The sun was setting. It was a particularly beautiful sunset – it always was, on this day. Most ponies of Equestria let it go by without so much as a second glance. Some historians or mages acknowledged its existence, in that the world lost a great spell caster, and with him much untapped knowledge. Nopony saw it as a day worth celebrating, worth remembering as more than a trivia question.
Yet, for Princess Celestia of Equestria, it was the day she’d lost her best friend. Starswirl. Even his name worsened the heavy ache in Celestia’s heart.
So she stood on her balcony, head raised toward the sky, making the sunset especially beautiful. He’d always loved sunset the best, after all.
A faint tear slipped out of her eye, and unlike with most of her life, she did not immediately brush it away. Rather, she let it fall, trickling down her cheek until it met the smile dancing across her muzzle.
Finally the sun disappeared below the horizon, and Celestia let her magic relax, the golden glow leaving her horn. She knew that, in her own section of the castle, Luna would have taken over raising the moon, and would then go down and conduct night court. Celestia was off for the day.
Turning away from the rapidly darkening sky, the white alicorn made her way back into her room, shutting the doors behind her with a soft thud. Reaching out with her magic, Celestia turned the lock of the door connecting her personal quarters to the rest of the castle. There would be nopony disturbing her tonight.
Celestia never knew how to feel about this particular day. In many respects, it was an absolute tragedy, her best friend gone forever. And yet…
One of the portraits on the far wall caught Celestia’s eye, and her hooves carried her closer of their own volition. She stared at the face portrayed within the canvas –a deep green coat, a blonde mane, a soft, kind smile.
Tears once again came to Celestia’s eyes, even as a wide smile took over the majority of her face.
Emerald Spell.
Turning to the next portrait in the line, Celestia took in the white coat and blue mane, accompanied by a confident smirk. Then the portrait next to that, of a stallion with a shockingly red mane. Her hooves once again acting on their own, Celestia began to walk down the line of portraits on her wall. Names and faces and friendships passing by her eyes.
Light Dancer. Bright Song. She noticed a pair of deep blue eyes. Night Rider.
More and more ponies, each causing the tears in Celestia’s eyes to fall faster, the smile on her face to grow wider, the ache in her heart to grow stronger.
Until she reached the last portrait.
Celestia stoped, studying the painting. Unlike all of the others, it hadn’t been done as a strange personal request – it had been a part of the coronation ceremony. The alicorn in the painting looked fully uncomfortable with all the attention she was receiving, though perhaps that was simply because Celestia had been there to witness the event for herself. Her blue mane was styled slightly, her lavender coat groomed to perfection. She had not put on her dress yet, but she wore her crown, and her wings were spread to reveal the six-pointed star on her flank.
Twilight Sparkle, who had succeeded after a thousand years of failures.
Celestia smiled, remembering the words she’d sung to her faithful student in the place between life and death.
You’ve come such a long, long way. And I’ve watched you from that very first day. To see how you might grow, to see what you might do, to see what you’ve been through, and all the ways you’ve made me proud of you.
Yes, to a certain degree, she had been speaking of Twilight Sparkle specifically. The things she had learned in Ponyville had changed her life for the better, and Celestia had been there every step of the way, both through weekly friendship letters and occasional visits. And yet, as she’d looked into Twilight’s eyes…
The eyes were always the same. He’d warned her, long ago, that it might be hard to decipher who he was. Yet she’d never had trouble. Though the colors changed, their eyes always held the same look. Slight wonder, untold intelligence, and never-ending compassion. No matter the gender or race or cutie mark, their eyes stayed the same. And looking into Twilight Sparkle’s eyes in that moment, Celestia had seen all of them. All of the laughter and tears and accomplishments and failures.
Silent Song, and his spell to simulate hearing in deaf ponies. Both of their tears as he’d heard her voice for the first time.
Amber, and her defense of Canterlot against invasion over five hundred years ago. How Celestia had held her in her hooves and promised that she wouldn’t forget. Of the young filly whose life Amber had died to save.
Shooting Star, and the meteor shower that she had practically dragged Celestia to see, despite the fact that the skies were supposed to be clear. The way both the skies and Star’s face had light up.
All the way back.
Using her magic once again, Celestia reached out and pulled the first portrait in the line off the wall, bringing it to her.
A light chestnut coat, a dark brown mane, a soft, quiet smile, like the subject knew something you didn’t and it was incredibly funny.
Starswirl, before he was bearded and famous. Before she had been the immortal Princess of Equestria. It was the only painting done from a description, instead of an artist actually studying the subject. Celestia hadn’t wanted the classic look, of the belled hat and infamously long beard. She’d wanted her best friend, Starswirl, the silly stallion who’d once convinced her that if she flew high enough she could touch the sun. Who’d spent nights naming the constellations with her. Who had promised to always be there for her – and had then followed through on his promise.
The tears returned with vengeance, streaming down Celestia’s cheeks.
“A thousand years, you ridiculous colt,” she murmured to the painting, “A thousand years, and still you remain by my side.”
The only spell Starswirl had written that was lost to history, that nopony knew existed. Not even Luna, who had already been in the moon by the time it was created, knew of its existence.
“I’m not leaving you.” The conversation before it’s casting echoed through her head.
“I will live as long as the sun, Star. You cannot stay with me forever.”
“Tia, as long as you’re alive, I will be as well. Whether I know who I am or not, I will never leave you.”
“You’re far too loyal for your own good, Star.” Celestia sighed. “I love you.”
In response, a scroll materialized in front of Celestia’s face. Not bothering to put down the painting, Celestia let out another tendril of magic to unfurl of letter and begin reading.
Dear Celestia,
Wow, it still feels weird calling you that. I know we’re equals now and everything, but I’ll always look up to you, I guess. I hope it’s okay that I’ll still slip up, especially when we speak face to face.
Speaking of which…I know this might seem trivial, but the girls and Spike and I have recently developed a tradition of eating a large breakfast together every Sunday morning. I was wondering if you would like to come to the next one? It’s just at my castle. And feel free to invite Luna as well – I would do so myself, but Spike can only send letters to you.
I really hope you can make it. I promise, it’s just a casual affair, just the nine of us (if you and Luna decide to attend, of course. Otherwise it will just be seven.)
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle
By the end of the letter, tears were streaming down Celestia’s cheeks faster than ever. Using her magic, she pulled as fresh piece of paper and a quill from her desk. Levitating the paper in front of her so as not send Twilight a tear stained letter, Celestia wrote out:
Dear Twilight,
Of course it is fine that you slip up from time to time – any change is hard to adjust to, even if it is good. Remember that. I would love to come to your breakfast, and I am sure Luna will as well. We will both be at your castle Sunday morning.
Your friend,
Celestia
She bound the paper with her magic and sent it back to Spike before looking at Starswirl’s painting once again.
“You really won’t leave me alone, will you?” Celestia asked, tears still falling freely, smile sill etched across her face. Slowly, she began making her way back toward the beginning of the line of portraits, using her magic to carefully hang Starswirl’s in its place of honor. “I’ll see you Sunday, my most faithful friend.”
