Our Greatest Failures

Disclaimer 1: I do not own "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic," or its characters. They are property of Hasbro and the Hub Network.

Disclaimer 2: I do not own the fan made character of Gentle Soul. It is property of Black Kyurem.

"Our Greatest Failures"

By TwilightSparkle3562 with special thanks to YodaJax10 for his ideas and contributions.

Chapter 1

"A Cloud of Doubt"

The wedding of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in Canterlot was a major event in the history of Equestria. Everyone was admired by how the wedding ceremony and the reception progressed after it almost never happened, thanks to an invasion of creatures called Changelings and their queen, Chrysalis. They terrorized Canterlot and its citizens for their love for one another.

But, this invasion didn't have to happen at all. If it weren't for the actions of Princess Celestia's student, Twilight Sparkle, the kingdom would have been lost and everything would have turned out differently. However, Princess Celestia and her captain of the guard, Shining Armor, who was also Twilight Sparkle's brother, ignored her warnings at the wedding rehearsal about her suspicions towards Princess Cadence who was really Queen Chrysalis in disguise.

As a result, Twilight was kicked out of the wedding and the relationships with her brother, friends and mentor were nearly ruined. Fortuantely, everyone made up for their behavior towards Twilight and not only was Twilight reinstated as Shining Armor's Best Mare, but also Princess Cadence wanted to thank Twilight for saving her from the Canterlot Caves by making Twilight her Mare of Honor.

However, while Celestia and Twilight resumed their good relationship, there were many other subjects in Canterlot who still believed that Celestia failed to protect them. Among them were two high class Canterlot ponies named Jet Set and his wife Upper Crust who were at the annual Wonderbolts derby with Fancy Pants, the most important pony in Canterlot and several other high profile ponies.

"Can you believe that our own Princess failed to protect us from those monsters?" said Jet Set. "My wife and I almost lost our house."

"Indeed," added Upper Crust. "And a ruler is supposed to take all warnings about things like this seriously. Why, as soon as she was defeated, I wanted her to just die right then and there."

"Now, don't take things too far, Upper Crust," said Fancy Pants. "Rarity and the other bridesmaids helped the Princess Cadence and her love defeat the Changelings and they all live happily ever after. It's time to accept what happened and move on."

But, not even the most important pony in Canterlot could defuse the tension that was building among the elite of Canterlot. Several other high profile ponies stepped forward as well to voice their displeasure.

"I think that Celestia lied to us about always be there for her subjects," said Hoity Toity. "A true leader must always take warnings seriously, even if they are not so serious. Twilight Sparkle proved just that and I think she should be Princess and not her."

"How do you know zat?" asked Photo Finish. "Twilight is just a child and only a student. She is not even close to being a ruler."

"Well, how do you know that, Photo Finish?" asked Jet Set. "All you are big into is taking pictures and fashion. You don't know one thing about politics."

Hoity Toity was not really pleased about Jet Set's comment, since he was big into fashion just as much as Photo Finish.

"I know that Twilight Sparkle would never let her friends down and that she would always be there for them," replied Photo Finish. "I saw her make one of my models, Fluttershy, perform some strange behaviors that ultimately made her leave my department."

"What does that have to do with anything?" asked Upper Crust. "Nevertheless, we nearly were killed by those flying insects and Princess Celesita is in entirely to blame."

"Perhaps you haven't learned the whole truth," replied Photo Finish. "Until then, you must not spread vicious rumors yet. I support Princess Celestia and that Twilight is not ready to be a princess."

"Well, my friends," smiled Fancy Pants nervously, trying to change the subject. "The next race is about to start and you haven't sent in your picks yet. So, why don't you all do that right now?"

But, they all just ignored him and continued their conversation. Unlike most of Celestia's subjects, Fancy Pants was very supportive of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. After all, he knew Twilight and her friends personally thanks to Rarity and that he learned as a colt to always forgive and forget and that everyone in Canterlot was not learning that right now. He left his private box and instead of watching the next race, walked over to Canterlot Castle as the rain had begun to fall on the kingdom, thanks to the Pegasi.

