Princess Celestia: A Brief History

by Amber Spark

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Colgate, Philomena, Alternate Universe, Comedy
Length: 21935

Despite some serious misgivings, Sunset makes good on her promise to introduce the terrified Twilight Sparkle to Princess Celestia. Twilight probably could have handled it better.

  After the incredibly awkward reunion last night, Sunset is less than eager about her promise to introduce Twilight Sparkle to Princess Celestia. Maybe it would help if Twilight could go more than five minutes without a panic-driven ramble.
  Despite her doubts, Sunset decides to do her best. But between a bowl of ice water, Philomena’s antics and Celestia’s sly smile, Sunset knows this isn’t going to be easy.
  Still, Twilight probably could have handled it better.

Historian’s Note: Set in the Wavelengths timeline where the Sonic Rainboom didn’t happen, the events of Princess Celestia: A Brief History occur the day after the story The Applications of Unified Harmony Magics.

Cast: Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Minuette & Philomena

Stories set in the Wavelengths Timeline in chronological order:

Origins Arc
The Alchemy of Chemistry
Bards of the Badlands
Grading on a Bell Curve
Habits of the Equestrian Phoenix
How Not To Use Your Royal Prerogative

Applications Arc
The Application of Unified Harmony Magics
Princess Celestia: A Brief History
The Cloudsdale Report

Dreamers Arc
Tactics of Snowbound Unicorns
A Study in Chaos Theory
Teahouses of Saddle Arabia
As the Raven Flies

Cover Credits
Cover Design by Amber Spark using Pixelmator
Princess Celestia Vector by Wrathx79
Princess Celestia's Room by tamalesyatole
Sunset Shimmer Cutie Mark by MillennialDan
MLP Book Vector by SnowedEarth
MLP Magic Aura Vector by AimeeLovesU

Beta Reader Credits
Ebon Quill - Worldbuilding Writer on The Manehattan Project
Little Tinker - Master of Systems at Ponyville Live & Scripting Engineer on The Manehattan Project

Special Thanks
Fahrenheit - For wonderful advice on creating an epic and entertaining synopsis!

Published 2016-09-22 22:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-27 21:33:46 UTC

Panic in the Parlor

“Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe the events of last night.”

Sunset stared at the swirling painted stars on her ceiling. The morning sun swept through the enormous bay windows of her personal apartment. It glinted off the magnificent hourglass dominating the main level and added a few extra sparkles of light to the dome. Despite the comforting aroma of old books, scrolls and parchment, Sunset wished she could just hide from the rising sunlight.

“It wasn’t that bad, Sunny,” Minuette said from the chair beside Sunset’s bed. “Sure, it wasn’t the most fun time we’ve ever had, but it could have been a lot worse.”

Sunset adjusted the pillow behind her head with a casual application of magic.

Still not comfortable. Just like last night.

She sighed.

I have got to be out of my mind.

“I know that sigh, Sunny,” Minuette chided.

“And which sigh is that?” she asked absently.

“It’s the ‘I’ve got to be out of my mind’ sigh. Ever since I met you, you’ve used it a lot.”

Sunset flopped over to her side to stare at her friend.

“Since when can you tell me what I’m thinking just because of a sigh?”

“Uh, duh?” Minuette laughed. “Because I’ve known you for years now. It’s what happens when you have friends, Sunny.”

“If you’re so talented, then what am I thinking about?”

Minuette didn’t miss a beat. “That you may have made a huge mistake by inviting Twilight Sparkle to see Princess Celestia after how awkward you think last night was for all of us.”

Sunset sat up and jumped to the floor, dodging the small fort of books lined up on the side of the bed.

“For the first hour she barely says three words!” Sunset groaned. “Then Moon Dancer asks her about Morari the Maneless—which honestly I should have seen coming—and all of the sudden she won’t shut up!”

Minuette’s grin shifted to her ‘I-don’t-want-to-agree-with-you-even-if-you’re-right’ smile.

“She goes on for the next two hours about how Dewey Decimal was a hack who just outright stole everything Morari did and they end up yelling at each other back and forth for ten minutes before I have to jump in and separate them!”

Minuette spread her hooves. “Librarians, eh?”

Sunset groaned and flopped facedown onto her bed again.

“This is such a bad idea,” she moaned, her voice muffled through her pillow. “Such a stupidly bad idea.”

“She made up with Moon Dancer at the end. Moony even used one of those weird librarian cataloguing jokes and Twilight almost fell over laughing.”

“Only after the manager came over and told us if we didn’t shut up, they would kick us out! You can’t tell me you weren’t utterly mortified! Lemon Hearts looked like she was ready to move to Tall Tale!”

“That wouldn’t make any sense, silly,” Minuette chirped. “She’s up for a promotion at the Castle soon! Assistant Events Coordinator. It’s a good job.”

Sunset lifted her head just enough to shoot the eternally-cheerful Minuette a baleful glare.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yup!” Minuette nodded, the smile never leaving her face.

“You’re almost as bad as they are.”

“Thank you!”

Sunset rolled her eyes and flopped back onto her side.

“What am I going to do, Minuette? I can’t bring her into the Princess like that! She’ll totally freak out and…“

“…and what?” Minuette prompted.

Sunset opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She didn’t want to say what she was thinking. It wasn’t a nice thought. It wasn’t the thought of a friend.

“You’re worried she’ll embarrass you.”

“Gah!” Sunset flailed for a few seconds, then sat up on the bed, this time facing Minuette. “How do you do that?”

“Right time, right place, remember?” The size of Minuette’s smile bordered on the geographically impossible. “It’s a knack.”

“Freaky time-based special talent,” Sunset muttered as she ran her hooves over her face.

“Yep!”

“Hey, weren’t you here for something?” Sunset asked. “You said something about needing to borrow a book.”

“I lied.” Minuette shrugged. She didn’t look even remotely repentant. “I was worried about you after last night. You looked like you were ready to pull your mane out.”

“This is Princess Celestia we’re talking about, Minuette!” Sunset wailed. “You know, the demigoddess who controls day and night while overseeing the entire nation of Equestria? Kind of a big deal!”

“And you’ve been her student for how long?”

Sunset stopped and stared at her friend. “Huh?”

“It’s a simple enough question.”

“Uh… a while? Like… around twelve years?”

“And how many times have you royally screwed up?”

“How can you ask me something like that?” Sunset squeaked. “And I’m choosing to ignore that little pun of yours!”

“Aw, but it was such a good one!” Minuette giggled. “Despite your past mistakes, has the Princess ever treated you with anything but kindness and love?”

“Well… no, but—”

“Now you’ve made a new friend, right? Why do you think she’d act any differently around your new friend?”

Sunset didn’t miss the emphasis on the last three words. Is that what she was with Twilight now?

Was Twilight her friend?

A pony with the same dreams as her, just as lost and confused as Sunset often felt. The same reverence and love of Princess Celestia, though in a different texture and a different manner. The same obsession with learning and magic. The same raw magical talent and power.

That moment in the depths of the Canterlot Royal Archives would be forever burned into her memory.

After she’d walked Twilight back to her home in one of the nicer suburbs of Canterlot—trying to calm the poor lavender unicorn down the entire way—Sunset had come back here. She hadn’t been able to sleep. The day’s events sprinted around her mind like Minuette on three shots of espresso.

The only thing that had settled her was cracking open The Application of Unified Harmony Magics and trying to read. While she may not be the same level of bibliophile Moon Dancer and Twilight were—Sunset probably wasn’t even in the same galaxy as those two—she loved to read anything and everything she could get her hooves on. Sometimes, reading was the only thing that could calm her down.

The book hadn’t contained any major surprises. However, she had only gotten a halfway through before she had collapsed into the book from sheer mental exhaustion. It was pretty much the same principles Moon Dancer had lectured Minuette on yesterday.

“When proper harmony is found between the two ponies, the result of said spell connects them on a deeply fundamental level.”

Sunset shook her head and tried to get her thoughts in place, but they refused to coalesce into anything resembling coherence.

However, one thought did bubble up from the cauldron of conflicts.

Yes. Twilight Sparkle is my friend.

It must have been the strangest start to a friendship ever. Twilight had hated her. She resented her very existence. Without knowing it, Sunset had stolen almost everything from Twilight. A few confessions later, and somehow the two of them were in such a deep level of harmony the principle of unified harmony magic kicks in completely unintentionally?

There was something very strange about that unicorn.

“Uh, Sunny?” Minuette said, waving a hoof in front of her face. “Anypony home?”

“Huh? Wha?” Sunset blinked and finally escaped from her brain. “What’s going on? It was on fire when I got there.”

“Nothing’s on fire, Sunny.” Minuette giggled, and then paused thoughtfully. “Well, at least this time.”

Sunset winced.

Light a rug on fire one time when you were zoned out, and you never hear the end of it.

“I asked if you thought the Princess would treat you—or your new friend—any differently than she had before.”

Sunset sighed and rubbed her eyes. “No.”

“Then why are you freaking out?”

“Minuette, you can be obnoxiously single-minded.”

“Nope! You’re not getting away from this!” Minuette chided. “You need to say it.”

Sunset let out a huff, but finally gave in.

“Because I don’t want her to make me look bad in front of the Princess.” Sunset had to almost physically pull each word out.

“See? Now was that so hard?”

“Yes,” Sunset grumbled. “Yes, it was.”

“You’re a grouch today.”

“I didn’t sleep well.”

“Sunny, I’ve never met anypony who sleeps less than you.”

“Then I have a good reason to be a grouch. See? That’s called logic.”

Minuette giggled again, this time rolling her eyes.

“Sunny, I know you don’t like talking about it, but it’s not easy to just shake off years of thinking certain ways.”

“Don’t you dare, Minuette—” Sunset warned.

Minuette smiled and plowed on, ignoring Sunset’s warning entirely, just as Sunset knew she would.

“Princess Celestia is not your parents!”

Sunset felt her eye twitch. Actually, both of them twitched.

“We’re not talking about them, Minuette,” Sunset declared. “I’m a grown mare now. I don’t get to claim that Mommy and Daddy messed me up. Besides, I stopped living with them almost ten years ago.”

“You haven’t even seen them in five.”

Sunset growled. It was an actual growl, though she hadn’t intended it to be. There was enough menace in it to make Minuette frown and her ears go flat.

“I’m sorry,” Sunset sighed. “I’m sorry, Minuette. That was out of line. You were just trying to… help.”

“You do know…” Minuette said quietly, not meeting Sunset’s eyes. “You’ll have to face them eventually.”

Sunset felt the ice in her chest at the thought. She pulled it up and shoved it into the back of her head. It landed beside the cell where her little angry pony was currently chained up.

“I know,” Sunset whispered. “But… can we please stop talking about this now? I think dealing with two massive confessions in one week is more than enough emotional trauma, don’t you?”

“Well, when you put it that way.” Minuette’s smile returned in force. “Yowza, you have had a busy week.”

“I am the personal student of the Princess of the Sun!” Sunset spread her hooves, trying to go for the maximum potential dramatic effect. “Heavy is the yoke that… wait, that’s not how that goes…”

Minuette let out a snort.

Sunset waved away both the snort and her own words. “Okay, it sounded better in my head.”

“Most things do,” Minuette chirped.

“Har har.” Sunset stuck out her tongue at her.

“So, you still planning on going through with this little get together?”

“And here I had hoped I had escaped that little question.”

“You should know better, Sunny.”

“Yeah.” Sunset laughed despite herself. “Yeah, I should. As for Twilight… I have to. I made a promise. And intentionally or not, I did kind of wreck the poor mare’s life.”

“You can’t take all the blame for it!” Minuette insisted. “You’re the one who decided you wanted friends. It’s not your fault Twilight was so scared of you, she stopped hanging out with us because you became our friend. That was her choice. We talked about this. We’d tried to reach out, but she always said no.”

“Princess Celestia said pretty much the same thing last night,” Sunset admitted.

As expected, the planned curriculum had been thrown out the window once Sunset had told the Princess what had happened after leaving for lunch. Sunset wasn’t ready for the Princess of the Sun to literally throw it out the window, but occasionally Princess Celestia liked to make big gestures.

Though usually only around Sunset.

And usually with that particularly impish smile.

Anyway, she found the paperwork on a table just before she headed off to get doughnuts with Twilight and the girls. In hindsight, Celestia had just teleported the papers back into the room when Sunset hadn’t been looking.

Gee, I wonder where Philomena got her showboating skills.

“It doesn’t matter. Doesn’t change the guilt. I still need to make it up to her, even if it will almost certainly be a disaster.”

Minuette suddenly moved closer to Sunset, staring her square in the eye. Sunset scooted back on her bed, unable to look away from her unexpectedly very intense friend.

“Minuette?” Sunset asked nervously. “What’s wrong?”

Long seconds passed. The blue unicorn stared hard at Sunset, so hard she wondered if her friend was trying to read her thoughts or find something in her soul. Sunset was on the edge of almost nearly maybe freaking out when Minuette jerked backward with a gigantic smile on her face.

“Ah, okay!” Minuette chirped. “That’s what I thought.”

Sunset blinked and said nothing for several long moments.

“You’re not going to tell me why you just did that, are you?”

“Nope!”

“Has anypony ever told you you’re evil?”

Minuette tapped her hoof on her chin. “Pretty sure you have before. I think the last time was was Tuesday at 2:57 in the afternoon.”

“Wow, what a surprise,” Sunset deadpanned.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I already told you, Minuette. I’m going to take her to see the Princess.”

“No, silly, how are you going to handle it?”

Sunset glanced out the window and toward the Castle. The shadows were shifting. Noon was coming. Well, she could also tell from the enormous hourglass in the middle of her apartment.

The Princess never did say why the gigantic thing is there. She loves her little secret games too much for my own good.

A full minute slid down the hourglass before Sunset finally answered.

“I have no idea.”

Author's Note

Hmmm... where have we seen that hourglass before... :pinkiehappy:

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Sheepish in the Street

Sunset dragged her hooves, delaying the inevitable. Well, she dragged them as much as she could. It wasn’t like one could simply stand still on the street during the lunch rush in the heart of Canterlot.

The usual semi-organized chaos surged around her. She knew she should be paying attention. She should be watching where she was going. But every time she looked up, she spotted one of the towers of the Royal Canterlot Archive at the end of Pommel Parkway and her heart began to hammer.

