Messenger

by SkycatcherEQ

Parting Clouds

Twilight’s hooves echoed along a side hallway of the palace in Canterlot. Today’s the day, she assured herself with a glance back at her saddlebag.

She’d returned through the mirror two nights ago but had put off approaching Celestia until their weekly garden walk, knowing she would need to broach this topic with care. Was Celestia suppressing grief over their past just as Sunset was? If not, wouldn’t she have already written to Sunset or at least shown some intent to reach out to her?

Twilight squinted as she walked into the sunlight at the end of the hallway. She looked back down the hall in surprise as her attention returned to her surroundings. I’m here already?

She gulped and stepped forward onto the grass, and with a few more strides found herself standing alongside Celestia.

“Good morning, Twilight,” Celestia said lovingly. She wrapped Twilight in her wing for a moment before turning back to look out at the sun rising over the flowered landscape.

“Good morning, Princess.”

As they took to walking, Celestia began, “So. How was the celebration? I presume all of your friends are well?”

“They are indeed.” Twilight smiled up at her. “Including our newest friends.”

“That warms my heart to hear.” Celestia nodded gracefully and then looked out across the landscape again. “Very few prove to be beyond saving. Nearly all living creatures have that spark of hope somewhere within them. With some, it’s simply buried deeper than others. Some are born that way, and others—”

“—cloud themselves with their pride and misguided ambition...” Twilight finished for her.

Celestia came to a stop and looked down to the side away from Twilight.

Twilight turned back to face her. “She misses you, you know.”

“I know…” Celestia’s voice quavered. She took in a long, deep breath and let it out again before sitting down on the grass.

Twilight walked back to sit down next to her. Celestia turned to face forward again but lowered her head and closed her eyes.

“Then why, Princess? Why have you not spoken to her yet? I know you’re so proud of her, and how far she’s come. And I’m sure she knows it too, but I think that if—”

“I failed her, Twilight.” Celestia's voice began to crack. “Second only to Luna, my lack of foresight in Sunset’s growth is my greatest regret.”

Choking up further, she went on, “When I look back now, I can’t help but regard my time spent teaching her as a failed attempt at the things I did right by you. And that was so unfair to her... She deserved so much more.” She hung her head as her voice finally cracked. “I’m so sorry, Sunset.”

Twilight frowned to herself. She leaned against Celestia and closed her eyes. I wasn’t expecting this. I’m sorry as well, Princess.

As she nuzzled her former mentor, Twilight's memories drifted back to their early years together, illuminated by her sense of wonder with all of its joy and bright hope for the future. After all, the Princess had chosen her, of all unicorns! Celestia had always been so proud of her, and had given her so much love and devoted attention.

But... Twilight wasn't the first. No. She imagined a young Sunset Shimmer in her place, experiencing all of that same hope and happiness—that same loving encouragement. Twilight's heart ached as she recalled the Sunset she had met on her first trip through the mirror—the Sunset who had taken her Element and sought to overthrow Celestia in a fit of vindictive ambition.

Twilight looked up with a sigh. Just how much had you two shared? And what could have happened to cause so much hurt?

Celestia sniffed loudly and dried her eyes with a wingtip. Raising her head again, she stated, “Everything I’ve heard from you tells me that she’s finally in a better place now. And I don’t want to interfere with that and bring all of her old memories back to the surface.

“I love her so much, Twilight. I just want her to be happy.”

After a long pause, Twilight simply said, “Hmm.”

When Celestia glanced over at her, Twilight quietly added, “For all our wisdom, it seems oftentimes the troubles closest to our hearts are ones we find hardest to unravel. And I’ve learned that... this is one place where the perspective of a close friend can really help.”

Celestia closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

“I think those memories you’re worried about need to come to the surface. And yes, it may be painful for her, like it was for you here. But after a very unexpected conversation I had while I was there this time, I can tell you that it’s something that needs to happen if she’s going to heal.”

She paused for a moment. “It was Adagio, of all people, who brought this up to me.”

