Starlight Glimmer floated after Celestia, wrapping herself up in a layer of magic. With great reluctance, she decided to go speak in private with the ancient monarch of Equestria. The massive alicorn’s wings arched outwards into the sky, flapping through the heavens like a swan in the night.
“Please wait!” Starlight called out, self-levitating with momentum as fast as she could, not wanting to draw too much attention from those she left behind. It was rare indeed to have a moment with the monarch that did not also involve their shared link: Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Celestia suddenly became aware of Starlight’s presence, slowing down in mid-air, then tilting to swoop down, hovering momentarily, alighting upon a nearby mountain peak. “I did not expect an audience with you too,” she mused aloud, watching Starlight curiously.
Starlight continued to hover in mid-air, unwilling to set herself down, not much space on that small mountain peak, covered in ice. The night air was chilly too, but the sky held purple hues, nearing the end of the darkness.
“I wanted to speak with you about Twilight’s behavior,” her student mumbled nervously. “It’s just, I should’ve done something to calm her sooner! I’m a guidance counselor now, but I didn’t do anything when she was struggling with her… her problems with you. I’m very sorry, Princess.”
Celestia laughed softly. “No, Starlight,” Celestia gently lifted her student’s student’s chin with the tip of her wing. “It is not your fault. You cannot always expect yourself to keep your friends in balance. And neither can I.”
The sky goddess looked out to the horizon. The sun would rise soon, at her beck and call. The alicorn felt a weight lift from her shoulders, a realization dawning. “She has always been devout towards me, hasn’t she? Perhaps I was too afraid to see it.”
Starlight averted her eyes and chuckled dryly. “Uh, yeah. You could certainly say that,” and then quickly, pointing a hoof at Celestia, “But, even so, you’ve been a great influence on her too, that’s for sure!”
Celestia reached out for Starlight’s hoof with her own. Resisting for a moment, Starlight accepted, still floating as she felt the princess’ guidance. Starlight set her haunches upon the mountain top, sitting down just in front of Celestia. Tilting her head back, she looked up at Celestia’s chin.
“You are a good pony, Starlight, watching out for Twilight like that,” Celestia praised, reaching down to pet Starlight with a soft wing. “She has asked me many a time to grant you pardon and forgiveness, by the way.”
Starlight’s relaxing muscles suddenly tensed up at that revelation. “Oh, um, is that so?”
Celestia laughed. “Oh, don’t be afraid or upset now. Please. I cannot hold anything against you, not after what you did for my student,” her voice softened, “and for me.”
Starlight looked up into Celestia’s deep purple eyes, reading her emotions. “I don’t deserve much credit. I just try to understand others through my own experiences.”
Celestia sat quietly for a long while. They looked out to the horizon, the glow of dawn hinting not far off, pale light at the furthest reach of night. “Luna was not pleased when I interrupted her night with the sun. But the play required it after all.”
Starlight smiled weakly at that, not responding. A troubled brow furrowed n her face. There was something else on Celestia’s mind...
“Daybreaker will never manifest. I promise you," Celestia had ventured into Starlight's nightmares not long ago. There, she encountered a selfish, violent mirror of herself, a scorching sun to contrast that endless night of Nightmare Moon, the worst sides of the ancient alicorn sisters, given form.
Starlight couldn’t help but relax her shoulders, reassured. Leaning against the sun goddess of Equestria. “I wish I could say the same for my own dark impulses.”
Celestia brushed her wing across Starlight’s mane. “But that is in the past. Do not let it cloud your future.”
Starlight cuddled up against Celestia. “I… I used to hate you.”
“I know. For taking Sunburst from you. For your path towards brutal equality.” Celestia spoke bluntly. “You wished to bestow a new world upon Equestria. One free from my tyranny.”
Starlight gasped in shock, squirming around to look up at Celestia. “But you’re no tyrant! You never were! I can’t believe I was ever so blind to believe that!”
Celestia giggled sweetly. “Oh, there there. You don’t have to be so worried for my sake. I have lived through much. What’s a little more contempt for my status and name?”
Starlight frowned sullenly, drooping her ears, looking away. Celestia spoke more gently, “It means a lot to hear you defending me now, Starlight. I am happy to have your company tonight.”
Starlight sighed softly. “I’m still sorry for ever thinking you could be like Daybreaker...”
Celestia fell silent again, leaving the small pink pony to her thoughts. The clouds swept across the valleys bellow them. Glints of starlight faded away on the horizon.
“You understand the temptation of power, Starlight Glimmer. I said I would never become Daybreaker,” Celestia spoke very quietly, moments before dawn. “I could. But I will not.”
Starlight gently touched Celestia’s hoof, without hesitation. “If you ever want to talk with me, about anything, just let me know. I will try to help any way I can.”
Celestia sighed softly and hugged Starlight close, smiling serenely. “Thank you, Guidance Counselor Starlight. I will keep that in mind.”
With that, the sun goddess closed her eyes, bliss washing over her face, as she tilted her spiral horn to the heavens, glowing with radiant light energy. The gleaming sun steadily rose up past the horizon, lifting up into the heavens, warming the land under its steady blaze.
Birdsong burst from the forests around them, life waking anew to a new day, full of possibility. New adventures, new friendships, new life.
Starlight grinned widely, excited to watch this powerful magic in action. “Oh, and in case nopony’s ever told you?” she added slyly, “You’re pretty cool.”
Celestia burst into laughter, the sun wobbling in the air for a moment, before she regained focus. “Well, as cool as an ancient alicorn can be, I suppose.”
Starlight hid a smile. “Cool enough to lead an entire society for a thousand years and maintain the bulk of her sanity.”
Celestia nodded. “The secret is in eating as much cake as I want.”