It was the middle of the school day, class was in session and those with free periods were practising, studying or otherwise engaged. No one noticed an elegant woman seemingly step from the pedestal of the still ruined statue. Momentarily unsteady on her feet, as if unused to two, she sat on the step.
She had milk white skin and hair a delicate shade of pink. Her outfit was smart, much too tidy to be sat on the step, but she had an air of dignity that would put pause to any questions.
After a few beats she stood again and spotted a student running an errand. “Hello?” The woman called out and the student turned, a young girl by the looks of things. Her hair and bearing reminded the woman of someone she knew of.
“Hi?” The girl walked over.
“I'm here to visit Principal Celestia, but I am unsure if it is appropriate for me to simply enter the school building. Would you be able to let her know that... Sunny Skies is here to see her?” She smiled.
“Uh, sure. I was going to the office anyway.” The girl waved a stack of papers in her hand. “I'll let her know you are here.”
“Thank you.” Sunny Skies smiled and watched the girl enter the building.
-*-
Afternoon work was never very enjoyable, Principal Celestia mused as she read through another piece of paperwork. The only variety was never something good happening, but such was the life of a high school principal. So it was with a certain weariness that she greeted the knock on her door. “Come in.”
The pink haired student who came through the door wasn't looking at her feet or being escorted by staff, good signs. “What can I do for you Scootaloo?”
“Uh, there is a lady outside by the statue who says she has come to see you? She said she was Sunny Skies. I said I would let you know.” Scootaloo shuffled her feet. “I um, I got to get back to class!” With that the girl fled, but it wasn't often that the young athlete visited the office for reasons unrelated to trouble.
“Sunny Skies?” Celestia was puzzled, but if someone was waiting for her, she would attend. Leaving the office, she smiled to her secretary. “I have a short errand to run. If anyone needs me personally then send me a message, otherwise I am sure Luna can handle it.” The woman at the desk nodded and returned to her own work.
It didn't take long for Celestia to reach the main doors, something about the name of the woman was niggling at her memory, but not in a bad way. When she opened the door and looked to see her mystery visitor, the principal couldn't help gasping.
It was her. The woman looking back at her with the slightly sheepish expression, was herself. Admittedly, it was her if her hair had not been altered by shock, sickness and the treatments for that ill. The delicate pink shade was unknown to those who had her acquaintance in adulthood, but Luna and their friends would have got a kick out of seeing this woman.
“Sunny Skies. I seem to recall now that it was the name I used when I had a fake ID to sneak into Nightclubs with Chrysalis.” The Principal joined the woman by the statue.
“I use it when I disguise myself for a trip to the bakery without pomp and circumstance.” Sunny Skies replied. “I thought two of you would raise suspicion so I made a few changes before stepping through.” The woman looked her double up and down. “Principal.” She held out a hand.
“Princess.” Celestia shook. “Is there a reason you are paying us a visit?” She didn't mean to be unwelcoming, but here was the person responsible for the downfall of her adopted daughter. In a way she was thankful that her actions led the girl to this world, but it also did not sit well that Sunset had suffered at all. “From what I gather, you are somewhat vital to the function of your world.”
“Luna can handle it for a while, but I can't stay long. For a star, the sun here is a dreadful flirt. I think he is quite taken with the idea of a sun goddess again.” Sunny Skies looked up to the glowing orb in the sky.
“Moving on from that theological minefield....” Celestia rubbed at her forehead. “How might I help?”
“I received your letter.” The woman before her seemed to dim, from someone poised and glowing down to a subdued figure, penitent. “I had to come and thank you, face to face.” She looked more emotional than expected of a public figure.
Princess Celestia had been sent a letter by dragon flame. Not the wax sealed missives Twilight sent, but another kind in addressed in a hand that the princess well knew. It had not contained much, simply a scant few paragraphs telling the princess that Sunset Shimmer was the legally adopted daughter of Principal Celestia Sonen. Framed of course with the context that the Principal had encountered the reality of Equestria having witnessed the barriers between worlds torn asunder and then healed as swiftly.
This was going to be a difficult conversation for the both of them and not one to be conducted outside. “I think we should speak in my office. I have tea.” Principal Celestia said.
-*-
No one noticed the principal and her guest as they went through the school, but in the office Luna did a double take. As did Sunny Skies.
“You know what. This is going to be too confusing for a Wednesday afternoon. Tell me later.” Luna lifted a hand in a signal of defeat and returned to her office muttering about vanilla cola and phone games.
“I see she's just as lovely here.” Sunny Skies said, not a trace of sarcasm in her voice. “Though our duties in Equestria sadly necessitate time apart for me and my Luna. I envy the close working relationship you two must have.” She entered the office behind the principal.
