"I forgot you could do that." I pressed a hoof against my head, trying my best to force my mind to settle. I hadn't expected her spell to go off so soon, so my senses were a little out of whack due to the sudden unexpected shift in scenery.

Teleportation spells were fairly simple to perform if you only wanted to transfer yourself. Moving anything else was a lot more complex. Any inanimate object was fairly easy. Another living, breathing creature was much more complicated. Usually, another live being made physical contact with the caster of the teleportation spell to be moved as well. I could do that with no issues whatsoever.

Relocating another creature without physical contact, though? I still hadn't managed to accomplish that yet. Celestia had done so with ease. Twice. Both times were through my protection spells, no less. And that was only what I'd been witness to at this point.

I'd seen Luna do the same at least once.

They're so unfair.

"I'm sorry, Starlight. I hope that wasn't too jarring for you?" she took a seat on one of the chairs. It was weird to see her relax, and contrary to me, she was clearly quite comfortable.

The two of us were on the balcony. The same balcony I'd flown my kite from prior to leaving for the Empire.

The same place I had my confrontation with the Nightmare.

I moved to take a seat as well.

"I'm fine," I sighed in contentment once my rump hit the chair. I tried getting comfortable, too, but the princess was the source of my discomfort, so that probably wasn't going to happen any time soon. "You just caught me off guard, is all. Anyway, why'd you bring me up here?"

"I wanted to speak with you," her horn shined brightly as two glasses flashed into existence on the table between us. "I trust tea is okay with you?"

"Geez," I coated the glass closest to me with telekinesis. "Is that all you-" A sudden explosion of blue magic caused me to grab the scroll that popped into existence right in front of me with my mana.

"A message from Luna?" Celestia lifted her own cup and took a drink. "It must be information about your next task."

My next task?

I unfurled the paper and began to read.

Good evening, Starlight. Tomorrow morning, you, Sunset, and Twilight will all be taking the Canterlot Express to Ponyville. You are to spend some quality time with the Elements of Harmony while you are there. If you've any questions, seek me or one of your peers out. You did a wonderful job in the Empire, Starlight. Continue to do your best, and I know you will grow into a truly amazing mare. Princess Luna.

I tried not to smile as I rolled the scroll back up and placed it on the table between us. Celestia had remained silent while I read, waiting patiently for me to finish.

"Well... I guess I'm gonna have a late night," I lifted the glass, staring at it for a moment. It was freezing cold, condensation rolling down its sides. "You wouldn't happen to have any coffee, would you?" I joked.

She didn't laugh.

"Of course! Just one moment!" her horn shimmered once again. The glass I was holding in my telekinesis transfigured into a mug right before my eyes, a hot steam rising from the cup. I stared at the new container in utter disbelief.

...

"If black is not to your liking, I can-"

"Is there anything you can't do?" I scoffed, a little annoyed at her very existence.

"Oh lots!" she reclined on the chair as a smile crossed her face. "You'd be surprised."

...I'm sure.

I took a sniff of the beverage. It smelled good. A lot like the coffee I'd frequently drink back in my town. I took a cautious sip of the contents. It was scorching hot and bitter. Exactly how I preferred.

"Thanks," I placed the mug back onto the table. It was another beautiful night. There was a slight chill in the air, but nothing too troublesome. It would be winter soon.

I can't wait.

The coffee was going to do its job, keeping me warm.

"So... what did you need from me?" I asked.

She was staring down at the city beneath, an appreciative, if not a melancholic, smile on her lips.

...

"How are you doing, Starlight?" she asked after a moment. She kept her gaze on the sprawling city below, but I could tell her full attention was on me. I looked down as well. It was just as breathtaking as before, though a little less comfy with her here.

I don't really have time for this.

I yawned. It wasn't deliberate. I was just starting to get tired, the effects of the long day finally catching up with me.

"You're gonna have to be a lot less cryptic than that if you wanna finish any time soon, Your Highness," I stated bluntly.

"Very well. If that's what you wish," she giggled. "Just don't 'freak out', okay? You asked for it."

Asked for wha-

"So you're in love with my Sunset, Starlight Glimmer?"

I stiffened. Any comfort I had been experiencing previously was gone in an instant. There was no malicious aura coming from her, -- which was a very good thing -- but she hadn't spoken like that since we'd first met back in my town.

"I..." I wasn't sure how to approach it. The recollection of our first conversation had petrified me into inaction. I hadn't been able to do anything then, and if she used the same trick this time, I'd be completely honest with her once again.

I guess that's my only choice, then.

I was scared. I was really scared. But, what could I do? Escape wasn't an option. And even if it was, I wouldn't run away. Not again. I had to face the truth at some point if I wanted any chance with the golden mare.

