Do you know what this conference is about? My contact at the castle has been very hush-hush about everything.

Probably going to address the magical burst. That couldn't have been natural!

Or the sightings of a fifth alicorn.

Yeah, right. And it just happens to coincide with Princess Twilight's ascension by a few days? Get real.

I'm serious! I've seen the pictures from Ponyville. There's this filly that--

A filly? A literal foal? Now you're just making stuff up!

I'm not messing around! There's a fifth alicorn!

Wanna bet?

"Who's next on the agenda?" Princess Celestia asked down to Raven who stood by patiently.

Flipping over the page: "Count Greenfields from Machintosh Hills. They wish to discuss funding for a defensive project".

"Very well. Send them in." The princess yelled out to the guards next to the doorway.

"How are you doing down there?" Twilight smiled down to her trusty bodyguard standing at attention at the base of the throne.

"Can't complain, your highness." She replied, shuffling onto another hoof to alleviate some of the discomfort.

The count trotted forward, eyeing the unusual pony in guard armor but choosing to ignore her. "Your majesties." He bowed.

"You wished to discuss additional funding, Count Greenfields?" Celestia gently smiled down to the noble, signalling for him to make his case.

"Of course." He stood straight, projecting his professionalism and status. "We've come under attack by diamond dogs and dragons seeking our mountain's riches. I wish to use the funding to construct defenses." He hoofed Raven a few papers which Celestia floated over to herself.

Frowning at what she read, she showed it to Twilight before commenting: "This is quite the expenditure."

"I would like to have a wall built around the town and watchtowers to be positioned at high elevations for an early warning. This will require an expansion of the local barracks to facilitate more royal guards."

"Is that all it's for?" Twilight asked suspiciously. "It shouldn't cost this much to set up."

"We are isolated from most of Equestria. The transportation costs alone are nearly half of the total."

Celestia sat back. "And how would you go about affording the additional guard presence?"

"Our mountain is rich in metals and gemstones. Both the diamond dogs and dragons want these resources. Estimated production from the Diamondhoof Corporation suggest it will pay for nearly twice the cost of the additional guards, but only if it's operations continue with minimal disruptions."

"May I speak, your majesties?" The guardsmare spoke up.

"Do you have a suggestion, 'Private' Somnia?" The regal sister giggled. The entire display was ridiculous to anypony entering, but it was effective at keeping the filly on task.

"The diamond dogs are excellent miners and don't normally attack unless there is profit to be made. In exchange for some of the excess profits, they could assist with building the defenses against the dragons."

Celestia leaned down and whispered to her former student. "It's exactly what I was thinking."

"Your majesties, the diamond dogs cannot be trusted within our town!" The noble retorted. "What few come into town always manage to get drunk, causing nearly every public disturbance we have on record!"

"Private, do you have an idea on how to handle that issue?" Twilight asked.

"I'm afraid not, your majesty."

Celestia deliberated it for a moment with Twilight before addressing the noble. "Count Greenfields, I would like you to reach out to the diamond dogs and the Diamondhoof Corporation with an offer. In exchange for a cut of the profits from the mines, they are to assist with building the defenses of the town. Diamondhoof will provide supervisors to make sure the diamond dogs are keeping their end of the bargain. Relocating the town tavern closer to the mines will alleviate your other concern about public disturbances and the additional guards will help deal with any drunken dogs that wander into town."

The noble brought a hoof to their chin as they considered it, warily replying: "Of course, your highness. Thank you." Bowing before leaving the throne room.

"Private, please come up to the throne." Celestia commanded, getting the filly to march up the steps to them.

"Yes, your highness?" She stood at attention, awaiting further instructions to the amusement of both princesses.

"At ease." Celestia smiled down to her. "I would just like to say that you made a good suggestion. Did the diamond dogs cause many issues in Excalicorn?"

"On occasion. They were kept in line by being provided autonomy in exchange for metals they extracted. Prince Nightshade arranged the agreement, and it kept the peace even after their death."

Both princesses glanced to each other, Twilight asking the question. "Prince Nightshade?"

"My uncle." She shuffled a bit, a few jingles coming from her armor. "He was killed not long before I was born."

"That would explain why my mother never wrote about them." Celestia nodded. "That was all, private."

With a nod, Somnia marched back down into position at the base of the throne. Celestia regarded her assistant: "How many more are there for the day?"

