> Divenire
>  by The Wizard of Words
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: The Dream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia had long dreaded this day. However, she didn’t abhor it, nor did she hate it. She could not bring herself to hate things that had to be, and fear of the same thing would only lead her immortal life to be wrought with worry.

But she could dread. She could hope it away, though she knew the good it would do. Her life was made on difficult decisions and great moments of pain. Be them sacrifices she didn’t wish to make or judgements that would alienate herself from the ponies she loved, they came down to moments she dreaded, and ultimately had to endure.

This was one of those moments.

This was something she could not-- and would not-- enjoy.

Across from her sat her student. Nay, her prized pupil. A mare that had passed every test and shined with a beauty that so few could comprehend. She had the mind of a sage, a figure that belonged in a painting, and the compassion of a saint.

Twilight Sparkle. Her name was a testament to who she was.

A gem found in the median of two sides of a coin. It appeared every day, but only in the ghost of a moment. Yet when a pony let his or her eyes fall on the beauty that was that passing in time, they would be captivated by the shimmer, lost in its visage and depth.

Curiosity was always in her bones, well before it was ever on her mind. It only made sense that as she grew her desire to learn grew with her. And as her knowledge became greater and her potential more pronounced, it was only so clear that Celestia take the bright and talented mare beneath her wings.

And as time went on from there, the months turning into years, Celestia only felt the greatness within her student grow. Strong with perseverance and dedicated in purpose, the lingering doubts about her precious student’s fate began to dwindle into scarce obscurity before vanishing into nothingness.

Just like the moment the diarch was currently in, Celestia saw signs as they were happening. She knew her student would solve a problem centuries old; fix a mistake that she couldn’t have prevented. And that one simple test, that last small requirement to reach, and her student had done what no other pupil beneath Celestia had done before.

Twilight Sparkle became an alicorn, a princess, a ruler with a heart as large as her mind.

It was a joyous day, a wonderful day, a moment that Celestia knew would come and felt blessed to witness: watching her student fulfill her destiny. A single moment, no matter how fleeting against the years in her life, that made the curse of her immortality completely worth it.

That was how Celestia knew this moment would come. Because that moment had come to pass, so too would this one now occur; and it was doing just that. This conversation, this reaction, even the cups of tea that sat on the table between them, forgotten beneath the words she had spoken.

Celestia wanted to see so few things in her eternal life, and there were just as many things she hoped to never witness. But the moment she was in was making her wish away the instant in place of another.

She didn’t want to see Twilight’s eyes opened wide with terrified realization, her chest still in shock and breath caught with surprise. She wanted to see her student smiling with shimmering eyes, to have the same look of adoration and devotion that the diarch was so used to, so attached to.

“Celestia,” her name came from the newly crowned alicorn, so much colder than the warm tone the title was usually spoken with. “This… I-I can’t…”

A patient sight left Celestia’s lips. It was the only way she could keep herself calm.

She knew this moment would come, had suspected it for a long while, and only just recently confirmed it. Celestia held no surprise or horror for the moment she was in, but she did find much to wish against and dream of reversing.

And to think, her day had begun like any other. 
> Chapter 1: The Morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A question that often roamed through the mind of an early riser was, “when did morning actually begin?” Did the morning only come once the sun began to peek over the horizon, or was there an hour on the celestial clock that marked the end of the night and beginning of the day? Or was it far more general-- simply when one rose and nothing more?

It was just one of many answerless questions that Celestia entertained as her mind began to stir.

A slow groan rolled through her lips as she twisted her neck, savoring the sensation of soft cotton across her alabaster coat. It tingled the skin buried beneath her fur, like soft tickles from deft hooves.

It was heavenly.

Slowly, her eyes opened, revealing the dark interior of her chambers. They were decorated and well-kept, just the same as it was before she went to sleep. A slow breath of air was taken in as she began to adjust her legs, moving the light sheets that covered her large form. Her head twisted, lifting off the pillow.

Even after centuries alive, the act of waking up never seemed to become any easier.

A small glow of light and hum of magic filled the air, both emanating from the long twisted horn from atop her head. Under the simple spell’s command, the sheets covering Celestia lifted and removed themselves. Bare to the air, the alicorn’s coat suffered the icy dance of a gust of wind, earning a small shiver in response.

She rolled her body off the bed, hooves lightly beating at the carpet beneath her. Celestia adjusted her wings with a small flap, pushing the air and working her muscles. The action earned another groan of discomfort, but it helped her eyes flutter awake.

The room was dark, as it always was when she woke up, but that concerned her very little. Where she needed to be now was not in her chambers, but on the balcony beyond the glass doors. It was hard to see the terrace now, in the room full of darkness. They were hidden behind the blinds, drawn by the ponies who believed she would enjoy the darkness to rest. She didn’t have the mind to point out how the sun rose and fell with her command.

Celestia smiled at the thought. They had learned well over the years.

Her hooves barely made a sound as she trotted across the carpet, familiar with her room when it was colored in the gray darkness of the night. Her tired eyes slowly recognized the rough outline of the hanging silk as she approached it. Another flash of her horn’s magic surrounded the thin material in her grasp. It took only a small thought to glide the drapes away. The glass doors were soon met with the same ethereal grasp, guided open under her command.

It didn’t take long for the cool air to glide over Celestia’s coat, causing a shiver far deeper and far more visible than the brief one from when she removed her sheets. For all the waking rituals she had practiced through her long lifetime, nothing seemed quite as effective as a cold blast of air. The breath she took in was just as chilled. It quickly banished the sleep from her eyes.

The first thing, and only thing, Celestia saw with her currently far-more detailed gaze was the night sky, Luna’s sky, her little sister’s masterpiece.

No matter what direction the white alicorn looked, a pattern of white lights dotted the black canvas of the sky. Outlines of ponies long past, connecting dots of magnificent shapes, and reminders that no pony but the alicorn sisters could name. They were all there, hidden in the lights. But the longer the newly-awoken princess stared into the sky, the more the lights appeared to change.

Holding her poise, holding her breath, and holding her gaze, the diarch watched carefully the lights appeared to brighten, before dimming beneath the intensity of others. Some would move across the dark canvas, only to quickly flee back when her eyes ghosted over to them. Celestia knew it was an illusion. She had known it for as long as she and her sister controlled the sky above.

It was the purest and most powerful of all illusions. Not for its magic and size, and not even for its age. It was an illusion of immense power because of the trait magic could not replicate.

It was an illusion you wanted to fall into.

Celestia had proven it by doing so herself.

A smile pulled at her lips as she shook her head, freeing herself from the comforting embrace of the night’s image.

“It’s morning now sister,” Celestia spoke to herself, her smile unfaltering. “It will be your turn again soon enough.”

Another slow draw of light emanated from the alabaster alicorn’s horn, lighting her balcony as she did so. The same hum of power vibrated in her ears, a dull ring that would retreat just as quickly as the light once she ceased her magic. That, however, would only occur once her task was done.

Little by little, the lights in the sky began to die out, slowly disappearing into the dark abyss of the sky above. It was slow, almost unnoticeable, until the light began to break beyond the horizon. By that point, the stars were gone and the moon was falling behind the mountains.

Then, like a dragon stirring from its century of sleep, the sun began to rise from the horizon.

It carried itself into the air, drifting under the powerful force of Celestia’s magic. She took in a deep breath of air to calm her mind, keeping the ball of light and fire secure in her grasp.

When she released the air from her lungs, the sun remained hung in the air.

“Perfect,” she spoke softly, smiling as she finished. Her wings expanded to their fullest length, savoring the first warm rays of her sun as it began to dot the land. It warmed her frigid coat, fighting away with chilly blanket of Luna’s night, replacing it with her day. She took another slow breath in, puffing out her chest as she did so.

Then, with a turn of her tail, she left the balcony through the glass doors, her wings folded back at her sides. Her room was much brighter with the sun in the sky and her blinds open to the light. It showed off the golden sews and lavender cloths that decorated her room. Hanging from walls, wrapped around pillows, and all sporting some clever design of her cutie mark.

“Hmm…” Celestia lightly hummed to herself, walking past the pillows that littered the floor at the foot of her bed. Her dresser was pushed up against the far wall, just as decorated and well-maintained as any other piece of decorum in her chambers.

