Evening Glow

by Cursory Note

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sad, Original Character, Tragedy
Length: 5336

Princess Celestia has always been a teacher, but for only one pony has she ever been a mother.

A long time ago, almost five centuries before Twilight Sparkle was born, Princess Celestia had another student. A student who was so much more to the mighty alicorn, for indeed, she was her daughter. Evening Glow, a unicorn of Canterlot who never suspected her true parentage.

Published 2015-02-15 23:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-15 23:30:01 UTC

Her First Student

Celestia sat calmly at the table, sipping some tea in the mid afternoon sun. Twilight Sparkle was coming for a visit and Celestia decided that it was a good day for some tea. Soon Twilight was shown into the garden and Celestia smiled warmly.

“Hello Twilight.” Twilight sat down and Celestia poured her a cup of tea.

Twilight smiled and took the tea “Hello Celestia, thank you for inviting me.”

Celestia chuckled “Twilight, you are a princess now. You know you can come to the castle anytime you wish.”

Twilight blushed slightly and sipped her tea. They sat for a moment in silence before Twilight spoke “So, how are you?”

Celestia nodded “I am well, how are you?”

Twilight smiled “I’m fine, thanks.”

“And how are you adjusting to the new castle?”

“Oh the castle is fantastic! I miss the library sometimes, but at least I still have Spike and Owlowiscious.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to see you’ve accepted your role as a princess, Twilight.”

Twilight smiled “Thank you.” She sipped her tea then furrowed her brow slightly. “Celestia? Can I ask you something?”

Celestia smiled and nodded “Of course you can. What is it?”

“Well, it’s been in the back of my mind ever since I went through the mirror to the other world…”

Celestia cocked her head “Yes Twilight?”

“Sunset Shimmer wanted the crown because she thought that her destiny was to become a princess and she was your student and I couldn’t help but realize that her name is a synonym for mine.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow “And that troubles you?”

Twilight looked away slightly and nervously sipped her tea “Well…Was she right? Did you pick me as your student because she went through the mirror and we have basically the same name?”

Celestia smiled warmly and shook her head “Of course not, Twilight. You are a very talented young mare, I could see your potential from the very moment I saw you.”

“But what about her?”

Celestia sighed “Sunset Shimmer’s heart wasn’t pure. It turned to cruelty when her destiny wasn’t being fulfilled as quickly as she wanted.” She smiled “You are nothing like her.”

Twilight furrowed her brow again “But what about our names? Have all of your students had names like ours?”

Celestia’s eyes widened slightly when a memory she had tried so hard to bury came rushing back to her: A memory of her first student, almost five hundred years ago.

Celestia’s eyes watered at the mere thought of what she was about to do. She had been a fool, deceived by the idea of love, and now she had to pay the price. Celestia had thought for months about this and decided that it was the best thing for everypony. She just wasn’t able to care for a foal and Equestria. Her heart broke at every sound her little filly made as they softly flew above Canterlot. Celestia steeled herself and landed, carefully making sure not to wake the sleeping bundle.

She looked around to make sure nopony was around and carefully walked towards the door of one of the finer mansions. None of the lights were on inside and Celestia gently put the basket on the front step. Her daughter fussed a little but Celestia quietly cooed and managed to put her back into a sound sleep. Celestia started to cry as she burned her daughter’s face into her memory, her tears starting to flow more freely as Celestia looked at her filly’s soft peach coat, her wispy powder blue mane, and her adorable features. Celestia took a pained look around before she softly kissed her filly on the forehead and turned away. Luckily she didn’t wake her foal so Celestia quickly but quietly took off into the night sky. Tears streamed down her face as she flew away from her daughter but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to look straight ahead.

Only a few moments after Celestia left, the small filly started fussing and when she wasn’t comforted, it escalated into soft crying and finally wailing at the top of her lungs. A light turned on inside the house and the door was opened by an elderly unicorn who worked as a maid in the house. She gasped and put a hoof to her chest when she saw the basket and she quickly scooped up the crying foal.

The unicorn softly rocked the strange foal and spoke in a gentle voice “Oh, you poor dear. Hush little one, you have nothing to worry about. You are safe now; I will take care of you.”

The foal calmed down and nestled into her blanket and the maid noticed a scrap of parchment in the basket. She levitated it with her magic and read the five earnest words written on it: “Please take care of her.”

