Celestia slowly opened her eyes, her mind too restless for sleep, and her heart too heavy with worry.

She sat up, moving her legs over the side of the large bed. The light from Luna's moon was coming through the large windows, illuminating the royal bedroom. The light wasn't quite touching her bed, but almost. Smiling a little, Celestia reached out her hand into the light.

While Celestia couldn't feel the light of the moon, like you could with the sun, Celestia still felt some comfort as she moved her hand in the moonlight. It was almost like being close to her sister, as if they were not really apart.

Her smile turned into a worried frown. Her worries for her sister are too great to allow her rest. With a sigh, she got out of bed, and dressed once more, deciding a walk around the castle might calm her.

Ten minutes later, Celestia walked out into the almost empty castle.

There weren't many around the castle this time at night, other than a few staff members doing some late night chores, or the guards posted around the palace. None reacted visibly as she passed them, although she had a feeling they might be worried seeing her awake and about.

She couldn't blame them, with the Equestria in such peril, and her sister at the head of an army to face them, she was feeling it too.

Celestia didn't walk with any specific destination in mind, but after a while she did find herself at the royal library. It was quiet, with only a few lanterns lit. The library was very grand, with separate halls joining together to form the biggest library in assistance.

A local legend said if one delved too deep, it might take you days to find your way out. Although that wasn't true, the story did amuse the solar Princess.

She absently looked at the many wooden tables where scholars and mages often came to study. She passed a trolley filled with books, and stroked the large desk of the librarian. Celestia stopped, and turned with her back at the desk, she looked over the large library, taking in the large shelves, and the stained windows high above.

The light from Luna's moon made the images appear on the stone floor. It really was a sight to behold, and she found herself relaxing, even if it was just a little.

She was just about to walk back out, thinking about taking a stroll in the garden, when she noticed some light coming from one of the aisles of bookshelves. There were lanterns to aid anyone who entered this late, but the light from the aisle was stronger, and stood out now that she had noticed it.

It wasn't unheard of that some stayed longer than normal, but it was rare. As her curiosity rose, Celestia pushed off from the desk, and headed to the ile in question. Didn't take her more than a few steps. She briefly wondered who it could be, but as she stopped and looked down the aisle of books, she smiled, and chuckled lightly to herself.

Standing with a hovering lantern, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's personal student, was running her fingers over some books as she scanned for the one she was on the hunt for. Next to her was a small trolley to help her carry the books, there was a small stack of two or three thick books.

Celestia didn't need to ask to know what she was doing here at this hour. Twilight was an exceptional gifted student, who had exceeded all of Celestia's expectations when she came across her long ago. Celestia had almost been like a mother to her at times, having spent countless hours with the studious unicorn.

Most of all though, Twilight had shown great admiration for her, and so would do anything to help her mentor with any problem she might face. Celestia guessed that was why she was here now.

She walked to her, but Twilight didn't hear her hoof steps as she was too focused on finding the book she was looking for. Celestia smiled a little as she came to a stop and greeted her. "Good evening, Twilight."

Twilight jerked away from the bookshelf, nearly colliding her head with the hovering lantern. "P-Princess Celestia, I didn't hear you come in." She said and hastily bowed her head respectfully. "I thought you would be asleep by now."

"I could say the same to you, Twilight." Celestia said, mock chiding. "What are you doing here on so late an hour? Shouldn't you be in bed and rest, or does sleep elude you too?"

She didn't answer right away, instead casting her gaze to the floor, moving her hoof back and forth a little on the floor. "I couldn't sleep..." She finally admitted, sounding a little embarrassed. "With Princess Luna away to fight the invasion, and with Princess Cadance disappearing, I just..." She sighed, finally looking up a little. "I just couldn't sit still and do nothing."

Celestia's expression became more gentle as she listened to her student. "I understand," she said. "I feel restless too, and with my sister out there leading an army and with me here." Celestia sighed. "I wonder if we made the right decision." She placed a gentle hand on her student's shoulder, giving her a small encouraging smile. "As for Cadance, I am sure she is alright. She has some of my best knights with her, including your brother."

