Slow hoofsteps echoed down the large, elegant hallways of Canterlot Castle, breaking the otherwise calm silence. Two ponies - one tall and sleek, with a mane and tail that flowed even in the absence of breeze, and another short and comparatively ordinary, walked side-by-side.
With a sigh, the larger spoke first. “The guards claim they saw you lingering near the Mirror again. Is this true?” Celestia glanced down at her pupil with apprehension. Sunset merely huffed and continued to look onward, confirming her suspicions.
Celestia’s face turned stern. “Sunset Shimmer, we have discussed this. Many times. There are very few things I forbid. The Mirror is one of them. You will come to understand its properties when you are ready.”
“So it is magical, I knew it!” Sunset looked up at her mentor with a smug expression, before a glare of disapproval shot her down. Sunset frowned off to the side as the two continued to walk.
“You have let your studies slip over this obsession,” Celestia scolded. “And must I remind you of the importance-”
“I’m passing my classes with flying colors,” Sunset replied, confidence adorning her face.
“-of making friends?” Celestia finished her statement with a note of emphasis. “You are a promising magic student, but you have been neglecting your fellow classmates and the studies you have taken-on as my personal student. Your study of friendship-”
Sunset stopped mid-stride, and turned to face Celestia. Celestia stopped to face her in turn. “Your studies have been nothing but a distraction!” She turned away with a sneer. “You’re just worried I’ll surpass you!"
“That is enough! There is more to life than magic, and being proficient at it will not get you as far in life as you may think.” Celestia looked down with frustration at her pupil.
Sunset cast a hoof up at Celestia. “It got you a position as ruler of Equestria.”
“My abilities alone are not how I came to be where I am today. I owe it to things that I’ve learned from family…” Celestia’s voice wavered, “-and yes, even friends. You would, perhaps, understand that by now if you didn’t use your time obsessing over the Mirror, but instead in following my instruction.” Celestia’s stern voice betrayed her dignified demeanor.
Silence fell shortly after, and the two continued walking, with Sunset keeping stubbornly quiet and avoiding eye-contact as she glared at the floor. Soon enough, the two arrived outside, a pegasi-drawn chariot awaiting them in the courtyard. After a pleasant greeting on Celestia’s part, she climbed aboard. Sunset moved to join her, but was halted by Celestia’s outstretched hoof.
“No, I believe some fresh air will do you well. You will walk, and please at least greet a few ponies on your way to the school. I will see you soon.” Without awaiting a reply, Celestia signaled for the chariot to depart. With little run-up, the pegasi took flight, Celestia’s chariot pulled closely behind. Sunset stared up in bewilderment as it disappeared over Canterlot’s skyline, her face slowly morphing to contempt.
She would not go to school that day. Or ever again.
Once they had reached altitude, Celestia leaned back against the chariot, resting as she finally allowed herself to relax. As the wind upon her coat cooled emotion, she let her mind wander. This hadn’t been the first, or even the fifth time that the two of them have had to discuss this very issue. She never wished to be stern with her little ponies, but Sunset’s arrogance and dismissal of her words had left Celestia frustrated and worn. Sunset had been - still is - a very promising protégé, but as of late she has been very… troublesome, Celestia admitted to herself with an uncomfortable glance down at the cityscape below.
Sunset was powerful and accomplished for such a young age, and yet, that power must be tempered by things that only friendship can teach, and soon. Celestia wasn’t wrong to encourage it, she was sure of that. It was a little unconventional, but if her experiences with her sister had proven anything, it was that she had left her friendless, and that hadn’t turned out well. Celestia was unable to be a friend to Sunset, so it only made sense to encourage her to seek out friends of her own. And if her suspicions about friendship prove true, well… she decided it wasn’t worth thinking that far ahead. Not yet.
After a ponderous flight, the chariot began to descend. Touching down, its wheels rolled smoothly across the well-kept stones of Canterlot’s streets before stopping in front of a tall structure with three spires. Like the rest of Canterlot’s architecture, it bore a mixture of purples and whites and gold trim along its elegant form.
Celestia took a deep breath, and carefully disembarked from the chariot, meeting the eyes of her many subjects that had stopped to observe in splendid awe. She courteously smiled, bowed, and turned to her pegasi guards, looking down at them with a caring gaze. “You may take your leave, and please try to relax. I will return early, after noon.” Although the guards were hesitant to leave Celestia alone, they had given up trying to argue long ago; Celestia insisted that their presence was not necessary here; who would be cruel, or perhaps dumb, enough to do anything at a magic school in the middle of Canterlot of all places?
