Twilight was as giddy as a school-filly right now, waiting outside her front door at the Golden Oak Library. Spike was beside her, looking out into the streets, and appeared to be just as excited as she was. Neither of them said anything, but they kept their gaze onwards, watching every single pony that came within view. Then, after an almost agonizingly long wait, it finally happened for them. A lone figure crossed the horizon, heading straight for them. It was a unicorn stallion, blue in both fur and mane, and as soon as he saw the library ahead of him, and those who waited at its door, he smiled. Twilight, for her part, could contain herself no longer, and charged forward, with her adopted son close behind. The stallion chuckled at this sight, and within moments, Night Light was embracing his daughter for the first time in a very long while. Twilight almost had tears in her eyes at this reunion, and Spike's smile widened further once he'd actually reached the two of them. When they at last parted, Twilight was the one to break the silence.

"It's so good to see you again, Dad!"

Night nodded.

"You too, sweetheart."

His eyes drifted down to the young drake nearby, prompting him to give him a tender pat upon his head.

"And I see you’re getting taller, Spike."

The child laughed.

"Thanks, Grandpa!"

A long sigh escaped the older stallion, and he once more looked to his daughter.

"I can't tell you how much I've missed you. Both of you."

The look on Twilight's face made it clear that she too had missed this union, but, for the time being at least, she said nothing. For it was at this moment that her ears perked up to the sound of approaching hoof-steps. Turning, all three of them looked on to discover that it was none other than her brother, Shining Amour. He too smiled, albeit to a lesser degree than his sister, and Night, seeing him, stepped forward. The two stallions embraced, much to Twilight's delight, and when they moved away from one another, it was Shining who spoke first.

"Father."

Night nodded.

"Shining."

Twilight, still happy about all of this, soon drew her Father's attention.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to get Spike to school. He's late enough as it is."

Night gave an understanding look.

"Of course. I'll be here when you get back."

Spike slumped his shoulders.

"Awwww!"

But the older stallion simply chuckled.

"Don't worry, kiddo. I'm not going anywhere right now. We’ll talk when you get home from school."

That seemed to perk the young dragon up somewhat, but he said nothing, instead heading off to follow his Mother, who gave Night one last wave before setting off in earnest. He watched as his daughter and grandson moved further and further away, until they were, at last, out of sight entirely. This left him with his son, whose smile faded by the smallest amount.

"Well...shall we?"

He gestured to the library door, and Night nodded in response. So, the two stallions moved together silently, entering the library soon afterwards and closing the door behind them. Looking to the table in the middle of the chamber, Night could tell that Twilight had already prepared a tray of tea-cups for him, which he couldn't help but smile to. The two took their respective seats, choosing a cup for themselves and taking slow sips. Neither of them said a word, but even so, it was clear that they were both deep in thought. And this carried on for some time, until, finally, it was Shining who addressed his Father first.

"So...how's home?"

Night looked up from his tea.

"Things are fine back in Canterlot. I mean, obviously there's a lot of whispers and tension right now, and there are a few grumbles regarding our investigation into the Followers of the Sun, but it's nothing that we weren't expecting."

Shining nodded.

"And your work?"

Night sighed.

"It can get difficult at such times, I'll grant you. But, I've been in the Guard for most of my life, son, and I have no intention of letting a difficult period get me down."

His son considered that.

"Father...is it true?"

The older stallion raised an eyebrow.

"Is what true?"

Shining hesitated for a time, then finally got around to saying what he wanted to.

"Is it true...that you suggested to the Princess that Ponyville be abandoned in the event of war?"

Silence passed between them, and Night looked to his eldest with neither anger nor worry. Instead, he simply looked tired, as evidenced by the long sigh that escaped him. Gently, he placed his tea down upon the table, and he looked the other stallion right in the eye.

"So...you know?"

Shining nodded.

"Cadence received a number of documents from the Princess a while back. Instructions on what to do under certain circumstances. And one of those instructions..."

He narrowed his eyes.

"...was that the Guard's presence in Ponyville withdraw if outright fighting begins with the Lunars."

Night, gaining a rather steely look to him, nodded.

"Yes...that is the contingency."

Shining frowned.

"Then...you made that suggestion?"

His Father did not flinch.

"...I did."

Shining took a deep breath, exhaling just as overtly, before continuing.

"...Why?"

Night looked away, to the window, seeing the ordinary citizens of Ponyville going about their day.

"When I joined the Guard...I swore to do all I could to defend my people."

He turned back to face Shining.

"But I am also the head of Celestia's Elite, which makes me the leader of Equestria’s army. And that means that I have to look at the larger picture. And, like it or not..."

He matched his son's frown.

"...the larger picture paints a very clear picture of what will happen to this place if fighting begins. Out of the way and largely undefended...it will fall."

Shining took all of that in, then placed his cup down on the same table as his Father.

"Father...you know me. If you command me to leave this place...to leave its people to the Lunars without a fight..."

Night sighed again, giving a solemn nod.

"I know...you will refuse."

Shining too looked away.

"Treason or not...I cannot abandon anypony to an enemy. I swore to protect...and protect I will...even if I have to do so alone."

Night shook his head.

"You were always so...so stubborn."

A dry chuckle escaped the younger stallion.

"Well...you know what they say...like Father like son."

The two shared a laugh, but it was one devoid of humour or comfort. Neither of them was enjoying this talk, and they knew it. Even so, when the laugh died down, Shining regained his earlier seriousness.

"And Twilight? She is perhaps more devoted to peace between us and them than anypony else. And she has come to love this place. She too might stay."

Night, hearing that, looked more than a little angered.

"I have no intention of simply standing by while my little girl remains in harm's way. Forcing you to leave would yield me nothing...but her? With Twilight at least...she might see sense."

Shining shook his head.

"It's been a long time since you last saw her, Father. Much has happened to Twilight during her time here. She's grown braver, bolder. If you ask...she may refuse just as much as I would."

Night's frown deepened.

"In that case...whether she hates me for it or not...I may have to ignore her wishes."

Shining looked to him, shocked and angered in equal measure.

"So...you plan to force her to leave? And Spike too?"

Night glanced back down to his tea.

"Shining...your Mother...my beloved...she gave her life bringing your sister into this world. I will not let that sacrifice be in vain. If my actions allow Twilight to continue living...then it will be worth whatever scorn she bears towards me."

Again, there was nothing but silence between them, and neither even wanted to look at each other right now. But, as that moment passed, Shining let out the longest sigh yet, turning to look upon his Father once more.

"Dad...how likely is a war with them?"

Night too turned, his face one of sadness.

"I...don't know, son. I honestly don't know."

Shining opened his mouth to speak, only to be halted when, just then, the door of the library opened. Both stallions got out of their seats, and looked on to see that it was none other than Twilight herself. The young mare entered, giggling nervously, before taking a seat herself.

"Sorry I was a little late. I got caught up talking to Fluttershy at the school gates."

She levitated her own tea cup to her, blowing on it slightly before taking a sip. After letting out a contented sigh, she looked to the two stallions in her life, smiling all the while.

"So...what have you been talking about?"

Shining and Night looked to one another, and for just the barest of moments, didn't know what to say. Then, after a while, Shining spoke.

"We were just talking about your time here."

Night nodded, putting on a smile for his daughter's benefit.

"Indeed. There's a lot to get through after all."

Twilight's own smile widened.

"I’ll say! You wouldn't believe half the stuff that's happened since I got here!"

Leaning back into her chair, she let out a sigh of her own, still maintaining that smile as she did so.

"Still...it's been good here. I don't think I could give up Ponyville for the world."

Unbeknownst to her, her Father silently winced to that, but hid it well behind his smile.

"Well...that's good to know, sweetheart."

Ever since the anniversary celebration the Lunars had been through, there was an air of calm and relaxation in Ponyville that, in all honesty, they hadn't experienced since the days before the Embassy was even built. The Lunars, for all their discipline and intimidation, just didn't seem that terrifying to them at the moment. As such, things seemed good right now, and the pleasant and sunny weather they were experiencing certainty helped with that. Into this picturesque scene walked Spike, heading out of the Golden Oak Library with a chipper smile upon his face. He walked through the streets of the town, greeted warmly by many who passed him by, for they all knew the look of a child who was planning to have a long day of fun and play when they saw one. So, he sauntered on, looking forward to the day he had planned for himself, chuckling slightly as he, finally, looked down to the large scroll he'd been carrying with him since he left the library. Stopping for a while, he unrolled it, looking over the words that were written within.

"Okay now...play-date with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo? Check!"

His smile widened.

"Alrighty then! We've got a good long day together. We'll go looking for frogs in the pond, fly our kites, head on over and play hide-and-seek in the woods, and then we can..."

But, he was interrupted when, just then, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

"Good morning, Spike!"

Turning, the young drake smiled when he saw that it was his teacher, Cheerilee.

"Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!"

The mare giggled to this, smiling to him as she finally reached him.

"I take it you've got your day all planned out?"

He gave her a little salute.

"Yes, Ma'am!"

She nodded to that.

"Very good. I hope you've made enough time to finish your homework at the end of it though?"

The youngster gave a slight blush to that.

"Sure!"

Cheerilee, satisfied with that answer, began to move off.

"Well, don't let me keep you! Have fun with Sweetie Belle!"

Spike smiled back to that, giving a brief wave. But, as he began to turn, he stopped. Confusion took hold of him, and he then darted back around and called out.

"Um...Miss Cheerilee?"

The mare halted, looking back to him.

"Yes, Spike?"

He nervously poked the ends of his fingers against one another before continuing.

"I...er...did you say...Sweetie Belle?"

Cheerilee raised an eyebrow.

"Well...yes? Remember, you were saying in class the other day how you'd arranged to meet with her?"

Spike blinked slowly, then let out a nervous chuckle.

"Oh! Yes! Silly me! Just checking, so...um...thank you!"

Though Cheerilee was, of course, a little uncertain towards the tone he'd said that in, she nevertheless offered a smile, before promptly heading back where she'd been going. Spike stood there, continuing to wave goodbye to her, but, as soon as she was far enough away, he yanked out his scroll and began to frantically look through it. He looked and looked, until finally, he saw it. There was indeed a day planned to spend time with Sweetie Belle, and as he looked to the date, he saw, to his utter horror that it was today. And then, just to double-check, he looked over to his assigned notes of spending time with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Again, the date matched. He had, without even knowing it, made arrangements to spend the day with all three of them. Looking up, he began to pant furiously.

"Oh...oh no!"

He began to pace up and down in that spot.

"What...what do I do?! I already told Apple Bloom and Scootaloo that I'd hang out with them today!"

Worry grew in his expression.

"I can't just cancel! They'll be so upset! And Scootaloo always looks forward to this! I can't look at her being sad! Not her! She might never want to see me again!"

Stopping, his eyes widened.

"But if I say that to Sweetie Belle...she might think I'm trying to get out of spending time with her!"

He gasped.

"And her Mother is the Ambassador! So she might take it as an insult!"

Nerves took hold of him, and he began to bite the ends of his claws.

"This could lead to a break down of diplomatic relations! The Lunars will say we snubbed them! Tensions will rise! Ponies will start getting angry at each other! Things will go under within days! And before long, they'll have declared war on one another!"

He continued to pant heavily.

"Gah! What am I going to do?! There's going to be war, and it'll be all my fault! Why...why..."

He dropped to his knees, balling his claws into fists and shaking them up at the heavens.

"...WHY DIDN’T I DOUBLE-CHECK MY SCHEDULE?!?!"

Then, as he was doing this, a local stallion walked by, looking to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Um...you okay there, kiddo?"

"NO!!!...AND ALSO THANKS FOR ASKING!!!" Spike replied.

The stallion blinked.

"Er...okay then?"

And then he walked off, leaving the young drake all by himself. Slowly, he started to catch his breath, getting to his feet again and, like before, starting to pace.

"Okay, Spike. Calm down. You've still got time to figure this out. I mean, it's not like the girls are going to show up early or anything!"

"Hey, Spike!"

And just like that, the colour drained from his face. He snapped his head to the side, just in time to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo walking over to greet him. But, that was okay, he thought to himself. He could work with this. Sweetie Belle wasn't here yet after all.

"Hi, Spike!"

Well, it was official. The world hates him. He turned again, seeing that Sweetie Belle was indeed coming over. The young dragon looked to her, then to the other two, and back and forth, before finally starting to have a panic attack, breathing heavily and looking like he might collapse at any moment. And it was while he was doing this that the girls finally reached him and, as one would expect, they were a little unsure of how to respond to him as he was doing all of this. They looked to each other, hoping the other side would have answers, only to see them shrugging their shoulders. In he end, Apple Bloom reached forward, giving him a gentle poke on the side.

"Er...Spike?"

With that, he was brought back to a functioning mental state, looking to all three fillies and speaking up in a clearly nervous manner.

"Oh! Hi! Erm...well...nice day, isn't it?"

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow.

"Spike...is somethin' goin' on?"

Again, panic set in, and this time, he simply didn't have the mental ability to hold it back any longer, He turned to Sweetie Belle, dropped to his knees, and clasped his claws together.

"Please don't let your Mother declare war!"

Of course, Sweetie Belle didn't really know how to take that.

What?! Spike, what are you talking about?"

So, he began to explain.

"I was planning on spending time with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo today, but I totally forgot that I was supposed to play with you today too! And I know that if I cancelled with you, then your country would feel insulted, and everypony would start fighting!"

He stopped, taking a moment to catch his breath after that rant, all while the surrounding fillies looked to one another. Then, after that long and uncomfortable silence, Spike began to hear, to his surprise, all three of them start to giggle. He looked to them all, showing clear confusion, which eventually prompted Sweetie Belle to speak up.

"Oh, Spike! You're so silly!"

Still laughing, Apple Bloom chimed in.

"Ah'll say! Y'all didn' jus' think ta ask us ta all play together?"