Why can I never simply decidenot to feel a certain way? Sunset demanded. Minuette already yammered at me for over an hour about this! I should be ready! Instead, I’m freaking out even more!

A glance at a nearby bank’s clock told her it was almost half past noon. On Minuette’s insistence, Sunset had forced down a quick daisy sandwich, but it wasn’t sitting right. She was still yawning from lack of sleep. She kept thinking of Twilight’s minor freakout yesterday in the stacks and her major freakout at dinner. It just played over and over again in her mind. Things got so heated between Moon Dancer and Twilight, Sunset wasn’t sure if they were going to slap or kiss each other.

Librarians are just weird, Sunset decided. Then again, Moon Dancer’s my best friend. I already knew that.

It would be just like Moon Dancer to fall for somepony who drove her crazy half the time. Despite her constant claims she had eyes only for stallions, Sunset always wondered if the right level of nerd might get her to change her mind. Twilight just might be that level.

Okay, let’s be honest, she’s way past that level.

Sunset shook her head just in time to hear somepony shout out a warning. She looked up to see a taxipony bearing down on her…

…Because I’m standing in the middle of the street!

Before she could react, a great white something slammed into her from the right, sending her crashing to the sidewalk. Her head spun for a few moments as she tried to get her bearings, but the world had become a blur of blue and white. There were a few cries of alarm and the sound of wheels grinding to a halt.

“You okay?”

Sunset blinked a few times before her vision cleared. Her head throbbed a little and she’d earned a few scrapes and scratches, but nothing more. Definitely better off than if a Canterlot taxipony had slammed into her at full speed. When she looked up, she saw a dark blue hoof of a stallion in armor reaching down to her.

She took the hoof gratefully and let the stallion help her to her hooves, wobbling just a little before the world righted itself.

“Thanks,” she said with a sheepish smile.

“Don’t—”

“Hey, you okay?” The dark tan taxipony who had almost plowed into her stood on the side of the street, looking rather pale under his coat. His two passengers both wore expressions of shock. The stallion had a monocle hanging from his jacket, while the other—who reminded Sunset of the princess she wasn’t overly fond of—was just blinking in surprise.

“I say,” the stallion passenger said. “I said we required haste, but I daresay putting another pony at risk is a bit much!”

“She just stepped right out in front of me, officer!” the taxipony said. “I didn’t have time to stop! And with traffic at this hour—”

“No harm done,” the armored stallion said with a wave of his hoof. “Right, Miss Shimmer?”

Sunset blinked and looked at the stallion who had saved her from getting broadsided by a taxi. Unicorn, three toned blue hair, white coat and… Royal Guard armor?

“No,” Sunset said distractedly. “No harm done. Just me not paying attention.”

“Still, I’m sorry, Miss!” the taxipony said, yanking Sunset’s eyes away from the guard. “I would have stopped if I could have! I tried to!”

“Not your fault.” Sunset spared him a smile and looked up at the passengers. They look so familiar. Ugh… Sleep deprivation always does wonders for my memory. “Should’ve been watching where I was going.”

“Don’t fret, my dear!” the stallion said as he used his magic to replace the monocle. “It is far too easy to get lost in one’s thoughts for somepony of your status. Still, we must be off. Driver, if you please?”

The taxipony gave the guard and Sunset a nod before sprinting back down the street. They were gone in moments.

Oh ponyfeathers, Sunset mentally groaned. The monocle. Why didn’t I recognize the monocle? That was Fancy Pants. Great. I was almost run over by Fancy Pants because I was too busy thinking Moon Dancer and Twilight would make a cute couple.

Sunset facehoofed.

No, you weren’t thinking that, the analytical part of her corrected. But you are now.

“Miss Shimmer, you seem rather distracted,” the guard said. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes,” Sunset muttered and rubbed her head. “I’ve just spent way too much time in my head these last few days. I’m sorry for the bother, Lieutenant…”

Spending the last decade or so around Princess Celestia had taught her plenty about the guard. The blue accents on his armor told her everything she needed to know about his rank, but for reasons Sunset had never figured out, guards never had names on their armor.

“Armor, Miss Shimmer. Shining Armor.”

Years ago, Sunset had given up on everypony around her seeming to know who she was. At least for a member of the Royal Guard, it was expected that they should know who she was. Honestly, the only reason they wouldn’t was if they’d either never been on duty at the Castle or they were brand new.

“Well, I’ll make sure to tell your captain you heroically saved me from my own distracted thoughts,” Sunset said as she brushed off some of the dust.

Lieutenant Armor nodded and wore a faint smile. “Would you mind if I walked with you, Miss Shimmer?”

Sunset blinked. “Uh, I guess not? But only if you stop calling me Miss Shimmer. Call me Sunset. I hate it when people call me ‘Miss Shimmer.’”

The lieutenant smiled cheerfully. A smile Sunset recognized, but couldn’t put her hoof on.

This whole ‘Twilight’ thing has really got me distracted so badly I can’t think straight. Ugh, I need sleep.

Despite this, she started heading up the street. She wasn’t going to worry about her complete inability to put muzzles to names right now. She had other things to worry about.

“You’re heading to the Archives, right?” Lieutenant Armor asked.

“How’d you know that?”

“Because you’re going to visit my sister.”

Sunset stopped dead.

Oh, this day just gets better by the second.

“Twilight Sparkle is your sister?”

Lieutenant Armor nodded. “I was hoping to run into you before you met up with her. Though not quite so literally.”

Suddenly, Sunset had a bad feeling about this. She thought about what she’d put Twilight through. It was unintentional, but still, she did not want to deal with an overprotective brother right now. A Royal Guard wouldn’t do anything to her in broad daylight on the streets of Canterlot, though.

Right?

“And I wanted to thank you for what you did last night. And what you’re doing today.”

Sunset blinked a few times. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. “I’m sorry, but you’ve totally lost me.”

The stallion continued walking forward, and Sunset trotted to keep up. She kept staring at the guard, trying to figure out what was really going on. Princess Celestia had put her through plenty of lessons on diplomacy and reading other ponies’—and griffons’, zebras’ and other races’— body language. While she may have passed some of those classes adequately, she was by no means an expert. Lieutenant Armor seemed genial enough, but she still had a nagging suspicion she was missing something.

“I visited my parents last night, after you walked Twilight home.”

“Hey now!” Sunset protested. “You’re making sound like—”

“No, no, not like that.” The guard laughed. “Nothing implied.”

Sunset breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was to give the wrong impression. So, her traitorous mind immediately brought up the thoughts that had passed through her head upon seeing Twilight for the first time back in the lobby of the Archives.

Ugh, make up your mind! she mentally shouted at what felt like fifteen voices in the back of her head. First you’re having fun shipping Twilight with Moon Dancer and now you’re—

You know what? I’m not thinking this. Nope. Not thinking it. Talking to Lieutenant Armor now.

Lieutenant Armor hadn’t noticed the little trip into her own head.

“—seen her quite so happy.”

“I’m sorry.” Sunset laughed nervously. “Can you say that again? I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

“Neither did Twilight from what my parents said.” The stallion chuckled. “I said the last time I remember seeing Twilight so happy was when she was hired into the Royal Canterlot Archives.”

“She… was happy?”

“Very. Why? Didn’t she seem happy?” It was Lieutenant Armor’s turn to stop and stare at her. “She talked nonstop about what happened yesterday. First, it was mostly about you reintroducing her to her old friends. She then went on forever about you introducing her to Princess Celestia today.”

“She… she didn’t really act all that happy,” Sunset muttered, rubbing the back of her head. “She… honestly… um… it was probably the most awkward time I’ve had in forever.”

The guard’s laugh boomed out over the street, catching the attention of a few passing ponies. They looked less than impressed with the officer’s decorum. Sunset ignored them.

“That’s just Twily being Twily,” Lieutenant Armor said with a shrug. “You might think she’s acting awkward, but she’s having the time of her life. It’s just something special about her. Honestly, I always thought she would grow out of it, but she never really did. She always was a bit of a recluse.”

“No thanks to me,” Sunset muttered.

“Hey, I didn’t come here to remind you of the past, Miss—sorry, Sunset. I came here to thank you for helping my sister.”

Sunset didn’t meet his eyes. She didn’t have a clue what she was feeling at the moment. As if sensing this wasn’t the time for words, Lieutenant Armor continued down the street. Sunset fell into step beside him. One o’clock rung out across the city as they arrived at the enormous elaborate gates of the Royal Canterlot Archives.

“Look, I need to get back to my post,” Lieutenant Armor confessed. “But I meant what I said, Sunset. Thank you. Twilight’s never been good with other ponies. She needed somepony to reach out to her.”

“You have to know it was me who took her friends away.” Sunset finally dared to meet his eyes. “You do know that, right?”

“No.” Lieutenant Armor’s expression softened. He was actually quite handsome. Sunset found herself blushing a little, and hating herself for it. “From what Twily said last night, she was just intimidated by you. She also said you practically had to force her to go out last night.”

“You know, everypony trying to be nice to me is really starting to…”

“Get annoying?”

“Maybe a little?” Sunset laughed nervously. “I don’t know, I keep expecting the other horseshoe to drop.”

“Well, if it helps any,” Lieutenant Armor said with something approaching an mischievous smirk. “Cadance says you used to be a…” He coughed and muttered something Sunset could only barely make out.

“Well, I was—”

She blinked.

“Did you say Cadance?”

“Sorry.” He grinned. “Time to head back on duty. Thanks again!”

“Now, wait just a minute!” Sunset protested, but Lieutenant Armor was already lost in the bustle of the street.

Sunset sighed, rested her head against the brick base of the wrought iron gates of the Archive and proceeded to bang her head against the wonderfully hard surface.

This was the exact state Twilight Sparkle found her in less than a minute after Lieutenant Armor had disappeared.

“Um… Sunset?” Twilight asked. “Are you okay?”

Sunset stopped banging her head against the bricks and instead just let out a long, low sigh, her eyes closed and her head resting against the convenient bricks.

“I just happened to run into your brother!” Sunset said in a voice so cheerful it would have made Minuette recoil. “And my poor sleep-deprived brain didn’t actually realize that I’d met him before until the very last second!”

“You met Shining Armor? And… you know him?”

“Oh yes,” Sunset chirped. “Oh, yes indeed. I don’t think I’ve ever actually spoken to him, but I’ve definitely seen him. He’s been dating Princess Cadance for what? Ten years now?”

“Technically, I believe the correct term is ‘courting’ at this juncture. After all, a princess doesn’t just go around ‘dating.’ It would be improper.”

Sunset turned her head toward the sound of Twilight’s voice and popped an eye open. The lavender unicorn was there, her head cocked and an eyebrow raised above her glasses. She had on a pair of thick tan saddlebags, both of which filled to the bursting with books. The saddlebags were positioned so Twilight’s cutie mark was visible: an oddly-familiar-looking book floating in a field of raspberry-colored magic.

She was also vibrating ever so slightly, either from excitement or anxiety. Probably both.

“So sorry to be improper,” Sunset muttered.

“Why does this bother you? Did Shining do something to upset you?”

Sunset lifted her head. “Nope. Perfect gentlecolt.”

“Then why would it bother you if they were together?”

Why does it not surprise me that Twilight isn’t making this connection? Sunset sighed. Am I going to have to spell out everything for her?

“Princess Cadance and I have a… complicated history,” Sunset admitted.

“Really? Want to talk about it?”

Do I sound like I want to talk about it? It took a lot of effort to prevent Sunset from snapping at Twilight, but Twilight’s face was a picture of honest curiosity and only vaguely ignorant interest. She didn’t know. She simply couldn’t know. No reason she would.

Didn’t make it any less annoying.

She heard rattling chains as her angry little pony tried to rear up and get a few choice words in. In all honesty, Sunset had been surprised she’d been able to keep the thing quiet for most of the day.

Maybe yesterday had more of an impact than I thought. The Princess seemed to think so. Wish I had her confidence.

“No, Twilight,” Sunset said, surprised at how calm her voice sounded. “That is a very long story, and one I would really rather not go into right now.”

First, Minuette brings up my parents. Then, I run face-first into a reminder of Cadance. All this after everything that happened yesterday. It’s like somepony’s out to get me this week.

“Oh, okay,” Twilight said, suddenly sounding very unsure. “I’m sorry if—”

“Nothing to apologize for,” Sunset interrupted. “I’ve just had a bit of a long day. Now, we should get going. I’m sorry I was running late.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” Twilight replied. “I… um… I was running a bit late too.”

Sunset noticed a strange little hop in her step as lavender unicorn fell in beside her. Like she was sidling closer to Sunset, while trying to avoid actually getting closer.

“I got a little lost in my reading,” Twilight admitted.

“What could distract you from this? After all, you nearly had a panic attack when I suggested meeting the Princess yesterday.”

Twilight’s ears flicked back as she blushed. Her horn glowed, and a book floated out of one of her saddlebags. She levitated the tome up for Sunset to catch in her magic, though Sunset noticed Twilight dropped her levitation aura before Sunset took over this time.

“Princess Celestia: A Brief History?” Sunset asked. “Are you… researching meeting the Princess?”

“I have to be prepared!” Twilight squawked. The vibrations suddenly increased exponentially along with her speech rate. “I need to have proper speaking points, and to make sure I’m well-read on all recent civic and diplomatic decrees made by her or her adjutants in the last ten years, not to mention that I also need to know what topics to avoid after all I don’t want to cause aninternationalincidentbecauseIputmyhoofinmy—”

Sunset shoved her hoof in Twilight’s muzzle, saving Twilight the trouble of doing so.

You’re an idiot for doing this.

Sunset mentally sighed. The silence in her head had been nice while it had lasted.

“One: under no circumstances can you actually cause an international incident in a private meeting with Princess Celestia.” Sunset rolled her eyes. “To have an international incident, you need to actually involve other nations. Two: this is not a quiz, a test, an exam or any other form of evaluation as to your knowledge of the Princess. Three: I’m going to remove my hoof now. Can you please not immediately go into a rant?”

Twilight nodded around her hoof. Sunset removed said hoof, making sure that she did not note Twilight’s blush, despite the fact the other unicorn appeared to be in danger of spontaneously igniting.

