//------------------------------// // So Proud of You // Story: Perspective // by Orpheon //------------------------------// Bright. It was too bright here. Sunset vainly tried to squeeze her eyes shut against the light, covering her face with her hooves, but it was piercing, merciless. She was reasonably sure she could see through her own flesh and bone, so bright it was. She turned away from the source as best she could manage and forced herself to look around. The vast darkness of the void greeted her. An infinite array of the stars, twinkling in the cosmos cheerfully, their luminescence nothing to the blazing...something behind her. She gaped, glancing down to see she stood on nothing, and yet surely there was something there. Experimentally, she tapped the spot she stood on, but received no sound in return to tell her what it was. It took her a moment more to notice the swirling sparks moving around her in a current. Sunset hesitated. The motes seemed to beckon her forward, away from the terrible light at her back. She became uncomfortably aware of the sheer heat the thing cast on her, and decided that perhaps getting away from it would be ideal. However...she looked about again. There was no obvious path for her hooves, but then there wasn't anything she seemed to be standing on to begin with. A seed of annoyance bloomed in her mind; this was stupid. Standing here forever would achieve nothing. She shrugged to herself, and stepped forward carefully, relieved and confused when her hoof found purchase on an invisible surface. Another experimental step, and another spot for her hooves to be. Sunset exhaled, nerves already frayed, and moved forward. Twilight stared slack-jawed at the blackened glyph in the floor, not quite taking notice of the still smoldering carpet or table. There was no thought process. There was no thought at all. There was only the scorched sun on the floor, where Sunset, her Sunset, had just been, and she and Celestia had vanished in a blast of power she'd only seen the likes of a hoof-full of times. The room was terribly silent, the only real sound the gentle hoof-falls against carpet as Luna sidled over to the smaller pony and took a seat next to her. The alicorn said nothing, apparently preferring companionable silence. The seconds ticked by. Finally, a thought bloomed in Twilight's head: What happened? A single, uncomprehending, insistent question that reverberated off the walls of her mind. With it came other, ancillary queries: What did Celestia do? What was that magic? Where did Sunset go? Was she banished? The Princess wouldn't-- The deluge became exponential. Twilight's mouth worked soundlessly as she shook her head, disbelief finally registering on her face. Luna seemed to tense beside her, laying a hoof reassuringly on her shoulder. The act reminded Twilight that there was another pony present, and she rounded on the larger mare with a face torn between distraught and baffled. “What was that?! What happened?” “Calm thyself, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna spoke, her voice soothing as she raised a silver-shod hoof. “Sunset Shimmer is in no danger--” “She must have cast some kind of translocation spell! I can trace the aether path if I start right now.” Twilight seemed to ignore the older pony as she went to work, horn alight with a magenta glow as her eyes shimmered. “Even if it was a stupendously powerful teleport, every jump leaves behind a remnant of--no, wait. There's no path to follow...unless it's a different KIND of translocation! Princess Celestia's magic might be influenced by the sun, so of course it would be on a different spectral wavelength--” Twilight's work was feverish. She had to solve this; she HAD to. It wasn't until she noticed that her spellwork was unraveling from the beginning that she realized that Luna was also using her magic. “Princess Luna, what are you doing?!” “I am stopping you from taking rash, undue action, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna stated simply. She wore a sardonic smile as she worked; Twilight felt a rush of pure, unvarnished rage at the idea that she dared smirk like that when Twilight was working so hard to...to...to what? “...Ah, now you see. Come, sit with me.” She beckoned the smaller pony to her. Twilight moved to sit with her, brow still creased in irritation. “Now, to give due credit: Your process of elimination was elementary, but efficient nevertheless. I must admit that your grasp of anchoring magic is very impressive, considering your scant years.” Luna smiled as she pulled the forgotten tea set to her. She pulled the lid from the pot and sniffed, making a face. “Urgh, jasmine. Why my sister drinks this swill, I do not know. A moment...” She concentrated, and a new teapot appeared, this one a simple unadorned black, and bearing a small white crescent stamp on the side. “Ah, this will do. How do you take breakfast tea?” Luna inquired, her tone conversational. “Breakfast tea? It's almost dinner time, though....” Twilight tilted her head, anger