Spike opened his mouth, ready to give a reply, only to have that scenario play out in his mind. Then, ever so slowly, he paused, a look of obvious embarrassment coming to him.

"Oh...that...yeah...that would kinda be the better choice, huh?"

The three fillies nodded, and even Scootaloo, silent as she was, gave the young drake a look that overtly showed how ridiculous she thought he was being. Chuckling nervously, Spike scratched the back of his head, then let out a deliberate cough.

"So...um...to the pond?"

The three fillies, still regarding him with amused expressions, nodded in agreement, and together, they began to make their way off in that very direction. But, after a few steps, Spike looked over to Apple Bloom.

"You, er...you're gonna remember this for a while, aren't you?"

Chuckling, the little earth pony gave him a pat on the head.

"Fer years, friend."

Though the soldiers of Equestria had come to realise that they were, perhaps, not the best combatants ponykind had to offer, that did not stop them from wanting to be as good as they could be. Nowhere was this more evident than among the barracks of the Canterlot Elite. These were Equestria's best of the best. The mares and stallions hoof-picked from other squads and divisions across the land to serve as the most able and trusted troops of their nation. Their goal? To protect and serve not only Princess Celestia but the great capital city of Canterlot. Training was often rigorous, and many would often end the day feeling exhausted and drained. But, such was the mark of a day well spent, or, at least, that's what they often told themselves. For Vapour Trail, her recent exertions since being chosen into this select group of ponies was becoming as clear as day upon her face, and as she placed her armour away in her locker for the day, she let out a long and tired-sounding sigh.

"Okay...up early tomorrow. Patrols on the western side of the city...then a debriefing with Captain Night...then extra drills with the squad...is that everything?"

She looked to the interior of her locker door, seeing the list of duties and day-plans she'd made for herself. Sure enough, her recollections matched the scrawls she'd put there, and she gave a brief nod to it. But, as her eyes slowly turned away from that, she started to bear a slight grimace. For there, right at the back of her locker, was a mirror, and her reflection was not exactly looking ship-shape right now.

"Ugh! My mane's a mess right now!"

Letting out another sigh, she reached into her locker, pulling out a small comb and starting to get to work on her unkempt mane.

"Why...why do those helmets always have to make this so...ugh!"

She grunted as she tugged on one particularly stubborn knot in her mane, and as she did so, she accidentally let her comb slip out of her hoof. Her eyes widened as she saw it fly off through the air, heading straight to the side, wherein it then collided with the still-worn helmet of another of her colleagues. She took on a look of worry as she watched this other cadet, a pegasus stallion, look down to the comb upon the floor. Taking off his helmet, he revealed himself to have a dark-blue mane, which contrasted heavily against his yellowy-orange fur. However, contrary to what Vapour might have suspected, he did not seem in any way irritated as he picked up the comb. Instead, he looked to her with a smile, walking over to her and offering it back to her.

"Drop this?"

Letting out a clearly-stressed exhale, Vapour accepted it, looking to the stallion with a more relaxed expression.

"I'm so sorry about that!"

But the stallion chuckled.

"No problem. Happens all the time."

Still smiling, he reached out, offering his hoof.

"Flash Sentry."

Relaxing a bit more, Vapour accepted the offered hoof.

"Vapour Trail."

Flash nodded.

"We haven't spoken yet, but I've heard about you. You joined about a month after me, right?"

Vapour nodded.

"Yeah, it...it was kind of a surprise."

The stallion chuckled.

"Yeah, tell me about it. One minute, I'm doing patrols around Cloudsdale, and the next, I get an invite from Captain Night Light himself."

He looked away, bearing a slightly embarrassed look to himself.

"You should have seen the look on my face when I got the news. I think my jaw might have fallen all the way down to the ground that day. And remember, I was in Cloudsdale, so that's a long way down!"

Raising a hoof to her mouth, Vapour stifled a giggle to that. But, she said nothing, watching as her colleague continued to speak.

"And you? I don't think I heard how you got the Captain's attention."

To that, Vapour's smile was replaced with a less-than-happy look.

"Oh...it's...not that good of a story."

Flash tilted his head, showing confusion, and looked on as the mare turned to her locker, letting out a sigh that was tinted with a degree of sadness.

"The day the Captain accepted me...my best friend was arrested for corruption. He lost his posting in the Guard of Manehattan. And...I haven't seen him since."

The stallion's face softened, and his ears drooped somewhat.

"I'm...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

Bit Vapour shook her head.

"Don't worry. Sky brought it on himself. I kept telling him he should stop, that he should walk away...but he just kept on doing it. And now...?"

She didn't finish, instead slowly and solemnly closing her locker. Flash, seeing that she was clearly upset, gently placed a hoof upon her shoulder, gaining her attention.

"I know that can't have been easy...but we can't control what other ponies do."

Vapour nodded.

"That's what I keep telling myself. Captain Night said he accepted me into the Elite because I showed loyalty to my friend...that it was a worthy trait."

Her grimace returned.

"But if I'd have been truly loyal...I would have done more to stop Sky before things got too far."

Flash nodded.

"Maybe...or maybe he would have still ignored you. We can't ever know what might have happened, and second-guessing ourselves only drives us nuts."

A chuckle escaped him.

"At least...that's what the Captain says."

Vapour giggled.

"Not a bad way to think about it."

Flash again nodded, and in the silence that followed, he got back to doing what he'd been doing before he noticed Vapour. He went to his locker, removed the last pieces of his armour to place within it, then closed said locker tightly. Once that was done, he let out a sigh, clearly feeling better about the day's work being done, before looking once more to his latest colleague. A warm and friendly smile came to him, and he walked over to Vapour yet again. She looked to him, with that smile of his, and listened as he spoke in an upbeat tone.

"So I was watching you fly around during our training session earlier. You were pretty good."

A blush came to the mare at that.

"Oh, you're just saying that."

But Flash shook his head to this display of modesty.

"No, I mean it! I've been here long enough to know good fliers when I see them, and you definitely qualify!"

She looked to him, her expression and tone reflecting clear and open appreciation for those words.

"Thanks...but...Captain Night still says we have a long way to go."

Flash nodded, agreeing.

"True...but from what I hear, he's always been like that. Old soldier and all that."

The two shared a laugh together, which ended when Flash, after looking around themselves for a moment, spoke up again.

"Although...I hear his daughter's coming to town in a few days. So we can probably count on him being a bit more relaxed."

Raising a hoof to her head, Vapour wiped away some of the sweat that still lingered upon her brow.

"Phew! That’s good to hear!"

Again, the two shared a laugh, and, saying nothing, they began to head off together, soon exiting the locker room of the barracks.

"So...you’re a Cloudsdale native too?" Vapour asked.

Flash's chest swelled with a little pride.

"Yes, Ma'am! Born and bred!"

Vapour looked ahead, looking like she was growing somewhat nostalgic.

"Do you remember that old stallion who used to bake those nice muffins during the summer months?"

Flash nodded.

"Oh yeah, those were good. Shame he retired though."

Then, he looked as though he'd just had an idea, and looked to his companion with enthusiasm.

"You know...I know a donut place here in Canterlot that serves some pretty good stuff too. Wanna check it out?"

Vapour considered that, and while it was clear that she had not been expecting such an invitation, she nevertheless seemed pleased at the prospect.

"Alright then, Mr Sentry...it's a date."

A blush came to Flash after having heard that, and Vapour, upon realising what she'd just said, matched that blush.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean...!"

"No, it's fine! I mean, not that I wouldn’t be interested, but..." Flash countered, sounding just as panicked.

A silence passed, and after looking to each other, they soon broke out into a joint laugh over that silly moment just now, culminating in a simultaneous sigh.

"So...donuts?" Flash asked.

Giggling again, Vapour nodded.

"Yeah...I think I could use one."

Though Ponyville had been Twilight's home for a good long while now, some part of her would always long for Canterlot. The city of her birth, and the place she'd spent most of her life. As such, she would always have a smile upon her face whenever she had the opportunity to visit the place, and today was no exception. Sitting in a place that she had often frequented back during her time here, the local café, she looked out of the nearby window with a warm expression. The streets, the houses, the ponies who would occasionally pass them by, she knew them all. It brought good memories to her, feelings of belonging. And while she could honestly say that she loved Ponyville, there was no denying that being here simply brought joy to her. But, her nostalgia trip was soon interrupted, for the sound of somepony clearing their throat caused her to turn to the side. A nervous smile came to her, as she looked to those who sat around he table. Moondancer, Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts. All of them regarded her with friendly smiles, and before long, Moondancer broke the silence between them.

"So, happy to be back?"

Twilight nodded.

"I am. It's...nice."

Before anypony could say anything else, however, one of the nearby waitresses finally arrived, using her horn to levitate a silver tray of the food and drinks they'd ordered. Milkshakes, donuts, cakes and an assortment of other goodies were placed before them, and several of the mares licked their lips at the sight of it. Twilight gave an appreciative nod to the mare who’d brought it to them, and watched her go before turning once more to her friends.

"I have to say...I missed you all."

Minuette chuckled.

"And we missed you. And Spike too!"

A giggle escaped Twilight at that.

"Yes. I'm sure he would have loved to have seen you all again, but his Grandfather promised to take him on a tour around the Guard barracks, so..."

Twinkleshine raised a hoof, stopping her.

"Oh, don't worry about it. We can always see him again later. Let's just let him have his fun for now."

Twilight considered that, smiling to her old friend, before promptly taking a deep sip of her milkshake. The other mares did the same, and before long, it was obvious to all that they were enjoying what they'd just tasted.

"Oh yeah, I needed that!" Lemon Hearts remarked.

Minuette nodded in agreement.

"Same here! I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been trying to get away for one of these beauties for a long time!"

Twilight thought on that, looking down to her drink.

"Yeah...it's always nice to have a break every now and again."

Moondancer looked to her, seeming curious.

"So...how is Ponyville doing these days? Word on the street is that it's pretty hectic."

Twilight giggled, looking to her similarly-spectacled colleague.

"Believe me, a lot of the rumours are exaggerated, Moondancer. The Lunars aren't keeping captive dragons as guard-dogs, and there's no constant lightning and storm-clouds over their Embassy."

Minuette slumped her shoulders after hearing that, her tone one of disappointment.

"Awww! I would have liked to see that!"

The other mares laughed at her comment, which she herself soon joined in on. But, as that laughter died down, Twilight sighed.

"In truth...things are calming down. Everypony was worried the Embassy fire would cause war, but...I think they want to avoid that as much has we do."

Twinkleshine leaned forward.

"I hear we have you to thank for that."

Twilight blushed.

"Oh...I just do what I can."

Moondancer looked to her with more seriousness.

"Twinkle isn't wrong, Twilight. Remember, I know how much people here look down on you for trying to reach out to the Lunars."

Hearing that, Minuette frowned.

"Oh yeah! That jerk of a waitress who called you traitor, right? I hear she got fired for that after you left the restaurant!"

Lemon let out a brief "huff" to that.

"Serves her right! You didn't deserve that kind of treatment, Twilight!"

Twilight raised a hoof, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Thank you all...but I try not to let things like that bother me."

Moondancer sighed.

"Well...as much as I wish it wasn't the case, things over on this end are still a little tense. There have been Guard patrols trying to find members of the group who arranged that Embassy attack. It hasn't been going well."

Twilight looked to her, curious.

"The Follows of the Sun? How's it been going?"

There was an air of discomfort around the table at that.

"Barely any progress has been made. Nopony can ever seem to catch the ones who do all that anti-Lunar art around town," Minuette began.

"And trying to find anypony who's planning to do another attack, if there is one, has been pretty hard. Impossible even!" Lemon added.

"Plus, ponies aren't liking the Guard asking them questions and making them feel like they're suspects. I mean, I know the Guard don't intend to make them feel that way, but still..." Twinkleshine concluded.

Hearing all of this, and seeing the less-than-happy looks on her friend's faces, Twilight let out a deep sigh.

"I'm...I'm sorry. This was supposed to be a happy get-together, and I've just...made things uncomfortable."

Then, to her surprise, there was a round of laughter to that, and afterwards, it was Moondancer who spoke to her, gently placing a hoof upon her shoulder as she did so.

"Oh, Twilight...this is a happy time. We're glad to see you again!"

Minuette nodded.

"Yeah! I mean, it's not your fault all this super-negative stuff is going on!"

Twinkleshine giggled.

"Besides, you're our friend! It's always good to have you nearby!"

Taking all of that in, Twilight soon gained a look that made it clear to everypony that she was truly touched by what they'd said to her. And she bowed her head slightly, her voice one of honest appreciation.

"Thank you, girls, I...I appreciate that."

In response, the mares all took hold of their milkshake glasses, raising them up towards her, and Twilight, seeing this, giggled slightly before taking her own. Together, they gently clinked them against one another, before all taking gulps of their shakes at the same time. They drank so hard, in fact, that before long they'd downed the entire thing, setting their glasses down and looking, understandably, pretty pleased with themselves.

"Oh yeah, I so needed that!"

Again, they laughed, and again, Twilight began to feel more than comfortable in being here with her old classmates.

"Yeah...it's good to be home."

But, after having said that, she looked on with slight surprise to see Minuette leaning forward, a sly smirk upon her face.

"So...about Spike."

Twilight titled her head, showing confusion.

"Um...what about him?"

Minuette rolled her eyes.

"Well...what's this we hear about him getting all cute and cosy with the daughter of the Lunar Ambassador?"

Twilight, looking rather surprised by that, opened her mouth to speak, only to be stopped from responding when Lemon looked to Minuette with confusion.

"Wait, really? I heard he was hooking up with some quiet pegasus filly called Scooty or something?"

But then, Twinkleshine shook her head.

"You're both wrong! Spike's crush is a little farmer filly with a red mane!"

Then, after glaring at one another for a time, all three mares looked to Twilight.

"Well, Twilight? Who is Spike's new girlfriend?" Minuette demanded to know.

