The small group was waiting as the chariot arrived from Canterlot. It was pulled by two ponies. One Pegasus, wearing the clean golden armor of the Solar Guard. The other was the curious variety of bat -winged pony known as Negasi that populated the Lunar Guard, dressed in black, spiky armor. It was a curious choice. They were normally not used in tandem like this, and Twilight found herself wondering why. Admittedly, she suspected Rarity would explain that they clashed. Twilight could see that, but Rarity would go overboard.

“Princess.” The Solar Guard Pegasus greeted her. "Whenever you're ready.”

“Thank you.” she nodded to him and the four of them climbed into the back. Spike and Twilight found themselves in the middle of the chariot, separating Applejack and Robert. The two hadn't spoken at all since they arrived. Applejack had gotten there first, and was wearing not her normal brown hat, but instead the higher quality one Rarity had made for her Gala dress. It was, Twilight suspected, as close to formal wear as Applejack was likely to get. They'd made small talk, until Robert arrived and Applejack suddenly found the ground very interesting.

Robert was... dressed. Twilight hadn't seen him wear anything but his travel bags since he arrived. When he walked up to the station, he was well, shower fresh. And draped across his shoulders was what looked like a pair of saddlebags without the bags. White thread traced a complex pattern on the sides. Twilight didn't recognize it at first, then when she looked away, she realized it wasn't a pattern but a symbol. Five-five pointed stars centered in a single seven pointed one. In the middle of the pattern a crest was stamped. A close look showed it was a tiger paw holding a wand.

Upon questioning, he explained. The crest belonged to his mentor, the pattern was the symbol of his tribe.

“When one meets a foreign dignitary, one is best served to be as formal as possible.”

“She's not technically foreign in her own home.” Twilight pointed out.

“Indeed, but to me, she is the leader of a foreign land, and thus she is treated as such. As I am sure she will treat me.” He left it at that. Twilight still shared Spike's worries, but decided not to make an issue. She trusted Celestia, but if this was as bad as it was made out to be, she didn't want to get in the way if her teacher held a grudge.

The flight wasn't long, but it was quiet. The two ponies pulling the chariot said nothing, focused on the lights of the city as they approached. They didn't land at the local air station, nor as Twilight had expected, in the South Court, where Celestia held her spring court. No one wanted to be stuck inside any longer than necessary, and the South Court was always the warmest. Instead, they flew over it and landed in what was universally referred to as the Princess Garden, though it's official title was the Garden of Daisies and Lillies. For all intents and purposes, it belonged exclusively to the Princesses. Very few were ever allowed into it without a Royal escort, except of course the gardeners. The princesses didn't have time to care for that many flowers themselves. Twilight knew from personal experience. Before coming to Ponyville, she had been assigned to oversee the gardeners, after asking how flowers grew. Of course, since she was technically learning, the position had been somewhat honorary, mostly as Royal Permission to tell them what a good job they were doing and keep it up. She was proud that despite that, she'd not only learned a lot but also been able to make a few useful changes. The Chariot landed on the main path, and then lifted away as soon as they disembarked. Celestia stepped out of the castle as they turned towards it.

“Hello Twilight.” Celestia spread her wings and inclined her head.

“Hello Princess. Twilight sensed that formality was the order of the day. She bowed just slightly lower than Celestia had. "May I introduce Robert, son of White-tail and Moonstalker.”

Robert bowed his head. “Your Highness.”

“A pleasure.” Celestia wasn't precisely cold, but she wasn't warm either. Twilight was worried now, even more than before. "Hello Applejack.” Applejack bowed down, nearly to the ground.

“Princess.”

“Please, follow me.” Celestia tucked her wings away, and walked past them. Spike was momentarily bothered by her lack of attention. "Spike, please stay close to Twilight. This might be hard for her.” He heard it, but was certain none of the others had. He nodded, and set his pace beside Twilight. This left Robert and Applejack to walk beside one another. Neither of them said anything or even acknowledged the presence of the other, until they reached the wall that Celestia stopped before.

“Robert?” Applejack's voice was low enough not to be heard by Spike or Twilight. She saw Celestia's ear twitch, and knew somehow that she had heard.

“Yes?”

“Ah'd like to talk to you later, after we're done here.”