This elicited a raised eyebrow from Celestia.

“I know.” Twilight smiled and looked down at the grass in front of her. “Sunset has done a tremendous thing in showing those three a new way of life. I had almost no part in it, other than responding with advice from time to time. I think she’s finally learned that most important lesson. And then from there, she found a way to share it with three others who were in an even darker place.

“But from what Adagio tells me, despite her strength and effort to hide it, Sunset has been slipping back into a dark place of her own lately.” Twilight looked back up at Celestia. “Because of the regret she feels for the things she did all those years ago.”

Celestia lowered her head and closed her eyes, breathing in and out quietly.

“Sunset doesn’t blame you for anything, you know.”

Celestia turned back toward Twilight and looked at her with teary eyes.

“She blames herself. It seems both of you blame yourselves for everything that’s happened. Which is all the more reason why you have to reach out to her.”

Celestia sighed heavily, but then after a quiet moment, raised her head and steadied herself with a nod.

“Thank you, Twilight. I believe you’re right. It is finally time.”

Twilight’s horn began to glow. The magic journal lifted out of her saddlebag and toward Celestia. “You should have this for a while. It is still yours as far as I’m concerned.”

“That won’t be necessary.” A bright yellow glow overtook the pink, and the book settled itself back into Twilight’s bag. “I have a favor to ask of you, Twilight. I will write to Sunset, but I feel a more personal touch is appropriate. Would you please deliver a letter for me?”

***

Twilight exhaled and unshouldered the emotional weight of the day as she settled into the pillow at her writing desk. She looked around the room for a moment before glancing warmly at the small white envelope resting on the desk. A contented sigh followed as the light from the candle danced across Celestia’s emblazoned seal.

A pink glow emerged from a pouch on her saddlebag, and the enchanted book lifted out into the air. In a seamless motion, its cover opened while it floated over and rested down onto the desk. As the pages flitted by to the first blank passage, Twilight’s glow spread to the nearby quill, and it rose from its inkwell, drifted to the page, and set to writing.

I know I’m writing back rather soon, but I have some good news to share, and would like to do so face to face. The others don’t need to know I’m coming this time. I don’t intend to stay long, and if Pinkie finds out I’m there, well… you know. And the sooner the better. Perhaps late one evening this week, we could go out for tea?

Twilight replaced the quill, closed the book, and looked around her private study again. She had converted this room of the castle to be reminiscent of her old bedroom from the Ponyville library. The smooth, hard crystal of the castle walls felt so cold when her friends were gone to their homes in the evenings or were out performing their day-to-day activities. And so this room was a place of warmth for Twilight to retreat to during those times, or when she needed to recharge after a trying day.

Twilight closed her eyes, and for a few minutes, she simply enjoyed the silence as the dancing light flickered through her eyelids. It wasn’t long before the expected sound came from the book on her desk. Opening it again, she found Sunset’s reply.

Well, the sun has already gone down here, and I could make some time right now. I don’t think this furniture company will mind if I finish updating their website design tomorrow rather than tonight. Does that work for you? I’d just need about thirty minutes to change clothes and get to the statue. I’ll bring your stuff as well. And no, Twilight, it’s never too soon to write—or to visit.

Lifting the quill again, Twilight penned a quick response.

I’ll see you there then. And thank you. She tried her best to doodle a happy face at the end of the message and closed the book.

Twilight returned her attention to the white envelope on her desk and levitated it with a smile. She turned it end over end in the candlelight for a moment and then carefully slid it into her bag.

***

“I didn’t even know this cafe was over here until just recently,” Sunset said. “It’s a bit of a drive, but they have a bigger selection of teas than any place over by the school.” She and Twilight were nearing the end of a twenty-minute cab ride toward the outskirts of the city, and Sunset was looking out her window at the moonlit trees.

“And since it’s way out here on the other side of the foothills, there’s less chance one of the others might spot us.” Sunset turned back toward Twilight. “I was a bit surprised you wanted to keep this from them. But I guess it makes sense if you’re busy and need to get back.”