Naturally, Twilight had no idea how to react or respond to any of this, and so soon turned to Moondancer for help. But, the other mere simply chuckled, shrugging her shoulders and leaning back into her chair.

"Hey, don't look at me, Twilight. You’re Spike's Mom here, remember?"

With that, Twilight simply sighed, looking just the tiniest bit irritated.

"You know...maybe there was a reason I've been staying away from Canterlot for so long."

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."

Now, nopony ever expected someone with a high government position to ever have a completely stress-free life, but even so, the look of utter tiredness upon Gabby was as clear as day. Looking down at her desk, the former Queen of Griffonstone was writing on paper after paper, all while the sound of her wall-clock permeated the room. Around her were members of the Lunar Guard, disciplined and professional, keeping watch so as to ensure that no harm came to her. She felt safe, but also exhausted, as evidenced by the long sigh she'd let loose every once in a while. But, there came a time when her work was, to her great relief, finally done. The papers were finished, at least for now, the requisitions complete, and at long last, she could relax. Leaning back into her chair, she let out a sigh that was far deeper than before, covering her eyes and giving them a slight rub. And it was in that moment when the door of her office opened, catching her attention. Lightning Dust, her closest aide and the Captain of her personal guard, entered, a confident smile on her as she did so.

"Finished, Governor?"

A dry chuckle escaped the Griffon.

"It took a while, but yeah."

Lightning nodded, then gave a look to her subordinates. Many of them gave instinctive salutes to their Captain, before marching in an orderly fashion out of the office. Within moments, the door was closed, and the two females were now alone together. Again, Gabby let out a long exhale, and this prompted Lightning to raise an eyebrow.

"You look terrible."

Gabby nodded in agreement to that.

"You don't need to tell me, Lightning. All this work..."

Lightning gained a somewhat sympathetic expression to her.

"I know Lunar documents can be difficult to get through sometimes, but..."

However, Gabby soon shook her head.

"No! This was Griffonstone paperwork!"

Raising her claw, she gestured not only to the pile of papers she'd just worked through, but also the subsequent piles that littered the other side of her office, reaching high enough to almost reach the ceiling. Lightning, as one would expect, seemed rather taken aback by this.

"Wow, that's...um...quite a lot."

Gabby gave her a deadpan look.

"Yeah...I know."

Chuckling nervously, the usually-confident mare walked over to the papers, giving them a quick glance before looking to the young Governor.

"These papers...they're dated all the way back to your Father’s reign. Actually..."

She squinted at some of them.

"...I think I see some from the time of his Father!"

Leaning back into her chair, Gabby gave a solemn nod.

"Yeah...let's just say my Father wasn't the first Griffon King to neglect his duties."

Very carefully, Lightning chose one piece of paper in particular, looking to it carefully and reading its title aloud.

"Requisition for additional materials for...sewage repair?"

Gabby nodded again.

"Yep. That one got ignored for a long time. It's only now that the work is getting underway."

Lightning looked to her.

"Yeah...I wasn't going to say anything, but...that smell really didn't make my early days here that great."

Turning, Gabby looked out of her window, out into the main street of Griffonstone. Sure enough, she could see several of her kind out there, digging up roads and doing all they could to repair the pipework underneath. A smile came to her beak as she considered that.

"Griffons working hard...fixing infrastructure...I honestly never thought I'd see the day."

Putting the paper down, Lightning walked beside her, looking out of that same window. For a time, neither said anything, but after a while, the green mare turned to face her.

"Do you miss it? Being Queen?"

Gabby frowned to that.

"The crown of Griffonstone was an empty ornament long before I ever took it. It was once a symbol of a monarch’s duty to their people...but by the time my Father wore it...all it was to the people was a symbol of those...who didn't care."

She looked to her colleague.

"Believe me...nobody in this country is going to miss royalty here."

Lighting thought on that, giving a short nod. But, before she could say anything further, they were both taken aback at the sound of somebody knocking on the door. Turning together, they looked on as a younger Griffon female began to enter, carrying a tray that bore a pot of tea, complete with an already-filled cup beside it.

"Shall I leave this here, Governor?" the female asked.

Gabby nodded.

"Yes, thank you, Gilly."

The other griffon gave a slight bow, then placed the tray to the side, before promptly leaving the office, closing the door as she did so. Now once more alone, the two made their way over to the tea, and Gabby then poured a second cup, offering it to her Captain. Though Lightning might not have been the kind of mare who usually went for tea, she nevertheless accepted, giving an appreciative smile. Before long, the two were taking simultaneous gulps of their respective drinks, all while Gabby had a thoughtful look to her. She moved her cup about in her claws, watching the drink sway from one side to another, before frowning slightly.

"...Did you know I'm a bastard?"

Lightning looked to her, surprised.

"Oh...I'm sure you needn't pay attention to whatever insults your country's malcontents have for you."

But Gabby raised an eyebrow to that.

"No...I mean I'm a literal bastard. As in, my Father never married my Mother?"

Understanding, Lightning chuckled, scratching the back of her head nervously.

"Oh...right...sorry."

But Gabby seemed in no way insulted by her misinterpretation, and instead simply sighed.

"My Father...he liked his females. Often he would go out into the city and frequent the taverns. One night, he came upon my Mother, who was a serving girl, and...well...I don't need to explain what my Father would have wanted of her that night."

Lightning nodded, though it was clear that the conversation had taken a somewhat uncomfortable turn for her. Even so, she remained quiet as the Governor continued.

"Some months later...my Mother got me. My Father..."

She narrowed her eyes.

"I never knew him...at least at first. Mother and I lived in...well...let's just be generous today and call it a hovel."

Slowly, she raised a claw to her own head, patting the top of it.

"I still remember the drops that would come through our ceiling and land on me when it rained."

She turned, looking out of the window.

"One year...Mother got sick...and I was, I think, about four or five at the time."

Sadness came to her.

"She died...and I was all alone."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Then...he came. My Father."

Lightning could feel the resentment in her voice, but stayed quiet all the same.

"He never helped her...he never came to speak with her...he just picked me up after she'd died. He'd never managed to get any children from other Griffon females of the city...so I was..."

A dry laugh escaped her.

"...I was the lucky one."

At last, she turned to look back to Lightning.

"He finally brought me into his life. Made me his heir. I was the only child he'd ever had. The one to be able to carry on the great and noble bloodline of Griffonstone's royal family."

Her grip of her cup tensed.

"But my start in life...it made me very aware of what state our people were in. Squalor...illness...all while ruled by a King who couldn't care less. He only ever came for me because he couldn't get himself a more...more suitable child."

The bad feeling was almost palpable in the air right now, and even Lightning, battle-hardened as she was, couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable right now. But, as the moments passed, Gabby's expression relaxed, and she let out a long sigh once more.

"But...if nothing else...my Father did put me in a position to be able to do what I've done. To take actions that have benefitted my people. Spending the rest of my childhood in this palace made me very aware of how things in this kingdom have gone...and what needed to change."

Slowly, a smile came to her, and she looked to her window yet again, raising her cup to it.

"No Griffon child has raindrops falling on them now, do they?"

Lightning too smiled, and as Gabby looked back to her, she finally managed to get a word in.

"You may be the first leader in your people's recent history to actually care about what they go through. Heck, you've been through it yourself. No offense to your Father..."

"Oh, by all means, offend him. I won't mind," Gabby interrupted.

Lightning blinked.

"Um...well...the point is...there may be those in your kingdom who resent you, they may look down on you for bringing my people in...but I have no doubt that you have their best interests in mind. Thanks to you...this kingdom isn’t falling apart anymore."

She placed a hoof upon her shoulder in a comforting manner.

"You're doing good, Governor. Never tell yourself otherwise."

Gabby smiled to her, clearly appreciating that.

"Thanks, Lightning. It's...nice...to have someone say that to me every once in a while."

Lightning nodded back to her, but again, she said nothing, for the door of the office once more opened. Both females turned, just in time to see one of the Lunar guards poke his head in.

"Apologies for the interruption, Governor...but word has come from your Father. Apparently the winds we went through the other day rather did a number on the garden outside his retirement villa, and he...well...requests that somepony go over to give him some new trees."

Gabby sighed, a look of tiredness once more returning to her, after which she gave her Captain one last dry laugh.

"Well...can't have the great King Grover the Twelfth without his trees, now can we?"

Hearing the obvious sarcasm there, Lightning chuckled.

"We'll see it done, Governor. And then..."

A sly smirk came to her.

"...how about we poke a few holes in his ceiling...for when the rains come? Just for a little while?"

Slowly, Gabby matched her smirk.

"Yes...that would be nice, wouldn't it?"

Ever since she'd first arrived in Ponyville, Twilight had done everything she could to try and make friendships and forge bonds with the ponies she met. Today she was continuing this work by helping out her friend, Applejack. In the pleasant weather of the day, the two mares were hard at work in the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, with Applejack herself doing her usual thing of bucking trees and smiling proudly when the apples fell into their basket. But, while the earth pony would have usually preferred doing things manually, there was no denying that having Twilight's magic around was useful. With every flash of her horn, the young unicorn would teleport an entire tree's worth of apples down into the baskets below, almost effortlessly, much to her delight. But, there came a time when both mares needed a break from such work, and Applejack gave a hearty whistle to her friend, calling her over. Twilight smiled upon her approach, seeing that Applejack had prepared a pair of large flagons filled with cider. Taking it, she raised the drink to her friend, which Applejack mirrored before the two took a gulp.

"Very good," Twilight commented.

Applejack chuckled.

"Eyup! Won't find none better than that, Twi!"

Twilight giggled, nodding in agreement, before turning her eyes downwards, to the basket by Applejack's hooves.

"We picked up quite a few today."

Applejack looked down to her fruits, smiling as she did so.

"Yep. Although..."

She reached down, picking up one in particular that she seemed to view with a deal of scepticism.

"...if ya look hard enough..."

Sure enough, a small worm started to poke its head out of the apple, much to Applejack's chagrin.

"...there's always a few bad ones in the bunch."

Sighing, the farmer flung the apple in the air, putting her flagon down briefly before giving said fruit and almighty buck of her back legs. It was sent flying far away, with a speed almost unmatched, but while Applejack would have normally been proud of such a feat, things didn't go the way she planned. For as that apple eventually landed, near a big bush by a particular collection of trees, a voice called out.

"OUCH!!!"

Naturally, both Applejack and Twilight turned, just in time to see, of all people, Pinkie Pie emerge from the bush, rubbing her head. She was so far away that she hadn't noticed Applejack or Twilight, and the latter two, after giving each other a look, started to head on over, no doubt to ask her why she was here. But, as they drew nearer, they also saw, to their surprise, that Fluttershy now emerged from that same bush, looking to Pinkie's head where the apple had collided with it.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

Immediately, the other two mares turned to her, eyes wide and seeming more than a little nervous.

"Oh! Twilight! Applejack! How...how good to see you!" Pinkie remarked.

Now close enough to them, Applejack raised an eyebrow, looking understandably quite confused right now.

"What are y'all doin’ here?"

The other two looked to each other, seeming as though they were urging the other to try and come up with an explanation. But, as they tried this, Applejack spoke again, pointing to the nearby bush as she did so.

"An' what were y'all doin' in there?!"

Again, Pinkie and Fluttershy struggled for an answer, practically shrinking under the gaze of the orange mare before them. Twilight, on the other hoof, was a touch more perceptive than Applejack, and after looking from those two mares, to the bush, and then back again, her eyes started to widened, realisation coming to her.

"Oh...oh!"

All eyes turned to her.

"Twilight?" Applejack asked.

A blush came to her, and she tired to avoid looking to her friend.

"Well...um...I don't think it's really my place to tell you."

Applejack was getting frustrated now.

"Oh fer the love of...would somepony jus' tell me already?!"

Seeing her like this, Fluttershy took a deep breath, then stepped forward, standing tall, before looking Applejack right in the eye and speaking in a firm but measured tone.

"Applejack...Pinkie Pie and I...are lovers."

A silence fell over the group that was so think that you could have sliced it with a sword. Pinkie, for her part, was far from the usual confidence and energy she usually radiated, and instead became a mare who practically oozed nervousness and uncertainty. Fluttershy, just as she had been moments earlier, was standing her ground, looking towards Applejack with utter seriousness. Twilight, on her side of things, kept looking from one mare to the other, and was starting to quietly regret coming over here in the first place. And then there was Applejack, whose face was almost impossible to read right now. Slowly, she blinked, and after a while, the initial shock of having learned what she had started to sink in for her. She cleared her throat, looking from Pinkie to Fluttershy and then back again, before finally breaking the silence between them.

"So...um...how long has this been goin' on?"

Coughing nervously, Pinkie, at last, spoke up.

"Well...um...a few months ago?"

To that, Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"An'...an' ya never thought ta tell me about it?"

She looked to Fluttershy first.

"We're friends!"

And then to Pinkie.

"An' we're family!"

Fluttershy nodded, taking a step forward.

"I realise that, and I'm sorry for keeping it a secret as long as we did. But the truth is...we rather enjoyed having this be a private thing between us. We didn't really want our relationship to be the source of gossip in Ponyville or...perhaps...to maybe cause you some difficulty."

Applejack seemed taken aback by that.

"Wha...y'all thought ah'd be upset by this?"

Pinkie, joining her lover, sighed.

"Well...maybe a little?"

A frown came to Applejack, and after taking a deep breath, she responded to that.

"Let me tell ya somethin', friends..."

She pointed to them.

"...y'all both mean the world ta me! An' ya know what?"

Then, in a move that shocked both of them, Applejack lunged forward, wrapping her hooves around them and embracing them in a tight and warm hug.

"Ah'm happy fer ya! Both o' ya! It's a surprise...but a good one!"

