Life is long, and hard. This is true for any pony, but especially so for the ruler, Celestia. But she is more than a ruler, she is a pony who thinks and feels and suffers like all others - as two young recruits will find out. But can they be all that their ruler, and all that the pony behind the mask, needs?

NOTE: Written as a one shot, but if there's interest I can definitely continue this story.