Even as she stood before Celestia in all her radiance, blood was the only thing she could taste on her dried lips.

Celestia exhaled deeply, closing her eyes. “Are you sure there was nothing you could have done?”

The mare before her shuffled. “It was in a frenzy. If I had tried to subdue it, I certainly would’ve been among the victims.”

Celestia opened her eyes, casting her gaze down at the mare.

Her subject licked her cracked lips.

“Allow me to get you something to drink,” Celestia said, waving over one of the guards.

“Water’s fine.”

Celestia nodded, speaking quietly to her guard. It did not take him long to procure a simple glass of water. It looked out of place on its silver platter.

“Thank you.” Celestia smiled softly at him, levitating the glass over to the mare. She grabbed it with both hooves, water spilling out of the sides of her mouth.

“We can’t allow this to happen again,” Celestia stated, as her subject wiped her mouth.

The mare lowered her head, ears flattened down. “My apologies, Princess.”

Celestia gently cut a hoof through the air. “I can excuse some bad manners after what you’ve been through.”

“Not that. But those ponies…” She gritted her teeth, gripping onto her glass. “They were innocents.”

The glass slipped out of her hoof, held static in the air by Celestia’s magic. “Drink.”

The mare nodded, raising her head. Cold water ran into her mouth, down her throat. She took the glass and raised it even more, until not even a drop was left.

“More?” Celestia asked.

The mare shook her head. “Why are you treating me so kindly?”

Celestia raised a brow, hidden behind her flowing hair. “You are my loyal servant. Would it be reasonable of me to treat you with scorn?”

“But I got those ponies killed!” the mare cried, stamping a hoof on the floor.

“That is one perspective,” Celestia replied, walking around her. “Weathered and beaten by one of the longest days a pony could endure.”

“If I had just accepted my fate, maybe—” The mare froze. Her eyes closed. She sighed deeply. “I still can.”

Celestia stopped. “You would have me send you to your death?”

The mare looked away. When she spoke, her voice quivered. “Yes.” A harsh swallow. “The needs of the many.”

“No.”

The mare jumped. “W-What?”

“That is not my way,” Celestia said, walking towards a open balcony.

“But it’s the best option! For everypony’s safety!” the mare cried, running after her.

“Except yours.” Celestia came a stop, looking out over the royal gardens. Fireflies darted in between the neatly trimmed foliage. “There is another way.”

“And live a lifetime of regret?” the mare asked.

“It’s always darkest before dawn.” Celestia spared a quick glance at the moon. “And sometimes that dawn can take a very long time to arrive. But when it does…” She looked down at her subject, smiling. “You’ll come out of it a stronger pony.”

“Or a weaker one.” The mare bit her lip. “Guilt is a terrible burden to bear.”

Celestia’s wings twitched. “Everything must be wiped. You shall start anew and in time you will be free of the shackles of your past.”

“Wait—E-Everything?” the mare spluttered.

Celestia nodded once. “In order to ensure your safety and that of many others.” She gazed back at the moon, a faint frown going across her face. “I had hoped that the organisation could have continued just a little while longer but… I suppose things change.”

“P-Princess?”

“Don’t think I’m disappointed in you,” Celestia said, turning back to the mare. Her frown had vanished, replaced with a serene smile. “I’m very grateful to have had a mare like you in my service and you can be assured I’ll reward you suitably for it.”

The mare slowly nodded. “Thank you, Princess.”

Celestia shook her head, a gentle motion. “Thank you, Sweetie Drops. You deserve far better than this.”

Sweetie’s eyes trailed to the floor, heavy and bloodshot. The cold night’s wind blew bitterly against her coat, until a warm, soft blanket swept over her.

“Come. There is much to discuss and you could do with a warm meal and some rest,” Celestia said, walking along with Sweetie. “The bugbear won’t find you here. Not if I have something to say about it.”

Bon Bon nodded, her eyelids struggling to keep open, her strength waning as she relied more and more on Celestia. Sleep came shortly after.