“As I would you.” Both resumed their silence, only to gasp quietly a moment later when the wall into the mountain opened. Celestia strode through, and the others followed after Twilight started moving. Inside a bright glow grew from Celestia's horn. It was the only illumination. After a moment, Twilight lit her horn as well, after a subtle nod from Celestia. They walked down the corridor, in an impossibly straight line. Except, it wasn't. Applejack realized that the corridor was not straight, but was in fact slightly, subtly curved to the left. It was also sloping ever so slightly downwards. She wasn't sure what had clued her in, but she was absolutely sure of it. She considered saying something, but decided against it. This place was almost reverent.

Finally, they reached an intersection. Twilight looked forwards, then to her teacher. Celestia turned to the left, and stepped across a seal on the floor. A dull light shone across it. It looked like a massive construction of Luna's Cutie Mark. As Applejack crossed, she realized it was. It was also humming with an energy she vaguely recognized but could not put a name to. Celestia led them down the length of the corridor. Applejack watched as her light's size diminished slowly until it was almost gone. Celestia spread her wings, signaling a stop. Luna appeared, stepping out of the shadows.

Twilight inclined her head again, Spike and Applejack bowed. Robert bowed as deeply as any pony did to Celestia. “Hail and greetings to the Princess of the Night. As the first Tiger to see you since your return, I am bound by honor to deliver a message.”

“Which is?”

“The Watch still stands.”

“After all this time. And everything that... happened? Why?” Celestia didn't seem confused, though everyone else was.

“Lumus er Nox, Semper Fidelus.” Robert answered.

“Light or dark, always faithful.” Spike whispered quietly. Luna looked on the verge of tears. After a moment she drew herself up and looked around.

“Really sister, could you not have at least allowed the servants to clean our vault? Now we are getting dust in our eyes.” Twilight looked close, and was willing to bet her big telescope wouldn't find much dirt on the floors in this place.

“My apologies sister, I shall see to it as soon as possible.” Celestia said, remaining carefully neutral. Her eyes were sparkling though.

“Very well. Let me see if I remember how this works.” Luna paused, her eyes moving as if she was reading from a card. "WHO WISHES TO ENTER THE VAULT OF THE MOON?”

“I, Princess Celestia, Regent of the Sun and Bringer of the Dawn.” her wing twitched slightly, urging Twilight to speak.

“I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, former bearer of the Element of Friendship.”

“I, Spike the Dragon.”

“I, Applejack, former bearer of the Element of Honesty.”

“I Robert, son of White-tail and Moonstalker.”

“WHAT DO YOU SEEK WITHIN THE VAULT?” Luna's voice was loud, but not the ear shattering volume of the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“We seek Black Tail's Treaty.”

“IT IS HOUSED WITHIN THIS VAULT. KNOW THIS. WHAT LIES WITHIN THIS VAULT IS NOT TO BE SPOKEN OF BEYOND IT'S WALLS, NOR TO ANY NOT PRESENT HERE. THE WRATH OF THE MOON SHALL DESCEND UPON ANY WHO BREAKS THIS COVENANT.” Luna looked amongst those gathered before her. Everyone nodded assent.

“Very well. Welcome then to the Vault of the Moon.” Applejack saw her touch down, and realized she'd been in flight for the entire conversation.

“Thank you sister.” Celestia said, as the doors behind Luna opened.

“Hang on, Luna's the only one who can open the vault right?” Applejack asked.

“Indeed. Even while I controlled the moon, I could not enter this vault.”

“Then how did the treaty get in here?” Twilight asked.

“Even as Nightmare Moon, the compulsion to open this vault was powerful enough to force compliance and temporarily release me from my banishment.” Luna answered. "It was... not pleasant for either of us, but it did give access to the vault.”

“Indeed. I knew how hard it was, and how dangerous, and tried very hard not to need to open this Vault.” Celestia said. "For this however, the risk was necessary.”

They walked into the vault and the light on Celestia's horn went out. A moment later, Luna's horn sparked with a silvery moon light on the end of her horn. Celestia duplicated it. Twilight crossed her eyes in concentration, and tried. Nothing happened. Luna leaned down and touched her horn to Twilight's. Twilight sparked her horn up into the same silver light.

“Let us see.” Luna said and examined the nearest shelf. “Ah, this way.” She led them down the aisles, until she came to a specific shelf. A rolled scroll floated down, and landed on a nearby reading station. Luna released it and nodded to Celestia. The princess of the Sun took the scroll up in her magic and unrolled it. She cleared her throat and read it.

