The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm cascade of hues across Sunset Shimmer's bedroom in the castle. The walls glowed with the last remnants of daylight, creating a serene atmosphere. Sunset sat in her room at a gracefully carved desk, the surface was adorned with scrolls, and an array of mystical artifacts. A majestic, leather-bound textbook lay open before her, its pages filled with ancient runes and enchanting diagrams. The air hummed with an ambient magic as Sunset delved into the depths of her studies.
As Sunset immersed herself into her work, the tranquility of the moment was abruptly shattered by the sudden entrance of Princess Celestia. The tall doors swung open with a resounding thud, and Celestia stormed into the room, her regal demeanor disrupted by an air of urgency.
"Sunset Shimmer!" Celestia's voice thundered through the room, her Canterlot voice reverberated with authority. As she stormed in, the very air seemed to tremble, this caused books to sway on their shelves and objects on her dresser to dance erratically. The marble floor beneath Celestia's powerful strides groaned, the shelves creaked in protest, and the orbs of light jingled with an ethereal hum. Despite the chaos surrounding her, Sunset Shimmer remained an unyielding force, immersed in her world of relentless scribbling. Celestia, her imposing figure casting a shadow over the scene, continued her determined approach. With each step, the cold touch of the buckling marble floor added a tactile dimension to the unfolding confrontation. Yet, Sunset Shimmer, seemingly unfazed, persisted in her work, a testament to her steadfast focus in the face of the demi-god's formidable presence.
Sunset emitted an irritated exhale before finally addressing the intrusion, her voice carrying a tone of detached apathy, "What is it, Mom?" The lack of enthusiasm was palpable, as if her words were coated in a layer of disinterest.
With a disdainful tone, she spat her words at the irritated unicorn, "You know very well what!" The frustration in her voice was evident as she continued, "You've skipped classes for two weeks, missed midterms, and utterly disregarded our agreement. On a completely unrelated note, more than one guard has remarked on your noticeable odor. You have a private bathroom attached to your bedroom, and you're neglecting your hygiene entirely." Her anger surged as Sunset persistently ignored her. "This has become an issue. Your sole focus on research and constant studying is unhealthy, and it needs to cease immediately, Sunset."
Sunset, in a moment of begrudging acknowledgment, set aside her writing, giving Celestia the faintest trace of respect. "How many of your kids have died mom?" Her question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken grievances.
Celestia, caught off guard by the unexpected question, responded with a measured tone, "Sunset, this is neither the time nor the place for such discussions." As the intensity of her anger waned, her words carried a touch of restraint.
In a stoic and monotone voice, Sunset rose to confront Celestia, revealing her unsettling findings. "As far as I can tell, it's at least ten," she declared with an air of grim certainty. "I delved into the forbidden section of the main library and uncovered records of those, but there were more, weren't there?" Celestia, taken aback, found herself momentarily speechless. "Is this the reason for your celibacy?" Sunset's question hung in the air, shrouded in the weight of a revelation.
"That's enough," snapped Celestia, her tone cutting through the conversation. "My personal life is none of your concern, and we will not discuss it any further," she declared firmly.
The unabated sunset painted the sky in hues of fiery orange and pink. "I've noticed the intensity in your gaze towards the handsome stallion guards; there's no subtlety in your attempts to conceal it, and I'm not the only one to notice." In disbelief, Celestia's gaze remained fixed, her eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and astonishment. The air in the room seemed to hold its breath, capturing the moment of unanticipated revelation. "Your fear of losing others stems from the countless wounds inflicted from losing those around you. That's why you never make any attempt at relationships" The air carried the weight of unspoken pain, a lingering reminder of the scars left by the past.
Sunset made an attempt at a smile. "You're my sole family, the only tether I have to kinship. I sense the pain you're harboring, and I implore you mom, share your burden with me. Let the words flow, and let us navigate through the storm together." The air hung with a mix of concern and the unspoken desire for connection.
"Enough!" Celestia's voice thundered through the room, the room rocked as her voice reverberated with enough force to be felt several rooms away. The sheer power in her command echoed through the air, leaving a lingering vibration that hung in the atmosphere.
"I've grown weary of these games, Sunset. Your reluctance to forge connections is evident, and, more concerning, your academic future is at risk if you continue to neglect attendance," expressed with a mix of frustration and concern. Sunset averted her gaze, a cloak of shame settling upon her as a testament to her perceived failure.
"Perhaps making friends isn't meant for me," Sunset responded softly, her words carrying the weight of her pain. The air in the room seemed to absorb the vulnerability in her voice, creating a somber atmosphere that echoed the struggle within.
Shaking her head, Celestia asserted, "Building connections is within anyone's grasp, and from now on, you are forbidden from entering any library in the castle, as well as the research labs, until you resume attending classes," her tone unwavering in its firmness. The decree hung in the air, a tangible consequence adding weight to the importance of change.
Sunset shot a defiant glare at Celestia, poised to voice her objections, but before she could utter a word, Celestia interjected, "That's my final word on the subject." The air held a tense stillness, underscoring the authority and resolution in Celestia's declaration.
"Are you conveying this to me as my mother or the princess?" Sunset challenged defiantly. The air hung with tension, awaiting the distinction between the personal and royal facets of their relationship.
"Pick one," declared Celestia, her determination flowed through her words like a raging river. The intensity in her voice painted the atmosphere with an undeniable force, leaving no room for ambiguity
Celestia turned to leave, unaffected by Sunset's unblinking glare. "None of this matters, Celestia," Sunset uttered under her breath. Celestia paused briefly as she left the room, a heavy silence settled in as Celestia finally departed, leaving the lingering weight of unresolved emotions behind.