Celestia sipped her tea, “Let's discuss strategy.”
Sunset indicated that she was listening. Though, the day's rain had put her into a somnolent mood. Due to the inclement weather, she had opted to take the train. The rhythmic clickity-clack of the rail and gentle sway if the car was enough to lull any passenger into a sound sleep.
“Surely, you have a plan to handle this world," Celestia continued, "I'd like to hear it.”
Sunset looked thoughtfully at her knight. “Not much of a plan yet. Still many years to put all the pieces in place.”
“How many.”
Sunset sighed with a shrug, “Hard to say.”
“Rough estimate.”
“A decade, maybe two. Their time, of course.”
“Of course. But, please, continue.”
Sunset heaved another sigh, “I need to embed myself into their political infrastructure. I can't run for office because of age requirements. While not yet eligible for president, I will be for other offices in about six years.” She advanced a mage before rising for a stretch.
Celestia watched as Sunset walked over to the kitchen. “There's still hot tea in the pot.”
“Not wanting tea.”
“I hope you're not going to make any of that foul, black water.”
“It's called 'coffee',” Sunset chuckled, “And, if you want me to keep playing, I'm going to need some.”
“That's what tea is for.”
Sunset chuckled again, “Doesn't work for me that way. Tea is for comfort, coffee is for results.” She rummaged through her saddlebag for a small pouch of coffee grounds and supplies.
Celestia thoughtfully studied the board, “I suppose if the caffeine doesn't wake you, the taste sure will.”
Sunset placed her percolator on the stove with a wide smile. “Exactly.”
The elder mare disapprovingly frowned as she took a sip of her prestigious drink. “At any rate, I'm sensing taking political office is not your first plan.”
“Finance is the greatest power over there;" Sunset explained, "and the best part is anyone can achieve it. As a private citizen, in the right industry, I can covertly rule a whole planet. Given the right amount of time, and I could have those miserable humans eating right out of my palm.
“My time terrorizing that school was just a dry run. Humans are easily manipulated if you have the right incentive. I should have no problem scaling up.”
“That sounds very encouraging. How do you intend on getting there?”
“Friendship,” Sunset snarked, returning to the table, “Rarity and Applejack can get me into commerce. Applejack also has ties to the rural, agricultural, and the blue-collar labor force. Fluttershy can get me connected with the environmentalism crowd. Twilight Sparkle is my link to the science community. Rainbow Dash is contemplating going into the military; barring that, law enforcement.”
“You're forgetting one. What of Pinkie Pie?”
“She's a loose cannon—in more ways than one. In a way it works to my advantage. She's undecided about her future and, therefore, malleable. She may prove to be my biggest tool.”
“I trust you've already started?”
Sunset nodded, “I've invested in quite a few stocks and grown a sizable capital.”
Celestia advanced a pawn, threatening Sunset's knight. “You say you need the right industry. You have one in mind?”
“Energy.”
“Isn't there already a lot of competition?”
Sunset slyly smiled. “Not in harnessing magic. I've already developed some prototypes. While not yet practical, I can collect the ambient magic. Actually, I believe this technology will be beneficial to this side as well.”
Celestia sipped her tea, “Then, all we'd need to plan is our moment to strike.”
“Let me make myself very clear:" Sunset said sternly, "I will never do anything to harm that world.”
“Grown a soft spot for the inhabitants, have we?” Her smirk was dissolved by the determination in Sunset's eyes. “Very well, I'll let you decide what is best.”
“I would rather become an ally on their terms than ours. It's better if we appear as a benevolent force than a hostile one.”
Celestia sighed, “You listen to Twilight too much.”
“Perhaps...” Sunset moved her knight to a safe place, attacking Celestia's queen, “Speaking of which, my plan works better if Twilight is involved.”
“That can't happen.”
Sunset faltered, “But, she already knows that world, and has the confidence and support of its people.”
“Then either accelerate your plans, or revise them to exclude Twilight.”
“How much time do I have?”
“It's best if you don't know. I can only say that the pieces have been set. I need only to make the first move.”
“I need to know! Ten years? Twenty? Given the time differential, that isn't a whole lot of time for me!”
“Then, maybe, it's best if you erase Twilight from your plans. May I suggest Starlight Glimmer as an alternative?”
Sunset's eyes darted back and forth as she mulled over the proposition. “I suppose Starlight could work...”
“Good. All the same, I find your distress over Twilight's fate troubling.”
“It's fine,” Sunset snipped.
“I think not. I warned you about getting too close. I don't know what feelings you have developed for her, but I need you to remain on-task.”
“I am.”
Celestia leaned forward. “And so am I.”
---
“You've been very quiet this evening.”
“Just tired.”
Twilight stood beside Sunset at the balcony railing, trying to figure out what she was staring at. The rainy day had given way to a cool, breezy night. The stars and moon were high in the sky, though some clouds still covered them from view.
“You barely said a word during supper,” the princess said, “I just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong.”
“Like I said,” Sunset softly replied, “I'm just tired.”
“Princess Celestia really kicked you around the board today, huh?”
“Something like that. Weather didn't help either.”
“Yeah," Twilight snorted, "well, not much to be done about that. Weather pegasi tend to do whatever they please.”
“I'm sure they have some sort of system.”
“Well, I was just about to make some tea. Was wondering if you wanted any.”
“Tea sounds good.”
“Excellent!” Twilight smiled, tapping her forehooves together, “I'll get the kettle started!” She turned to leave, but was quickly turned back when she heard Sunset's voice. She looked curiously at her friend.
Sunset teetered slightly on her hooves. She saw Twilight looking expectantly at her. “Can I,” she faltered, “Can I give you a hug?”
Though confused, Twilight graciously granted the request. As they embraced, Sunset saw Tempest Shadow lingering in the doorway, keeping careful watch over the monarch.
The two unicorns briefly locked eyes before Tempest turned and disappeared into the castle.