The last few weeks had seen the biggest influx of legislative action and paperwork in nearly 200 hundred years; the last great influx had overhauled the country’s entire agriculture policy from the ground up. This on the otherhoof, was something much, much bigger and even more frustrating. To transform their country from a matriarch to government resembling a cooperative matriarchal overnight simply couldn’t be done in the alout time.

Especially with most of the upper crest sandbagging the entire process with fake concerns and filibustering every meeting with pointless jabbering until every member either vetoed the current proposal or diluted it with unnecessary add-ons.

Now it was nothing but a deteriorating mess that gave Princess Celestia a headache to rival any other. Peace talks, meetings, gatherings, social and planned events were eventually overshadowed to the point they became the same thing just on a new day. They had all became an elaborate excuse to gather around polite company to discuss the troubles surrounding their Princesses, or rather a certain nocturnal one, and that deeply troubled the Sun.

Luna, having only just returned nearly 6 months ago from exile held little to no status in the eyes of the current nobles and other influential ponies. Granted, she had made a few strides in winning the common ponies’ trust,though many still viewed her with an air of fear and suspicion. It sadden Celestia to say it but other then being her sister, Luna held no real power or prestige in the court and by that logic made it all the more difficult for her to reintegrate back into society. Sure, Celestia didn’t expect Luna to fully reintegrate in the same day but she had hoped the transition would have been smoother.

In Luna’s credit, she really had been trying to resume her old duties as quickly and seamless as possible. Though limited in power and influence, Luna did manage to win some favor among some of the key common ponies (namely in Ponyville) and even helped some of the astrologers and maritime ponies by updating their star charts, thus allowing for better sea navigation and cosmic research. Still this did little to wash away the stigma of Nightmare Moon, and sadly it may never truly disappear.

Celestia sighed quietly, allowing a portion of her concerns to vanish with it as she continued her mild stroll. The outside gardens were one of the only places within the castle open to the public, with the outer courtyard around the main entrance being the other; ironic considering the alicorn never liked displaying her feelings in public. The soft crunching of the crisp grass was the only sign somepony was out this early in the morning, and Celestia hoped it remained so until she had her fill of despair.

Her sister’s night was still present and on display for the world, and yet Celestia couldn’t even look at it; a bit of guilt and fear still held her in a vice. She loved and wholeheartedly praised higher beings for Luna's fortunate and safe return, but now she grudgingly questioned Luna’s mental stability. Celestia was at a loss. Luna’s habits and mannerisms showed just how out of tune she was but could that alone really ruin her chances of integration?

She sighed once more. Even this late into Luna’s Night, her moon still managed to illuminate the land with just enough light to see without the use of a candle or spell.

To Celestia, it allowed her a small glimpse into her sister’s world; the ability to gaze on the bare, and plain truth normally hidden by her sun. To the left, the statue of Commander Hurricane, a hero and model for many pegasi for generations by day… and by night, it could be mistaken as a demon of death and suffering to his would-be enemies. Celestia gave pause to absorb this strange statue, noting how the light seemed to go to great lengths to avoid his face; even the shadows ignored his face, settling on cloaking the body like an armour. With the absence of light, this paragon of a hero was transformed into faceless monster.

Perhaps this was how her sister felt most of the time, maybe all the time? Maybe ponies as a whole were actually two completely separate beings that wore two masks each day; one mask the pony they were expected to be with the second being the monster they really were? Were Luna and her the exceptions to this or were they in some way each other’s opposite mask? Luna being Celestia’s demon and Celestia being Luna’s angel?

Could such a system even be possible? Perhaps in a twisted way Nightmare Moon was the world’s answer to maintaining a pure harmonic balance... Celestia shook her head, partly in hope of it freeing her mind from such thoughts. An immortal ruler and a learned pony in many fields, especially philosophy and yet all of its "What If?" completely eluded her. She needed answers that could be found by completing a hypothesis. Celestia needed that hypothesis to be formed from facts and not just assumptions littering her collective thoughts. Celestia didn't like the unknowns and their unanswerable variables.

She found them unnerving.

