//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: My Beloved Student 
// Story: Messenger 
// by SkycatcherEQ 
//------------------------------//

	Sunset closed the cab door behind her and walked briskly up to the house. She raised a hand to knock, but then hesitated for a moment with a long, deep breath. Steeling herself, she nodded with determination and rapped on the door. 

Glancing down at the envelope in her hands, she discovered her foot tapping nervously on the ground. 

The door’s handle rattled briefly before a sliver of light opened into Adagio in her nightshirt and sweatpants.

Sunset leapt at her and pulled her into a tight hug. She took another deep breath and exhaled, “Oh my goodness, thank you!”

Adagio stiffened for a moment, but then raised her arms and warmly returned the embrace. When they pulled back, she met Sunset’s eyes and asked, “What’s this for?”

Sunset lifted both of her upturned palms and presented the envelope resting between them.

“Huh. If that’s what I think it is, then I suppose she pulled it off.”

Sunset nodded with a teary smile. “Yeah.”

Adagio gently stroked her shoulder. “Come in.”

Once inside, Sunset saw Aria and Sonata standing next to each other waving around a set of wireless game controllers. 

Aria flashed a quick sideways grin. “Hey.”

Sonata, though, turned to wave excitedly, controller still in hand. When she looked back to the television screen, she let out an “Eep!” before motioning furiously to steer whatever she was piloting back on course.

Adagio gestured toward Sunset to follow her. “Let’s find a quiet room so we can talk.” She led Sunset down the hall and into her bedroom where they both sat down on the foot of the bed.

“Have you read it yet?”

“I haven’t,” Sunset replied, staring down at the letter between her hands. “When Twilight told me what you’d done, I just had to rush over and see you.” Looking back up to Adagio, she felt tears again swelling in her eyes.

Adagio rubbed a hand across her back. “I’ll give you some privacy then—if you’d like to read it here. And you’re welcome to stay for a while. I'm sure those two will be up for a few hours anyway.”

“I’ll take you up on that.” Sunset laughed softly. She laid the envelope down on the bed and leaned into Adagio, holding her close with another hug. “I still can’t believe how wonderful this is. I really can't tell you how grateful I am. So just… Thank you, Adagio.”

Adagio tightened her hug for a moment before letting go and brushing a hand down Sunset's arm with a quiet nod. She stood up and walked out the door, closing it slowly behind her.

Sunset took off her boots and pulled both knees up close to her chest. Gently and reverently, she broke the seal on the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before finally unfolding it.

My dearest Sunset Shimmer,

Before I write further, please know that I love you so very much. I always have, and I always will.

I am deeply sorry for my silence over this past year. It was in part because I thought it best that I not interfere with your newfound growth. But in larger part, it was due to the regret I feel for my lack of vision during our later years together.

I know you blame yourself for everything that has happened. But this is not a burden which rests solely on your shoulders. 

I myself had grown irresponsible as our time together drew on. I had come to hold you too close to my own heart, perhaps to fill a void within or for some other motive which still eludes me. But for that reason, I found myself in denial regarding the depth of the darkness which had begun to cloud your spirit, and I did not do as much as I should have to help you overcome it. 

Were it not for my misplaced attachment, perhaps things might have turned out differently for both of us. You deserved so much more. And I am sorry that failed you in this regard.

From what Twilight has told me, I understand now that we both harbor regrets for the things that have happened. And this, I feel, is the most important step toward moving forward. Your actions and growth over this past year speak to a bright and happy future, and it is my hope that this letter will find you the closure you need to continue on and embrace it.

Regarding your three newest friends, I presume you have come to realize that you share a unique bond with them which none of the others could understand. So I pray you continue to treasure this and nurture it.

Lastly, I am certain that if you hold true to your inner flame of hope, and the passion it ignites inside you, great things will continue to follow you wherever you go. 

I love you, Sunset. Please know that from this day on, you may always turn to me in times of need, or to simply share whatever joys might come into your life. 

I am here for you always.

Drawing an overdue breath in and out, Sunset let her hand holding the letter fall to the bed. She looked up at the ceiling for a moment and closed her eyes. Was she laughing or crying? It was a relieving bit of both, she decided.

And as her tears fell, the years of pent-up anguish began to drain out with them. A long, dark chapter of her life had finally come to a close, and she was eager now for the next to begin. She spent several more minutes in quiet thought as the weight on her shoulders turned to dust and drifted off in the wind.

Drying her eyes, Sunset stood and made her way toward the bedroom window. She leaned against the frame and crossed her arms with a relaxed sigh. In the starlit sky above the eastern hills, a sliver of crescent hung on the emerging new moon.

Sunset again closed her eyes and smiled to herself—knowing that in a few hours she could, for the first time, watch this world's sunrise from a place of genuine happiness, and without a heavy heart.

But that was for later. She glanced down again at the letter in her hands, and then toward the bedroom door as her smile grew brighter. Her friends were waiting for her down the hall.