The unicorn mare rocked the sleeping filly and walked back into the house with a smile as she thought. Do not worry, I will care for her. Your daughter will be safe, whoever you are.

It had been almost six years since that night and Celestia had desperately tried to move on with her life, to forget it ever happened. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to. Even during important meetings with foreign dignitaries her mind was racked with guilt, shame, and self-doubt. She had often stayed awake through the night wondering if she made the right choice but she was still no closer to any answers.

Celestia stared absentmindedly out the window and sighed, wondering where in that metropolis her daughter was. Who her friends were, what she was doing, all those questions and more raced through Celestia’s mind. She shook her head and started walking towards her chariot, today was a special day for her. It was the day of entrance examinations for her recently founded School for Gifted Unicorns and Celestia made it a point to attend every one.

She soon found herself outside the doors of the examination room and sighed softly as she was shown in to her regular seat behind the examiners. They all bowed and she nodded in return as the first entrant nervously walked in. He was a young colt that did surprisingly well for his age and nervousness and the examiners sent him home smiling. Several more applicants walked through the doors with their parents, some excelled, some did horribly, and some were average, but Celestia’s eyes widened and a lump rose in her throat when the last applicant walked in.

Two obviously wealthy unicorns walked in and were sheepishly followed by a peach coated filly with a wispy blue mane. Celestia’s jaw dropped slightly and she blinked in disbelief as the unicorn filly stood in front of the examiners and smiled nervously. The headmaster of the school cleared his throat and looked at his parchment.

“State your name, please.”

The filly looked at her parents and they smiled encouragingly and lovingly at her. She bit her lip slightly and spoke in a nervous voice that sounded like a soft breeze through reeds. “E-Evening Glow. My name is Evening Glow.”

Tears threatened to well up in Celestia’s eyes as she smiled softly at the filly. Evening Glow…I could not have come up with a better name myself. Evening Glow looked up at Celestia with soft orange eyes in wonder and one of the other teachers glanced down at her parchment before speaking.

“Evening Glow, do you see that stack of books over there?” She pointed to a pile of books and Evening nodded. “Please levitate the top two books.”

Evening smiled shyly and swallowed a lump in her throat as she turned to the stack. Her horn lit up with a pale red aura and the two books were enveloped in an instant. She strained for a second and Celestia felt her heart begin to race as Evening Glow lifted her head and levitated the books. Her parents quietly clapped their hooves and Celestia had to fight the urge to do the same.

All the examiners jotted down a few notes before the headmaster spoke “Evening Glow, please conjure an object. Any simple object will do, an apple, a quill, whatever you can manage.”

Evening’s jaw dropped slightly before she took a deep breath and nodded. Her horn lit up again and Celestia thought Come on, you can do it, I know you can. After a few moments Evening exerted herself a little more and an apple appeared on each of the teacher’s desks. All of them seemed impressed and jotted down a few notes while Evening’s parents beamed at her and Celestia restrained herself to a warm smile. Evening’s horn remained lit and she looked at her parents nervously. Celestia’s eyes widened as Evening’s aura grew bigger and brighter by the second and her parents looked at each other in confusion and worry.

All of the teachers stood and Celestia shook her head as Evening’s aura filled the room. It only took a few seconds before the room started to change into apples: the books, the chairs, even one of the teachers. Celestia gasped and lit her own horn in an attempt to diffuse Evening’s magic before it really got out of control. Celestia stood and walked over to Evening Glow and focused her energy into ending Evening’s spell. A few seconds later Evening’s horn dimmed and Celestia quickly changed everything back to the way it was.

The headmaster shook his head in disbelief and Evening’s parents ran over to her to make sure she was alright. The teachers talked amongst themselves for a moment while Celestia took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. She regained her composure and walked over to Evening Glow. Her father walked in front of her and bowed apologetically.

“We are very sorry, Your Highness, Evening has never done anything like that before.”

Evening’s mother nodded “She has always been able to keep total control of her magic, I think the stress must have gotten to her.”

Evening Glow looked at the floor and Celestia smiled warmly “It…It is quite alright, I understand. She is quite the talented young filly, you…You must be very proud.” Celestia fought hard to keep her voice level and turned to the teachers “You can end your examination, I…” She swallowed the lump in her throat and fought her tears “I would like Evening Glow to be taught directly under me as my personal student.” She turned back to Evening Glow “If that is alright with her and her parents, of course.”