“I have court today with the ambassador from the Crystal Kingdom.” The diarch noted as the magic lit her horn, surrounding the doors to her dresser in a golden aura. With another simple thought, they slid open without any resistance.

“He’ll be giving me the reports on the financials and the integration of the kingdom back into Equestria.” Her horn gave another soft hum as the aura grew a bit brighter. From beyond the opened doors,  crystal regalia slowly glided through the air, caught in the same ethereal glow as the curtains and door before them.

With trained precision they moved over Celestia’s body. Her hoof ornaments sliding into place, her necklace maneuvering over her head and down her neck, then the crown slowly landing over her mane. The weight of the crystal pushed down on her, familiar with its cold texture. She let out another breath of air. It was not for relaxing.

“After that, I have to organize military budget regarding the relocation of troops.” Her voice lightly noted again, shutting the dresser with her magic as she did so. “I’ll have to be careful about that. Taking out of the salary of any pony is an undesirable act, but it’s just as hard to get approval from the council members regarding increases in expenditure.”

She turned away from the dresser and towards the large white door matching the alabaster shade of her coat. It was etched with familiar symbols, detailed with recognizable colors. The outlines of a sun and the comforting lines of gold. Whether it be the dawn, the day, or the dusk, the room to her chambers was nothing to be ignored.

Celestia stalled just in front of it, stopping over the carpeting to her room. She knew well what was going to be outside the doors. The same row of servants, the same guards lining the hall, and the same façade she would have to wear until the day’s end.

A cool breath of air was slowly taken into her lung, not yet warmed by the sun’s rays. It focused her mind, brushing the lingering dust from her still sleep-addled brain. Carefully as always, she pulled the muscles on her face, adjusting herself until the features of Celestia the Mare were gone and Celestia the Regent of Canterlot were formed.

With a flash of her horn, she opened the doors.

“Good morning your majesty!”

The chorus of voices spoke to her the same way they did every morning. Proud, happy, and adoring. Some bowed until their manes drifted over the stone floor, others saluted with a staunch posture. But they were all happy, all of them adoring the proud and regal Princess Celestia with genuine smiles and honest eyes.

Princess Celestia disliked the frivolous ritual they performed, but she would never find discomfort or harm in appreciation and love.

“And good morning to you all as well,” the diarch spoke kindly to her ponies, lightly closing her eyes as she drew her lips, letting the majestic smile of an immortal ghost across her lips. “Thank you for greeting me once more this early. I understand it can’t be easy to do this all the time.”

“It’s no problem at all your majesty. We are only too happy to be of service to you.” One of the more familiar ponies spoke up. Tell-Tale, a mare who was in charge of scheduling the days for the alabaster alicorn. Meetings with diplomats, excursions across Equestria, or simply a free hour for tea in the garden; Tell-Tale could make it happen.

Celestia never forgot a face, and names stuck with her forever. Even so, it would be hard for anypony to forget a mare that did so much without ever losing face. The monarch felt a familiar and heavenly warmth flow through her like air. Her genuine smile cracked through the thin mask she had set.

“Regardless, I thank you for it,” the alicorn spoke again, leaning down to match the much smaller height of the pony she spoke to. “And now I must ask, where are we to go first?”

“Oh right,” Tell-Tale briefly replied, collecting herself with a small diversion of her eyes. The rest of the ponies began to disperse, as their morning rituals were still not complete. The maids took off to their various duties, and the guards returned to their staunch, statue-like attention. Tell-Tale’s horn flashed, bringing a small clipboard to bear in front of her gaze.

“You have a meeting with an ambassador from the Crystal Kingdom, but that is not for a few hours. Until then, the only thing on your schedule is a good breakfast. I believe the kitchen is already preparing a fine tossed salad with olive dressing.” The immortal would have spoken ill of herself if she claimed the meal did not sound appetizing.

“Mm hmm,” Celestia hummed in agreement. “And how long do you suppose it will take until that is ready?”

“I’d have to guess no more than ten or twenty minutes. Sweet Spot was telling me how careful she had to be with dressing, making sure I understood that it was the most important part of the salad.”

“She does know how to prepare delicacies from simplicities.”  Celestia let out a small chuckle as she spoke. It was no secret to anypony who worked within the stone walls of Canterlot Castle that their ruler of a thousand years preferred the less extravagant things in life. A preference for eating dishes, not banquets. Deciding to enjoy the afternoon sun from her balcony over a chariot ride above the city. Small things that most ponies would miss.

But the ponies who worked beneath the alicorn had done so for more than a brief moment. They had come to recognize their ruler. Her kindness, her loyalty, and her generosity. They had experienced the very best of her, and in return, they gave their very best to her.

“Alright, then,” Tell-Tale began again, using a quill to mark down on her clipboard. “What will you do until then?”

“I’ll go for a walk,” Celestia spoke without a moment’s hesitation. “I’m sure there are other ponies that are up early for my sake.” The answer brightened Tell-Tale’s already vivid smile.

“Yes of course. I’ll tell Sweet Spot to wait before applying the dressing. It’ll be ready for you when you want it.” Celestia smiled kindly down to the detail-oriented pony, feeling her own coat warm beneath the mare’s words. She always was concerned with keeping things in order, and only felt too proud of herself when plans proceeded as they were designed to. She reminded the diarch so much of another pony who was close to her.

“Thank you, Tell-Tale,” Celestia spoke honestly to the mare. “I’ll be in the dining hall within the hour.” The pony gave a low bow of respect before trotting away from the alicorn, her clipboard hovering in front of her muzzle. It wasn’t difficult for the immortal to guess that the mare was going to check on other plans, ensuring that the rest of the day was secure. It was her job, and she did love her job.

Celestia turned in the other direction down the hall, fully intending to let her mind wander before she even took her first step. There wasn’t much to plan, but there were always things to think of.

Just as it was time to manage the budget with the increase in guards, that meant a new budget proposal and balancing were likely due for many departments. The maids and garden keepers were likely next, then would follow the council members and various politicians. It was the only thing they agreed to go last to. It usually meant they could save a few more bits before the inevitable cuts came to their purses.

It was a joke among many of the lower-class members of Canterlot that Celestia was a regular Robin Hoof, taking from the rich and snooty and giving to the ponies who needed it more. She never spoke against the claims, but neither could she agree to them,  no matter how amusing they were.

In truth, it had little to do with taking from ponies who didn’t deserve money and giving to ponies who did. No matter the claims of the unlucky, not all the politicians and politically-abled ponies were crooks and thieves. Many deserved the bits that they made, reorganizing entire structures in business while managing sectors across Equestria that Celestia touched on only once in a blue moon. It was hard work and it was long work, so it made sense that pay was given in turn.

How much they earned, however, was always an honest and deserving question.

Celestia turned down the hall, spotting a pegasus mare in the floating in the air as she did so. The maid’s wings fluttered lightly in the air as she had a duster in her hoof, taking care of painting frames that hung from the high walls. A content and satisfied smile was placed over her lips, complete with a small cheerful tune, doubtlessly to make up for the lack of other life around her.

The diarch stopped to listen to the tune, soft and gentle but carried over the stone like a swelling melody. It was uplifting with its simplicity, though it doubtlessly came from a grander score. It mattered little to the pony who hummed it or the alicorn who patiently listened to it. Finally though, Celestia decided to make herself known.

“That is a lovely tune,” she spoke as kindly as ever, being sure to walk slowly towards the floating maid. Her voice clearly shocked the pegasus from her reverie, her wings momentarily stiffening in tandem with her constricted eyes. The sight brought a small giggle to the alicorn’s muzzle. It was rare for Celestia to sneak up on ponies so effectively; usually her size gave her away.

The pegasus looked at the diarch from her higher vantage point. The smile that lit up the mare’s muzzle was quick, but brilliant. She descended to the carpet, her wings tucking into her sides as she did so. Her eyes never lost contact with the taller alicorn. Then, when the distance between them was adequate, a real conversation began.

“Good morning your majesty,” the polite greeting and bow was offered from the maid, a pleasant and genuine smile across her lips.

