Princess Celestia waited until the others had gone before opening the envelope Twilight had given her. The front of the envelope read simply Princess Celestia. Opening it, she found a few sheets of paper with a note on top. She sat down on some cushions and began to read. Dear Princess Celestia, it began.
I have given this letter to Twilight to bring to you. This is a letter for my brother, and I ask that, once you have read it, you please bring it to his grave, as I cannot. I have decided to stay behind, in this world, in order to help repair the wrongs I have done. I know that I have done awful things, but I hope that you can still forgive me. In reading this letter, perhaps you can understand the reasons behind my actions and my feelings. I know that these cannot excuse me or my actions, but I want you to know why I did what I did. I am truly sorry for what I have done, and I pledge to make it up to you and everyone else. Until that time, please remember me with kindness and friendship. -Sunset Shimmer
Celestia put the note aside and began to read the letter. She had to stop several times to wipe the tears from her eyes. At last, when she was finished reading, she folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. Standing, she walked over to the window and looked out into the night sky. She had of course known about Sunset Shimmer's brother, but she had known neither the seriousness of his illness nor the attachment Sunset Shimmer had had for him. Sunset had never been very talkative; even when her brother had been well, she had kept to herself and to her books more than being around other ponies. Even Celestia, her teacher, had never grown very close to her.
"So, Twilight found a way to bring peace to you as well, my pupil," she whispered. "Of course I forgive you. We have all made our mistakes, even myself." She glanced towards the tower where Princess Luna kept watch over the night. "I hope that you will return one day soon. Until then, let your friends guide you and help you on your journey." Out the window, a new day was dawning, and once again, all was right.