“I’m glad you understand. Thanks. And if I hadn’t just been here a few days ago, it’d be different, of course. I really enjoyed seeing everyone again. And oh, my goodness, what an amazing night that was.”

“I know, right? And Rarity even bought me that handmade scarf she wanted to show me.” Sunset laughed. “Turns out it was Fluttershy’s dad’s booth. And while we were there, Fluttershy whispered something to him and then grabbed another scarf, a hat, and a pair of gloves. Then on our way to the stage, she handed them to this older fellow on a bench who looked like he was probably homeless. It was so sweet… I almost cried at the way he smiled back at her. She has such a good heart.”

Twilight laughed softly as well, choking up a little at the story.

“It was just an all-around wonderful evening,” Sunset continued. “And I haven’t seen Adagio that happy in a while either. She was just about glowing through the band concert and afterward.”

She lowered her eyes with a soft smile, and after a moment added, “The more those three are around the girls, the more they’re beginning to understand, I think. Same way it was for me.”

Twilight smiled as well, placing a hand over one of Sunset's. She looked down at her backpack and then closed her eyes. Soon.

“It was Adagio who told me about this cafe, actually. We made the trip up here a few weeks ago.”

Sunset focused her eyes on the seat-back in front of her. “It was a bit strange though. She was all excited at first, but that seemed to fade when we got there and the only place to sit was this one booth in the corner. After that, she said she wasn’t very hungry and just ate a piece of pie and didn’t say much until we left. I could tell something was bothering her. But she didn’t want to talk about it, and I didn’t push too hard.”

She looked back up out the window. “Anyway, here we are.”

The bell hanging above them jingled when they walked into the cafe, with the cab’s engine revving away as the door closed behind them.

Browsing over the tea rack, Sunset commented on and selected a brand of jasmine which she hadn’t seen before. And Twilight’s attention was drawn to a chamomile that had a particularly scenic mountain meadow on its label. Sunset paid the cashier, and they retrieved their hot water and found a seat by the window. Twilight sighed thankfully at the number of empty booths, and set her bag down on the floor between her feet.

Sunset sat quietly looking down at her cup as the water took on the rich, dark tone of the tea leaves.

“Thanks for dropping what you were doing to meet me, Sunset.”

“No prob. Like I wrote in my message, it’s never too soon to visit.”

Sunset looked out the window for a few moments and then laughed quietly. “Here we are, two Equestrian prodigies, sitting together at a table in some cafe with our magic left far behind. Who would have ever thought something like this existed. For all it lacks, this world does have some amazing things we’d never have dreamed of back home.”

After a pause, she looked down at her tea and smiled with a “Hmmph.”

“Hm?”

“Back home.” Sunset lifted her cup and took a long sip. “I don’t know why I just said that.”

“Oh,” Twilight replied. “I think I see where you’re going.”

“Right. I really do consider this my home now. My friends are here, yourself excepted. And I’ve finally found some peace over this last year and have worked into a comfortable life. Do I sometimes miss Equestria? Yeah, I suppose. My magic? Yes, very. But this place has a certain magic of its own that I’ve come to enjoy as well.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Though I’m mostly just happy to hear that you’re happy.” Twilight met Sunset’s eyes and added, “She is too, you know.”

Sunset lowered her eyes again with a slight frown, closing them as she took another long sip.

Twilight took a slow breath and went on. “And like I said before, she really is proud of you for everything you’ve done here, and for who you’ve become.”

Sunset’s expression deepened, and she turned to look at her reflection in the window. After a few quiet moments, she said softly, “You may have thought about this before, or maybe not. But I often wonder how differently things might have turned out... if I’d taken to heart what she was trying to teach me all those years ago. All that stuff about friendship. Don’t get me wrong. Like I said, I’m happy here now—these last few months more than ever.”

