Princess Luna had just finished raising the moon and a bright darkness coated Equestria with its black embrace. Night began as the moon was at its right position, Luna flew from her usual spot and went inside the castle.
Princess Celestia looked at the sky and smiled. Silence enveloped Canterlot as everypony went to sleep, just a few vehicles and ponies visible from the distance. It gave her that familiar yet strange feeling, but nonetheless, she liked it. Watching her subjects from above living peacefully for at least one night before tomorrow starts another stressful day has grown on her.
She went back to writing the reply letters for the important dignitaries outside Equestria; it had been a week ever since several letters were sent to her from different kingdoms speaking about allied negotiations, so she knew they’d expect a reply by tomorrow. She suddenly grew jealous of the sleeping ponies below.
Before she could even put the quilt down on the parchment, the door to her room flew open with a loud thud followed shortly by a bang. Startled, but mostly angry, she shouted, “Luna, I don’t need you disturbing me right now!” She looked behind her and was surprised to not see Luna.
It was Twilight, peeking just outside the door, her hooves holding on to the wall supporting it.
“Twilight! I-I... What brings you here?” Princess Celestia smiled awkwardly, her eyes moving from left to right before fixating on Twilight’s after a few seconds.
An awkward silence filled the air, neither pony talking to break it up. The open windows let a cold but soft breeze blow through their manes. After several seconds of keeping their mouths shut, Princess Celestia broke the silence, saying, “So... what brings you here?”
“I... wanted to ask you something... about being a princess," Twilight replied, a frown seemingly forming on her face.
Princess Celestia’s ears shot up at the statement. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Come in.”
Twilight let herself in, looking around the room. It reminded her of her old treehouse library. Her eyes travelled all over the wooden ceiling and walls, before stopping at a pile of parchments resting on a table, a quilt and ink resting beside them.
Celestia stood beside the table to continue writing the letters, blocking Twilight’s view of the objects, making her look at Celestia instead.
“So what is it you wanted to ask me?” Celestia asked Twilight, looking at her sincerely.
Twilight walked to Celestia. “I’ve just been feeling down lately. I’m not one to go here personally and ask you ‘cause knowing myself, I’d feel ashamed of myself for having the guts to do it, but it’s been very overwhelming these past few weeks.” Twilight suddenly shed a tear.
Celestia immediately comforted Twilight as soon as the first tear fell from her eye, embracing her with her left wing. “It’s alright, Twilight, you can tell me what’s wrong.”
Twilight was hesitant to tell her, but in a mix of extreme anger and sadness, she broke down, crying, and shouted, “I don’t want to be a princess! I don’t want to see everypony I care for die around me while I just live on! I don’t want to be torn in grief and regret of their losses.” Twilight stopped for a moment and looked at her mentor with a hopeful look. “I don’t want to lose them, Princess.”
Celestia exchanged her student’s look with a sincere and understanding one, seemingly suggesting she too went through what Twilight is experiencing. “I know how you feel, Twilight. But this is something you must go through. You have to learn to move on when they’re gone. You have to learn how to not let it get the best of you.”
“But... but how?”
Celestia’s eyes went blank and she was suddenly thinking deeply. “I've lost everyone I care for. I've lost everyone I loved. I've lost my friends and what’s worse, I've lost my whole family. All I have left now is Luna.” Twilight’s ears shot up at the statement and she was immediately saddened. She had known this for so long, but thinking about it deeply only now just makes her sorry for her.
Celestia continued, “However, I did not let their losses get the best of me. Instead, I used the countless memories I had with them to help me go through even during the toughest challenges in my life. I just remember everything we did together and, to be honest, it feels magical, far more magical than being an alicorn. It feels like they’re always right by my side, watching me and guiding me in my life every step of the way.” She eyed a picture of her and Luna. She cried a little, not with sorrow, but with joy as it reminded her of all the memories they had together.
Twilight looked down on the floor and was saddened even more. “But how do I use my memories if they’re the reason why I feel like this? How do I use them to my advantage?”
Celestia smiled even with tears in her eyes and looked at Twilight sincerely. “Your memories with your loved ones are what will keep you going in life, Twilight Sparkle. They’re what made you who you are, right? Memories are memorable not for how they are lost, but for how they are made and remembered.”