As one would expect, both Pinkie and Fluttershy were more than a little taken aback by this, and through the hug, they exchanged looks of shock. But, that time passed, and soon, they instead began to wore looks of love and relief, returning the embrace. Twilight, who had been standing to one side for a while now, looked to all of this with near-tears in her eyes, clasping her hooves together and just enjoying this tender family moment. But, there came a time when the hug ended, and the three mares parted from one another, all while Applejack continued to wear that wide and genuine smile of hers.

"So...how'd this start anyway? Ah wanna hear all about it!"

Fluttershy giggled.

"I'd be honoured to tell you. Come over my house later and we'll talk over some nice tea."

Applejack tipped her hat.

"Sounds mighty good. Although..."

Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and she spoke once more with a degree of seriousness.

"...ah do wanna know one thing."

Nervously, the two lovers looked to one another, and when they looked back, it was Pinkie who ultimately addressed her cousin.

"Um...yeah?"

Giving a solemn nod, Applejack soon pointed to the bush nearby.

"Yeah...jus' how far were ya two goin’ in that there bush?"

Hearing that, the two broke out into some adolescent giggling, culminating in Pinkie responding in her usual upbeat manner.

"Oh, Applejack! Let's just say...we went far enough."

A long sigh escaped the young pink pegasus as she looked over the papers upon her desk. Meeting schedules, suggestions for trade relations, notes on how to address specific issues if they ever come up. All of these things and more littered the surface before Cadence's eyes, and she grew more and more tired with each and every moment she looked at them. Bottom line, she was exhausted, to the point of checking to make sure nopony was around to see her before unceremoniously banging her head against the desk. She grumbled quite a bit, with her face buried in that paperwork she hated so much. In fact, so preoccupied was she with all of this that, unbeknownst to her, somepony else now began to enter the room. Shining Amour, her Captain, her friend. He took one look at her, face-palming the desk, and broke into a knowing smile. Trotting up to the side of her, he gave her a few moments, before promptly raising a hoof and clearing his throat. Immediately, the mare sat upright, as though terrified of having somepony see her like that.

"Sorry! I was just...!"

But, as she turned to see Shining standing beside her, she let out another sigh, visibly relaxing a little before matching his smile.

"Oh...Shiny...it's you."

The stallion let out a chuckle to this, nodding.

"Yep...it's me. But...erm..."

Silently, he gestured to his cheek, and while Cadence was at first confused by this, realisation soon dawned for her. For as her eyes drifted down to her own cheek, she noted, to her horror, that a single slip of paper was stuck here, glued to her fur as a result of a tiny bit of drool that must have come out of her while her face was meeting the desk. Rolling her eyes, she let out an annoyed grunt, before yanking the paper off, scrunching it into a ball, and then flinging it into a nearby basket, Shining watched it fly through the air, landing in the thing perfectly, before looking back to his friend, sounding impressed.

"Good aim."

Cadence raised an eyebrow, prompting Shining to raise his hoof in a defensive manner.

"Joking! Joking!"

Letting out another sigh, Cadence leaned back into her chair.

"Sorry...it's just...what am I even doing here?!"

Shining looked to her with some confusion.

"You're...doing your job? Being an Ambassador? Helping to build bridges between us and the Lunars?"

Leaning forward again, Cadence nodded.

"Yes, Shiny, I know what I'm supposed to be doing...but you and I both know my work here hasn't really done that much good."

The stallion gained a somewhat incredulous look to him.

"What? Of course it has! You've done everything you can to make things good between us!"

Looking to her papers, Cadence paused briefly before responding to that.

"I know I've tried...and I know Princess Celestia believes I was the right choice...but I don't think I am."

Slowly, she looked to him.

"Shiny...back when I served in the Canterlot Royal Palace, that work was all I ever really wanted to do. I enjoyed doing it, I found it fulfilling. Serving Celestia, being her aide."

She frowned slightly.

"But this? Most of the time I have no idea what I'm even doing!"

Her shoulders slumped.

"And do you know what's worse? Ever since the fire at the Embassy, Ambassador Rarity has absolutely zero faith in my ability to represent Equestria."

A look of despondency came to her.

"And who can blame her? Twilight has done more to help relationships just by spending time with them, while me talking with her in our official meetings has resulted in almost nothing."

She let out a groan.

"How can I do this job when my counterpart thinks I'm no good at it?"

A pause came to her for a time before she continued.

"And...I'm not good at it."

Again, silence fell over them, and Shining looked to her for the longest time before finally speaking up after all of this.

"You know...if you don't want this job...you could always tell Celestia. I'm sure she'd understand. Heck, she'd probably be happy having you close by again back at Canterlot."

Another sigh came out of Cadence in response to that.

"I can't just quit this job, Shining! Celestia placed her faith in me. I...I've got to make sure I don't let her down!"

Shining frowned.

"Cadence...I may respect the Princess a great deal...but I don't believe she would want you to remain here if all you're going to feel is miserable."

Cadence looked to him, but stayed silent as he continued.

"Besides...I believe you're doing good here."

The mare raised an eyebrow, prompting Shining to carry on.

"I mean it. Ambassador Rarity may not say it...or even show it a lot of the time...but I think she does respect you. She knows you’re working towards peace, and that’s something she’s willing to admire about you. Besides..."

He took a step closer to her.

"...she grew up in a place where it was expected for her to gain skills in things like diplomacy. And while Celestia may have chosen you, I don't think even she can deny that this isn't something that you were ever really trained for."

Shining then paused deliberately, giving Cadence a chance to respond to that, which she did soon afterwards.

"If...if Princess Celestia already knew I have no experience in this...why would she have chosen me?"

A smile came to the stallion at that, and he gently placed a hoof upon her shoulder.

"Because she knows you're a good person, Cadence. Ambassadors might be chosen for many reasons, and in your case...I think Celestia wanted to show the Lunars one of Equestria's best."

Cadence blushed to that, looking away from him.

"Oh...you're just saying that, Shiny."

But Shining shook his head.

"I'm not. Cadence...you're one of the most remarkable mares I've ever known. Kind, caring, always willing to put others ahead of yourself. Heck, you were willing to uphold your duty to Celestia even when she asked you to do something you knew you weren't the best at."

His smile widened.

"You have a lot of qualities that people have always admired you for. Remember when you used to foal-sit for Twily? She adored you so much that she thought of you as a sister."

A nostalgic look came to Cadence at that.

"She was a sweetheart. And I was happy to spend time with her."

Shining nodded.

"Cadence...you may not be some diplomatic expert...but you are a mare who knows what's right, what's good...and what's best for your people."

Cadence looked to him, seeing him look down to her with clear respect in his expression.

"Celestia did not make a mistake in choosing you...and in truth...I think the only mistake she made was not telling you all this before you came here."

The pink mare, naturally, was a little taken aback at everything the stallion had just said to her, and for a time, she found herself incapable of really saying anything. But then, as time went on, she gave him a warm expression and, in a move that greatly shocked him, leaned forward and gave him a tender kiss upon his cheek. Shining, as one would expect, erupted into a massive blush all over his face, much to Cadence's amusement, as she let out a small giggle.

"Thank you, Shiny...you always were my knight."

Shining chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head before finally answering.

"Oh...well...it's no biggie, Cadence."

Another giggle came to Cadence after that, and after one final look at the papers on her desk, she got up, taking Shining's hoof and leading the flabbergasted stallion away.

"Come on...I think the two of us could do with a coffee."

Shaking himself out of his earlier shocked state, Shining let out a laugh himself.

"In that case...lead the way, Ambassador."

When one lived as long as Starswirl, dwelling in a realm between realms where time and space would never act in the way they should, you'd have a lot of time to kill. The old unicorn sat quietly in his favourite chair, watching the fires before him, with a beloved book within his hooves. A sigh escaped him, and he'd flip through page after page, enjoying the story as best he could. Granted, he'd read this book many times over, which was odd when he literally had every conceivable book anyone from any reality could have ever written. But, when you had your favourites, you tended to go back to them. A smile was upon his lips, and overall, it looked as though he was in a good and relaxed state right now. But, as the moments passed, his eyes would drift over to the table in the centre of his study, and he'd show hesitation. But then, he'd look back to his book, and then back and forth, before finally releasing a deep exhale, setting his book aside.

"...Very well then."

Taking hold of his cane, the old wizard struggled to get himself out of his chair. After all, just because a person didn't age here didn't mean they weren't still subject to all the same maladies and strains of mortals. But, he'd eventually managed to get himself out of there, and slowly walked over to the table. Yet another moment of hesitation came to him, but in the end, he finally placed his hoof upon the ancient object before him. Immediately, it lit up, and many images appeared around him. Visions of worlds after worlds swirled about his head, and he'd look to each of them, as though looking for something specific. Then, his eyes narrowed, for he had found what he was seeking. One world that stuck out like a sore thumb among the myriad images. Dark and cold and lifeless. A vision of an Equestria that no longer was. Whatever life there might have been there, it was long gone, and Starswirl frowned deeply to that sad image.

"...Dead."

He turned, looking upon yet another image of a once-thriving world. This too was barren, devoid of even the tiniest blade of grass. All peoples and creatures swept away from it, never to return.

"...Dead."

He looked to image after image, world after world, seeking all the specific ones he'd seen so many times before. He knew they wouldn't be different, he knew nothing would have come back, but even so, he could not help but look to them again. He found the worlds he was looking for, and as his eyes passed over each of the visions provided to him, he kept muttering the same words to himself.

"...Dead...dead...dead...dead...dead...dead...dead...dead..."

"Um...Sir?"

The stallion paused what he was doing, turning slowly to see the worried face of the young mare walking up behind him. Starlight, looking more than a little concerned for him right now, simply stared at him, half-pleading with him over what he was doing. Starswirl looked back to her, his expression softening considerably, and he sighed yet again. Looking back to the table, he lifted his hoof from it, and the images finally stopped. Now, it was just him and his ward in his study. Nothing exceptional to suggest the otherworldly nature of where they were. Starlight watched as her mentor again struggled to walk back to his chair, and she moved forward to aid him. He smiled in appreciation to her, and before long, he was back in it.

"Thank you, Starlight."

The mare gave a sigh of her own, casting a glance back to the table.

"Why do you keep doing that to yourself? You know what you're going to see."

Starswirl's expression became somewhat harsher.

"I just...need to remind myself sometimes. I need..."

Slowly, he too looked to the table.

"...I need to remember the worlds beyond this place...the worlds that suffer and die."

Starlight looked to him, despondent.

"You can't interfere, you know that. I've heard almost nothing else from you since I got here."

The stallion nodded.

"Yes. My privilege...and my burden."

His grip on his cane tightened.

"Here...I am safe. Free to watch the worlds from high above, always beyond their knowledge."

His grip loosened.

"But...I cannot save them. Time and time again, I see the same danger come for them. Breaking through the barriers between worlds...it always comes for them."

Stepping forward, Starlight placed her hoof upon his.

"One day...it might be stopped. Maybe one Equestria, out of the many out there...might halt it in its tracks."

A dry chuckle escaped the ancient wizard.

"Oh, how I wish it were so, my apprentice. But...I have seen countless worlds...and none have had the strength to stop it."

His eyes narrowed at the table.

"Once...there was a world that had no magic, and no weapons of any kind. A world that couldn't even try to fight off what was coming for them."

A grimace came to him.

"In that moment...I broke my vow...and came to that world's defence."

Starlight looked to him, astonished, but said nothing as he continued.

"I...I finally came face-to-face with the threat I had spent so long watching...the doom of all those other worlds...and I fought it."

He turned, once more staring at the crackling fires nearby.

"From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought it. I used all my greatest spells, all the experience and knowledge of magic I had."

His eyes shut tightly.

"And in the end...it was not enough. I failed...and retreated."

Another sigh.

"I returned here...and that world fell...just like all the others."

Silence fell between the two, and for a long time, Starlight didn't know what to do or say. She could see he was ashamed and guilty over everything right now, whether justified or not. She wanted to cheer him up, to try and say something that would convince him not to hate himself this much. But, in the end, she could only think of one thing. Carefully, she walked around his chair, standing next to the fire herself and looking deeply into it.

"You...you saved me."

Gradually, Starswirl looked to her, seeing her speak again.

"You showed me my future. You showed me what...what I would become if I carried on my path."

She frowned.

"A mare of anger and bitterness, ruining the lives of others. You..."

Turning to him, she smiled.

"...you kept me from that. You taught me, guided me...made me better."

A moment of hesitation, and then, she walked back to him, getting down to her knees before gently placing her hoof upon his again.

"I know you feel you failed all those other worlds, and that you must feel frustrated beyond words at whatever limitations you feel you have here. but..."

Her smile widened.

"But you're no failure, Starswirl. You've done good in your time here. Not just watching...but acting in the moments where it counted."

She stood tall once more.

"Maybe you can't save everyone...but I know you saved me."

Another silence crept in between them, and Starswirl looked at the honest and well-meaning young mare before him. She'd meant every word of that, and he knew it. Slowly, and after much consideration, a smile returned to him, and he gave a slow nod to his pupil.

"Thank you, Starlight. I suppose...I haven't been all bad, eh?"

A giggle escaped her, but she soon looked on to see her mentor look yet again to the table.

"Still...I wonder if any of the warnings I have ever given will be heeded? That measures will be taken to...to do what I could not?"

Starlight similarly looked to the table, before looking back to her teacher with a degree of optimism in her voice.

"You've warned many, Sir...and the danger can't keep winning forever. One day...it will be halted."

Looking back to her, the old unicorn let out a dry laugh.

"Ah...to be young and full of hope."

His apprentice cocked an eyebrow to that.

"Well...one of us has to be."

There was no doubt about it, this was not exactly the best night for a sleepover. The skies overhead were thickly covered with black and foreboding clouds, and rain had been pouring down heavily all evening. Whatever light there might have been had been kept hidden from view for some time now, and if that wasn't bad enough, lightning bolts had been throwing down every once in a while. Had Twilight known the weather would be this bad, she might never have allowed Spike to bring his friends over. But, they were here all the same, and as the unicorn mare turned from the window, she couldn't help but smile at the playful sight that greeted Her. Her son, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were all sitting quietly upon the carpet in the middle of the main chamber of the Golden Oak Library, happily playing a game of Snakes and Ladders, and while the storm outside raged on, here, it was as if nobody had any issue with it whatsoever.