momentarily forgotten in her confusion and slight indignation at the improper consumption of a designated breakfast beverage. “You will find one of the perks of being royalty, and indeed a mare grown before that, is that you are quite entitled to decide when you will take your tea, whatever the tea in question.” Luna answered with a hint of smugness in her voice. “In fact, my sister is notorious for eating largely whatever she pleases whenever she likes. As she says, 'it keeps the kitchen staff on their hooves.' But enough of that. Please, Twilight, be at ease.” She beckoned again for Twilight to take a seat (on the side opposite the new hole in the table, apparently unconcerned for it). Twilight faced a brief internal battle, the conflict showing on her face as she glanced back to the cooling, scorched stone...but decided ultimately that she wasn't likely to be able to sway Luna, and grumpily took a seat near the Moon Princess. “Good, good. Now, I hazard you wish for an explanation?” Luna's asked. “Of course I want an explanation! Sunset and Princess Celestia just vanished! By all appearances Princess Celestia vaporized Sunset!” Twilight cried, anxiety overpowering her restraint with remarkable ease, to her own distant shame. “I know that's probably not what happened, but--” “Oh, that is more or less what happened.” The older mare's airy response stunned her. “But only in the most technical sense; it was a very old form of spatial movement magic. You likely understand teleportation as opening a pinhole in space and time and forcing something through it, such as yourself.” Twilight's didactic instinct kicked in, responding, “That's a very simplified explanation of the complex mathemagical process involved in--” “Mathemagical? You modern magi make it sound so clinical; it need not be so...but I digress.” Luna interrupted, opening one eye with a frown. “In any case, Celestia's spell was much more...brute force, if that makes any sense. Normally one slips through space, as I am sure you know. But when you need to go somewhere terribly far away, or to another plane...say, the Realm of Dreams, you need to change your approach.” “Brute...force? Why would Princess Celestia need to brute force anything? She's probably the best magician on the planet! Er, I mean...” Twilight blinked, realizing the implication of her statement. Luna only offered a wry smile in return. “Worry not, that is simple fact. But here is a secret I wager you did not know of me or my sister.” she leaned over to Twilight, muttering conspiratorially, “I am the technically superior magus.” Twilight's face scrunched in confusion. “But you just agreed she was the best magician!” “The best in matters of pure power, perhaps. Celestia can certainly summon more raw power than I can, all else equal...but you will find that my statement is still true. My technique is superior to hers, or it was back in the day. I admit that my...long sojourn put me out of practice and she has improved much since then, but I am rapidly returning to my previous proficiency. Working with the mind is very delicate, after all.” Luna allowed herself another prideful smile. “You may find that I can teach you things she could not.” Twilight blinked slowly. What could Luna know that Celestia did not? Her firsthoof knowledge of millenia-old magic would be fascinating to-- An insistent, irritable voice chimed in, reminding her to focus. “But what does that have to do with Sunset?!” “Ah, yes. My apologies. Celestia's translocation was, as I said, an archaic one that works by tearing apart the subject at an essential level and reassembling them in anther location. It is...quite painful, when done poorly, but it does allow a magus to move objects in more dimensions than the mere three we are accustomed to.” “Sunset and Celestia were moved in...another dimension?” Twilight echoed, disbelieving. “That's not possible...” Even as she said that, she already knew how wrong she was. She herself had been through time. And more, the human world was certainly nowhere on Equus, so the only logical answer was that it was in another place...or perhaps time. “Indeed! As I noted, it is a terribly inelegant and wasteful method of doing so, but it certainly works quickly if one has the reserves for it, as my sister does.” Luna took poured a cup of her tea and took a sip, swallowing before speaking to Twilight. “But you have experienced this yourself, have you not?” “Sunset.” The mare herself started, looking about in shock. The voice of Celestia seemed to be all around her. She stopped and squinted as a pale shape resolved itself to her left, the alicorn bare of her regalia and crown, seated and staring at the sun behind Sunset (what else could it be?). Instinct made Sunset trot over to Celestia, something about her posture making her worry. The older mare seemed so much smaller than she ought to, in her mind. It was like she was wearing something unbearably heavy, head bowed slightly, normally luminescent mane and tail still and tending toward a soft pink more