Sunset was restless. Her bed was comfortable, but sleep was hard in coming tonight. She kept going back in her mind to that evening. Celestia had shown her Star Swirl’s mirror, and she had seen her destiny in it.
She’d always known that she belonged here with her mentor, Princess Celestia. But what she had seen just confirmed it. Looking into the mirror as her mentor requested, she saw something more precious than she could ever have imagined.
She saw a new alicorn princess. Herself. Sunset Shimmer, Princess of Equestria.
It was an understatement to say she was shocked when she saw that. She had always dreamed of being by her mentor’s side, the only pony who had even remotely acted like a mother to her. When Celestia had taken her into the school for gifted unicorns, she was delighted, and dreamed of finding a way to repay the princess for her kindness.
Then, when the princess had taken her on as her private pupil, she thought her dreams had come true. She would dedicate her life to serving the princess, whatever it took to stay by her side and keep her safe. To return the kindness her princess had shown her.
To that end, she had focused intensely on her studies, learning magic and practicing her spells. When her mentor suggested she spend more time making friends, she put token efforts into it, but seriously, what could be more important than studying to serve the best friend she already had? The only mare that had ever even shown a personal interest in her? The one that most acted like a mother to her. The mare she wanted to be with for the rest of her life, and to serve.
So no. She wasn’t really interested in friends. Besides, most of the ponies that tried to be her friends once she became the Princesses' student were trying to use her to gain status. She wasn’t that naive. She could tell they were only interested in using her, and frankly why should she waste her time making friends with ponies that were not interested in being real friends?
It was a source of frustration between them. But her mentor, while persistently reminding her, didn’t begrudge her enthusiasm. She accepted Sunset where she was, and helped her learn and grow as best she could.
And now, Sunset knew. She had seen it, and she knew in her heart it was true. She was destined to become a princess too, and rule by the side of her mentor, together forever. She shook with joy at the thought. She would finally be able to repay the kindness her Princess had shown her. She would finally be worthy of the love she had already shown her.
She would not let her down. She would redouble her efforts, her learning, and not let anything distract her from her goal.
Princess Sunset. Forever by her mentor’s side.