“An unfortunate truth it would be.” Celestia whispered dejectedly. “We’re already different enough with two opinions on how the whole world views us. My little ponies see me as a savior and pillar to lasting harmony, happiness, growth, acceptance, and prosperity for all. My sister Luna is looked upon as nothing but a cold entity to be feared and condemned; a living reminder of ages past and disasters to come if they should ever leave my light.”

Going off the position of the stars and from her connection with the sun, Celestia knew it was almost time for the sun to rise and for that she was thankful for the brief distraction.

Normally she was all about a new day, but for this morning Celestia wasn't going to perform any spectacles: shows of power, or fancy flying. Instead the alicorn opted to just raise the sun like her job demanded given she wasn’t really in the mood anyway. Aiming her horn toward the sky, Celestia enveloped it with the purest light one could ever hope to see in their lifetime; a light so pure in contrast, it could reduce a pony to tears.
The aura grew brighter as she channeled more power into her spell. The raw energy coming from her radiated outward, unleashing ripples of energy that shook the trees and hedges with an unseen wind as it continued to encompass the surrounding area.

As it reached its maximum point, the energy just as quickly began recalling back to its point of origin. The wind reversed its direction back toward Celestia with a vengeance, collecting and swirling around her form before converging at the very tip of the horn. She could feel the exuberant energy of the sun as it compressed into a perfectly shaped sphere no bigger than a common bit.

With the practiced motions only achieved with centuries of repetition, Celestia elevated her upper body toward the night sky. Using her mighty wings as a balance, she was able to stand using only her hind legs as a base. The sphere shot forth into the sky with speeds Rainbow Dash could only imagine. Celestia held her pose until she felt the energy pulse across the sky, signaling her connection with the massive fireball that graced her flank. The bleak blanket of the night began gradually dissipating as the warm, and hopeful colors of the dawn surged through the sky. It only took minutes after that before its rays extended over Equestria, shooing its nocturnal cousin away.

Celestia’s smile, however brief fell into a frown as she lowered herself back on all fours. It wasn’t new watching day and night “chase” each other so they could have their turn, but watching it happen repeatedly only reminded her of her previous thoughts. Luna, and her night frolicking peacefully before the big, bad, glaring sun comes…

“Could I really cause Luna so much distress, and not realize it?” Once more, like centuries before, Celestia found herself down this very trail of thinking. How often would she sit alone while sipping tea, as her self doubt pick at the bones of her sanity?

There had to have been the reason, there was no other explanation as to why she fought so hard to clear her sister’s name; it wasn't Luna’s fault but hers alone, or she assumed. Luna was her sister, and that gave Celestia the unparallel advantage of knowing her better than anypony. So, why did every possible explanation or hypostasis she tested ended with the results she didn’t want?

Every conclusion pointing toward a pony with an unstable thought process that is likely to repeat?

“I need answers, not agreement but honest opinions I can use, but whom?” Celestia asked herself. What about her staff or Guards? Maybe one of them, but even though she saw them on a daily basis, could she even consider calling one of them a friend? Ultimately she decided no, this wasn't something she could discuss openly with them. What about Twilight or one of her fri….

“Of course.” It dawned on her. There was only one pony besides her faithful student she could discuss this matter with. “If there was anypony... it’ll be him.” Happy with this result she calmly started her walk back to the castle’s inner halls; breakfast was approaching and she had a summon to make.

“No Morning Rise, that would be all, but thank you for asking.” Princess Celestia said, politely dismissing her hoofmaid. The early-bird, Morning Rise lowered the pot of hot tea aside before giving her lady a very friendly and warm bow to which Celestia gave a friendly smile right back. If anypony could come close to matching her sleep cycle it was her hoofmaid; since her first day on the job, unless they had forgone sleep altogether, nopony could beat her in waking up first.

After that initial discovery, Celestia came to rely on Morning Rise to wake her every time to lower the moon and raise the sun. But with Luna’s return, the job had become even less taxing meaning she had the option of sleeping in for a few more hours than normal.

Sadly, that still didn't keep Morning Rise from waking Celestia at the crack at dawn, so to speak.