than the chromatic arrangement it normally held. “Princess?” Celestia turned to face her, a wan expression on her face. It was the strangest thing; she didn't carry any of the markers of old age that other ponies did. Her face was without lines, her coat full as ever, horn still needle sharp at the tip...but at this moment, to Sunset, she seemed so terribly ancient. “Are you alright?” “Me?” Celestia chuckled, pulling Sunset into a hug. “I should ask you that. How do you feel?” Sunset leaned against Celestia, head against her shoulder as she basked in the warmth and security of her mentor's wing. Celestia wrapped a forelimb around her, perhaps wishing to indulge that maternal moment herself. “I'm...well, I'm confused. Where are we? What did you do? Why are we just sitting here?” “In order: We're...well, nowhere. I suppose you could call this a dream, albeit a very different one than the ones Luna protects. I brought you here, as an approximation of something that happened to me long ago. I hoped to learn something about you, to try to understand you. And I'm sitting here because I was waiting for you.” Celestia paused. Her voice was tinged, only slightly, with sadness as she finished, “...just one more time, can you humor an old mare?” “Humor you?” Sunset asked, confused. “Yes.” Celestia nodded, looking down at the smaller pony. “Can you listen to me, just for a little while?” “I mean, I can, but did you bring me here just to talk?” “There is that, yes...but I also brought you here to bring out the truth within you.” She waited a moment before continuing. “Mind you, I did not think you were lying. But if you are an alicorn, to remain as you were would only bring you grief in the long run. I didn't want that for you.” Sunset sat up, tilting her head. “I don't understand.” Celestia hummed, seemingly choosing her words carefully. “When you leave this place, you'll return as you are. As you truly are.” The words made Sunset frown...but then it clicked. “...I'll be an alicorn.” “You already were, Sunset. I only sought to save you a great deal of agony. A gradual transformation is...quite painful. New muscles, bones forcing their way through your skin and fur, pushing aside all else without regard to your discomfort...it's unpleasant, I assure you.” Celestia shuddered; Sunset gaped. Celestia almost never yielded to physical tics. “I couldn't have you suffer through that.” A pregnant pause passed between them. After a moment, Sunset spoke. “...so that's it, then. The secret's out. Equestria will know.” Celestia nodded. “It may.” “What's going to happen to me?” Sunset's stomach was hollow with dread; even though she already knew the answer, it wasn't any easier to ask. “That depends on you, Sunset Shimmer.” Celestia stood with a soft grunt. “Come with me.” And away they paced, Sunset trailing behind the Solar Princess. For a time, they walked in companionable silence. Ultimately her curiosity won out, and Sunset asked, “What did you want to talk to me about?” Celestia didn't answer immediately, again showing uncharacteristic hesitation before speaking. “...I suppose I just want to have peace of mind. To clear the air.” “Peace of mind?” Celestia nodded. “I'm sure you feel that I've wronged you. I have, certainly. I've wronged a lot of ponies, though I doubt many are at all aware just how much I've done, save Luna.” She turned to look at Sunset before continuing, “It is perhaps my most glaring flaw, out of the many.” Sunset's face fell uncomfortably. “I...” “Please, Sunset. I won't fault you for saying what you will. Not here.” Celestia stopped, looking upwards (was there an up in a place with no visual indicators of a surface?). One of the sparks had frozen, drifting down to hover between them and pulse with a gentle light. “...What are these?” “Memories, I suspect, though they could also be dreams, flights of fancy.” Celestia smiled. “I must say, they've been most skittish with me.” Sunset blinked, bristling as the information registered in her mind. “So you're just sifting through me again. After everything, after getting Luna to come into my dreams--” “I know, Sunset. I know.” Celestia's normally flawless face seemed exhausted, somehow. It was subtle, but it was there, she knew it. Sunset hesitated; she hadn't expected Celestia to wilt. “Your anger with me is...entirely understandable. I've been intemperate with you, and undeservedly so.” The elder pony inhaled, and continued, “I have wronged you, in many ways. In the beginning, when I didn't do what had to be done to discourage your pride before it became suffocating arrogance. When I let my emotions get the better of me, and sent you away without considering what you might do. When you returned, and I set my sister upon you.” She stopped, a strange anxiety coming to her eyes. “When I left you on the other side of that mirror. I...I nearly destroyed it, you know? I thank all creation that I hesitated, but if I had...” She reasserted the facade before continuing, “...despite all that, Sunset, I want you to know that everything I