Meanwhile, Princess Celestia looked out over her kingdom and let out a very heavy sigh. As she walked over to a newly made stained glass window of the Changelings defeat, the events of their invasion still haunted her ever since her niece and nephew-in-law managed to use the power of their love to send the them away. But, despite being on good terms again with her most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, the princess of the sun was starting to question herself as a ruler. She had always wanted to make Twilight a princess, but she still had a lot to learn about being one and she was not even close to being ready.

As she looked at the newest stained glass window of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor using their love, a guard opened the door and Celestia looked towards him.

"You have a visitor, your highness," he said. "It's Fancy Pants from Canterlot."

"Send him in," she replied as Princess Luna, Celestia's sister walked into the throne room.

"Sister," she said. "You cannot let this invasion bother you forever. It's time to move on and focus on Princess Cadence becoming Princess of the Crystal Empire."

"Luna," sighed Celestia as she looked towards her sister. "I cannot help but wonder. I know that Twilight and I are on good terms again and that I am forever grateful that she was there in our moment of need, but I feel that my subjects are starting to doubt me as a ruler."

"Maybe you are not as loved as you once were," replied Luna. "I learned a long time ago after I abandoned my Nightmare Moon form that not everyone is going to love and respect you for who you are."

"Yes, little sister," said Celestia, lowering her head down in shame.. "I did teach you that a long time ago. But, this is something completely different. Instead of helping to celebrate the greatest day in our niece's life, I nearly lost her, my faithful student and my kingdom to the Queen of the Changelings and I am wondering if it will happen again and that I am wondering if I will be ready the next time they come."

"Dear sister," gasped Luna. "They are far away from Canterlot and are most likely never to return. You must look at it that way. Perhaps if Twilight Sparkle comes to Canterlot and you can tell her your situation and maybe she can help you win most of your subjects back."

Celestia moaned as she walked back to her throne. In Celestia's mind, inviting Twilight back to Canterlot just to open up a bag of worms that was the events at the wedding rehearsal was not something she had in mind. In fact, Celestia was the one who had a lot to think about ever since the invasion and among those she was thinking about was whether she should step down as princess of Canterlot.

"Sister, you cannot let this bother you forever," said Luna, placing a wing on her sister. "I know what you said to Twilight at the Rehearsal was wrong and that I should have been there for you, but I am princess of the night and I have to sleep during the day sometimes. I should have been there for you at your moment of need and I wasn't, but I have to move on from this and so should you."

Celestia was not prepared for what Luna said next.

"There have been rumors of our subjects that feel you should step down as Princess and give your crown to Twilight Sparkle, since she was the one who saw signs of trouble and tried to warn you. I do not want you to surrender your crown as by doing so, you would disgrace everything our mother and father had taught us ever since we were fillies."

Celestia tried to ignore her sister's sayings, but she couldn't do so. Abdicating her throne was the last thing she would do, but her subjects were bullying her into doing so and that was starting to bother Luna greatly.

"What can we do about this?" sighed Celestia.

"It's time we brought Twilight Sparkle here to help you," suggested Luna. "I am also going to get the help of our counselor, Gentle Soul, as well so that she understands our situation."

Princess Celestia did not like the idea of Twilight coming to Canterlot to hear about her problems, but this was a problem that needed to be addressed right away and even though Celestia had failed Twilight, Twilight did not fail her and Luna knew it. Princess Celestia had to address her subjects at some point about her failures and that Twilight was the only one who could help her do so.

Meanwhile, Fancy Pants was walking towards the throne room and upon seeing the sisters alone, chose not to enter and decided to leave.

"I think its best if they go at it alone," he said to himself.  "I don't want them to relinquish their crowns to one of Rarity's friends as much as anyone. But, they do have my support."

Little did they know that Twilight was dealing with problems of her own and it was surrounding her assistant and friend, Spike, who was behaving very strangely….