Celestia felt a bit of warmth crawl through her body, pleased and grateful to have such a kind and gentle welcome. Not an action made by force or fear, but freely offered, given from the maid in gratitude to her kindly ruler. It was the kind of greeting Celestia loved to have.

A moment of silence hung between the two as the diarch focused her mind, searching for the name and history of the mare in front of her. She knew her, as Celestia did all of the ponies she had met, but that did not mean they were all so instantaneous to come to her memory. However, like a flash of magic that she was found of casting, the mare’s past came to her.

“And a good morning to you as well,” the alicorn kindly spoke, smiling with a well practiced turn of her lips. She briefly searched her mind before speaking again. “How is your foal doing? I believe he is two by now, is he not?”

The smile the mare gave in return was a joyful mixture of surprise and jubilance. A rare, but ultimately favorable, reaction.

“Oh, he is doing extremely well,” the maid replied in kind, rising to her hooves as she spoke. “He’s already started speaking and learning new words, although many of them are simply childish gibberish.” A friendly exchange of laughter was given between the alabaster alicorn and the tan maid.

“He sounds like a curious child. There is much good that can come out of nurturing such a mind.” Celestia noted, her tone full of the same kindness and warmth she was known for possessing.

“Yes, my husband and I have thought as much. We hope to enroll him in flight school when he is able. Hopefully it won’t be any longer than a few months from now.” The mare’s tail flicked and her wings adjusted as she spoke.

They were signs obvious to Celestia, when displayed in tandem. She was nervous about something; a detail in her life she was afraid to share to one of the diarchs of a powerful nation. A logical choice in judgment, ultimately, one Celestia was not foreign to. It was a good thing she was so used to these situations. It only took a single guess for her to see what was wearing on the mare’s mind.

“Please, seek me out when it comes time for him to enroll. I will see to it he gains entry into the division post haste.” Once more did the stunned joy light up the mare’s features, and once more did Celestia enjoy a warm wave of appreciation rolling up her form.

“Oh thank you, your highness!” The maid nearly yelled, rising into the air with her beating wings as she spoke. It took her a moment to recompose herself, letting her hooves gently tap back down on the floor. A hot blush did remain stained across the coat on her face. Celestia lightly giggled at the sight.

“Think nothing of it,” the ruler commanded, dismissing the mare’s ecstatic cry. “I care for all my ponies, and I see to it that I am able to help them in any way I can.”

The maid lightly opened and shut her mouth, searching for words as her lips began to move. When her jaw shut, a smile spread across her lips, appearing to be smelted there with the intensity it was glowing. Celestia enjoyed the heartfelt thanks emanating from her small gesture.

Then, with another bow, the mare trotted down the hall, doubtlessly to continue the job the diarch had interrupted. The guess was quickly confirmed as the pegasus fluttered her wings, ascending into the air with a duster in hoof. Celestia gave the mare one last smile before heading down the hall, quickly losing track of the pegasus behind the white stones that surrounded her.

It wasn’t much longer before Celestia felt the familiar craving for food reach into her; a desire for something sweet yet good to eat. The gentle reminder of a sweet sauced-and-tossed salad waiting for her was enough to make her lick her lips in anticipation. She eagerly began to maneuver down the labyrinth of halls towards the dining room, ready to enjoy her meal.

Celestia was well-aware that following her meal the real work for the day would begin-- an important conference followed by book and budget balancing. The former would decide just how long the latter took. After both of those activities, there would doubtlessly be a few choice discussions she would have to have. None quite as important or politically relevant as the meeting with the Crystal Kingdom Ambassador, but all important nonetheless. She could hardly be a princess to her ponies if she never listened to what they said.

In the end, it mattered little to her now. The future was coming no matter what thoughts her mind formed, and thinking of what could be only created expectations, which were let down when what was came to be.

“Lost in thought, your majesty?”  A voice teasingly asked the diarch, earning her pink gaze. Celestia smiled down at Tell-Tale, who was emerging from a connecting hall with her clipboard in her magical grasp.

“Yes, you caught me once more,” the diarch admitted with grace, lightly nodding her head as she spoke. The smile Tell-Tale gave in return held no malice or unjust desires. It was only the smile one friend would offer another.

“Actually, I had something to tell you before you began your meal, and it most definitely could not be said while you were in the midst of your meetings.” The words were nothing Celestia had not heard before. As such, they brought about no new reaction Tell-Tale had not seen before.

“And what is that? Has a foreign diplomat made an unannounced visit?” Celestia lightly guessed, joking as she spoke as to break any tension Tell-Tale may have. It was clearly needless, as the mare’s gaze was only focused, friendly and calm. There was no trepidation or worry in her form.

“In a way, you could be right, but the pony is actually one you are familiar with.” Tell-Tale let a brief moment of silence pass between the two before she spoke on. “Twilight Sparkle has made a request with me to see you. She made it clear that the meeting she wishes to have is more informative than recreational, and, as such, requested your official time. And before you ask why she did so, it was because, and I quote, “I wouldn’t want to trouble the princess in her free time”.” The words earned a small chuckle from Celestia.

“I believe Twilight would say something like that,” the immortal admitted with a pleased smile, content to hear that her student was visiting her. “But if she did say something like that, then it would be fair for me to assume that she told you what she wished to discuss with me.” Tell-Tale raised her brows lightly, as if to acknowledge the diarch with a knowing stare.

“You know us both so well, your majesty.”  Before Tell-Tale could let the alicorn respond, she raised her clipboard to her eyes, flipping through the pages until she came across the notes she desired. “According to her message, she wanted to discuss with you some of the changes that have occurred to her following her coronation.”

Celestia could only find herself smiling as she nodded.

So like her student to worry about things that had already been explained. Then again, it was not a simple change, or one that occurred to any pony in a regular lifetime. Some concern was to be expected.

“More specifically,” Tell-Tale went on, her eyes squinting as she read the final lines of her notes. “She is curious about you.”

Those words caused Celestia to pause.

“Curious about me?” She repeated, her smile dropping in place of a inquisitive stare. She looked at Tell-Tale with half-lidded eyes and a twisted head. “Did she specify as to what it was concerning?”

“Yes, actually,” Tell-Tale admitted. “She is curious about the differences between you and her now. More specifically, why you are immortal and she is not.”

Celestia stopped.

So sudden was the motion that Tell-Tale found herself trotting next to nothing for a few hoofsteps. When the mare turned to ask her monarch what was wrong, she was greeted with a stare she could not describe. There was no joy, no horror, no hatred, and not even a speck of confusion. There was only shock. Pure, stilling, shock.

“Y-Your majesty?” Tell-Tale spoke carefully, her voice tripping over itself. It was rare to see Celestia in such a way. It was enough to knock her from her own comfortable schedule. “Is something… amiss?”

“Tell-Tale,” Celestia spoke in a calm voice, full of neither authority nor jubilee. “When is Twilight scheduled to arrive?”

“Um, just a moment.” The unicorn spoke before tearing through her notes, finding what she needed quickly. “She will be here just past mid-day’s sun, following lunch.”

“Move her up,” The words came without pause or trepidation. “Make the arrangements for Twilight and I to eat in the garden, just past the statues.”

“But your majesty, the guards positioned near there are minimal. Only a single pegasus knight that circles the garden.” Tell-Tale was becoming worried with every passing word. Something was wrong, even a foal could see that.

“Yes, you’re right,” Celestia spoke with a nod of her head. “Tell the guard stationed there to take an early break and return following his lunch. He will not be needed.”

Tell-Tale’s clipboard fell from her aura.

“Your… majesty?” Tell-Tale didn’t know how to ask it, or even what to ask for that matter. So many questions, too many mysteries, and so many things being decided so quickly that the unicorn didn’t even know where to begin. Celestia, however, made her decision clear.

“I have a very important matter to discuss with Twilight, Tell-Tale.” The diarch began, her pink gaze hard as she looked into the scheduler’s eyes. “It will not be an easy meeting for me, nor will it be one I enjoy, but it is one I must now have. And I would prefer if the information I am to pass remain only between me and my student. Do you understand?”

Tell-Tale, for a change of pace, found herself wordless as she numbly nodded at the diarch’s words.

“Thank you,” Celestia spoke.

