I rose out of the bed and opened the door to reveal a familiar unicorn with a red and yellow mane. "Sunset? I thought you went to your world."

"I did. Can I come in?"

I opened the door to let her inside of the room. As she walked in, she carried with her a book bearing a sun sigil similar to her cutie mark. As I observed the book, I couldn't help but to grow curious.

"What's with the book?"

She levitated the book in front of her and started to flip through some of the pages. "Actually, this is what all I've discovered about the human anatomy and how I could use magic to influence the body's structure and all of it's internal processes. Basically, it's a guidebook on how a unicorns can use magic when treating humans for injuries."

That's actually pretty nifty. At the very least, Twilight doesn't have to keep sending me to the doctor every time I get hurt. "Cool stuff, who wrote this one?"

"Actually, I kinda did it all on my own." She said with a blush. "I'm not nearly as good as Twilight when it comes to magic, so I guess she could really put some of these formulas to good use."

"Sure. I'll put this on her desk so she'll see it when she get's back tomorrow."

"Thanks. In speaking of which, I noticed that she and Celestia have went back to Canterlot together. So you're just stuck alone?"

"Kinda. Why?"

Sunset held a hoof to her muzzle as she turned away, still blushing at me. "Well... in my world, she and I use a special pair of books that allows us to magically communicate with one another. I guess you could say I kinda knew about you since day one. She's been writing up a storm whenever she talks about you... and sometimes it kinda wanders off into the... *ahem* lewd department."

...Sooooo, how much does she know about us? Wait, better question. "So you knew about me the entire time?"

"Well I knew your name, just not how you looked or anything like that. Twilight kept her descriptions of you pretty vague. But what she lacked in the details about your looks, she made up for everything else... including those kinds of details."

So Twilight might have spilled on some of the details of our bedroom sessions. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised that she did. Girls will be girls and gossip. Guys do the same shit. But that still left a question that has yet to be answered. "So, what did she tell you?"

"Well she's been saying some really positive things about you, how kind you are, how sweet you can be, how much you drive her crazy. It's like I'm reading a romance novel where the main love interest is practically everything a girl wants in a guy. I think it's awesome that you two are getting along like this. Almost makes me want to try you out for myself."

I'll give her points for honesty... Wait a tic, did she just hit on me?

Shut it. "Well, okay." I stammered, starting to feel a bit flustered.

She gave me a playful punch and laughed. "I'm just pulling your leg. But for real, I think you're a cool guy and I'm happy for the both of you."

And I fell for it. "Right..." She stood in front of me, wearing this really awkward smile on her face. It almost seemed as if she wanted me to say something. Um... what do I say next? "So, you came to drop this off?" I said, pointing to the book.

"Yeah! I wanted to recommend it to her, especially since you're around. She even told me about how you constantly kept getting injured in your duties. I guess being a captain of the guard does make you a bit of a target. But anyways, I left this here for the both of you."

She continued to stand in the same spot, still giving me that really awkward smile. It seems that there was much more she wanted to say. "That's not really all there is to it, is there?"

Her face turned completely red as she turned away from me and played with her hooves nervously. "Actually... I kinda need a favor. The library's been closed down and I don't have a place to rest for the night. You know, too young to buy a house and what-not."

That's the ticket. "There's a guest room down the hall, you can stay there if you need to."

"Really!? Sweet! Thanks a bunch!"

Immediately, she turned around and gave me her brightest expression. Teleporting over to me, she opened her hooves and gave me the biggest hug she could. Though I was mainly caught off-guard by her teleportation ability, the hug came as suddenly as she appeared in front of me. After nearly squeezing the meat out of my body, she galloped off into the hall. She hollered back to me as she disappeared down the hall.

"You're awesome!"

---

Meanwhile in Canterlot...

---

The halls of Canterlot remained silent save the sounds of hoofprints and two voices conversing back and forth. Twilight and Celestia walked side-by-side next to each other as they made their way to a darkened hall. Twilight remained as nervous as ever while her former mentor told her the truth of why she needed to face a punishment, as well as what had happened to her.

"I can't believe they did that to you."

"I sometimes dream about it, replaying the events in my mind. I wanted to tell you sometime after you two were married, but it appears that now would be an ideal time."