have ever done, from the moment they put that damnable tiara on my head to this moment, here and now, was for my little ponies.” She paused, looking to Sunset significantly. “It is not a justification. It is not an excuse. But it is the truth. It was and has always been, and always will be my reason for doing what I have.” Sunset wasn't sure how to respond to that. How did one respond to such a statement? “That doesn't change anything!” “No, it does not.” Celestia noted, sadly. “It does not.” “So...so what? That's all? That's all you wanted to say?” Sunset asked, seething anger rising. “'Sorry I hurt you, but I did it for a good cause' and that's that?” Celestia paused again, looking away. “I have spent so long with every waking moment devoted to the sole purpose of keeping this nation and its ponies alive. So that they can have their little happiness...” She looked at Sunset, expression a tired one. “You don't think it's an acceptable reason. I'm not sure I do, either. But whether I like it or not is irrelevant. “Even when the ponies closest to me were--are hurt. It has to be done. If I didn't, then...” She gave a humorless laugh. “Luna, Starswirl, countless others. You. Twilight.” Celestia's face lost its spent quality, turning to sorrow at those last two. “I knew what I had done. I knew that once she had a chance to think, really consider what had happened, the weight of what her destiny meant would come down on her. But Equestria needed her. We will need her again.” Sunset's heart sank. “Then you know how she feels?” “I didn't know for certain, but I had my suspicions. Twilight, bless her heart, thinks the world of me still, despite her own grievances. Pushes them aside, because she thinks I know best.” Celestia wore a rueful smile. “I never meant for her to become so frighteningly devoted. Her loyalty is flattering, in a way, but it's no good if it crosses over into trust so blind that she's driven to madness trying to please me.” Celestia stopped, looking away again. “...but I digress. This place won't stay quiescent for long. Your memories, such as they are, are not open, like Twilight's were. Perhaps because mine is an imperfect recreation of that place? I have considered attempting to open them...but it seemed disingenuous, after all that's been said and done.” She looked to Sunset, the wan smile returning. “Perhaps it's time for me to put my bits where my mouth is, as the saying goes. I am sorry, Sunset, but I must ask you one more time to humor an old mare's rambling.” Sunset stared at the spark before her quizzically, the little mote of light offering no response. “So you want me to show you my memories?” “No, not if you don't want to.” Celestia stated. Sunset raised a brow in confusion. “I have a different request, one much more weighty and personal, and we're running out of time.” Sunset felt a rush of conflicting emotions; a sense of dread overcame her at the solemn tone Celestia spoke in, crashing against a great warmth at the diarch's choice to respect her privacy. Maybe they... “Sunset Shimmer, when we leave this place, things will change. For you, for Twilight, and perhaps for all of us. My request is...” She hesitated, apparently unsure if she wanted to continue, but she sallied forth. “Sunset...would you stay? Here, in Equestria? With Twilight? With me?” Sunset blinked. “You want me to stay?” “I do.” “...what do you want me to do?” Sunset felt that hollow, paradoxical satisfaction of the pessimist proven correct. “Wear an illusion spell all the time? I can't live here as an alicorn, Princess. Ponies would notice. They'd ask questions, and what happens when I slip up? I'll slip up...” She grumbled. “I...What if I decide to go back to the other side?” Sunset asked. “Then my request changes. I must ask that you remain near the portal at all times, and do everything you can to prevent it from being discovered by anypony else.” Celestia stated firmly. “It's already known among the other humans at the school, students and staff alike?” Sunset nodded, brow furrowed. “Yeah, it is. But it's treated as a sort of urban legend the further away from town you get.” “Then I would ask that you keep it that way.” Celestia spoke gravely. “I read over the history book you brought me. It painted a...a grim picture of these humans. If somepony--ah, somebody, is it? If somebody learns of our world, the consequences could be disastrous. You must be prepared to destroy the portal...and you must be prepared to accept that I may destroy the opening on this side.” Sunset blanched. “Destroy it?! But how would I--How would Twilight--” Celestia's face softened. “I know, Sunset. I won't force you to stay here, but the portal must absolutely be watched at all times, and closed unless absolutely necessary. The risk is too great. I don't want to strand you on the other side, but if it comes down to you or my little ponies, I can only make one decision. You know that. If you go back to the other side, but do not want to maintain that vigil, then I will close the portal. Permanently, most