Quickly checking the list, Raven replied: "That was the last of the nobles."

Celestia nodded. "Guards, can you check for anypony else?" While she waited for confirmation from the guards, she leaned down to whisper to Twilight. "You don't need to be here for this."

"I want to. I'm still new to being a Princess of Equestria. It couldn't hurt to learn from you directly." She cast a quick glance at the filly. "And I wanted to see how she would do with her new post."

"Your majesties!" The guard called out from the doors. "A few additional ponies have arrived to seek an audience."

"Very well. Let the first one in." She called out, retaking her regal posture. To her surprise, two thestrals entered through the large double doors. It wasn't often she got thestrals during the day court. Normally Luna would address them, being predisposed to the night. Twilight had to do a double take to make sure she was seeing them correctly. Different parts of her fought against one another for dominance. On one hoof, she wanted nothing more than for them to leave, but another part wanted them to stay. Badly.

Unbeknownst to either of the princesses atop the throne, Somnia was having trouble breathing as she stared wide eyed at the two approaching ponies, both of which also curiously looking at her seemingly with equally conflicted emotions. They're alive...

"Your majesties." The adult thestral with a dark purple mane briefly bowed, his eyes settling a bit longer on Twilight before he continued. "My name is Duskwing, and this is my nephew Nightwind. We've come from Hollow Shades to petition the monarchy to alleviate the woes of the thestrals."

The elder princess nodded, motioning for them to continue.

"The state of poverty in our communities is unacceptable for an Equestria that cares about its citizens. We are unable to receive funding to repair the sorry-state of our buildings. My own home has a room exposed to the open air because we didn't have enough wood to repair the wall from nearly a thousand years ago. I am also in charge of organizing the hunting teams, as we can't afford enough food for everypony in the town. We are spat at when we walk the streets of the large cities during the day and feared at night by other ponies.

"I would like for the monarchs of Equestria to take us seriously. We've been mistreated long enough and won't stand for it anymore!"

Celestia leaned forward, her expression serious yet saddened. "I'm sorry for the conditions you have to live in. All proposals for budget changes have to go through the Noble's Council before they are approved. If they agree to increas--"

"That's not enough!" He stepped forward aggressively. "Our Princess of the Night tried that and it failed, like it always does! I demand action! Not more meaningless promises!"

"Unfortunately, it isn't that easy." Celestia winced. She was used to ponies cutting her off, but usually they weren't so forward. "I've listened to their arguments against my sister's reforms, and I have to agree with them. They could be construed as favoritism towards the thestrals."

"So you're just going to let us suffer?" He stomped a hoof. "Like you have the past thousand years?"

While the adults were arguing, Somnia motioned over the colt accompanying Duskwing. "Hi, I'm Somnia."

"Um, should you be talking with me." He glanced back up at the princesses. "You're in the guard, aren't you?"

"No, this is just for show." She giggled. "Your name is Nightwind?"

"Yeah. My uncle couldn't afford a foalsitter, so he brought me along."

"You know, your uncle is a pretty great stallion." She grinned to the older pony that kept arguing with Celestia. "He cares a lot about the batponies."

"And he won't shut up about it either." The colt groaned.

"Somnia!" Twilight yelled down to the filly, startling her from her conversation. "You're supposed to be on duty."

"I am on duty!" She faced her mother proudly. "I'm doing my royal duty."

"I really am sorry, Mr.Duskwing. My sister's heart aches for your kind--"

"But yours doesn't!" He spat back. "You sit upon your throne feeling so high-and-mighty about serving the ponies of Equestria while completely ignoring us!"

"You're out of line!" Twilight replied. "All of the princesses care about the plight of the batponies--"

"You've done nothing about us! The only princess that seems to care is the Mistress of Dreams!"

"I care!" Somnia spoke up. "Batponies are ponies like any others!"

"Somnia! Get up here!" Her mother demanded.

"No!" The filly objected. "They deserve to receive support if other ponies get the same thing!"

"Who's this?" Duskwing motioned to the filly. "Is she just an exceptionally short mare? Or are you resorting to foal soldiers?"

"I'm Princess Somni--"

"Last chance, missy!" Twilight warned.

"I'm Princess Somnia Temporus, and I won't let you be mistreated by other ponies anymore!" She declared.

Duskwing shrugged. "Never heard of you."

