Luna’s throne sat alone and empty in the council room. Less than a day had passed since Luna’s exile, yet the council had insisted that it be moved from the table and put in storage after the meeting. Its continued presence would only evoke the painful memories of their once-great Princess’ fall from grace. The horrid memories of Nightmare Moon. But for the now, the throne sat facing the wall behind the council, so they didn’t have to look at it. Celestia couldn’t take her eyes off it. Faint specks of Luna’s magical aura still glistened gently around the opulent armrests, midnight blue feathers still nestled in the seat, and Celestia was certain trace scents of her sister’s perfume still wafted in the air around it. Precious little things Celestia couldn’t bear to forget. A voice from the council murmured something, but Celestia couldn’t make it out. Celestia did her best to concentrate on the meeting's proceedings, but her mind remained focused on Luna. The room seemed to empty and lifeless without her. The intricately carved stone walls bore only the drab grey of a prison without the colorful navy hue of Luna's incense burning. Already, Celestia knew she was forgetting those types of tiny intangibles about her sister: the touch of her skin, the sound of her laughter, the clean scent of her fresh incense burning. How long would it be before she forgot what her sister was like entirely? “Your Majesty!” The sudden shift in volume snapped Celestia back to reality. She tore her gaze from Luna’s throne to the source of the voice. “Yes, Posh Pin?” Celestia asked, a small amount of irritation creeping into her tone instinctually. The graying stallion shrank back a bit at the harshness in her voice. Hostility from the her was not something he was accustomed to. Internally, she chided herself for being so curt with her chief advisor. “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I do not wish to disturb your thoughts, but the council would like to hear your opinion,” Posh Pin replied. Outwardly, he appeared the same old Posh Pin that had advised Celestia for decades, but Celestia could tell there was a storm brewing. Celestia looked over the council, who were all staring at her nervously. May Meadow, her agricultural adviser, seemed particularly anxious today. Not a good sign. “On what?” Posh Pin took a deep breath to prepare himself mentally. “On how Equestria shall be ruled without Princess Luna.” Celestia sighed. “Have we not discussed this enough, Posh Pin? I’ve already said I will assume my sister’s responsibilities for moving the moon.” The council members shot concerned glanced across the table to one another. Vapor Trail, her war adviser, began grinding his teeth. Pretty Penny, the economic adviser, looked up for calculating her figures, alarmed. "Your Majesty, there are other issues to be discussed." "Such as?" The floodgates had been opened and a torrent of questions rained down on Celestia. From the far end of the table, May Meadow whispered, “Who will tend to the Everfree?” “What will happen to her royal guard?” Vapor Trail asked. “What shall we do with Everfree Castle?” Pretty Penny said. “Will Luna’s territory be considered part of Equestria, or its own nation?” Custard Pie, the diplomatic advisor inquired. “[i]Princess[/i] Luna,” Celestia stated firmly. A long, uncomfortable pause punctuated the room. Custard Pie looked from Celestia back to his fellow council members, unsure of what to do or say. Sweat trickled down his orange coat. He knew he was walking on eggshells. They all were. “Princess Luna, yes. I apologize, Your Majesty.” He winced, anticipating further reprisal, but none came. “Perhaps, Your Majesty, it would be productive if the council put forth its own idea of how to solve this crisis,” Posh Pin offered. “Very well. If it all right with the council, I think I will need a moment to myself. Please feel free to confer amongst yourselves while I step outside.” As Celestia walked toward the door, she caught the scent of Luna’s perfume: a fresh lavender scent with a hint of lilac. The gentle aroma that lulled many a pony to a pleasant slumber and dreams of a better tomorrow. She vowed to remember that smell. Upon exiting the council chamber, Celestia hung her front hooves over the castle balcony and stared into the lush and vast landscape of Equestria. The weather could not have been more perfect. The sort weather that when Celestia was little, she spent all day outside in, playing with her sister. But the greenery, which was once warm and inviting, now only seemed cold, empty, and lifeless. She looked to the sky for the moon, but it was lost to sun’s glorious rays. Even though she could not see it, she could feel the waves of hatred radiating off the imprisoned Nightmare Moon, the beast that had stolen her sister away. The tormented screams of Nightmare Moon still haunted those that could hear her cries. [i]Luna. My sister. If only I—[/i] The soft patter of hooves on the granite floors alerted Celestia to the fact she was no longer alone. “Your Majesty.” It was Posh Pin again. He noticed the sullen look in Celestia’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you, only to tell you that the council has reached a decision.” “It’s okay, Posh Pin. I will return momentarily.” Posh Pin hesitated. “Perhaps we should adjourn for the day, Princess. The plan the council thought up is rather… drastic. We can meet again tomorrow when our heads are clearer and our hearts are closer to