likely.” Sunset grimaced, a sick feeling in her stomach. “I...yeah. I know. That's...I wouldn't want to endanger Equestria on my account...so if I want the freedom to go between here and there, you want me to promise to watch the portal.” A distant sense of indignation rose within her: who was Celestia to decide where she could go or not, to assign her tasks? The answer came to her with unpleasant clarity: sovereign of the realm. Moreover...the mirror, strictly speaking, belonged to her. She'd already stated she would destroy it, if necessary...but why would she do that now? She'd had it for so long, so it must have been precious to her in some way... But did that matter? She was still entirely able to break it on demand, if she was so inclined, whatever her reason. If she did, then Sunset's only avenue to her friends would be cut off. “It's not the only choice you could make, of course.” Celestia continued, voice impassive. Sunset looked up, warily. “You mean I could stay here.” “You could.” “What would happen to me?” Sunset asked, dreading the answer. “Ponies aren't going to overlook an alicorn, no matter where she's found.” “They will not. If you stay with Twilight, you will absolutely need to conceal your nature as best you're able, and as before, I must demand the portal remain closed unless necessary. I am sorry.” Celestia spoke sadly. “I do not want to break your friendships, but...again, my ponies must come first.” “...right.” Sunset concluded bitterly. “If I stay on this side, I won't be able to just go over whenever I like. I'll get to stay here, with Twilight, but I won't see my friends very much, and I'll be living a lie the entire time. Wings, but not able to fly.” She chuckled humorlessly. “Typical. I'll have something amazing and not be able to enjoy it.” “There is a corollary to that second option.” said Celestia, her expression appraising. “If you are determined to live in the open, then ponies will know that you're an alicorn. And...they will have expectations of you, especially as your relationship with Twilight makes it into the open--and it will. Believe me.” Celestia snorted, annoyance uncharacteristically clear. “Those paparazzi sorts are frighteningly effective at going where they're not meant to.” “They're an issue for humans, too.” Sunset remarked dryly. “Is that so? Unfortunate...but again, I digress.” Celestia inhaled and continued. “If you decide to live in the open, then I would like to coronate you.” “You would coronate ME?” Sunset felt the emptiness in her stomach widen...but with it, a strange sort of thrill. She tried to push it away with common sense. “Princess...I don't...I can't.” “Why not?” Celestia inquired, no judgment in her face or voice. Just patient curiosity. In a way, it was worrying to Sunset; it felt as through a trick question were being asked and a thoughtless answer would only damn her further. “Princess Celestia, I--” The words she needed to say came to mind easily enough, but actually saying them was titanically difficult. She wasn't worthy of any crown, least of all one of Equestria's. Not after everything. Ponykind ill needed a Princess such as Sunset Shimmer. And yet, a memory came forward, unbidden. Sunset recalled her dream from last night. It had been strange, certainly. Jarring, but still. She closed her eyes, imagining. She and Twilight, flying together. On their thrones, listening and dispensing wisdom. Shoulder to shoulder with her, with Celestia, in finery of her own, with ponies waving at them, adoration on their faces, flower petals in the air, crowds cheering. It was... “...I'm not fit to wear a crown. I don't deserve it.” Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly, only mild surprise on her face, as if inviting her to continue. Sunset started, her heavy-hearted resignation now supplanted by surprise as she scrambled to elucidate. “I-I mean, I'm not qualified. I've got a rap-sheet including multiple counts of assault actual and attempted, blackmail, larceny, vandalism, petty browbeating and mind-control. And turning into a demoness.” She blinked. “And jaywalking.” “...jaywalking?” Celestia echoed, a smirk on her face. “I'm trying to pad the list, okay?” Sunset returned, a nervous smile on her face. “...but more than those things, I...” She gulped, steeling herself. “I'm just not qualified. Nope.” Celestia fixed Sunset with piercing eyes and a strange smile. “You don't want it.” The words came before she could restrain them: “Oh, I want it. I--I MEAN, I DON'T, I...aw, horsefeathers!” Sunset snarled, earning a disapproving look from her former mentor. “Language, Sunset.” “S-sorry. I--wait, I'm a grown mare.” Sunset scowled. “You can't--UGH!” She coughed and cleared her throat. “I...okay. I DO want it. I still want it. After all this time, the idea of wearing that crown is...intoxicating. Ponies looking up to me, coming to us for advice, keeping them safe...” She was only then aware of the small, longing smile on her face and hurriedly looked at the taller pony, now shameful. “That's what you said