Princess Celestia. The mare of the sun. The respected and revered Mother-figure of all of Equestria. Many things are expected of such a pony, and as such, those expectations would often tire her. Such was the case today, for once the sun had begun to set, a long sigh escaped the white alicorn, and she took a moment to head on over to the large cushion she often sat upon when her day finally came to an end. She turned, looking to the roaring fireplace that had been blazing within her office for some time, enjoying the sight and the warmth of it in the quiet moments that followed. But, this solitude did not last, for there was a knocking upon her door. However, rather than feel irritated by this, a simple smile came to her lips, and she watched as the door opened. On the other side was one of her guards, who stood aside to allow entry to the ones who now came into view. Night Light, her Captain of the Canterlot Elite. Fancy Pants, the Mayor of Canterlot. And last but not least, Mr Morgan, the head of finance.

"Welcome."

Her voice had been soft and inviting, and all three stallions gave sweeping bows to her as they entered, with the aforementioned guard closing the door once they were all inside. Celestia, for her part, watched them carefully, seeing them take their respective places on similar floor-cushions, much like her own. And before long, they were with her, her closest advisors, and with a flash of her horn's aura, she conjured up the tea she'd been hoping for, which was graciously accepted by the three around her. They all gave her appreciative nods, taking sips at more or less the same time, all while Celestia watched. Finally, she took a sip of her own, clearly enjoying the taste of it, and as she did so, Night was the one to break the silence.

"Thank you for inviting us over, Princess."

But the older mare simply giggled to that.

"Oh, Night, how may times must I say? When we're in private, you can just call me Celestia."

A chuckle escaped him.

"Apologies, Prin...erm...Celestia. Old habits and all that."

Celestia nodded, watching him well. Night was ever the soldier, and as such he had chosen to come here still decked out in the armour of the Canterlot Elite, with its distinct purple hue. He was always on-duty, even during times when he was supposed to be relaxing, and while this was somewhat irksome to the Princess, she nevertheless allowed him to do so. Instead, she turned her gaze to Morgan, continuing her warm smile as she finally spoke up to him.

"How have you been, old friend? It's been a while since we spoke."

The old stallion smiled right back, resting one hoof upon his trademark cane.

"Oh, I've been well enough. Though I'll admit, I've been in something of a conundrum of late. It's my granddaughter's birthday soon, and I've been struggling to think of a gift for her."

Celestia nodded.

"Well, Diamond adores you, Morgan. I'm sure that, whatever you get for her, she'll love it."

Fancy looked over, letting out a sigh before speaking up himself.

"I'm in a similar spot myself, old boy. It's my anniversary next week and I cannot, for the life of me, think of what to get for Fleur."

Night nodded.

"I know the feeling. When Velvet still lived, we usually just went out to dinner somewhere nice. Getting gifts was always somewhat...difficult for us."

Raising a hoof to her mouth, Celestia stifled a giggle.

"I remember. You two were always so hopeless when it came to gift-giving. Like the time Velvet gave you a sweater with your own face on it?"

Night considered that, a nostalgic smile coming to him.

"Yes...good times."

There was an air of comfort around the four ponies after that, and as a silence fell over them, they all contented themselves with their respective drinks for the time being. But, after a while, there was another knocking upon the door, prompting Celestia to look up.

"Come in."

The door opened, and one of the servants, a unicorn mare, entered, bowing as she did so.

"Apologies for the interruption, Princess. It's just..."

She held up a small pile of documents and letters, and Celestia nodded, understanding.

"Not at all. Just leave them over here."

The mare smiled to that, following her instructions and setting the papers to one side, giving yet another bow before exiting the room. The three stallions watched as their monarch levitated paper after paper in front of her, stopping briefly at one in particular.

"Ah...from Cadence. Reports say that things seem to be cooling off with the Lunars in Ponyville. Twilight was even invited to a party there recently."

Night, looking up from his own drink, thought on that.

"My daughter...always trying her hardest to make friends."

Celestia's smile widened, and pride tinted her voice.

"Indeed...you should be pleased with her."

Night matched her smile.

"I'm always proud of her, Princess."

However, moments afterwards, Morgan spoke up.

"As happy as I am that things seem to be relaxing...we cannot discount the possibility that fighting might indeed occur between us."

Fancy looked to him, gaining a look of disapproval.

"I say, Morgan, now's hardly the time for such talk."

But Celestia raised a hoof.