So, shaking her head a little, Twilight sighed, leaving the window and heading over to the youths. Fortunately, she herself was not alone here tonight, as both Applejack and Fluttershy had popped over to join her in keeping an eye on their respective wards. Fluttershy herself had brewed some delicious tea for the three of them, and even offered Twilight a cup of it as the latter sat back down in one of her favourite chairs. Smiling, Twilight accepted the offered drink, giving a thankful nod to her friend, before promptly blowing on the still-hot beverage. Once she sipped it, she contented herself in this moment, looking down to just how much fun her son was having right now. True, it had to be said that he was actually losing the majority of this game, but that did not seem to dampen his spirits in the slightest. In fact, it was the most fun he'd been having in ages.

"Pretty exciting, right, Scoot?" he asked excitedly.

The young pegasus filly beside him, though remaining as silent as ever, nevertheless gave a smile and a nod in response, before throwing her dice. She moved her piece, ending up on a ladder and progressing upwards through the board, earning a chuckle from Apple Bloom.

"Another ladder? Y'all are pretty lucky today, Scoot."

The three adults watching them all shared a laugh, and Twilight, glancing over to the other two, offered up a warm smile for them.

"Thanks for coming over. I know we haven't seen much of each other lately, but..."

Applejack let out a hearty chuckle.

"Ain't no issue, Twi. Ah jus' wish Pinkie were here too."

Hearing the name of her lover, Fluttershy sighed, taking a quick sip of her tea before giving a solemn nod.

"Well, with the Cakes out of town, she had to cover for them over at the shop, and...well...you know her. When she's in charge, that place never closes."

Again, the group laughed, and enjoyed the moment of quiet that followed, where all that happened was the progression of the game between the three children. Looking to her son in particular, Twilight's smile became a loving one.

"You know...I'm glad we moved here, to Ponyville. As much as Spike was liked back in Canterlot, he never really had friends his own age. But here...?"

Reaching over, Applejack gave her unicorn companion a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Spike's a fine fella, Twi. Ah'm pretty happy Bloom's got him as a friend."

Fluttershy nodded, adding her voice to matters.

"And I'm happy Scootaloo has a new friend in him too."

Thinking on that, Twilight let out a brief giggle.

"I never expected him to befriend the daughter of an Ambassador, truth be told, but...I'm glad he did that too."

The other two shared a smile towards one another, before swiftly looking back to Twilight.

"Yeah, Sweetie's a decent gal. Her Mother's a bit stiff, but hey, ah guess it comes with the job," Applejack remarked.

Fluttershy tapped the end of her chin, considering that.

"Hmmm...I wonder if I should invite Rarity over for tea one day? She and I have rarely spoken to one another after all."

Twilight smiled at that prospect.

"I'm sure she'd be delighted, Fluttershy. I'll even put in a good word for you, if you like."

Taking another sip of her tea, the yellow mare smiled right back.

"I would be grateful, Twilight."

Then, before any of the adults could say even one more word to one another, they were kept from doing so by the distinct sound of a filly hooting with victory.

"Yes! Ah won! Victory fer Apple Bloom!"

The others laughed, but all in good fun, with even Apple Bloom herself joining in. It was a fun moment, enjoyed by all, and though the knowledge of the storm outside kept the moment from being completely perfect, it was still a good time for all of them. However, speaking of the outside, Spike soon started to lose his smile, as his eyes focused on the nearby window. Confusion took hold in his expression, and as he raised a claw to point at said window, his tone reflected that.

"Er...Mom? Look!"

Raising an eyebrow, Twilight turned, and here, her eyes widened. The storm she'd spent so much time worrying about now seemed to be completely gone from the skies beyond, revealing nothing but a clear and starry night. But there was far more to it than that. Something that caught her interest immediately. Colours, of great variety, hurtling across the sky in an array of swirls and patterns. Getting up from her chair, she went over to the window to investigate, and was shortly followed by all five of the others in the room. Together, they walked to the window, peering out of it and just generally being amazed at what they were seeing. No matter what colour you could think of, they were now being shown in some form of ethereal display up there in the heavens. It was a beautiful sight, no question, and one that prompted the expected response.

"Oh! How lovely!" Fluttershy declared.

"Eyup! Beats that nasty ole storm any day!" Applejack added.

"Wow! It's so pretty! Apple Bloom remarked.

"Yeah...it is pretty neat," Spike finished.

Scootaloo smiled at the sky's current look, remaining quiet as ever, but still looking bewildered and astounded, with her eyes wide and practically sparkling from the sight. And then, at the end of it all, was Twilight. The spectacled mare adjusted her glasses, looking carefully at what was going on out there, and narrowed her eyes slightly. Spike, seeing her do this, started to look just a touch worried, and nervously poked the ends of his claws against one another as he ventured a question.

"...Mom? Is...is something wrong?"

Looking down to him, Twilight put on a smile for his benefit, gently placing her hoof upon his shoulder.

"It's fine, Spike. It's just a really, really colourful aurora..."

A pause, and then, as she turned back to the window, seeing these great colours beyond, her certainty wavered.

"...I think."

Meanwhile, far away from Ponyville, in the great and glittering city of Canterlot, many of the people were out in the streets, looking up at the unexpected light show the night sky was offering them tonight. Much like the children at the Golden Oak, they too looked on with amazement, as though this were the most beautiful thing they'd ever seen in their lives. But there was one within that city who was, unfortunately, not so happy. Princess Celestia, standing upon the largest balcony of the Palace at the centre of Canterlot, looked up at those swirling colours, and looked completely despondent. Her eyes welled with tears, and she shook her head frantically, glancing down to the streets below, and the ponies who looked on, oblivious. As those tears finally fell down her cheeks, she gave one final look to the sky, her voice wobbling as she, at last, spoke.

"Please...please...don't let it be true!"

Far to the west, beyond the Everfree, within the lands of the Lunar Kingdom, another alicorn was watching the night. Dark and armoured, Queen moon focused her gaze upon the night she had so often seen in her realm, yet never with this display that now trailed across it. This was no creation of hers, and yet, as she looked upon it, it was clear from the way she narrowed her eyes that she nevertheless knew what was responsible. Her head hung low for a time, and though no tears came for her as they had for her sister, she nevertheless released a long sigh, as though resigned to something. Then, ever so slowly, she opened those eyes of hers again, pausing for a moment as she weighed all of her options.

"So..."

Gradually, she lifted her head, her gaze again falling to the unnatural night sky above, and her eyes focused as though looking upon an enemy.

"...it has found us after all."

In the past, and not so long ago, when people looked upon the city of Griffonstone, they would often feel let down, or, even worse, a sense of pity towards those who lived in it. It was a dirty, run-down, neglected and crumbling place that looked as though nobody who lived there gave two thoughts about the state it was in. Thankfully, that was no longer the case, as backing from the Lunar Kingdom had allowed a great many repairs and fortifications to be had. Unfortunately, this had the side-effect of making the city look not only fixed, but formidable as well. Now, whenever one looked at that place, they saw something more akin to a fortress than a city, at least from the outside. For one Equestrian Guard, it was enough to cause him to narrow his eyes. It was risky, being out here, so close to Lunar-held lands, but he had to keep watch, to make sure their "neighbours" weren't up to something. But, after a time, the grey unicorn stallion exhaled deeply.

"Almost a whole day out here...and still nothing."

Every once in a while, he would see squadrons of Lunar soldiers flying overhead, and he would duck down behind his hiding spot, never making a move until he was absolutely sure that they were gone. It was dangerous, but he had a duty to perform, and he was determined to see it through. But, he also had another responsibility out here, and as this second task came to mind for him, he turned, looking upon his partner in this scouting mission. It was a much younger stallion, an earth pony, barely out of his colt years, with largely green colouring. He was sitting quietly to the side, looking more than a little nervous over all this, and the older Guard, softening his expression, whispered over to him.

"Hey, Sandbar. You okay?"

The question jolted the younger guard from his thoughtfulness, and he gave a salute to his commander.

"Sir! Yes! I was...um...just doing some thinking."

The older stallion chuckled.

"Well, there's certainly plenty of opportunity for us to do that out here."

He turned, focusing his gaze once more upon the walls of Griffonstone, seeing the combination of Griffons and Lunar soldiers walk along its top. Minutes passed, but eventually, the older stallion's eyes drifted again to his younger colleague.

"Tell me about yourself, Cadet."

Sandbar, slightly taken aback by that, nevertheless tried to answer, clearing his throat before doing so.

"Well...um...I was born in Ponyville, Sir."

A smile crept onto the Commander's lips.

"Oh, country lad, eh?"

Sandbar nodded, prompting the Commander to continue.

"So...why'd you join the Guard?"

Sandbar, in response to that question, started to assume a more upright stance, trying to look as professional as possible.

"I want to do my part for my country, Sir!"

But the Commander merely rolled his eyes to that.

"Come on, kid...the recruiters aren't here."

Sandbar paused, and then, ever so slowly, started to relax.

"I'm...worried, Sir. All this stuff we hear about the Lunars and what they do...I...I wanted to just...you know...help."

Slowly, the other stallion nodded to him, understanding.

"And believe me, kid, you are helping."

Sandbar smiled to that, but then, the two of them immediately turned. For something strange was happening in the skies above Griffonstone. Some sort of shimmering, causing the two of them to narrow their eyes in the hopes of getting a better look at it. Then, to their shock, that shimmering became some sort of magical display. A torrent of swirling shades of blue, from light to dark, creating a circular shape of some sort that just hung there in the area above the city. From this distance, it appeared relatively small, about the same height as two stallions standing on each other's shoulders, but even so, it was cause for concern.

"Wha...what is that, Sir?" Sandbar rightfully asked.

The older pony shook his head.

"I...I don't know!"

Then, as if to answer them, something actually started to come through that circle. It appeared to be a pair of pegasus stallions, but bearing the armour of the Lunar Guard, and in their hooves, they seemed to be carrying some large supply crate. As soon as they'd exited that circle, it immediately disappeared, creating nothing but normal sky behind them. As those new pegasus soldiers made their way to the city, Sandbar looked on with confusion.

"Er...what?"

But his Commander was far more concerned.

"No...it can't be!"

Sandbar turned to him.

"What is it?"

The Commander shook his head, then whispered under his breath.

"It's...a teleport gate!"

Sandbar blinked to that, then realised that he was probably supposed to react, and so did as good a one as he could under the circumstances.

"Oh! Wow! A teleport gate? Phew! I mean...yeah, that's definitely something...right?"

Slowly, the other stallion turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Cadet...I'll spare you the embarrassment of having to admit that you don't know what a teleport gate is."

Sandbar sighed.

"Thank you, Sir."

The Commander, shaking his head to this, soon looked back to the patch of sky where the gate had been, narrowing his eyes.

"Basically, you know those fancy teleport spells some unicorns can do? You know, big flash of light and they appear somewhere else?"

Sandbar nodded to him, prompting him to continue.

"Well, teleport gates were this whole theoretical thing. You know, the kind of spell the eggheads would debate with each other over notes and stuff? Never put it into practice, but..."

Slowly, he sighed.

"Basically...it's the idea that, if you got enough good unicorns together, they could open a sustained doorway between two points, allowing many things through at once. And..."

He frowned.

"...it looks like the Lunars have had that trick up their sleeves for a while now."

Then, his eyes widened.

"Oh...my stars!"

He snapped his head, looking straight at Sandbar.

"Do you know what this means, kid?"

Sandbar, after thinking on that for a moment, tried to give him an answer.

"Well...it probably mean that that's how the Lunars are getting supplies to Griffonstone without flying over Equestria. I hear the top brass have been scratching their heads over that one for a while now."

But the Commander shook his head.

"No, I mean do you know what it really means?!"

Sandbar did not reply, and so the Commander simply spelled it out.

"If they can do this, then how far can they go?! What if they decide they want to put ten thousand soldiers right in the heart of Manehattan? Or Baltimare?"

Horror crossed his face.

"...Or Canterlot?"

Here, Sandbar finally understood, but while he was indeed shocked, he seemed to be trying to restrain his fears more than his Commander.

"But...maybe they can't. We don't know what they can do with this spell, so...maybe they have limits? Like...maybe they can only send a few guys through at a time? Or maybe they can only do it in lands they actually control?"

The Commander, thinking on those questions, seemed to clam down, albeit only a little bit, but nevertheless sighed deeply.

"You may be right...and I hope you're right. But whatever the case, we can't let this go unreported.

He raised a hoof, pointing to the dusty path they'd taken to get to this point.

"Let's go! We need to get this info back to HQ at once!"

Sandbar nodded, and together, the two of them made their way swiftly back towards their home territory, always doing their best to avoid being spotted. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, they were being watched, and by none other than Captain Lighting Dust herself. The green pegasus mare smirked a little as she stood stop her cloud high above, seeing the two Equestrians retreat from the area. But, she was not solitary up here, as she was being accompanied by a young Griffon, blue in his feathers, who wore a distinct breastplate marked with the crescent moon of the Lunar Kingdom. This young recruit looked to his Captain with scepticism.

"And we're just letting them walk away because...?"

Lightning chuckled, reaching over and giving her companion a pat on the shoulder.

"Remember this lesson, Gallus. When negotiating from a position of strength..."

She turned, looking down to the still-leaving Equestrians, and slowly narrowing her eyes.

"...make sure the other side knows just how strong you can be."