'This treaty signifies the intent of the Free Tiger Tribes to make sacrifice of not less than two hundred and fifty of it's citizens in exchange for the release of it's armies from encirclement by the United Equestrian forces. These shall join with reparations to be made by the Free Tiger Tribes to the Kingdom of Equestria.'

The treaty was signed by Celestia on one side, and by Black Tail on the other. Twilight looked at her mentor. Celestia could not meet her eyes.

“Sister?”

“I did not make the choice. I fought long and hard to reduce the number. Black Tail was not easily budged.” Celestia said. She finally met Twilight's gaze. Twilight saw an indescribable pain in her mentors eyes. She stood up and put her forelegs around her mentor. Applejack was silent, then she turned to Robert.

“Did you know?”

“Yes.” he said, quietly. "Not the details, but every Tiger is taught about Black Tail's price.” he sat on his haunches. "It is the price for foolishness. And the price for disobedience. Black Tail ordered tigers to stop attacking ponies. When they did not, he assembled his warriors and went out to stop them.”

“And in our foolishness, we thought he meant to attack us.” Celestia said. "My generals argued that he was coming to take our citizens and I listened. By the time the truth was revealed, we had lost more than a thousand ponies, guards and civilians. I intervened before the generals attacked and caused more death.”

“When Celestia arrived, Black Tail went out to meet her on the field. He expected to die. His final words to his army as he walked out were: 'Do not avenge me, sue for peace and leave this field.' He walked out, and met Celestia between the armies.” Robert said.

“Black Tail was a massive tiger, my equal in size, if not in power. He was a noble tiger. He walked up to me, and offered me a clean shot to finish him off. I turned him down and sought his side of the story. It was then that our mistake came to light. When he learned of our casualties, he fell to the ground, and wept. When it was over, he offered an equal number of his own tigers for our losses. And he would not hear of not making the sacrifice. I spent more than five hours talking him down. I could not get him to give less than two hundred and fifty. The majority of those were the Rogues he originally came to hunt down. The rest were from among his warriors. It took a dozen of them to stop him from becoming one of them.”

“Black Tail was the last tiger king.” Robert said, pushing himself up as high as he could. "Since him, no tiger has successfully made claim to the Shattered Throne. Many have tried, but none have succeeded. he sighed. After his defeat however, he went on to bring us diplomatic relations with Equestria, and he brought us Unicorns to teach us transmutation, so we could make our own food and not need to feed off of other species. No tiger has done more for us. This is part of the reason the throne has not been claimed.”

“And the other?”

“The throne is... to make a claim to the throne, one must have the unanimous support of all forty tribal chiefs. To hold the throne, one must survive an assault on the throne by the strongest warrior from each tribe. If they succeed, then they are crowned king. Those who fail are laid in the Claimants grounds surrounding the Tombs of the Kings. Most aspirants fail to reach the second stage.” Robert shrugged. "It's difficult enough to get forty Tigers to agree on a meal course, much less on who should be king.”

“I suppose there are advantages to immortality.” Luna said suddenly. Several present started, almost having forgotten that she was there.

“Indeed. You are fortunate that you have good leaders. An immortal leader who is not good would be... very bad indeed.”

“Indeed.” agreed Luna. “Come, let us leave this vault. Mine though it is, remaining here depresses me.”

“I concur.” Celestia said. She had not, even while keeping up her side of the story, broken eye contact with Twilight. Finally she looked away. It took Spike pulling at Twilight's mane before she turned and followed the others out. Celestia sighed, and shook her head. Luna stepped up beside her. Celestia sighed. "I think her faith in my abilities has been shaken.”

“She knows you're not perfect. But it is always hard to accept that the person you look up to is not infallible. You know that as well as I do.” Luna said, watching the others walk away.

“I know. At least she doesn't have to find out the way we did.”

“True.” Luna reached out with her wing, and laid it over her sister's shoulders, and urged her out of the vault.

---

Applejack and Robert were sitting in a booth at Donut Joe's. Applejack was munching on a cherry filled bear claw. Robert was eating a fish croissant. Applejack had teased Donut Joe about it, and he pointed out Applejacks didn't contain any apples. She was silent.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Robert asked.

“Ah haven't told anyone this. Not sure anyone outside my family knows.” Applejack prodded her donut. "I haven't even told Twilight.”

