“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

-Abraham Lincoln, US President (Attributed)

For the first time in a thousand years, Luna awoke. She was in a warm, soft bed, covered by velvet sheets. They smelled like Tia.

She grinned. It was going to be a good day.

The future was daunting, certainly. Luna had ten centuries of catching up to do.

But Tia would help her through it. Tia forgave her. Tia loved her, and that made all this so much less scary. Luna opened her eyes with a tiny giggle, wondering if her sister still drooled in her sleep.

Nopony was there. Luna’s smile fell a little, though came up again as she saw the dawn's rays dance through the window. Tia must have roused a few minutes ago.

A glance to the clock showed that it was seven in the morning. An early time to raise the sun, but after a second's thought Luna recalled it was summer. Long days to help the crops grow.

She had hoped to wake up with Tia, but her good cheer endured the disappointment. Luna literally rolled out of bed, laughing as she tumbled to the floor. She righted herself with a few quick flaps of the wings, bringing her aloft. Hovering easily, basking in the growing light, she took her first good look around.

Celestia’s bedroom was much like her parlor – well-used and imperfect, a stark contrast to the gilded palace around them. The carpeting was worn to the point of being threadbare, its original purple faded to a dull brown.

Feeling inquisitive, Luna flapped to one side of the room and began browsing. Tia had gotten a new vanity during the thousand years, and a bit of snooping revealed that this one was a deal more barren. No love letters or perfumes crowded its table. Just an ear-brush and comb, where Tia once owned ten of each.

“Well, she grew up.” Luna shrugged, landing and taking her attention elsewhere. The smaller vanity gave room to a bookshelf, drawing another giggle from her. Neither sister had been avid readers, save for their little romance novels.

The books here, though, made her gag. “Modern Finance.” “Principles of Judicial Law.” “Debates on Magical vs. Mechanical Research.” “Equestrian Zoning Law, Volume XI.”

A few others looked less dull, and these Luna noted with closer interest. History books. They might be a good place to begin catching up with the times.

Her gaze passed slowly over each one, even the titles hinting at how the world had changed. “Abolition in the Griffon Kingdom.” “On the De-Gentrification of the Royal Guard.” “Phoenix: The Rebuilding of Baltimare.”

That last one made her stop.

To Luna, it was yesterday.

Baltimare. The city fell easily, its defenders bowing to Nightmare Moon without the slightest guess that this was a coup. But when the ponies saw the truth, they rioted. They didn’t care how many Lunar Guards were there. Shop owners and students barricaded the streets, holding those barricades with thrown rocks and stolen muskets.

So Nightmare Moon punished them. And every streetlight held a body by the time she was done.

Luna punched the book, jerking her gaze away.

“That was me.”

She breathed in and out sharply, willing herself to look back at it. “But… Tia forgave me.”

Slowly, Luna reached her hoof and touched the book again. She stroked it softly, almost as an apology.

“I didn’t deserve it, but she forgave me anyway.” Luna smiled a little, feeling her hope rise up over the guilt. “But I will deserve it. Nothing but good from here on out, Luna. Nothing but good. You owe it to her, to all of them.”

Luna moved on, and the next thing of interest brightened her smile. The sun was glowing through a glass door, with a small balcony beyond. It looked nice – not ostentatious, just a little platform of smooth, white stone with a beautiful view. Perfect for getting some wing exercise, or just dozing in the sun.

Her hoof moved up to push the door open, but it held fast. Luna peered closely at the latch, guessing there was a little lock in place.

There was, but it was rusted shut. Luna tried to wiggle it open to no avail.

“Hm.” She frowned thoughtfully, and moved on. There was the bed, of course. Nothing special about it, with sheets so fresh they must have been changed daily.

And there was a small shelf next to the bed. Curious, Luna walked over for a closer look. It held a mechanical clock with a bell attached, probably built to ring at an appointed time. There was a wooden pony’s head, carrying the huge, silly crown Celestia wore for special events. And a small statue…

“Facing backwards?” Curious, Luna raised it in her magic. It was white stone and gold leaf, though neither had aged well. The statue was old, and time had worn out many of the finer details.