You’re an idiot for doing this, her angry little pony repeated. And you’re an idiot for deciding not to notice when somepony’s blushing. Seriously? What’s up with that?

I don’t remember you being so sarcastic yesterday, Sunset muttered in the relative privacy of her own head.

I don’t remember you being a bucking idiot yesterday… no wait, I do!

After Sunset was sure Twilight wasn’t about to launch into another panic attack, she floated the book back to Twilight, and they walked down the street together once more.

“Um…” Twilight adjusted her glasses. “I wanted to say… I’m sorry about last night.”

Sunset cocked an eyebrow at Twilight. Twilight just shrugged, not meeting her eyes.

“The whole thing was sort of surreal for me, I think. I just don’t have a lot of experience with…”

“Other ponies?”

“Yeah.”

“Join the club.” Sunset chuckled. “If it helps, that’s actually what your brother wanted to talk to me about.”

“About… last night?”

“He wanted to thank me,” Sunset admitted.

“He wanted to thank you?” Twilight wrinkled her forehead as if trying to figure out some particularly complex alchemical composition. “Thank you for what?”

“Apparently, for last night. And today.”

Out of the blue, Twilight suddenly let out an enormous yawn which was instantly infectious. Before she realized what she was doing, Sunset was mimicking her yawn. Sunset blinked, and gave Twilight a little scowl.

“Sorry,” Twilight muttered. “I was up late last night.”

“That’s what your brother said. I can’t blame you, though. So was I.”

“Studying?” Twilight asked. “I’m sure you pull a lot of all-nighters as the Princess’s personal student.”

“Yeah. Studying.”

More or less. It was easier than having another panic attack of my own.

“I was kinda doing the same thing… and just thinking a lot about everything that happened. And how I was going to apologize.”

“Twilight, you don’t need to apologize.” Sunset was pretty sure that wasn’t a lie. Well, mostly. Okay, maybe more in the realm of ‘hopefully.’ “Despite your little—ahem—fracas with Moon Dancer, the rest of the girls had a good time. Actually, I think Moon Dancer had the most fun of all of us.”

“Really?” Twilight blinked. “She seemed really angry at me. Especially after the whole ‘Morari the Maneless’ thing. She wasn’t like that back when I knew her.”

“I think that’s my fault.” Sunset laughed, wincing. “At least according to Minuette and the rest of the girls. From how they tell it, Moon Dancer picked up some… heh… bad habits from me.”

“Bad habits?” Twilight’s brow wrinkled once more. “Like what?”

“Mainly me being sarcastic and snippy. Minuette likes to use the word ‘sassy,’ but frankly, I think that’s just sugarcoating it.”

They turned a corner. At the end of the broad cobblestone street ahead, was the towering gate of Canterlot Castle. The enormous white and gold structure dominated the mountainside. Twilight took one look at it, squeaked slightly and looked to Sunset. Sunset could see the panic attack start, but somehow Twilight held it back. But a moment later, Twilight’s gaze dropped.

“The Moon Dancer I remember was really shy,” Twilight said, staring at her hooves. “I don’t know how you tutoring her would have made the two of you so close.”

“Well, we didn’t exactly get to swap stories a lot last night,” Sunset said with a little smirk. “Thanks to two particular librarians.”

“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to fly off—”

“Twilight, I’m trying to tease you.”

Twilight’s eyes went from her hooves to Sunset. “Why?”

“Because it’s what friends do. So I’ve been told, at least.”

“Oh.”

“It’s okay. Anyway, Moon Dancer and I… I didn’t think we were that close, honestly. But the Princess thought it would be a good idea if I spent more time with her. So, I’d occasionally go with her to a book reading or something. I didn’t really think anything of it. Though I’d stopped the whole ‘reign of terror’ thing, I wasn’t on the lookout for friends. At that point, I really didn’t think I would ever make any friends at Gifted Unicorns.”

“What happened?”

“Cinnamon Tart happened.”

“Wait, I know that name,” Twilight stared into the sky as if trying to find the answer in the clouds. “Wasn’t she that filly with the short-cropped red mane?”

“It was more of a purple,” Sunset corrected absently. “The only reason I remember is… well, that’s not important.”

“I don’t understand. I do remember hearing about something happening at the end of that first term and Dean Slate ended up retiring, but Professor Inkwell pulled me aside for some special classes with Jade Singer at that point. I was kinda thrilled about it. It was... a pretty big deal to me. What happened to you?”

Oh yes, please pour out your life story to this stupid filly, this little wannabe. She’ll love to hear all about how the great and mighty Sunset Shimmer who abandoned her birthright was brought low by a trio of fillies barely old enough to have their cutie marks!

Oh, go find somepony else to annoy! Sunset snapped back. I’m busy!

“The details aren’t really important,” Sunset admitted and pointedly ignored the laughter in the back of her head. “What matters is that… I was accused of something. Something that would have forced me to leave the school. Probably would have ended up with me being dismissed as Princess Celestia’s student, too. And the worst of it was... Dean Slate was at the center of it all.”

“The dean? He was behind it? What in Equestria did he accuse you of?” Twilight squeaked.

“It’s not important,” Sunset repeated. “It wasn’t true, but it was my word against Slate, Cinnamon Tart and her friends. At least, I thought it was.”

Sunset looked up and spotted the Princess’s balcony. To her surprise, the Princess was actually standing there, and though it was hard to tell at this distance, Sunset was almost positive she was watching them.

Sunset flushed. The sun seemed a bit brighter.

Twilight hadn’t noticed. She was too busy staring at Sunset in rapt attention, eager to hear how this story played out.

Once upon a time, you loved working in front of an audience. This is no different, Shimmer. Come on! Dance, like the little puppet you are!

“The last week before term ended, Cinnamon and her friends accused me in front of Professor Polish, Professor Clear, and the entire class. Professor Polish was shocked. Dean Slate was quick to back her up, too. She didn’t know what to say. I… I couldn’t say anything.”

Her voice cracked a little. Her eyes fell from the Princess to the well-worn cobbles beneath their hooves.

“In all honesty, a lot of it is a bit fuzzy. I hadn't gotten more than three hours of sleep in the last two weeks. I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly. But I do remember the Princess just... nodding at Dean Slate as he prepared to... expel me.”

Twilight didn’t interrupt as Sunset slowly came to a halt just before the guard booth. The two stallions inside glanced at her and shrugged. Sunset didn’t even bother looking either in the eye.

Twilight was staring at her with an expression of dumbfounded shock.

But then, a slow smile spread across Sunset’s muzzle.

“I remember... I remember Slate asking why anypony should believe I was innocent. It was dead silent. Then… out of nowhere, another voice piped up. She ignored the looks of everypony else, stood up, and pointed her hoof at Cinnamon, telling everypony she was the one behind it all.”

“Moon Dancer?”

“Moon Dancer.” Sunset nodded. “She called them out on it. Revealed the truth. She’d known. She’d actually known the whole time and hadn’t said anything. Cinnamon had been using her the entire time, but I don’t blame her for it.”

Sunset’s voice caught. “Then she said something. Something I’ll never forget. ‘You’re right. She was a force of destruction. Sunset Shimmer isn’t a saint. She isn’t perfect. In fact, she’s screwed up a lot!’—I kinda wanted her to stop helping me at that point—‘I barely know anything about friendship, but I’m pretty sure real friends tell you to support your other friends. Help them! Not hate them! Now you’d better sit your tails down and stop lying about my friend before I knock you on your tails!’”

Twilight stared at her with enormous eyes.

“She… Moon Dancer actually went off on them?”

“I’d never seen her so peeved.” Sunset laughed. “She was a little ball of furious, righteous indignation. It was actually pretty awesome. I just gaped at her as she turned to face the Dean Slate, and told him in no uncertain terms I was innocent. I remember a lot of arguing. A lot of fighting... only to reveal it was actually Slate pulling the strings the entire time. It's all really complicated and like I said, I don't remember it all that clearly from the sleep deprivation. But she did declare she would stand by me against anything anypony threw at me.”

If anything, the expression of wonder on Twilight’s face simply grew.

“At the end of it all, she turned, apologized to me, and asked if I would forgive her. If I would still be her friend.”

“What did you do?”

“Um…” Sunset felt her face nearly combust. “I… errr…”

“Sunset?” Twilight prodded. “Come on, you can’t end the story there!”

“I may have… I may have passed out from shock.”

“You fainted?” Twilight squealed so loudly they probably heard it in Manehattan. “You actually fainted?”

Sunset facehoofed.

“Yes,” she muttered. “Yes, I did. And Moon Dancer has been teasing me about it mercilessly ever since. I’m actually surprised she didn’t bring it up last night.”

“Sunset Shimmer fainted because somepony stood up for her.” Twilight was actually bouncing up and down now. “I don’t believe it. This is the greatest thing ever!”

“If that’s the greatest thing ever…” Sunset scowled. “We could always just leave now, and forget about seeing the Princess.”

Twilight froze in mid-bounce, landed on her hooves and grinned sheepishly. “Um… sorry?”

The expression of chagrin and embarrassment on Twilight’s face was simply priceless. Sunset used every bit of willpower at her command not to fall over laughing.

In the end, even her willpower wasn’t that strong.

Author's Note

Not noticing somepony else blushing is weird. Especially when done intentionally. :twilightblush:

Also? Moon Dancer as a little ball of furious, righteous indignation? Adorable. Terrifying. Both? Maybe? :rainbowderp:

And if Jade Singer sounds familiar, yes indeed. She should. :trixieshiftleft:

And yes, sleep deprivation can screw with your memory pretty badly, which is why Sunset's recollection of the events is a bit wonky. If you haven't yet read it yet, you can get the whole story in The Alchemy of Chemistry.

In case you're wondering, when Sunset faced Twilight yesterday, it helped jog her memory (just a bit). It's why she didn't remember Twilight at the beginning, but did toward the end of the book.

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Hysterics in the Hallway

Sunset didn’t need to speak with the Castle guards. One of them nodded at her as she waved them through. After Twilight’s little episode, both of them were obviously fighting smiles.

Then again, Sunset had been rolling around on the cobbles, gasping for breath.

Sunset could have pointed out that Princess Celestia had likely seen the entire thing. It wouldn’t have surprised her if the Princess of the Sun had actually heard the whole thing, too. After all, she was an immortal alicorn demigoddess. However, Twilight probably would have just fainted from shock.

Despite the delicious irony of the option, Sunset decided to be graceful.

At least, for now.

As they walked through the immense courtyard before the Castle itself, Twilight’s head spun as if she was trying to look at everything at once. Sunset could see the questions forming on her muzzle, only for her eyes to catch something else, and her train of thought to be derailed once again.

She couldn’t help but let out a giggle at Twilight’s antics. She’d forgotten how few ponies ever got to see inside the gate of Canterlot Castle, though they might live in Canterlot their whole lives. Through Twilight’s perspective, Sunset could see the Castle in a new light.

She looked up at the immense turrets and towers, the wide spiraling ramps and stairways, the skybridges, and the gardens. Banners flew in the light breeze at the top of every tower. White stone mixed with gray accents, all while shimmering gold topped almost everything in sight. Magnificent, showing the power of the Princess who dwelled there without being gaudy. Well, without being terribly gaudy. In the end, the place was just so massive Sunset had trouble giving any description that truly gave it justice.

A little less than a millennium old, the Castle looked almost brand-new. While the Castle had grown over the Princess’s solitary reign, the central keep was still the same. That was where they were heading.

A pair of guards flanked the immense wooden doors, each emblazoned with the sigil of the Princess of the Sun wrapped in delicate etchings of vines and leaves. The two unicorns nodded to Sunset and Twilight. The younger unicorn let out a little squee at the sight of them.

“Miss Shimmer,” the left guard said. “We are to inform you the Princess will receive you and your guest in the West Gardens.”

“Thank you,” Sunset said. “Come on, Twilight. We can duck through the Hall of History to get there.”

“Hall of… History?” Twilight whispered in reverent awe.

As the guards swung open the doors, Sunset smirked at Twilight. “Well, we can either spend all our time in there or we can see Princess Celestia. What would you like to do?”

Inarticulate squeaking came from Twilight’s general direction. Sunset’s smirk grew into a grin. “That’s what I thought.”

Sunset nodded to a few of the servants. Thankfully, none of them bowed to her. Every time a new pony was brought on, they always bowed the first time they saw her, no matter how many times she told the staff’s leadership. It always reminded her of the pony she tried to keep chained in the back of her head. The bowing was something she would want.

Yeah. You’re not worthy of that. Used to be. Will be someday again. But not now.

Sunset rolled her eyes. Seriously. This is beyond old. Go away!

Twilight barely looked at any of the ponies, though. Her legs were working on automatic as her eyes swiveled in their sockets. Her gaze locked onto every tapestry and stained glass window as if she planned on reproducing them from memory later. For all Sunset knew, she was planning on doing just that. Maybe she was taking mental notes. It wouldn’t surprise her.

Actually, it surprised Sunset Twilight wasn’t taking physical notes.

They could have gone around the exterior of the castle and through Sunset’s favorite grove of apple trees to get to the West Gardens. Yet, she knew without a doubt Twilight would love to see the Hall of History, even if only in passing. Anypony who lived and breathed books as Twilight did in the Royal Canterlot Archives would simply adore it.

The first thing that caught everypony’s attention—and Twilight was no exception—was the stained glass portrait of a draconequus tormenting the ponies of Equestria. Twilight galloped up to it, staring at the monster as if it might suddenly burst to life.

“Discord…” Twilight murmured. “It is true there’s a statue of him in the Sculpture Gardens?”

Sunset stepped beside her and nodded.

“Why would a monster that plunged Equestria into chaos have a sculpture enshrined at the Castle?” Twilight’s eyes still hadn’t left the stained glass. “That never made sense to me.”

“The Princess doesn’t like to talk about Discord,” Sunset admitted. “I think it’s a painful subject for her. Personally, I think she hated the fact that it took her so long to find a way to defeat him.”

“Well, she didn’t do it alone,” Twilight pointed out. “Her sister was with her.”