She again met Twilight's gaze. “But I miss her, Twilight. I’m so sorry that I hurt her, and for everything I’ve done. Would you tell her that for me?” She folded her arms and lowered her eyes. “There’s just so much I regret.”

“That’s sort of why I’m here, actually.”

Sunset looked up at her quizzically.

“I may be the one who ended up with the wings. But believe me... there's a place for you in her heart that no one else will ever be able to fill. Not even me. I can’t imagine what you two shared, but I do know that she loves you so much, Sunset. She’s never stopped loving you.”

Twilight could see the pained look on Sunset's face—struggling to hold back tears as she fixated on the mug in front of her. And it broke her heart to see her like this. But this needs to come out, and that’s why I’m here.

“I have something for you.”

She reached under the table into her backpack. Feeling the small envelope, she retrieved it and sat up again. “I know she’s hurting just as much as you are. So I hope this can be the first step to both of you finding some peace.”

Twilight placed the envelope on the table and slid it very gently toward Sunset.

When her eyes settled on the envelope’s seal, Sunset leaned back slowly against the seat and covered her mouth with both hands. Her shoulders began to shake softly. Tears streaked down her face.

She leaned forward again, taking a long, deep breath in and out. “After all this time…” She let out a long muffled cry into one hand as her other traced a gentle circle around the emblazoned sun.

“Not here, though,” Twilight said. “Take it home with you and find a quiet place. I’m sure you’re going to want to be alone.”

Sunset nodded through her tears. “Yeah. And, Twilight… Thank you.”

“It wasn’t me, actually,” Twilight said softly. “I mean, sure, I helped with the back-and-forth, but… would you believe Adagio was the one who asked if I’d talk with Celestia? She could see just how much you were hurting, even with you staying so strong to hide it.”

Sunset looked back at Twilight with wide eyes and whispered, “You mean…” She choked out a single laugh and blinked twice, sending a few more tears down each of her cheeks. “She did this?”

“Mm-hm,” Twilight placed a hand over Sunset’s.

“Oh, my.” With her free hand, Sunset held the letter close to her chest and closed her eyes again with another soft laugh.

“She really has come a long way. I saw it in you all those months ago, and then again in her at the festival. She really seemed to care about seeing you happy, and it just warmed my heart. So I knew I had to help.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Maybe there’s nothing else that needs to be said. Not right now at least. Do you think they’d give us some to-go cups for these?”

“I’m sure they would. And Twilight… I think I’d like to head to Adagio’s house instead of back to my own.” Sunset again held the letter to her chest. “It’s closer, and I just really need to see her right now. I’m sure they’ll let me have a quiet room there to read this.”

“I understand. And I’m sure the cab can take me the rest of the way back to the school.”

“Mm-hm. I’ll give them the address of an apartment just down the road from there. No weird questions that way. Thank you again, Twilight. So much. I don’t know what you said to Celestia, but thank you.”

***

As the cab pulled up to the Dazzlings’ address, Sunset exhaled in relief. “There’s a light on inside, thank goodness.” She turned to Twilight and held her in a long hug. “I’ll write back to you soon. I’m sure I’ll want to know your thoughts on things.” With a laugh, she tightened her embrace before letting go. “And, because even if you won’t admit it, I’m sure you’re curious to know what’s in here.”

“Well, yes. You got me,” Twilight chuckled. “But that really is between you and her. If you’d like to talk about it, sure. But don’t feel that you need to. And if you do want to write to Celestia, just ask and I’ll leave the book with her for a while.”

Sunset smiled and sighed. “I know I’ve said this so much already, but thank you again.” With a quick smile, she added, “Until next time.” She stepped out of the cab and made her way to the front door of the house.

As the cab began to pull away, Twilight looked out the back window and saw Sunset—envelope still in hand—pull Adagio into a tight hug as she opened the door. She turned to face forward again and dried her eyes with a sleeve as the warmth in her heart overflowed into a single joyous laugh.

Comments

[Sylica telca]

I can't find the words to describe how great this fic is.