The construction of Canterlot was proceeding at an incredible rate. The cliffside citadel would have taken centuries to construct during Celestia’s early reign, but in the age of technology it could be built within a matter of months. It now stood incomplete but nearly functional, rising from the ashes of Discordalot.

A new castle had been constructed, a seat of power for Celestia to rule over a world of eternal light and harmony. Much of the spires and architecture were still incomplete, but the castle was still functional. A force of guards had already been stationed there, as well as the majority of Celestia’s pre-war forces.

Among them was their commander, the Pegasus Hurricane. On that particular day, she had just begun her rounds through the halls for personal inspection after visiting her husband. The prolonged stasis in the moon had rendered him catatonic, save for brief periods where he would do nothing but scream. This had broken Hurricane’s heart, as had the fact that although their daughter had survived the war, her bloodline had been swayed to the side of Chaos in the intervening centuries. The rainbow-maned Watcher was proof of that.

The only thing that Hurricane could take solace in was the glory of the sun, and her duty as the general of Celestia’s army. That was all that held her together- -but even then, she had a strange feeling that something was horribly wrong. That something terrible was still on the horizon. She could see it in the empty, dead eyes of Celestia’s clone guards, and in every dark corner of the world where dissidents and madmares seemed to lurk.

In this state of through, Hurricane did not notice a subtle distortion of light as it moved across the ceiling. She had been trained to recognize invisibility spells, and her keen eyes were certainly able to detect them- -but she was not aware of the existence of polychromatic cloaks. Rarity had unknowingly created the first of them, and given it to Rainbow Dash without a thought of what it might eventually be used for.

The shape slipped by her easily, clinging to the ceiling and walls using a powerful gravity spell. Within seconds, it had passed by her toward the chambers within the castle. Within minutes, it had reached its destination: the chamber where Celestia stood, looking out over the highest balcony in the central tower down at her eternal kingdom below.

The cloaked figure approached, but Celestia spoke.

“Don’t think that I can’t see you, mage. I’ve known you were her since you set hoof inside my castle.”

“I know,” said Twilight, removing and discarding the cloak. Like its previous owner, it had served its purpose and ceased to be useful.

Celestia turned toward her. “So you have come to challenge me in the name of Discord, I presume?”

Twilight smiled and looked up at the Princess with bloodshot eyes. She had beheld few things in her life that were so beautiful as the solar goddess. “There is no Discord,” she said. “He is dead. You killed him.”

“I did,” said Celestia.

“So I have no reason to challenge you. In fact, I have a gift.” Twilight reached under her clothing and produced a heavy sack. She threw it on the ground, and the white unicorn head within rolled out onto the floor, leaving a trail of silver blood as it rolled to Celestia’s feet. Shining Armor’s eyes were still open, staring in fear and pain just as they had when Twilight had murdered him. Now, though, they looked up at Celestia without seeing.

Celestia looked at the head, and then at Twilight. “The prince of the Crystal Empire. For what do I need this?”

“You don’t. But I do.” Twilight pointed at the head. “That’s my bargaining chip.”

“Bargaining? For what?”

“My survival. I’m not a fool. I needed something to keep you from killing me. To give us a chance to speak.” She pointed at the head. “He is…well, was…my brother.”

“So? Is that supposed to impress me?”

“Of course not. But you need to understand the implications of it. Both he and I are nobles, the last two children of House Twilight. We are very old nobility.”

“I am aware of that,” said Celestia, darkly.

“And nobility often kill each other to gain position. With him dead, I become the heir to my family’s work, title, and wealth. And my actions are perfectly legitimate. By his position as a King, Sombra must accept that this is my right. I’m sure you’re familiar with the situation. It has barely changed since your time.”

“If that is true,” said Celestia, looking down at the head, “then you need to take responsibility.”

“Yes. The ritual of declaration is highly formalized. And I am prepared to do it. But I can’t if you kill me.”

“But what would that mean to me?”

Twilight smiled, knowing that this was the crux of her plan. “I left enough traces to indicate that Shining Armor’s murderer used a teleportation spell to get close to him. The only ponies that can use that spell are myself…”

“And my guards.” Celestia immediately understood. “If you do not claim responsibility, Sombra will assume that it was one of my assassins.”

“And you will be put at war with the Crystal Empire.”

“A war I could easily win.”

“Yes, but at what cost? Even if it’s just time, do you really want to fight that war now? Or would you rather let me live and let the world chalk this up to sibling rivalry?”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed at Twilight, but then she smiled. “I love it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Congratulations, scion of House Twilight. You have impressed me. All that you have accomplished, all with one simple action. You are indeed worthy of an audience with me.”

“Thank you, my Princess,” said Twilight, bowing.

“But,” said Celestia, her tone hardening slightly. “I can’t help but wonder what is so critical that you would kill your own brother just to ask it.”

Twilight could not stop herself from grinning madly. She removed her glove and held out her symbol-covered hoof. “Do you recognize this spell, Princess?”

Celestia looked at it. “It is Tartaran in nature…but not all of it. A combination of spells.” She looked up at Twilight. “The last time I saw many of them was when Starswirl the Bearded had created them.”

“I have studied his work for my entire life. This is the culmination of it.” She held up her hoof. “This is an immortality spell.”

Celestia took a long look at Twilight. “Immortality?”

“I have rejected everything that can bring me joy. I will never love, or be loved. I will never again have a friend. Because the only way to achieve this power is to leave such pointless things behind.”

“Unfortunately, this is true,” admitted Celestia. “My time in the moon taught me that. But you are not immortal at the moment.” She pointed at Shining Armor’s head. “You would not have brought me this otherwise.”

“No. Because the spell needs a final component.”

“Which is?”

“You.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Me?”

“Only a god can create a god. The spell is complete, but it needs an incredible amount of power to activate. A catalyst. I have considered every possible source, but the only one I have found is the magic of an alicorn.”

“And if I refuse? You will force me into war with the Crystal Empire?”

Twilight shook her head. “No. I will leave, and find another way.” She looked into Celestia’s divine eyes. “The choice must be yours. It has to be voluntary.”

“You realize that what you are asking is madness,” said Celestia. “Why would I give you such power? Even if it is possible, if you did complete Starswirl’s work, I would be creating a rival.”

“No. You would be creating a disciple.”

Twilight saw Celestia take a very thin inward breath. That was all she needed to know that she had won. “You would swear your allegiance to me?” asked Celestia. “But your loyalty to Discord- -”

“Was for my own gain. As is this. I will continue my research under you, and stand beside you as you become the Queen of Equestria. If you will have me.”

Celestia stared at Twilight for a long time, and Twilight began to sweat, wondering if perhaps she had internally proclaimed victory too early. After several minutes, though, Celestia smiled.

“I have been looking for one to stand with me. An alicorn to call my student. To enforce my rule as a Princess in my kingdom.” She sighed. “In other words, to replace Luna.”

“Your own sister?”

“She is my sister in the same sense that Shining Armor was your brother. She is as disgrace. It is because of her failure that we lost the War. And now she is without the power of the moon. She serves no purpose. I want a mare beside me who has the gall and power to be my equal.”

“I could never claim to be your equal.”

“No. Not in your current state. But in ten thousand years? Perhaps. I will teach you, and you will be my student.”

“Princess...”

“I consent to your plan. I like you, and I think I could learn to love you. I will grant you the boon of immortality, in exchange for your eternal allegiance.”

Twilight bowed deeply, a motion that concealed the toothy grin on her face. “Of course, Princess Celestia. There is nothing in this world that I want more.” n","se��-9