Sunset Shimmer stopped when she heard the soft sobs down the corridor. A door flung open and Luna stormed out. She slammed the door shut and rushed headlong towards Sunset, nearly crashing into her. ‘Oh!’, she blurted, freezing as she suddenly became aware of Sunset’s presence. She smiled tentatively. ‘Sorry, Sunset. Good morning!’

Sunset bowed a short curtsy. ‘Sire,’ she said. Then she nodded towards the door. ‘What tidings do you bring?’ she asked.

’None too bright,’ Luna answered.

’Has she fallen again?’

Luna nodded sombrely. ‘I can’t bear it any more, Sunset. I can’t bear this big dipper any more, ’tis too hard and my patience grows thin. If it goes on like this, I know I will break down and do something wicked. I can feel it. I’m putting all my might to resist, but I fear it is useless.’

Sunset took a step back. ‘You mean—’

‘Yeah, and I apologise, Sunset. Heaven knows I loathe burdening others with my woes, but in this case I fail to see any other way out,’ Luna said. She sighed. ‘Good luck, my lass!’ She stroked Sunset’s cheek with her head, walked past and vanished in the shadows.

Sunset sighed in turn and padded to the door. She knocked once. Twice. Thrice. Getting no response, she cracked the door open.

‘Your Majesty?… Celestia?’

She pushed the door wide and trod inside. Celestia had crumbled on her desk. Her body shook with every sob. The room reeked of brandy.

‘Please,’ Sunset pleaded, ‘your majesty. Stop this. Stop thinking you’re the only responsible for—‘

’But I’m the only one,’ Celestia unexpectedly blurted. ‘Whose other fault could it be. I failed them. I failed them all.’

‘You didn’t fail anyone, rather they failed you,’ Sunset replied.

‘No. Is not true. One may fail me. But so many? No, no. It is I who is unfit. Unfit to teach. Unfit to rule.’ Celestia head fell back on the table and another sobbing fit washed over her.

‘They were simply unworthy of you, of your patience, of your warmness, of your kindness. They all lusted for power. They’ve used you to quench their thirst.’

‘If what you say is true Sunset, then I’m flawed nevertheless. How can I be so blind, again and again?’

Sunset bit her lips. ‘You’re simply the kindest and sweetest pony I’ve ever met,’ she said. ‘You always see the bright side in everypony. And you believe it’ll get the better of them in the end. Sometimes it does. Look at me. Sometimes, it does not, but don’t blame yourself for trying. You should be proud, on the contrary.’

‘How can I be proud of having nurtured ponies like Stardust Twinkle, who became one of Equestria’s most evil foes?’ Celestia bawled, and punched herself on the head.

‘Sombra was perverted by the discoveries he made and the experiments he conducted. This is none of your fault. It could’ve happened to anypony.’

‘I should have known, Sunset. I should have guessed. And now, because of me, thousands of ponies have died in pain and slavery and starvation. I will never forgive me for this.’

‘But you have brought up brilliant minds. Starswirl the be—’

‘Can that really offset all the evil I’ve done, if only vicariously?’ Celestia interrupted.

Sunset did not answer. She took a few steps in the room.

‘Sunset,’ Celestia suddenly whispered. Sunset turned round to face her. ‘Yes, master?’

‘You, at least, won’t betray me, will you?’

Sunset beamed. ‘Never, majesty,’ she replied. And after a few seconds, ‘Never,’ she finally added.