Afternoon Tea and Games

by BoredAuthor817

Castle

The rustic grandfather clock ticked melancholicly from its place of grandure in the corner at the far end of the house.

Sunset had noticed it on her previous visit, though, was then more taken in by its wooden detail. Now, in the silence of thought, she noticed it as a looming reminder of an ever-impending doom.

“You know, I've don't think I've ever asked you.”

Celestia scowled over the board. “Asked me what?”

Sunset idly stirred her tea, “Why do you love these games?”

Celestia gave the younger pony a curious look. “Who ever said I loved them?”

“Well,” Sunset stammered, “I'd only assumed because—”

“I do not love these games, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia said, sternly, “I play them because I must.”

Sunset leaned forward, fully intent on hearing everything that her former mentor had to say.

“I have seen too much of open war,” Celestia continued, “In the end, it does nothing a pen can't. I began asking myself: Why do in blood what you can do in ink?”

“Still," Sunset pushed, "some blood is spilled.”

“An unfortunate,” she moved her queen into a compromising position, “but, necessary, sacrifice.”

Sunset growled, “I hate playing black against you.” She moved her mage, ignoring Celestia's queen, “Of course,” she said, “theirs would only be a few drops compared to a sea.”

“That's what I like about you,” Celestia smiled, “You understand perspective. That's the problem with Twilight. Both she and Cadance insist on standing upon the moral high ground. They don't fully understand the necessity of sacrifice.”

“They understand it. They just don't agree with it. They put more value in voluntary self-sacrifice.”

“Do you?”

Sunset bowed her head, “You are my commander.”

Celestia's head fell slightly. “But,” she said sadly, “would you give such an order?”

“I would not give an order that I, myself, would not carry out.”

“And, what would that be?”

Sunset looked confused, “What order of yours have I left unfulfilled?”

“There is also one I have never given.”

“Maybe,” Sunset said, examining the board, “I'm just not in the right position.”

“Perhaps,” Celestia sighed, picking up her cup, “I've already asked much of you. And, I'm afraid, I will have to ask much more.”

“Well, maybe now that we've 'reconciled', things can move more smoothly.”

“Yes. Though, you've done quite well, considering the sparse communication.”

Sunset smirked, “You trained me to think on my hooves.”

Celestia refilled her cup, “Have you recovered all the artifacts hidden in that world?”

Sunset's mood turned slightly sour, “Most of them—when they're not causing me grief.”

“Still sore about the Memory Stone?” She couldn't help but smile in amusement as Sunset let out a low growl.

“That little idiot nearly undid everything. And don't get me started on Anon-A-Miss.”

Celestia smirked, “Is that why you jumped in front of the Memory Stone?”

“It was a long-shot,” Sunset huffed, “I figured, in worst case, I could start over as a hero instead of back at square one. Besides, I still had all my work safely stored on my computer.”

“Still, shame it was destroyed.”

Sunset grit her teeth, “I still have mixed feelings about it.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “You don't think it could have been useful?”

“Useful, yes. Though unstable. I've been trying to replicate the spell with improvements to moderate success.”

“And what of the Time Twirler? You had to go and break that as well?”

“It's not broken beyond repair. Remember, I'm the one who smashed it. If I'd let Pinkie do it, it would've been toast for sure.”

Celestia smiled as she sipped her tea, “You always did love taking things apart and putting them back together. You still haven't fixed that crack in the portal, though.”

“I don't know if I want to.”

“Oh?”

Sunset fiddled with a captured piece. “It has actually worked to my advantage. There's enough ambient magic leaking through that I can actually use it.”

“Even though it causes problems?”

“All the more reason. With each episode, I gain more of their confidence.”

Celestia pursed her lips. “You and the sirens are the only Equestrians known to them. Have you discovered any more?”

“If there are, they're deeply hidden. Though, I'm sure all this new magic stuff will eventually smoke them out. I was surprised the sirens showed up so quickly.”

“Magical creatures crave magic.”

“I know," Sunset rolled her eyes, "I just wasn't expecting to give Twilight an excuse to open the portal that soon.”

“She certainly is a lot smarter than I anticipated. How are the sirens doing?”

“They're bitter, but powerless.”

“The perfect fall-creatures, if the time comes?”

“No doubt.” She looked over the board, “Are you going to move?”

