The path before Sweetie was no longer rugged; a smooth journey was seemingly ahead of her.
However, she knew that a few calm days hadn't granted her the excuse to slack off. Studying and learning a variety of magic spells only became more complex and fascinating as she progressed. While some spells weren't working right away, the one dealing with limited flight being especially painful for her with the slight aches that still poked her back, others were dealt with in a matter of minutes as though she had already practiced them.
Before Sweetie realized it, a week had gone by since her lesson with both Sunset and Trixie. Of course, practicing the spells she had familiarized herself with was a common feature of each new day. Yet despite the repetition some lessons carried, she was content with revisiting past spells, especially if they happened to connect to new ones.
Everything around her had strangely calmed down as well. If Ponyville was anything to go by, calm days or weeks were hard to come by.
Some of the lessons over the past seven days even included Trixie; the magician often wore beaming grins brighter than the sun whenever she got involved with lessons. And while such behavior was understandable in Sweetie's eyes, the ways she'd always ask Sunset if she explained something right prodded her coat.
Sweetie arched an eyebrow.
The sun had only just rose above the horizon. Sweetie couldn't help herself from thinking about how much she had learned or even mastered in such a short amount of time, though said mastered spells were more often than not simpler ones. The trickier spells that puzzled her brain were among those she still struggled with.
At least she had fun through it all, a slight smile across her face as she recalled such memories.
Another hour or two of reclining on her bed wouldn't hurt. But if fate or Rarity beckoned her to arise from her slumber, doing so wouldn't have been too much of a hassle.
And right on cue, a series of soft knocks reached Sweetie's ears. She glanced at the clock beside her, the time just a few minutes after seven. Propping herself upright, Sweetie released a loud yawn, her mouth agape. As she stretched her forelegs, Sweetie blinked. Her bedroom was composed of watercolors for a few seconds; the world then cleared up.
"Is that you, Rarity?" Sweetie asked in a groggy tone. Crawling away from her bed, she made her way toward the front door and gently pushed it open. "Do you need help with—"
However, standing before her wasn't Rarity, but Sunset, her lips curled into the slightest of smiles. Sweetie cocked her head at the sight; Sunset hadn't ever requested her presence this early, even during lessons which occurred during the morning hours. With an arched eyebrow, Sweetie swished her tail.
"I know it's odd that I'm the one waking you up," Sunset said. She blushed, a sheepish smirk across her face. "Anyway, there is something I want to show you that's important." Sunset took a deep breath and placed a hoof to her chest. "I'll tell you right here if that's okay."
Sweetie bobbed her head. "What's up?"
"Princess Celestia is visiting Ponyville."
"She is?" A gasp left Sweetie's mouth. Stepping back, her eyes widened, legs trembling as electricity coursed through them. While learning from Celestia herself was a stretch, just having a chance at mingling with the Princess of the Sun was impossible to pass up. In a flash, Sweetie scurried over to Sunset and raised her head, the former's eyes gazing into Sunset's. "What are we waiting for? Do you know where she is?"
Sunset nodded. "Yeah, Twilight told me that she'd be visiting today and that I'm welcome to talk with her. It'll probably be quite emotional when I come up—you probably know why." She quivered a little, yet kept smiling. "But since I thought you'd be curious in chatting with her, I figured I'd drop by and ask if you're interested. After all, it's rare that anypony has the chance to meet Princess Celestia, let alone talk with her." Sunset stepped back and shimmied away from the door. "If you're interested, we'll get going right away."
Sweetie hopped through the doorway, a radiant grin adorning her visage. "I'm totally ready! Let's visit Princess Celestia!"
Soft giggles left Sunset's mouth. "I thought you'd say that." Playfully waving her hoof, she trotted down the staircase while Sweetie followed close behind. "Rarity is coming along, too. Don't worry, she also wants some time to talk with the princess as well." She paused for a second. "But you'll be allowed to chat with her first. Rarity promised when we discussed it."
"Sounds great!" Sweetie quickly raised her hoof a bit upon reaching the first floor. "But why does Rarity need to talk with Princess Celestia? Does it have something to do with that Canterlot Boutique she was chatting about not long ago? Is she going to help work on it for one of her friends?"
