If you were to ask a pony on the street what Princess Celestia’s favorite time of day was, how would they respond? Perhaps they would say dawn, when she could bring an end to the dark night and provide light for all her little ponies. Surely, they would say, she must take pride in the glorious sunrise that sends the shadows scurrying.
The sound of fighting reached Celestia’s ears, but she did not truly hear it. The stone beneath her head was uneven, rubble scattered all around her, but she did not feel pain from laying upon it. Tears fell, splattering against the dust on the ground and leaving trails in the dirt upon her face. She did not know how long she had lain there, trying to ignore the ever growing instance in her horn telling her the sun must be raised. After some time more, she could resist it no longer. With a sense of relief that made her sick, her horn lit and the sun rose. From somewhere nearby, a riotous cheer rose and with it came a crescendo in the sounds of violence. Celestia closed her eyes and wept for her sister.
If you were to ask a different pony, perhaps they would respond differently. “Why isn’t it obvious?” they might laugh. “High noon! When her glory is high above us, clear for us all to see. When thieves and crooks cower, unable to find shadows to hide among. When the heat of the sun beats down upon all who are unjust, but shines kindly upon the good! Surely, they would say, Celestia must love high noon as the symbol of her brilliant and long-standing reign over Equestria.
There was no sound in the throne room. The heat was stifling. Outside the sun beat down on Canterlot, wilting flowers and drying grass. Not a wisp of cloud could be seen through the high windows that looked down on the Court of Fire. This was only the fifth recorded session of the court of fire in the past three hundred years. The third had been less than a month ago. The nobles present didn’t dare move, even to adjust their position for comfort. All attention was turned towards the door behind the throne. It swung open and the temperature of the room rose by ten degrees. Sweat began to run down the faces and necks of the nobles, many of them cursing the etiquette that required them to wear layers. These thoughts were driven from their mind as the silence was broken by hoofsteps and long breaths. The temperature shot up again as The Eternal Light, Flame in the Heart of her Ponies, Princess Celestia, moved into the room with deathly calm. Her breaths broke the silence, long and measured. With each exhalation a wave of heat surged forth, its distortion twisting her image to all those present. She did not sit, but stood before her throne and those whom she would judge. Two ponies quivered before her, their chains burning against their legs forgotten as the stared, petrified, up at their liege. A third stood tall, defiantly staring back at The Mightiest, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. A pony stepped forward, dripping in sweat and read the charges. Celestia didn’t need to hear them. Her country had been thrust into the fire, and if it were to survive, she must be the hammer that would shape it. The sun shone brighter. The room grew hotter.
If you were to ask one hundred ponies, most would reply with, “Dawn, silly,” or “Probably, midday.” But if there were a pony among them who was particularly thoughtful, they would pause. After a moment's consideration, they would tell you that it must be Twilight. Puzzled, you might furrow your brow and ask why. Well, they may say, our Princess ruled us alone for a thousand years. That’s enough to make anypony tired, even an alicorn. Twilight means her day is done and at last, she can rest. Twilight is the return of night and her sister’s time. It must’ve been her for her before Princess Luna’s return, to raise the moon each night. But now, every night is a reminder that her sister has returned.
The longest night in a hundred years was over. Celestia stared and trembled. There was the pony she had been waiting a thousand years to see again. The sister who she had loved and let down. She had wondered, she had dreamed, but she hadn’t dared to hope. Her reign as sole ruler was finally at its twilight. Her sister could rejoin her and they could start again.
Another voice called her name. She turned, and there was her student. The one who had earned her title more than any other. Her dearest Faithful Student had succeeded and had proved her title as none before had.
If you were to ask Princess Celestia what her favorite time of day was, her head would tilt and she would give you an appraising look. Then she would smile. Not her usual mother smile, but a different one, a softer one. She would turn her head and gaze off towards the distance. After only a moment, she would return her gaze to you and tell you it was probably, right after the sun sets but before the moon rises, when the world is in perfect balance between day and night. You would bow and thank her for answering your question and turn away. But as you would make your way to the throne room doors, you would spare one last glance at the Princess. She would not be looking at you but staring again off at the distance where the town of Ponyville is bathed in light.
Twilight turned from her work as Spike opened the door. He handed her a scroll and she thanked him. Her eyebrows rose in surprise at the seal. A letter opener floated over in her magic, broke the seal and set itself back down on her desk. She unrolled the scroll and her eyes scanned the text. A soft smile, so similar to one she had seen for years, grew on her face. She set the letter down on her desk and pulled out a fresh scroll. Her quill was dipped in the ink bottle and a reply was penned quickly. She stood and rushed to find her assistant. The soft smile still lingered on her features hours later.