Celestia’s time pampering Twilight had lasted just one more week. The cursed message had come in the morning, via magical means. At first, Celestia had balked at what she had to do, but now she’d done it. Twilight had just left. Celestia had shown her a dark, dangerous magic and warned her about the consequences of failure.

For the sake of the specter of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Celestia had decided to test little Twilight. She’d agonized over the decision, knowing full well that it could end in absolute tragedy. When she’d paused, thinking to send a small army instead, she’d remembered Shining’s words from way back. To make Twilight into an Alicorn they needed a crucible, and the situation was turning into a fire unlike any other.

According to the letter Shining’s magic had been sealed, Cadence was deathly exhausted, the heart was nowhere to be found, and Sombra had returned. Worse, Shining’s mention of survivors had turned out to be an understatement. The entire capitol city of the Crystal Empire had survived, and thousands of ponies that had been lost to time had suddenly re-appeared, and were about to become Sombra’s slaves once more.

Luna didn’t approve of the decision, claiming that Twilight wasn’t ready and was deeply worried that she would die. Celestia had quietly listened to her concerns, then comforted her while telling her that this must be done. Luna was furious, and Celestia hoped that she would forgive her.

Both of them would be devastated if they lost little Twilight.

Twilight had eagerly left while taking the rest of the element bearers with her. Celestia had instructed Twilight that this test was for her, and her alone, but that her friends could support.

She needed to have Twilight accomplish something, anything, to show signs of ascension. Celestia hoped that it hadn’t been a mistake.

Quietly, she stared at the empty throne room as Luna and she sat together staring into the vacuous court, each lost in their own thoughts. They’d canceled proceedings for the day, but not left the symbol of their responsibility. They would not, until the Crystal Empire’s fate was known.

Luna emanated a cold fury as she finally spoke. “Sister, should you be wrong, and she is not ready, then I worry what I shall do.”

Celestia slowly leaned on her, ignoring her fury and instead cherishing her sister’s reluctant support. “I worry as well, Luna, though not about your actions.”

They stayed quiet for a while before Celestia quietly spoke up. “Should I be wrong, I shall take full responsibility.”

Luna held eerily still.

She dreaded the coming days. No matter how this turned out, her bed would be cold. Should this fail, Celestia would likely throw herself at Sombra, turning the frozen north into a glass wasteland and ending his threat with an ancient power she’d once vowed to never use. She’d slink back, broken and disgusted with herself, and beg her sister to take Equestria from her.

Hopefully Luna would, and Celestia could quietly support her from the back.

Of course, should Twilight succeed, things would change as well. Celestia didn’t see how Twilight would become that regal specter, but was now sure it was a possibility. Twilight’s success here would point to that possibility being a certainty. No normal pony had ever stood against Sombra, allies or not. Even when Celestia and Luna had worked together to corner him, he’d performed some grand magic to remove himself and what was left of his conquered empire from the very fabric of time itself. Celestia had assumed he’d died in the formless void.

Clearly, she’d once again terribly underestimated Sombra’s power.

If Twilight was truly to become the Princess Twilight Sparkle, Celestia would do everything in her power to fulfill that. As Luna had once mentioned, another immortal alicorn was a boon beyond any other.

Shining would be paid in full, his price disgusting or not, and live out the rest of his life in royally sanctioned and even facilitated debauchery.

At the moment, Celestia wasn’t the slightest bit disturbed that this was her dearest wish.

Author's Note

These are both pretty short. I'll toss another up later today. It'll be short as well. Whoops. Too many short chapters in a row...