Approaching the stairs, she made her way up past marble columns and onlooking subjects before stepping up to the front entrance. Beside it rested a rather large plaque, adorned with words that Celestia only accepted out of polite respect;
‘Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns.’
Although this place was one of her greatest accomplishments of the last century, she had taken exception to it being dedicated to her: in all things, credit was unnecessary - something she wished Sunset to understand. Nonetheless, her time as ruler had taught her it’s best to graciously accept whatever ways her subjects wished to honor her: to do otherwise would cause great upset. Though she had to admit, her subjects’ antics were often very humorous - but she kept that to herself.
In earlier days, when she had seen so many talented unicorns not honing their skills as they should have been allowed to do, she had taken it upon herself to create the school. Here, a unicorn could learn to better themselves and their magic, and its many programs aided them in finding ways to put their abilities to good use afterwards.
With a quick and easy use of her magic, Celestia opened one of the large doors and stepped inside. She allowed it to close behind her, a quiet thud echoing through the silent hallways. Thankful to see that she was on schedule, she proceeded up the staircase to the second floor, the hallways clear of students.
Still, she took her time down the hallway, taking-in the calm atmosphere of the tiled, lavender hallways and marbled walls. At times, she wished that she had the opportunity to learn in a place like this. To learn alongside friends and share in the literal magic of it all, it must be a wondrous experience. During her time studying under Starswirl, she had only Luna to share it with, and much to her regret she hadn’t appreciated that time more - or been a reliably study-partner either. The two of them were close, at least Celestia liked to think so, but matters of learning had left them at odds with each other, often. Every time they fought or argued, Celestia would simply double-down on her own studies and shut Luna out. It was a lonely experience, and something she didn’t wish to see repeated… for anypony.
As she finally arrived at her destination, a rather tall set of oak double-doors awaited her. Although they bore her name, she never considered this solely her space. She preferred to treat it more like a lounge for the school’s teachers. She didn’t often have time to be at the school, so it only made sense not to let the room go unused. Still, as she reached out a hoof to gently push the door open, she hoped it was currently unoccupied. The first of many one-on-one meetings with each teacher was still a half-hour away, at least.
Stepping inside, her hopes had been met as the room was currently empty. At the far end was a large desk made of varnished wood, a nameplate on top marked with her name. Behind it a quaint-but-comfortable chair, upsized for her. A large window behind that. Just beside it in the left corner was a small, magically-powered refrigerator - undoubtedly keeping several lunches and beverages cold at this very moment. Closer to the doors and off to the right sat two sofas, facing each-other with a coffee table spaced evenly between. Built into that wall was also a large set of bookshelves, lined with many books.
Celestia approached the desk, eyeing a cup of pens on top. She retrieved one with her magic, looking at it thoughtfully.
Celestia had yet to find pens uninteresting. They were a relatively recent invention, as far as her lifespan was concerned. Efficient, and easy to use. Whomever had been clever enough to put the inkwell inside of a metal quill must have been quite the visionary… or perhaps a bit lazy. She allowed her staff to use these here, out of sight of students, to make their work easier. However, her students were permitted only to use traditional ink and quill - with rare exception - if only to teach them patience, and skillful care.
Sunset would likely be one to use a pen, Celestia glumly considered, placing the pen back into its place. Stepping around the desk, she moved to sit down, resting as she looked across the empty room. Who knows? Sunset might be the next great visionary. Perhaps she’ll invent a spell that will allow ponies to cast words to page without a tool, freeing them of the burden of carefully considering each word they wrote.
Celestia sighed, ignited her horn, and opened the refrigerator without moving a muscle. Retrieving a pitcher of water, she placed it onto her desk carefully. Alongside it came a teacup and bag from on top of the refrigerator. After pouring water into the cup without even touching the pitcher, she looked at it in consideration. Gently setting it down, she dissipated her magic and opted to stand-up, gently take the pitcher into her hooves, and replace it into the refrigerator by hoof, before returning to her seat.
Not content with cold tea, she sighed, ignited her horn, and the cup was soon surrounded by her magical aura. There was no movement at first, until gradually the water sputtered, bubbled, and a thin strand of steam rose from it. After placing the tea bag inside, she ceased her magic.
Although time had taught her an openness to change, she grew weary of watching the things she had come to know fade, and be replaced. Quill becomes pen. Parchment becomes paper. Sorcery becomes Magic. The changes often came fast, and Celestia had to keep up. It only served to further distance her from her subjects.
Taking her cup of tea into her hooves, she cautiously sniffed for its fragrance before taking a sip, relishing the calming taste of chamomile as her thoughts continued. Despite the tranquility of her warm tea, her mind still drifted to somber thoughts.