Sunset nodded again. “That’s probably the other reason she doesn’t like to talk about it. While Princess Celestia is more than happy to talk about modern politics and near-history… going that far back in the past isn’t something she enjoys doing.”

“You’ve asked her?” Twilight finally turned to Sunset.

“Of course.”

“Can you imagine that?” Twilight murmured as she moved on to the next stained window. It showed the first contact between the griffons and the ponies of Equestria. “Living for over a thousand years? Seeing the nation of Equestria founded? For pony’s sake, she’s one of only members of a completely unique race! Nopony knows if there are any other alicorns still left in the world! Well, natural-born ones, I mean.”

“Honestly? No. I’ve tried. Makes me wonder just what she’s gone through to have so many secrets.”

“You’re right, I—why are you smiling at me like that?”

Sunset froze. She hadn’t even realized she’d been staring at Twilight. She tried to fight the blush, but failed miserably.

Why am I constantly blushing around this pony?

“Sorry.” Sunset poked at the checked tile. “It’s been a while since I’ve brought a friend over here. The last pony to get as excited as you about all of this was Moon Dancer. And honestly? You’re way past her at this point.”

“Really?”

“Well, yeah.” Sunset looked up and smiled a bit wider. “Most ponies just sort of accept Princess Celestia as this force, this unknowable goddess. They’re so used to the mystery around her, they don’t ask questions. With me, it’s different. I’ve spent over a decade with her. With you… I don’t know, I just think your curiosity is refreshing.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something only to have a low bell thrum through the Hall of History.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, just the half-hour chime.” Sunset waved a hoof. “Nothing to be worried about.”

“Half-hour? You mean it’s already half past one?” Twilight squeaked and trotted in place. “We’re late, aren’t we? Oh for the love of Celestia… I mean…”

Sunset snorted.

“We can’t be late to see her! What will she think of me? She’ll think I’m a horrible pony! She’ll think I’m one of those ponies who are… who are…”

The next word was spoken with such dread and horror, Sunset half-expected eldritch abominations to leap from the shadows and devour them whole.

“…tardy.”

That tears it. She’s certifiably nuts.

Sunset wasn’t quite sure if she was thinking that or if her angry little pony was thinking that. Maybe they both were. A chilling thought.

“Twilight,” Sunset began slowly, trying not to make things worse on the prancing unicorn. “You’re not going to be tardy.”

“But the guard said the Princess was waiting out in the West Castle Gardens and who knows how long we’ve kept her waiting since I think it was about one since we—oh my gosh your class was at one, wasn’t it and we’re over a half hour late she’s going to banish me—”

Hoof, meet mouth.

Twilight froze as Sunset once again physically silenced her.

“The Princess is there with Philomena, her pet phoenix. She always spends a little time after lunch with Philomena before going back to the Day Court.”

This, evidently, was not the right thing to say. Twilight’s eyes went even wider and she backpedaled, escaping Sunset’s silencing hoof.

“You mean I’m holding up the entire Canterlot government bureaucracy by making her even later for court? No, that can’t happen! My parents will kill me! They’ll disown me, and the Princess will be required to—”

“Twilight, look out!”

Twilight backpedaled right into a pedestal against the wall with the speed of a taxipony at full gallop. There was a large bowl on the pedestal. Sunset knew it well, as she’d filled it many times before. She also knew it could easily fall if it hadn’t been placed in its holder just so.

The bowl tipped over and Sunset could do nothing but watch as about a gallon of freezing water dumped on Twilight’s head.

As the bowl rolled to a stop a few feet away, Sunset stared at Twilight.

Her glasses had fallen off, revealing enormous violet eyes beneath them. Her mane was plastered to her head. Her saddlebags were soaked. Her tail was a sopping mess. Her coat was several shades darker than usual. Water dripped off her muzzle, and from the tips of her ears, which twitched sporadically left and right. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, before settling on open while her eyes were locked on somewhere behind Sunset, probably in that wonderful land called Mortification.

Maybe it was the fact that she’d been rolling on the ground laughing her tail off at Twilight only a few minutes ago, but Sunset actually managed to keep herself from anything more than a little smile—though she was fighting the monstrous giggling fit that threatened to overtake her.

“Please…” she said through chattering teeth. “Please tell me that wasn’t holy water from the birthplace of Celestia brought back by pilgrims in the earliest days of Equestria…”

Sunset stared at her.

“It’s for Philomena. She likes her water ice cold. Has bowls all over the Castle. She’s a strange bird.”

“Oh. Good.”

She slumped over.

Author's Note

A shorter chapter, but I just couldn't help but ending right there. It was too perfect! :scootangel:

Fanart by DocWario, commissioned by Tchernobog as a 2017 Hearth's Warming Present

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Grateful in the Garden

Thankfully, it hadn’t taken Sunset long to find one of the servants and request a couple warm towels. Still, Twilight was still shivering, her mane damp and her eyes locked squarely on the ground. At least the contents of her saddlebags were dry. Both bags had powerful waterproofing wards Twilight had performed herself. Sunset was a bit impressed with that. It was solid spellwork.

“I can reschedule, if you want,” Sunset offered as the maid left. Another servant came in with a fresh bowl for the phoenix. “I’m sure the Princess won’t mind.”

“I’m not going to dump water all over the Princess’s floor, be late and then reschedule.” Twilight stomped a hoof. “I’ll probably regret this, but it’s not like anything else could go—”

She stopped.

“I’m so glad you didn’t finish that sentence,” Sunset commented dryly.

There was no response.

Twilight’s shivering got worse as they headed out of the Hall of History and into the maze of corridors and hallways beyond. Eventually, they cantered toward a set of glass double doors that overlooked immense western gardens.

“Twilight, are you okay?”

“I’m such an idiot,” she muttered. She plodded along in Sunset’s wake, shoulders slumped and ears flat against her head. “I can’t believe I freaked out like that. You must think I’m a total… total… madmare.”

“I think it’s just fair,” Sunset pointed out. “After all, you got to find out I fain—passed out when Moon Dancer stood up for me.”

“Yeah, but passing out and freaking out are two very different things.” Twilight sighed. “And that was years ago. I should just go back to the Archives and never show my face again. To anypony. Ever.”

“Waste of a pretty face,” Sunset commented.

Then she realized what she had said. She heard the long, slow clap from the depths of her mind.

Sunset hoped Twilight hadn’t heard that. Of course, because the universe hated her, her hopes were in vain. Twilight actually looked up at Sunset, her eyes enormous and her pupils tiny pinpricks of shock.

“You… you think I have a pretty f-face?”

Only direct divine intervention could have prevented the blush from exploding on Sunset’s face. She rubbed the back of her head and fiddled with a strand of her mane. However, the closest thing to the divine was in the garden. And she would have probably laughed instead of offering to help. Not out loud, of course, but her eyes would be laughing. For the Princess, it was practically the same thing.

“Well… yes,” Sunset mumbled. “I… know for one that… um… Moon Dancer would be very disappointed not to see it again!”

Coward.

Sunset did the mental equivalent of a gesture she would never let Celestia see her do.

“Oh.” Twilight blinked a few times at her. “Um… thank you?”

“You’re welcome?”

Why are we talking in questions?

Sunset was saved from further inquiries by their arrival at the doors to the garden. With a flare of her horn, the two doors swung open, unleashing the chilly autumn air into the castle hallway. Twilight shivered again. Sunset did the only thing she could think of: she moved closer to the other unicorn. Close enough to touch.

Twilight stiffened and almost shied away, but seemed to think better of it.

“T-thank you. I don’t k-know how much of this is from the w-water and how much is from me just being scared witless right now.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Please, please, please don’t mention it. To anypony. Ever.

Despite the crisp air, the sun was high in the sky and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. In fact, save for a few flights of pegasi guards, there was only one thing in the sky: a brilliant streak of crimson and gold spiraling up into the air before bursting with blinding sunlight.

Twilight shielded her eyes from the spectacle, but she lowered her hoof just in time to see the phoenix dive for the ground like a living firework in reverse. There was another burst of sound and light from behind a large hedgerow, and Sunset could hear the faint clopping of hooves in applause. The sound could only be from Princess Celestia. Only the Princess’s applause, echoed by her horseshoes, had that bell-like quality.

“Come on. This is what you’ve been waiting for, right?”

Twilight nodded, and they moved past one of the many immense fountains dotting the landscape. Twilight suddenly stopped, still shivering. Sunset took a few more steps before turning to face her with a cocked eyebrow.

“What is it now, Twilight?”

“Um…” Twilight muttered. “Before… you know… I just wanted to say thank you. For everything.”

Sunset rolled her eyes. “Would you stop stalling? She’s actually looking forward to meeting you.”

“She is?”

Sunset nodded. “We talked about you for a while last night at my lesson.”

“What… what did she say?”

“Nope. No more stalling.”

With that, Sunset turned around and headed toward the opening in the hedgerow. Twilight let out a squeak of protest and cantered after her. Sunset picked up the pace and trotted just fast enough to get around the corner before Twilight could make it. Just enough so that Twilight wouldn’t be able to delay again.

Sunset immediately dropped to a simple walk when she came in sight of Princess Celestia.

“Good afternoon, Sunset,” the Princess said warmly. Philomena let out a little musical hoot of greeting.

“Good afternoon, Princess,” she replied just as Twilight rounded the corner and stopped dead.

Twilight was just staring. Sunset didn’t blame her. Celestia could make snoring look regal if she had a mind to.

The Princess sat in a small open stone gazebo surrounded by tulips, daisies and jasmine. Philomena was perched on her back, looking regal and majestic—and impish—as always. Princess Celestia herself was adorned in her usual golden regalia, each piece glittering in the afternoon sunlight. Her multicolored mane swayed in a magical nonexistent breeze. The perfect white coat seemed to reflect the sun, drawing the eye to the symbol of her charge on her flank.

More than anything though, it was the simple fact she looked happy that warmed Sunset in a way only seeing the Princess could.

The Princess’s eyes turned from Sunset to Twilight.

Something odd happened. Sunset thought she saw a moment of something approaching confusion and…something else Sunset couldn’t identify.

In a flash, the expression was gone, replaced by her traditional serene gaze and small, welcoming smile.

“And I presume this is Miss Twilight Sparkle?”

“Uh…” Sunset frowned and shook her head a little. “Yes. Yes it is.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sparkle,” Celestia said, getting to her hooves. Philomena hopped off her back and onto one of the corners of the open stone gazebo.

Twilight’s mouth finally snapped shut after Sunset made a gesture. As if she suddenly realized who was speaking to her, the other unicorn instantly buried her head in the grass in a desperate bow. She let out a little grunt of pain from the impact. Sunset gave a sympathetic wince, and managed to stifle a laugh.

She did, however, share a look with the Princess. An entire conversation occurred within that single look, one borne of knowing a pony for so many years.

At its core, the conversation went something like this:

She does this sort of thing a great deal, doesn’t she?

Yep.

“Rise, my little pony,” Celestia intoned—using her overly dramatic voice for some reason—her wings folded and her eyes gazing fondly upon the cowering unicorn before her. “You have been invited here as a friend of Sunset. There is no need for such bowing and scraping before me.”

“I’m s-sorry, Your Highness!” Twilight squeaked as she stumbled her to hooves.

Sunset had to turn away and bite her hoof to keep from laughing. Twilight had grass on her muzzle. There was a little bit of sod on the top of her horn.

“There’s no need to apologize, Miss Sparkle.”

“Sorry, Your Majesty!” Twilight blushed, realized what she said and squeaked again. “Sor—um…”

The Princess laughed lightly. “Come now, you are a friend of Sunset, are you not? That makes you an honored guest. You have nothing to fear from me.”

“Twilight, we’ve talked about this,” Sunset said, trying to keep the strain out of her voice. “Just take a deep breath. She’s not going to bite you.”

Celestia nodded in that serene, ethereal way of hers.

Sunset couldn’t help herself. She was only a pony after all. “However, Philomena might if you ask politely.”

The bird hooted.

Twilight went scarlet, and looked like she was about to bolt. Princess Celestia chuckled softly.

“Looks like you had a run-in with—considering how much you’re shivering—one of Philomena’s water dishes.” The Princess looked Twilight up and down. “The autumn air isn’t good for a wet coat. I’m surprised Sunset didn’t offer to assist you.”

“Um, Princess?” Sunset cocked an eyebrow at the Princess. “Do you remember the last time I tried a drying spell on myself?”

The alicorn cocked her head to one side, and a sly smile bloomed on her face. The expression of innocence may have worked on Twilight, but it didn’t have a chance on Sunset. And Celestia knew it.

“Oh, yes. If I remember, you had to move to a different room for about a week afterwards. And throw out the curtains. We could never get the smell out.”

Thank you ever so much, Princess.

“It’s really no t-trouble,” Twilight protested. “It’s my own fault and—”

“Nonsense!” The Princess interrupted. “It would take but a moment.”

Magic appeared around the Princess’s horn as she reached out with her power and wrapped Twilight in her glowing golden aura. There was a brief flash of light and the glow faded, revealing a fully dry Twilight Sparkle. She even had her hair done up in her usual bangs and bun. Twilight blinked a few times, adjusted her glasses and stammered out a thank you.

“Please, think nothing of it,” Princess Celestia replied. “If you don’t mind, why don’t we walk in the gardens for a time? After spending the morning on the throne, I needed to stretch my legs.”

Sunset fell into step beside the much larger alicorn. Twilight fell into step beside Sunset, as if she was using Sunset as a shield against the Princess of the Sun. Sunset would have facehoofed if she hadn’t been trying to get Twilight to calm down.

“As Sunset may have told you, Miss Sparkle,” Celestia said as they stepped onto the packed dirt path that wound through the gardens. “We spoke at length about you last night. Sunset has had some difficulty in maintaining relationships in the past. I’ve asked her to give me regular reports on any notable new interactions with others.”

Philomena flew over their heads, and did a couple somersaults in the air. Twilight’s eyes widened, watching the majestic bird. It took Twilight a moment to remember she was being addressed by the ruler of Equestria.

“I-I’m not sure why I would be anything notable, Your Highness,” Twilight murmured, her eyes still on the phoenix. “I’m just a librarian.”