being mended.” Celestia was taken aback. Never in thirty years of service had Posh Pin ever suggested a council meeting be abandoned early. As Chief Advisor, he ensured the council met, come rain or shine. “That won’t be necessary. If I am to lead Equestria, then I must be able to weather this storm.” “Please don’t feel the need to strain yourself, Princess. We are all still suffering from the loss of Princess Luna.” “It is in times of strife when a ruler must strain herself for her people.” Celestia stood from the balcony and began walking back to the council room. "That is what I worry about," Posh Pin said grimly. [hr] The council was silent the instant Celestia entered the room. All eyes locked onto to her, fraught with uncertainty and tinged with the wide eyed look of fear. For the first time since its creation, the council seemed unwilling to speak. Celestia settled into her throne. “So you have come to a consensus?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” the council chimed in unison, almost mechanically. “Let us hear your decision, then.” For a few moments, nobody volunteered to deliver the opinion. The members of the council simply glared at one another, knowing that whoever stood and broke the dead air would have to deliver the news. A task nobody wanted to take the fall for. Eventually, Posh Pin rose from his seat. “Your Majesty, due to the extreme circumstances of these troubled times we find ourselves in, we the council feel it is necessary to enact swift action to ensure the kingdom’s future prosperity. We as the council cannot allow Equestria to fall into disarray in the wake of this tragedy.” Celestia nodded. “Since Princess Luna is…” Posh Pin chose his words very carefully. “…no longer among us presently, the council and I see that it only fitting that she should no longer have any claim to the throne—“ Celestia loudly exhaled, but said nothing. “—and that all her previous titles and land should be passed on to you…” Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “… along with her estate and belongings.” “Why do you think I would want my sister’s wealth and prestige?” Celestia snapped. “She earned them, those titles should stay with her! Need I remind you it was my sister who appointed you to this position?” “Y-your Majesty, please—“ Posh Pin stammered. “I lost my sister less than a day ago, and you’re already speaking of how to split up her land and wealth! How dare all of you! Have you no shame?” Celestia closed her eyes for a moment to prevent the tears from welling up. “I apologize for the outburst.” Posh Pin didn’t respond, instead bowing his head in silence. He glared at his fellow council members. “Must we discuss this now? I have no interest in seizing Princess Luna’s estate, especially not so soon. What purpose does it serve to dishonor her so?” “We miss her too. There is not a second that goes by in this chamber that I do not think of Princess Luna,” May Meadow whispered. The rest of the council murmured in affirmation. Posh Pin and Custard Pie stared into the rich oaken table. The others likewise broke eye contact with Celestia, looking away into the distance. “But!” Vapor Trail interjected. “Equestria is in pain right now. Our citizens are suffering with the loss of Princess Luna, and they need our leaders to be strong, decisive, and quick!” “So we can’t afford to let our emotions cripple our ability to serve the ponies we represent,” Pretty Penny said. “We need to let the ponies know they can count on us,” Custard Pie stated. "The ponies of Equestria come first." “And that is why, we the Council of Harmony, would like you, Your Majesty, to become Equestria’s first Queen,” Posh Pin finished. “Me? Queen?” Celestia mused, letting her tongue explore its texture. The flavor left a bittersweet aftertaste in her mouth, like biting into an overripe fruit. “What is wrong with my current title?” “Nothing, Your Majesty, we only thought that the change in title would signify that we as ponies were moving forward from this tragedy, to bigger and better things. That even though Princess Luna has left us, we as Equestrians remain united behind our leader.” Vapor Trail stood from his seat, hoof clasped over his breast. “It would be a privilege to serve you as Queen Celestia.” The rest of the council stood and did the same. [i]Queen Celestia.[/i] The words echoed through Celestia’s mind. The weight of her crown suddenly seemed unbearably heavy, enough for two ponies. She held a hoof to her head and shifted it uncomfortably. “Allow me the night to think this over, everyone… I’m not sure if I am ready to be a Queen.” “Take your time, Your Majesty. We do not wish to put undue pressure upon you.” Posh Pin turned to the rest of the council. “We are adjourning for today. We shall discuss this matter further tomorrow.” Vapor Trail opened his mouth to object, but Posh Pin shot him a harsh glance. He shut his mouth wordlessly. [hr] Celestia spent the night concentrating on the moon, guiding it gently across the sky. Compared to the sun, the moon seemed like such a small, frail thing, like an ornate glass ornament. It had to be handled with exceptional care and grace. Sweat trickled down her brow at the exertion. One false move could spell disaster for the coastal areas. How had Luna made this look so easy? The mare in the moon seemed to cast her gaze down upon Celestia with contempt. But beyond its grim visage, Celestia still could see Luna in its eyes, crying out for help, begging for Celestia to release her. For but a brief moment, Celestia could feel her sister calling out to her, gentle whimpers punctuating the endless tone of rage. [i]Luna. What would you do?