With her task for the moment finished, Morning Rise gave one little bow before leaving Princess Celestia to enjoy her heavenly morning breakfast of imported oats, and hazel chocolate-covered toast. Her diet was going better than expected, and so Morning thought the Princess of the Sun deserved a treat this morning instead of the usual sliced bananas, and oranges with a glass of water. Morning nodded to the guards, and the trio left the Princess alone to enjoy her meal.

Celestia watched as her little entourage disappeared, waiting until the echoes of their hooves were nothing more than faint claps before letting loose on the defenseless plate before her.

Normally, the regal purity Celestia was known for would have accompanied her throughout the entirety of a given meal, but not this time. For on this morning she wouldn't worry whether or not anypony’s eyes were upon her… criticizing her for not being their ideal monument In little stories and legends since the founding of their little kingdom, Luna and Celestia had been seen on a higher standing- the ultimate plane one could reach.

It felt wrong wanting and not giving, but if the Sun Princess could be selfish, it would be for a throwback to older times, just after Discord’s reign and the beginning of it all . A period where by an unanimous agreement, Luna and her were chosen to rule all of pony kind; a time when they could walk down the dirt roads of any village and the ponies would just bow or simply wave, and announce their gratitude. Unlike the notion of today, with ponies treating her existence like that of a celebrity with parades in her honor for a simple visit or copying every little quirk and making it into a “thing”.

It was from this mindset Celestia all but skipped dessert unless she wanted to watch ponies rolling up ramps again…

Ok, that was mildly funny.

Celestia paused from the greedy consumption of the food that once graced her plate. Mostly because her ears detected the faint taps of approaching hooves, and mainly because there was hardly anything left on her plate. She paused, ears swirling at attention for the noise once more…there it was. Celestia could only detect one pair of hooves, weighed down not by the burden of one’s items but the enormous responsibilities forced upon them… and just a little bit of their self-imposed worth.

An accurate description proven true when who but the very picture,( with help from the guards by the door) dragged himself through the Dining Hall.

“Why Blueblood, what an unexpected surprise to see you this early! Are you going to sit down and join your dear mother for breakfast son?” The sun incarnation asked as “Prince” Blueblood slumped into the dining hall. His beautifully kept mane clung to his face and neck in patches while his coat was raked with scratches and little bits of plant life. The dark rings under his eyes only enhanced the image.

The moment she realized this, a slight panic descended upon her like Parasprites on Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes. In her self-indulgence and hunger for not-so-healthy food, Celestia had discarded her table manners and proper dining etiquette. Her muzzle was covered in a mixture of chocolate-covered oats and crumbs that closely resembled bread crumbs but could have easily been passed off as dirt. In short, she was a mess.

“It appears we’re both not looking the part this morning.” his sluggish voice pointed out the obvious.

“Indeed. Was it one or two?” she playfully retorted.

“Please don’t start that this early mother. I was “roughing it” in the frigid wastelands that we call our Northern Border.. the garrison there wanted me to say hi for them.” Blueblood added to change the subject, while pouring the remaining tea for himself.

Celestia knew this tactic very well and showed her displeasure by crossing her fore hooves over her chest: pouting. “But I just want a couple of grandfoals to spoil with love and candy. Isn’t it a mother's duty to not only care for their foal but to meddle in their romantic life to guarantee a grandfoal?”

“No. In fact it’s nearly sinister in context and morality, so if you want to redeem your image I suggest leaving your little ponies to their own devices.” Blueblood watched as his mother eyed him with interest, trying to study him before giving a playful snort.

“You make a valid point Blueblood, and I can’t but agree. I guess I’ll have to be patient and wait for some dashing mare to sweep you off your hooves.”

“Don’t you mean elegant?”

“ For you, only an equally dashing pony will grab your attention.” this time Blueblood pouted, unable to hide his smirk as Celestia finished another sip of her tea.

The pair fell into their own routines while enjoying the presence of the other, no words were exchanged during this cease fire. Celestia and an equally tired Blueblood sat across from each other, one sipping tea and the other using their hoof as a makeshift pillow. A rare moment in the life of a princess always busy, and a son following in the family tradition of swimming matters of the administration. Still some small, and fidgeting concern kept Celestia from fully enjoying this rare treat.

While nice, why did her son come back so early from this trip, especially from as far as the Northern Border?