back then, all those years ago, right? Every time I said I wanted it only proved I didn't deserve it.” “...it's important to remember the context of quotes. Moreover, you're paraphrasing me, which, as you should know, can distort the meaning of something said.” Celestia noted, smiling gently. “A basic mistake for someone who's written as many essays as you, Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset couldn't help but smile sadly herself as nostalgia hit her. She blinked as Celestia continued, “What I said back then was that every time you demanded power without effort, it proved you didn't deserve it yet.” She closed one eye, her smile now conspiratorial. “You've come a long way, haven't you?” Sunset sighed, responding, “Twilight already had this talk with me--” “Oh, did she? Bless her, this save us both time we don't have.” Celestia gave a musical laugh. “Let me ask you this, then: do you think it wrong to aspire to something?” “Um...no.” Sunset blinked. “I mean, not normally, but we're talking about being a leader of a country, not being the best hoofball player there is.” “Let me let you in on a secret then, Sunset. Inasmuch as it's a secret, anyway...” Celestia spoke airily. “To be leader of a nation is a stressful task. I'm sure Twilight could tell you a small sliver of how much so it is. It's not just being put on a pedestal. In order to earn that admiration, you have to give a lot of yourself.” “I know that!” Sunset exclaimed defensively. “Indeed? Then you must know that enjoying the perks that come with that stress is no crime. I frankly doubt any other pony in Equestria could get away with taking as much time as I do in the bath--except for Luna, perhaps.” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Don't mistake me, it's a job that I would rather hoof off to somepony else on many days, but it has to be us. Somepony else might get it wrong.” She wore a sardonic smile as she finished. “I would prefer to take advantage of the small joys my job gives me.” “Okay, neat perks, awesome powers, hard job.” Sunset summated, exasperated. “It still doesn't mean I deserve it.” Celestia gave Sunset a measuring expression. “...you're still thinking of it as a reward. I wonder...it is, in some ways.” She paused before continuing. “In another way, you understand that I'm essentially threatening to foist an unbearable burden on you?” Sunset frowned, preparing herself to hear another lecture...but she was taken aback when Celestia settled down to her barrel, looking her in the eye. “I believe you will find, if you accept it, that the crown is a profound duty--and it is--but also a delight--and it is! The ponies of the nation must be guided, led, and sometimes shown the error of their ways...but they must also be allowed to live and grow, unrestricted in some ways. That's the contradiction that my sister and I, that Cadance, and Twilight have to understand...especially Twilight.” She smiled. “You will find that our interpretations of that duty aren't perfect; some would say I lean too hard toward the former, and not enough to the latter, while I personally think Cadance is the opposite.” Sunset found herself with a wry smile as Celestia stood again. “...you're really trying to sell this to me.” Celestia's own expression became mildly rueful. “...I must admit, I very much hope that you will stay with us. I should be trying to present all options as equal, but I think just this once I'll yield to myself.” She gave Sunset the most tender smile the younger pony had ever seen on the alicorn's face. “I missed you so. And I...well. You know.” She trailed off, uncharacteristically sheepish. “...they won't just accept me, though.” Sunset frowned. “Anyone who remembers who I was will definitely take issue.” "They will.” Celestia said simply, Sunset surprised from the sudden force in her voice. “But I have spent a thousand years nudging this nation along. There will be detractors and malcontents, but they will accept it. They have no choice in the matter; I've indulged them long enough. It is my turn to be indulged.” Sunset leaned away from Celestia slightly, perturbed by the the strangely sinister expression on her former teacher's face. “...just like that?” “Just like that. Though I should construct an appropriate story for your arrival...” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, making a small oh! of interest when an idea hit her. She grinned at Sunset. “I have just the thing. It will shake things up a bit among the upper class, but they could use stirred up once in awhile, I think. How do you feel about being a long-lost relative?” Sunset made a face, responding, “I'm a long-lost something or other....So you're okay with shocking your nation's citizens fundamentally as long as their bodies are okay?” “I think you're underestimating my little ponies, Sunset. They have been witness to a number of dire calamities in recent memory; one more alicorn might well be greeted with indifference at this juncture.” She paused, noting Sunset's incredulous expression. “...an exaggeration. I hope.” Sunset blinked. There it was, then. She could have it all, if she wanted it. But should she have it? Sunset Shimmer closed her eyes again, and breathed deep. She could feel Celestia's expectant eyes upon her. All that she'd done, beginning to end, good and bad and in-between, came back to her. She could feel a warmth spreading from her hooves to her horn. It was a gentle thing, wrapping her in a blanket of heat that was somehow soothing. She opened her eyes, and flinched in surprise. The sparks of memory were rushing to her, joining together in a coat that was almost impossible to see through. She could only just perceive Celestia through the wall of lights. “I suppose time's up...” Celestia's voice was subdued, as though she wasn't certain she believed what she saw. Sunset felt the ground (or nondescript invisible surface) fall from beneath her, a bizarre pull lifting her into the air. The heat around her was rising rapidly, sparks apparently coming to surround her from everywhere. She screwed her eyes shut against the brightness, her forehooves waving ineffectually through the air as she realized that she was burning. She curled in on herself, the roar of flame in her ears. It was too bright. She felt herself coming apart, could feel her flesh and bone and muscle crack and strain and shatter. She gave an almighty gasp, eyes snapping wide open as she arched backwards. An image flashed in her mind of a small, soft violet feather, drifting in the wind. Twilight had a problem. Her proven stress-relief technique, taught by her very clever sister-in-law, was no longer working. She and Luna had moved to the garden to get some fresh air and perhaps do a bit of stargazing while they waited for Sunset and Celestia to return from wherever (and whenever) they had gone. Twilight knew Luna was also hoping to simply distract her. It was less that she was being obvious and more that Twilight knew she just needed to be distracted. It wasn't working, either. She and Luna sat together silently, the diarch having long since given up on small talk and opting to...meditate? Twilight wasn't sure. Either way, it wasn't working for her. Of course, Sunset consumed her thoughts. Where had she gone? What had happened to her? She shook her head silently, papping her cheeks with her hooves. She wasn't helping anything by driving herself into a frenzy. Once again, she inhaled and brought her hoof to her chest, trying in vain to exhale her worries. It only served to remind her that it wasn't working. She paced nervously around Luna, who sat silently, as though listening. A part of her resented the Moon Princess, who was apparently completely unconcerned with whatever fate had befallen her sister and Sunset. How could anypony be so nonchalant about this? But what if she herself was just worrying too much? Maybe Luna had the right of it, and she needed to have faith in Princess Celestia and Sunset. Any minute now, surely, they'd return and-- Of course she'd want to believe that. That way she could ignore any responsibility she might've had for not protecting Sunset from-- From what? Princess Celestia? Even IF Celestia had meant Sunset harm, there would've been no way for Twilight to stop her, and Luna would surely intervene in such a case. Would she? What if she-- She's here. All other thoughts were pushed from her mind, something primal pulling her attention to the sky above the castle. Unbidden, her wings pumped. She distantly felt something holding her legs, felt only a minor, detached annoyance at her lack of progress. All else was fixated on the sky, on the pinprick of searing, terribly bright light that was rapidly swirling into something much more profound. All at once, a massive blossom of flame erupted into the clouds, a wave of stifling heat overtaking the castle grounds. Everypony looked up, one servant dropping the basket in his teeth in shock. She couldn't hear the gasps and screams of surprise and fear. All sound was drowned out by a music so pure and sweet that she felt she might break down in tears. She didn't look away as the the vortex resolved itself into a most familiar effigy of the sun, arms of flame dancing merrily in the night as it hovered above the parapets and towers. There it stayed, for but a moment, before it began descending and shrinking, the pure, elemental light it held casting a golden glow across all it touched. It reached the ground...and as if from an egg, the emblem faded, leaving behind a pony. Twilight didn't feel the release of the force tugging on her as she approached the pony, in a strange daze. The pony stood, whipping her mane about and scattering sparkling motes before breathing out, taking in the mare before her with brilliant sea-green eyes. Behind her fiery locks two wings unfurled, flapping once and emitting a burst of glittering wind. She didn't even care that she too now seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. “...hey, you.” Twilight found herself suddenly very conscious of herself again, just in time for