But it was unmistakably Celestia. A glorious visage of her, plunging a spear into Nightmare Moon.

Luna glowered, but the anger in her died quickly. Tasteless as it was, she could hardly fault the ponies for celebrating her fall. She could hardly fault Tia, either.

But Tia didn’t seem like the “celebration” type anymore. And the statue was turned away, so obviously she didn’t think much of it. It was just a nick-knack with no better place to go. Or a reminder. Tia said she was responsible for what happened, so maybe she kept it out of guilt.

Either way, Luna’s mood was muted as she left the bedroom. Celestia’s parlor was unchanged from yesterday, though now it held a maid busily dusting the clock.

Engrossed in her work, the mare didn’t look up until Luna tapped her shoulder. “Um… excuse me?”

“Hrmph?” The tan earth pony turned, and spat out her duster. She coughed once, then grinned welcomingly. “Hello, dear. Do you need something?”

Luna gave a timid smile in return, well aware of her childish appearance. “Yes. Um, do you know where Tia is?”

The maid cocked her head, face quizzical. “Who's Tia?”

They looked at each other blankly for a moment before Luna realized the problem. “Oh! I mean Princess Celestia.”

“Ah!” The maid’s warm smile returned. “Let me see… with maybe ten minutes since dawn, she’s probably back in her office. She doesn’t usually hit the courts or throne until the afternoon, though that can change sometimes.”

Luna pouted, kicking the rug. “Aw, rats.”

She gave an embarrassed smile at the maid’s confusion. “I wanted to wake up together, and it looks like I just missed her.”

The maid breathed a quick chuckle. “No worries there. She was up at four.”

Luna blinked. “She raises the sun at four?”

“No, dear.” The maid scratched her ear, transferring some of the dust to it. “She likes to get up early, get some work done before the day really starts. All my life I’ve dusted that alarm clock of hers, and I don't think she's ever even used it.”

She looked at her hoof, grinned, and patted Luna’s shoulder, mischievously brushing dust onto her. “She had me tuck you back in, you little cutie. Once I’m done here, I’ll be getting your own room set up.”

“Great,” Luna sighed, looking away.

Oblivious to Luna’s sinking mood, the maid nodded. “It’ll be right next to Cadence’s – you’ll love her, I promise. She was even younger than you when she got her wings. I mean… horn? I think she was a pegasus before she changed.”

“Another alicorn?” Luna asked, her attention seized. Three of us? But only two are born at a time, and that’s only every…

…Thousand years. She grinned wryly, marveling at how easy it was to forget. I wonder if the fourth one has changed yet.

“Yep!” The maid nodded cheerfully. “‘Princess Cadence,’ the princess of love. What are you going to be the princess of?”

Luna blinked, unused to not being recognized. Yet another reminder of the missing years. She sighed, lowering her head. “The night. Um…”

She looked back up, trying to match the maid’s smile. “I’m sorry. But can you please tell me where Tia’s office is?”

Walking down the hallways felt good. The castle was far cheerier in the daytime, with ponies of all kinds chattering amidst the portraits and pillars. They looked on curiously as Luna walked past, and guards saluted stiffly at her gaze.

She felt her shyness fade, at least a little bit. The attention made her feel like a princess again.

A good princess. That's what I'll be.

Celestia’s office was far grander than her parlor. The carpet was thick and desk gem-studded, but the room around was empty. It felt a bit too large, and the mahogany walls made it seem dark and mysterious. There were two windows, but the shades were drawn on both. The room’s lone occupant sat hunched over the desk, her white body making the rest seem all the darker by comparison.

Tia looked up from her writing and smiled as Luna entered the lamplight. She stepped around the desk and the two interlocked their necks.

“Hello, Luna.” Celestia pulled away, turning to sit back down. “What do you think of Canterlot Castle?”

“It’s great!” Luna hopped on her tip-hooves, brimming with excitement. “It’s so much bigger than our old palace.”