"Sort of." Sunset shrugged. "It has something to do with that boutique, but from what I gathered, it's more about creating the dresses that will be sold as opposed to managing the business. One of the dresses is supposed to be for Princess Celestia. I think Rarity is helping one of her fashion friends—somepony named Coco Pommel." Shrugging, she then rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't know Coco, but Rarity stresses that she's a kind pony."
"Yeah, Coco is extremely friendly. I've only met her once, but it was a lot of fun talking with her. She mentioned getting the Midsummer Theater Revival back on its hooves with Rarity and Applejack's help." Sweetie approached the front door and poked the smooth frame. "I wish I could've seen that play, but I guess there's always next time."
"It must be quite the show." Sunset opened the front door, Sweetie trotting through and stepping onto the grass. The dew covering it tickled her hooves; it was much like stepping over rainwater as far as she was concerned. "Anyway, Rarity should be waiting for us outside. She wanted to get a few things first."
Nodding, Sweetie then turned straight ahead and spotted Rarity nearby. The latter was carrying a saddlebag filled to the brim with cloth, materials, and other supplies related to the art of dressmaking. A red, stylish hat adorned her, the pink bow decorating the hat commanding Sweetie's attention. She swore it was the hat Rarity mentioned wearing during an investigation. Maybe wearing it helped her with certain problems. Knowing Rarity and how she treated fashion, Sweetie wouldn't have put it past her.
"Sweetie!" Rarity chimed, waving at her and Sunset. "Sunset! It's wonderful to see both of you so energetic today!"
"Same here," Sweetie replied. She and Sunset both trotted toward Rarity, the three standing next to each other seconds later. "I guess you've got a few things to share with Princess Celestia, too."
Rarity bobbed her head. "That's right, dear. I'm guessing Sunset told you about what my plans are for today."
"Yep!"
"Princess Celestia does have a lot on her plate today, but it's nice knowing that she'll have plenty of time to chat with you about whatever strikes your fancy." Rarity cracked a bright grin, then trotted forward alongside Sweetie and Sunset. "Aside from us and Twilight, she's meeting with Fluttershy, Spitfire, Octavia, and many other notable ponies throughout Equestria."
"Sounds like a lot of work." Sweetie feigned a chuckle. "How in the world do princesses have time to do other things? I mean, I've seen all four of them having fun and doing other things, so it feels kinda weird that they can meet with a bunch of ponies one day and have a nice, relaxing evening to themselves the next."
"Think of it like a weekend, I guess," Sunset answered. "I'd imagine Twilight knows a thing or two about how life as a princess works."
"Good point." Sweetie raised her head and made eye contact with Sunset. "By the way, I know you've had a shaky past and all, but do you ever think that you'll become a princess one day? I mean, Twilight proved that ascension is possible, and you've been so kind and wise that it makes me wonder if that's your destiny."
Sunset pursed her lips. Shrugging, she then shook her head. "Probably not. Being a princess doesn't exactly appeal to me anymore. Maybe it's probably because of my past, not to mention that I'll probably spend most of my time hopping back and forth through the mirror later on."
"So you'll use the mirror to visit your friends in the other world?"
"That's right. And furthermore, I'd feel like—" a sight left her lips "—like I hadn't truly earned the title of princess if I got it. For some reason, it just wouldn't feel right. I'd much prefer carving my own path while learning about the world and making new friends. It's just calmer that way." She paused. "You know what I mean, right?"
"I totally understand." Sweetie nodded and fiddled with her mane, lips pursed briefly. "Besides, I bet that being a princess would be a lot of weight on your shoulders."
Sunset snickered for a second. "Yeah, I think that would be the understatement of the century. But in a way, it makes me appreciate Celestia's accomplishments even more. The same goes for Twilight, Luna, and Cadance. I bet they've had to learn a lot more upon earning the title."
"Maybe that's one question I could ask Celestia." Sweetie glanced up. She noticed Twilight's castle blocking out much of the sky as usual; she and her friends trotted up to the front door, Rarity leading the way. "Twilight might know a thing or two about it as well. It sounds like one of those things that's fascinating to learn about."