No time like the present... I took a deep breath.

"I do," I stated calmly. I was a little quieter than I'd have liked to be, but I couldn't muster any fake bravado. It was honestly surprising I'd managed to say anything at all.

"I see..."

That was all she said in response before she grew quiet. Unsettlingly quiet.

...

"How did you find out?" I broke the silence. It's not like I was suspicious of Sun, -- and Celestia knowing things wasn't exactly out of the ordinary -- but knowing for sure was always better than assuming.

"You have nothing to worry about, Starlight," the princess was still the very model of tranquility. "Sunset didn't say a word to me about it."

Oh really!?

That was a bit surprising. I'd pegged Sun as the type who'd tell Celestia every single detail about her life at the first opportunity.

I guess I was wrong? But then... how...?

"That's... what I wanted to get to," she turned my way. I faced her as well, not wanting to show any more weakness than I already had. What met me was unadulterated kindness.

I hate when they do that.

"Sunset did tell me about that," she continued. "You believe you failed her because of what happened in the Crystal Empire."

I winced. The frustration and anger came flooding back instantly.

"I don't believe it," I crossed my forelegs in a huff, slamming my withers against the chair. "It's what happened! What would you say I did!? Succeeded!?"

She simply stared at me.

...

"Would you say something!? That's really annoying!" I nearly growled, but managed to keep my anger in check. I knew she was doing something weird, and it bothered me to no end that I couldn't do anything about it.

"I apologize, Starlight," she chuckled. "I've no intention of being an annoyance to you. If you're asking for my perspective, I'd say you did exactly what you told me you would."

...

What I said I...

...

"I will, Celestia. I'll hold tight even if it hurts."

I slumped over. I didn't want her to bring that up. Not another one of my failures right after the other. Not one that reminded me of my mom.

She sighed.

"I wish you'd let me in, Starlight. I want nothing more than for you to thrive and be happy."

For some reason, her kindness was nothing more than fuel on the fire that was my anger.

"Cut the crap, Celestia!" I kept my eyes forward. Probably because I was afraid of pissing her off. Not afraid enough, apparently. "We both know that's not true. I'm just here, so you can keep an eye on me."

...

"Is that honestly what you believe, Starlight?" Her tone hadn't changed.

"You can do that stupid mind reading thing, can't you!?" I lifted my cup to my lips. "You tell me." I took a drink of my coffee.

...

The awkward silence was unsettling, to say the least, but I wouldn't break it this time. The ball was in her court. I'd said my piece.

...

"I have to keep an eye on you, Starlight."

...

...What?

"What?" I could only utter that single word.

...

"If you only knew what you were truly capable of, you'd understand," she sighed again, turning away.

"More cryptic BS?" I scoffed. "Maybe that's the real problem I have with you, Celestia. You play games even more than I do."

...

"Perhaps... you are correct." She didn't even try to argue with me. "Though I assure you, when I do so, it is for the best."

"Best for me or best for you?" I spat back.

"Well... How about I let you be the judge?" Before I could react, my chair was shifted to face her direction, forcing me to look her in the eyes. Still, there was no malice in her. That fact made the situation even more unnerving for me. "I'll be completely transparent for your sake, Starlight. Let's talk about your endless flirtatious behavior. Let's talk about how you do so simply to make other creatures uncomfortable, which gives you a feeling of superiority."

I blushed, but I didn't look away.

"No? Then shall we talk about the embarrassing episode you had trying to assert your dominance over Discord of all creatures?" She stared at me. "Not even I would attempt something so foolish." Then, straight through me.

I bristled, but I withstood her onslaught, saying nothing.

"Not that either?" She shrugged. "Okay, then. How about you tell me why you've decided that your rendezvous with the Nightmare is something you wish to keep from me?"

C-crap.

I clenched my teeth. My heart was racing in my chest. I had a sinking feeling she might have known. I thought hiding things from the sun might be impossible. Her saying it out loud was absolutely demoralizing. Now, I knew it was.

"No?" she tilted her head. She was eerily calm all of a sudden. "Starlight... I say this with the utmost respect and desire to have fellowship with you..."

I braced myself, knowing exactly what subject she was going to breach next.

"The tragedy that befell you... befell your family..." I felt my blood run cold. "It wasn't your fault."

I turned away, unable to endure any more.

Darn it.

...

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. There was no sadness in me. I'd cried that all away in Rave's embrace, -- at least, for the night -- but there was... something else now. I just wasn't sure what that something was.

Wait a second...

Unfortunately, the sudden feeling of nausea that came with a stark realization overtook everything else.

"So it really was all just you..." I sighed, genuinely disappointed.