“Hm, yes.” Celestia’s eyes went to the side. “Well, Equestria got bigger.”

She gave a soft laugh. “And much more complicated. We needed a proper capital, but it would seem like favoritism if I just chose some duke’s city. So I built my own, right in the middle of Equestria. A symbol of unity.”

Luna eyed the small mountain of papers on the desk, smirking. “Looks like a symbol of bureaucracy.”

Celestia laughed again, in the exact same tone. “As I said, things are more complicated. It takes work.”

“Understood.” Luna puffed out her chest and saluted. “I know I need to catch up with the times. But I’ll do it as fast as I can, and start helping you.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Celestia smiled down at her.

She said something else, but… something about that smile stuck in Luna’s mind. Maybe not the smile, but the eyes above it.

They were a little scary. She hadn't noticed earlier, but Tia’s eyes had grown deep and dark over the thousand years. Between those and her white face, it almost looked like a skull.

“I’m sorry?” Luna sidled up alongside the desk, shaking her head, trying to un-see the skull. “I’m sorry, I missed that last part.”

With half an ear, Luna listened as Tia talked about taking things slowly. But Luna’s eyes slipped down to the desk, her attention drifting to the silver-inked letter on top.

“Hail, Noble Princess Celestia,
Ever May You Rule,

We, the undersigned nobles of the Griffon Kingdom, do UTTERLY REJECT our so-called King Golden Claw’s claim to the Griffon Throne. He is a usurper, a murderer, whose ascension came though deeds most foul.

His reign has not been vindicated by action. In one scant year, our economy has plummeted to desperation. Hearing of the plight of our poor, your noble ponies have gathered much-needed food to send to our villages. This great and humbling kindness has been rebuffed by our so-called king. He eats well, so he cares not.

This is merely the latest offense given by our unworthy monarchs. Our sentiment has been building for years, and now we are certain enough to act.

Therefore, we undersigned do BESEECH you to annex our realms from the moribund Griffon Kingdom. We will immediately pledge our loyalty to both you and Equestria, and commit our soldiers to securing this against–”

Celestia noticed. She frowned, placing a fresh form on the letter before Luna could read further.

Luna glanced away, silently dropping the issue. She’s just dealing with a tricky problem. And I can’t help, the way I am now.

“Sister,” Tia said softly, an unspoken apology in her voice. She leaned over and nuzzled Luna. “Take some time to yourself. You have a lot to deal with, and I don’t want you to feel rushed.”

Luna hated breaking the contact. But she did, shaking her head. “I’m ready to return to my duties. Wherever you think I should.”

Tia was already glancing at the next paper. “Alright.”

Still with that off-putting smile beneath those dark eyes, Celestia gestured outwards. “Go find Dust Bunny up on the eighth floor. She’ll be getting your room ready by now, and you’ll have to pick out your furniture.”

Luna nodded, but loitered. She turned in place a few times before standing again by the desk.

Tia’s quill was back at work, her attention downwards. If she noticed Luna was still there, she gave no sign.

“Um…” Luna hesitated, drawing a brisk glance from her sister.

With nothing else for it, Luna blurted out the rest. “My room. Can you come decorate it with me?”

A flash of annoyance marred Celestia’s face, but it vanished in an instant. “No. Sorry, but I have a lot to do.”

Silently, Luna sighed through her nose. She nodded, and turned to leave.

On her way out the door, she cast a final glance backwards. Tia’s eyes were already back to her desk, quill scratching at the paper.

Luna kept her ear to the ground. When things seemed to cool off with the griffons, she returned to Celestia.

Tia was cradling her jaw, nursing a headache as Luna entered the office. There was a new set of papers on the desk, and a unicorn officer holding a few more. But Tia’s dull smile and dark eyes remained the same.

“Tia, Cadence tells me there’s a jousting tournament in Prance this Sunday. Want to go together?”

“I’m sorry, that’s when I hold the Sun Court. But here – this is Shining Armor, captain of the palace guard. Shining, you’ll escort her, won’t you?”

