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."

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