Twilight nodded, but didn't seem too convinced by her mentor's words. "I know, but we haven't heard from them in two weeks. What if they were ambushed?"

"If they were, I have faith in Knight Captain Shining Armor. He will keep Cadance safe, and he will bring her back." Celestia assured her, although she could not banish the slight worry growing in the pit of her stomach.

Despite the worry, she smiled, and with a flick of her wrist, made the lantern gently land on the trolley, and the light went out. "But it is late, and we won't help anyone by staying in the library all night. Why don't you join me for a stroll?"

Twilight looked as if she wanted to protest, glancing at the for now few books she had chosen. Then she nodded, although it was a bit hesitant. Celestia chuckled warmly, and walked down the aisle with her student following. They left the library, and moved down one of the many hallways, neither speaking for now, although Celestia could tell something was on Twilight's mind.

As they came outside, into the large and beautiful kept garden, Twilight could no longer hold it back. "Princess Celestia, please don't think ill of me for asking this, but how can you stay so calm in these times?"

Celestia looked at her student for a moment, considering her words. "In truth," she then said, walking past some glowing blue roses. She ran her hand over one of the flowers. "I feel as distraught as you, Twilight." Twilight frowned, following her teacher as she continued to walk the path through the garden.

"I fear for my sister, sending her to lead an army alone..." Celestia paused, closing her eyes for a moment as she took a deep calming breath. "Is perhaps the hardest thing I have had to do for a very long time."

"Then why?" Twilight asked, her voice free of any judgment, but filled with a genuine confusion.

"Because my sister was right when she said I needed to stay back." They came to a large stone balcony. From here, they could overlook the city of Canterlot, and the landscape beneath the mountain. "If Luna was to fall, I need to stand firm, and call upon our old allies."

The Princess looked at her student. "Luna was always the better fighter out of the two of us, while I have always been the better negotiator." She smiled, although it was a slight sad smile. "If Luna was here while I was away," she let out a small hollow chuckle. "We both know who was better suited for what role. Mine is here, it is as it must be."

Twilight nodded, although she wasn't sure if she understood fully. "So if Princess Luna were to be," she stopped herself, her mind racing to find a more gentle word. "Fall... You would call upon others?"

Celestia nodded. "About five hundred years ago, we signed treaties with other kingdoms, promising aid to one another if our realms were threatened to be overrun."

"So why not call upon our allies now?" Twilight was quick to ask.

Celestia favored her student with a patient smile, as if she had asked a question during a study session. "Because we don't know what we are dealing with. This unknown foe from the north have not progressed far, and if Luna can put a stop to this, then we would have called our allies for nothing. Should Luna fail it will take months for any army to reach Canterlot, and by then we should have amassed an army to stop them."

The solar Princess sighed. "As much as I would like to, I cannot call upon them now. Not when we have a chance to defend ourselves, and stop this."

"But would it not be safer?" Pressed Twilight.

At this Celestia sighed, but not out of annoyance of her student. "It would, Twilight. But calling upon our allies to amass their armies and march to our aid so early." She leaned against the stone railing, letting out another sigh. "We would never be able to call upon them again should the threat prove to be nothing more than a nuisance."

Twilight approached her teacher, standing beside her, unsure what to say. Celestia smiled a little. "Yes, the realm of politics is complicated, my dear student." Celestia stood up straighter, and looked at her. "But come, the hour grows ever so late, and we should rest.

Twilight nodded, and followed her teacher back towards the palace. Despite her teacher's words, Twilight couldn't help but feel something else was going on. It was almost as if a dark shadow loomed over Equestria, and it seemed that dark forces were at play.

Little did they know then, the fate of the world would soon have to be decided...

Author's Note

Greetings, travelers!

Thank you for having read so far! Now I call upon you to help me decide a name for our main hero, the chosen one!

He is strong, earth pony, a stallion, son of a blacksmith, and going to get the powers and hammer of our favorite thunder god!

Help me give him a good name, and I will be truly grateful!

Story idea sparked by this amazing piece by Ambris!!