“Tia, look! My mane’s getting starry again.”

“That’s nice, Luna.”

“And I’m as tall as I used to be, and I think my wings are stronger than ever. Hey, it’s a nice evening. Want to go for a fly, just the two of us?”

“Maybe later.”

The thousand years had brought change. Changes everywhere Luna looked, but none so hard to grasp as her sister's.

Celestia’s changes seemed good on the outside. She was so responsible now, and so smart about money and politics.

The ponies all spoke glowingly of her. How she quashed corruption without a blink, but was always tender with the needy and ill. How any pony could stand before her in the Sun Court and make his voice heard.

Still, the changes did not sit easily with Luna.

It kept her awake some nights, thinking of days now past. The old Celestia had been so fast to laugh, so eager for any chance to pawn off her paperwork. She worked hard, played hard, and napped on her throne whenever she pleased. She could have a sharp tongue, and sometimes would storm off in a huff. But her conscience would always bid her return, lip quivering, with apologies and offers to make amends.

These were the good times, of course. The happier memories. But they were as much a part of their past as the bad ones.

“Come on, Luna!” A cheerful filly named Celestia called out in her memory’s ear. “Let’s go flying!”

Luna beamed at the filly's grin – not measured and polite, but wide and gap-toothed.

Those good times had been so much fun.

Tia was no fun anymore. And the more Luna thought about it, the more she knew it was her own fault. Betraying Celestia, letting her own petty ego come between them… Celestia blamed herself, but it was not Celestia who embraced dark magic out of envy and spite.

It was Luna. And this is what happened.

Yet each time Luna began to sink into those guilty thoughts, she yanked herself back upwards. Yes, she hurt ponies. Yes, she hurt Celestia.

And she would damn well make it up to them.

She would make it up to the ponies by being a good princess. And she would make it up to Tia by being a good sister.

“Oh, Tia? The Shetland Tenors are in Canterlot, and they’ll perform through the weekend. I was–”

“That’s lovely, Luna. I believe Fancy Pants is a big fan; I’ll ask him to go with you. He’s a fine stallion, I’m sure you’ll like him.”

“Tia, Cadence and I are going to a hoofball game. Here, we have an extra ticket for the seat right next to us.”

“Thank you, Luna.”

“You’ll come?”

“If I’m not too busy. Now please excuse me, I have a meeting to get to.

“Hi, Cadence. And wow, Luna, you look excited. You like hoofball that much?”

“Shining Armor!?”

“I know! I never score seats this good. You’ll never guess who gave me the ticket.”

“I… think I can, actually.”

Time passed, and the sisters saw less of each other. Luna would no longer rush to Tia’s office each morning, and limited her invitations to one or two a week.

She hadn’t given up. She was playing a longer game.

Like it or not, they were all but strangers. They had to start again, and Luna was determined to see it through. Slowly, without forcing things.

In the meantime, there was plenty else to fill her days. Luna found fine tutors for history and politics. She read voraciously, paying particular attention to Celestia’s rule.

With a sharp mind and observer’s standpoint, it didn’t take long for Luna to notice the trends. The power of the nobility had eroded, and whole sections of the old government were gone forever. Hoof-picked agents filled some of the void, but more was carried by Celestia’s own labor. Finance, military, research… so many agencies now stood directly in their sovereign’s shadow.

She doesn’t trust anyone else. Luna smiled grimly at the thought. Another piece of the puzzle, fit snugly into place.

It’s because of me.

The smile fell, and she moved on.

More mundane things had changed, too. Tia had enshrined rights and freedoms into Equestrian law, writing it in such a way that even she could not legally renounce it.

That was… “odd,” Luna decided, but not in a bad way. Equestrians always had rights, but the justification had been, “Because the alicorns say so.” Consciously or not, Tia had set herself to fail if she ever became a tyrant.

Luna smiled at the thought, and this time it held. Those actions felt good. Subtle steps taken to stop some “Nightmare Sun” from rising.