Evening Glow’s parents dropped their jaws in excitement and looked eagerly at their daughter, her own eyes wide in astonishment. Evening looked at her parents as they nodded enthusiastically and she took a nervous step forward. “I…I would like that very much, Your Highness.”

Celestia’s voice imperceptibly wavered “Excellent.”

“Princess Celestia? May I come in?”

Celestia smiled warmly and nodded at the beautiful young mare Evening Glow had grown into. “Of course you can my faithful student.” Celestia loved having one pet name for her daughter that nopony else could call her, but every day she wished it could be more.

Evening smiled as she walked into Celestia’s study which only made Celestia feel happier. Evening Glow’s smile was the loveliest thing Celestia had ever seen. Evening Glow sat down and Celestia moved a few papers aside before she spoke “Is there something you wanted to talk about?”

Evening nodded “Yes, there is. Um, I am not really sure how to ask but…”

Celestia smiled gently “You can ask me anything, you know that.”

“I know, but this is a little…” her voice grew quieter “Embarrassing.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow “Oh?”

Evening Glow blushed a little and spoke “Well, the School for Gifted Unicorns is organizing a ball for Hearth’s Warming Eve and a few of my friends are going.” Celestia nodded and Evening continued as her blush deepened “It is the same night as your test and Steady Hoof asked me to go with him so I was wondering if I could…”

Celestia’s brow furrowed “Steady Hoof? Who is he?”

Evening smiled “He is one of my best friends. We met when we were foals and have been friends ever since.”

Celestia felt her protective motherly instincts kick in but she kept her composure. “Is he a well-mannered stallion?” She raised an eyebrow at Evening Glow.

“Oh of course, he is the kindest, sweetest, most wonderfully gallant stallion ever!” Celestia couldn’t help but smile at the dreamy look in Evening’s eyes and she took a deep breath before she nodded.

“Yes, you can go to the ball. You can take the test another time.”

Evening Glow’s eyes lit up and she grinned “Oh, thank you, Your Highness, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Evening practically leapt around the desk and threw her hooves around Celestia’s neck.

Celestia’s eyes widened in shock before she barely nuzzled Evening Glow and smiled at the embrace. Evening pulled back and headed towards the door. Just before the door closed behind her Evening popped her head back in. “Thank you!”

The door closed and Celestia bit her lip. She was worried about Evening, but she was also glad that she was going to have fun. She put a hoof to her neck where Evening Glow had hugged her and tears formed in her eyes. Celestia smiled warmly and thought. My baby is growing up so fast. She is so much more beautiful and wonderful than I ever imagined, and she will only grow more amazing with each day. She unlocked a drawer and pulled out a dusty book. And one day, she will be ready to discover her destiny, and we will be together again.

Years had passed since that fateful day when Celestia found her daughter again. In that time as Celestia’s private protégé, Evening Glow had become one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria and one of the few ponies that knew the mighty Princess Celestia as a friend. Celestia cherished every day she got to spend with her daughter, every second was a jewel that Celestia would never give up. They had talked, they had laughed, and Celestia had even been a comforting shoulder to cry on when Steady Hoof left Evening Glow for another mare. It had taken all of Celestia’s self-control to keep herself from grinding the stallion that broke her baby’s heart into the ground, but she somehow managed to remain calm.

Evening Glow was almost famous as an Equestrian beauty, her long neck and slender limbs reminiscent of an alicorn though nopony suspected her true heritage. It pained Celestia to keep that secret from her daughter but she knew that the time was not yet right. Evening Glow was almost twenty years old now and Celestia found herself constantly asking herself if it was time for Evening to ascend.

Celestia sighed and looked out the window. She knew that she couldn’t just make Evening Glow an alicorn anytime she wished; she needed there to be a reason. Luckily Evening Glow was one of the most, if not the most, powerful and talented unicorns she had ever seen so Celestia spent every lesson trying to figure out how to test her daughter in such a way so the nobility would be happy if she became a princess. There had been nothing but peace since Nightmare Moon was sent to the moon, so defeating a great evil was a futile pursuit. Evening Glow had done many wonderful things as Celestia’s student: She had helped dozens, if not hundreds of ponies with all the work she put into charities all over Canterlot, she had always shown kindness to anypony that needed it, and many other small things that proved she had the makings of a fine princess. But that wasn’t enough for the nobles and Celestia knew it.

