Twilight awoke really early this morning, she didn’t know why but she found it hard to get back to sleep. Deciding not to waste this time, Twilight quietly and as stealthily as she could, worked her way out of the bed, being careful not to wake her husband. Once she was out, Twilight stood there at the edge, gazing upon her sleeping stallion, his scruffy blue beard, which she would never admit – given the many times she heckled him to trim it – she liked his beard, and that it made him seem more rugged.
The Princess of Friendship then quietly exited their bedroom and left to walk about the castle. She decided to stop by Stella’s room, wanting to see how her daughter was doing. Twilight figured she’d still be sleeping, but that still never stopped her from checking on her before. The alicorn mare made a few turns down various hallways until she ended up at the doors to her daughter’s room. Using her magic, Twilight opened the door and ever so quietly entered.
The room itself reminded the alicorn mare a lot of her old room at Canterlot Castle, before she moved to Ponyville. The room was split into two levels, and had a foyer, along with another room separate that acted as the main bedroom. There was a couch in the middle of the room, right across from a fireplace. Currently not in use since it was the middle of spring. To her right the wall was turned into one long bookshelf, with various books on magic and astronomy, even books on scientific theory, mathematics, chemistry, alchemy, and everything else from fiction to nonfiction books.
The wall of books wound all the way, continuing until it hit the staircase that led to the second floor. Twilight knew where she would find her daughter, but decided to check just in case. She made her way to the door that led to the main bedroom. Peeking inside, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw that the bed was still made and untouched.
With a chuckle, she closed the doors and flapped her wings. She ascended to the second floor, landing lightly on the carpeted floor. The upper half of the room was turned into a mini-observatory. Stella’s passion for stargazing saw to it that Stella’s room would have telescope for her to see the night sky and all its heavenly wonders. Twilight remembered how Luna was extremely gleeful to have a pony so interested her work.
To Twilight’s right was a writing desk with a lamp on it, the cubbyholes and drawers stuffed to the brim with Stella’s various notes, writing and mapping utensils. To her left was a star map, showing the different positions of the stars and constellations, Twilight could even see her shorthoof notes scribbled onto the sides and near circled parts. It amazed ponies how she could read, what others have dubbed “chicken scratch”, but then again, when Twilight got into serious research mode, she did the same thing. It wouldn’t be fitting if she couldn’t even read her own daughter’s notes.
Lastly, a large and long telescope protruded through the crystal panels, leading all the way down to where Twilight would find her daughter passed out, and surprisingly, with a guest. Stella Nova, the light-gray unicorn mare, was sleeping soundly, and right across from her slept her half-sister, the pegasus mare Flare Sparks. A journal and pencil rested between them, opened up to show Stella’s notes and observations. Twilight smiled warmly at the two, feeling happy that Stella was sharing in her hobbies with Flare. Even though Twilight knew that it might not be her thing, it was still heartwarming to see Flare spend time with Stella, no doubt Stella made the stargazing interesting, but Twilight knew it was not for everypony.
It was times like these that she couldn’t believe all three of them believed that Stella and Flare were secretly dating each other. Somehow word reached somepony about Stella hanging out with a new mare in town, it then passed on several times after that, devolving into its final form when it reached the castle, and the words “Stella” and “marefriend” were used in conjunction with “pegasus mare”. Twilight, Flash, and Sunset somehow assumed this meant they were in an incestuous relationship, making Twilight research tons of psychological and parenting books alongside Sunset and Flash to learn how to best approach the subject.
Imagine their embarrassment when both mares told them that they had just gotten through explaining to their friends that that was not the case, and now having to deal with the same accusation from their own parents. Twilight knew that Stella and Flare were embarrassed, but not as much as the three of them were afterwards.
One giant misunderstanding, thought Twilight.
Her horn lit up, levitating a blanket that was resting on the couch below and brought it up to drape over both mares. A content smile formed on their lips, making Twilight’s smile broaden. She had to admit, they did look cute together like that.
Aaaaaaaaannnnd moving on!
Deciding to get out the room before the old part of her mind started to go into “shipping mode”, Twilight continued her rounds with a visit to the other wing of the castle, where Sunset Shimmer resided. The Princess of Friendship made a few more turns through the halls before arriving at the East Wing of the castle. She spotted the room in question, it bared Sunset’s cutie mark so it wasn’t that hard.
Twilight, like before, stealthily entered the mare’s room. Sunset’s room was modest, despite how she used to act when they were younger. Twilight had offered to accommodate her in a larger room, something closer to the way Stella’s room was. But she refused, in Sunset’s mind she was still a guest, even though the five of them had that portrait done of all of them as a family, Sunset herself was still trying to adjust to that.