It warmed her, thinking that at least a little good had come from her fall.

Other things, Luna couldn’t just read about. These were the tricky ones.

“Cadence, you kissed Shining Armor! You are no longer chaste! Quick, summon him back. We must wed you immediately!”

And the embarrassing ones.

“I don’t understand, Cadence. How do the ponies get inside the television?”

And the ones that were just awkward for everypony involved.

“Cadence!” Luna said loudly, as befitted a princess in public. “How does that young colt have two fathers? Are they sorcerers?”

But she was learning. No mistake was repeated. No lesson was forgotten. She’d be Tia’s equal again.

They could be sisters again.

“Hey, Tia. I’ve decided to visit Ponyville for my first Nightmare Night. Would you like to come with me?”

“I’m busy, Luna.”

With that damnable office deserted one evening, Luna headed for Celestia’s living space with opera tickets held in her magic.

Try, try, and try again. Some days Celestia was indifferent to her efforts, some days she was annoyed. Never had she seemed interested in getting out of the castle, or even just spending time together.

Luna rapped on the parlor door. No answer. She let herself in.

No question, no debate, Luna would keep it up until she got through. Until Celestia smiled and laughed again. Not that horrible, serene, fake smile she smeared on her face all day. Not that polite, manufactured little laugh. But a real smile. A real laugh.

Nothing in the parlor, but light came from under the bedroom door. Luna strode up to it, already raising her hoof to knock.

She paused as she drew close. Voices.

Tia was talking to somepony, and she sounded upset. Luna’s curiosity and guilt warred briefly before the former won out. Softly, Luna tip-hooved the rest of the distance and leaned her ear to the door.

“Rooke, don’t you get it?” It was Tia, though so different a Tia that it gave Luna pause. This voice was cracking, like she was on the verge of tears. “I’m sorry, I really am, but I want to be alone. Please?”

Then… no response. There was a pause, and Luna heard hooves slam on something wooden.

Tia’s voice rang out again, this time shrill and angry. “You stay out of this! You are done. Luna’s back, so why are you still here? You can't still be here!”

Another brief silence. Luna bit her lip as the talk grew even more distraught. “Shut up. Just shut up. Why are you here? What do you want?”

Luna swallowed, trying to find her own voice, and Celestia screamed. “Well I don’t want you here! Shut up! Shut up!”

Inside the room, glass shattered. “Tia!” Luna shouted. All stealth gone, she shoved open the door and ran inside.

Celestia faced the vanity, her back to Luna. She was perfectly still, silently standing amidst a flurry of broken glass. A hoof-sized object had smashed her mirror, seeding the carpet with shards.

The sisters’ eyes met in the glass, its cracks dividing their reflection a hundred times.

“Tia,” Luna said again, outstretching a hoof.

Celestia turned, slow and dignified. There wasn’t a hint of a tear on her face, nor tremble of rage in the limbs. Even her hair maintained its slow, steady waving.

It was Tia, as she always was these days. With those dark eyes and empty smile.

“Do you need something, Luna?” Celestia asked, the picture of serenity.

“Oh, no. You’re not getting out of this.” Luna stomped her hoof, glaring back with challenge in her eyes. She let many things slide over the months, but not this. This was bad.

Celestia blinked and tilted her head, not seeming to understand. With a frustrated growl, Luna pointed to the broken mirror.

“Oh!” Celestia said, and gave the same laugh she gave for everything. “Not much of a mirror, is it? The maid must have broken it when she cleaned this morning.”

“The…” Luna blinked, shook her head, and blinked again. “The maid?”

“Yes, but don’t be hard on her. Dust Bunny is usually very–”

“Tia!”

The sharp retort cut off Celestia’s excuse. Luna strode forward, putting herself nose-to-nose with her sister. “I was right outside. That was you!”

Celestia turned her head away, returning to the look of confusion. The dark eyes shot everywhere but to Luna, almost seeming to panic under the inquiry.

Suddenly they stopped, and Celestia laughed again. “I sneezed. Maybe that’s what you heard.”