Then, without another word, the alabaster alicorn continued her walk down the hall, approaching the dining room just ahead. Tell-Tale remained rooted to her spot in the hallway, staring into a void as her mind was left tumbling.

There were a million and one curiosities working through her mind, dozens of scenarios and thousands of wonders that were burrowing through her skull. But no matter what her mind landed upon, there was only one question that truly rung above the rest.

What was Celestia trying to hide?
> Chapter 2: The Midday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia loved the air of the garden. She dared herself against speaking arbitrary words, but she felt the air was cleaner here than it was anywhere else through Canterlot. There were no ponies that frequented the grounds, no places of business that left items cluttered, no stagnation or rot that would leave vile scents, and certainly nothing but the finest flowers throughout all of her land. Simply put, she did love the air of the castle’s gardens.

It made the deep breaths she took easier to manage.

For nearly a minute now she prepared herself, taking deep breaths with fluttering eyes, hoping to control what little of her mind was still unprepared for this meeting. Even as she performed the action, she doubted it would quell her rouge thoughts. Always the small idea, the unlikely possibility, that something would unfortunate would come because of the events that were quickly approaching her.

The grass beneath her hooves was free of any dew, dry to the touch, but also soft against her coat. It was another pleasant facet of the garden, testifying to its well-maintained state. The air that flowed over her coat and through her partially extended wings also felt heavenly, though that credit was little deserved by the garden itself.

In the end, however, the diarch was well-aware how minute all the physical sensations she enjoyed would matter, at least for a time. Twilight was soon approaching, doubtlessly slowed by her own mind. It was no mystery to Celestia how the new princess worried herself over appearances, especially under her eye. But it was not a new trait to the Sun Princess, not after living for a thousand years, not after banishing three of the most powerful foes ever to stain Equestria’s pages of history.

She released another breath, letting her gaze fall to the kettle of tea and small cups in front of her. They sat on an impressively decorated table, a linen cloth as white as her coat and embroiled with golden suns lining the sides. Steam slowly rose from the liquid within the cups, cooling as the seconds trickled by. Celestia didn’t bother to count them, not when there was an endless amount of them ahead of her in life.

The conversation with the ambassador was a testament to her mind now. The entirety of the discussion had been the crystal pony speaking to her regarding the state of the Crystal Kingdom’s affairs while the alabaster diarch listened. To any pony in the hall, she appeared to have a focused gaze, listening intently to the ambassador’s words. To herself, however, she had only a passive mask of indifference.

While Celestia’s heart always held the concerns of her little ponies to the highest of regards, her mind kept turned back to the meeting now close at hoof.

When the ambassador spoke of small protests against the Crystal Kingdom becoming part of Equestria again, Celestia thought of Twilight’s astute mind, able to find the solution to the most complicated of problems.

As the crystal pony detailed Princess Cadance’s plan for quelling the fears of the ponies, still used to laws and rules a thousand years old, Celestia’s mind wandered to Twilight once more, who had gone through such a dramatic change once she had begun to make new friends.

And when the meeting was finally done and Celestia stood from her throne to bid the young ambassador farewell, thanking in for his work as he left, she was reminded of her farewells to Twilight Sparkle, leaving to start another portion of her life in another town.

Nearly every thought that Celestia had came back to the lavender alicorn, her and her journey through the stages of her life. From curious foalhood to enraptured mare, the pony was consuming Celestia’s thoughts, but the dairch could see little reason to be concerned with it.

She was happy with the memories made between the two, satisfied with the life that Twilight was leading, joyful to the loyalty the alicorn still had for the alabaster princess.

“Princess Celestia!”

And she was glad to hear her former student’s voice.

The joyful tone of her title and name earned the attention of the mare in question, turning her head towards the voice. She knew, of course, who was speaking before even laying eyes on the pony in question.

Twilight Sparkle stood just beyond the stone archway, with a smile on her lips, joy in her eyes, and wings extended outwards in excitement. Celestia felt a smile pull at her own features as the glow of her former student’s adoration sent waves to her.

“Twilight,” Celestia returned in a far more tame volume. “It is good to see you again.” The mare stood from her seat, walking the small distance needed to match the trot the young alicorn had. Twilight quickly rubbed her coat against the forelegs the diarch, an action that earned the embrace of Celestia’s long neck, holding the younger pony close.

The fibers of their coats mingled with one another, exchanging the heat from one to the other with perfect exchange. Celestia heard a contented sigh leave Twilight’s lips, complete with the inflation and deflation of her chest. The diarch felt herself perform the same action.

“Oh, you already have the tea served.” The young mare’s words caused a rumble through her form, lightly shaking the alicorn’s head. It was as good a sign as any to release the smaller pony from her embrace. Celestia rose her head upwards once more. It matched seamlessly with Twilight lightly backing away from her as well.

“Yes, I had it served the moment your arrival was announced,” Celestia easily explained as she returned to her seat. Twilight trotted the small distance necessary to round the table, taking her own seat across from the much taller diarch. “I wanted to have a private conversation with you, and that would require as few distractions as possible.”

“Thank you princess,” Twilight replied almost automatically. “That was very thoughtful of you.”

“Please Twilight,” Celestia raised her hoof as she spoke. “We are both on equal standing with power now. You are no longer my student, and I am no longer your teacher. We are now both princesses serving the kingdom, and I see you as one of the dearest friends that I have. ‘Celestia’ will do just fine.” It was difficult for her to tell if the heat coming from the smaller alicorn was from her admiring nature or the hot blush that forcing the blood to her head. She suspected the former, but couldn’t eliminate the latter.

“A-As you wish… Celestia…” Her name was spoken tentatively, like a grown mare testing her first fermented beverage. Hesitant, careful, but ultimately, satisfying. Celestia could see it was very similar to how Twilight was acting, as the smile that pulled at her lips was clear indicating. She returned it without any effort.

“Thank you, now,” the diarch started. “How have you been adjusting?” It was rather needless to detail just what needed getting used to.

“Well, it is still a little awkward.” As if to prove her point, her wings unfolded completely from her sides, extending at uneven rates from one another. “I imagined that using wings would be a lot like using your own forehooves, but having their motions match up with one another is difficult, and having them perform constant cyclic motions is even harder. I suspect it’s due to a lack of innate knowledge on how to fly, because, you know… I wasn’t born like this.” The comment earned another soft giggle from Celestia, a rare response from a mare of such high stature.

“I admit I saw your share of difficulties coming.” Celestia lighly spoke with a grin still pulling at her lips. “You would not believe the difficulty Cadance had controlling her magical influxes once she had become an alicorn, namely with controlling her own levitation spells. The maids were cleaning stains from the ceiling for months before she had proper control.”

The comment earned a shared laugh between the two, Twilight raising a hoof to her mouth to stifle the bubbling laughter. Celestia settled to simply let her head fall, eyes closed with an upturned smile.

“It is difficult,” Twilight spoke on, recovering from her giggling, “but Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have been more than helpful with managing them. I had no idea that they required so much… maintenance. Rarity even made sure to take me to the spa to get them cleaned the first time.” Celestia was starting to suspect that Twilight had eaten a good deal of tomatoes before she came here, because she was becoming as red as one rather frequently. “It… It didn’t feel like I thought it would.” Those few simple words sparked a teasing question in the elder alicorn’s mind.

“And what did it feel like?” She spoke softly, letting her eyelids fall to half mast as she leaned over the table. “Was it an… enticing feeling?” Twilight’s own eyes widened in abject horror.

“I-I… i-it… ah-” Celestia’s giggling tone slowly grew into hardly restrained laughter, her soft voice drifting through the air as she did so. It earned a hot blush from the newly-changed alicorn.

“I apologize Twilight, but it isn’t often I can tease a pony so easily. I do hope you understand.” The diarch knew she would. With the friends that Twilight had surrounded herself with, it was an impossibility that she was never teased before. If anything, Celestia had the mind to believe that Twilight was also one to tease.

“Oh… Oh!” The realization slowly donned on the lavender alicorn, her blush fruitlessly being beaten away as her hoofs moved to comb the fur on her face. It was one of the cutest ways Celestia had seen a pony dismiss her own embarrassment. “Well I… I…” A defeated sigh left Twilight’s lips. “I should have seen it coming.” Celestia’s smile was caught between victorious and amused.

