A few hours later, when the shift between the sun and the moon was about to happen, Sunset was north of Ponyville. She had slipped out of the library without making a sound, taking her saddlebags with her and a canteen full of water.

All around her, nature was waking up, birdsong adding to the sound of the breeze.

Sitting on the dew-covered grass, she formed a circle with some rocks collected along the way. She lit a campfire; As the flames devoured firewood,, she prepared a teapot and hung it above the fire. Waiting for the infusion to brew, she took out two tea cups in chiselled metal, each with a different design.

On the first cup was carved the cutie mark of Sunset, while the second one was decorated with the cutie mark of Celestia. A few minutes later, after the sun was risen, she greeted the astral body with a bow and poured tea into both cups. She sniffed the mint tea and finally smiled. "Hello, Princess Celestia. I'm sorry I haven't had time to share a cup of tea lately. I've been a bit busy getting back to Equestria, but it seems you already knew I was on my way." She looked down, still with that peaceful smile on her face. "I'll take care of Twilight, Princess, I promise you." She looked up at the sun for a brief moment before staring at the teacups. "That said, I would rather have received this request in person. It's not like you couldn't have contacted me all this time. I don't understand you." She smiled briefly. "I couldn't understand you when I was your student either; some things don't change over time, it seems." She took her cup of tea, turned it twice clockwise before taking a sip, then twirled it again so that she could look at its decoration. She took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, then fought a tremor. She glanced at the metal parchment case that housed Princess Celestia’s last letter. "Your last words. I cannot believe you are no longer with us." She glanced briefly at the sun. "Had I known, I would have come home much sooner. You tell us not to regret anything, yet, this is all I have left: memories and regrets." She performed the same ritual again before and after drinking the rest of her tea cup in one go with a smile on her face. "Yes, well, you've also left me somepony to look after. Somehow I feel more like this is your revenge. My punishment for not being a devoted student. I gladly accept this retribution. I will treat Twilight as my little sister, and I will watch over her according to your last wish." She refilled her cup of tea, then unscrewed the case to take out Celestia's last letter. As she glanced through the parchment, she sipped her tea, following the codes of the tea ceremony she had learned in Japony.

When you read this letter, I won't be here anymore.

Several years ago, Bitter Truth, the oracle, came to me and explained what was going to happen today. Circumspect, I did not doubt his words. Year after year, they have come true. The return of my sister, the liberation of the spirit of chaos, the danger during my adopted niece's wedding, the resurgence of the tyrant. The rise of the Princess of Friendship. All that was left was the setting of the Princess of the Sun.

You probably think I should have told you about it, or warned you, but Bitter Truth told me what the future would look like if I didn't face that event. A thousand years ago, I could not prevent the banishment of my sister, blinded by my own pride. Today, I would not make the same mistake. I would do the right thing. I have lived more than a thousand years. Watching the kingdom of Equestria from my tower, I have seen it grow and prosper. The dream of Luna and I had become a reality. Generation after generation, I have met ponies who left their hoofprint in history—unicorns that I am proud to have had as students. I've had a complete and full life—maybe too full.

You will no doubt look for a culprit in this. If that is the case, I am the only one to blame. I was weak to prefer to disappear, rather than stand helplessly by and watch the prediction that was revealed to me unfold.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

Keep this in mind: I am not dying; I am doing an altruistic act for the greater good. And as I have already said to a thick-headed mare, I, too, am just a mare like any others after all.

Warmest regards, your devoted mentor,

Princess Celestia.>

Sunset carefully put the mail in the case and closed it before using a third cup. With her gaze fixed on the symbol, she meditated on the contents of the letter. "If I had not heard Twilight say that this Pepper had set the sun, this letter would make me think that you are still alive. You give explanations, but that brings with it more questions." She had a nostalgic smile on her face. "That sounds like one of your lessons."

In a gust of wind, Rainbow Dash landed beside the unicorn. She watched the campfire before turning towards Sunset, stepping back and spreading her wings. "Sunset? Are you alright?"

Sunset was surprised by her sudden arrival and instinctively threw herself backwards towards her saddlebags. Out of habit, she never parted from her katana. She turned the blade she had partially drawn on her right, looking at Rainbow Dash, frowning, in an improvised defensive posture. When she realised there was no threat, she sheathed the blade, her expression softening. "Yes,you just surprised me. When you travel, you don't just make friends. Did I wake you up?"

"Oh no. I'm not the only one who gets up at the first minute of daytime. Applejack's off in her orchards, and Pinkie's up baking at Sugar Cube Corner,” Rainbow Dash commented. "It's part of my daily training to become a Wonderbolt." She looked around. "When I saw the fire from the sky, I came to see what was going on. Am I disturbing you?"

Sunset bit her lower lip, smiling sheepishly. "No, it's just a morning ritual that started with my regret phase." She glanced at the pegasus. "Several months after being dismissed as Princess Celestia's pupil, one morning as she rose the sun, I greeted her. I started speaking to the sun as if she was there, as well as sending her boxes of tea anonymously. It must sound silly when you say it like that."

Rainbow sat down, crossing her forelegs. "Silly? Nah, no more than anypony talking in front of a relative’s grave." She sighed. "Which is actually the case now," she added, looking at Canterlot in the distance.

"You're right.," Sunset admitted. "After the sun is risen, what's the next step in training to become a Wonderbolt?" she asked, changing the subject.

Rainbow Dash leapt into the air and began to glide. "I'm flying to Canterlot and having breakfast at Donut Joe's in—"

"Breakfast at Donut Joe's?!" Sunset's eyes lit up. "I'm in!" In a whirlwind, she pulled out a purse and tied it around her neck, tucked her things into one of the saddlebags, and put out the fire with the rest of the tea. "Just a quick stop at Twilight's house to put my saddlebags away and we're good to go!"

"I'll take care of it," Rainbow said, taking the saddlebags off her back. "Whoa! I feel like I'm carrying two basketfuls of apples"

"Almost the bare minimum for living on the road. Tent, blanket, survival kit. About twenty kilos. Think you can handle it?" Sunset asked.

"Even with this on my back, I can make the round trip in less than ten seconds," boasted the pegasus.

Sunset was amused, wanting to spice things up. "I bet you can't do it in less than five seconds. Loser buys breakfast."

"You're on!" Rainbow Dash was gone in a flash, so fast that she created another gust in her wake.

Smiling, the unicorn bent over to compensate for the sudden gust of wind that upset her balance. She concentrated, her magic granting her wings of flames. She rose high enough in the air to see Rainbow fly back at full speed. "It was a sucker’s bet," she said, making sure the harness was properly secured so she wouldn't lose the katana.

"Are you kidding? I can totally do it! I'm going to practice until I get below the five-second mark," Rainbow Dash vowed.

Sunset rolled her eyes. "Well, shall we go? It's going to be a long flight to Canterlot."

Rainbow blinked several times before laughing. "Long?" She grabbed one of Sunset's hooves. "I don't think so."

Sunset suddenly grew apprehensive. "Rainbow? What are you doin’—?!" she shouted as she was forced into a flight that broke the sound barrier halfway through, creating a rainbow-colored ring that grew larger in the morning sky.