The sun was setting on the horizon as the city came to life in the young night. The sound of hooves hitting the floor echoed through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Illuminated by the soft light streaming through the majestic stained glass, step by step, the new princess made her way into the bedroom of her mentor, Princess Twilight Sparkle. She paused in front of the bedroom door. She lifted a tentative hoof to knock, but stopped and let the hoof fall back to the ground.
She bit her lip and raised her hoof again. I hope she is not busy, she thought as she gently knocked on the door. She waited for a few seconds but received no response from inside the room. Putting a hoof at the door she realized that was open and with a gentle shove she carefully pushed it open. “Twilight?” she whispered as she poked her head into the bedroom. Her golden eyes scanned the room in search of Twilight, then she saw that the balcony's window was open.
Standing on the balcony, Twilight looked toward the horizon. Her horn glowed as she lowered the sun, making way for the night. With closed eyes, she heaved a deep sigh. As if she were relinquishing a heavy burden. “Good evening, Star. Come here,” she said while directing her gaze inside the room.
“Good evening, Twilight,” Star said as she walked toward the balcony, but slowed when she saw Twilight's face. A dark mark ran from her left eye to her chin, carved by a single sad tear. “Thinking about her again?” she said as she walked slowly to Twilight's side.
Twilight looked up at the now dark horizon. she closed her eyes as warm images passed through her head. She opened her eyes and looked over at Star “Every time I raise the sun and every time I set it.”
Star looked at the horizon, watching as the moon began to rise above this. “I wish I could have met her,” she said as she kept her eyes on the moon. Both princesses stared at the moon for nearly a minute, enjoying it. “Tell me about her,” Star said as she turned her gaze to Twilight.
“You know how she was,” Twilight said with a smile.
“Yeah, I know,” Star said as she rolled her eyes, “But I want to know how she was. Not just what the history books say.”
With a smile, Twilight looked back at the moon. She thought about her, about the time they spent together. She thought about everything she learned from her, the good and bad moments. Then she thought about the last thing she said. Tears threatened to fight their way through as the memories poured out one after another. But with a gentle sigh she pushed them and the memories aside.
“She was wise and kind,” Twilight said as she turned her head and looked towards Star. Twilight smiled as she thought about all the good qualities she had. “She was understanding and patient; the best teacher I could have wished for. Even though she planned things without telling me, she always did it for my sake and for the sake of Equestria. In fact, she never failed to ensure the welfare of all ponies, even in her last moments.” She paused for a moment as a memory flashed in his mind, then she giggled. “She loved cakes, a lot.”
“She sounds like a great pony,” Star said, returning her gaze to the moon. She could feel the sadness behind Twilight's words. She must have feel very sad when her mentor passed away, though she speaks very little about her, she thought.
“Indeed, she was. But I didn't call you to talk about the past but the future.” Twilight stepped toward the balcony's railing and placed a foreleg on it. “Want to go for a quick flight? I have something important to tell you, but I'd like to clear my mind first.”
“Sure,” said Star, walking towards Twilight. What could it be? Twilight must want to tell me something really important if she needs to clear her mind first, she thought.
Both princesses spread their wings and took to the sky. They soared through the sky, watching the beautiful castle fade from view. The air was cool, with only a slight chill. The lights of the city twinkled as they flew over the houses below.
Twilight ascended higher and higher, until she broke through a bank of clouds. Star followed her mentor and alighted on the cloud next to her. Twilight spread her wings and closed her eyes. A gentle breeze caressed her wings as she breathed in the brisk night air, leaving all of her worries behind. Star imitated her mentor's actions, letting the wind play with her golden mane.
All they felt was tranquility. Embraced by the night, they forgot everything at that moment. No pressures, no stress, no duties, just two ponies enjoying the beauty of the night.
“Do you know? I still remember the first time I started flying,” Twilight said, without opening her eyes. Memories of her friends danced through her mind. She remembered their love and support as she failed time and again. A wry giggle escaped her as she recalled all of her early failures. “It's hard to believe it's been four thousand years since then.”
“Sometimes I forget that I was in the Canterlot orphanage before you found me,” Star said as she smiled at the moon. “How time flies, right? Who would have thought that six hundred years later that same unicorn would be here, ruling by your side.”
With a heavy sigh, Twilight turned her head to Star. “Let's go back to my chambers,” she said, her smile fading a bit. Then she came down from the cloud, spreading her wings in an easy glide. Star followed. Both Princesses glided softly through the clouds toward Canterlot Castle.
Twilight gracefully landed on the balcony of her room. She stood in the same spot where she was before and returned her gaze to the moon while Star landed by her side.
“What did you want to say to me before?” Star asked, as she looked at Twilight with a bit of worry in her eyes. She waited for her answer, but Twilight just kept looking at the moon. What's wrong? she's acting a little weird, somewhat distant, she thought.
