Princess Celestia sits on her balcony, watching her sun settle below the horizon, she has done so over a thousand times, she will a thousand more. As she watches day turn to night she thinks, and she remembers. Hundreds or millions of small moments that can make up a lifetime. But there will always only be one she thinks of at twilight.
Celestia feels a coat brushing against her leg, she smiles down at the little filly, she can see a question burning in the eyes staring at the sunset. “Is there something you wish to ask, my student?”
The filly startles, giving a sheepish look, she was caught in deep thought again. “Well Princess it sounds silly but...why does the sun have to set? I mean I know we need sleep but Spike is always sleeping during the day and I know he's a dragon not a pony but it got me thinking about it though I didn't want to be rude or ask a stupid question and..” she rambles on clearly in a panic.
Celestia puts a hoof to her muzzle attempting to hide her amusement. “Twilight,” she moves her hoof to stop the cascade of words, “it's alright, it's a fine question, would you like an answer?”
Twilight nods, ducking her head in embarrassment.
“The sun sets because it must Twilight. It can not be day always just as it can not be night always. The night isn't just for sleep, the sun is to hot to keep over the crops, or the water. Things would dry out. Equestria would be a large desert no pony could live in anymore. The night gives rest for ponies and for the sun, you see?” She looks down again to see Twilight capavated by her words.
Her student nods, satisfied with her answer.
The sun is long over the horizon, the moon rising to meet the stars.
“Now I believe it is someponys bedtime.”
“Yes Princess. Can I have a book to read to sleep?”
In the present the moon is also rising. But Celestia sits alone, sighing as wistful memories drift through her mind. Hoofsteps approach behind her, “Hello Luna.”
“Good evening Sister! Should you not be off to bed?”
Celestia turns looking past her sister to the filly trailing behind her. “I should yes, but I wanted to see you both off, star charting tonight, right?”
The filly looks up and answers with a voice barely above a whisper,”Yes Princess Celestia, Teacher promised to take me high up to see them tonight.”
Celestia nods with a strained smile, the image before her tugging at her heart and memories. She remembers giving such lessons herself after all.
Giving Luna a nuzzle she wishes them well,”Goodnight Luna. Moonstone, I hope you enjoy your lesson.”
The walk to her chambers is slow, almost mournful, as it is every night. As it has been every night since Twilight went missing.
Every night she hopes, and every morning is filled with disappointment. At night her dreams are filled with That Day, when the news was brought to her.
Day Court was well in session when the doors burst wide open to reveal a panicked Rainbow Dash.
“Princess! Princess we can't find her, you have to help! We looked everywhere!”
Dash called stopping to frantically hover right in the Princess's face.
“Rainbow what's wrong, who can you not find?” Celestia asked with a growing inner dread.
“Twilight! She's missing! Spike too!”
She remembers her heart stopping at those words. Luna and herself sent search teams to Ponyville, and then all over Equestria. They even joined the search but to no avail. Twilight had seem to cease existing that day.
That was fifty years ago.
Every night she hopes and every morning is disappointed.
She falls into bed without hope for the first time.
Fwomp! Celestia bolts up started by a loud noise and a gentle boop on the head. A scroll rolls onto the covers.
“LUNA LUNAAAA!” Celestia calls landing with an ungraceful flop onto the clouds.
“What!? Sister what in Equestria-”
“It's a letter, Luna! It's from Twilight!”