“Told me what?” Twilight asked. Applejack started.

“Oh, sorry Sugarcube, didn't see you there. You okay?

“No.” Twilight said. "I'm not sure how I am, but I am definitely not okay.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It's... not something you can do anything about. I'm not sure if there's anything that should be done. It's in the past, and... I've learned you can't change the past. The hard way.” Twilight slid into the booth "What haven't you told me yet?”

“The reason I can't, don't like Tigers.” Applejack took a deep breath. "My parents are. They're dead. I know you know that Twilight, and Robert, I bet you guessed.”

“I had a suspicion.” he said simply.

“Well, not long after Applebloom was born, we got a letter from some distant cousins, out near the badlands. They'd found a spot that seemed just perfect for growin' apples, but they couldn't seem to get the trees to take off. Well, my ma and pa were happy to help, and they packed for the trip and told us they'd be back in a few weeks. That was the last I ever saw of them. Next thing I know, Granny Smith is at the door, cryin' 'er eyes out, listenin' to two Royal Guards.” she paused for a moment, and took a long drink of her soda. "Big Mac had me take her to the other room while he talked to the Guards. I got the whole story out of him later. Seems they'd met up with a supply train heading to the settlement where the cousins were set up and at some point they got ambushed. The guards found nothing but prints around.”

“Tiger prints.” Robert said. It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact. Applejack nodded.

“Not official tigers. Bandits, who'd taken to preying on caravans. In fact, since they were so close the guard actually sought the help of the local tiger tribe. They found them. And...” she looked away.

“I'm sorry.” Twilight said.

“Yeah. Ah know.” Applejack took a deep, shuddering breath. "Not a single one of the Bandits made it. The local tigers and the guards made sure not a single one of them got away. They... couldn't bring back the remains, because they weren't sure who was who.” she looked sick for a moment. "They buried them right there, and burned the bandits. “Ah... helped them sort through the things. All ah found was Dad's hat. Mom had left her lucky pendant at home. She said she didn't want nothing to happen to it.” Robert put his paw on her shoulder.

“I am truly sorry. There are monsters in every species.” Robert said. "Just as there are heroes.” Twilight snorted.

“Sometimes they're one and the same.” she said. Applejack glared at her.

“Twilight, that's unfair. Celestia was doing the best she could with the situation she was given.” Applejack put her hoof on Twilight's. "You should go talk to her. Ah suspect there's some things she's not telling you. Things for princess ears only.”

Twilight looked up at her in surprise. “Do you really? Of course you do. You wouldn't have said it if you didn't.” she started to stand up, then her eyes went wide. “Princess Luna.”

“Please, Twilight, I have told you to call me Luna.” the princess had a slightly pained look.

“I prefer to only do that in private.” Twilight said. "Still getting used to this Princess thing.”

“As you will. Robert, might I speak with you?”

“Certainly your highness.” Luna sighed.

“Please, call me Luna. After what happened, I feel very bad about claiming that title.”

“Ah suppose ah'll go then.” Applejack started to stand but Luna raised a hoof.

“Please, stay. I would not wish to chase you away. And what I have to say is not private.”

“Thank you, Princess.” Applejack settled back down.

“If you'll excuse me, Luna.” Twilight managed to stop herself. "I'm going to go have a word with Princess Celestia.”

“Please Twilight, try not to judge her too harshly. She spent much of my exile under a considerable amount of stress.” there was an almost pleading element even to Luna's official voice.

“I will remember that. Spike, do you want to come with me? Or stay here?”

“I'll come with you if you don't mind.” Spike said, sliding out of his seat.

“We'll fill y'all in later.” Applejack promised. Spike nodded, and followed Twilight out. Luna slid into Twilight's recently vacated seat.

“Tell me Robert, what do you know about the Watch?” Luna asked, nodding to Donut Joe as he brought her usual order.

“Let's see. The Dream Watch, founded a little over twelve hundred years ago, is an organization dedicated to the protection of dreams. Even then, not every dream could be watched over by one being, Princess or not. Amongst the ponies whom she called family, there were but a small handful of Dreamwalkers. So she sought out the other species. Amongst those, only the Monkey's and Tigers had the ability necessary to form the Dream Watch. A contest was held, and the monkey's failed to meet the requirements. Those tigers who had the power to walk the dream became the first of the Dream Watchers. The princess guided them on their first steps and left them to watch dreams. Even after the fall of the Princess to the Nightmare, the Watch stood, guarding the dreams of all species, save the monkey's who had their own dream walkers to take up the task.” Robert said, eyes closed, as if reading from a book he'd seen long ago.