“What brings you here Blueblood? While it’s a treat to dine with you, I understand the matters of state are just as important to you and for you to came back early is a surprise.” The stallion cracked an eye, giving Celestia her only hint that he’s still conscious.

“Shadows... and pies.” or conscious enough to be talking in his sleep.

Celestia lowered her empty cup onto the plate, giving the silent clink a chance to thin out before lifting Blueblood’s cup to her muzzle. No point in letting it go cold after all. She was in mid sip when the loud knocking of hooves against oak doors filled her ears. The alicorn turned to her snoring son before glancing to the door, just as Shining Armor crept into the Dining Hall. He waited until he was fully in the room before looking their way, removing his helmet in show of respect and tradition when appearing before the princess in such a manner.

Seeing this, Celestia nodded and motion with a hoof he was allowed to approach. Shining Armor wasted no time in approaching the table, taking a seat directly beside Blueblood while setting his helmet on the chair next to him.

“I’m glad you came, Shining Armor. You of course made sure to burn that note, correct?” Celestia asked already knowing the answer, but asked it just for the clarifiaction. He gave a simple curt nod in response and the pair left it like that with nothing more needing to be said. With that first question out of the way, Celestia decided to take another sip of her tea before starting her conversation with Shining Armor.

She was going to need its calming effects for this talk.

As Celestia continued her silent partaking of her tea, Shining Armor shifted restlessly a in his seat wondering what she’ll do next. This was one of those moments he truly didn’t like, the unknown and uncertainty of a situation. His training was top notch and of course prepared him for dealing with multiple circumstances, but that still never truly helped when it came to dealing with the unknown. As a commander, his choices, and his actions affected everypony, and the less knowledge he had about a subject, the larger the possibility for somepony to get hurt.

Or for sompony to get dragged into needlessly dangerous scenarios.

Though Princess Celestia was the poster filly of elegance, and stature, there were also times she could become unpredictable, and to a point on par with Nightmare Moon in terms of anger and ruthlessness. Granted, the last time such an incident like that happened was about 300 hundred years after Luna’s exile, during the Griffon Hierarchy’s aggressive expansion campaign.

“That was different.” he told himself. “It was another time, another situation.” Shining Armor told himself as he steeled his mind for the coming conversation. Celestia’s lips finally left the rim of the tea cup, only after finishing off the tea before setting the cup and plate to the side. Other than that she didn’t move, didn’t even blink or twitch, as she sat with the practiced patience of a monarch.

Blueblood snored while mumbling something incoherent.

“Well, Princess Celestia...” Shining Armor started off casually before delivering the bad news. Celestia had insisted when he became Captain for him to just simply use her name and nothing more, but by addressing her with title, it was their way of knowing what was to be said wasn’t the news she wanted to hear. But she had summoned him for his input and he was going to tell her the truth.

“I have to agree with Prince Blueblood… he’s right. Why aren't we helping Princess Luna more than we currently are?” Shining Armor suddenly, despite being in the close proximity with the Mare of the Sun herself, felt a cold shiver running through his body.

“Excuse me, Captain Shining Armor?” Oh damn. He was treading straight into the jaws of an Ursa Major, and sadly he was doing it willfully, but the fact she used his rank scared him the most. Only in extreme times of importance or anger would Celestia use such a protocol when they were for the most part on a familiar, first name bases. This was likely going to end badly if he didn’t tread more carefully.

“I’m just saying Celestia that I agree with Prince Blueblood.” He quickly raised a hoof when he noticed the faintest movements of Celestia’s mouth readying to react. The gesture did its job, and bought him enough time to justify his reasons before becoming the newest garden statue.

“In the sense it feels we should be helping Princess Luna more than we have been. Couldn’t we try encouraging her to come out of her room more; maybe take her for walks around the city or something along those lines? What about setting up a tour of modern Equestria so Princess Luna could interact with her subjects? Both sides could do with some more exospore.” Shining Armor questioned.

Normally Prince Blueblood and he were at odds with each other, but for once that secretive prince was right. Shining Armor had so far only officially met Princess Luna a few times (like three or four) and even those moments had been very perfunctory. Most of their conversations in fact really weren’t conversations at all; they were her “letting him know” of his complete lack of command over her newly formed “Cosmic Guard”. In fact, nopony really knew much about their Night Princess except for the occasional loose bit of gossip and when she makes her routine appearances at the Night Court.