“There are many things which should not be rushed, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia said courtly. She leaned over to examine her pieces, “A cup of tea is chief among them.” She pushed forward a pawn. “At any rate, I couldn't be more satisfied with the progress you've made.”

A smile cracked Sunset's lips as her knight captured a mage. “You seem to have done pretty well yourself on this side.”

Celestia's gaze didn't leave the board. “It turned out far better than I had hoped. But, I'm afraid this play is nearing its end.”

Sunset looked pained. “So then...” she said softly, “Twilight...”

A twinge of remorse sounded in the old pony's voice, “It won't happen right away. She still has some time.”

“Of course... Otherwise, it would be too obvious.”

“But, it must be done quickly,” she advanced another pawn, “Before she can cause any serious damage. Even with the crown, she must be wearing it for me to do anything. She may be good at unifying, but she has little aptitude for anything else. Stars forbid, she encounters a competent foe who isn't so easily won over by talks of love and friendship.

"Perhaps my own fault, but she knows nothing about the true art of war."

Sunset reluctantly agreed. “I trust you will make it quick.”

Celestia frowned, “You seem very interested in Twilight's fate.”

Sunset sighed, pushing forward a pawn. A few more spaces and it would reach the other side of the board. “She is a pawn. But, one who has served you well. She deserves some reward.”

“Have I not done enough for her? Don't tell me you have grown pity for her. Or, perhaps, a certain fondness?”

“Perhaps a bit,” Sunset shrugged, “I mean, after all, she is our own sister.”

“Only on a genetic level. But, if you're so worried about her, rest assured, her death will be honorable and her name remembered in the highest regard by the ages.”

Sunset couldn't help but emit a chuckle, “Ironically poetic, isn't it?”

“What is?”

“That the unity of this world she so desires should come about by the shedding of her blood?”

Celestia nodded, “She would achieve more as a martyr than she ever could otherwise.”

“Of that, I do not doubt. There are such individuals in the other world as well. I just find it... interesting...” She stared silently out the window. “Will she ever know the truth?”

“It's too dangerous. Even if it's the last thing she hears.”

“So,” Sunset's gaze fell, “she'll never know what she is. Why she lived, or why she must die.”

“It is better this way.”

Sunset tepidly agreed. “I suppose it would be cruel to tell her.”

“It would only compound her burden. Her life was planned out long before she was born. As short as it will be, I wanted it to be a happy one.”

“It is a strange burden to bear,” Sunset said, “I can understand why you don't tell everyone.”

“Many don't know,” Celestia said sadly, “It was imperative for your mission that you knew.” She looked at the unicorn who had fallen silent. “Do you hate me for it?”

Sunset shrugged, “I don't know. But then, you told me when I was little. I guess it's different when you've always known what you are. But, did I have to look so much like my surrogate mother?”

“She was used as a basis for you. Would you have preferred a different color scheme?”

“Well,” Sunset chuckled, “you could have made me look more like you.”

“That's the exact reason to change your appearance.”

“I still can't believe you can do it.”

“Cloning is a technology in that world. In fact, I took it from them.”

“Yes,” Sunset acquiesced, “but it's not to the level you've gone. None of us could be created in that world.” She let out a long sigh, “I still find it rather funny that Cadance and I are the same.”

“Cadance doesn't know either. I couldn't tell her when we finally found her; she was far too old. Plus, she had managed to ascend on her own. I had to divert as far away from the truth as possible.”

“You certainly took a gamble with Flurry Heart,” Sunset said, “I nearly had a heart attack when Twilight showed me the pictures.”

“It's true,” Celestia chuckled, “I wasn't expecting her to look so much like me. But, Flurry was naturally conceived. I couldn't mess too much with her.”

“And her being an alicorn?”

“That was, apparently, an oversight on my part. Though, not something I can't work with. We'll just need to take extra precautions with Sunburst and Starlight Glimmer. Speaking of which, you should check-in on your brother while you're here. I'm sure, given your already good relations with Starlight, you can... help advance the process?”

“What?” Sunset winced, “Them already working together is not enough? Besides, Trixie seems to be doing a far better job than either of us can ask for.”

“All the same,” Celestia smiled, sipping her tea, “visit your brother.”

“Where did you say Luna was today?”

“Managing the post office. Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering of we had time for one more game,” Sunset grumbled, returning her attention to the board, “I'm not liking this one.”