Komm, Süßer Schein

"And is it true that you took part in the process of writing the Codex, and approved of its contents?"

"Well, it was centuries ago, I-"

"Answer the question," the changeling interrupted her.

Celestia subtly shook her head in annoyance, and moved a strand of her multicoloured mane out of her face. She looked a bit out of place in the large wooden chair, not being as tall as she'd used to be back when it had been built. "I did," she replied, her tone as flat as millennia of diplomatic experience could make it.

"Good," the brightly coloured insectoid replied. "And is it true that going against the Codex would be equal to going against your will?"

The once Princess seemed to bite her tongue to stop something rushing from her mouth. Though maybe Twilight had simply imagined it. Instead, Celestia continued with the same calm and detached tone, "That is what it says in the Codex, yes."

"And you approved of it," the changeling pressed on, peering at her over his glasses.

"I did," Celestia admitted again, repressing a sigh of frustration.

"Then I will ask again. Is it true that going against the Codex is equivalent to going against you?"

There was a pause, and the only sound in Twilight's ears was the subtle clicking of her own teeth.

"Evidently so," came Celestia's reply, and for a moment Twilight pitied the changeling for being on the receiving end of the stare that accompanied those words.

A murmur moved through the crowd, and Twilight inwardly flinched.

"Very well." Antenna stepped aside, and bowed slightly, pointing to the exit. "You may go now, Princess."

"I have not been a Princess for many years now," Celestia said, stepping down from the platform. Her naked hooves clacked against the marble floor as she walked through the room. For a moment, it looked like she'd disappeared, or had become invisible. "In fact, I believe you had yet to be born when I stopped being one." She reached Twilight's seat on her way to the exit, and looked up at the taller alicorn with a worried expression. Then she looked away, and the heavy doors closed behind her as she exited the room. Behind them, unseen, her form dissipated and faded away, and in her home the alicorn sighed.

Twilight swallowed, nervously shifting her wings.

On the other side of the room, Cozy Glow smiled at her.

Her name was called, and, hesitantly, she got up from her seat.