Twilight sighed and turned her attention to Star. “Right, but first, before you freak out, I want you to hear me well and take things in stride.”
“Okay... now I'm worried,” Star said as she took a few steps toward Twilight, “All right, I'll try to stay calm,”
“Good,” Twilight said, and in one smooth motion she returned her gaze to the moon. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. The air entered and came out of her lungs as she formulated the words that she needed to say. “This isn't an easy thing to say and I don't know how you're going to take it, but I hope you understand that this is the decision I have made.”
Several seconds elapsed, but Twilight said nothing. A few seconds that only succeeded in increasing Star's anxiety. She resisted the urge to rush Twilight and waited for her to begin.
“Everlasting life has been wonderful. For four thousand years I was able to see and learn many things,” Twilight said. With a deep sigh she looked at Star. “But my time on this world is passing, and I have long accepted that.”
“Wait, What!?” Star shouted as the shock launched her into the air, “What do you mean by that?”
“Calm down,” Twilight said as she pulled Star gently back onto the balcony. “Since my coronation I was able enjoy the wonders of this world to the fullest. But everything has an end, and mine as ruler of Equiestria is coming.” She paused for a moment and tried to stay calm, but it was hard seeing the tears appearing in Star's eyes. “I... I'm going leave this world. I'll finally be able to see them again. See the ponies I've left behind.”
“But... why?” Star said as she edged closer to Twilight, “Why would you do that?”
“Because I want to. But even if I'm gone, my legacy will continue in you, Shooting Star,” Twilight said as she looked at the starry sky. “It's time for a new change. It's your turn to lead Equestria through the path of friendship.”
Tears dripped down Star’s face as she hugged Twilight. “Don't talk like that! I can't rule Equestria without you!”
Lovingly, Twilight lowered her head and nuzzled Star. Then with giggle she said, “Don't worry. Just because I'm willing to leave this world doesn't mean that I'm in a hurry. As long as I draw breath I'll always be by your side, helping you.” She tilted Star’s head up with a hoof and flashed a reassuring, but weak, smile. “I'm not going to leave you just yet. I'll stay by your side until my time comes.”
Star stood close to Twilight while she sobbed. Twilight gently caressed her mane with a hoof. It helped to calm her, but she still shook with trepidation.
For nearly ten minutes the two princesses gazed at the starry sky, side by side. Star breathed deeply and said, “I don't want you to leave me, but... if that's what you really want, I'll always support you.” She raised a hoof to dry a tear running down her cheek.
“Thank you,” Twilight said as she regarded Star with a smile. She looked back to the moon frowning slightly but then she chuckled to herself and with a sigh she said, “I thought you'd take it worse. I went crazy when Celestia told me the same.”
“I can imagine,” Star said with a giggle as images of Twilight with the hair disheveled passed through her head. Twilight usually kept calm when facing all Equestria, but Star, as her student and princess, could witness a side of Twilight that not many ponies have seen for centuries. Star sighed and continued, “Although I'm still trying to accept the idea.”
“I know that in time you'll understand,” Twilight said as she laid her head lovingly on Star's.
Star leaned back into Twilight and closed her eyes. She tried to enjoy the moment, but the idea of her ruling alone crossed her mind. “Do you think I'm ready for that responsibility?”
“Yes, you are, but I know that is easy to have doubts. I had my doubts when my time came. Sweetie did too, but she is doing excellently. Hard to believe it's been almost three thousand years since Luna gave her control of the moon,” Twilight said as she smiled, “I'm sure you'll do a great job. You've been ruling by my side for six hundred years, and I couldn't be more proud of you.”
“Thanks, Twilight,” Star said as she hugged Twilight, “I promise that I won't disappoint you. You're more than my mentor or a princess,” she gripped Twilight tighter and sobbed into her lavender coat, “you're like the mother I never had.”
Twilight hugged Star back, tears dripping down from both faces. The two princesses sat on the balcony floor under the starry sky. In one smooth motion, Twilight put a wing on Star's back, tightening the hug.
Both princesses remained sitting on the balcony floor watching the sky as a shadow slowly approached them from behind. “Good evening, Twilight. And you too, Shooting Star.”
Star turned her head towards the room and saw the princess of the night. “Good evening, Sweetie Belle,” she said.
“It's a beautiful night,” Twilight said with a smile towards Sweetie Belle.
“Thank you, Twilight. You two want to join me for dinner?”
“Of course,” Star said as she stood up. She walked over to Sweetie Belle, but then she noticed that Twilight didn't follow. “Are you coming, Twilight?”
“Yeah, just give me a few minutes,” Twilight said as she looked at the stars.
Star and Sweetie Belle both nodded and left the room while Twilight stayed on the balcony, a smile on her face, remembering the past and the good times they contained.
Author's Note
Thanks for read, I hope that you enjoyed it.
Please, feel free to leave a comment. Especially if you think that there are things in what I could improve.