Princess Celestia had managed to return to a more natural demeanor after digesting Shining Armor’s insensitive remarks... or rather their spot on comprehension of the matter. She let her inquisitive magenta eyes scan the pony before her as they searched for anything that could be used to discredit his statement. They effortlessly scanned his very essence and his very soul for a shred of deceit or ill meaning behind his words, but they found none, and she respected him more for that. Celestia had summoned him for this reason in hopes he would agree with her and her decisions, but instead he sided with her son.

He sided with Blueblood because he honestly felt there was more they could be doing for Luna, and what was currently being done simply wasn’t enough. She had believed there was more that could be done, but once more she opted for giving Luna space and hoping that she’ll come around; a major problem she had when dealing with most ponies other than Twilight.

Celestia loved and respected her ponies so much to the point she tried to not interfere with their lives. Through the long years, she had learned early on that the more she got involved with her ponies lives, the more it ended up hurting her when they passed. It pained her very much, but Luna even more as she watched numerous friends and love interests pass while she remained the same. They both quickly chose to wisely stay out their citizens’ lives.

It’s a selfish tactic that they had used to great effect to this very day, one Celestia seemed to be recklessly using on her own sister. And that was even more crippling than the wound from the mightiest blast of magic. It was through fortune she figured this out now before it Luna got worse and either ended up on the moon once more or it ended with one of their deaths…

Celestia had made her decision, one that would involve breaking the rule she and Luna had agreed to enact and uphold indefinitely. She was going to open up to a pony other than her sister, and ask for their help. Her face drooped in defeat, letting a small sigh escape her lips as her entire body posture sagged till it resembled how an exhausted pony would look when sitting down.

“You’re right. Both of you are so very right.” Celestia finally said, her voice having lost its confident and lofted wisdom. She looked up from her hooves at the Captain whose gaze sought to comfort her, and equally wanting answers that only she had.

There were only a few scarce moments Celestia ever felt vulnerable and cornered, the last being the banishment of her sister, and now this one was slowly becoming such a moment. She straightened her massive body to an informal pose, disregarding the nature of her stature as she readied herself for a rare informal discussion with Shining Armor. Though she knew him a bit more than normal from how Twilight and Cadance, her niece, talked about him; sadly none of that ever made Celestia actually want to sit down with the stallion and just talk. And now here she was about to open up to this very stallion about a matter she wasn’t even going to tell Twilight about.

Celestia allowed her previous thoughts to settle along the floor of her mind, before returning to the present. Shining Armor still sat before her, worried and unsure how to proceed. He wanted to help or be of some assistance, but his training and her status chained him from doing anything. Celestia found these qualities and traits endearing, and it would seem her niece did as well.

“From the way Cadance talks of him, I might have to start getting used to this sort of thing.” Celestia thought with a sad smile gracing her muzzle. Not from disappointment of the possible future couple, but at how she suddenly just felt…better. Not by much but enough to dispel a couple of the dark clouds that hung over her head. To think Luna and her had agreed not to do this very sort of thing, and now it was possibly the very thing she needed right now.

“Shining, to be very blunt, I honestly don’t know what to do about my sister.”

The two sat in idle silence, sampling on the other’s confliction. One unmoving while his mind continued to processing the staggering revelation, while the other waited in bated breath. Celestia noticed only faint moments coming from her comrade, notably the subtle blinking of his eyes, and a few twitchy bodily jerks before he would inhaled a cool, restoring breath; all signs their backbones were trying to play poker with the cards facing up. A classic textbook mistake in the civil arts arena called peace talks.. or in any other negotiations. Talks that most always cater to the quick and nimble, but punish the naive and ignorant.

So, to hear Shining Armor speak first again was both a blessing and mildly humiliating for a pony of her vast experience.

“ I’m sorry princess, but I’m afraid I've misheard you. I swear you said you don’t know how to handle Princess Luna, when you really meant the opposite?” He asked knowing full well what Celestia had just said. Between his responsibilities as captain and brother to her protege, the stallion found it hard to accept their...his princess capable of being anything but perfect.