If only her sister were here; she’d likely be able to relate to Celestia’s misgivings about the new as well. Celestia steeped - not unlike her tea - as she considered the past. The day she and her sister had fought, and she had banished her sister to the Moon, had been a long time ago. Although she was past the grieving by now, it still weighed on her mind from time-to-time. She took a sip from her tea, finding it depleted.
Of course, the following months afterward weren’t easy on anypony, herself least of all. She still didn’t understand what those craters, and the silhouette they formed, had represented; though she was confident they didn’t represent what she had understood at the time: the events that transpired shortly-after her sister’s banishment had made that clear.
Or had it? Only time will tell.
A knock came at the doors. Sunset must have finally arrived, and was likely upset.
This situation would call for another cup of tea.
Celestia stood from her desk, absentmindedly using her magic to assemble a new cup of tea as she approached the doors.
Taking a deep breath, she opened them. Slowly pushed to their sides, Celestia was met not by her pupil, but by a gray unicorn mare, one of the teachers in her employ. Her expression lightened... though, her mood was a bit more complicated. “Ah, is it time for our chat already, Professor Inkwell? My apologies, the hour must have passed me by.”
Before Celestia could welcome Inkwell inside, she took the initiative herself, hurrying inside. “Phoenix feathers, Celestia, I’m afraid I’m early. I had to let the students go early.” She seemed weary, and Celestia could tell Inkwell’s gait was heavy, and burdened. Celestia let her go about her business undeterred.
“That is unfortunate. May I ask why?” Celestia approached her desk, returning to her seat as Inkwell moved. The aging mare approached the refrigerator and retrieved a pre-made cup of dark tea sitting inside.
“Please, Princess, I need a moment. My aging heart can’t take it.” Inkwell replied with serious exhaustion. Celestia began to grow worried, although she did a fine job of keeping it in-check. She was, after all, a beacon of confidence for her subjects.
“Shall I-” Celestia began, gesturing at the cup in her hooves, her horn gently glowing in indication.
“N’thank you, Princess. I prefer mine as chilly as the heart of a dragon, y’know that.” Inkwell sipped her tea slowly, giving time for Celestia to consider her. She had been one of the first approached about teaching at the school when it was first established, and had done an exemplary job. Although lately, Celestia had heard a few complaints about her methods; many of her students claimed Professor Inkwell was too “old fashioned,” and “weird.” Although Celestia perhaps agreed with the latter, she could not take her acquaintance’s dire mood lightly. She waited patiently.
“So, may I ask what troubled your class?” Celestia asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
“Dreams, nightmares.” Inkwell promptly replied with a tired, weighted sigh. “Multiple of them. Pretty-big coincidence, ... if’n I believed in that kinda thing.” Her next sip of tea was heavy with subtext, as she looked unwaveringly at Celestia.
Celestia caught herself becoming visibly unnerved. Her hoof twitched, and she was forced to place down her own tea. No… it couldn’t be. Surely. “What… did they say?”
Inkwell noted Celestia’s dire tone, placing her tea down. “I tried to keep’n ’em calm, but … I’m afraid it’s her, Celestia. Your sister. I may be growin’ slow in age, but even I remember what you told me about her all those years ago. Dreams’n such?”
Celestia had, indeed, explained one night many, many years ago. It was during one of her few moments of weakness, but she had trusted Inkwell to keep it to herself - and she had, admirably.
Celestia was skeptical at first. This wasn’t the first time Professor Inkwell took things a little too seriously, and yet…
… No. The only way Luna could escape was through Celestia releasing her, she was sure of it. Sure, the time was approaching, but this was too soon.
Celestia had considered the idea that Nightmare Moon could, indeed, influence nightmares, even from her prison… but Celestia was sure by now that threat had passed, that she couldn’t do anything while imprisoned on the Moon…
… Even if she could, why would she? What does she have to gain from assaulting their subjects? Is this some petty revenge, or is there something more to her actions?
…
Celestia stood tall. “Come, Professor. Walk with me.” The two approached the door, each hoofstep bearing the weight of a hundred thoughts.
“I want you to tell the other teachers classes are canceled for the day. Students are to stay in their rooms.” Celestia stopped and looked at Inkwell. “And do not, under any circumstances, share what I have told you. I don’t want to cause a panic while I look into this.”
“Nothin’ to worry about, Princess. Y’made me promise way-back-then, I ain’t lookin’ to break it now.” With that, the two turned to leave… and the door flew open to reveal a pony dressed in a nurse’s uniform.
“Princess, thank goodness you’re here! We have an emergency in the clinic, we could really use your help!”