“You give yourself far too little credit, Miss Sparkle,” Celestia scoffed. “It is a rare thing for a pony to graduate from my School a year early. It is far rarer for the Head Archivist to take a student directly from academia and into the Royal Canterlot Archives.”

“I just… I enjoy books, Your Majesty.” Twilight’s eyes finally fell from Philomena as they rounded a bend. They entered a tunnel made from branching ivy and faintly glowing flowers. “I’m good with books.”

Sunset almost didn’t hear Twilight’s last few words.

“Books are safe.”

Celestia paused and turned to study one of Sunset’s favorite flowers with a hoof. Moon Lanterns were just one of the dozens of magical flora Celestia had cultivated over the years. If a pony were to walk through this tunnel at midnight, she would be surrounded by eerie green and blue light in a tunnel of shadows, as if she were wandering through a corridor of stars.

It didn’t hurt that they also tasted like angel food cake mixed with peaches.

“And ponies are not?” Celestia asked.

Sunset watched Twilight. She could practically see the gears turning in the unicorn’s head as she tried to process what to say to the Princess. As Celestia was ‘distracted’ by the flower in her hoof, Sunset leaned forward to Twilight.

“Just be honest,” she whispered into Twilight’s twitching ear. “No matter what.”

Twilight turned to Sunset. Her eyes were the largest she’d ever seen on a pony’s face. They darted left and right as if she was searching for an escape route. For a few seconds, Sunset could feel the beginnings of what could have been a teleportation spell begin to manifest, but it faded before Sunset could be sure.

“I can’t do this,” Twilight pleaded. “I can’t do this.”

“Try?” Sunset asked.

There must have been something in Sunset’s face, because the look of panic faded slightly from Twilight’s own expression. She gave a barely perceptible nod and Sunset backed away.

“Ponies are… complicated,” Twilight admitted.

To Sunset’s surprise, this elicited a faint laugh from the Princess. “My dear little pony, you do not know the half of it.”

The Princess turned and smiled at Twilight. Her horn was glowing and one of the Moon Lantern bulbs floated over to rest in Twilight’s hair. The stem was placed just right to snuggle the unicorn’s right ear. Twilight’s ear twitched, but to Sunset’s surprise, the other unicorn didn’t flinch away from the contact.

“Did you know these flowers come from zebra lands?” Celestia commented. “They are tricky to cultivate and maintain. Indeed, the flowers are rather finicky and temperamental. Among some of the most difficult things I have tried to grow. However, the leaders of the zebra nation were once kind enough to gift a series of seedlings to me, as they knew I enjoyed tending my own gardens. After planting, I admit I became frustrated. I was used to working with difficult creatures, but to have a plant defy me was… vexing, to say the least.”

Celestia began to trot through the dim tunnel filled with luminescent flower bulbs. Sunset and Twilight followed.

“You never told me this, Princess,” Sunset commented.

“Sunset, if I were to tell you about everything that’s occurred in my life, by the time I was halfway through, you would be far too old and frail to put any of it to good use.”

Sunset snickered despite herself. When she was sure Celestia and Twilight weren’t looking, she fired up her magic briefly.

“Your Majesty, if I m-may, how did you learn how to get the flowers to grow?”

“Ah, and therein lies the misconception.” Sunset could hear the smile in Celestia’s voice. “I learned two things when the zebra envoy visited once more. The first was Moon Lanterns pick up on the emotions of those tending to them. They will not bloom for those who are frustrated or angry. They only bloom for those who are relaxed and at peace. The more I struggled, the less likely they were to bloom.”

Sunset couldn’t help herself. “And what was that second thing?”

As they reached the end of the tunnel, the Princess turned to look at both of them. Her eye held that unique twinkle once more.

“That they never bloomed in sunlight.”

Sunset blinked.

“But… you’re… you’re the Princess of the Sun!” Twilight balked. “How could they…”

“The zebras have an odd sense of humor,” Celestia commented dryly. “They found it most amusing. More than one was all but rolling on the ground when they heard the Princess of the Sun had been bested by a flower.”

Sunset giggled as the Princess smiled at them. Twilight simply blinked in confusion a few times. She tried to say something, but couldn’t get the words to come out. This only made Sunset giggle harder.

“Tell me, Miss Sparkle, can you think of any applications to this particular story? Perhaps one that may pertain to yourself and Sunset Shimmer here?”

Twilight managed to find her voice again and stole a look at Sunset. “That sometimes things that appear complicated aren’t as complicated as they appear?”

“A worthwhile thought, but not precisely what I had in mind.” Celestia inclined her head. “To speak to your earlier point, ponies are indeed complicated, as was cultivating the flower that now resides in your mane. Even with the knowledge they gave me, Moon Lanterns still required much work, and having to do it at night was quite taxing.”

Celestia’s eyes turned to Sunset, and she cocked an eyebrow.

So class is in session for both of us. Thought so.

“That, even though it was very difficult, it was worth it in the end?” Sunset suggested.

“Precisely, my dear student. You can attest to this, considering how much I know you adore the taste of these flowers.”

Sunset froze. She’d only had a petal… or three. Celestia’s lips twitched into a tiny smirk.

“Gotcha.”

Sunset let out a grunt, her ears pasted back. However, she did hear an echo of a giggle from Twilight behind her. That was enough to lift something inside of Sunset. Maybe there was a glimmer of hope this afternoon might not turn into a complete disaster.

They left the shade of the Moon Lanterns tunnel—Sunset being sure to finish the rest of her purloined petals before she left the shadows—and headed for a series of fountains lining either side of the walkway. Benches sat in front of each fountain, made of alternating black and white marble. It had always reminded Sunset of some strange game of chess. The fountains themselves spat water into one another and Philomena danced and twirled around the jets of liquid, showboating—as usual—for her audience.

Princess Celestia leisurely strolled underneath the flying bursts of water. Sunset just smiled at the bird, and glanced behind her to make sure Twilight was still with them. She was, her eyes darting between Sunset and the phoenix.

“Do you still believe you aren’t ‘notable,’ Miss Sparkle?” Princess Celestia asked as she studied a bronze plaque at the base of one of the marble benches. “You’ve done quite a lot with your unique talents.”

“My… talents, Your Majesty?” Twilight asked. Her brow wrinkled at the words as she stared at the Princess. “My talent is nothing more than books. Your student’s talent is far more impressive than mine, Your Highness.”

Sunset flushed.

“Sunset does indeed have a very unique talent,” Princess Celestia conceded. “However, from what she told me of your expedition into the stacks of the archives, you found the lost tome within minutes of beginning the search. I know how extensive those stacks are, Miss Sparkle.”

“I just read a lot, Your Highness. Scrollwork likely could have done it in half the time.”

“Archivist Scrollwork is a wonderful member of the Royal Canterlot Archives.” Celestia lifted a foreleg and Philomena immediately flew down to perch on the outstretched hoof. The bird puffed herself up, trying to look regal, which only earned her a snicker from Sunset. “However, I have read his reports on you. I’m afraid you underestimate your skill. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you discover it?”

“How did I discover… discover my special talent?” Twilight gaped at her, apparently shocked the Princess would want to know anything personal about her. “Your Majesty, are you asking… you want to know my cutie mark story?”

“Well, you could either tell me that, or your feelings on the latest hoofball teams to rise to prominence. I’m willing to be somewhat flexible this afternoon.”

Sunset was barely able to stop herself from breaking down into a full chortle.

“Princess, if the head of the Equestrian Gaming Commission heard you say that…” Sunset laughed. “Oh, she would completely spit her bit.”

“Precisely why I keep such humor away from her,” the Princess pointed out. “As well you know, my dear student.”

“Uh… am I missing something?”

Princess Celestia glanced back at Sunset and gave her a little nod.

“Despite her best intentions, a lot of Equestrian society takes their cues from the Princess. Why do you think Equestria has such a monopoly on teas across the world?” Sunset smiled. “There are elements of society she doesn’t particularly enjoy. Hoofball being among them.”

“Croquet is a far more entertaining pastime,” Celestia commented. Philomena nodded in agreement. “I’ve even seen a new game called ‘buckball’ I believe has some potential.”

“So, every year, the Princess is all but required to play ‘the rabid fan’ for one day in order to keep the industry afloat.” Sunset’s cheeks were starting to hurt from her grin. “Once, she tried to delegate it to me but…”

“It took six months to stop the player strikes.” The Princess sighed with a particularly overdramatic heavy heart. “I wonder what Equestria might do if I—Harmony forbid—ever decide to try and take a vacation.”

“Chaos, anarchy, mayhem and bedlam,” Sunset commented. “Not necessarily in that order.”

“Probably.”

Sunset caught a hint of something a bit darker in the Princess’s voice as if this was actually a real concern for her. Then again, in all the time she had been the Princess’s student, she’d never seen the Princess take a single day off, let alone anything that might resemble an actual vacation.

Could the living avatar of the sun even take a vacation? Was that even physically possible?

The Princess of the Sun then shifted the conversation once more with the air of practiced diplomat with over a millennium’s worth of experience.

“I apologize, Miss Sparkle.” After a little nuzzle from the alicorn, Philomena took to the air once more. “It is rude to make inside jokes in the presence of a third party. To answer your question, yes, I would like to hear how you acquired your cutie mark.”

“Uh…” Twilight was going red again. “It’s really nothing special. I just… I was helping somepony with some books one day and it appeared.”

Princess Celestia did something Sunset had only seen a hoofful of times.

She let out an audible sigh and rolled her eyes. In front of the pony she was talking to. Who was looking right at her.

Twilight looked horrified while Sunset was simply too stunned to speak.

The Princess walked over to Twilight and looked down at her.

Twilight was actually shaking at this point. This time, it was definitely fear, not cold, making her shiver. It seemed like the sun had faded somewhat as the Princess looked down on Twilight Sparkle. Sunset wanted to say something, something to defend her friend, but her voice had been stolen. She didn’t have a clue what to say. Princess Celestia had become exasperated with her more times than she could count, but she’d never seen her act like this around another pony—especially one like Twilight. Especially for something so minor.

“Tell me, Miss Sparkle, have you spent much time around the nobility?”

It was not the question Sunset had been expecting.

“Um… some, Your Majesty.” Twilight eyes were transfixed upon the Princess of the Sun as the words tumbled out of her. “I have served several nobles in the course of my duties at the Royal Canterlot Archive, and I also have several interactions with them during my final year at your School for Gifted Unicorns though of course nothing serious since it’s not as if they invited me over for tea or cup—”

“And what of your family?”

“M-my family?” Twilight squeaked. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty! They taught me the basics of how to act properly but please don’t punish them because I have caused offense Your Highness because I swear that any fault in my behavior is mine and mine alone!”

Twilight’s muzzle snapped shut.

“So, most of your knowledge about the nobility comes from lessons and books, correct?”

Finally, her eyes couldn’t take the strain and her head dropped, followed shortly by her entire body. In a flash, Twilight Sparkle was literally cowering before Princess Celestia.

“Y-yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then it has come to my attention an area of your education has been overlooked. To be precise, the proper method in interacting with the Princess of Equestria.”

The Princess leaned down to the unicorn and flared her wings. Her horn glowed once more, but this time she gently lifted Twilight’s muzzle until the wide-eyed unicorn was staring the Princess of the Sun squarely in the eye once more. Twilight tried to look away, but the Princess’s gaze held her firm.

“The first and more important rule when speaking to the Princess of Equestria is to stop acting like she’s going to exile you to the Dragon Lands if you use the wrong fork.”

Twilight blinked.

“Za?”

Finally, Celestia dropped the act, folded her wings and unleashed the full might of her kindest smile.

“My dear pony, all day I am surrounded by those who do nothing but play their silly little games, and prance around pretending they are the most important thing in all creation. I have been in a situation like this for many centuries. It is my lot in this life. I do my best to enjoy it as much as I can, but being surrounded by politics, ambassadors, and servants gets rather dull after several centuries.”

Celestia glanced at Sunset with a fondness she had rarely seen.

“One of my favorite aspect of your new friend, Miss Sparkle, is that she often does not show the decorum so many ponies believe I am due. Sunset Shimmer is often brash, impulsive, temperamental and on occasion, even aggravating.”

Sunset tried to think of a response. Something intelligent. Even something witty.

“Thanks?” was the only thing that flopped out of her mouth.

Celestia’s eyes twinkled.

You’re brilliant, Sunset.

“Every day, I am surrounded by ponies who either try to play me, or outright fear me.” The Princess turned her attention back to Twilight. “Those few who can speak to me as a pony, not as a Princess,are ones I cherish the most. Sunset is among those unique few, as are her friends. While they may not do it as often as I would like, they are often a breath of fresh air in an otherwise excessively stuffy room.”

Twilight blinked a few times as Celestia’s magic faded from Twilight’s muzzle. The unicorn’s jaw dropped open for a few seconds before she managed to regain some kind of composure.

“Your Highness, are you s-saying… are you saying that…” Twilight was obviously having trouble processing what the Princess was telling her. “You want me to be disrespectful?”

“There is a difference between respect and familiarity. I daresay Sunset’s friends are quite familiar with her, and they enjoy teasing her a great deal. Is that not right, Sunset?”

“Uh… yeah?”

I so don’t like where this is going.

“In fact, I believe it has recently become a sport among your friends to attempt to match you up with various other mares they think you are compat—”

“Princess!” Sunset all but shrieked.

Celestia’s smile was like a second sun. “I have a very deep respect for Sunset, Miss Sparkle. I think even Sunset knows this, though I don’t think she could put it in so many words. But I am also familiar with her. I consider her to be a friend as well as my student. Her friends also respect her as well, though Sunset would likely deny that outright.”

“I’m standing right here, you know!” Sunset protested, though it was halfhearted at best.

“What I’m saying, Miss Sparkle, is you do not require perfect decorum around me. If you count yourself among Sunset’s friends, then I will accord you the same treatment I’ve accorded them. Our relationship is still relatively new, but it will grow with time. Even if you don’t count yourself as Sunset’s friend, you were invited here as one, and you will still be given that treatment. Tell me, do you consider yourself Sunset Shimmer’s friend?”

Twilight’s eyes locked onto Sunset’s own. Sunset could see Twilight didn’t know how to react. The thoughts were practically written on the other unicorn’s face. Sunset doubted that anything like this had been covered in Princess Celestia: A Brief History.