"That's it!" Twilight lifted Somnia in her magic, floating her up to the thrones.

"Hey!" The filly fussed, struggling against her mother's magical grasp. "I was doing my royal duty!"

The thestral stallion took another step forward, Captain Shattershield stepping from the side to block his approach. "This is exactly what I was talking about! Mothers hide their foals from us, looking at us like we're predators seeking a quick snack! Clearly, Princess Twilight believes the same things that everypony else does!"

"I never--" Twilight was cut-off as the thestral physically spit onto the floor. She winced at the disgusted expression on the thestral's face, her chest tightening up.

"You are all talk and no action! I'm glad to see your daughter has gone against the prejudice you've tried brainwashing her with!"

"Duskwing of Hollow Shades!" Celestia extended her wings, using her royal voice. "That is too far."

"To Tartarus with both of you!" He grabbed a confused Nightwind and dragged him towards the doors. "Every batpony will know about how the monarchs really feel about us!"

Once he had left the room, Twilight let the struggling filly down. "Somnia, what was that all about?"

"He's right! You don't care!" She answered. "You hate batponies!"

"I don't hate--"

"Anypony who eats meat you hate!"

"Somnia, is that what this is all--"

"Well I won't stand for it!" Twilight had enough of this.

"Somnia!" She shouted back to the filly. "Listen. I don't hate batponies, nor do I hate meat-eaters."

"Only if they are ponies." The filly sneered back. Rolling her eyes, she marched from the throne towards the doors.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Twilight demanded, igniting her horn. Celestia raised a hoof, silently telling her fellow princess to let her go. Once gone, Celestia slumped back in her throne.

"It is for the best. She needs time to vent." The regal sister turned her head up to the ceiling, closing her eyes. "I hope this will go better than the last time."

"What happened last time?" Twilight asked curiously.

"It was before Luna's return. A thestral had come here seeking assistance with timber wolves threatening their town. Hollow Shades as well, I do believe. I sent the Lunar Guard to investigate, but it turned out to be a mistake. Not only did we not find the timber wolves, but the timber wolves ended up killing several ponies before they arrived. They were ran out of the town by the townsfolk. The rumor mill churned out the idea that the Lunar Guards were delayed because of my interference. I gave pardons to several ponies involved, but the incident still was a black mark on my reputation with them."

"But you wouldn't do that to them." Twilight protested. "Do they really have that little trust in you?"

"They don't trust anypony that isn't from their communities or is Luna." She shook her head, turning to Twilight tiredly. "We should probably finish the remaining visitors."

"Where's Captain Broken Dawn?" The filly stood in front of the barracks guard. "I need to speak with them."

"They are currently sleeping, your majesty." The familiar private stood at attention.

"I don't care! Where's their room?"

"To the right until you reach the officer's quarters. The door with the broken sun on it." The other guard answered nervously.

With a sigh, the filly trotted into the barracks, getting a few curious looks from the other guards as she passed. She knocked hard on the door with the small symbol of a broken sun and waited.

A few seconds later she heard somepony yell out from within. "Somepony better be dying, or you're getting court marshaled!"

"Let me in!" The filly demanded. "I want to talk!"

A few silent seconds later, the captain opened the door. "Princess Somnia?"

She lowered her voice. "In private."

Shrugging, the captain let her enter into his quarters/office. He turned on the light, stinging his eyes even more before closing the door gently. "Ya know, the other guards are going to start talking if you keep talking to me in secret." He chuckled.

The filly sat on his bed. "You told me that there weren't enough batponies that cared about changing how things were."

"Yeah?" He wasn't sure where this was headed. After-all, he was correct.

"We had somepony at the court today that did care! They won't stop until the wrongs are righted!"

The captain pulled up a chair next to his bed to face the filly. "And? I never said nopony cared."

"He won't stop, and neither will I! If I have to go to convince every batpony, then I'm going to! Nopony deserves to suffer!"

The captain rubbed his eyes, taking a moment to wake up. "Are you wearing guard armor?"

"Not important!" Grabbing his face: "Focus!"

"Look, kid, I don't know anything about who would care so much as to go to day court about it except..." He paused. "It didn't happen to be Duskwing, did it?"

"So you do know them." She sat back on the bed.