“It is handy to have a vice-principal who you can trust and know how she thinks.” Celestia said, taking a seat at her desk after setting the other to the left. Sunny Skies sat down too. “So my letter reached you as intended? I was certainly surprised when the letter went through the portal so easily.” She looked to her visitor who nodded. “Though Sunset has been dabbling in magic a little more flashy than conjuring tricks of late and tried to explain the portal to me.”
“Really? Magic here? How wonderful. Though I hope it isn't too dangerous.” Sunny Skies took in the room she was sat in. There were certificates and prize ribbons, she was surprised and not so to spot some sporting achievements of the principal amongst the usual academic and career related accolades.
“Just a little showing off really. Not around anyone but her friends and family.” Celestia paused a moment as the door opened and a Ms Schreibtisch walked in with a loaded tea-tray. “Thank you.” She smiled and took the tray, placing it on her desk. Sunny Skies gave a very princess-ly nod in thanks also and watched the secretary leave the room.
“I needed to write to you. I was rather unsure if I was overstepping any marks, adopting Sunset...” Celestia said, only to to trail off when she noticed the distant look in the other woman's eyes.
“I have lived for over fifteen centuries.” Sunny Skies' voice had an odd tone to it, one Celestia couldn't place. It sounded like a deep foundation behind her words, one she herself lacked. “I have lived half a century in a land of chaotic nonsense. Ten of those centuries without my sister.” She paused a moment. “I have seen challengers rise and fall at my power. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. Pegasi warriors setting clouds afire at the airdocks of Griffonia. I watched Unicorn magic beams glitter in the dark near Tartarus' Gate...” She sighed. “I have lost students to battles, sickness, accident and sheer life-span... Sunset was the first to run away.” Her face was full of regret.
“A long life must have given you some perspective.” Celestia commented. It was stunning to hear, coming from someone who looked almost her twin, of her centuries of life. “Surely some knowledge to fall back on?”
“Not where it counted.” The pink haired woman sighed again. “I did not realise just what Sunset needed, I didn't see how much she wanted a mother and made me the mare to be one.” She gave a bitter laugh. “I kept everypony at a distance, a benevolent and motherly ruler to all... But for one poor lonely unicorn filly, I should have been more of a mother. ” Sunny Skies took a sip of her tea. “But I didn't become her mother and that so darkened hear heart, twisted her mind.”
“She told me how she'd hurt you. As she left.” Celestia drank her own tea, calmly listening to the literal goddess in her office.
“Nothing I didn't deserve.” The princess said. “Despite my long life, I am still a fool. I did not see my sister step the path to darkness, nor my student as she walked a similar line.” Placing the teacup back on the desk she looked to her near twin. “Thank you for taking Sunset in. For giving her a home.”
“I was glad to. I am glad to.” Celestia smiled wistfully. “I wish now that I had taken her in as soon as a confused and unhappy girl arrived at my school. But hindsight is always twenty-twenty isn't it?”
“Indeed.” The princess smiled softly.
Hearing a being with such a lifespan, so much experience and gathered wisdom, agree with her made the principal pleased. “Sunset wants to apologise for how she acted towards you. For the things she said.” Celestia offered. Those were the two things that most bothered Sunset. Now that she had been convinced to accept that her friends forgave her, that she deserved happiness. It still bothered the teen, how she had treated her beloved teacher.
“There is nothing she need apologise for.” The princess replied. “I forgave her a long time ago, even if I cannot forgive myself.”
“I can have her come here to the office.” Celestia said, cut off by a gesture from the princess. “It would really help her to say sorry, at the very least.”
“I believe it would hurt Sunset more than it would help.” The pink haired woman said, she sounded sad but certain. “I am grateful that you agreed to this conversation and for the letter that led me here.” She stood. “Though I should probably be getting back.”
“As you wish.” Celestia said. “I'll take you back to the statue and the portal.” She stood up and led the other woman from the office.
“Please, don't tell Sunset that I came here.” The princess said. “She deserves to live a happy life untainted by my failures... This would just upset her.”
“You need to see her at some point.” Celestia said, leading them through the school. It was a different path to before. “Sunset needs to say sorry to you. It will help her heal.” Celestia knew that Sunset still carried the guilt and was hurting. It made her heart ache for her daughter, there was little she could do to solve the problem.
Unless this complete stab-in-the-dark plan came through.
Celestia was hoping that they would bump into Sunset soon. She knew that the Rainbooms were practising in the music room this period. They would be passing it in a moment, it was only a few doors down.