Celestia took a deep breath and thought. Good things come to those who wait. I have to be patient until the time is right. All I can do until then is be the best teacher and friend that I can be. She smiled. It is good that Evening is coming back to Canterlot soon; I have missed her terribly. Celestia turned to the door and was about to walk through when an urgent set of knocks hammered into it.

Celestia raised her eyebrow and opened the door. A frantic looking guard bowed to her and she asked in a concerned voice “What is it? Has something happened?”

“Oh, Princess Celestia, you have to come quickly! The tunnel leading away from Canterlot has collapsed!”

Celestia’s eyes widened “What?”

The guard nodded “There are dozens of ponies trapped in the rubble!”

Celestia’s jaw dropped “Evening Glow…” She whispered before she galloped past the guard and towards the nearest exit.

Celestia flew as fast as her wings would carry her and made her way to the city gates. Legions of Royal Guards, ponies of the Canterlot Fire Brigade, and other rescue efforts were attempting to clear the rubble and help the injured ponies. Celestia ran up to the captain of the Fire Brigade and tried desperately to keep her voice steady.

“What happened here?”

The captain bowed and shook his head “We do not know, Your Highness. As far as we can tell the tunnel only collapsed on this side for a few dozen yards, but there are still ponies trapped inside.”

“Do you know how many?” Celestia’s eyes rapidly flicked across the scene as she looked for Evening Glow. She cannot be here, she just cannot! Was she supposed to get back today or tomorrow? Oh why do I not know?! I am her mother, I am supposed to know!

The captain shrugged slightly “We cannot be certain but almost ten have already been pulled from the wreckage and a few pegasi teams were sent around the mountain to check the damage.”

Celestia nodded “Excellent work, Captain.”

Celestia thought she saw Evening and she leaped into the air. She landed in front of the rubble and started using her magic to pull away the rocks. Unfortunately the pile was massive and precariously balanced at best so Celestia couldn’t work as fast as she wanted for fear of causing another rockslide.

Minutes passed in almost mid-numbing fear for Celestia and she gasped when she saw Evening Glow’s adopted father get pulled out of the rubble. She shook her head and redoubled her efforts when suddenly she was blinded by a red light coming through the rock. Everypony backed away and shielded their eyes from the light and Celestia opened hers just long enough to see every rock enveloped by a pale red aura.

Celestia gasped with an incredulous smile as the rocks were cleared and Evening Glow became visible. The light coming from her horn stretched three feet above her head and her eyes were closed in exertion. Celestia watched in wonder as Evening Glow put every rock back into the mountain and sealed them tightly into place while levitating the hurt ponies to the First Aid station. A moment later the light died and Evening Glow’s knees started to buckle.

“Evening!” Celestia ran to her daughter and caught her just before she hit the ground.

Evening shook her head slightly and blinked slowly up at Celestia “Princess? Did I…Did I do it?”

Celestia nodded and hugged Evening Glow tightly, letting a few tears fall down her face “Yes, you did it. You saved everypony. Oh, Evening, I am so proud of you!”

Celestia saw Evening was bleeding and immediately gave her to the medical ponies to take care of.

Celestia couldn’t hide her exalted mood as she practically skipped around the castle. She finally had the justification the nobility would need to allow Evening Glow to become a princess and take her place as Celestia’s daughter. Of course it would take some getting used to for everypony but Celestia was confident that Equestria would make it. Evening Glow was very weak after the tunnel collapsed so Celestia decided to give her a few days to rest before they talked about her future. Celestia was lost in her happy thoughts so she didn’t hear somepony addressing her from behind.

“Princess Celestia?”

Celestia jumped slightly and turned to face the pegasus messenger “Oh, forgive me, I did not know you were there.”

He bowed “No need to apologize, Your Highness. I have a message for you from the Canterlot Hospital.”

Celestia nodded “Yes?”

The messenger grimaced slightly “Well…It seems that your student, Evening Glow, is very ill and may not…” Celestia’s eyes widened Oh no…Oh please no… He cleared his throat “The doctor is uncertain she will survive.”

Celestia shook her head and galloped to the nearest exit for the second time that week.

Celestia nodded to the doctors she passed in the halls on the way to Evening Glow’s room and gasped when she got there. Evening Glow’s adopted parents stood by her bed and Celestia softly walked towards it. The nurse noticed her and bowed along with everypony else in the room. Celestia nodded and walked over to the doctor attending Evening Glow.

Celestia swallowed the lump in her throat “How is she?”