“No pony can predict the future Twilight,” the alabaster mare spoke as she took a teacup in her magic, lifting the fragile dish with golden aura. “We may know events, we may know outcomes, be no pony can ever be sure of where, how, or what will cause them.” She took a slow sip of the hot brew, enjoying the sweetened taste as she did so. Sweet Spot always did know just what herbs to add.

“As much as I would love to speak more with you, Twilight, you did come here out of concern for something other than my humor.” The words sparked whatever portion of Twilight’s mind had short-circuited earlier.

“Oh yes!” The alicorn’s voice rose in excitement. “I was doing research on past princesses through Equesria’s history, and I found that you and Luna are…” Her voice trailed off and withered as Celestia raised her hoof. Said mare took a slow breath before speaking.

“Before we discuss what you came here for, could I ask you to entertain me for a moment longer? It has little to do with foalish teasing.” She suspected Twilight would be confused, and her suspicion paid off.

“I’m sorry, how do you mean?” The twisted ears of the alicorn were as clear as sign as her words that the elder diarch’s question escaped her. Celestia knew it would.

Celestia took a careful breath, enjoying the clean and naturally-scented air of the garden they were in. It helped minutely to ease her mind. But any small amount was an sum she desired.

“Twilight,” The alabaster alicorn began, carefully stringing her words in what she knew to be a long tale. “Can you recall for me the meaning of each element?” The alicorn perked up at the question, eager to be tested in her knowledge. It was just another trait of hers that Celestia found to be so endearing and so fun to watch.

“Of course!” The alicorn straightened herself before she continued. “Honesty is held by a pony that believes the goodness of others and faith that they will do what is right. Kindness belongs to a pony that seeks peace over violence and chooses to award the smallest of actions over scolding for harsh ones. Laughter is granted to a pony that is able to see the silver lining in all things, never believing that any situation is truly without hope. Generosity, as it is almost commonly known, chooses a pony that puts his or her own desires beneath the needs of others, always doing what is needed before what is wanted. Loyalty is the simplest of them, but still one of the hardest to find, as it belongs to a pony that would never doubt or turn away from a friend”

Celestia giggled softly as her former student finished her speech. It was entirely accurate and detailed perfectly, but did have the familiar air of being rehearsed. It probably was.

“I-I’m sorry Princess, did I make a mistake?” Twilight’s ears twitched as she saw heard the small bubbles of laughter from behind the alicorn’s lips. The alabaster diarch was quick to dismiss it.

“Not all Twilight, you were entirely correct. Forgive me if you will, but I simply found studied tone of your voice to be… memorable of your younger years.” A hot blush littered the smaller alicorn’s purple coat. It only served to extend Celestia’s smile. “Don’t pay much mind to it. I simply find enjoyable to remember past events. They help to remind you of your current goals.”

“Of course, the events of our past are the reasons for our current states of mind.”  Celestia saw the quick fluttering of Twilight’s eyes; a trait the alicorn had seen her student express whenever she was in the act of remembering something. “But, as theorized by Bright Gem Stone, even ponies that have matching pasts will still have variant decisions in future events. It was published three hundred years ago, during…”

“During the research of the pony triplets and how ponies with matching genetic history display opposing to unconnected cutie marks.”  Twilight gazed in awe up at her former teacher. Said pony smirked wirily at the younger mare, enjoying the pleasant sensation of warmth the adoring gaze offered her. “You are not the only pony who can read books, my dearest student.” The hot blush that ran across Twilight’s face was more apparent than any other trait about her. The lavender alicorn fought with her words for a moment before speaking again.

“I-I thought you said I wasn’t your student anymore.” Just as with Twilight’s eyes, Celestia could not miss the small twitch of her wings. It was a newer tell, but it was just as obvious to the alabaster alicorn as anything else.

“You are correct, but I can’t help myself sometimes.” A slow sigh left the alicorn’s lips. “You were my faithful student, and I have many… many fond memories of our time together.” Celestia felt her mind wander slightly, deviating from the conversation she was holding thus far.

“Time is such an odd thing, Twilight. So many ponies must bend to it, obey its whims and hold to its course. No pony can change time, and no pony may ever see the end of it.” The words may have been born of her wandering mind, but the statement Twilight made next was the one Celestia was waiting for.

“But you will, right? I mean, you and Princess Luna are both immortal.” Celestia had to force her cheeks to flex, pulling a small and blue smile over her alabaster features.

“And that is the question you came to inquire of, why my sister and I, ponies no different than you now, will live forever, while you will still grow old with the friends you keep.” Twilight nodded at the words, leaning over the table just a bit in anticipation. Celestia wanted to smile at the familiar habit of the alicorn, beginning back in the days whilst she was still a unicorn foal. But she could not, not until her message was spoken.

Taking one last breath, Celestia spoke her piece.

“It is because Luna and I are not ponies, not in the sense you imagine.”

Like glass shattering on stone, Celestia watched Twilight’s expression morph, changing into an expression the alicorn had seen only a few times before. The wide eyes, drooping ears, and quivering lips, they were all the alabaster alicorn needed to see to know that she had truly shocked Twilight to her core.

“I… I don’t under… I’m sorry princess but… I don’t understand.” And there was no way she could; Celestia understood that. There was no way the diarch could speak such revolutionary words and expect such instantaneous results. This was always going to be a conversation, not an announcement.

“I am not a pony Twilight,” Celestia spoke once more. “My needs and my life are different than yours, just as Luna’s. I was born not from a mare, but from an object. I was created not out of love, but from necessity. I am here not for the fulfilling of my goals, but for the assurance of your own.”

“So… so you are…” Celestia heard the fall in Twilight’s voice, accompanied with a bobbing throat and chocked tears. Celestia tried her best to ignore the sound of her falling heart.

“I am a spirit, Twilight. I am not a pony.”
> Chapter 3: The Afternoon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia was thankful she had gotten to appreciate the air in the garden before this conversation began, because now there was no chance of enjoying it. Stale and ever so empty; her heart felt much the same.

Twilight was no longer gazing at her with the admiration she used to, the warmth that flowed from the mare since she was a filly. Now her gaze was filled with a vast emptiness the diarch could only cast guesses upon. Perhaps the words had rendered Twilight into a state of shock; it would not have been the first time. The assumption fell away, however, when the lavender alicorn spoke.

“Princess... This… I-I can’t…”

The words felt like cold venom, a bleeding wound that Celestia dare not acknowledge. The problem was the wound still existed, and Twilight could not stop herself from gawking at it.

This was that knowledge, this was that information she abhorred to tell a single pony. Now, now Twilight knew. Now was not the time to stay silent. There were a hundred and one questions Twilight would doubtlessly ask. Celestia knew it was her duty now to answer them. For fulfilling her destiny, Twilight deserved as much.

All that was left was to answer what questions came next. And there would be questions. Such information needed no pondering.

“If… If you are a spirit…” Twilight began, her voice shaking as she did so. Celestia did not fault her. If anything, she empathized with the newly crowned princess. “Then… where did you come from?”

The obvious question, the first question. Where did life begin?

Celestia had long ago abandoned the search for the source of all life, of all things, magical or not. It was pointless to search for a beginning she wasn’t a part of. It made more sense to prepare for the end she would likely see. Her own origins, however, were not a thing she was unfamiliar with. Both she and Luna, together, remembered well where they had come from. The ponies of millennia past had told the tale as many a times as they had worshiped their names.

“Back before the time in which my sister and I ruled, the ponies were only just beginning to form Equestria, to build the foundations for the world to turn. Peace was a very shaky platform, as stable as mountains built over clouds. In spite of the unity the leaders tried to forge, factions of the ponies bickered with one another.” Twilight could see the displeasure in her former teacher’s eyes. It was not a memory she held close, but it was one she remembered well.

“The pegasi refused to see the earth ponies as their equals, too sure that their ability to command the skies meant their superiority to those bound to the earth. The earth ponies were stubborn to even converse with the unicorns, so set that those with magic at their horn’s end could make simple every task they themselves struggled to perform. And the unicorns were too haughty to appreciate the work of the pegasi, seeing ponies that ruled through might as barbaric and ancient.”