A familiar voice, Sunset, could be heard and the pair halted in the hallway. Celestia grinned, her plan had worked out. The princess shot her a look, she knew this had been something the principal had hoped for.
“Alright Pinkie! Okay, I will go and re-fill your bottle. Sheesh!” Sunset was propelled from the room, her focus on the pink hands that had pushed her. Muttering about mad bakers, Sunset turned around and saw the two women.
The bottle dropped to the floor. “You...” Sunset looked to her mother and then to the startlingly similar visitor with her.
“Hello, my faithful student.” The princess said softly. At those words Sunset teared up and hurried to wrap her arms around her former teacher.
“I'm so sorry.” Sunset sobbed. “I was an awful pony and you were only trying to help me and...” She felt a finger to her lips.
“Hush Sunset. I forgive you. I always forgave you.” Princess Celestia said.
“We might want to go outside, the bell will sound soon.” Principal Celestia said. She didn't want the massed student body to disrupt this much needed moment.
The trio slipped outside the school building. “Can you forgive me?” The princess asked Sunset when they were a safe distance from the hustle and bustle of the school.
“What for? I, I wronged you.” Sunset sniffed and accepted a tissue from her mother. Drying her eyes, she kept focused on the princess.
“Can you forgive me for failing you so badly?” The princess said softly, she put her hands to Sunset's shoulders.
“I've only blamed myself. Never you.” Sunset whispered. She stepped forward to embrace the princess, an embrace that was returned. “So I guess we've both already accepted each others apologies huh?” Sunset said.
It was strange, the princess was hugging her, but it didn't feel the same as her mom hugging her. The hug was nice, the intent and emotions were already like a balm to the guilt she had carried since the Fall Formal. But it was just not the same as hugging the other Celestia, hugging her mom. They stepped apart and Sunset smiled up at her former teacher, wiping away a few stray tears. The princess was smiling too, and had to wipe her own tears clear.
“It has been good to see you Sunset.” The princess said, but she looked back to where the plinth and the portal home stood, obscured by the school building. “But I really should be getting back.” She blinked and looked up at the principal. “I'm happy to be leaving you with your mother.” She didn't stumble on the word, but Sunset wondered if she had imagined the flash of pain in the princess's eyes.
Gently, the princess pushed Sunset to the principal. Looking at her mother, Sunset could clearly see the look of worry on her face. As if she was concerned that Sunset would go with the princess. The teen took her mother's hand and smiled to her, squeezing her hand a little tighter.
The three walked to the statue and the princess stepped up to the portal, a tell-tale gleam to the surface of the plinth. “Goodbye Sunset, Principal.” the princess nodded to each. “I hope you consider a visit one day, you are both very welcome.”
“Goodbye Princess.” Sunset said, waving with her free hand. “I'll write Twilight when we are ready to take you up on that offer.”
“It was interesting to meet you.” Principal Celestia said. “You are welcome for a longer visit in the future. I have a few friends who would be most entertained to see you.”
“I will consider arrangements.” The Princess said, a sparkle of mischief in her voice. With a stately bow, she waved farewell and entered the portal.
In moments it was as if the princess had never been there.
Sunset gave a gusty sigh. “I'm glad I could say sorry.” She wrapped her arms around her mother. “I feel a lot better for it.”
“I had hoped so.” Celestia said, placing an arm around her daughter. Her daughter who had not returned to the land of her birth, not left her. “For a moment I was worried you would go home with the princess.”
“My home is here Mom.” Sunset said, quickly and easily. “I'm not against a vacation in Equestria though. I could show you some of the places I used to enjoy, show you my old world. And see what kind of pony you'd be...” She grinned, a little slyly. “Or what sort of panic a pair of Princess Celestias would cause.”
“Hm, yes.” Celestia said, turning them both to walk back into school. “Luna was most put-out by two of me today, I can't imagine what a duplicate head of state would do.”
“Discord would have liked two of you though?” Sunset said with false innocence, a hand tugged at her hair lightly.
“Cheeky.” Celestia was smirking though. “Just so long as the prospect of two Lunas is not communicated to Chrys, we'll all be fine.”
Nearly at the school building, neither were too bothered to separate. Sunset was happy to have put some hurt away, Celestia had confirmed that the teen truly counted herself her daughter. They weren't about to hurry up and part. “So, have anything you want for supper? I was thinking we could eat out.” Celestia said, leading Sunset to the class she was supposed to be in.
“Sounds good Mom. Can we go to the diner?” Sunset asked. She felt lighter, better, happier and finally rooted in this world. It called for celebration.
She was home.
~End~