The alicorn mare entered the room, spotting the doors to the main bedroom. She opened the doors with her magic and entered, seeing Sunset Shimmer, her mane undone, lying in her bed as her chest rose and sank with each breath. Twilight walked in and stood at her bedside. Both of them were former students of Princess Celestia, both had to learn a lesson in the Magic of Friendship. For Twilight, it was through Celestia’s guidance that she ended up in Ponyville, well, guidance and fate. Found the five mares who would become her best friends for life, connected by the magic of friendship, the powers of harmony, and a bond formed during a sonic rainboom.
Sunset learned her lessons in friendship much later, the first was when Twilight and the parallel human versions of her friends defeated Sunset and purified her of her dark ambitions. The second was when they faced the Sirens, and Twilight left her there, feeling that a new time in Sunset’s life was beginning. Twilight had wondered if Sunset and she were always destined to be the other’s friend. They were both very bright, gifted in magic, and ironically enough, both fell for the same man/stallion, and even had daughters.
If we were both picked by Celestia at the same time, and studied together, I wonder, would we be here, like this?
“Flash…”
Twilight flinched, wondering if she had been found out. It was then that she noticed Sunset crying, and her heart sank.
“Flash…please don’t leave me…oh Celestia please open your eyes…! Don’t leave us alone…!”
And yet, it was something like this that made Twilight wonder how life could be so unfair. She was an alicorn, a Princess, married to the stallion she loved, surrounded by friends, and had a wonderful daughter. Sunset had her husband tragically taken from her, the human versions of her friends all left to pursue their life’s goals, it wasn’t as if they left her alone on purpose, Twilight had no doubt in her mind that if they were around they’d gladly help her. But as it stood, Sunset was alone, in a world that she barely belonged in, and with little to try and help her raise Flare.
Twilight reached out with her hoof and gently ran it through Sunset’s mane in a soothing and comforting fashion. The whimpers and tears of the yellow mare lessened after a few seconds, her sleep returning to a semblance of peace. She knew it was hard for her, even though coming to Equestria was Sunset’s decision, the fact that she saw her dead husband every day and married to another mare was probably nothing short of painful. Even though Sunset knew that this wasn’t the same Flash Sentry she loved back in the other world, Twilight figured it still did nothing to stop the aching her heart.
I promise you Sunset, you and Flare will be happy with us. I won’t leave your side, I won’t abandon you or her. You’re a part of this family, and you always will be.
Twilight leaned down and gently kissed Sunset on the forehead, making the unicorn mare smile in content.
Twilight finished her rounds about the castle, and noticing that it was still early, headed towards the balcony that overlooked the town. Once there she stood at the edge of the gold guardrails, watching as the sun rose over the horizon, bathing everything in its warm, golden light. The birds were starting to chirp in the distance, she even saw a few of them flying up and around into the skies. Twilight could still scarcely imagine her life being like this when she was just a young filly, or all the dangerous, wacky, sad, and more often than not funny adventures she and her friends have had over the years. Heck, getting married and having a foal wasn’t even on the list of her life goals.
Yes, she had a list for her future drawn up – by her – at age seven, it’s Twilight.
The sun’s rays caught the morning mist, and made the town shimmer and glow as if renewed, like a phoenix at rebirth. The words to an old song appeared in her head, a song she felt was right for this moment.
“♪ Morning in Ponyville shimmers~
Morning in Ponyville shines~
And I know for absolute certain~
That everything is certainly fine~♪”
*POOF*
Twilight’s little aria was stopped when a letter appeared in front of her. She quickly grasped it in her magical aura, staring at it curiously. It didn’t bear the insignia of Celestia’s cutie mark nor Luna’s, or Cadance. Twilight unraveled the letter and held it aloft to the light to read it.
Dear Twilight
I know I don’t have to do this, but as a mother it’s a habit, but I’m sure you know that by now. Anyway, I was just sending this to remind you that your father and I, along with Shining Armor, Cadance, and your nieces, are coming over for that family get together we planned a couple of months back.
Now I know you don’t need a reminder, so just consider this a formality and throw it away. Oh but before you do, I needed to tell you that we’ll be on the first train to Ponyville. Actually I just sent this letter so by the time you get it we’ll be at Canterlot station and there in Ponyville in just a couple of hours.
Love you much.
Twilight Velvet
Twilight lowered the letter, her pupils having shrunk to the size of pinpricks, and her left eye twitching erratically. The right corner of her mouth spasmed like it wanted to smile but was having trouble achieving it. And then, in a fashion that was reminiscent of her Number One Assistant, Twilight proclaimed her reaction to this startling news in one word.
“NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!”