“Very close. In truth the reason for the monkey's not becoming the members of the watch was not a failure, but simply because tigers have always been more comfortable in the night and the shadows. I chose them and the monkey's accepted the choice then. How they have fared since, I do not know.”

“I do not from personal experience either. I have no talent in walking the dream. I only enjoy the protections of my training.” Robert said. "However, the other Shamans with which I have learned from and trained under have told me that the Monkey's are not mere guardians the way we are, but warriors against the nightmares.”

“No few of them ones I caused I would surmise.” Luna sighed. “A thousand years, and still the consequences of my actions ripple.”

“We all deal with the consequences Princess, it's a matter of living. We make mistakes and we make amends.” Applejack said. "To err Equine, to forgive divine.” she quoted.

“Ah. Somehow, I knew those words would come back to bite me at some point.” Luna chuckled. Applejack wilted. "Worry not, the fault is mine for committing actions that fit such words.”

“Fah. The past is the past, and should be put behind us.” Robert said. "So long as we learn it's lessons.”

“That, I can say I have done.” Luna said. "Still, I believe I must atone to the Tigers for what I did to them.”

“For me, that you wish to make amends is enough. For the rest, that is a matter to take up with the Conclave.”

“The Conclave?” Luna asked.

“The leaders of the Tiger tribes. With no king, each rules his own tribe, but once a year they meet before the Shattered Throne and hold council with one another.”

“Tell me of this Shattered Throne. When last I knew them, the tigers paid homage to the Amethyst throne.” Robert coughed.

“'Tis one and the same.” he sighed. "During the upheaval, some thought the king should declare us for the Nightmare. Others thought we should fight for your sister to bring you down. And still more thought we should join with you that you might be restored still.” Robert's eyes grew distant. "Eventually we did nothing, and in the end, the matter was decided without us. However, the divisions between us ran deep. The battle ended when the king was killed. However, in the moment of his death, the throne broke, shattering into forty pieces. One for each of the tribes.”

“Yet something else my actions caused.”

“Get over it.” Robert growled the words. Luna recoiled. "Wallowing in sorrow does no one any good.” he softened his voice. “As I said, the past is the past. It has been and done, but nothing about the future is written. What happened to the throne is our doing.” Luna opened her mouth to speak. “That our loyalty was at the root does not give you cause to take responsibility for our actions.”

“That seems very... magnanimous of you.” Luna said.

“Enough mistakes were made for credit to be spread amongst all involved. There is no need for any one party to take too large a share of the blame.” he said simply. "Besides, sorrow at the actions of the past, will quickly be overwhelmed by joy at your return.”

“That did not happen here.” Luna said, remembering the events she'd been through since her return.

“Your complaints stemmed from the nature of ponies. Much has changed since those complaints were necessary. Then, the constraints of the time forced ponies to remain indoors at night. And now? Now there is light and life all the night.” Robert waved his paw at the street lights, and the couples strolling in the darkness. "They appreciate the night now like they never did before.”

“Tigers never feared the night.” Luna pointed out.

“Tigers have long been predators. We hunted in the night, and there were but few things which hunted us. Many of those that did found cause to regret it.” Robert shrugged. "In time, the ponies learned the same things. Even now, the guard actively hunts those things that would seek to hunt down ponies. The Long Patrol is known farther than you might suspect.”

“The Long Patrol? Applejack asked.

“The Long Patrol,” Luna replied. "is an organization of the Pegasi. They are warriors by tradition, and birth, and when the tribes first came together, they formed the patrol to go forth and hunt down beasts that would threaten those whom they had sworn to protect. Many was the time we would find them coming to our castle in the Everfree when it was not so controlled as it is now.” Applejack blinked. It was controlled now? Her mind reeled to think how it might have been. "They knew we were in residence and would come for healing and supplies. They are a hard breed, made harder by the job they do. When a patrol leaves, it is almost a funerary procession. Though only some returning is now less likely than before, it is a tradition and Pegasi are sticklers for such things. This makes it all the more joyous when a patrol returns alive and intact.”