"Yeah, nearly every batpony who's somepony does. They kinda had the reputation of threatening the Lunar Guard some years back, going so far as to rally Hollow Shades into nearly rebelling, I forget why. A local celebrity among bat communities, of sorts. Word spread from the Lunar Guard and Hollow Shades that they were arrested by the Solar Guard, and it just spread like a wildfire among the other communities. I heard about it when I was still living at home in the jungles."

"They... They were arrested?" Somnia didn't like that sound of that.

"Only for a few days until Princess Celestia granted them a pardon for 'inciting rebellion'. A few moons of community service in Hollow Shades for 'assaulting a royal guard', and the rest is history."

The filly slowly smiled. "Sounds like him."

"You heard of them before? I thought the news was ordered not to report on the situation." He scratched an itch on the back of his foreleg as she considered something.

"No, I didn't hear about him. The last time I saw him was a long time ago..."

The captain squinted, right before going wide eyed. "Oh! I... I didn't know Princess Twilight..."

"She doesn't know." The filly shrugged, giving an apologetic smile. "Long story. He doesn't know either. That's what I wanted to talk to you about!"

"I don't see how I'm involved in any of this."

"I need some help." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "I need you to convince Luna to bring me to Hollow Shades with my mom."

"Why me? Why not just ask her yourself?"

"I'm nopony right now. Later today we are holding the press conference to reveal me to Equestria, and it would be an awesome first royal visit to go to Hollow Shades, but I want to make sure everything is in place before then."

The captain scratched the back of his head. "Does Princess Twilight even care? I mean, she's been nothing but pleasant to us guards, but I don't think she really views batponies that highly."

"She will. In time, I will make her." Somnia gave a devious smirk. "It's all part of the plan, but I need your help."

"Trying to get a princess reunited with her former lover? That's... a bit much."

"I was willing to buck you at the Summer Sun Celebration, and this is a bit much?" She deadpanned.

He shifted his tongue along his mouth in thought. She did have a point. And having Princess Twilight in addition to Princess Luna would be a massive step forward to making the change the filly promised. It's just crazy enough to work.

"What do you need me to do?" He asked tentatively, hoping that none of it could backfire.

She laid down on his bed, giving an uncomfortable view of her marehood. He tried averting his gaze, but part of him fought to take a look. "I need you to write a letter to Duskwing. He needs to sign up for an aerial event at the Equestria Games. The tryouts are this weekend at Rainbow Falls, so he'll need to be quick. Tell him that a lot of ponies are excited to see Hollow Shades compete, or something."

"And this helps... how?"

"It will give me an opportunity to introduce mom and dad. I'll think of something, but I need both of them present."

"Okay, that's not so bad." He admitted.

"Next, I need you to talk to Luna. Tell her that the Lunar Guard believes that her performing a royal visit to Hollow Shades would help deal with rumors the princesses don't care about them." She looked up at him over her belly. "But it needs to be after the tryouts. I hopefully will have convinced my mom to give them a chance. That is when you approach Luna about the possibility of bringing me and my mom along."

"And if everything goes according to plan, both of you will accompany her?" He raised a brow. "I still don't see why you couldn't just ask her."

"My mom can't know I'm involved, and I can't let Spike know either." She laid back fully. "He isn't willing to accept sexual favors in exchange for silence."

"I... Don't even want to know." He shook his head, getting rid of the thoughts as much as he could. She didn't make it much easier by presenting herself to him. He fought back the stiffy he was starting to get, with some success.

"My mom can't know about any of this. One slip and she'll know I'm up to something. It needs to seem natural. Sound good?" She asked hopefully.

"Yeah, a small act of misdirection." He chuckled, shaking his head. "I might just see things change within my lifetime."

There was a knock at the door before it was suddenly opened. The lieutenant stopped in her tracks at the sight before her, filly laid out on the captain's bed.

"Yes? I trust this is important?" He asked impatiently.

"Uhh..." She shook her head. "Princess Twilight requested Princess Somnia's presence in her quarters. What is--"

"Nothing!" He clarified, standing up. "She just wanted to talk."

The lieutenant bit her lip. "Like in the gardens?"

"NO!" He shook his head. "Somnia, get out!"

The filly gave him a hug, going so far as to kiss his cheek, before heading off with the lieutenant. He closed the door, clicking the lock in place before slumping against it with a sigh.

"She's going to get me lynched, I swear."

"Did- Did the Captain make you feel uncomfortable?" The lieutenant asked as they walked through the hall.

