When her busy schedule suddenly opens up, Princess Twilight Sparkle decides the time is finally right to dig into some of the deeper questions of rulership.

As the ruler of Equestria, it's her job to decide when to deploy the nation's most powerful weapon against its enemies, at her sole discretion. It's a heavy responsibility, with severe ramifications. How can a lone pony decide if trapping someone in stone is justifiable? And what will happen if she can't make that choice?

It's time for Twilight Sparkle to find out.

Written for Imposing Sovereigns II, with the prompt Twilight Sparkle - Abdication.

Preread by Naughty_Ranko.