The intel that had been gathered at Griffonstone had sent shockwaves through the top brass of the Equestrian military. Panic and fear were being felt by everypony who knew about this revelation about the Lunars. And in truth, how else could they feel? If there was a potential enemy who might have the power to appear wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted, what possible means could there be to defend against them? Well, defence was indeed the order of the day right now, as within the Royal Palace at Canterlot, about a dozen unicorn troops were all lined up in groups of six within one of the place's training halls. On one side, the unicorns were using their horns to conjure magical shields, and on the other, the other six were concentrating on what appeared to be teleport spells. Watching over them was Night Light, whose gaze narrowed at each of his subordinates.

"Come on now, soldiers! If we're gonna defend this city against the Lunars, we need to practice this stuff!"

One of the nearest recruits gave him a firm nod, lighting up his horn and attempting a teleportation spell. While it was common knowledge that teleportation was a skill known only to a few unicorns, there were, thankfully, some within the Equestrian military who seemed to have an easier time with it than others. This recruit was one such stallion, and as his horn lit up, he was engulfed in a bright light, immediately disappearing from view. Stage one was complete, and so Night turned to the recruit's opposite number, who was conjuring his shield. However, as the first stallion finally re-appeared, it was actually within the shield, right next to his colleague. Seeing this, Night sighed, shaking his head slightly.

"That...that'll be enough for now, Cadets. Everypony take a break."

The cadets knew they had let him down, but they did as requested all the same, slowly filtering out of the training hall and back to their barracks. Night, placing a hoof to his temples, tried nursing a headache he'd been feeling for some time now, and it was here that a calm and familiar voice spoke to him.

"I take it things aren't going so well?"

The stallion glanced to the side, seeing the bright white hoof being placed upon his shoulder, and he let out a long sigh.

"No, your Majesty, I...I fear not."

Celestia turned, looking to the now-empty halls of the training area.

"Are we making any progress?"

Night shook his head.

"The only thing we can think of right now to prevent Lunar teleport gates is magical shielding. But, as you probably saw, even our best shield-makers can't prevent simple teleport spells, so teleport gates will likely have no issue either. And even if they could block them, we don't have anywhere near enough of such spell-casters to defend every city in our country."

The stallion turned to look at her.

"We just...don't have any idea what to do, Celestia."

Here, it was the Princess' turn to sigh.

"Just when we think we might have a handle on what my sister's nation can do...they pull the rug out from under us."

She paused, thinking hard on the matter, before looking to her Captain with a softer look.

"Keep doing what you can, Night. I'm...just going out for some fresh air."

Night nodded back to her, watching her leave the chamber, while continuing to be upset at not having any better news for her. As for Celestia, she walked through the hallways of the palace, saluted and bowed to by every servant and guard she passed, but all the while, her mind raced. Her sister's nation was so powerful, and it had been keeping her awake at night. What was Luna planning? Did she intend war? If so, when? These questions poured through her mind so much that, by the time she reached one of the great balconies of the palace, she was practically on autopilot. But, once she was there, she glanced down at the scene of Canterlot below her, and all the flickering lights in ponies' homes.

"How many of them spend their days fearing for the future, I wonder?" she muttered quietly to herself.

Slowly, she glanced upwards, seeing the bright full moon that dominated the sky. Of course, the night only reminded her of her sister, and another long and slow sigh escaped her. She was not in a happy mood, that much was certain, though she at least tried to enjoy the cool breeze she felt out here. And it was just at that moment when she heard, of all things, a giggle. Raising an eyebrow, she turned, and noticed, for the first time, that she was not alone here tonight. One of the Guard, a unicorn mare, was there also, looking out at the far edge of the balcony, with what appeared to be a letter in her hoof. Curious, Celestia walked over to her, clearing her throat.

"Um...hello?"

Immediately, the guard snapped at attention, spinning in place and giving an instinctive salute.

"Ma'am! Sorry to disturb you!"

Celestia afforded herself a brief chuckle.

"It is no bother. In truth, I am grateful to not be alone right now."

Slowly, her eyes drifted back to the letter in the mare's hoof, and curiosity took hold in her once more.

"I apologise for prying, but...may I ask what the letter is about?"

Looking down to the message herself, the mare smiled warmly.

"It's...from my sister, over in Baltimare, your Majesty. It's...well...it's the first time the two of us have corresponded for some time."

Celestia seemed surprised by that.

"Oh? You haven't been speaking?"

The mare sighed.

"No, we...we got into a fight about a year or two ago. It was a stupid thing, but...we pretty much haven't had anything to do with one another since."

Then, her smile returned.

"But...it sounds like she wants to meet up again, and get to talking. So when I have my next leave, I'll be heading over."

Celestia smiled to this news.

"I'm glad to hear it, friend. It's always nice to hear of relationships mending like that."

The guard nodded to her, smiling genuinely.

"It is. We were both stubborn, but...I guess...sometimes...all it takes is for one to just be willing to reach out to the other."

Celestia paused after hearing that, and the mare gave her a final salute before moving off, no doubt to go off and patrol some other part of the castle. So, Celestia was alone once more, casting another glance in the direction of the moon. Many thoughts passed through her mind, but after a while, she exhaled deeply, realising that she had better get back to see how Night was getting on. So, off she went, walking through the same hallways and passing the same guards and servants. Eventually, she managed to find herself back inside the training hall, and sure enough, Night was yet again drilling his cadets hard, calling for shields and teleportation spells.

"Come on now, cadets! The Lunars may strike at any moment! We have to do what we can to keep the peace!"

Those words echoed in Celestia's mind for some time, and eventually, a new thought took root in her. It was slow at first, but eventually, it completely dominated her thinking, wiping away the concern and worry she'd been feeling all night. A smile touched her lips and, to the eternal confusion of everypony else in the room, she actually started to laugh. All eyes turned to her, Night's especially, and while nopony knew why she was doing this, they remained silent as she spoke, if only to herself.

"What are we doing? What...what am I doing?"

Night took a step towards her, raising an eyebrow.

"Um...Princess?"

Celestia sighed, looking her right-hoof-stallion in the eye.

"Captain...I appreciate all that you've been doing here, but...I believe it's best if we try a different approach."

Night's face was tinted with confusion as he spoke.

"Princess...I'm not sure I follow."

Walking forward herself, Celestia once more placed a hoof upon his shoulder.

"Night...all this time...we've been trying to counter what my sister and her people can do. We've been trying to match might for might. And we've been struggling every time."

She shook her head.

"But we could never do that. Because that is not us. It's not who we are."

A smile crept onto her expression.

"We...are Equestria. We are not a nation of fighters, as they are. We do not make battle..."

Her smile widened.

"...we make friends."

Night, after hearing that, frowned.

"With respect, Princess...we've tried making friends with them. And our efforts haven't been exactly...successful."

Celestia shook her head.

"No, Night. We have not...no...I haven't tried hard enough to make friends with them. I kept them at hoof's length, gave them token overtures of diplomacy, allowed an embassy only in a place that was far away from this city...and from me. I allowed fear of them and my sister to cause me to make grave mistakes in how we dealt with them."

She frowned, if only to herself.

"But if I wanted peace...truly wanted peace...then this is simply not enough. Not anymore."

She took a deep breath, thinking hard on what she needed to, before giving a firm nod.

"Send for my aide, Raven Inkwell. I need to pen a message to my sister in her kingdom."

Night, though reluctant, nevertheless gave a bow of his head to his monarch.

"Very well, Princess. I will find her."

But, as the stallion walked away from her, he was halted again by Celestia's voice.

"And then...tell her I will want another message...for Princess Amore of the Crystal Empire."

Night halted, looking back to her with confusion.

"Princess Amore?"

Celestia nodded before continuing.

"And for High-Chief Thunderhooves of the Buffalo. And for king Vorak of the Centaurs. And for Queen Novo."

She took on a sterner look.

"Tell Raven I will want messages sent to every leader we have had contact or relations with."

Naturally, this was quite the declaration, and Night glanced over to several nearby cadets, many if whom were just as nonplussed about this as he was. After a while, the blue stallion looked back to his leader, tilting his head slightly.

"Begging your pardon, Princess, but...what is it you're planning on doing, exactly?"

To that, Celestia looked to her Captain with a genuine smile, exhaling deeply.

"Something...that I should have done a long...long time ago."

The mood in the library was still and calm, yet there was an underpinning of uncertainty there as well. Within the main chamber, on one side, there was Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Shining and Cadence. On the other, closer to the front door, there was Ambassador Rarity and Captain Aurora. And in the middle, sitting by herself, was Twilight. The latter mare was carefully looking to the parchment in her hooves, occasionally adjusting her glasses as she studied each and every word. She read, then re-read, then re-re-read, trying to make sure she understood what was going on, and whether she'd properly understood what she now learned. After a while, and with the eyes of all her friends and acquaintances upon her, she sighed, carefully placing the paper down onto the table she'd been sitting by. She removed her glasses, a rare thing for her when she was among others, before turning to Rarity. There was yet further silence between the two mares for a time, but when it ended, Twilight spoke with some hesitation.

"Is...is this true?"

The Ambassador gave a firm nod.

"It would appear so. And believe me, we were just as surprised to hear about this as you are."

Twilight nodded back, placing her glasses once more upon her face, before turning to her other friends and family on the other side of the chamber.

"Well...it seems things have taken a turn."

Applejack frowned slightly, taking a step forward.

"So...what's it say?"

Looking back to the paper, Twilight gently placed her hoof upon it. She didn't recite the thing word-for-word, but she did give them the basic gist of it.

"By the request of Princess Celestia...an invitation has been sent to every national leader of all the realms that surround Equestria and beyond."

She took on a slightly shaken look.

"Her intention...is that these leaders all come together...for the purposes of forming a new relationship between those nations."

Slowly, a smile began to creep onto her lips.

"A great forum is being built, right within Canterlot itself, and there...leaders from all those nations can come together to create greater and closer relationships. Disputes can be discussed and mediated...and conflicts may be ended before they begin."

Shining took a step closer himself, looking to his sister with a raised eyebrow.

"So...the Princess is proposing some kind of...multi-national alliance?"

Twilight shook her head, turning to face her brother with a softer look.

"Not an alliance...a union. A way for our country and others to work together. A means..."

Her smile widened.

"...a means to foster peace and friendship."

She glanced back to the still-idle paper before her.

"This...this is wonderful news!"

Her enthusiasm sounded genuine, which was no surprise. This was Twilight Sparkle after all, and if there was one person in all of Equestria who hoped for peace between nations, it was her. Shining, who understood this desire of hers very well by now, looked over to Cadence. Silently, the two older ponies knew they were sharing the same concern, and that they should talk to Twilight about it. But, after a while, it was her brother who did the "honours", letting out a long sigh before walking over to her.

"Twilight...I realise that this all sounds good, but...we have no guarantee that this is going to really play out like you want it to."

Twilight looked to him with confusion, prompting a further explanation on the stallion's part.

"We're talking about nations that have never come together like this before. Countries and peoples that, let's be honest, have spent their entire history just focusing on themselves and their own concerns."

He gestured to the paper.

"I want peace too...but these leaders have no reason to attend this gathering."

But, Twilight, rather than seem upset at that notion, instead just smiled to her sibling, giving him a quick pat on the shoulder.

"I understand that it seems far-fetched, but I think we have every reason to believe that they'll come."

She too looked to the parchment.

"Princess Amore, for instance, has been friends with Princess Celestia for centuries, so she'll definitely come. King Thorax considers her a friend, so he's a likely attendant too. And given Princess Celestia's dealings with other nearby leaders, we may well have more coming."

Here, it was Fluttershy's turn to add her voice to things.

"I heard a rumour that the Princess is also inviting dragons to this meeting. Is that true?"

Twilight gave a quick nod to that, confirming the rumour, which, as one would expect, led to looks of astonishment for many of those present. That is, with the clear exception of Aurora, who actually looked incensed by that revelation.

"What?! You mean to tell me that your Princess is letting a bunch of dangerous fire-breathers into your lands?!"

Twilight gave her cyan guest a frown, and Aurora, realising what she'd just said, did her best to quickly compose herself, speaking in a calmer, yet still firm tone.

"Sorry...I mean no offense to your kid...but beyond him, ponies and dragons haven't exactly had the best of relationships."

Slowly, Twilight nodded, giving a deep exhale before turning to face her fully.

"I realise that. Our history with them has been one of almost constant conflict. We're either running away from them, or they're trying to cause havoc for us."

After a time thinking on that matter, Twilight's smile returned.

"But there's been a lot of talk from that corner of the world. The old Dragon Lord has apparently stepped down, and another has taken his place."

Cadence nodded in agreement, walking closer to her friend while speaking up.

"It's true. And while we don't know that much about their new leader, what we have learned makes us think that they might be more open to diplomacy than basically all of their predecessors."

Aurora, while unwilling to continue to stir up a fuss about the dragons, nevertheless seemed to still be uncertain, as evidenced by the loud and deliberate sigh she let out.

"I don't like it. A leader willingly opening her gates to outside powers like that...sounds dangerous."

Applejack looked over to the Captain and frowned.

"She invited yer leader too, remember? Y'all sayin' yer gonna be causin' trouble?"

Aurora frowned right back, and while it looked like the two would, yet again, be at odds with one another, they were soon put in their place by a sharp look from Twilight, who looked first to Aurora, and then to Applejack. They both knew that she wasn't willing to allow a fight in her own home, so they backed off from this course, at least for now. But, as a silence passed over them, Twilight then took on a look of thoughtfulness, and slowly turned to look at Rarity.

"So...will Queen Moon be attending?"

Rarity placed a hoof to her chin, pondering that question for a time. After a good long while of thinking, she gave a slow shake of her head.

"Difficult to say. Very difficult. All I know so far is that she's received your Princess' offer. Whether she accepts it or not...I cannot say."

Slowly, she glanced to her soldier companion.

"Our Queen...can be difficult to read sometimes."

Aurora gave her a grim nod, silently agreeing to that sentiment, before again turning, casting her gaze over to Shining.

"An offer like this, just straight out of the blue...she might suspect it's just a trap."

Shining looked to her with clear offense.