Then, the moment they’d shared in the stacks came back. Apparently, they had come back to Twilight, too.

“Yes.” It was the first time Twilight had said anything around the Princess with any conviction. Her next words didn’t have the same emphasis, however. “If… if that’s okay with her.”

The Princess’s gaze turned to Sunset. There was no pressure or judgment, only curiosity. But Sunset could see behind the veil.

Class is still in session. However, this is one of those times when I need—as Rara would say—to ‘play it straight.’ Thank Harmony the truth and the ‘right answer’ are the same this time.

“Yes,” Sunset answered. “It’s definitely okay with me.”

The gratitude pouring from Twilight was like a reflection of Celestia herself. Sunset found herself turning red.

“So, Miss Sparkle,” Celestia said, standing up straight once more. “I don’t expect you to suddenly overcome your hesitation and nervousness around me after a single conversation, but I hope you will believe me when I say I have no intention of exiling you, punishing you, throwing you in a dungeon, or any manner of discipline for some perceived slight.”

Philomena let out a questioning hoot.

“No, Philomena,” Princess Celestia said with a faint laugh. “Not even if she dumps a bucket of water on your head. And you know full well you had that coming after what you did to Sunset that morning.”

The phoenix let out an indignant squawk and fluttered atop Sunset’s head. Sunset rolled her eyes.

“Do you understand, Miss Sparkle?”

“Um… about what Sunset did to your phoenix, Your Majesty or the… um… other thing?”

Another smile. “The other thing.”

“I… um… think so,” Twilight scuffed a hoof against the ground. “But, Your Highness, if you… if you’d like me to be more… well, that is to say…”

Sunset let out a soft sigh as Twilight squeezed her eyes shut.

The other unicorn spat out the words in a rush. “Do you think you could call me Twilight instead of Miss Sparkle?”

Celestia beamed as only the Princess of the Sun could.

“Only if you call me Princess. I won’t force you to use anything more informal.”

Twilight froze up for a bit, but eventually, the words seemed to start working in her brain once more.

“I’ll try, P-Princess.”

“Excellent.” Celestia glanced up at the sky as a cool wind ruffled the leaves of the hedges around them. “Now that the matter is settled, I would very much like to hear that story. However, why don’t we retire to my private study? I believe we would be far more comfortable there. The wind is going to be picking up and it would not do to have you chattering your teeth away out here, especially when you are telling a story.”

“Your private study?” Twilight’s voice went into a squeak again. “Your—Princess, I don’t deserve—”

“Twilight,” the Princess interrupted as if speaking to a forgetful foal. “What did we just discuss?”

“I… ah… okay.”

Sunset smiled at Twilight. Finally.

“And before you concern yourself, please don’t worry about the time. I’ve closed the Day Court early so we have the entire afternoon.”

Twilight would probably have liked to know that before the incident in the hall, Sunset thought with a grin.

“T-thank you, Your—Princess.”

Celestia nodded approvingly. “Also, there is another matter I wish to discuss with the two of you.”

Philomena flew ahead as Celestia began to walk down a path leading to the Castle itself.

“What’s that, Princess?” Sunset asked. She fell into step beside Celestia.

Twilight once again put Sunset between herself and the Princess.

“Some theories as to why you saw unified harmony magics in action last night.”

Sunset froze and glanced at Twilight. Twilight was already staring at her.

They both looked away at the same time.

Author's Note

Moon Lanterns: The official enemy flora of Equestrian Solar Royalty.

At first, I was going to have Celestia make a crack about banishing Twilight, then I realized that Celestia would never make that joke.

Now... just what does Celestia have planned for these two? :trollestia: Tune in tomorrow, same pony time, same pony channel!

(...I wonder if that ever actually worked for Adam West). :unsuresweetie:

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Stories in the Study

If it were possible, Twilight Sparkle looked even more excited than she had in the Hall of History. She was practically vibrating with what Sunset suspected was the effort to stop from darting over to the stuffed bookshelves of ancient tomes, scrolls and compendiums that lined the Princess’s study.

Celestia smiled. “Please, Twilight, be my guest. Take a look around.”

Twilight burst into motion and zipped to the closest bookshelf.

The Princess’s study was large and circular. It had the same sort of architecture Sunset had seen within her own private apartment, complete with a much smaller version of the hourglass that dominated the main floor of her own home. She wondered if it had been designed by the same pony. It wouldn’t surprise her. There was something about the architecture of much of Canterlot that seemed timeless.

I wonder if that has to do with the crafters or the fact the living embodiment of the sun makes her home here.

Most of the chamber was an expansive series of bookshelves Sunset had spent hours upon hours perusing. There were primeval mystical artifacts from forgotten civilizations, books of ancient spellwork written in Clover the Clever’s time after the founding of Equestria and even a small collection of Princess Celestia’s favorite fiction, which—as far as Sunset could see—consisted mostly of mysteries and a genre she didn’t normally read known as ‘magic fiction.’

The sun was halfway through its descent to the horizon as Celestia pulled open the doors to the balcony. The cool autumn air washed through the somewhat stuffy room. Sunset smiled and settled into her usual spot for her lessons. It just seemed natural. Besides, it gave her a good vantage point to see Twilight visibly geeking out over the compact, but potent, library Princess Celestia had sequestered away from the rest of the world.

“A first edition of Principles of Magic,” Twilight whispered as she gently brushed the book’s spine.

“Signed by the author as well,” Celestia commented as she stepped over to the tea cabinet.

“Really?” Twilight’s magic flared, and the book leaped off of the shelf. Somehow, the books around the suddenly vacant spot didn’t move an inch. The book opened, and Twilight carefully brushed through the pages.

From where she sat, Sunset saw Twilight stop at the title page to find the author’s signature. “Wow…”

With the deft touch of a librarian, Twilight slid the book back. For the moment, she seemed far too lost in book heaven to be concerned about propriety or to remember that she was actually terrified of the Princess. Sunset let out a long sigh of relief. It was nice to see the borderline neurotic unicorn relax, finally in her element.

We should have met here in the first place. She would have been far more comfortable.

Philomena leaped from her perch, circled around the room, and landed beside Sunset. Sunset stroked the majestic bird, who hooted happily in response. While Celestia had many creatures under her care, Sunset had eventually taken a special liking to the phoenix, and she was happy to say the reverse was true. Maybe it was because they were both a bit snarky in their own way. Maybe it was Sunset’s special talent. Maybe it was just her coat and mane. Either way, she didn’t really care. She adored Philomena.

Even after that time Philomena had lit her tail on fire.

Come to think of it, I didn’t really think of her as a friend until after that.

Twilight was gabbling away to herself as she flitted from shelf to shelf, every few seconds gasping in wonder at some new discovery. She could have been a hummingbird using a temporal shift spell, for all the speed she showed.

A whistle announced Celestia had finished boiling a new pot of hot water for the tea, but Twilight was too lost in the books to notice. A teacup filled with her traditional Earl Grey floated over to Sunset, and she took the cup with a grateful smile. After the chill of the wind outside, the tea was simply perfect. In fact, as the wind began to pick up, Celestia apparently thought better of having the balcony door open. She closed it with a gentle nudge of her magic.

“Twilight, what kind of tea would you like?” the Princess asked.

Sunset turned to find Twilight standing stock still in front of a bookcase near the entrance of the room. Her eyes seemed to be locked onto a familiar-looking slim tome.

“Twilight?” Celestia called again.

Sunset rose to her hooves and Philomena fluttered onto her back. She came up behind the other unicorn and quickly found what had captured Twilight’s attention. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“Princess,” Sunset said. “Why do you have a copy of Princess Celestia: A Brief History?”

Those words seemed to snap Twilight out of her daze and she turned to look sheepishly at the Princess.

“Oh, that book?” the Princess laughed and took a sip of her own tea. “Every decade or so, there tends to be a craze to uncover everything I’ve ever done in my time as Equestria’s monarch. Either that or my love life. Far too many ponies are obsessed with my love life.”

Twilight turned scarlet while Sunset just chuckled.

“The curse of being an immortal alicorn,” Sunset commented.

“Indeed.” Celestia smiled. “That is simply one of the latest ones. I do like to keep apprised of them.”

“Um… why, Princess?” Twilight asked.

The twinkle returned. Twilight hadn’t learned to interpret it, but Sunset had. This was the Trollestia twinkle.

“I like to know what they believe they’ve discovered, of course. All major historical events are well-documented. Indeed, the one thing that author did do correctly was to focus on those events instead of all the little rumors and speculations. Many biographers treat those as gospel.”

Celestia’s smile shifted into a smirk as she turned her attention to Sunset. “One that seems to pop up every single time is about my students actually. And every single one of them is… oh, what is the term that’s used these days? That phrase that was ever so entertaining…”

Celestia clopped her hooves together and smiled.

“Ah yes! ‘Hot for teacher!’”

Sunset should have seen it coming. She should have seen it coming a hundred miles away. But she’d been too amused by Twilight’s obsession with the study’s collection. So, of course, the reason Celestia hadn’t been able to remember the phrase off the top of her head was quite simple: she needed to wait until Sunset was drinking from her teacup.

The spray of near-scalding water stopped an inch away from Twilight as Celestia’s shield spell saved the other unicorn from yet another soaking. The golden magic condensed the water into a small ball and floated it over to an unobtrusive sink beside the tea cabinet.

All the while, Sunset was sputtering and glaring daggers at the Princess, who didn’t seem to notice. Twilight just stood stock still. Philomena let out a musical cry that sounded far too close to a giggle.

It took at least a minute for the sputtering nonsense to stop trickling from Sunset’s muzzle. Thankfully, it did stop and Sunset was left with a furious blush and an annoyed scowl. She took another gulp, quickly this time.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight asked, looking utterly befuddled. “I’m not familiar with that phrase. What does it mean?”

Not quickly enough.

This time, Sunset managed to simply half-drown herself in Earl Grey as the gulp went down the wrong pipe. Celestia’s eyes went from twinkling to positively glittering. Tartarus, they were almost glowing with suppressed mirth. Sunset was sure it was taking every ounce of the Princess’s not-inconsiderable willpower not to fall over laughing on the spot. In fact, she was proven right when it took a few moments for the Princess to get her smile under control enough to answer Twilight, since the sputtering Sunset obviously was in no state to explain.

“It’s a colloquialism,” the Princess informed Twilight in her best scholarly tone. “It refers to when a student is attracted to her teacher.”

I give her a Hearts and Hooves Day card one time when I was thirteen. Thirteen! But ever since the girls started trying to set me up, Celestia does so love bringing it up every chance she gets. Now the real question is who’s behind this: Celestia or Moon Dancer? It’s even bits on either.

“Oh!” Twilight murmured, not meeting anypony’s eyes. “Oh. I see. That’s… interesting.”

“That’s one word for it,” Sunset muttered.

“Anyway, to get back to the topic at hoof,” Celestia said, apparently deciding her torment of Sunset was over for the time being. “What kind of tea would you like?”

“Oh! Any type of decaffeinated green tea would be wonderful, Princess.”

“Decaf?” Sunset blinked. “I didn’t expect you to be a decaf green tea pony.”

“I didn’t used to be,” Twilight admitted. “But after an… incident… involving coffee and another incident involving a very large cup of Earl Grey…” Twilight cringed at the mention of each beverage. “Several individuals thought it best if I stick to the decaffeinated varieties of drinks.”

“There’s no shame in it,” Celestia said, floating over a fresh teacup. “All ponies have their vices, Twilight.”

Sunset really wanted to mention cake at that moment. However, doing so would simply encourage the Princess to open up on her once more.

Not worth it.

Finally, the Princess settled down on a large cushion across from Sunset. With her magic, she lifted another one and set it down so Twilight could join them.

“Take a cushion, Twilight.” The Princess nodded. “I’d very much like to hear that story of yours.”

Sunset was curious herself, but the Princess seemed oddly focused on this.

Twilight slowly lowered herself to the cushion and took a large gulp of tea. Her eyes were still darting around, as if she was trying to memorize every detail of Celestia’s study.

“Your Ma—Princess.” Twilight’s eyes landed on Celestia’s hooves. “If I may ask… why?”

Sunset watched the Princess carefully. Though just yesterday Celestia had praised Sunset’s ability to get a read on what was going on in the Princess’s head, Sunset knew her too well. In the maelstrom of her mind when she tried to sleep last night, she realized that Celestia had wanted her to know something was wrong when the Princess gave her Legends of Equestria. Celestia had too much experience to let her emotions slip like that.

It didn’t stop Sunset from trying anyway. And for a moment, she saw something. It was the same something she’d seen back in the garden. Again, it flashed by too quickly for her to put a hoof on.

“A cutie mark is a symbol of one’s special talent. I enjoy knowing as much as I can about all my little ponies. And anypony who’s made such an impact on my faithful student must be a very special pony indeed.”

That was a dodge. A great dodge. A brilliant dodge, but still a dodge. I don’t have a shot in Tartarus at getting the truth out of her.

You never will, the angry little voice from the depths of her mind shouted.

Seriously! Shut. The. Buck. Up.

The truth hurts, doesn’t it?

Sunset managed to not pound her own head in a desperate attempt to get at that stupid, horrible, insufferable angry little pony inside of her.

“Well, I still don’t think it’s that special,” Twilight admitted. Another gulp of tea. Before she could ask, the Princess levitated the teapot over and refilled Twilight’s cup with a small smile. “But if you’re really that interested, Princess…”

“I am. I’m quite sure Sunset here would like to know as well.”

Sunset blinked as both Twilight and Celestia looked to her.

“Uh… sorry, my mind wandered for a bit.” Sunset quickly replayed the last few words in her head. “Of course I would.”

“Well, okay.” Twilight took a deep breath and adjusted her glasses. “Well, remember how I mentioned at the end of my first year, Professor Inkwell decided to pull me aside at the end of the term?”

Sunset nodded.

“Apparently, Professor Inkwell had seen me spending most of my time in the library after…” Twilight rubbed the back of her mane and fiddled with her bangs. “After… uh… after I ended up losing…”

Sunset nodded again, but winced this time. Celestia nodded as well, sparing Twilight the discomfort of having to retell that particular part of the story.