“But why? Why should I remember them? Why should I go through with this? Why should I force myself to go through being immortal?”
Celestia stood up and took Twilight to an open window of the castle. They both looked at the sleeping city of Canterlot, other cities and towns stretching out on the horizon. The cold wind blew through their manes once again. It gave Twilight peace, a feeling she had wanted ever since depression struck her.
“I see a great potential in you, Twilight,” said Celestia. “I know you’re stronger than this. I know you can do better than me in making Equestria the best it can be. I know you’re the light this land will need when Luna and I are gone.”
Twilight shot Celestia a surprised look. “When... you’re gone?”
Celestia smiled. “Immortality doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be strong and healthy forever. In time, our health and magic will deteriorate. We won’t be able to lead this land when that time happens, so we will need somepony else to take our place.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “Me? And Cadence?”
The mentor only nodded, smiling.
Twilight was suddenly struck by dread and fear once again. Her whole head turned from left to right rapidly before she stopped and looked at Princess Celestia, seemingly begging. “Can’t somepony else just take your place? Can’t someone stronger and better in leading than me go through all this?”
Celestia confidently replied. “No one could be better than you, Twilight. I should know; I’ve lived for a thousand years.” She held Twilight with her front right hoof and looked at the sky. “Even with everypony I have seen, met, and taught, you were the best to ever grace my life.”
“But how about the ponies of the future? What if they’re better than me?”
“They’re not.”
“How do you know, Princess?”
“Remember when I knew you would triumph over Nightmare Moon? When I knew you’d get in trouble with Discord and sent you those letters to help you? When I sent you to save the Crystal Empire? When I knew Tirek escaped?”
“Yes?”
“Every foe you have beaten, I knew you’d reign victory over them. I knew you’d be successful. I know because I see glimpses of the future. I see what lies ahead and what it has in store for us. While I don’t get glimpses all the time – as supported by when I was fooled by Queen Chrysalis and when I was caught by Discord’s plunderseeds – I still get them most of the time, and through them, I make decisions that I believe will create the best outcomes.”
Twilight suddenly felt... calm. She looked at the several sleeping towns. She had never thought of how beautiful they were.
“Princess, may I ask you a question?”
“Yes, Twilight, you can ask me anything.”
“Will I be successful when I lead Equestria someday?”
Celestia frowned. “That is a question I sadly cannot answer. But know this; it’s not only glimpses of the future than make us sure whether or not we’ll be successful. Trust from our loved ones and most especially from ourselves, and courage to brave life and all its tribulations is far stronger than any magical attributes we may all possess.”
Twilight smiled at her mentor, her exchanging a smile, too. They both looked at Equestria, and for once in their stressful lives, rested.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
"Isn't there something else we can do to save her?" Rainbow Dash asked.
The rain fell rhythmically onto the rooftops of the castle while the cold wind blew through the open window and Celestia's mane. The lightning and thunder boomed across the skies as it illuminated her face and tears.
Tears not of joy, but of sorrow.
"I wish there was. I wish we could find a way to help her, but unfortunately, there's just nothing we can do. If we keep on casting spells on her, we might risk prolonging her slumber." Celestia's tears fell from her eyes more quickly.
"But if we don't do something we might never have Twilight back!" The flying blue pegasus threw her hooves into the air.
Celestia smiled. "I'd rather see her everyday sleeping than lose her right now."
"She's right, sugarcube, let's just let Twilight be." Applejack bit on Rainbow Dash's tail and pulled her down.
"If only I had never given her our magic and the responsibility of saving Equestria, none of this would've happened. She did her duties well, but now..." The tears from Celestia's eyes fell too quickly she had to wipe it off her face.
"It's alright, Princess. We all make mistakes," Fluttershy comforted Celestia.
Rarity walked to Twilight's bed, who was sleeping soundly. "We may never have Twilight back the way she once was, but she will always be in our hearts."
Pinkie Pie cried so hard, her tears fell from her eyes like a never-ending fountain.
Celestia walked to Twilight and said, "I'll always love you, Twilight, you've been like a daughter to me."
The ponies left Twilight's room (having to drag the crying Pinkie Pie) with smiles in their faces.