"Huh? No, why would he?" Somnia raised a curious brow.

"It's alright, you can tell me." She stopped to put a comforting hoof on the filly's shoulder. "If he did anything that made you feel... bad or gross, let me know. I can help."

"Nope!" The filly happily trotted off ahead. The lieutenant knocked on the door to the royal suite Princess Twilight was staying in. A few seconds later she heard the princess yell out to come in. Somnia opened the door to see both Celestia and her mother drinking some tea at the table and trotted over.

"Thank you, lieutenant." Celestia nodded. The guardsmare hesitated for a moment before bowing and taking her leave.

"Got it out of your system?" Twilight got up from the table to hug her daughter.

"Nope! But I'm feeling better now."

"That's good. Wouldn't want you in a grumpy mood at the press conference."

"Speaking of which." Celestia put her cup down and walked over to them. "We should be heading backstage."

With no objections, the three walked down to the backstage area of the royal auditorium. Upon entering into the room, they were swarmed with stylists and makeup artists to get them prepared. Twilight watched the stylist's futile attempt to get Somnia's mane under control, getting a giggle out of the frustration.

"First, Princess Celestia will address the media. Do you remember the script?" A stallion read off from a clipboard, not even bothering to look up as Celestia nodded. "Wonderful. Princess Twilight, have you prepared your speech?"

"Yes." She turned over to Somnia. "Did you prepare yours?"

"I thought I would wing it." She winked while raising her opposite wing, the stallion glaring at Twilight.

"Princess, are you sure its a good idea for the filly to speak before the crowd? Has she even done public speaking before?"

"I'm confident she will only make an embarrassment of herself." The princess giggled, getting a round of giggles from Somnia and Celestia.

"This is serious, princess! This will be her first exposure to Equestria, it's important she makes a good impression!" He turned to Celestia. "Your highness, please talk some sense into her."

"I will do no such thing." The regal sister got up from her chair. "Princess Somnia will learn from her mistakes, one way or another. Better sooner rather than later."

"Of course, your majesty." The stallion deflated. A mare trotted in briefly to yell out that there was 'two minutes to showtime'. The three princesses donned their regalia. While Princess Celestia wore her usual regal wear and Twilight only had her crown, Somnia was given a small tiara donned with six uniquely colored gems and a single clear diamond in the center. Kinda looks like the Excalicorn Amulet. Somnia mused. It even has the color order right.

"I trust that both of you will make the best impression possible." Celestia smiled down to the two younger alicorns. "Remember to smile, and please don't make any inappropriate remarks." She finished by narrowing her eyes at Somnia before they walked to the edge of the stage, waiting for their cue.

The mare next to Celestia checked her watch. "You can start anytime you wish, princess."

Stepping out confidently, her regal posture and diplomatic smile were met by the curious whispers from the crowd of reporters before her. She got behind the podium, taking a quick look down at Twilight's notes before facing the crowd.

"My little ponies, there have been many rumors circulating the two moons since Princess Twilight's ascension as a Princess of Equestria. While many of the rumors have been refuted already by myself or my sister, there were two that were partially correct.

"The day before Princess Twilight's coronation, a filly had wandered into the town of Ponyville, approaching my former pupil and her friend. At the time, she didn't know how to speak Ponish and was mistaken as a pegasus for anypony who gazed upon her. It was soon discovered that she was another alicorn."

The room erupted into questions, ultimately silenced when Celestia raised a hoof. "Furthermore, there have been additional rumors surrounding Princess Twilight's relation with the filly. I would like to clarify exactly what their relationship is." She took a breath, strategically building suspense for the ponies present.

"Rumors about the filly being an illegitimate or abandoned foal of Princess Twilight are completely false. I've known Twilight Sparkle for most of her life, ever since she earned her cutie mark all those years ago, and she isn't the type of pony to abandon a foal of hers. That being said, there is some truth to the rumors. We confirmed by hereditary magic that the filly is, indeed, the legitimate daughter of Princess Twilight."

A few shocked gasps came from the crowd, a few questions yelled over the whispering. "You may be wondering how nopony knew Princess Twilight had a foal until her ascension as a princess. The story behind Equestria's newest and youngest princess is too complicated for this press conference, and it wouldn't feel appropriate unless the young princess or her mother addressed the concerns directly.