"Our Princess would never do something like that!"

Aurora rolled her eyes.

"She might not...but let's not forget that your country has more than a few in it who'd be more than happy to use this meeting as a chance to attack our Queen!"

She smirked.

"Not that anypony from your side of things would actually be a threat to her of course."

As had happened several times now, this room looked like it was about to erupt into just one more argument among them all. But, before such a conflict had the chance to truly take off, Twilight slammed her hoof down on the table, causing a utterly deathly silence among them all. They all looked to her, and she, in turn, took a few seconds of silence to get her thoughts together. Her expression softened, and she quietly looked to each of those who were gathered here. Once she had done this, she focused her attention on Fluttershy.

"...I have a child...just like you."

Fluttershy's face too softened, but she said nothing as Twilight looked again to Ambassador Rarity.

"...Just like you too."

Rarity also seemed taken aback, listening well as her lavender counterpart continued.

"We...all of us...we have a responsibility. Not just to ourselves...but to our children. Those who will be here long after we're gone."

She glanced back to the parchment, yet again placing her hoof upon it.

"If there's a chance for peace...even if it's a small chance...we have to take it."

Again, she looked to all of them.

"We owe it to those who come after...to leave them a world where our peoples, our nations, are friends...not enemies."

She turned, looking to the staircase just behind her, knowing Spike was upstairs and asleep in his room.

"Because I don't want my son to live in a world where he'll look to the nations beyond Equestria's border...and be afraid of them."

A silence followed, and as it progressed, much to the tension and bad feeling that had been felt before began to ebb away. All the assembled ponies looked to one another, sharing a mix of differing feelings. Uncertainty, confusion, shame, hesitation, and a great many more. Twilight's words had cut through to them, and nopony here could deny that they all wanted what she wanted, even if some there were too prideful to admit to it. After a while, however, Aurora let out a sigh and, with a tone far softer than she'd spoken with before, looked to her unicorn friend.

"...When's this meeting happening?"

A small but genuine smile crept onto Twilight's face, and she looked one last time to the parchment.

"Just two weeks from now. That's when the forum will be finished. If the leaders endorse what this union wants to accomplish, then they simply have to arrive. An absence, however...will indicate a vote against."

Fluttershy considered that.

"So...I guess we'll have Queen Moon's answer then?"

Twilight nodded, turning to look to Rarity, who gave a quick shrug of her shoulders.

"I think...she will have made her decision by then. That is all I can promise."

Twilight, considering that, cast her eyes to the window nearby, and the full moon out in the sky beyond.

"Well then...I guess we'll know in two weeks."

As much as the children of Ponyville loved their town, they always enjoyed having a few times where they could get away from it all. To just head on out and get a little peace and quiet with each other. For Spike, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, today was just such a day. Together, the three youngsters had retreated from the busy streets of the town, and had instead chosen to go to a secluded spot in Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom led the way, smiling to herself as Spike and Scootaloo followed. On and on they went, until at last, they found their destination. A new clubhouse, built within a tall tree. It was a nice and fun-looking place to be, and the children eagerly giggled at the sight of it, rushing forward, with even Scootaloo showing a great deal of enthusiasm over being here. They looked around the place, both inside and out, and Spike, who had been trained for many years by his adopted Mother to study things carefully, gave an approving nod, turning to his earth pony companion.

"This is a pretty nice construction, Apple Bloom!"

The filly giggled.

"Yep! Applejack used ta play here when she was mah age! An' now, we get ta be here!"

It was an exciting prospect, and one that Spike continued to smile to. But, as he dwelt further on all of this, he paused, looking over his shoulder. Apple Bloom, seeing him, walked over, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, she'll be here."

Spike nodded to that, appreciating his friend's words, and together, the two again looked to their new clubhouse. Scootaloo was already on her way in, and as such, the other two soon joined her. Once inside, they looked around, continuing to be impressed with their new place of play. It was largely empty, but that did not deter any of them.

"Got any ideas of what we could bring?" Apple Bloom asked.

Spike smirked a little.

"Sure! We could start with..."

But, before he had the chance to finish, he was halted by the sound of somebody approaching from outside. Though at first wary of this, the youths soon regained their smiles after they looked out of the door and saw who it was. It was Sweetie Belle, who herself was smiling up to them. But, naturally, she was not simply arriving alone here, as a member of the Lunar Guard was with her, no doubt acting as a bodyguard for her. But, the older stallion at least had the courtesy to wait at the foot of the ramp that led to the tree-house, allowing Sweetie to walk up and join her friends.

"Sorry I'm late," she said, apologetically.

But Spike shook his head.

"No problem. We hadn't really started anything anyway."

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement to that.

"Yep! We were jus' thinkin' on what ta do now what we've finally got the place ta ourselves!"

Sweetie considered that, glancing around the place she and her friends now had for their time together. She certainly seemed happy, but before she was able to say anything, Apple Bloom suddenly gained an idea, as evidenced by the excited tone in which she now spoke.

"Oh! How about we tell stories?"

It was a decent idea, and all of the other youngsters seemed in favour of it. So, getting together in a rudimentary circle, the quartet sat down. But, as soon as they'd done so, they soon realised that they now struggled to think of exactly what stories to tell. A silence passed, which while fine for the likes of the ever-quiet Scootaloo, proved a little bit more troublesome for the other three. After a while though, Spike snapped his claws, resuming his prior smile.

"How about...the story of Hearth's Warming Eve? Where the three tribes of ponies first came together?"

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes.

"A little out-of-season for that, ain't it?"

Then, her eyes widened.

"Oh! How about the story of the love poison that nearly wiped out a whole kingdom?"

Sweetie Belle grimaced to that.

"Er...I don't really like romance stories that have bad endings like that."

Apple Bloom, upon hearing that, sighed.

"Yeah...maybe yer right."

She then smiled again as she looked to her Lunar friend.

"What about y'all, Sweetie? Ah'm bettin' Lunars have a bunch o' stories, right?"

Sweetie Belle placed a hoof to her chin, pondering that.

"I could give you the story of the founding of our kingdom? Or maybe the story of Discord?"

Spike shook his head.

"Nah. I already told those stories to them a little while ago."

The group was at a loss, that much was certain, and in a brief moment of boredom, Spike glanced out of the still-open door, to the ever-stoic Lunar Guard that continued to wait outside.

"I don't suppose you have a story in mind for us?" he called out.

Then, to their surprise, the older stallion looked over his shoulder to them, chuckling slightly.

"Hey, Miss Belle? Why don't you tell these kids the story of the World-Ender? That should be entertaining at least."

Instantly, the three Equestrians gained some confusion, while Sweetie, by contrast, lit up, and so began to nod enthusiastically.

"Oh! I'd completely forgotten that one!"

Hearing that, the soldier sighed, shaking his head and returning to his previous position.

"Kids these days, always forgetting the old stuff."

Then he halted, looking back to his charge with some nervousness.

"Er...please don't tell your Mother I said that about you!"

But Sweetie simply giggled to that, much to the guard's relief. As for her friends, they continued to look to her expectantly.

"So...what's the story?" Spike asked.

Sweetie deliberately cleared her throat, gaining a confident look and tone of voice as she started her tale.

"It's a story from before the start of the Lunar Kingdom, from back when ponykind was still young. The great mages of our people, seeing far through the powers of the world, could see and learn of things no mortal could ever hope to know about!"

As expected, a story that began like that drew their interest, and the other three scooted closer to listen in better as Sweetie continued.

The greatest of these mages saw through the barriers between worlds, the walls that separated us from all the places and peoples that lived beyond. And there...they learned of something terrible!"

She frowned.

"Far in the distant corners of all of reality...on a dark and barren rock where no life could ever hope to grow...something came into being!"

The others gulped simultaneously, starting to become unnerved.

"This being...this force...it was the only thing in it's world... the only thing that would ever exist in that version of the universe. Not alive...not dead...not a breathing, thinking creature. It simply...was."

Sweetie paused, clearly for dramatic effect, but also to give herself a chance to remember this story that had been lost to her mind for so long.

"But through the great walls between worlds...it could feel life in other places. Ponies and plants and animals, wherever life could be found, it felt them."

Sadness came to her.

"But this did not make it happy. For that feeling of life beyond its universe was...terrible for it. It was like a great pain, a gnawing, screeching, scraping that tormented it for every moment of its existence. For life itself was its opposite, and so it could not bear to sense it, even though it was separated from it."

Here, Spike finally asked a question.

"So...it was tortured? Just because other life was...there? In some other universe?"

Sweetie nodded.

"And over time, this agony became so great, it drove this being mad. And that madness...it tore at the very fabric of the world, ripping apart the walls."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Through those cracks, it escaped its universe, and slipped into others. Wherever it found living worlds...it would go to them...and when it was done...those worlds lived no longer."

The other children listened on, enraptured and disturbed in equal measure.

"This carried on, for day after day, century after century. World after world it went to...and world after world died. No power could stop it, and nobody could reason with it."

Slowly, Sweetie hung her head.

"All it ever wanted, all it was ever driven to do...was to find life...and stop it. No mind...no thoughts that made it choose...just an instinct to kill."

She opened her eyes again, sighing and looking up to her friends.

"...And on it went, never stopping, going from world to world...forever."

A pause followed, and while the others looked to her like they were eager to hear more, the fact that Sweetie wasn't saying anything led to one very obvious conclusion for them.

"Wait...that's it?!" Spike asked.

Sweetie nodded.

"Not the happiest story, I know, but it's a story that's been with us for a long time now."

Spike blinked slowly.

"Is...is that story true?"

Sweetie sighed.

"Hard to say. It's such an old tale, there's always been confusion over whether it was real or not, or whether some old pony just made it up thousands of years ago. But, it stuck with us all the same."

Apple Bloom shivered.

"Ah hate ta think o' somethin' like that just wanderin' around out there. Doin' all that bad stuff, never bein' stopped, just...ugh!"

Sweetie nodded again.

"I know the feeling. I had nightmares for weeks when I first heard that story."

From the way Scootaloo was looking to her fearfully, it would have been no surprise if that young pegasus had a similar experience in the days to come. But, as another silence passed over them all, Spike took on a more curious look, and glanced over to his unicorn friend.

"Sweetie...this creature, or being, or whatever it is. Did...did it have a name?"

Sweetie, after thinking on that, nodded, albeit briefly.

"It met many, but only one people knew it was coming long enough to give it a name. According to legend, in our language, the name meant a Bringer of Death."

Slowly, she shivered slightly, before finally answering in earnest.

"In their language though...it was called Grogar."

With the coming of the dawn, all who lived within the great city of Canterlot had come out into the streets in droves. For this was the day that they had been buzzing about for several weeks now. The day when the great leaders of the nations of Equis would gather together for the first time in history. The great forum, an enormous domed coliseum-like structure, had been constructed specifically for this purpose, and now loomed large on the eastern side of the city. Many of the Equestrian Guard were there lining the building, both to protect it, and to ensure nobody from the public strayed too close while the representatives arrived. Stallions, mares, colts and fillies were all gathering in vast crowds beyond the perimeter, chattering with excitement, fear and concern in equal measure. And this sentiment was reflected by nobody more than Celestia herself, who stood at the edge of a large balcony several levels up from the forum's entrance.

She looked out at the crowds, and at her city, scouring the area for any sign of those who might attend. It turns out that she did not have to wait for long. For already, she could see columns of ponies, glittering in the morning light, walking down the main streets from afar. The ponies of the Crystal Empire, led by the revered Princess Amore, a figure almost as respected and idolised within Equestria as much as Celestia herself. The ancient unicorn Princess, upon approaching the forum with her entourage, gazed up, smiling to her age-old friend. And Celestia herself smiled back, doubly so when she noticed that Prime Minister Sombra and his wife, Radiant Hope, would be attending the northern Princess. The first of her guests had arrived, but she knew that Amore was the obvious attendant here. There were still many others to arrive, even though the day was still young. So, sighing, the Princess turned, entering the forum in earnest.

The entire place was designed specifically as a meeting point where peoples of all nations could stand together as equals, and as such, a circle had been chosen as the main shape of the place. The great leaders would sit in the middle, with their respective followers in the seats behind them. There would be no "head of the table", no central seat where one leader would stand above others. This was a gathering of friends, not strangers or subordinates. Celestia, upon seeing Amore too begin to enter this chamber, spread out her wings and flew down, ready to greet her old friend. The two embraced, ever smiling to one another, and when they parted, Celestia offered a respectful bow to Sombra and Radiant, which was returned by the couple shortly afterwards. With pleasantries given, they made their way over to their respective seats, as well as all of the other guards and attendants that had joined them here.

Once seated, all looked on to the enormous doors that led outside, and here, the sound of hoofsteps could be heard. A small smile crept onto Celestia's face, as she saw the towering form of King Thorax, leader of the Changelings. With him, naturally, was is brother, Pharynx, and beside HIM was a smaller Changeling, largely blue in her colouring, save for her pink shell and head-fin. She seemed a timid-looking thing, perhaps an aide? Regardless, she appeared close to Thorax, as evidenced by the warm smile he gave her as they entered. They were followed by several other Changelings, many of whom looked around, finding it no doubt strange to be inside such an enormous pony-built structure. Celestia offered a bow of her head to the King, which was again returned to her, and she watched as the Changelings too took their place, getting themselves comfortable such as more approaching sounds made themselves known.

Here, it was two leaders, arriving at the same time. Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan, and High Chief Thunderhooves of the Buffalo. The large and bulky leaders were eyeing each other warily, but if they had any issue with one another, they said nothing of it. Like Thorax, they too were accompanied by youths from their respective peoples. For Thunderhooves, Celestia recognised the diminutive form of his daughter, Little Strongheart. For Rutherford, it was a young Yak female, with heavily braided hair, who occasionally looked like she'd trip over said headwear. They arrived with their followers, warriors from both of their tribes who glanced around with no small measure of thoughtfulness. Doubtless it was as important a gathering as the great unification of the Buffalo from some time ago, so they were understandably nervous about all this, not that Celestia could blame them.