Sunset to step forward and nuzzle her gently, involuntarily bringing a silly smile and blush to her face as she returned the favor, savoring the strangely refreshing scent of Sunset's mane and coat. They leaned away from one another, a sheepish smile on Sunset's face as Twilight beamed in pride. She leaned into Sunset again, feeling her chest would burst. Was it possible to reach a critical mass of joy? It never seemed to stop Pinkie, but--the line of inquiry died in her mind as she simply basked in the other mare's presence. She struggled to find the right words, but her eloquence was, as usual, nowhere to be found when she needed it. “Sunset, I--I was so worried, but--You look so...” She found herself coming up short, meeting Sunset's knowing smile. “I-I mean--” “Regal? Powerful? Unreasonably attractive? So lovely that you've lost words?” “Oh, stop it!” Twilight batted her with a hoof, giggling even as she did. “You know what I mean. How do you feel?” Sunset paused, her face becoming serious as she considered. “...hungry.” “Oh, this is the game you're going to play?” “Yes!” Sunset chortled, her voice sounding so...free in a way Twilight adored. She'd only ever heard it a hooffull of times and each time it was as the sweetest song. “...but really, I feel..” Sunset stepped away from Twilight and pumped her wings, her face screwed up as she concentrated. She looked back to the other mare with a heart-melting grin. “I feel so unwound! Like I've been wrapped in a blanket too tightly for so long and I'm finally free to stretch! I'VE NEVER FELT SO AWAKE!” She pumped her wings again and reared up, whooping as she ran about. Twilight couldn't resist racing to keep up with her, the pair making their way into the hedge maze, progress easily tracked by their laughter. Celestia appeared behind Luna, who watched the pair with a barely concealed smile. She took up a seat next to her sister, a brilliant warmth she sometimes forgot she could feel welling up inside her as she watched her two former students canter about, running just for the joy of running. She could feel the urge to rush over and join them overtaking her, and tried to steel herself. She exhaled contentedly instead, loosening the iron control and allowing herself to relax...just this once. “...oh, go on, you old nag.” Luna poked her with a hoof, goading her on with a mischievous grin. “I shouldn't!” Celestia protested halfheartedly, though it took a completely unreasonable amount of her self-control to do so. “They're having a moment, Luna. You remember what it was like to have those, don't you?” Luna snorted indignantly. “I may have been out of time for a millennium, sister, but I am not so out of touch that I can't recognize when I would be a fifth wheel.” “Are you certain, sister dearest?” Celestia retorted, her voice only slightly smug. She was far too regal to make a singsong voice at anypony, even if they were her sister. Probably. “Quite so.” Luna huffed, though her mouth's corners rose involuntarily. “...she seems like she was born for it, does she not?” “They both do.” Celestia sighed. She put a hoof over her heart, the lack of a peytral more pleasing to her than was likely reasonable. “...I am...” She blinked, surprised to discover a wetness she hadn't noticed before. Luna looked up at her, a sympathetic smile on her face. “...'Tis probably fine to cry, 'Tia. None will judge you here.” “...It would be...i-improper.” Celestia said. “Nonsense!” Luna exclaimed. “Twilight Sparkle! Sunset Shimmer! Come here at once, if you would!” Celestia was taken aback by the sudden loudness, trying hurriedly to wipe her eyes before they returned-- “Princess? What's wrong?” Twilight's plaintive concern reached her, bringing her up short. She lowered her hooves, two sets of bright eyes looking at her with worry in their faces. For one thousand years, Celestia Sol Lucet Omnibus had done her best to maintain absolute control over her emotions. She indulged her silly side once in a long while, or very rarely allowed a whim to take precedent...but had only surrendered completely to them a hooffull of times, and only ever in the privacy of her own chambers. In this moment, her streak was broken, and she seized them both, the smaller mares grunting in surprise as she squeezed them. She felt Twilight nuzzle into her and Sunset settle down against her side. She looked to Luna through dewy eyes, her mouth working soundlessly as she found herself wordless. Her sister gave her a bracing, understanding smile and nodded to her. Celestia inhaled shakily, settling back while maintaining her firm yet gentle hold on Sunset and Twilight. “M-my...my students...I...” She couldn't finish the statement, so she settled for another shaky, breathy laugh as she held them. “I-I'm...I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud...” Celestia didn't notice Luna turn to leave, wiping a tear of her own away as she spread her wings. There was still much to sort, but it could probably wait until later. It wouldn't do to interrupt the moment, after all.