"So without further ado, may I introduce for the very first time, Princess Somnia Temporus of Equestria!" She motioned towards the side of the stage. Twilight gently nudged Somnia, who took a shaky step forward before taking a deep breath and marching out like she had been told by Captain Shattershield. Her eyes widened at the sight of nearly twelve rows of reporters idly whispering to each other, each casting their eyes to her.

Somnia took up a position next to the podium opposite Celestia while Twilight went to the microphone between them to begin her speech.

"Ponies of Equestria and those living beyond our borders," Twilight glanced down at her notes, "I haven't been a Princess of Equestria for very long. The past two moons have felt like a roller-coaster with many surprises and expectations forced upon me. One of the expectations I never expected was to be a mother." She smiled down to Somnia. "Truthfully, I didn't even know I had a daughter until that fateful day she wandered into Ponyville."

A few questions were yelled out from the crowd, but Twilight continued. "It may seem like it is impossible for a mother not to know she has foals, and believe me, I was surprised too. My daughter remembers me from a time long forgotten by ponies, she saw me not as a stranger, or as a royal, but as her mom. I vowed that I wouldn't let her go, that in spite of my own memories being lost, I would raise her as any foal I could remember.

"There is a lot behind the story of who she is and where she came from, but I agree with Princess Celestia that it is too much for right now." Looking back to Somnia, Twilight asked a question with her eyes to which the filly nodded. "Somnia would like to give a few words."

Floating the microphone from its perch down to the filly, Twilight mouthed 'good luck'. Swallowing, Somnia built up the strength to speak before them. She had prepared the speech on the way back to the room from Broken Dawn, but now she was having doubts about it.

I believe in you. We all do.

"Hello, everypony." She internally cringed, that wasn't how it was supposed to start. "Um, I would like to thank my mom for helping me adjust to living in Equestria. It hasn't been an easy couple of weeks for either of us." She giggled, gaining a bit more confidence. "I don't know how she puts up with me."

The crowd chuckled a bit. "Even though I come from a different time and a different place, I hope to be a proper leader for all creatures in Equestria. It doesn't matter if you are an earth pony, pegasus, unicorn, or thestral, I will treat you with the respect and patience you deserve."

The crowd whispered a bit at the mention of thestrals, and Twilight gave a wary look to the filly who pushed aside the concerns. "I can only hope that the ponies of Equestria will give me a chance to prove myself. It is my promise to each and every pony that I will serve Equestria as best I can. Thank you." Twilight hoofed over the microphone to Celestia who continued.

"Within the next couple of months, there will be a series of administrative changes occurring in response to Princess Somnia's arrival. We will be addressing those when they are available for the public to view. We will now move onto the Q&A section." She nodded to the guards at the front of the stage who moved aside in case anypony wanted to step forward.

The first reporter to be picked by Celestia was a pegasus stallion. "Princesses, there has been a lot of talk lately that the emergence of Princess Somnia and the magical burst are related. The Clousdale Inquirer would like to know if there is any truth to the rumors."

Celestia answered. "No. Other than Princess Twilight's ascension, the other one is unrelated. The E.U.P. has already ensured the burst was not a threat to Equestria."

"But princess, how is that even possible? It was measured in excess of," he checked his pad of paper, "eleven-thousand swirls, which is significantly more powerful than the measured output of the Elements of Harmony. How is it possible that the E.U.P. was able to contain something that powerful?"

"I've already commented on this previously. The measurements are mistaking a previously unknown form of magic as being more powerful than it actually is."

The reporter sat back down and Twilight pointed to an earth pony in the crowd. "Princess Twilight, we must know, who's the father? Does he know his daughter's a princess?"

The purple princess looked down to the smirking filly next to her, deciding that letting Somnia answer probably would be a bad idea. "I'll be honest, I don't actually know who her father is. It has to do with the memory problems I mentioned before. I can assure you, her father would be proud to know she is a Princess of Equestria."

A few murmurs traveled through the crowd as the earth pony sat back down. Looking out over the crowd, Somnia picked the only thestral reporter among them.

"Princesses, I mean no disrespect, but does Princess Somnia's proclamation to serve all ponies really extend to batponies?"

"Of course it does!" The filly grabbed the microphone from her mother. "You are ponies like any others!"

"I have a hard time believing you are being honest, princess. We've heard promises for reforms but so far nothing has passed."

