There's no point in introduction anymore, Twilight. This will be my last letter.

The Northern Mountain, which we constructed Luna's monument upon, had undergone a large change. Where once stood grass, stone, and our broken resources now stood a city of enormous size and luster.

Large spires the colors of pearl, gold, and grape covered in intricate and ornate patterns touched the golden sky. Down below, streets winded throughout corners and alleyways, all connected to one elevated and raising thoroughfare of white and green limestone. Even from a distance, it glittered and shined across the land.

But the real jewel was right in the front; the new castle. From such a distance you could see that it emanated a warm light that drew oneself into its walls. It commanded attention, and let you know somepony important was there. The Elements truly outdid themselves.

There was no question that it was our new capital, and I could see why we needed one. While the castle on the horizon looked to be made of gold, the one I was in was crumbling and decaying, surrounded by dirt and stone. I got to my hooves and started heading down the hall to the door.

"Come on, Glowing! I think there's somewhere we need to be!"

Glowing Sera jumped up to her hooves, taking her eyes off of our capital to actually travel to it. She caught up to me.

"Celestia, will you be okay?"

I paused.

"Yes."

I wouldn't be for a long time.

We opened the double-doors to find that a crowd of ponies had gathered at the foot of the steps. When they saw me appear, each eye turned my way. It was nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd; the group I shared a campfire with, Clean Tome, Sky Flyer, the pony whom I helped wake up, Mixed In, and the countless guards who tried the best they could to control the chaos that ensued throughout the night. Worry flashed across their faces at my state; I'm sure that I looked like an utter mess.

There was no time to be nervous anymore; I had a country to lead. I straightened myself out and as regal as I could muster, began to speak.

"Citizens of Equestria, we have lost one of our rulers tonight. Princess Luna was . . . burdened, and found herself in a poor and confused state of mind. In her anger and confusion she turned into something that acted irrationally and dangerously. It was her that locked many of you into your dreams, and her that led to the destruction of the castle behind me. But it was I who helped save you, along with a few friends, and I hope anypony can appreciate that. There was one person that I didn't save, though: my sister. I'm sure you've noticed The Moon has had a makeover."

Eyes raised to the sky, accompanied by gasps of shock. The Sun and The Moon were next to each other, and I started to move The Sun away from The Moon.

It felt different, though. I checked up above and found that I had instead moved The Moon to the other side of the sky, basking the world in another evening—or dawn, if I chose so.

"I have failed in that regard. The one thing I desired most was to save my sister, and I was unable to. I cannot apologize to her, nor can she to me, but I hope you will accept my apologies and forgive me. I will strive to create a better future for us, and if you follow me to that capital I will make sure that Equestria will become a word known across the world as the top, no matter what anypony or thing tries to tear us down. There is an arduous future ahead, and I hope to prevail with all of you. For Equestria!"

"For Equestria!" The crowd shouted. I smiled and turned toward Glowing Sera.

"I'm going to fly to the capital. Meet me there." She nodded.

I launched into the air and took flight. Of the many travels I had taken in the past night, this felt the most refreshing. I spread my wings out fully and soared through the air. As the capital came closer into view, I found more details emerge on the structures. The road to the castle held many houses and buildings, all vacant, yet ready to be filled. I landed in front of a drawbridge.

Glowing Sera teleported next to me. "This place looks like it's out of a dream."

"I'm starting to wonder if it is."

We crossed the bridge, went through an archway, and entered the beautiful city.

I can't say how long we spent cantering about, taking in the sights. It was so magnificent that I didn't want to take my eyes off of anything. I kept reminding myself that this was my city, and I was in charge of it. It made me feel even more relaxed. My mind drifted off of every burden I held.

Eventually Glowing and I reached the large doors to the castle. She turned to me.

"What are you going to name it?"

I turned around and gazed down the winding path. I saw ponies excitingly cantering around, discovering new minute details that made everything just a little bit better. I looked away and in the direction of The Castle of The Two Sisters.

It had dulled. What once was my pride and joy had almost completely vanished, and I could barely see it. The trees of the forest were already growing into the castle, wilder and free. Mere hours ago I could make out such small details from such a distance, but it now concealed itself from my eyes.

Then I realized the real gift from The Elements of Harmony.

The new capital that you couldn't take your eyes away from and the camouflage of the old castle. The denizens just as enamored by the sights around us as myself weren't focused on what previously happened. The same goes for me; I wouldn't need to look up at the face of The Moon if there's so much I have to view below.

The Elements created an escape from my own thoughts.

Such a city would need an accurate name.

"Canterlot."

Glowing nodded. "I see."

I grabbed a hold of the doors with my magic and swung them open. Inside of the large castle appeared to be years worth of work. Stairs led to upper rooms and passages, each covered by a soft rug made from the most expensive fibers; banners five times the size of the previous ones hung on the walls; the floor's polish never wore off. At the top of the staircase directly in front of us was another set of large doors.

We moved up to the top of the staircase, and opened them.

It was clear that this was the throne room; towering columns bisected the large glass windows that seemed to be begging to be turned into a piece of art. Each step echoed throughout the large room, but still stayed warm and welcoming.

There was only one throne, though.

I trotted over to it and sat down. Glowing Sera stood in front of me.

"What should the name of tonight's events be called?" she asked.

"I think I'll call this night The Eternal Evening," I announced.

She pondered it. "I don't think that name fits."

"And why would that be?"

"Well, the night wasn't really eternal for us, was it? The only person that will have to live in the night forever is . . ."

She glanced out of the window at The Moon. I lowered the celestial object quickly.

"I understand what you are saying."

"For her, this is just An Eternal Evening. One of the thousands she'll have to face."

The rest that happens from here on you already know about Twilight. It never really set in, how long one-thousand years was. For the being upon the Moon's surface, it was all too clear. I never had a battle with Nightmare Moon; I fought Luna, and in my own foolishness and desperation created my "Affliction". I didn't have the time to think about that, though. Each day crept onward, and my duties consumed more and more of my mind.

I genuinely believed for a small moment one-thousand years later that it was all just a fairy tale, and in my old age mixed up truth and fiction. I can blame the Elements of Harmony for my poor memory, say it was all the castle's influence, but I'd be lying. They knew what I wanted, and provided the means for me to take it.

Because what I did when I sat on that throne would set the precedent of every Equestrian for years to come; it was a blessing and a curse, and haunted me right up to when I first put feather on parchment to write this set of letters.

I forgot.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

Author's Note

Thank you for reading and sticking through it all. I'll have a blog post Right Here explaining what I thought about this and what I'm planning in the future.

Until next time!