“It sounds as if the leaders did little at all.” Celestia was thankful her former student sounded so at ease with those few words. Distant from the information the diarch had given her only moments before. She dare not address it. Twilight would doubtlessly fall back to shock and disbelief as Celestia’s story continued.

“They did more good than any book could give them credit for,” Celestia defended, giving the alicorn across from her the smile she wore so often on her mask. “Without them, food would not have grown, weather would not have changed, and the sun and moon would not have turned. They ensured that life continued, but it was a difficult task for mortal ponies, ponies that were subject to stress, to fatigue, to forces around them. They could not do everything that was needed, so instead, they chose to do what was needed most. For the circumstances they were born under, it was the wisest move they could have made.”

“That does make sense.” Twilight nodded with her words, looking up at Celestia as she finished. The diarch watched the lavender eyes of her faithful pony churn as the thoughts continued to work through her mind. There was no smile over her lips. “But it wasn’t enough.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Celestia shook her head. “It was only so long before the already tentative harmony began to decay. The leaders, as I said, were not foals. They saw the signs, but knew not what to do. Desperate for a solution, they sent out their wisest pony in search of a solution. He was a wise stallion, gifted in finding solutions that satisfied all sides, the initial proposer of the Equestrian System, in fact.” The diarch waited for recognition to dawn over Twilight’s features. It did not take long. Her ears straightened and jaw nearly dropped as the information processed through her mind.

“Star Swirl?” Twilight asked, nearly in disbelief of her own words. Celestia however, nodded in approval. It only made the young alicorn’s eyes widen further. “What… What did Star Swirl do? I never read any record of him settling a dispute among the ponies.”

“I assure you he did Twilight,” Celestia spoke calmly, favoring this side of the mare, the pony that sought knowledge wherever she could. “But what he found, and what it did, overshadowed his mark in history, at least, that specific mark. He left more than one imprint of his work behind.” The alicorn likely shook her head before continuing.

“He spoke to us only lightly regarding his journey, out of his own preference for preferring the destination to the trip itself. However, his exploration of the Equestrian land took him to a mystic place, a small portion of land that was far more magical than any other area in all of Equestria. So saturated in Ley Lines was this place, that needed the hooves of no pony in order to live. It maintained itself and, it was here, here in this place, that he found the most powerful and magical objects Equestria has ever seen.” As with mention discovery of the unicorn’s name, Twilight was easily able to conclude where and what Star Swirl had found. Celestia suspected the mare’s eyes were close to rolling from her skull.

“The Elements?” She questioned lightly, waiting for Celestia to nod before she continued. “Star Swirl the Bearded, one of the most magically gifted ponies in all of Equestrian history, found the Elements of Harmony, within the Everfree Forest?”

There were a great many of times Celestia felt pride for her young pupil. Now was no different, though a pupil she was no longer.

“Once more, you are correct.” The diarch nodded once before speaking on. “He found the Elements of Harmony within those enchanted woods, bringing them back to the Canterlot capital as quickly as he could. It was only shortly upon his arrival, and presentation of the blessed stones, that they began to react the disharmony around them.”

“Wait,” Twilight spoke up, her mind theorizing what happened, guessing at the likely possibilities. “Did the Elements induce an enlightened state in the ponies, showing them what it meant to be in harmony?” Celestia lightly chuckled at Twilight’s words, much to the young princess’s embarrassment.

But the laughter was short lived, because what the dairch spoke next reminded Twilight of how this conversation began.

“No Twilight,” Celestia spoke, leaning over the table as she did so. “They created something. The Elements of Harmony created the spirits to use them.” Twilight’s ears fell as her eyes widened in recognition.

“They created Luna and I.”

For the second time now, Celestia felt her heart stiffen at the gaze Twilight casted upon her. She hated that look, that empty stare of confusion and disbelief. She hated it most when it was directed at her.

“So that’s…” Twilight began, her voice rolling off as she spoke. “That’s why you’re a… a s-spirit.” The diarch did not imagine the difficulty with which Twilight spoke, nor did she wistfully dream the avoiding gaze that followed the mare’s conclusion.

“Yes, a spirit.” Celestia would have mused on how odd it was to be so uncomfortable with the word, describing what she was. She would have, if she were not so fixated on easing all the fears the mare in front of her had.

“I am different only from the likes of Discord by the goals we each pursue. He was formed from the need to twist and bend the order of harmony, the opposite to everything the ponies had built and formed. Luna and I, together, were, or more appropriately are, the representation of harmony, as our creation from the Elements was declared to be symbolic of.” Celestia watched the wings on Twilight’s back fall at her sides. Either the alicorn was still not used to controlling them or she was only more clearly wearing her emotions on her coat.

The diarch hoped for the former, but she suspected the latter.

“I…” Twilight began, licking her lips as her eyes blinked. “Then, you and Princess Luna are the Elements?”

“No,” Celestia corrected, holding up her crystal hoof at the question. “We are not the Elements of Harmony nor sources for their power. My sister and I are instead the spirits created for those stones, beings made corporeal to harness the power needed to protect the lands of the ponies, to guard Equestria from those who would see her harmed.”

“I…I-I still don’t understand.” Celestia did not fault the newly formed alicorn for it. She doubted most ponies would even begin to comprehend what she was saying. “I-I’m sorry but… but even if you were made to use the stones, how… how is that any different that me or my friends?” The Princess of the Sun, odd even to her own mind, found herself smiling at the mare’s words.

“Because, my precious student,” Celestia leaned over the table, doing her absolute utmost to appear as kind and gentle as she wished to be. “You six were born as any other pony was, destined to lead your lives as you saw fit. You all have families you hold dear, goals you still wish to achieve, and daily tasks you need to complete. My sister and I do not.” A slow breath came and left the diarch’s lungs, eyes fluttering as she did so.

“We do not have a mother or father, ponies that we can call our parents. We had only one reason to exist, one purpose in our sudden lives. And, there is little either of us needs to do, aside from watching over our land.” Celestia focused her pink gaze on the alicorn across from her, doing her absolute to make sure she was nothing but calm and warm to the mare.

“As you very well may have guessed, Luna and I both represent different Elements of Harmony. Three for me and two for her. It was the only reason why we agree I was the elder and she my younger sibling.”

“You’re magic then…” Twilight spoke with a dumbfounded tone. To be honest, Celestia was surprised the mare was still able to stand and listen to her. She could recall more than one lecture where Twilight would collapse in shock of elder knowledge being passed down to her.

“No, I am not.” The diarch spoke with a small but slow shake of her head. “I am the kindness that ponies need to see during their day, to know that a benevolent leader is watching down upon them. I am the generosity that does not care for age, gender, or race of the ponies beneath me. And I the loyalty that will not turn against those who are close to me, and I am close to all ponies who are in need of me.”

Celestia could almost hear Twilight’s mind absorbing the information she was speaking, taking in every syllable and taking to heart every word. She was every bit the studious mare now as she was nearly a decade ago.

“My sister is the laughter that is meant to keep the night alive, to show the near born fillies and colts the beauty, not the fear of the dark. She is also honestly, for there is no light to blind the eyes of her followers, and she hides nothing within the dark.” Celestia let herself stop, awaiting a question she knew Twilight would ask. It was an inevitable question to any who listened.

“Then, what’s magic?” Despite her own foreshadowing, the diarch smiled briefly at the question.

“You know what magic is Twilight.” The alicorn spoke with a warm smile. She had yet to feel the same warmth from Twilight since their talk reached its pinnacle. “You were able to solve such a mystery in the midst of a terrifying struggle, with the aid of your new friends.” Celestia saw the spark in the mare’s eyes.

“Magic forms when all the elements are brought together,” she spoke from memory, her eyes shifting as she did so. “A spark will form and the sixth element will appear. And that… that’s because no one thing by itself can create a spark. There have to be opposing forces contacting one another to create a spark.” Celestia watched the epiphany birth itself within Twilight’s mind.

“That’s why there are two of you, because harmony is the coexistence of unlike things, and no two things are more opposed to one another than night and day.”