Grabbing the microphone back from the filly, Twilight narrowed her eyes at the reporter. "She's serious. We had a discussion early today, in fact. There is a lot to consider, but we can guarantee that there will be reforms coming to assist the downtrodden thestral communities."

"Thank you, princesses." The reporter sat back down. Celestia pointed to a unicorn for the next question.

"Going back to the topic of the magical burst--"

"We've already addressed that question." Celestia glared at the mare to stand down, but they persisted.

"The Ponyville Press experienced first-hoof the effects of the magical burst. According to calculations done by the University of Canterlot, the expected effects were accurate for a powerful burst in excess of ten-thousand swirls. Add onto it the increased timber wolf activity and the broken hospital equipment, I believe that you aren't telling us the whole truth, princess".

"Increased timber wolf activity?" Celestia raised a brow. "This is the first I've heard of it." She turned to Twilight who had frozen in place.

"Oh!" Somnia grabbed the microphone. "I would like to ask everypony to stay out of the Everfree Forest! It's dangerous to go in there without permission."

"Permission? You can't be serious?" The reporter scoffed. "It's not even private property. We're allowed to go into the forest if we wish."

"No, she's right." Twilight grabbed the microphone. "If anypony is found trespassing in the Everfree without explicit permission from the resident guardian, there will be consequences besides the dangers within. When I return to Ponyville, I'm going to be having a chat with the mayor about the topic."

"Princess Twilight, since when does the Everfree Forest have a guardian?"

"Longer than the Castle of the Two Sisters has stood." Twilight glanced briefly to Celestia, communicating that she had learned about what they did with Isirilas. "I'm serious. Nopony is allowed to enter into the Everfree Forest, and if you do so without permission then you will not be looked for if you disappear."

The crowd went silent at the implication. Princess Celestia took the microphone back, glaring annoyedly at Twilight before turning to the crowd. "While I don't necessarily agree with Princess Twilight's decision, it is her jurisdiction and doesn't go against the laws of Equestria. I kindly ask everypony to stay away from the forest for its more inherent dangers. As for the timber wolves, I would like you to include an advisory in your paper for citizens to report timber wolf sightings to the local garrison as soon as possible."

"Getting back to my original concern--"

"There's nothing more to discuss." Celestia cut her off. "These events are unrelated. Please let your colleagues have their turns."

The reporter reluctantly sat back down, giving Twilight the opportunity to choose a unicorn stallion.

"Princess Twilight, I'm with the Canterlot Chronicle, and we're wondering about what you meant by 'time long forgotten by ponies'. Are you suggesting you are much older than you have stated in the past?"

Falling onto her bed, Twilight took only a brief look up to see Somnia do the same, except right next to her.

"Ugh..." The filly moaned into the blankets, getting a light chuckle from her mother.

"Didn't expect it to be that bad?" She asked with a smile.

"Never... again..."

"Sorry to ruin your hopes, but that is going to be something you will have to do alone." Twilight petted Somnia's messy mane, rolling over onto her side to get a better look at her. The tiara had fallen off the moment she collapsed, so Twilight floated it over to her bedside table along with her own crown.

Turning down to the filly's cutie mark, her mind returned to one of the oldest questions she had for her daughter.

"Grar, how did she get her cutie mark?" Twilight asked, finally deciding to get it out of the way.

I gave it to her.

"I already know that." She rolled her eyes. "I was wondering how."

Are you sure its the best time to discuss this?

"Why not?"

You may not like the answer.

"I don't like the answer." The filly mumbled barely audible for Twilight.

"Is it something bad?" Twilight followed-up. "Is that why?"

In a sense, yes.

"Come on, just tell me." She grabbed the tired filly and brought her into a hug against her. "I'm here for her, and if understanding her cutie mark will let understand her better, then I will risk it."

I warned you...

Not long after she was born, I brought her to the examination ceremony with the other royal family members. There, I tested her for a variety of characteristics. Characteristics related to purity of soul and essence. If needed, I would have made the determination of her breeding partner. I assumed that her cousin was sufficient for breeding, however what I discovered was even better.

She's was a true alicorn. Perfect for the experiment I had been planning since the dawn of Ponykind.

"Experiment? You used her as a test subject?" She didn't really like the sound of that, especially since Somnia clearly didn't enjoy the results.