The next leader to arrive brought a fresh smile to Celestia's face, as it was a regal and dignified-looking pink Hippogriff. Queen Novo, the dual-monarch of Mount Aris and Seaquestria. Her people were shape-shifters, like the Changelings, and dwelt both upon the mountain and within the seas. But, as one would expect, they'd chosen the form for the former for this gathering. Beside the Queen were two younger females, one yellow and one pink. Celestia recognised Novo's daughter, Princess Skystar, but the pink one's name eluded her. A niece perhaps? Regardless, both youths were clearly excited to be here, but one stern look from their elder made sure that they behaved themselves during this meeting. But, Novo was not so stern that she could not afford her old friend, Celestia, a quick smile. And of course, Celestia herself was eager to return the look, though she again resumed her vigil as the leaders just kept on coming.

As many had heard rumours of, dragons had indeed attended this summons, though the one that showed up was not the kind of towering beast that mares would tell their children of in stories. No, this dragon was far smaller, largely blue in her colouring, attended by several others of such size, including a smaller female with orange scales. She looked around, seeing all the faces who were surprised and wary of seeing dragons in a diplomatic setting for the first time. But, aside from a quick nod to Celestia, the dragoness did not make any overtures of greeting here, which the Princess was fine with, for now at least. Following her was a creature that seemed almost comically out-of-place here. A tiny creature, small enough to fit in the palm of Celestia's hoof and still leave room to spare. A Breezie. Specifically, Seabreeze, the chosen representative of his people. Granted, the Breezies did not have leaders in the same way as other nations, but they were a vital part of the world, and so they had a place here all the same.

Celestia watched, stifling the desire to look amused as this tiny figure, accompanied by several of his people, all sat together on a single seat, right next to Prince Rutherford, who looked down with some confusion at the miniscule visitors here. But, Celestia's smile vanished soon afterwards, for the next arrival was of a far more sobering nature. King Vorak, the ruler of the centaur lands to the far South. All looked to him with deference, for they knew that he had never left his lands like this. Celestia again gave a bow to him, and he to her, but they exchanged no greeting beyond that. Of note to the Princess, however, was the fact that he had apparently come here alone. His family, his soldiers, none had joined him. Whatever the reason was for this, she could not say, but she knew it was best not to enquire too deeply into the matter. He just sat quietly in his chair, observing the other leaders with interest.

Next, to the surprise of many, was a people who had never been seen in Canterlot before. The Zebras. They arrived, headed by a mare with an impressive Mohawk-style mane, and draped in golden rings around her hooves. Celestia bid them welcome with a smile, which was responded to with a sweeping bow from all of them. Celestia herself had heard much of these peoples, most notably with the legendary Zecora, whose very spirit was rumoured to have been bonded with the core essence of the Everfree Forest itself. She knew little of whether this was true or not, but what she did know was that it was a momentous day indeed if her kind had elected to come here. The Zebras, both male and female, entered the forum fully, filling out their section of the great rotunda, before, as with so many others here today, looking to all of the rest of the gathered peoples.

The room was almost completely full now, though one chair in particular remained empty. A chair with a crescent moon emblazoned upon it. Celestia frowned slightly, looking to her Captain, Night Light, who had been standing at the great doors of the forum since this gathering began. The stallion looked out into the streets, no doubt to see if anyone else was coming, and when he looked back to her, he simply gave a slow shake of his head. Celestia sighed, looking more than a little disheartened by this. But, if that was her choice, she knew she would have to respect it. It was a long-shot after all, but it was disappointing all the same. Even so, many others had gathered here, so that was a success at the very least. She tried to focus on that point, hoping it would help her through this. As the chatter of the chamber reached fever pitch, she got up from her chair, clearing her throat to finally speak.

And that was when it happened. Before a single word could escape the white mare's lips, the room was entirely taken aback by the sudden arrival of a strange burst of magic right in the centre of the chamber. A swirling vortex of many shades of blue. Celestia recognised it instantly as a teleport gate, the magic that had caused her such distress not so long ago. But while she looked to it with anticipation, Night leapt into action, charging forward along with several others of his Guard, rushing ahead and surrounding the gate, their horns trained on it and ready to face whatever might come out of it. But Celestia, who was adamant that this be a place of peace, stopped them, raising a hoof and silently letting them know that they were to stand down. Night was hesitant, but nevertheless did as his Princess requested, gesturing for his Guard to step aside.

As they did this, however, there was finally some activity from the gate, as a single pony stepped through. It was a blue unicorn mare, whom Celestia knew as Trixie Lulamoon. The unicorn gave a nod to the Princess, who in turn nodded back. Night was not so happy to have her here, as he knew full well that this newcomer had served as a spy in their midst for some time. But, as before, he said nothing, allowing this intruder to step forward from the portal, before looking to it herself. Moments passed, and everyone in the chamber looked on, not knowing what would happen next. But then, something did happen. A second mare exited the gateway, and here, just for a moment, Celestia flickered in her famous poker face. For the mare that now stood before her was none other than her former apprentice, Sunset Shimmer. The younger mare looked to her old teacher, and like her, hid her emotions well. What the two of them were thinking, none could say, only that now was not the time nor place for it.

Both mares, Trixie and Sunset, both stood on either side of the portal, giving an instinctive bow to it, and when she saw that, Celestia knew what would happen next. Sure enough, a third mare emerged. Taller, darker, clad in azure armour. Her sister was here. And as soon as she had left the portal, it closed, disappearing behind her. With its departure, there was a deathly silence in the chamber. All here, even those not of Equestria, had heard of this sister of Celestia. The dark alicorn, whose power and ability were unrivalled by any in the world. The stories were legion, but this was the first time any of them had seen her in the flesh. The Guard nearby, seeing this figure from their childhood stories, struggled to avoid trembling in her presence, with the exception of Night, who stood his ground as well as any of them. The others watched, many uncertain and even afraid of her being here, all while the Queen herself regarded each of them in turn, her face never giving away her thoughts or feelings.

Finally, she started to move towards her prepared chair, with Sunset and Trixie close behind her. All eyes were upon her as she did this, and king Vorak, the Father of one who had been killed by this mare long ago, tensed as he saw her. Moon herself cast him a glance, giving the barest of nods in acknowledgement of him being here, but otherwise remained focused on getting to her seat. And soon, she was there, sitting down in her assigned place, right across from Celestia. The silence continued, with the two sisters staring at one another from across that great distance, with many of the other leaders glancing from one to the other, not daring to utter a word. But, this mood did not last long, and as the dark Queen finally gave a nod to her elder sibling, she cast one final look to the assembled leaders of the world, before at last breaking the silence that had hung over them since the start.

"...Shall we begin?"

"...Beautiful."

Though her life had taken her to many places and enabled her to encounter many wondrous sights, there was nothing that truly captivated Twilight's eyes quite like the sunsets of her beloved home town, Canterlot. The sheer gorgeousness of all those reds and yellows and oranges as they bathed the innumerable buildings of the city created a tapestry of beauty the likes of which was simply unmatched by any other place in Equestria, at least as far as she was concerned. It was good to be home, or so the old saying went, and she took in a deep breath of the familiar air of her birth-home. Things were calm here, for now at least, and though her invitation back to the palace had been unexpected, she wasn't about to pass up the chance to come out here to one of the great balconies and see one of her favourite sights. But, her solitude here was not to last, as very familiar hoof-steps were heard approaching from behind. A warm smile crept onto the young mare's face, however, and as the sounds ceased, she finally spoke.

"It's good to see you again, Princess."

Celestia smiled back to her favoured student, resting her hoof upon her shoulder.

"And you, Twilight."

Though they enjoyed the silence between them, it did not endure, as Twilight eventually turned to her beloved mentor in earnest.

"So...how go the negotiations?"

Celestia sighed.

"Slow...but that was to be expected. A gathering of so many nations was never going to be easy, but the stubbornness of some of these leaders can get under even my skin."

Twilight giggled.

"I take it Rutherford and Thunderhooves are still butting heads over that trade deal of theirs?"

Celestia nodded.

"You know, I honestly can't tell which is the more bull-headed of the two. At the very least, Thunderhooves is quieter, I'll say that much."

The two shared a laugh, but that too was short-lived, as Twilight gained a more concerned look to her.

"And...your sister?"

The white alicorn frowned.

"She remained as difficult to read as ever. She has watched and listened to much of what has been happening, but she has rarely added her own voice to matters."

She narrowed her eyes as she looked out to the great Forum in the distance.

"That may change soon though."

"You're not wrong on that, Princess."

Celestia's face, if possible, went a shade paler than it already was, and she, along with Twilight, slowly turned to the one who had spoken. It was Sunset Shimmer, who maintained a serious frown as she regarded the Princess whom she used to call "teacher". Silence passed, and Twilight nervously looked from one mare to the other, utterly uncertain as to how to react to this unexpected arrival by her predecessor. After a time, however, Celestia looked down to her pupil, putting on a smile, for her benefit if nothing else, and giving her a quick pat on the shoulder.

"It's alright, Twilight. Go. I'll join you for our dinner together later."

Twilight was, understandably, hesitant to just leave her teacher alone with Sunset, and yet, she also knew that, whatever was to happen here, it was between the two of them, not her. So, sighing, she nodded, beginning to make her way back into the castle proper. But, as she passed Sunset, the latter glanced in her direction, keeping her voice to a whisper.

"...Our offer still stands."

Twilight's face remained stoic, and she did not even look at her fellow unicorn as she responded.

"...As does my answer."

Sunset chuckled, watching as Twilight moved away from her. The two remaining mares waited for Twilight to leave completely, and once she had done so, Sunset started to walk closer to Celestia.

"My Queen wishes for me to inform you that she wants to discuss the issue of the Followers of the Sun."

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"We are dealing with that matter as best we can."

The tone was formal and to-the-point, and yet Sunset shook her head all the same.

"Oh, I've no doubt. But given that you've failed to make any progress in finding any of their members, Queen Moon has requested that future efforts against that group be made jointly, with both Equestrian and Lunar soldiers involved."

Celestia frowned.

"I will not have Lunar soldiers operating within Equestrian borders."

Sunset turned, looking over to the Forum far away from them.

"Just so you know...the Queen is prepared to put this matter to the Concert as a whole, and see what their perspective on things will be."

The older mare struggled against the urge to frown, keeping with her famed look of reserve. But Sunset, who had spent most of her childhood with this alicorn, could see her frustrations, even smirking as a result of that perception. After a while, however, Celestia sighed.

"Tell my sister...I will speak with her and the other delegates about the matter."

Sunset gave a bow of her head, but it was clearly out of obligation rather than any real desire to do so.

"I will give her the good news."

She turned, and so began to go back the way she came, back inside the castle. Celestia watched her, and after being wracked with hesitation and doubt, she finally spoke up.

"Sunset..."

The unicorn stopped, though she kept her back to Celestia as the latter spoke.

"We...we have not spoken in quite some time."

Slowly, Sunset turned, looking her old teacher in the eye.

"...There hasn't been any reason to."

Celestia hung her head, shaking it briefly.

"No...I suppose there hasn't been."

Lifting her gaze up again, the Princess took a single step forward.

"I want you to know...not a day went by when I didn't think of you. Ever I wondered how things might have been if I had done things differently. If I had been honest with you."

Sunset frowned.

"I wondered the same thing. But...it doesn't make any difference, does it? You made your choice...and I made mine."

She grimaced, looking away from her former mentor.

"I've spent years being able to do things I would never have been permitted to do had I remained as your student."

She paused, but only briefly.

"Your sister gave me opportunities the likes of which I would never have had...if I'd stayed here."

Finally, she looked back to Celestia.

"Even if you hadn't lied, even if you hadn't undermined my teaching...I still wouldn't be as good with magic as I am now."

Celestia, who had simply stood there and allowed Sunset to get all of this off her chest, gave a single nod.

"You're right. I...I did lie to you. I did try to hold you back. You placed your trust in me, both as your teacher and..."

She winced, doing her best to try and avoid letting out the tears that so threatened to emerge from her eyes.

"...and as the closest thing you ever had to a parent."

Sunset looked away again, though whether out of anger or out of some similar need to hide her unhappy feelings as Celestia was, none could say. They remained quiet, those two mares, letting the sheer discomfort of this encounter sink in for them with every passing moment. But, after a long time, they could be silent no longer, and Celestia carried on with what she'd been saying before.

"I betrayed the trust you gave me, and ever since...I have considered that to be the greatest mistake of my entire life."

Slowly, Sunset's face started to change. It became, rather unexpectedly, softer. There was a moment of something else mixed in there, amidst all the bitterness she'd built up over the years. And whatever it was, it caused her to look back to Celestia.

"There are days...when I wish I hadn't run away."

Celestia looked to her, surprised, but saying nothing as her old student continued.

"I wanted to go back...to have you as my teacher again. I wanted things to go back to the way they were."

But, her softness faded, and harshness returned.

"But choices...can't be taken back. You can't undo your mistake...and I can't undo my going to Moon."

She took a deep breath, then sighed.

"Our paths are set...and they have been for a very long time."

They stared at one another, but beneath, they could each feel the longing that the other was going through. The overwhelming need to turn back the clock to the days when they were happy with each other. But that feeling was crushed under the weight of the realisation that those days were gone, and weren't coming back. Many minutes passed, and Sunset, perhaps thinking that continuing to be here wasn't doing her any good, turned away, and began to walk back into the castle.

"I thank you for your answerer before, Princess Celestia. I'm sure my Queen will appreciate your willingness to negotiate on this matter."

Then, before she reached the door, she halted, and after a full minute of hesitation, she looked over her shoulder.

"For what it's worth...it was...good...for me to see you again."

Celestia, utterly startled at those words, finally let down her defences, and a single tear flowed down her cheek.

"And I you...my student."