“Absolutely correct, my astute and wise student.” For the first time since their private meeting began, Celestia felt the warmth of adoration flow from Twilight’s words. It was quick to depart, however, as Twilight’s mind began to work again.

“If that’s true then… then how come you can’t use the elements now?” Celestia could not coat the truth, and therefore, she would not try.

“Because I failed Twilight.” The words felt harsh to admit aloud, but they were no less honest than they were the night Celestia spoke them last. “Because my sister and I failed to maintain balance, we failed to uphold harmony together.” Something dawned in the mind of the lavender alicorn.

“Nightmare Moon…” she whispered, almost hesitant to bring up such a memory. Once more, Celestia could only nod at her student’s astute mind.

“Yes,” the alabaster diarch admitted. “Though Luna and I ruled together for a time, it did was not long before the needs she required began to go unfulfilled. Ponies were not honest with her, often ducking their heads and insisting against their own hearts in her presence. Laughter rarely came to her, thus driving her into the world of dreams, where she hoped to find more joyful memories.”

“Then… then the Miasma took her.” Celestia always found it hard to compliment her student on correctly guessing such painful details.

“Yes again, my precious student,” The diarch spoke nonetheless. “When Luna fell into the curse of the Miasma, her bond to the Elements faded. And as her strength with them fell, I took it upon myself to burden up my back the five elements we collectively represented. And with the five at my side, I was able to use Magic, for just long enough to banish my sister, my only family, from the land she was created to protect.”

The silence that fell between the two was as unwanted as the memory that floated through Celestia’s mind. Something she had to do long ago that continued to haunt her to the current day.

“Then there was no harmony. And without harmony, there were no elements.” Celestia looked at her student with the ghost of a smile, proud of her student’s intellect, but still burdened by the reminder.

“Correct again.” It was rare for Celestia to feel pain for acknowledging correct conclusions, but this was a rare and delicate situation. The chances of what could and would be were different than a normal conversation. Celestia briefly pondered if she would ever have one of those again with Twilight. A part of her wished that she would, but a larger part of her doubted it.

“With Luna gone from the world, and only I remaining, the Elements lost their magic, as the spirits that represented them were cut in two. I continued to rule regardless, a ruler as I am. I remained loyal, I remained generous, and I remained kind. But I did not have the magic I once shared with my sister. I lost that the night I lost her.”

“Celestia… Princess…” It was difficult for the diarch to hear Twilight speaking the way she was. It was kind, thoughtful to hear somepony expressing sympathy for her own sorrow, despite the centuries past from when it had occurred. But the Celestia felt guilty nonetheless, preferring the sympathy of Twilight over the dubious stare from before. She spoke quickly to rid herself of the assorted feeling.

“But you know of what happened next. You came, starting a chain of events I had long waited to begin.” Celestia did all that she could to make her smile honest, at least different than the one her mask so commonly bore. “You found friends that you made perfect harmony with. You were able to save my sister, using the Elements that both of us were made from. You, Twilight Sparkle, my once but forever faithful student, brought true harmony back to the land.”

Celestia was sure of one thing, as he words slowly came to an end. She much preferred the humble blush that decorated Twilight’s cheeks than any other look the mare had given before.

“That… Thank you Celestia, but you… you know that was destiny.” And it was here Celestia needed only reminders to form her thoughts. Destiny was, after all, a part of her everyday life.

“There are many things about destiny that ponies assume, Twilight.” Celestia carefully raised her teacup to her lips, savoring the sweet liquid that moved down her throat. It parched her thirst and loosened her throat. “It is not a book that directs our life, or chooses for us the actions that may come. I find it easiest to think of destiny as what it is, the destination.”

“I’m… I’m not sure I understand.” There were few ponies who would so quickly, but Celestia wanted Twilight to leave her with answers, not questions.

“One’s destiny may be a sure thing, but the path by which it is reached is never told. We decide what mountains to climb or forests to traverse. It is us who find the paths that lead us to our destiny, and we are the ones who pave those roads, not a force unseen.” Celestia smiled down at the pony across from her as she spoke on. “And we are the ones who decide what paths to take when our destiny has been fulfilled, and there is no longer any ‘destination’ for us to search for.”

Twilight’s blush was illuminating her face like Celestia’s sun in the sky. It made the diarch giggle, momentarily forgetting just what they were discussing. Any brief escape from the conversation was one she enjoyed. But as Twilight’s flush settled and her eyes returned to the alabaster mare, Celestia knew that it was going to continue.

“There is… one more thing I don’t understand.” Twilight was being careful with her words, Celestia could tell. “You said that you and Princess Luna don’t have daily needs. What does that mean?”

And this… this was question Celestia abhorred answering the most. Not because it was a great revelation that would shock the mare, or carry some horrid truth that would disgust all of her subjects. It was a simple thing, an easy answer that, despite its size, would easily make clear the difference between Twilight, the mortal princess, and Celestia, the spiritual princess.

“Daily needs are needs of the flesh, Twilight,” she began just as carefully as every subject thus far. “Food for your body, sleep for you mind, and love for your heart. They are three things that every life, no matter the race or age, needs.” Her eyes slowly closed and reopened, focusing her thoughts before she spoke. Dictation was key here.

“Luna and I may practice these needs, as the ponies around us take comfort in seeing us having mortal ties, but we do not need them. I could go for days without food or water, I could walk for weeks without the need for rest, and as my creation was not from the love of two ponies in union, my heart needs just as much love within it.” Celestia averted her gaze from Twilight’s drooping ears. It served to only trap her pink eyes on the lavender mare’s tearing ones.

“I…” The alicorn swallowed before trying again. “You… Y-You don’t feel… love?”

Celestia’s wings ruffled themselves at the question, her eyes widening in horror.

“No.”

The diarch wasted no time in rising from the table, walking around until she was just before Twilight. She wrapped the mare in her wing, embracing the smaller pony against her underside. Twilight easily fell into the warm hold.

“No Twilight, no.” Celestia spoke on. “Because I do not need them does not mean I do not have them. I eat for enjoyment, as my sweet tooth will confirm. I sleep during nights, as the castle keepers will attest.” Her chest shook before she spoke on.

“And I do love Twilight, I love the ponies for whom I lead, and I will never be able to rid myself of the love they have for me. For I will never be able to forget the ponies that have loved me throughout my long life.”

Celestia felt Twilight lean against her soft underbelly a bit harder, pushing into the white coat of the diarch with a need Celestia could understand.

The silence cloaked the garden for a time, leaving both princesses in the vacuum of noise. Celestia let the time slowly slip by as she held her wing around the young mare beneath her, savoring their closeness with a selfish desire she could not battle. Twilight did little more than lean against her, neither fighting nor moving from the embrace of the elder alicorn.

Celestia’s wing was soft, her touch gentle, and warmth heavenly. It took the sensation of all three at once for Twilight to soothe her throat long enough to speak again.

“Celestia?” She spoke the elder’s name, careful to keep her voice from croaking as she did so. The mare hummed in response. “May I ask you… one more question?” The spirit smiled tenderly at the request.

“You may ask me as many questions as you need and more.” Celestia flexed her wing a bit more, holding the lavender mare closer to her chest. “I hold no secrets from you now.”

“What would you if… if I were to…” The alabaster mare heard Twilight swallow on something.

“Yes?” Celestia leaned down as she questioned her former student softly, gentling pushing her to speak. It took little for Twilight to answer the call.

“Would you mind if… if I said I love you?”

Celestia felt the breath leave her lungs.

Her eyes widened considerably as she gazed down at the mare in her embrace, looking at the top of her lavender mane. Twilight twisted her head up to gaze at the alicorn looking down at her. For the first time since their conversation began, Celestia saw something other than doubt or fear.

She saw compassion.

Celestia had seen as many kingdoms rise as she had seen those eyes focused upon her. A gaze filled with a desire for something greater than words could ascribe. The want to share blessings, the desire to craft an amalgamation future, they were things far beyond the now common desire to aid her. It was a stare that no member of her court or guard had ever given to her.

“Twilight…” Celestia spoke breathlessly, genuinely struck dumb by the question.

“I’ve loved you for some time Celestia,” Twilight spoke on, lowering her head until it fell against the princess’s chest once more, their gazes of one another broken. “I’ve always admired your strength, your wisdom, and your magic. You are everything every pony could ever wish to be, but you only chose to help others, always putting yourself last.” Celestia said nothing as Twilight spoke on.