"Starlight?" For the first time tonight, she was blindsided.

I turned my head to face her, unable to muster even an artificial smile.

"You orchestrated tonight, didn't you!" I'd wanted to phrase it like a question, but it came out more like an accusation. I couldn't hold back any longer. "You wanted me to end up right here. Sitting in this chair. That's why you let Rave go out with me. That's why you were waiting for us as soon as we got back."

She was absolutely stunned, her mouth agape as she stared at me in utter disbelief.

I stared back.

...

...

...

"What? Didn't expect me to figure it out?" I pressed when she continued to remain silent.

With a look of pure disappointment, she covered her face with a hoof, letting out the breath she'd been holding.

"Starlight... why are you like this?" She kept her hoof in place.

For some reason, that question hurt. A lot. It was probably because she hadn't intended for it to hurt. It was probably because it was just an honest question. It was probably because I couldn't stop asking myself that very same question every single night since I'd screwed everything up, when all I really wanted was a peaceful night's rest.

I had no reply for her. That didn't matter. She wasn't done anyway.

"You've spoken with Raven. You've seen what kind of pony she is... Yet, you honestly believe she would do something so deceitful to you?"

"Rave!? No," I shook my head weakly. "She's a saint. You, though?" I didn't need to say any more than that.

"Where does this animosity come from, Starlight?" she almost sounded sad for a second. "Why do you feel as if we must always be in constant strife?"

...

"I..."

...

"I guess it's because... I'm afraid of you." I was too tired to lie. I just wanted to go to sleep. I just wanted to rest.

I just want to rest.

Her eyes widened ever so slightly, my honesty knocking her off balance.

...

...

...

"Starlight..." She looked truly remorseful. Her head fell a fraction. "What must I do to prove my sincerity to you? What must I do to show you that I care?"

...

"Honestly? I don't know." I'd seen her at her most wrathful. I wasn't sure if I could ever get those haunting eyes out of my mind.

...

Her horn shimmered with raw sunlight.

"Very well," she turned away. "Thank you for humoring me." I said nothing. "Before I return you to your room, there are a few things that I want to make clear to you." I still kept quiet. "I'm truly sorry, Starlight. I know that I was... frightening, back then. I just..." she looked up into her sister's night sky, staring at the moon. "In the past... I have lost one I loved to my own foolishness." She turned to face me, her cheeks moist with tears. Seeing her like that... I wasn't prepared for it.

"Celest-"

She raised a hoof.

"Please. Let me finish," she lowered her hoof. "I also want to thank you for all that you've done for me."

For what I've...

I wasn't sure what she meant, so I let her continue uninterrupted.

"You stepped up to protect Twilight in spite of who the enemy might've been. You saved my Sunset, even after being betrayed by a very dear friend," she smiled, though her tears continued to fall. "As far as I am concerned, you kept your promise, Starlight, and I'm so very proud of you for that."

My heart sank.

She couldn't have known. She was only privy to the information from the nightmares Luna had witnessed. But, somehow... she spoke as if she knew exactly what she was actually addressing.

I chose to take it as such because I needed it. I needed to be told it wasn't my fault. I needed to know that she'd appreciated it, even though I failed. I needed to move on.

I lowered my head, my own tears flowing freely. I'd made strides in that particular direction tonight, -- all thanks to Rave -- but for some reason, I just couldn't seem to push past the wall that was separating me and Celestia. But... I could give her what little I did have.

"Thank you for that, Celestia." I wiped my face roughly with my hoof, getting rid of all the emotion on display there. She looked at me, filled with hope.

"You may not view yourself as my student, Starlight," she leaned across the table, lifting a hoof and placing it directly on my chest. "But I do. You've shown me that, at the very least, you care for Sunset and Twilight. I couldn't possibly ask for any more than that from one of my own." She retreated back to her side of the table. "I'll send you back to your room now. I know you have an early morning tomorrow."

As her horn was just about to go off, I lifted my own hoof, stopping her. The spire powered down a bit as she waited. Without a word, I picked up my cup and chugged the rest of the coffee in a single gulp.

I have to pack for tomorrow. I'll need the energy.

I took a deep breath. The temperature of the beverage made me a bit more comfortable. I stepped around the table, walking right up to the Princess of the Sun. She watched me closely, remaining completely silent, though it was easy to see how curious she was.

"I may not trust you right now, Celestia..." I looked her straight in her twinkling, violet eyes. "But... I'll try my best to change starting now. Okay?"

...

A wide smile lit up her face as her horn raised in power.

"Thank you so much... my most froward student."

In an explosion of sunlight, I was standing back in my room alone.

Author's Note

New video! Would appreciate it if you could give it a watch!