“Tia, I’m not falling for it.”

“‘Falling for it?’” Celestia gave a third, horrible laugh. “That’s what happened. I don’t see what’s wrong.”

Luna’s voice grew pleading, her aggression on the wane. “Come on, I know you’re lying. Tell me the truth. Please? I’m worried about you.”

That smile again. That damned smile. “That’s funny. I’ve actually been worried about you.”

The absurdity caught Luna’s response in her throat, and Celestia went on. “A thousand years is so much time. Have you been making friends? Have ponies been treating you well?”

“No, no, no!” Luna shook her head hard, pointing a hoof. “This isn’t about me, this is about you!”

Celestia responded with barely a thought. “Don’t worry about me. Really, I’m just tired and–”

Luna didn’t scream, but it came close. “I am not letting this go!”

Annoyance flashed in Celestia’s eyes. But still she smiled.

“Luna. Dear.” Her words grew harder. “I’m tired. Will you please go away?”

Luna breathed in sharply, a retort rising in her throat.

And she let it go, sighing instead of speaking. The battle was lost.

Luna nodded curtly and stalked from the room. Resisting the urge to slam it, she closed the door gently behind her as she passed to the hallway.

Her face was a stony mask as she walked. Only when she reached her own room did she let it fall, giving a short, wordless shout of anger.

The shout ended, but the anger remained. Luna’s gaze caught the mirror, and her face twisted from frustration to rage. She stormed towards it, seeing only the murderous little brat who ruined her sister’s life. Luna raised her hoof, winding up for a right hook…

And she took a deep breath. Then another. Slowly, she let the hoof fall back to the ground.

No. It was not that girl in the mirror. Nor was it Nightmare Moon. It was Luna, the good princess. The good… sister…

She couldn’t hold her own gaze. Luna looked down, away from the mirror as tears gathered in her eyes.

“Sister.”

Maybe Luna had lost more than a thousand years. Maybe she lost a sister, too. The gulf between them was so wide now, maybe too wide to ever bridge. So many months of Celestia refusing to look twice at her… and even in that moment of weakness, Tia just shoved her away.

Celestia didn’t have a sister. She didn’t want a sister.

Luna ground her hoof into the carpet, letting her thoughts flow. Who am I to do this? I crash back into her life and expect things to go back to normal. I betray her, twist her neck right off, leave her alone for so long… and now I have the nerve to call her my sister.

Tia’s gone. We’re done. She doesn’t want me.

She sighed, hanging her head.

Then she jerked it back upwards, gasp on her lips.

“She doesn’t want me.” Luna wiped her tears and looked back to the reflection. Her eyes were puffy, yet flamed with purpose. “But she needs me.”

“She needs me.” Luna said it again, just to be sure. Tia was in trouble. Breaking a mirror, talking to visions… something was wrong with her. Something was broken, and Tia was feeling it.

But what can I do? Luna frowned, pondering. Celestia denied everything, even when faced with obvious evidence. A fireside chat would doubtless yield nothing, even if Luna could convince her to have one. Nor could anypony else help. Celestia would smile, tell them all was right, and they would believe her.

It had to be Luna, and Celestia wouldn’t talk to her. Which left…

Dreams.

Luna bit her lip. It was the one thing she promised never to do. She could enter any other pony’s dreams, but Tia’s were off limits. Dreams were a window to the soul, and she would never spy on her sister like that. She promised.

A hoof tapped as Luna thought.

It would be worse than reading her diary. She’d never forgive me if she found out. Especially now, with how secretive she is.

But she needs me. She really, truly needs help, and I’m the only pony who can.

Her mouth grimaced. Tia was so serious when she made me swear to keep out of her dreams. We even made up this weird, rhyming promise to show how unbreakable it was. How did it go? “La, la, la… Never peek and never tell, if you lie you go to hell.” Something like that?

“If you lie you go to hell.”

Luna’s grimace turned to a challenging smile. “Well, Tia. You’re worth it.”