“When you said… when you told me I was going to be a princess, when I was given my wings, I thought… I thought that I was immortal, too.” A damp breath of air was taken in by the smaller of the two. Celestia instinctively pulled her closer. “But when Cadance, a-and Shining told me I wasn’t, I was so confused. I thought that… I-I thought the one chance to be with you was taken from me, the hope I had that I could finally confess to you was gone before it was even there.”

“So that is why you inquired of me.” It was not a question. It was a logical conclusion that a mind as adapt and trained as Twilight’s would conclude.

“I didn’t know,” Twilight whispered the words. “I didn’t know why you were immortal. I-I didn’t know that… that it was so important. I… It’s stupid. I just wanted to know.” The mare scoffed before she spoke again. “I always have to know, don’t I?” Celestia could not bare the bitterness of the words.

“I have never faulted nor insulted your desire to learn, Twilight.” Celestia held only certainty on her words. “I knew one day I would speak to you of this, as I suspect one day even Cadance will wish to satisfy her own curiosity, whenever that may be. If you are concerned why I keep this secret close, it is of fear for what it will do.”

Celestia took the silence of the young mare in her wing’s embrace as sign to elaborate. She doubted Twilight could speak at the moment.

“The ponies of this land see me as a symbol of what they can achieve. They see me as great, powerful, even omniscient at times, but always as a pony. Always as something matching what they are. They do not wish to follow a spirit, an entity they can only dream to fathom. They want to be lead by a pony, but a mare or stallion like themselves. I am not that, Twilight.” Celestia almost tripped over her own words.

“I only pretend to be what the ponies need.”

“That’s not true.”

“Twilight, you-” Celestia’s words were silenced in the oddest of ways.

Lips pressing over her own.

She barely realized they were there until Twilight shut her eyes. Without anything else to focus on, Celestia was left with the sensation of lips pushing over her mouth. It warmer than she remembered any fleeting peck from before.

It was difficult for Celestia to decide if it was the kiss itself or the mare delivering that filled her form with the heat of the sun.

Her wings extended to their greatest length, her legs freezing where she sat. Here attention entire was directed at the mare, the kiss, and the love that enveloped her.

When Twilight leaned away, Celestia found herself leaning forward, stopping only when her mind caught up to her actions. She was sure now that a blush adorned her own pale coat, or so the innocent smile over Twilight’s own heated features told.

The silence returned once more, far thicker than when it had come during their previous embrace. However, once more, Twilight took action into her own hooves.

“Celestia, please never say you’re pretending.” The words were filled with an emotion that shook tears from the elder alicorn’s eyes. Twilight did not stop.

“You do so much for everypony, more than anyone could ever hope to ask. You brought peace to ponies in the midst of chaos, you forged alliances with the different species through Equestria, you even took it upon yourself to endure a thousand years of solitude, all just to help us.” Twilight’s eyes were brimming with tears as well.

“Please don’t say that was just pretending. I fell in love with you because of who you are and what you have done, not because of what you are.”

“Twilight…” Celestia whispered, unsure of what to say.

“Please,” Twilight spoke once more, leaning in towards her former teacher as she did so. “I love you, Celestia. So please, please don’t say that.”

Celestia knew of only one way to ease the fear of her student. It was only by coincidence that it also fed her now unnourished desire.

The Princess of the sun sealed her lips over Twilight’s, surrounding the two within her wings.

The world around them fell away. 
> Epilogue: The Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia took a deep breath, letting the cold air of the night fill her lungs. It chilled her, forcing her fur to stand on end. The air was thin and barren of the warmth her sun usually blessed it with. For now, under the shadow of Luna’s moon, the normal warmth she brought was replaced with peace and serenity.

The diarch was grateful for it, for she felt just the same.

The smile that twisted at he lips was a genuine one, a smile she did not think she would be able to hold within the same day as her fateful conversation. It was pleasant surprise, one that she hoped to receive more of.

There was not a doubt in her mind that she wouldn’t.

Her wings extended at her sides, letting the child air sweep over her newly exposed coat, earning a shivered gasp from the diarch. It was difficult to explain why the sensation made her smile. She would like to say it made her feel alive, complete somehow, but she knew there was a better reason than that.

“Celestia!”

The calling of her name warmed her frigid coat, thawing her cold breath. The alicorn turned with a smile to see another alicorn trotting towards her, moving across the grass until she reached the elder diarch’s side. The mare looking up to her smiled gleefully.

“Twilight,” Celestia spoke the pony’s name, love coating the words. She leant down to nuzzle the mare, an embrace that Twilight only too eagerly returned. They savored the heat of one another, a warmth the night air attempted to steal away.

“Well, I’m here now.” The alicorn spoke the plain words with a tone of excitement. “And Luna’s taken over the court for the night.”

“That she has, and so her moon is evidence of.” Celestia agreed as she looked up to the pale object in the sky. After a thousand years of mourning the sight, she was glad she could not gaze upon with warmth in her heart.

And the source of that warmth so close by.

“That means we can start now, right?” Celestia could only giggle at the eagerness in Twilight’s words, but she could not fault the mare. She, herself, only felt her joy grow.

“Yes, we can.” The diarch expanded her wings as she spoke, trotting forwards slowly with practiced grace. Her mighty feathered appendages beat only once before she was lifted off the ground. Twice more, and she was ascending to the night sky high above her. The cool air only chilled her faster the higher she climbed. But the smile over her lips never fell.

It took little effort for her to reach the clouds above her castle, sitting still under the pale light of her sister’s moon. Celestia let her crystal adorned hooves settle over the fluffy material, savoring the cushion they gave. No matter how long she lived, she would always prefer the embrace of a cloud to the padding of cotton.

With a hum of satisfaction, she settled herself over the material, enamored with the insulation the condensed and fluffed water offered her. Celestia soon found herself tucking her self into the cloud, childishly giggling as she did so.

“That was… too fast… Celestia,” the labored breaths of Twilight swiftly met the ears of the alabaster diarch. They twisted towards the voice and her head spun to follow. Twilight had only just touched down on the cloud, her wings hanging limply from her sides, head rising in falling with fatigue. “I’m still… still… new to this.”

“I understand,” Celestia spoke calmly, her mouth upturned in a smile. “But remember, I will never ask of you anything I feel you cannot handle. Besides,” the diarch begrudgingly turned, letting small pockets of chilled air seep into her own insulated heat. “Do you not enjoy the comfort a cloud can offer?” Twilight had no argument.

“Dash was quick to show off her home to me once I got my wings. And yes, I’ll admit that clouds are far more comfortable than anything else I’ve ever laid down on.” Something playfully sinister sparked in Celestia’s mind. Her smile darkened mischievously to match the though. 

“Truly nothing?” The princess questioned, bringing about a quick shake of Twilight’s head. “Then please come here, I believe I know something far more comfortable than a cloud for you to lay on.”

Twilight’s brows perked as her ears fell, curiosity running rampant through her mind. She trotted lightly across the cloud, lifting her wings what little she could to keep them from dissipating the mass they stood on. It took little time for her to stand by Celestia’s side.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you- Agh!” The cry came quickly as Twilight felt herself being pulled off of her hooves.

It was a quick maneuver for the alabaster mare, one that Twilight didn’t give her credit for being able to do, at least not until she was the subject of the hold. Celestia had rolled over on the cloud, her hooves scooping up Twilight as she did so.

The young alicorn had only a moment to realize she was at the mercy of Celestia’s embrace, being held against the white coat of her former mentor. She froze as she realized the situation she was in.

Celestia, playful as she was wise, raised her muzzle until it tickled the fine hairs of Twilight’s ears. Then, she whispered to the mare.

“It is an old mare’s tale that the embrace of a spirit is the grandest gift the world can offer you.” Celestia voiced the short tale as she brushed a hoof through Twilight’s lengthy mane. “I wonder, do you find it… satisfying?”

Twilight smiled brightly under her rosy blush. She nuzzled herself deeper into the embrace, brining forth a red hue on Celestia’s white coat.

“I think I love it.”