"But why didn't you punish them? They were doing these horrible things to you and you could have banished them to someplace else? You should've done something to them anyways."

"Twilight, you already know what my mistakes could've caused, you saw this for yourself."

"...I know, but what they did to you was wrong also. They deserve to be punished!" Twilight stressed.

"They have all passed on. Whatever judgement they deserved, it was in the hooves of fate. I do not believe in vengeance, I do believe in taking responsibility for my misdeeds."

"But-"

Suddenly, Celestia stopped in front of a door in the center of the hallway. "We're here." She said in a low voice.

The door creaked and moaned as it opened slowly to reveal a bright light spewing forth, a doctor in a white coat appeared from within. Twilight felt her entire body temperature drop as she looked up to the tall, lanky stallion that stood in front of her.

"I trust that you are here for the operation, princess?"

The purple alicorn began to tremble as Celestia stood forward. "I trust that you have everything prepared."

"Your excellency, 'tis a simple practice. We should not be here for very long." He then turned his attention to the smaller winged unicorn. "And I also see that this is the one you sought to discipline. She is quite beautiful... and with such wonderful wings."

Twilight whimpered as she started to back away. The doctor smiled gently as he bowed before her. "Young highness, I am not here to hurt you. I am merely a doctor assigned to perform an operation. I am very precise and I do not seek to give you harm. In fact, my sole duty is to ensure that your process is as expedient and painless as possible. When I finish, you won't even notice."

The purple mare looked up to Celestia, nearly pleading with her with just her eyes. "He's alright, Twilight." The snow-white alicorn stated calmly. "He has performed many operations on me when I have needed them. He is my most trustworthy doctor. I can assure you that no harm will come of it."

Twilight shuddered as she stood in place, her hooves remaining glued to the ground. "Do you promise?"

"I give you my word."

The words of her mentor soothed her, but not completely. Twilight took a few steps forward, finally reaching out her hoof to the doctor. As he shook hers, he removed his mask and showed her a beautiful smile. "Besides, it's nothing more than a quick procedure. I guarantee that you will be good and wrapped up by the hour's end."

"So... I guess this is it?" The terrified mare asked, her voice trembling with fear.

Celestia gave her student a gripping hug as she whispered in her ear. "You're going to be fine, my most faithful student."

Her words began to calm the younger mare, allowing her to sink into her former mentor. Twilight closed her eyes as she hugged her back. Celestia began to shed tears as she pulled away from the young alicorn.

"You have made me so proud. And I could never hope to take all that you've obtained away from you. I won't go so far as to strip you of everything you've earned. But know that you have broken a dire promise to me, and that I will love you no matter what, I will still have to punish you. You may think that I am cruel, but I do love you."

Twilight tried to hold back her tears, failing to do so as she looked at her friend. She finally swallowed her fears and faced the doctor. Celestia stood in the hall, awaiting the operation's end. Meanwhile, both the doctor and the young princess walked through the door together. The doors closed behind them, leaving Twilight to stand before a table with two long pads extended from the sides. She could see the numerous tools placed on the rack beside the table. Her heart began to pound out of her chest as she looked at the doctor put back on his mask and wash his hooves.

"I'm going to need you to lie facing upwards on that table, miss. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Hesitantly, the purple princess climbed onto the table and awaited further instructions. She looked back over to the doctor, who was placing rubber gloves on his hooves.

"Very good, now I need you to spread your wings for me."

Twilight whimpered a bit as she followed the instructions. She clenched her eyes shut, hoping that he would be done very soon. "L-like this?"

The doctor walked over to her and commended her for her bravery. "Just like that, you're doing wonderful. Now, I'm going to provide you with an anesthetic, you won't feel much of anything and you'll wake up when the procedure is done."

As he brought out a mask, he gently placed it over Twilight's muzzle and twisted the nozzle to get the drug flowing through her system. She soon started to feel the effects, her eyelids becoming too heavy to keep ajar. As she began to fade out of consciousness, she heard the final words of the doctor.

"Now then, where shall we begin?"

Next Chapter: Chapter XXXI Estimated time remaining: 129 Hours, 20 Minutes