[/i] The mare in the moon did not respond. Celestia slouched over her mattress. She knew sleep would not find her, but the soft surface of the queen-sized mattress provided some menial comfort. The irony of the situation was not lost on Celestia. [i]Queen Celestia.[/i] Luna would have laughed at the thought of being Queen. Celestia could imagine her face, first full of surprise, then open-mouthed guffaws at the very notion. Luna’s laughter was infamously infectious, and Celestia found herself chuckling just picturing, despite herself. Once, an errant diplomat from the Saddle Arabia had asked Luna rather bluntly why Equestria had two princesses. “As day does not conquer night, the night cannot conquer the day. My sister and I are equals. I cannot be without her, and she cannot be without me,” she had said. If only that had been true. Celestia flipped herself on her back, staring at the ceiling. What was the sun without the moon? The council could no more hide the loss of Luna than hide the moon from the night’s sky. A knock on the door distracted Celestia from her thoughts. “Who is it?” she called. “Posh Pin, Your Majesty.” “What did you wish to discuss? Could it not wait until tomorrow?” Celestia did not get up from her bed, electing to speaking through the door. She hoped this wasn’t another matter of inheritance. “I wanted to talk to you about the council, Your Majesty. I apologize if I am interrupting your concentration. It seems I have been doing that a lot as of late.” Posh Pin sighed. “These last few days have been the most trying of the last thirty years.” The council? “You may come in, and please, don’t apologize.” Posh Pin hobbled inside and stood at the balcony, staring at the moon pensively. His face, full of wrinkles, contorted into a sad smile. “I must insist that you forgive the intrusion, however, Your Majesty.” “There was never any doubt that you were forgiven, Poshy.” That was Luna’s nickname for him. Posh Pin’s turned towards Celestia sharply at that. The sadness had evaporated from his smile, but only for a moment. He drooped his head back onto the balcony. “…My memory has been getting hazy, but I still remember that day thirty years ago, when Princess Luna first asked me to be her advisor, with crystal clarity. I was so scared and excited all at once, but she was so gentle and kind. My worries evaporated in an instant as she outlined my duties, and I knew at that moment, I would be in her service for the rest of my life.” He chuckled morosely to mask the sound of his sobbing. Celestia didn’t know what to say. “If only I were so fortunate. But since Princess Luna’s exile, suddenly the council wants to act as if Luna ever existed. You’ve seen what they’ve done with her throne! Posh Pin clawed at the air. "Such insolence!" "I had hoped that the council would have been able to see past Luna's fall, and give her the respect she deserved." A hint of resentfulness escaped Celestia's carefully modulated voice. "Perhaps it is because the council is full of young bucks that they can’t remember how important how important Princess Luna was to Equestria, but I do!” His voice transitioned from its quiet weeping to boisterous bellow. “I will not forget my Princess or turn my back on her!” Celestia placed a hoof on Posh Pin’s shoulder. “I will not forget my sister either.” Posh Pin bowed deeply. “There's not many of us old-timers left, you know. Those who knew your sister as I did will wither and fade away. Please, do not let a moment’s weakness allow the council to tear that history away.” “Do not worry, Posh Pin. That history is safe with me.” Celestia smiled. [hr] Celestia stood outside the council chamber with the members of the council. “Forgive me for calling this meeting early, but I felt that it is necessary to inform on my decision before we meet officially for today.” The council members, with the exception of Posh Pin, listened expectantly, hanging on every word. Posh Pin only smiled. “Equestria was a nation founded on harmony and unity. Forgiveness, friendship, and love for one another. My sister, Princess Luna, understood this, as I am sure you all do.” The council members nodded in agreement. “Hear hear!” Posh Pin cheered. “Having an absolute monarch, a Queen, is in opposition to those founding principles which made us into the prosperous nation we are today.” “But—" Vapor Trail tried to interrupted, but the other council members shushed him. “I have realized that I am no Queen, I am but a Princess, and a Princess I shall remain. My sister is gone, but not forever. She will retain her title as Princess and her claim to the throne. If I cannot forgive my own sister and strip away her birthright…then how will anypony ever be redeemed? Shall we become an uncaring people who tear our eyes from those who transgress us?” Murmurs from the council members littered the hallway. “Am I not enough of a leader as Princess for you all? I will not tear down my sister for my own ambitions! We are a strong people—we shall not bury our pain through hiding from the truth! We will confront it!” “Hail, Princess Celestia!” Posh Pin shouted. “Hail, Princess Celestia!” the other members joined in. Celestia beamed with pride. She swung open the door to the council room and rested upon her throne. Luna’s empty throne sat beside her.