If it failed, then she certainly would have been another test subject. I would have had you and your husband to produce several more foals in order to recreate the genetic pattern in case of failure, but I treated her as the main subject, as I didn't know if I would survive the procedure. I meticulously put together the additional sacrifices while I was still in Excalicorn before leaving to gather the main bulk from the Tartarian Prison Complex.

"Sacrifices?" Twilight winced.

A few thousand of the worst criminals and prisoners in the Harmonic Empire along with a couple of dissidents the queen wanted gone.

"You killed thousands of ponies in cold blood for her?" She couldn't believe was she was hearing. That was monstrous, on par with the stories about King Sombra. "What could've possibly justified murder at that scale?"

Desperation. I could not waste the opportunity. My partner believed restraint was warranted until another true alicorn was born, but ultimately I made the call. I'm glad I did, since I succeeded.

"Buck you." The filly mumbled.

My greatest achievement, my greatest mistake, and my greatest regret all at once. If only my homeworld could hear about what I did, I would have been immortalized as a legend.

"That's why she has her cutie mark? How old was she even?"

The queen was in labor when I finished the experiment. She was in for quite the shock when she came to retrieve what was left of me from my laboratory.

"How old?" Twilight gritted her teeth.

Grar briefly paused. A few days. The minimum amount of time to transfer the prisoners from the Tartarian Prison Complex to the lab.

"Buck you!" The filly cried out, digging her face into Twilight's fur, sobbing. "Buck you, buck you, buck you..."

Then comes my regrets. Seeing how much it hurt her over the years. The nightmares, the inability to use most magic, the meticulous and often rigorous lessons to prepare her for when she is ready to take the mantle as a Grand Councilor.

"What's so important about being a 'Grand Councilor' that you would murder thousands and torture an innocent filly?!" Twilight snarled. She wanted to punch him in the face, or turn him to stone, either would have worked. There can't possibly be a good reason for any of this. No, definitely both.

There is a lot you do not know about the universe and the place of ponies in it. Beyond the veil, there are billions of worlds similar to Equestria, harboring life of its own. Do you know why? Because the Grand Councilors protect life from the malevolent entities seeking the end of existence.

Or they did, until they were all killed in 'The Fall'. Only a single one barely survived, mortally wounded and kept in a permanent state of holding back the worst entities with what little of them was left. They gave one last order: Create the Grand Councilor of Harmony by any means necessary. The fate of all existence, of our own lives meaning, depended on it.

I don't expect you to understand the bigger picture, at least not until Somnia breaks the veil to reveal the horrible truth, but understand that I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been absolutely necessary.

"I still don't get it. Wouldn't something like the Elements of Harmony would have worked? Why does it need to be somepony and not an artifact?"

The Elements of Harmony were made from the Tree of Harmony, which is itself only an access point for the energy contained within the world. Imagine the entity that could create such a world. To possess all the magic on Equus and more as though it was an insignificant fraction of their total strength. Souls are far stronger than even the most advanced saturation technology, thus why it had to be somepony, and not a thing.

Somnia is the closest thing to deity you can get without being the Ascended itself. Not just ponies, but every living thing is reliant on her survival, whether it knows it or not. She understands this, which is why she keeps going in spite of her suicidal urges. I've had to talk her down a few times already, something I don't take lightly.

"Somnia?" Twilight used a hoof to lift the filly's head. "Do you really want to die? Is- Is that why you do what you do?"

The filly dug her face back into Twilight's fur, breaking out in a new round of tears. "I-I j-just want i-it to s-stop."

My greatest regret... that somepony had to bear the curse of immortality. You do not truly understand how long forever is until you face it down in all its horror. With strange eons even death may die, but the Grand Council will remain. Consequences are, ultimately, inconsequential when you will see the same events play out an infinite number of times. What you do or why you do it stops mattering. Then comes the curse of forever, a fate worse than death.

"I-I don't w-want that to h-happen." She sobbed quietly. "I d-don't want to b-be like grandma."

"I don't see how there can be a fate worse than death or living forever. What is the curse of forever? Does it translate at all, or is it something beyond my ability to understand?" Twilight followed up.

Oh no, it is quite easy to understand. All cultures and species have a word for it, whether they accept it or not. It translates to one word in your language, an idea that is immortal on its own, a fate inevitable to those who do not fight it at every turn...

Apathy

Author's Note

Introducing the color schemes for Duskwing and Nightwind: