Princess Celestia stood resting her hooves on the railing of her high balcony and watched as shadows from the setting sun rushed to overtake Canterlot. She didn't move as hoofsteps approached from behind and a pony cleared their throat.

“Princess,” said the hushed voice of her secretary, Raven. “You should get some rest. We must be up early for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

Celestia didn't turn. “Do you remember Sunset Shimmer?”

“...Indeed.”

“I know she was… troubled. But she had so much potential.”

“I know you’ve missed her.”

Celestia sighed. “So very much potential, Raven. The day ahead isn't one I’d hoped to face alone.”

“But Princess, you won't be. We’ll be together, in Ponyville.”

Celestia watched as the sun fell below the horizon. The stars nearest the mare-marked moon shone brightly.

“No,” she said. “Remain in Canterlot. If the sun is late in rising… have the mirror smashed. Immediately.”

Author's Note

This originally appeared in the April 2017 Flashfic contest, which had a limit of 150 words. It was conceived as a very short prequel to To Serve In Hell, my long-running thriller set in the Nightmareverse seen in the Season 5 finale. It was later expanded to become that story's actual prologue.