“What's more the Long Patrol, when sighted, engenders a feeling of fear in wrong doers.” Robert said. "Those who know it's reputation know that only the fiercest of fighters join it. And only the fiercest of those survive. Many times, I have seen bandits, tiger, pony and griffon come from the forests, begging to surrender to us, rather than face the Long Patrol. Twice, I have seen a group who tried to fight them. For bandits, they acquitted themselves well, but the Long Patrol is just that, and they take no prisoners, nor do they give quarter.” Robert looked off into the distance. "I dreamed, as I grew, that someday I might join the patrol. They take non-pegasi now, seeing the value in having ground forces, as well as some to remain and watch the camps.”

“Why didn't you?” Applejack asked. "If that's what you really wanted?”

“It still is something I want. However, while I could still do it, it would mean putting my training on hold and I wish to become a Shaman more than I do join the Patrol.” he smiled. "Besides, being a Shaman does not preclude me from joining them, even if only for a time.”

“A noble ambition. When you complete your training, send me word. I happen to know well the commander of the Long Patrol.” Luna winked.

“I shall remember it.” Robert smiled, then he turned to Applejack. "I am sorry. We have come off of the track you started. You wished to talk to me, and I have not shut up since we arrived.”

“It's alright.” Applejack shrugged. "Listenin' is interestin' enough. Ah do want to talk though.”

“I am all ears.” Robert said.

“Not yet.” Dark blue magic cascaded across him, covering him from nose to tail with ears of all shape and size. "Now you are.” Luna laughed.

“Ha. Ha.” Robert said. He shook and the ears vanished. "Go on Applejack.”

“What ah wanted to say,” she talked over Luna's continued laughing. "was that ah'm sorry for the way ah've been actin'.” she paused and glared at the still guffawing Princess of the Night. "Princess? Are you alright?”

“Hmmm...” Luna seemed to realize she'd been laughing just a little too hard. "Oh, yes, quite alright. If you'll excuse me, I must... go polish the moon. Yes.” she stood, and strode out of the diner. The pair watched her go.

“Royalty is weird.” Applejack said, then looked around. "Umm...”

“She must be forgiven. Spending a thousand years on the moon, with no pony to talk to but the evil spirit that possessed you is probably not good for any pony's mental health.” Robert shrugged. "Besides, weirdness is part of the job description. I suspect it's on the application. Perhaps alongside: Must have own crown.” Applejack chuckled.

“Ah guess Twilight was born into it then.” she shook her head.

“Mmmm... Well, weirdness aside, I accept your apology. What's more, I understand your reasons. My uncle was killed by griffon brigands. I was too small to aid in the counter attack. I still find it hard to talk even to those griffon's I call friend, though my mind knows they had nothing to do with it, my heart still blames them.”

“Thank you. Ah guess my own heart is a little tougher to ignore than ah realized.”

“The head is strong, but the heart is often stronger. Coltaire, I believe.”

“Twi could probably give you the date he said it.” Applejack laughed.

---

Twilight walked to the palace, not really interested in flying, even if she hadn't had Spike along with her. The sooner she arrived, the sooner she'd have to ask her mentor about the events. Then she'd get answers. For some reason, this time she knew she would get answers. The question was whether she would like them. That she was not sure about. Navigating the palace was not quite as simple as it looked. Twilight had spent a lot of time there, and she knew that several of the passages looked identical. Except for the Royal Guard, the servants, and the permanent residents, Twilight and Spike were among the few who knew the intricate coding in the decorative facades to navigate around the palace. Indeed, it was a bit of a clever trick, since it made even seasoned palace workers appear to be in awe of the palace, when in fact they were simply looking at the writing on the wall.

Of course, there was a second trick, one used in emergencies, which was to simply follow the guards. Guards existed at every intersection, and were arranged in pairs by rank. One lower rank and one higher. The least secure areas would be guarded by a private and a corporal. The most secure would see Captains and Lieutenants. But more, their position would tell someone who knew the system, which way to go to find someone up the chain of command. From a Private/Corporal pair, one would always take the turn towards the lower ranked officer. Following that pattern would lead quickly to whatever princess happened to be awake and in charge at the time. Avoiding it, in case of compulsion or the feeling of being followed, such as by an invisible attacker or stalker, would lead the pony into a large group of guards. As the princesses moved around, so would the guards. The armor was all connected, both to one another, so they would know where and how to move, and to the captain of the guard and his armor, so he knew where each of his guards stood. It was, on the whole, possibly more complex than was necessary. Twilight had found several minor improvements, that she had suggested to her brother. He had taken some and discarded others. Such as alternating the ranking direction system, as being too confusing. Incorporating the ranks into the uniforms in such a manner as to be indistinguishable from the ornamentation, as with the palace facades, was implemented immediately. They still wore normal rank insignia, but if something was happening suspiciously, they could switch the obvious insignia and still confuse those who did not know about the armor.