"It sure does." Sunset playfully tapped Sweetie's shoulder. "It's part of the reason why so many ponies have dreamed of becoming princesses. Despite the work involved, there's just something alluring about the title and the new abilities that come with it. I probably couldn't explain it well—" Sunset glanced at her sides, blushing "—for obvious reasons."
"It's okay. I guess I can talk about it with any of the princesses if it ever crosses my mind."
Nodding, Sunset then made her way up to where Rarity stood, Sweetie following suit. "That sounds fair to me. Anyway, let's meet up with Princess Celestia and Twilight. I bet they're eager to meet us again." Wiggling her forelegs, Sunset's cheeks tautened and she pursed her lips. "But I hope Celestia isn't the kind of pony to hold grudges. How I behaved back then was far from appropriate."
"You'll be fine, darling," Rarity said. "Just be as kind as you've been during your visit and everything should be okay."
"I know." Sunset exhaled, her limbs quivering. "It's just that—I don't know if things will turn out okay." Feigning a chuckle, Sunset tilted her head and pursed her lips. She then twiddled her mane for a moment. "It's one thing chatting with Twilight or somepony else I'm close to, but this is Princess Celestia we're talking about. What if she shuns me?"
"That doesn't sound like the Princess Celestia I know." Rarity rubbed Sunset's back. "But we'll provide support if you need it, dear."
"Exactly!" Sweetie chimed. She skipped toward the front door, placing her hooves on the gold frame once again. In a flash, she then knocked on the door, loud clacks echoing into her ears. If there was one noise Sweetie had grown accustomed to since meeting Sunset, it was the melody of hoof against metal. "Is anypony home?"
The door opened in the blink of an eye, Twilight standing on the other side. Upon making eye contact with Sweetie, her lips curled into a radiant grin. "I'm so delighted you could make it!" Twilight cheered. She stepped back and glanced above Sweetie, waving to Rarity and Sunset.
"Nice to see you, Twilight," Sunset said as she approached Twilight. Stopping just before the doorway, she gazed into Twilight's eyes and blushed. "I'm guessing things have been going well between you and the princess, right?"
Twilight nodded. "Precisely. Princess Celestia complimented my recent accomplishments as the Princess of Friendship. I informed her about both my experiences with an old friend of mine and with—" Twilight swallowed a lump, cheeks flushed "—you know." Folding her wings, Twilight took a deep breath and shuffled an inch to the left. She stretched her forelegs toward the castle's interior. "Princess Celestia just finished up a meeting with Captain Spitfire."
"Was she asking about new recruits?" Sweetie asked. She tilted her head.
"Well, Spitfire asked the princess about Rainbow Dash's recent achievements." Twilight cracked a wide, radiant smile. "She's quite enthusiastic about my friend, and if her comments and praise were anything to go by, the captain wants her to take the final exams that will earn Rainbow Dash a spot on the main squad."
Sweetie's jaw dropped. "That's amazing! Scootaloo will be so excited when she hears the news!"
"Yeah, she has come a long way." Twilight rubbed her muzzle. "It actually reminds me of how much you've grown and learned. And just like when you're learning magic, I have a hunch that Rainbow Dash will be learning a lot about flying over the next few months." Paused, she ruffled her wings. "Come to think of it, the formations the Wonderbolts practice have similarities to magic. Some are simple, but others are complex and require repetition. You know what I mean, right?"
Sweetie assumed a bright grin and nodded.
"It's a good lesson to keep in mind. No matter what career life steers you toward, practice and learning are essential to mastering the craft. And even when you master it, there's always something new to learn. Magic isn't the only thing that requires practice, after all. And there's also one more thing I should mention."
"What's that?"
Twilight swished her tail about. "It's about how small events eventually grow into something much larger, whether it's just one single event or many in Rainbow Dash's case. When I had my conflict with Starlight Glimmer, I learned a lot about how one tiny event can heavily impact the future, so it's only fair that I share that with you." Twilight shuddered. Her eyes then locked onto Sunset. "Sorry if I opened old wounds."
Sunset nodded. "It's okay. I can't hide from my past forever." A soft sigh left her lips. With her head raised, she marched into the castle, Sweetie and Rarity following close behind. "Anyway, we should meet up with Princess Celestia soon. Better to get this over with than to just let it bloat into something awful."