"No, Mayor Fancy...he's not wrong to be worried. These may be peaceful times...but there's no guarantee that they will last."

Morgan nodded.

"Quite. And, as distasteful as it may be to say...you may one day be the one to have to declare war...should things go too far."

Celestia sighed, solemnity coming to her.

"I know...and I am prepared to do so...or possibly even suggest it...if the time comes."

But, rather than feel comforted by that, Morgan raised an eyebrow, speaking in a somewhat incredulous tone.

"...Would you?"

Celestia looked to him, surprised.

"I'm...I'm sorry?"

Morgan leaned forward.

"You believe the prospect of having war declared again them by Equestria might in some way deter them from some future terrible action?"

Celestia thought on that, nodding.

"Well...yes...I believe it would."

Morgan nodded.

"Very well...but why?"

"I beg your pardon?" Celestia asked.

"Why?" Morgan repeated.

"Well...because...they know war would be a terrible thing to go through, however strong they may be. And they know that I wouldn't sit idly by while they simply did what they wanted."

Again, Morgan nodded.

"...Do they believe that?"

Celestia, while startled at this forward tone by her Minister, said nothing, for it was Night who now answered, his voice one of clear anger.

"Be mindful of your words, Morgan. You're bordering on insubordination here!"

But Celestia looked to her Captain, speaking in that usual calming tone of hers.

"It's alright, Night...let him speak. I think...this is something that needs to be discussed."

Morgan gave her an appreciative nod, before finally carrying on as instructed.

"If it's any consolation, I doubt Queen Moon would simply try to annex all of Equestria. She can't even take hold of Griffonstone without a rebellion popping up. A small rebellion, true, but a rebellion nevertheless."

His eyes narrowed a little.

"So I take it you would use the threat of war against them only as a last resort?"

To that, Celestia regained her certainty, giving a nod.

"Yes...I would."

A pause, then Morgan continued.

"Then tell me...what is the last resort?"

And just like that, the Princess' certainty left her again.

"It...well...if they were to take action against us, obviously."

Hearing that, Morgan gave a nod, and slowly, he got to his hooves, though every movement clearly ached him in his old age. Resting most of his weight against his cane, he began to walk slowly around the other three ponies in the room.

"Action against us? In that case...here is the scenario."

He paused again, considering his words carefully before speaking aloud.

"A riot breaks out in Manehattan. Perhaps word of Captain Night's proposed conscription law has been made public, and the people are upset."

The nearby Captain frowned to that, but allowed his colleague to continue.

"There are buildings in flames. And the Lunars' emergency response teams journey across the Celestial Sea from Griffonstone to lend support and keep the fire under control."

He stopped, looking to the Princess.

Do you declare war?"

Celestia seemed aghast at that.

"What?! Of course not! They'd be coming over to help! After all, we helped them with their fire, so why can't they return the favour?"

Morgan turned, and he and Night shared a thoughtful look, before turning once more to the Princess.

"Fine then...but suppose Lunar soldiers come with them? Troops who seek to help Manehattan by rounding up the rioters for later imprisonment by the official Equestrian authorities? Lunars...arresting Equestrian citizens?"

Here, Celestia hesitated.

"Oh...um...that would be...rather more difficult to consider."

Morgan nodded.

"True...but suppose then that, after the riots have been quelled and the fires put out...that those Lunar soldiers remain? That they claim to be staying in order to prevent such a riot from springing up again? That they stay...just in case?"

Celestia looked down to her tea, looing more than a little thoughtful.

"Lunars...occupying Equestrian territory."

Night was the one who nodded to that one, adding his own voice to matters.

"That's right, Princess. I doubt your sister will simply invade Equestria...but she might exploit an opportunity to slip in without fighting. Remember..."

His eyes narrowed.

"...she did not take Griffonstone by force...but through invitation. One of their own opened the gates to them...and now they're theirs."

Slowly, Morgan turned from the Captain to his Princess.

"Celestia...I realise that such talk is unpleasant...but you must understand...opportunity is not something we can allow the Lunars to see."

Here, Fancy chimed in.

"As much as I wish it were not so...they speak truly, Princess. Ponies like myself...my wife...Morgan's granddaughter...even your apprentice...may depend on it. Though...I admit...I would be a hard choice to say the least."

Celestia let out a long and tired-sounding sigh, nodding in agreement.

"Yes. You know...say what you will about my sister..."

She turned, once more staring at those flames.

"...but she never had any difficulty...with hard choices."