“Professor Inkwell had an old friend who needed some help, a pony by the name of Summer Mane.”

“Summer Mane, you say?” Princess Celestia perked up at the name. Sunset thought she recognized it too, but couldn’t quite place it. “Please, do go on.”

“Well, apparently, she fell and broke one of her legs. The Professor had said that Summer Mane was a bit of a klutz.” Twilight giggled.

“Gee, anypony else we know who might get called something like that?” Sunset smirked at Twilight, who turned red and quickly continued her tale.

“She couldn’t get around like she normally did, and she had been placed in charge of the South Archives. She needed somepony to help her out for a few days. Because of what she’d seen in the library, Professor Inkwell thought I’d be a good candidate to help her.”

Twilight winced and sighed.

“I gather she did not take the offer of assistance very well?” Celestia inquired.

“Um…” Twilight’s smile was awkward beyond measure. “Not really. Slammed the door in my face. Twice. Wouldn’t even let me through.”

“So how’d you get inside?”

Twilight rubbed the back of her mane so vigorously, her bun came out. She took a few seconds to fix it with her magic.

“I told her the Head Archivist said that if she didn’t let me in, the next pony he sent would be her replacement.”

Sunset grinned. “You blackmailed her! Wow, Twilight, I didn’t know you had that level of sneakiness in you! That’s almost devious.”

“It is not! I was just trying to do what Professor Inkwell had ordered me to do! She told me I would be interning there. Though, I’ve always thought it odd that she would send a first-year student to do it.”

“Professor Inkwell’s methodologies are often seen as somewhat eccentric by much of the faculty,” Princess Celestia said. “However, long ago I learned to trust her judgement. She’s earned it.”

Celestia sounded so fervent, Sunset couldn’t help but ask. “Princess? What is the story behind Professor Inkwell?”

“That is a story for another time,” Celestia said with a smile. “Right now, we’re listening to Twilight’s story.”

“Oh!” Twilight murmured. “Right. Well, she gave me a quick tour, complete with a particular mention not to ever, ever, ever enter her private office. Ever.”

“I assume she was rather emphatic,” Celestia commented dryly.

“Yes, Princess.” Twilight’s awkward grin got a bit more awkward. “Very.”

Sunset suspected Twilight wasn’t telling the half of it.

“She wasn’t really happy about having some little filly helping her. Refused to get my name right. She seemed to take everything I did as something wrong, especially after I told her about my favorite author, Jade Singer. Most of my responsibilities were sorting the massive collection. It was a big job, but… I loved it. There was a guest room there I got to stay in, so I got to actually live in a library! It was like my own little heaven!”

Sunset giggled at Twilight’s starry-eyed expression.

Odd about Jade Singer though. Everypony I’ve ever met loved her books.

“Eventually, she started to warm up. We started talking authors, writing techniques, library methodologies. She caught me lost in a few books more times than I could count. I thought maybe I had found a new friend. Maybe even a mentor! After… what happened earlier that year, it was something I really wanted to happen. Even if I had to suffer through that horrible, horrible swing music. And then…”

Twilight suddenly stopped talking and stared at her cup of tea. Sunset didn’t push and Celestia didn’t seem inclined to do so either.

“She went out one day to get groceries.” Twilight took a gulp of tea, finishing it off, only to have Celestia refill it a few moments later. “Left the door to her office open. I decided there was no harm in taking a peek. The office was… gorgeous. An old Lipponzoner typewriter. Beautiful dark wood writing desk. Awards all over the walls.”

“You sound like a love-struck filly.” Sunset giggled at Twilight’s happy sigh and dreamy expression.

“It was wonderful!” Twilight protested. “It’s the perfect little writer’s haven!”

“Sunset, please let Twilight continue.”

Sunset’s smirk didn’t go away, despite Twilight’s glare.

“Well… she… um…” Twilight’s happiness vanished in a flash. “She’d forgotten her grocery list. Caught me peeking in the office. She was… peeved, to say the least.”

Celestia smiled wryly, but Twilight didn’t seem to notice.

“Summer Mane refused to talk to me for the rest of the evening. At the end of dinner, she told me I was leaving the next day.”

“That seems harsh. All you did was look!” Sunset protested, but Celestia raised a hoof.

Twilight hadn’t even noticed the interruption.

“That night, I couldn’t sleep. I was so upset I headed into the library and started sorting. Before I knew it, books were flying by me. I didn’t even need to think to know where a book went. It was like my magic was working on its own. I remember thinking I was in a tornado of books, but I knew what every single one was. It was… amazing.”

Sunset didn’t dare speak. Twilight was staring at something beyond either Sunset or Celestia at this point, back to her memories and that whirlwind of books. Lost in the moment, she plowed onward.

“Summer Mane found me in the middle of the library the next morning, passed out. Every book in the entire South Archive had been shelved, sorted and even catalogued properly. She was shocked to say the least. But she was even more shocked to find that the blank-flanked filly she’d given the silent treatment to last night now had her cutie mark.”

Twilight turned and looked at the floating book emblazoned on her flank. Taking a closer look, Sunset recognized it. It looks a great deal like Legends of Equestria with a brown background and a stylized unicorn bust on the cover.

“Something changed in Summer Mane’s expression. I… I still don’t know why, but she sat down next to me—well, as best as she could with her leg brace—and smiled. She told me what I’d already known the moment I saw the typewriter. I had suspected it with her glasses and that awful swing music. She told me she was actually Jade Singer.”

“Wait, what?” Sunset gaped. “You mean the author of the great Equestrian novel Canter in the Sky had been hiding in the South Archives ever since she vanished?”

Twilight nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why?” Sunset demanded. “There has to be a reason! And why didn’t you call her out on it earlier?”

A little spark appeared in Twilight’s eyes. “Well, I’m getting to that!”

Sunset laughed. “Okay, okay, sorry!”

“Anyway,” Twilight continued with a faint glower at Sunset. “I told her how I figured it out and she just gaped at me. She asked the same question you did and I answered her. She seemed like she wanted to be hidden for a reason. I wanted to respect that. She was my favorite author after all.”

“An honorable intention.” Princess Celestia nodded in approval. “Well done, Twilight.”

The other unicorn ducked her head and blushed furiously. “I… um… just did what I thought was right.”

Celestia just smiled like only she could smile and motioned for Twilight to continue once more.

“That’s when she told me the truth,” Twilight admitted. “When she had first published Canter in the Sky, it was a big hit, so big she couldn’t handle it. It terrified her. The idea of trying to live up to that a second time… well, like I said, she couldn’t handle it.”

Sunset swallowed.

If I had reacted like that instead of being so full of myself when Princess Celestia picked me… where would I be now?

“I told her that I understood.”

“How?” Sunset demanded. “How could you understand something like that?”

“Sunset...” Celestia admonished.

She realized how it had sounded and quickly backpedaled. “I didn’t mean it like that! I’m just… after what you told me last night, that was something I didn’t think you’d have much experience in. I… well, I sorta do.”

“You’re right. I didn’t have much experience with it.” Twilight nodded. “But Professor Inkwell had put me there for a reason. And it wasn’t just for Jade Singer. All throughout that year, I had been trying to push myself and prove myself as worthy of being in the school. When I failed the third exam—I didn’t know the egg was some crazy scheme hatched by the teachers—”

Sunset snorted and even Celestia smiled. It took Twilight a moment to catch what she had just said. She smiled sheepishly, but Sunset had a sneaking suspicion Twilight wanted to stick her tongue out at her.

“Pun not intended!” Twilight sighed. “Well, I’d been killing myself, despite the praise I was getting from my professors. It was never good enough. I never felt like I deserved it. I had to live up to somepony else’s reputation.”

“Somepony else… you mean me?” Sunset gaped.

Twilight nodded. “You were the gold standard.”

“She is more of a red and gold.” Celestia intoned.

Both unicorns stared at the Princess, who held their gaze for a moment or two before cracking a small smile.

Sunset rolled her eyes.

Twilight took the hint. “I knew what it was like to have an impossible standard to live up to. Even if it wasn’t my own.” She tapped her teacup for a moment before taking another drink. “I guess when I say it like that it doesn’t seem so similar. It seemed close at the time. But Jade Singer seemed to get it.”

“How’d she react?”

“She asked how I dealt with that kind of pressure.” Twilight continued her staring war with the teacup. “I told her I hadn’t figured that part out yet. I had thought… maybe it would have been friends. But I didn’t really have any anymore.”

Guilt: Four billion and six. Sunset: Zero.

Sunset ignored the comment.

“Then…” Twilight choked for a moment. “Then she moved a little closer to me and said, ‘Well, I’m not sure if you’d want a crotchety old mare as a friend, but you can have one if you want to, kid.’”

Twilight finally looked up and there were tears in her eyes. “It was the first time somepony actually reached out to me and offered. I may have jumped up and hugged her at that point… and immediately crashed against a bookshelf and dumped the entire self-help section down on our heads.”

“‘May have?’” Sunset inquired with a cocked eyebrow.

“Okay! Fine!” Twilight huffed. “And a few books from the dreams and mysteries section, too.”

Sunset burst out laughing while Celestia once again simply smiled. Sunset could never understand why a simple smile from Celestia could give the impression that the sun itself was laughing.

“We’ve been writing to one another ever since,” Twilight admitted. “I even got an early draft of Re-Cant.”

“You didn’t.” Sunset grinned like a lunatic. “Okay, you need to show that to me. Before Moon Dancer. So I have something to hold over her head!”

“Um… okay?”

“Oooh…” Sunset’s smile only widened and she rubbed her hooves together. “This is going to be great.”

“So you were the filly Jade spoke of,” Celestia commented as she rose and headed back toward the tea cabinet.

“Princess?” Twilight asked. “What do you mean?”

“Years ago, Jade Singer was a mutual friend of Professor Inkwell and I,” Celestia admitted as she refilled the teapot with hot water. “But her own fear combined with her fame drove her away from the public… and from me. The last time we had spoken before your encounter with her, it had been for her to be placed in charge of the small South Archives so she could ‘hide.’”

Twilight was staring open-mouthed at the Princess of the Sun.

“Professor Inkwell had tried numerous times to get her to come out of her self-imposed exile. While I knew Professor Inkwell was responsible, and Jade Singer told me about the filly who helped her, I hadn’t realized it was you. I apologize I didn’t make that connection earlier.”

“That’s why you were staring at her when she first showed up!” Sunset said. “I kept thinking you had an odd expression on your face. It was recognition!”

Celestia stiffened and her magic faltered just enough for some tea to slosh out of the cup she was filling. It was gone in a moment, replaced with a small laugh.

“It seems I was right about you, Sunset,” Celestia said as she turned back to face the two unicorns. “You are getting better at reading me.”

Sunset beamed at her.

“It looks like I owe you my thanks, Twilight,” Celestia said as she sat down once more. “Not only did you bring her wonderful talent back to the world, but you also returned a friend to me.”

Twilight’s ears went back with the power of her blush. “I just… I um…”

Sunset leaned over and whispered in Twilight’s folded ear. “Just say thank you.”

“Thank you?” Twilight squeaked.

Celestia’s smile could have replaced the sun for a day.

“Wait a minute!” Sunset protested. “You lied to her! She had to find out she wasn’t being replaced. What happened when she found out?”

“Oh, she asked about that after reshelving all the books… again.” Twilight smiled. “Told her I’d made it up. I thought she was going to be so mad.”

“And…?” Sunset prompted.

“She burst out laughing. Told me that’s how she got her first job as an assistant editor.”

Sunset laughed right along with Twilight. Even Celestia joined in with a little chuckle.

“Well, Twilight,” Celestia said. “Thank you for sharing that with us. It looks like in earning your mark, you did Equestria a great service by returning the ‘prodigal author’ home.”

“I… ah…” Twilight apparently decided to fall back on Sunset’s advice. “Thank you?”

“Now, I believe there is one more matter to discuss, but it is later than I expected. It’s time for me to lower the sun and raise the moon. Why don’t the two of you join me in the Royal Observatory?”

Philomena’s head peeked up from behind her wing. She’d fallen asleep on Sunset’s back during Twilight’s story. Celestia smiled at the bird and stood.

“You can stay here, Philomena. You’re too distracting today anyway.”

The bird let out a hoot of amusement before leaping into the air and landing on her perch against the side of the room, right next to a bowl of water.

“Come, my little ponies. Twilight, I think you may enjoy seeing this.”

With that, she opened the door with her magic and stepped back out into the hallway. Twilight stared at her as Sunset rose and stretched her legs.

“So… you coming or what?” Sunset asked.

“Oh!” Twilight squeaked and stumbled to her feet. She made it three steps before she fell over.

“Um… I think my leg’s asleep.”

Sunset laughed and went to help her up.

Author's Note

Ooh, been waiting for this. If you take a careful look at the cover design for the story, you'll see Twilight's mark opposite from Sunset's, flanking the title. Yes, indeed! She does have a different mark! Don't worry, I realize the implications of this.

Not only that, but there are others who do as well.

Secondly, yes, if Twilight's story with Jade Singer sounds familiar, it should! It's a re-telling of the MLP:FiM Micro Comic #1 with Twilight Sparkle! You'll hear more about it in the Retrospective at the end of the story.

Only one more chapter to go. I hope you're ready!

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Overwhelmed in the Observatory

She’d seen it hundreds of times now, but Sunset never tired of the sheer majesty of Princess Celestia orchestrating the movement of heavenly bodies. The sun descended past the horizon, the sky blazing with red and gold and then shifting into lavender and purple. As the stars began to appear, Celestia’s horn glowed once more from the balcony where she hovered in her own magic. In a moment, the brilliant white moon lifted from the horizon, the Mare in the Moon clearly visible. Celestia sagged just a bit as the moon finally came into full view and she settled down.

The moon seemed to glow a bit brighter as Celestia walked up to the two enraptured unicorns. The Princess took a look behind her shoulder at the smaller celestial orb before gesturing for the two unicorns to head inside.

She does that every time. And every time I ask, she just gives me a faint mysterious smile.

The massive structure of the Royal Observatory was placed atop the highest tower of Canterlot Castle. Couches and cushions lined the walls, and a series of astronomical tomes sat on a set of bookshelves opposite them. An enormous telescope dominated the structure, but even more impressive was the night sky shining through the ceiling.