"Naturally."
Twilight trotted ahead and led the way. The crystalline hallways hadn't changed in terms of physical appearance, but Sweetie couldn't help herself from wondering if it was brighter than usual. Light had a habit of bouncing against the castle's walls, sometimes creating a dazzling display of rainbows, though even those were usually somewhat dim with the lack of nearby windows.
This was different.
It may as well have been art as far as she was concerned.
Sweetie's pupils shrunk as she gawked at the scene.
Seconds later, Twilight poked one of the green doors to her left. She froze in place momentarily and then brought her attention to Sweetie, Sunset, and Rarity. "Princess Celestia should be behind this door." She took a quick breath. "I know our conversations will be separate, but I think doing this together will lessen the tension."
"Yeah, you've got a point," Sunset said. She rolled her shoulders. "Something about speaking with all of you around makes it a little less—intimidating."
"I understand." Twilight patted Sunset's shoulder. The pair made eye contact. "It's perfectly understandable to feel nervous about meeting the princess. Heck, before Princess Luna's return, I was always fretting over what Princess Celestia could've called me over for. And even after I had accomplished so much, I still felt the hairs on my coat standing up." Snickering, she donned a sheepish smirk and ruffled her wings. "Anyway, when Sweetie Belle goes in first, feel free to take a breather and meditate."
Sunset nodded. "That works for me." She shook her legs for a moment, her tail swishing about. "I kind of need some time to think about this. I know you've recently informed Celestia not only about what happened between us again, but also how much I've learned since then and my road to a better life."
"If Princess Celestia's past behavior is anything to go by, she'll be more than pleased with how much you've learned. You know how much she loves it when one of her former students learns so much." Playfully nudging Sunset, Twilight then placed a hoof on the door. "Anyway, take a breather if you need to. Sweetie and I will go in first." She glanced over to Sweetie. "Are you ready?"
Sweetie quickly bobbed her head. "You bet!"
Gently pushing the door open, a soft creaking sound pierced Sweetie's eardrums. Both she and Twilight trotted through the doorway with long steps. Before them was a large, circular table surrounded by crystalline walls. A few cups were scattered about the table's gleaming surface, two of them looking like they had been recently used. The warm, tingly aroma of tea tickled Sweetie's nostrils. Donning a slight smirk, Sweetie couldn't help but adore the possibility of having tea with Princess Celestia. It was something few ponies ever had the chance to experience.
And sitting at the far end of the table was Celestia herself, her flowing mane like an aurora and a smile as bright as the sun decorating her visage. Even the jewelry and regalia she wore exuded a palpable aura, Sweetie's chest tingling at the sight. They probably would've served as makeshift mirrors if polished thoroughly.
"Please make yourself comfortable," Celestia said. Her wings stretched out for a moment before she folded them again. "I'm eager to hear about how much you've grown."
Sweetie nodded, trotting up toward the empty chair with Twilight alongside her. With a quick glance behind her shoulder, she noticed Rarity and Sunset still in the other room. She arched an eyebrow; maybe Sunset was getting prepared for her fateful meeting. It wasn't as though Sweetie could've blamed her, however. She'd have constantly shivered if she was in Sunset's horseshoes.
"Your name must be Sweetie Belle, correct?" Celestia asked, her regal tone carrying a hint of confidence.
Sweetie brought her attention back to Celestia and nodded. "Yep! It's an honor to meet you, your highness."
Celestia chuckled. "I do appreciate your manners, but there's no need to be formal right now." A yellowish glow enveloped Celestia's horn. She poured herself a cup of tea, then slowly brought the teakettle over to Sweetie. "Would you like a cup of tea? I've always been a firm believer of tea soothing the soul."
"Yes, please." Sweetie nodded. A second later, Celestia poured the tea into a cup, pushing the latter toward Sweetie. Electricity coursed through the filly's veins. She'd have been bouncing around if it wasn't for the fact that Celestia was sitting across from her. Even if she claimed formality wasn't necessary, politeness was a must. "Anyway, how's Princess Luna?"