Eventually, though sooner than she would have liked, Twilight found herself before the doors leading to Celestia's sleeping chambers. The guards held her for a moment. The Captain poked his head into the room, and said something, then retracted it, and motioned Twilight inside.

“Thank you Captain.” Twilight said as she walked inside. He closed the door quietly behind her. "Princess Celestia?” Twilight called into the shadows. Spike had elected to remain outside the room, stating that it was better if she talked to Celestia alone. She didn't see her mentor.

“On the balcony Twilight.” Celestia answered her call.

“Princess, can we. Can we talk?”

“Certainly. And Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Please don't call me Princess. For tonight, Celestia will do.”

“Thank you P-- Celestia.” Twilight swallowed her objections. Arguing over something so trivial was not the way to start this conversation. “Can I ask you a few questions about... the war?”

“You may. I am surprised your friends did not wish to join us.”

“They thought you might want to tell me things... 'meant only for the ears of princesses.” Twilight decided the phrase was good enough for the purpose.

“They would be right.” Celestia looked to the stars. “Ask your questions then Twilight, and I will answer them.” Twilight knew exactly where to start.

“How could you not know about what the Tigers were doing?” Celestia didn't look before answering.

“I did know. And there was nothing I could do.” Celestia turned to Twilight. "Before the breakout of open hostilities with the Tigers, we were already engaged in the second griffon war. I do not believe that the Tigers knew then about the war with the griffons, else things would have come to a head sooner. Some times I wish it had. As it was, I ended up spending far more resources bringing the griffons to the treaty table than I wanted. When that was over, it seemed that the tigers had stopped. I never quite found out what happened to stop it. It did co-incide with Black Tail taking the throne however. I suspect they were in a succession war.”

Twilight wasn't particularly happy with the answer, but she was willing to accept it. “You said you couldn't stop the sacrifice, why?”

“As I said, Black Tail was perhaps the single most stubborn being I have ever met. Multiply the stubbornness of your friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash. And then double it. And then you approach Black Tail.” Twilight did that in her head, and shuddered. “Yes. Tigers are honor bound, even more so than the old Pegasi clans. Knowing what his own species had done, was as painful to him, as losing any of my ponies is to me.” Celestia looked up. “You see the constellation Tigris up there?”

“Yes.”

“I added a star for Black Tail when he died. It seemed only fitting.” she looked back at Twilight. "There is a fact that you will not find in any of your history books. The leader of the rebel tigers who attacked the ponies, was Blood mane, Black Tail's brother.” she looked distant for a moment. “I participated in the battle. I hate to do it, because to do so causes me pain. The closer I am to my ponies, the greater the pain I feel. I felt pain then, and I had to intervene. I have not faced an opponent of such power until I matched myself against Chrysalis.” Twilight stared. "If not for Black Tail and his timely intervention, I do not believe I would have won.”

“Really? I 'm surprised.” Twilight said. "I mean. One tiger?”

“Indeed. Black Tail was also surprised.” Celestia shook her head. "I'm not sure why either. He was naturally reluctant to talk about it later.”

“That I understand.” Twilight said. "I bet it felt a little close to home.”

“It did. Definitely.”

“Did you kill him?”

“Blood mane?” Celestia said, then shook her head. "No. Black Tail would not allow it. He was the first of the sacrifices however.”

“You keep saying sacrifices, but what do you mean?” Twilight asked, concern evident.

“They were brought before the shaman who had come with Black Tail. Words were spoken, and then they were... the spirit was ripped from them somehow. For the rogues, it was painful. Fifty of them, one at a time, screaming in pain.” Celestia flattened her ears at the memory. She shook her head to let it loose. "The volunteers seemed to have it gentler, They lined up and all at once simply laid down and died. I do not know how it was done. And in all honesty, I do not care to find out.” Celestia shuddered. "Black mane, he felt, each and every one of their deaths. Just as I had felt the ponies, so he felt the tigers. When it was done, we retired to a tent they had set up between the armies.” she took a breath. "There, we comforted one another and took the opportunity to discuss a treaty.”