Twilight stared up at the stars and Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle. Mainly because she remembered having a very similar expression the first time Celestia had taken her up here.

“Enchantments,” Sunset murmured. “Designed to show whatever’s outside inside. You’re actually seeing the real night sky.”

“It’s beautiful.” Twilight murmured. “Almost as amazing as seeing the Princess lower the sun and raise the moon.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said with a tired smile. “On all counts.”

Twilight’s eyes darted to the Princess of the Sun, who seemed no less bright for now being lit only by moonlight and starlight.

“Well, I admit I did have some help for the ceiling,” Celestia said. “Starswirl did have a knack for anything related to the stars, after all.”

“Starswirl… as in Starswirl the Bearded?” Twilight gaped. “I’m standing in the same room Starswirl the Bearded once stood?”

“Indeed.” Celestia nodded and laughed a little. “Starswirl helped in the spellwork for most of Canterlot, the Castle included. In fact, the apartment in which Sunset now resides was his first home in the city. It’s been the traditional home of what was once called ‘The Royal Apprentice’ for centuries.”

Twilight turned to face Sunset. “Um… don’t take this the wrong way… but you think I could come over sometime?”

Sunset smiled. “I’m pretty sure we can work something out.”

“And that leads me to our final topic of conversation for this evening,” Celestia intoned, laying down on a rug in the middle of the floor. The stars glittered above their heads as Sunset and Twilight sat down together, facing the Princess.

Celestia’s horn glowed briefly and a familiar book appeared before them in a flash of golden magic.

“The Application of Unified Harmony Magics,” Celestia announced. “By Nightsong. I admit, when I sent you to recover this tome yesterday, Sunset, I did not expect you to experience this particular form of magic first hoof.”

“It’s my fault Your Majesty because I swear I didn’t know anything was going to happen when I just floated—”

Celestia raised a hoof to stop Twilight’s rant.

Twilight fell silent and stared at her hooves.

“You did nothing wrong, my little pony,” Celestia informed her. “Nor did you, Sunset. If anything, the spontaneous manifestation of this type of magic is something to be celebrated.”

“Princess?” Sunset frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I suspect you ended up reading at least some of this last night, did you not, Sunset?” Celestia levitated the book over to Sunset and placed it at her hooves.

“Well, yeah, about half of it… because I couldn’t sleep.” Another yawn hit Sunset out of the blue. Twilight followed up with a yawn of her own.

“Tell me, what was the origination of this type of magic?”

“You mean the first time it was witnessed?” Sunset didn’t have to think hard about this one. After all, Moon Dancer had been lecturing Minuette about it yesterday at lunch. “Hearth’s Warming Eve.”

“Indeed.” Celestia nodded. “While such magic had happened before that event, Hearth’s Warming Eve is the most well-known occurrence and the best example for our purposes tonight. Twilight? I take it you’re familiar with the theory behind unified harmony magics?”

It was Twilight’s turn to nod. “It’s a required course at your School, Princess.”

“So it is. Could you tell me how it applies to Hearth’s Warming Eve?”

What are you playing at, Princess? And what was with that comment about Twilight coming over to my apartment leading to this?

“Well, after the three tribal leaders were frozen…” Twilight frowned. “Private Pansy, Clover the Clever and Smart Cookie saw the windigos above them and, as the ice covered them, they confessed they didn’t hate each other. In fact, from Clover’s accounts, those words seemed to hurt the windigos, making them try to freeze the three faster.”

“And then?”

“The magic spontaneously manifested itself in what is now called the ‘The Fire of Friendship’ which burned away the windigos, and broke the curse they had put on the land. Of course, this led to the founding of Equestria.”

“I don’t understand, Princess,” Sunset said. “Everypony knows this story. We do pageants of it every year. What are you getting at?”

“Did Clover the Clever intend to cast the spell?” Celestia asked Sunset with a tiny smile.

“Uh… no.” Sunset scratched the back of her head. “It was completely unintentional.”

“Could she have cast it on her own?”

“No, Princess,” Twilight injected. “Her memoirs clearly state she knew without a doubt the magic came from the three of them as friends, though they had not stated themselves to be friends at that time.”

“Precisely,” Celestia said. “Now, tell me, why am I having you focus on this?”

Twilight just shook her head, but Sunset’s mind was spinning, probably from lack of sleep. Another riddle, another puzzle. But she was coming up blank. She might have a little bit of an idea, but she didn’t want to voice it. It seemed… far-fetched to say the least.

“Allow me to help you along a little,” Celestia said. Once again, her horn blazed with light… and the last thing Sunset expected appeared in front of her.

The mirror.

Sunset fell over and tried to scramble away from the mirror, terrified of what she might see within. Twilight’s ears perked up and her eyes darted around in a panic.

“Be still, Sunset,” Celestia said gently. “This is an illusion, nothing more.”

Sunset’s racing heart began to settle.

“Twilight.” Celestia’s voice was quiet. “In that moment, you had told Sunset you saw her as an alicorn with other ponies around her. Aside from Sunset, how many were there?”

“Six?” Twilight offered, obviously still confused.

“Princess…” Sunset muttered, not wanting to look at the mirror, real or not. “Is this… is this necessary?”

“So there were a total seven ponies in the vision you had, correct?” Celestia hadn’t even looked at Sunset.

“Uh… yes?” Twilight answered.

“Take a closer look,” Celestia instructed.

The mirror faded, but Celestia’s magic held the reflection Sunset had refused to look at. It was a simple one. One that made the voice in the back of her head practically exalt in joy.

See? That’s what you should be. What you would be already, if you hadn’t decided to be cowed by that ancient mule of a Princess! A full alicorn! Wings! You would have wings. You’ll never see them until you finally give up this foolish game and take what is yours by right!

Twilight wasn’t staring at the reflection. She was staring at Sunset.

She’s nothing. She’ll only get in your way. You’ve seen the way that Celestia’s been looking at her. That interested, calculating gaze. Don’t you get it? She’s your replacement, Sunset! She’s Celestia’s backup plan if whatever insane scheme she’s come up for you fails.

Twilight got to her hooves and stepped toward Sunset.

Make sure she doesn’t get a chance. Find some way to disgrace her. Right here. Right now. Make sure Celestia knows that you and only you are suitable to be—

“Will you… um… this is your vision. Not mine. I don’t feel right about this unless you’re there.”

Sunset allowed herself to be guided by the hoof toward the reflection of ‘potential.’

The voice suddenly seemed a lot quieter.

“Sunset, tell me about the sixth pony,” Celestia said.

Sunset ripped her gaze from herself as an alicorn and to the pony-shaped shadow directly to her alicorn self’s right.

Three things stood out to her.

One: the shadow was closer to her than any other.

Two: the shadow had a horn.

Three: the shadow was… lavender.

Suddenly, Celestia was behind the two of them. Sunset first looked at Twilight. Twilight was a smart pony. She had already figured it out.

“There are many reasons why unified harmony magic spontaneously ignites,” Celestia said, her voice almost a whisper. “It can happen between family members, best of friends and even allies on a battlefield. It means the ponies in question have found harmony, not just between their minds, but between their spirits as well.”

“Why are you telling us this, Princess?” Sunset whispered, her eyes once again locked on what could only be a shadow of Twilight, years before they had ever properly met.

“I cannot tell you exactly why you experienced this last night,” Celestia admitted. “But my theory is that your spirits were in harmony, both reflecting a single thought: contrition.”

Sunset didn’t respond.

There has to be more to it. It couldn’t be that simple.

“And there is one other thing.” For the first time in a very long while, Celestia sounded… awkward. “I have seen many ponies in my time who have taken this spell the wrong way. It is popular among folk culture for such a spell to be considered a blessing by Harmony of a fated relationship.”

With that said, the illusion faded away.

“Please, look at me, my little ponies.”

Sunset didn’t look at Twilight as she turned. She was pretty sure Twilight wasn’t looking at her either. However, Sunset did manage to meet the eyes of Princess Celestia. They were narrowed, not in frustration or anger, but in concern.

“I have seen what could have been cherished friendships destroyed by this false belief. Sometimes unified harmony magics can mean something more can grow out of friendship. Sometimes it doesn’t. What I mean is you cannot allow this moment to control you. You cannot allow this to compel you to act in a certain way simply because you believe it is what must occur.”

“But… what we saw… what we felt…” Sunset protested weakly.

“What you saw was the truth,” Celestia said firmly. “Both of you caught a glimpse into one another’s soul, but that is all it was: a glimpse. A glimpse cannot reveal the full pony within. Even a lifetime of glimpses often cannot do that. But what you feel…”

The Princess’s wings drooped a little. “I would ask that neither of you act rashly on what you think you may feel at the moment. Both of you are just learning to be friends. Do not complicate matters. Such magic tends to magnify emotional states. What you feel at present may not be the truth.”

“Why…” Twilight licked her lips and Sunset immediately returned her gaze to the Princess. “Why are you telling us this, Your Majesty?”

“Because I do believe that sixth pony is you, Twilight Sparkle. I believe you have the potential to do something great alongside Sunset Shimmer. However, that great something may not be the something you’re feeling it should be right now. I’ve seen the way you two have been glancing at one another. Your blushes are quite telling.”

Another blush flared to life on Sunset’s cheeks. “I… ah… don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The Princess raised an eyebrow. Sunset couldn’t meet her eyes. Twilight just let out a strangled squeak.

“All I ask,” Celestia said. “Is that at present, you focus on being friends. Do not allow yourselves to fall into the trap many other ponies have fallen prey to. This may be difficult. However, Sunset, you have a fair amount of experience with friendship. I’d like you to teach Twilight a little of what you know.”

“You want… you want me… to teach somepony about friendship?”

The Princess nodded. “Indeed. Perhaps it will help you settle your own undeserved feelings of guilt regarding the events of the past.”

“Princess, you’ve got to be kidding me!” Sunset burst out. “You can’t possibly believe I can teach anypony about friendship! I screw things up all the time! I’m barely worthy of the friends I have!”

“I’m okay with it.”

Sunset turned to face Twilight, her eyes wide and her jaw hanging open. “You’re kidding. You’re kidding right?”

Twilight shook her head. Her bangs flitted about and whacked her on the muzzle. “The only real friend I have is Jade Singer. The rest… they’re really more of... acquaintances. I’m… I’m pretty clueless when it comes to anything about friendship.”

“But… there are a million other ponies more qualified!” Sunset shouted.

“Perhaps,” the Princess said. “But you are the one who is here. Just as Twilight was the one who was there for Jade.”

“But… that’s…” Sunset spluttered. “Oh… this… you two planned this, didn’t you?”

“Twilight is completely innocent.” Celestia smirked. “But as for me planning this? I think that would be obvious.”

Sunset sighed.

I have got to be out of my mind.

“Fine!” Sunset whirled on Celestia. “On one condition!”

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“Therapy bills are paid by the crown!”

This one did get a laugh out of the Princess. “Done.”

She took one more desperate shot.

“This is a really bad idea, Twilight.”

Twilight glanced at where the illusions had stood a few minutes ago. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“Okay, first rule of friendship!” Sunset snapped. “No arguing with Moon Dancer about library rules!”

“Now wait just a minute—” Twilight protested, but was cut off by the Princess.

“Actually, before the lessons begin—which I will expect regular reports on—there is one other matter.”

Sunset and Twilight looked up at the smirking Princess. The twinkle was back. The Trollestia one.

Uh-oh.

“Sunset, if you don’t have any objections, I’d like to offer Twilight here a position as my second personal student. It’s been quite some time since I’ve had two apprentices, but unified harmony magics are rather telling when it comes to compatibility between two ponies. Besides, anypony who can sort through the mess Jade Singer makes of the South Archives in a night has quite the talent indeed.”

SEE? WHAT DID—

“I don’t see any problem with that,” Sunset said. “At least that way, if Twilight’s completely damaged by you making me teach her about friendship, it’ll be even more your fault.”

Celestia laughed and turned to Twilight. “What do you think, Twilight Sparkle? Would you like to learn more about magic alongside Sunset here?”

Twilight’s magic lifted a book out of one of her saddlebags and she started to flip pages in a blur. “That can’t be right! According to Princess Celestia: A Brief History, you’ve never had more than one student at a time!”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you read, Twilight,” Celestia commented. “Now, what do you think of my offer? Are you interested?”

Apparently the first time hadn’t really sunken in because Twilight’s eyes began to defocus and the book dropped onto the rug. A few seconds later, Twilight’s eyes were tiny pinpricks. Her ears were twitching. Her tail was twitching. Her whole body was twitching.

“I-I-I-I-I,” Twilight managed to sputter before a tiny, mouse-like voice managed to push out a simple “Yes…”

And there she goes…

With a flash of magic, Sunset made sure a pillow was where it needed to be.

“Oh dear.” Celestia blinked. “She fainted.”

Sunset couldn’t hold it in anymore. It started out as just an erratic snorting.

But then, it simply refused to be contained any longer and exploded out of her.

She laughed. She laughed until the tears came.

Sunset just laughed and laughed and laughed until she rolling on the floor in front of the smirking ruler of all of Equestria, her personal mentor, the Princess of the Sun and a dozen other things while Twilight twitched slightly on the pillow Sunset had placed beneath her.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading "Princess Celestia: A Brief History!" I do hope you've enjoyed this little romp through the third story set in the Wavelengths Timeline. If you haven't already, you'll likely want to check out "Grading on a Bell Curve," which is set several years before the events of this story and sets up Sunset's relationship with Cheerilee.

I won't yammer at you about all the little details here, but instead just point you at the Story Retrospective for a deeper look at all the little hidden in-jokes and other shenanigans.

But don't worry, there's much more where this came from! :twilightsmile:

Stories set in the Wavelengths Timeline in chronological order:

Origins Arc
The Alchemy of Chemistry
Bards of the Badlands
Grading on a Bell Curve
Habits of the Equestrian Phoenix
How Not To Use Your Royal Prerogative

Applications Arc
The Application of Unified Harmony Magics
Princess Celestia: A Brief History
The Cloudsdale Report

Dreamers Arc
Tactics of Snowbound Unicorns
A Study in Chaos Theory
Teahouses of Saddle Arabia
As the Raven Flies

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!