"My dear sister has been doing wonderfully." Celestia took a quick sip of her drink. "Ever since the incident with the Tantabus was resolved, she's really made strides in how much she's opening up to others and keeping her head held up high. I've been supporting her the whole way, but she's also made plenty of progress on her own." She placed a hoof to her chest. "I've always loved my sister, and I'm so proud of her."
A smile adorned Sweetie's face. "I'm glad to hear she's okay."
"Twilight told me that you've been studying magic."
"Yep!"
"I still remember when I first studied magic with Luna." Chuckling, Celestia's cheeks flushed for a split second. "Those were among my favorite memories back when I was a filly long ago. Those days helped me mature into the princess I eventually became. Luna highly enjoyed them as well." She paused for a moment. "Anyway, how have your lessons been going so far?"
"They've been amazing! I've learned so much from Twilight and Sunset! They're the best teachers anypony could ask for!"
Celestia placed her cup on the table, eyes widened. "Excuse me, but do you mean Sunset Shimmer?"
Chills coursed down Sweetie's spine. Biting her lip, she quickly glanced behind her shoulder where Sunset and Rarity must've been, then back to Celestia. "Well, yes." Deep breaths escaped her lips. "Sunset returned from the mirror world after a ton of experiences, and she's been teaching me about magic and life with Twilight while they're doing some research on spells."
Sweetie's throat tightened.
She yearned that Celestia wasn't too offended by Sunset's return.
Sweetie blinked, shivering briefly.
Yet Celestia merely replied with a smirk, her eyes twinkling like stars.
"Is Sunset with you at the moment?" Celestia asked. She leaned closer to Sweetie and kept her soft expression. "If she isn't that's perfectly okay."
Sweetie nodded. "Yeah, she's here, though she's nervous about seeing you again. Sunset is waiting in the other room while we're having our talk."
Sighing, Celestia placed the back of her head on the headrest. "I can't blame her for being afraid. It's not like having a troubled history with a friend." She rolled her shoulders. "Sunset was always a peculiar student of mine. Her attitude, as I'm guessing she told you, wasn't the most pleasant during her years as a filly. Yet she was always gifted with magic. There was also something about her that told me there was something underneath that cold exterior of hers." Pausing, Celestia rubbed her muzzle. "She was quite stubborn back then. Twilight told me about how she stopped Sunset, and perhaps that experience stuck to her mind. It took something frightening to steer her in the right path, and I wasn't prepared to scare her myself."
"How come?" Sweetie cocked her head. "Just curious."
"She was only a filly, and when it comes to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, I promised myself to not frighten the students and faculty too much. If they were crossing the line, they'd get a stern talking to, but things such as expulsion were usually handled by the school's faculty instead of me."
"I see."
"As for Sunset's desire for power, it must've occurred not long after she graduated. There wasn't much I could've done in regards to steering her away from such a path. Even as the Princess of the Sun, there is only so much that I can do." She took a quick breath. "This is important to remember, Sweetie Belle. No matter how influential, powerful, or wise you are, there will be things that are out of your control. Additionally, there will also be ponies who are better than you at certain things."
Sweetie nodded in agreement, mouth closed.
"And there will also be moments where you need help. By accepting your shortcomings whilst reflecting and cherishing what makes you special, you can better yourself for a brighter future, even if some days are darker than others. And some shortcomings can obviously be conquered with a plentiful amount of practice and determination."
Sweetie made eye contact with Celestia. Freezing in place, she then nodded seconds later. "You make a good point. I guess that's why learning from ponies like Sunset, Twilight, Trixie, Rarity, and many others will be important. All of this will also help with making friends, which is always cool."
"That's correct." Celestia bobbed her head. "Sometimes, our friends and memories can help us find the missing variable. Even the smallest of problems may seem like mountains at times, but with friendship and knowledge on your side, they can be cleared."
"Gotcha. Thanks for the words of wisdom."
Chuckles escaped Celestia's lips. "Not a problem. It's my pleasure helping ponies." She exhaled. "Now, shall we bring Sunset Shimmer inside? If she needs more time, that's okay, but I'd like to meet with her today if that's okay."
"I guess we can go check on her."