The saying, “nothing is perfect...” found its way sourly seeping into his thoughts.

“I naively thought once Luna returned, everything would be well once more. I knew there would be some resistance with her sudden appearance, and with the huge span of time she’s been away but nothing that’ll affect her permanently.” Celestia paused, magically gripping her tea cup. She raised it off its matching saucer before having it fall to her studious gaze, staring silently into its empty depths for the answers she sought. Her aura pulsed brightly once, before she released a small sigh, setting the teacup back on its saucer.

Shining did nothing but watch as his sovereign pondered what could very well be the meaning to their lives. He wanted a more lucrative answer but held his tongue until she was ready to speak, which if he needed to would wait until the setting sun.

“I need help Shining, plain and simple.” Celestia declared in defeat as she leaned a bit onto the table. The sudden movement surprising Shining Armor enough for him to instinctively move back like a foal readying themselves for one of their mother’s disappointment speeches.

“You’ve heard the rumors, the gossip about her behaviors, and importantly even seen how she’s been acting for the past couple of weeks.” Shining Armor nodded meekly to her words. The captain in him was unease, guilty even at just sitting here gossiping about his other charge while to his own dismay the civilian side of him was eager to listen and exchange in these juicy details. But thankfully the Captain in him was the stronger of the two sides, and had kept his professional image up.

“You've noticed how she’s be reacting to my presence as well. How Luna seems to tolerate my presence just long enough to exchange small talk, and keep up appearances. I try to make time and be there for her when she needs me but Luna ignores this and locks herself in her room. ”

“Princess…” he gulped “Celestia, I’m a bit surprised and at the same time honored you trust me enough for my opinion…” Shining Armor started as he thought about the ramifications of his involvement. In one hoof was Princess Celestia, the “Monarch” and light of all of Equestria. In the other was Princess Luna, the “step foul” or black sheep so to speak; the lost, confused and complete polar opposite of her sister.

Each move he made from here on out would affect both in some way. Should he give Celestia bad advice on how to handle Luna, both would feel it but Luna would suffer the most. While the opposite could be said, Shining Armor could draw more attention than he needed to himself and that could give Luna the wrong idea about him and how he played in this scheme of things. The way he looked at it, only more problems were going to be created in the end and it was going to eventually come down to who had been hurt the most.

And yet, Shining Armor couldn’t back out. He had in a way already made the first move in their game of chess just by replying to Celestia’s note. If he had known before what the note was really about he might have made some excuse not to be here. It wasn’t foolproof but it would have given him way more time to think this through.

Shining Armor is a soldier foremost and never had any intention to play the political game, but now he had already hit the ground running. He’ll play it one move at a time until he could plan ahead; for now his first move would be agreeing to Celestia’s plea for help. Because after everything was said and done, Celestia was his lord, and he was her vassal. He would have had to say yes eventually, and before that time came he wanted it to be on his terms.

“.. I’ll be happy to help you Celestia.” Shining Armor finished as Celestia’s face brighten to almost shedding tears of joy. She was about to respond when a blood curling scream quaked throughout every hallway, and room of the castle causing many ponies to drop what they were doing and whimper as they felt the chill snaking down their spines.

Shining Armor and Princess Celestia both snapped their heads toward the double doors as the two guards that always guarded the Sun came through followed by one of Luna’s Cosmic Guards. The controlled panic on their faces twisted before morphing into one of extreme urgency as all three open their mouths...

“Princess! Captain! It’s Princess Luna!” They shouted their warning just before another seismic blast hit, almost knocking the guards off their hooves.

“Tell the chefs we are famished and desire our nourishment now!”

The unmistakable royal voice of the night shook the table and its contents into a frenzy, enough to throw a still sleeping Blueblood onto the floor. The clattering of dishes quickly settled so only the powerful hoofsteps of Luna’s approach were audible to the six ponies. The lone Cosmic Guard was to the first to recover, giving his other sovereign a proper bow just before speaking.

“Princess Luna is awake and on her way for breakfast.”

Author's Note

No excuses for the very long delay on this story, so here's two chapters to hold you over until I finish the next two chapters.