Sunset Shimmer walked through the halls of crystallized wood of Twilight’s castle.
This was right after her non rhythmically planned sort of sporadic dinner with Twilight. Her life in the human world did not allow for much time travelling away in Equestria, especially given how differently the two world’s times shifted, but it was nice to catch up in person with Twilight instead of through just writing.
She walked through the hallways drenched in darkness and moonlight. She could have turned on the lights, or just used her magic to light up her way, but sometimes, it was just nice to see the night take its effect on things.
There was not any particular aim in Sunset’s walk. Twilight had left her to her own devices after their dinner, needing to leave to solve a small emergency that Sunset was dismissed from trying to help out. Sunset had a little time still, so she walked the halls, merely enjoying the unique look the night provided to the only somewhat familiar place. Nothing was really out of the ordinary, but it was exciting still. Well, nothing was out of the ordinary until she passed by the door leading to the balcony, and saw a silhouette outlined against the moonlight.
Sunset stopped in her tracks, there was not supposed to be anypony else in the castle. Spike had already been to sleep and Twilight had said she was sorry that she would not be able to see Sunset out… so who was that?
She approached the doorway carefully, and as her eyes adjusted to the moonlit balcony, she saw a mane glittered with stars. Princess Luna. Oh, she thought.
“Hello, Princess Luna.” Sunset said as she fully stepped out into the balcony and bowed to the pony ahead.
Princess Luna, who had been quietly looking at the horizon, turned over gently to look over at Sunset, but did not move her body away.
“Sunset Shimmer. Please rise, there is no need for this much.”
And at that, Sunset rose. “What is it that brings you here, Princess? Twilight is attending a small emergency elsewhere, and Spike is already asleep, I’d wager you would have a better chance contacting him through dreams than trying to wake him.” She walked until she reached the princess at the railing, and then looked at the horizon the princess had returned her gaze to.
“Indeed, I wanted to have a word with Twilight Sparkle, but I was unaware of your visit and thought it would be too rude to intrude in your dinner.” The princess shifted on her hooves a little, then she continued. “I was intending on making my presence known, and just then, I saw her leaving the castle in a rush… I decided that it could be left for later.”
“Pardon my question princess, but, um, was there any reason why you stayed and not, say, went back to Canterlot?” Sunset asked, not quite sure what tone to use with the princess, from what little she knew she mostly preferred to be treated more casually outside political events, so she shot her shot.
“No particular reason, little pony. I simply, I supposed a little break from the blinding lights of Canterlot would do me nicely.” She gave a deep breath and, after a moment, continued. "One can see the starry sky through ponies’ dreams, but it isn’t quite like seeing the real thing for one self."
Sunset looked at the sky. Truly, the princess was right. The sky as seen from the small town that Ponyville was never to be compared to the small glimpse of the night that big cities allowed. Even in the human world, she would need to travel quite a bit off town to truly see the stars, and it would never be the same as the view from Equestria. Two different skies for her to enjoy.
“Yes. Seeing the starts in here is quite something. Being able to see the sky in its fullness is already such a sight, I can only imagine what it is like when one is as connected to it as you are, Princess.”
“Hm” The princess hummed gently. “Hah,” She laughed after a second, turning her gaze away from the moon and down to the nothing at her hooves. “One should see how the stars look from the moon, little one, that is a truly different feeling.”
Sunset stiffened. She was very well aware of the old tale that had turned out to be true. The stars will aid in her escape. The tale she had shrugged off, so many moons ago, but that then was taken seriously by the one pony who could have truly helped, Twilight Sparkle.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Princess Luna.” Sunset let out.
The princess looked up at the orange unicorn beside her.
“Whyever would you be sorry for, Sunset Shimmer? It is I who is sorry for bringing up such a topic.” The princess made to move away, slightly unfolding her wings.
“I’m sorry I that I never had the thought to ever try to help you, Princess.” Sunset let out. "I read the same book as Twilight, I studied the stars just the same, I saw that the conditions for your liberation were to come just the same, and yet, I… Even with all my ambition of doing grandiose things and power, I still shrugged off the possibility of your tale ever being true." Sunset spilled out the words, not quite thinking it all through. Was, was she really truly sorry for that? She couldn’t have foreseen that this one tale would have happened to be true; it’s not as if there weren’t a thousand other tales that were not true, only for a couple dozen to be truths hidden by time. Was it her old ambition talking? The one that saw the potential in her and was upset that she never did achieve the greatness she always had wanted for herself?
The princess turned to Sunset, surprised by the outburst.
“You have nothing to be sorry about, little one.” Princess Luna said. “Even if you had thought Nightmare Moon’s tale was real, it was still years off from your youth, and even so, like all of those but my sister, you would never have known there was something other than the nightmare still there.” She paused. “We have walked similar paths, Sunset Shimmer. We both were consumed by something that was made to be twisted and corrupting.”
Sunset searched for the Princess’ gaze, being met with understanding.
“Ambition is not in of itself a bad thing. My ambition was fulled by jealousy and loneliness, which is what caused my descent into Nightmare Moon. I am… somewhat relieved that you needed not to suffer a thousand years of isolation as a result of your darkness, little one. I am glad that Twilight Sparkle was there for you. It seems the Star has also aided in your escape.”
Sunset had a small laugh at that.
“I guess so, Princess. I um, am honored to have you here before me today, I am glad to have you here.”
The two ponies shared a moment of silence as the stars twinkled above them.
“Um, I,” Sunset spoke. “I beg your pardon, Princess, but I probably have to go now.”
Princess Luna nodded and stretched her wings out.
“Farewell, Sunset Shimmer. Do let me know the next time you come visit again, I would very much like to have a word with you again.”
“You bet, your majesty.”
At that, the princess leapt off the balcony, flying away before disappearing in a burst of sparks.
Sunset stayed out for a moment, looked at the bright sky once more, turned around, and made her way to the mirror.