Twilight nodded. "I'll go ask Sunset if she's ready. If she is, we'll bring her inside and keep her company. She wanted her friends with her during this tense time, so I guess we should go easy on her. Does that sound reasonable to you?"
"It does, and it's something I appreciate."
"Alright, I'll talk with her now." Twilight trotted toward the green door, her gaze locked onto Celestia's. "I'll be back in a minute."
As Twilight opened the door and mingled with Sunset, Sweetie merely glanced at the scene behind her for a second before bringing her attention back to Celestia. She cracked a soft smile; something about learning from the Princess of the Sun was special. Of course, learning from Sunset, Twilight, and Trixie were amazing as well. But there was no denying that over a thousand years of wisdom and experience couldn't be beaten.
Sweetie pursed her lips and then exhaled. "What do you like to do during breaks?" she asked.
Celestia's smile widened. Her cheeks flushed as giggles left her mouth. "That's not a question I get that often," she replied as a matter of fact. "But if there's one thing I enjoy most of all, it's spending time with my dear sister. And when Luna is busy with delegates or is guarding dreams, I sometimes like to pull up a chair by the fireplace and read a book." Celestia ruffled her wings. "There's something to be said about combining learning with comfort."
"I see where you're coming from." The muscles throughout Sweetie's body loosened. She then bobbed her head for a second. "I like having a nice glass of milk and a cookie." Sweetie chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck. "Maybe it's not as elegant as a cozy fireplace, but it's what I love."
"Well, we do have our own preferences. And I do adore warm cookies." She briefly paused. "Does somepony bake cookies for you, or do you make them yourself?"
"Rarity usually is the one to make them. I'd probably just burn them in the oven." Another giggle left Sweetie's lips, cheeks flushed. "While hers are amazing, nothing can beat the ones mom makes. They call her Cookie Crumbles for a reason; she makes the best cookies in all of Equestria."
"I'll definitely have to try them one day. Luna would love having some as well."
Before Sweetie had a chance to respond, Twilight passed through the doorway once more, Rarity and Sunset following close behind. Sweetie turned to face the trio as clacks echoed into her ears. Sunset's cheeks were pale and tautened, though something about the light in her eyes tickled Sweetie's coat. They weren't tears; Sweetie had seen plenty of cases to where she'd recognize them on the spot. Instead, they suggested something warmer.
Perhaps the Princess of Friendship proved why she had earned such a title once again.
"It has been so long, Sunset Shimmer," Celestia muttered. Her eyes were glued to Sunset, the latter maintaining eye contact and never blinking. "Make yourself comfortable. There's much to discuss."
Sunset followed Celestia's request, taking one of the empty seats next to Sweetie. Rarity and Twilight occupied two of the other chairs.
"Before we begin, would you like some tea?" Celestia asked.
Sunset shook her head. "No thanks."
Nodding, Celestia refilled her cup as well as Sweetie's and then placed the teakettle back on the table. With a quick sip, she then assumed a blank visage. Sunset squirmed in her chair, though she placed a hoof to her chest and exhaled a second later. Silence lingered throughout the room for a few seconds. Rarity hadn't even budged an inch since sitting down.
"As I was saying, I've often wondered how you were doing since we last saw each other," Celestia continued. "When you stole the Element of Magic and rushed into the mirror, I wasn't expecting all of the events that had transpired in the mirror world. I certainly wasn't predicting the mirror world to have all of us, but as a different species and culture." Celestia froze for a brief moment. "However, to hear about your trials and the friends you've made along the way has touched my heart."
Sunset blinked and leaned closer to Celestia. "Wait, do you really mean that?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "I know you've always stressed the importance of friendship, but with how much of a bad impact I left on my fellow students at the school, I thought you'd be furious at me for returning."
"I could never hate you." Celestia shook her head. "There have been times where I've been disappointed in your behavior and wishing you could improve as a pony, maybe expand your circle of friends and learn that becoming the best isn't all that matters. However, from Twilight's anecdotes and your kindness now, I can tell that you've learned so much." Her lips curled into a radiant grin. "I'm so proud of you. And please tell me, what has been the most important thing to you ever since the incident with the Element of Magic? It can be a physical object, an emotion, anything you can think of."