The doctor shuffled nervously and coughed “Well, Your Majesty, when Evening Glow cast the spell to return the stones to the mountain, it seems she was unaware that there were several pieces lodged in her body from when the tunnel collapsed.” Celestia’s eyes widened “When she gathered all the stone to fix the mountain, the lodged pieces tore and dragged through her, leaving her very weak. That combined with the strain a spell that powerful put on her made it much harder for her to heal properly.”

Celestia bit her lip “Can you heal her?”

The doctor grimaced “I…I do not know, Your Majesty. We have tried everything we can but I am afraid it may be too severe.”

Celestia clenched her eyes shut and gritted her teeth “Try again.”

“Pardon me?”

“I said: Try again. Do everything and anything you have to do, just. Heal. Her.”

“We…We can’t, Your Highness.” The doctor slowly backed away and Celestia took a few nervous steps towards Evening’s bed.

Her adopted parents looked at her and her father asked “Princess Celestia? Can you help our daughter?”

The words “our daughter” stung and tore at Celestia’s heart but she maintained her composure and nodded “I can try.”

Celestia lit up her horn and enveloped Evening Glow in her aura. She tried as hard as she could to heal the torn muscles and organs in Evening’s body but Celestia could only do so much. Evening Glow was better, but Celestia knew that it wasn’t enough. Celestia cursed herself for not studying more healing magic and tried again, but it didn’t work. Her eyes filled with tears and she looked sorrowfully at Evening’s parents.

“I am sorry.” Celestia’s heart started to break “I am so, so sorry. I…I cannot heal her.”

Her mother started to cry “Please, Princess, please. You have to make her better.”

A few tears ran down Celestia’s face “I cannot. Believe me; if I knew a spell that would undo this and make Evening better I would cast it in a heartbeat.”

Evening’s father glared at her “But you are the Princess! You raise the sun and moon every day! How can you not heal my little filly?!”

“I am not all-powerful! I may raise the sun and moon but I am no healer! I would give up everything to heal her but I do not know how! I cannot change what has already been done; I cannot unlearn what foolish things I studied instead of healing magic!”

Evening’s father’s voice began to quaver as tears welled up in his eyes “But…You are her teacher…I cannot lose my baby girl.”

Celestia fought the urge to snap “I understand…Better than you know. But I…I am helpless. It pains me to say it but even I am powerless against the death of others.”

Evening Glow’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled “Father…Mother…Princess Celestia?”

Celestia smiled and nodded with tears in her eyes “I am here, my faithful student.”

Evening Glow smiled warmly “I am glad…You are here.” She turned to her parents “Mother? Father? May I have a moment alone with Her Highness?”

Her parents swallowed lumps in their throats and nodded before they left the room. Celestia took a step forward and smiled “What is it, Evening?”

Evening took a deep breath “Princess Celestia? Can I ask a favor of you?”

Celestia nodded “Of course, Evening. What can I do for you?”

“Can you…Can you find out who my mother is?” Celestia’s eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat as Evening Glow continued “My parents told me about how they found me on their doorstep a long time ago, before I began my studies as your student. I know it is a lot to ask, but I am not sure how much longer I will last.” Celestia shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes “I just want to say hello to my real mother before I go. Just one time.”

Evening’s breath became slightly labored and Celestia smiled with tears in her eyes “It is not that much to ask, my dear, dear Evening Glow.” Evening looked at her with a raised eyebrow “I…I can have your mother here in less than a minute.”

Evening looked hopefully at Celestia “Really? Who is she? Does she want to see me?”

“Believe me; she has wanted to see you every day since you were born. She did not want to leave you, but she…She had no choice. At least she thought she did not.” Celestia gently stroked Evening’s mane “But once she found you again, she realized what a big mistake she made. She spends every day wishing that she could undo her choice and live her life with you the way she should have all along. Oh, Evening Glow, she is more proud of you than anything else in the world, and she loves you…” A tear ran down Celestia’s cheek “She loves you with all her heart.”

Evening Glow smiled warmly and hugged Celestia’s neck, ignoring all of her pain as tears of joy started to stream down her face. “I know, Mother. I love you too.”

For a moment that felt like hours, mother and daughter embraced each other and felt nothing but joy and peace. Suddenly Evening Glow started coughing and Celestia gently lowered her onto the bed with a concerned expression. After Evening’s coughing subsided she looked up at Celestia.

“Mother?” Her voice was getting weak.