“Did you succeed?”

“That day? No. Though he was king, he could not universally decree a treaty. He had to take what we worked out back to the tribal leaders. It took us another ten years to hammer out the details. We did manage to successfully get a mutual defense pact against bandits, raiders and other minor beasts that first year. It turned out to be the only thing the leaders could agree on without meeting in Conclave.”

“Conclave?” Twilight asked.

“A yearly meeting of all the tribes before the Throne. Since all the tribes come together, it has the atmosphere of the yearly trade exchange.” Celestia shrugged. "The tribes trade goods and news while the leaders meet, and it ends with a feast.” she smiled.

“Sounds like a holiday almost.” Twilight said. "I'm surprised we don't have anything like that.”

“To be honest, I proposed something like it, but, well when the nobles got through with it.... it was completely unrecognizable. I finally put my hoof down and discarded the idea. Now we might be able to push it through.” she thought it over. "Perhaps it's for the best not to.”

“I doubt an end run around the nobles would win any friends.” Twilight considered it a moment. "Of course, now that Luna is back, we could make it a celebration of the night. Something to bring every pony out at night to appreciate the stars, and give them a reason to enjoy the night.”

“A curiously entertaining thought Twilight.” Celestia shook her head. "Now, back to the matter at hoof. Is there anything else you want to ask me?”

“Just one thing. Why is it stored in Luna's Vault?”

“Ah. The truth of the matter is that it's something which I am not at all proud of. So much loss of life because I could see no other way to appease Black Tail and his sense of honor. So I buried the evidence. Luna's Vault is intended for things which should, or must never again see the light of day. Pardon my pun.”

“Certainly.”

“Originally, the purpose of the vault was the containment of a certain class of magical artifice which derives power from my sun. By entombing them in the light filtered by it's reflection on the moon, they are both kept from accumulating enough power to be dangerous, but still given strength to remain potent.”

“Why?” Twilight was curious. "If they are that dangerous, why keep them at all?”

“The reasons are twofold. First, even the most dangerous could have use. One of these has the power to reshape destiny. Not merely displace it as Star-swirl's spell, but completely and utterly reshape the ultimate designs of the universe. And yet it is neither the most powerful, nor the most dangerous artifact. Think of the weakest unicorn you know, and compare them to the power of an Alicorn. It is as a guttering candle flame compared to the sun. There are artifacts contained within that vault that are the Sun to the Candle of the Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight stared at her for several long minutes, trying hard to comprehend such power. She failed. Celestia laid a hoof on her shoulders.

“Thus the reason for the vault.” Celestia said.

“You said twofold? The other?”

“Magic is Energy. This you know from your studies. What is the one thing you cannot do with energy?”

“Destroy it.” Twilight shuddered.

“Indeed. To destroy these artifacts would not only send out the energy contained within them, scattering to the winds, but it would also release the containing power. Imagine a power like Star-swirl's spell, dispersed to all the ponies in Equestria. Indeed, even Luna and I.”

As was only fitting, such a suggestion broke Twilight. Fortunately, Celestia was long experienced in calming the occasional fits of entirely justifiable, but overwrought bouts of mind-numbing terror Twilight exhibited from time to time. It took some skill and patience, but they were two things which Celestia had cultivated even before meeting her pupil, which had then been honed to a fine edge in dealing with said pupil. After perhaps ten minutes, Twilight had been reduced from full on panic mode, down to a simple, albeit continuous repetition of the word 'I'. A few minutes more had her at simple status quo neurosis.

“Which, in the end is why they are entombed, and not destroyed.”

“Yes, yes, I can see that now.” Twilight said, still twitching slightly. "Well, I suppose that's it then. I guess I should get back to my studies then. Seeing as I have reason to not sleep for oh, ever.”

“Worry not Twilight, I have kept these items safe all this time, I can continue to do so.” Twilight stared at her for a moment.

“Princess? I am A LIBRARIAN. I know how this story goes. You say that, then some new villain shows up with intimate knowledge of the place, steals some powerful doodad and wreaks havoc. Then the heroes, get a random power boost and destroy the enemy and it ends up being some super weapon that they use in every single book afterward.”

“I assure you that will not happen.”

“Okay.”