Clearing her throat, Sunset surveyed the room. She paused for a second upon making eye contact with Sweetie, Rarity, and Twilight. As she brought her focus back to Celestia, Sweetie couldn't help herself from staring blankly at Sunset, noting the juxtaposition of her smile and the tears cascading down her cheeks like a waterfall.
Sweetie could've only hypothesized what Twilight told Sunset, but she figured it must've left an impact.
Rubbing her eyes, Sunset sniffled. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "It's just—this is something I thought I'd never get the chance of experiencing."
"It's okay," Celestia responded. She sniffled, eyes shimmering for a second. "There's no shame in crying."
"Well, they're more—" Sunset blushed and chuckled "—they're more tears of joy if anything." Rubbing her eyes one last time, she took a deep breath and then twiddled her mane. "Anyway, what I've come to value most of all are my friends. They steered me back on track, helped me whenever things got rough, believed in me, and created so many wonderful memories. Without them, I'd still be obsessed with becoming a princess without realizing what makes a princess." Sunset then turned toward Sweetie, her smile widening. "And I've come to love passing my knowledge along to others."
"That's the kind of answer I hoped for; it's an answer straight from the heart." Pursing her lips, Celestia then rubbed her muzzle for a second. "Speaking of friendship, I'd like to talk to you about Starlight Glimmer. I've been told you two have a history with each other. Starlight's recent past has been troublesome, though since Twilight gave her a second chance by offering compassion and friendship, I'd imagine the same would work for you."
Sunset arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" She cocked her head and donned a bemused expression. "Starlight was adamant in not forgiving me. I can't blame her for feeling that way, too. It was partly my fault why she made some of the wrong decisions in the future, and I'm—" she gulped "—I'm afraid she'll never forgive me."
"But she will forgive you." Celestia stood upright, leaning an inch closer to Sunset. "There's something I'd like to ask of you. If you refuse, that's perfectly understandable, but do keep it in mind for the future." She exhaled, wings stretched out momentarily. "I'd like for you to head on over to Starlight's home and just talk with her. You can bring a friend or two if you wish, but they shouldn't try to sway Starlight's opinion too much. Your friends can help provide support and comfort for you if needed, however."
"And what if she refuses?"
"Then that's her decision. Friendship doesn't always come easy. While Twilight was able to bring Starlight back on the right path with a speech that touched her heart, it may take a little more to prove how much you've changed for the better." Celestia paused. She glanced over to Sweetie. "I might have an idea."
Arching an eyebrow, Sunset froze in place. "What is it?"
"Bring only Sweetie Belle with you." Celestia nodded at Sweetie, the latter responding in kind. "Your lessons with her may be the key to showing how much you've improved. Maybe Starlight can teach Sweetie Belle some new, fun spells for her to practice. With this in mind, it might help Starlight see the truth."
Glancing over to Sweetie, Sunset then shrugged. "Is that okay with you?"
Sweetie nodded. "Yep! I'm all for making things happier!"
"Then it's settled." Celestia trotted away from her chair and folded her wings. "It was an honor meeting you again, Sunset Shimmer. And please do stop by if you ever get the chance. Luna would be delighted to meet you and mingle about all sorts of topics. And be sure to spread the friendship around, too."
"Sounds good to me," Sunset said, bobbing her head. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
"There is much to discuss." Celestia made a beeline toward Sunset and stopped inches away from her. "Before Twilight became the Princess of Friendship, she learned about that same subject and much more, often writing to me whenever she had something to share. I know it may seem a bit sudden, but would you like to write letters to me about your experience?"
"But what would they be about? Do they have to be daily?"
"Not at all." Celestia glanced over to Twilight and winked; Twilight blushed in return. "And they can be about anything that relates to the magic of friendship or an important lesson in general. It's not only a good way of keeping in touch with each other, it can help with learning such subjects as well. And while you've already made impeccable progress on your own, something I always adore, there's nothing wrong in sharing your experiences with others." A warm smile adorned Celestia's visage. "Does that sound good to you?"
"It sounds fantastic!"
"I'm glad to hear that." Celestia nudged an inch away from Sunset. "For starters, how about you and Sweetie meet up with Starlight Glimmer. Even if things don't go according to plan, I promise that you'll grow from such an experience." With her foreleg stretched out, Celestia then gently patted Sunset's shoulder. "And it's okay to be nervous. What matters most is that you try."