Celestia allowed a few happy tears to flow “Yes, Evening?”

“Why…Why am I not an alicorn like…Like you?”

Celestia smiled sadly “Well…Your father was…” Celestia sighed and forced herself to continue “Your father was an earth pony. I was never sure what you would become until you were born and I saw your horn. At first I was afraid that your magic would be weak but then,” She smiled proudly “Then I saw you at my school.” Celestia’s face fell “I could have made you an alicorn. I know a spell that would have made you like me, made you the way…” Her voice hitched in her throat “The way you were meant to be.”

Evening weakly shook her head “Why did you not cast it?”

Celestia swallowed the lump in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes “Because I was a fool. I allowed my fear of the nobility to rule my decision. I should have cast it the moment I found you again.” She shook her head and started to cry “I am so sorry, Evening.” She gently put her head on Evening’s chest and sobbed “Please forgive me, my darling. I am so sorry, I let you down, and I never should have given you up! Oh my little filly, please forgive me!”

A few tears fell down Evening’s face and she put her hoof around Celestia’s shoulder “I forgive you, Mother. Please stop crying, I forgive you. You did not let me down, I swear. Please stop crying, Mother.”

Celestia looked up at Evening Glow’s face and took a deep breath “I am so sorry I was not there for you. I should have been. I should have spent every day with you.” Celestia gently stoked Evening’s mane “Oh, my beautiful little girl. You have become so much more wonderful than anything I could have imagined.”

Evening Glow smiled and coughed weakly. She shook her head and bit her lip “I do not think I have much more time.” Celestia grit her teeth and a few more tears fell down Evening’s face “Please do not blame yourself, Mother. I may not have grown up as your daughter, but you have been my teacher and my friend for almost all of my life. I would not trade the time we had for anything.” Evening painfully reached bother her hooves around Celestia’s neck and buried her face in Celestia’s mane.

Celestia held Evening tightly and whispered “I love you, Baby.”

Evening weakly whispered “I love you too, Momma.” She let out a small sigh and went limp in Celestia’s hooves. Celestia’s jaw dropped as Evening slumped back down onto the bed.

Celestia shook her head as tears began to flow “No. No, no, no, no, no.” Celestia’s lip quivered for a second before she wailed and threw herself onto her daughter’s body. Tears poured down her face as she screamed and sobbed uncontrollably.

Celestia didn’t even try to keep track of how long she cried. Her heart and soul shattered as she put her head on Evening’s chest and didn’t hear a single sound from her heart. It seemed like she cried for an eternity and she didn’t notice when Evening’s adopted parents came into the room and started crying with her. The doctors came in soon after that and tried to examine Evening but Celestia screamed at them and held her daughter in her hooves.

Celestia stood over the fresh grave with a blank expression. The funeral had ended hours ago but she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Evening Glow’s adopted parents had tried to comfort the princess but they had given up and went to mourn their child in peace. Celestia read the gravestone over and over but wasn’t quite able to register it.

Here Lies Evening Glow,
Taken Before Her Time.
Brave Friend,
Loving Daughter

Celestia bowed her head in grief and let her tears fall to the ground. She whimpered softly and tried to be angry with herself, but her heart couldn’t bear any emotion. It felt like her soul had been ripped apart, even more so than when Luna had been banished. Celestia slowly sank to the ground and stared at her daughter’s gravestone. Tears welled up in her eyes and she softly sobbed. She closed her eyes and gently lit her horn, carving new words into the gravestone.

Here Lies Evening Glow,
Taken Before Her Time.
Brave Friend,
Loving Daughter,
Faithful Student

“Princess Celestia?”

Celestia started slightly and smiled nervously at Twilight “Yes?”

Twilight raised her eyebrow “Are you alright? You were staring at nothing for almost five minutes.”

Celestia chuckled and sipped her tea “I’m fine, I just got a bit lost in my thoughts.” Her eyes had a hint of sadness in them and Twilight smiled nervously.

“Alright.”

Celestia put her cup down “But to answer your question, Twilight, I did not choose you as my student because of your name.”

Twilight’s face grew relieved “Really?”

Celestia nodded with a smile “Of course not. Your name’s similarity with Sunset Shimmer’s is purely coincidental, I assure you. You are a wonderfully talented mare who has achieved her destiny.”

Twilight smiled “Thank you, Celestia.”

Celestia smiled sadly “You’re very welcome, my faithful student.”