Celestia weakened from the spell falls down, exhausted. “Sunset you must be strong now. With these I pass the responsibility of leadership to you. I am much too weak, much too old to lead this empire with the force that is required” Reaching for her students face she softly touches it. “I know I ask a lot of you my dear, but I have faith in you, I trust you as a daughter” She gasps as her eyes close.
“Celestia, Celestia I won’t let you end it here, stay with me” Her horn glows draping the Queen of Equestria over her back. Heaving from the weight she steps forward through the old castle. Slowly making her way through the forest she watches as the moon slowly hovers in the night sky begging for the sun to raise, a request that would have to wait for Sunset. Leaving the forest behind her, a clearing and a strange house seems to wait for the two.
Sunset knocks errantly at the door, the short time feeling like a eternity when a strange pony greats them. “Is it something urgent you require? Something which gives you great ire? Let me do what I do best, while you two sit and rest. Something like a tonic, potion
a brew or elixir of salve or lotion?” She asks as she prepares a cot for the two. “So that is why it is still night, without our queen will we ever see the light” She mixes a powder and applies it to the Alicorns horn.
Sunset hugs her teacher, “Don’t worry Celestia… I won’t let this be the end.” She slowly rises up, and then stops as the slight whisper catches her ear.
“Sunset you must stop the moon, Sunrise must stop the night.” She collapses again, as Zecora applies the magical salve.
“Stop the moo…” The darkness she had seen arise was now being felt, a wave of depression and anger hit her as she stepped outside. Black clouds formed around the moon, a evil presence so powerful that even Zecora began to feel the evil energies.
“Demon spores and harmony’s foe.” Zecora chants in fear.
“Darkest forces out power the light, even a sun can-not overcome this night.”
Sunset stands out her chest puffed up, “Perhaps not a son, but how about her heir”
Her horn glows, blinding those looking at it. The moon fights against her hold but eventually are overpowered by the strong willed unicorn as she forces it into the horizon. A bright sun rose from the east chasing the last of the evil taint that had filled the air.
Sunset beamed at her accomplishments; never had she guessed that she could be capable of this.
Two days passed until Celestia was able to move about on her own again, but Sunset could tell that the energy that she once had as princess of Equestria was gone, perhaps for good. Helping her former teacher to the train station, Celestia begged for forgiveness that she could no longer help her. “Sunset, my child, I wish I could show you more. You must forgive me for stealing your youth, for stealing your childhood however” she looks up at the sky to a sun of such energy and life. “You seem to have accepted it with pride, I am as proud of you as any teacher could ever be of there student.”
Sunset bowed her head in praise but could feel a bit of truth in the statement, was being the heir to Celestia worth her childhood?
Weeks passed as Celestia rested back at the castle. While she was out Sunset soon became not only the bearer of both the moon and sun, but also the leader of the School of Gifted Unicorns. Arriving late after a meeting she was greeted by Civil Servant. “My Princess, I have some news about our latest gifted students.” He handed her a scroll with names of the most promising students.
“Thank you Civil but I am not a princess, only a servant to Celestia” She smiled looking over the names of the students. Many of them were just passing, and a few had accomplished a few magical deeds. However one student seemed to stand far beyond her peers. “So this Twilight, she seems quite talented, do you think that she is ready for the test.”
Civil shock his head. “No she wishes to wait till the end of the semester, though I do believe she would pass, she seems to have a self confidence issue.”
“Perhaps she needs a friend.” She smiles leading Civil back to her room.
Spike greets her as she walks in. “So what can the brother of the queen of Equestria do for his sister.” He jokes seeing Civil there.
“Spike” She punches him in the shoulder. “Actually I do have a job for you. I want you to tutor a new student I have my eye on.
"Really you think I can help someone, but you know so much more magic than I could ever know."
"Yes Spike but she doesn't need help with magic, she needs a friend. I am far to busy to give her the attention that you could."
"Alright Sunset, but may I ask the name of my new ward."
She smiles grabbing the scroll and opening it, "Yes her name is Twilight and I think she has a lot of potential."
Spike snorts at the idea. “Twilight, there is no way a pony with that name can be that great, but if you think it would be good for her.”
“And you” she finishes. “You have been taught nearly as much as me yet you have never got the recognition for it. I get you this job because I know you deserve it and can do it. I want you to feel proud of your accomplishments.” She giggles a bit. “I would have rather you been the ‘Queen’ of Equestira just to see you have to wear this clunky outfit.”