A sigh left Sunset's mouth, her eyes locked onto Celestia's. "As I said, I don't know if Starlight would be willing to even come close to me again, let alone give me even a chance at apologizing for what I've done." She rubbed her muzzle and her cheeks tautened. "But since I'll have a friend with me, I guess I could give it a try, but what next if she doesn't want to talk?"
"Sometimes, ponies may be hesitant to talk, even if ages have passed since the incidents which caused such a relationship." Celestia caught her breath. She placed a hoof to her chest. "Just be nice and courteous around her. Never try to force your way into a discussion, especially if Starlight doesn't want to talk. If visiting her doesn't work, a little kindness can go a long way."
"Precisely," Twilight added, nodding. "Sunset, if your lessons to Sweetie Belle are anything to go by, you've truly proven how kind and generous you are. Starlight might not believe you at first, but she'll admit it eventually. It was a similar story when I showed her the path to friendship." Cracking a soft smile, she then turned toward Sweetie. "You wouldn't mind helping Sunset if she needs it, right?"
Sweetie quickly bobbed her head. "I'd love to help out!" Blushing, she snickered for a few seconds. "Sunset has helped me with magic so much that it's only fair I return the favor." She stood upright and swished her tail about. "And making a new friend is always great. Maybe it's what Starlight needs to make that much needed step."
"Agreed. This should be Starlight's most important test if everything goes well." Twilight pushed herself upright. Ruffling her wings, she trotted toward Sweetie and maintained eye contact. "Sweetie, for this instance, you'll be the teacher instead of the student in some ways. Starlight has shown the first steps toward growing as a pony, but I think her accepting Sunset's apology will help her immensely. Your role is to provide support if needed." She paused. "Sound good to you?"
"Sounds great!" Springing into the air, she swiftly glanced over to Sunset and skipped toward the door. "Shall we head on over to Starlight's place?"
"Don't you want to know where it is?"
Sweetie froze in place. Her cheeks flushed. "Yeah, that's a good idea."
"She lives about three blocks from Sugarcube Corner. There's an elaborate garden in front of her home, which has a pink roof." Twilight tapped the floor, clacks echoing throughout the room. "If you keep your eyes open, you should be able to find it easily. And should you get lost, head on back to the castle."
"Thank you, Twilight," Sunset said. "Thank you, Princess Celestia. And thank you, Rarity."
"No problem." Twilight rubbed the back of her neck. "And I wish I could come along, but I have to help with some of Princess Celestia's other meetings. But please let me know how it all went. If I think I could help out, I'll be more than willing to do so if you give me permission, Sunset."
"I'd also love to help out, dear," Rarity added. "However, I just think I'd get in the way if I joined you, so I'll spend some time with both Princess Celestia and Twilight. And like Twilight, please let me know if you ever need any help. I'd be willing to do almost anything to brighten your mood, darling."
"Sounds good to me." Sunset swiveled her head toward Celestia. "And I'll write the letter as soon as I can."
"Take as long as you need," Celestia replied. "There's no need to hurry."
Nodding, Sunset trotted up to the door and gently pushed it open. "Goodbye! We'll be back as soon as we're done!"
"See ya!" Sweetie chimed.
As the two ponies waved at their friends, the other three all responding in kind, Sunset and Sweetie then passed through the doorway with their heads raised. While Sweetie recognized Sunset's pale cheeks, her smile nevertheless kept its radiance, the sight warming her heart. The fact she was meeting with Starlight prodded her nerves, especially given her enigmatic character, but she figured it'd be okay if Twilight was fine with letting her meet the new pony in town.
The pair exited the castle, sunlight brightening the town and its scenery. Birds were already chirping their cadence while a cool breeze swirled past and tickled Sweetie's coat. Maybe the meeting with Starlight was destined to end with smiles and hugs as opposed to a few bitter, harsh words. Anything was possible in Equestria, after all.
Sweetie took a deep breath, her chest puffed out a tad.
Electricity coursed through her veins.
Already, the ultimate test for her and Sunset was just a few hoofsteps away.