Sunset Shimmer had always wanted a castle. Castles were often seen as displays of power, and belonged to only the greatest of ponies, which Sunset had always considered herself one of. Unfortunately, Sunset’s history with castles consisted of being either kicked out or sneaking in. After sneaking around enough of them to satisfy the recruitment requirements of even the most secret order of thieves, Sunset Shimmer once again found herself sneaking in another castle. The only difference this time was she was trying to sneak out.

“You know, the fact that you were able to get past Cadance’s guards has me really worried about her security,” said a voice that cut through the darkness, causing Sunset to panic and trip over her cloak. After struggling to escape from her cloak, a magic aura pulled it off of her. She then looked up to see the absolutely last pony she wanted to see.

“So are you gonna be honest in telling me why you’re trying to leave under the cover of darkness, or should I get ready to hear a riveting tale involving the fate of Equestria?” Princess Twilight asked.

Sunset Shimmer was cornered, the thought of teleporting out of the palace crossed her mind, but instead she answered, “Look, I know this seems suspicious.”

“Very, I was afraid you were trying to make off with my crown again, but it was still on my night stand when I woke up,” Twilight remarked, wearing a smirk Sunset was not used to seeing on the princess’ face.

“No, instead I just have some things I need to take care of and well… I just didn’t want to talk about it,” Sunset said, as she turned to look out the window. It allowed her to take another look at the ever-looming palace that clung to the side of the mountain in the distance, but also prevented her from having to look at Twilight.

“In Canterlot, do you have an overdue library book?” Twilight asked, stifling a small laugh.

“Never took you as one to crack jokes, especially about books,” Sunset replied, now noticeably more at ease.

“Well when you’ve been friends with Pinkie for so long you just learn to be more relaxed,” the princess responded as she walked over to window Sunset had been looking out of. She opened it, allowing a cooling breeze to seep into the hallway.  She leaned out the window and overlooked the Everfree Forest, which seemed peaceful in the early morning darkness.

Sunset was hesitant to break this peace, but she went ahead and said, “Twilight, I know this seems suspicious, but I promise this is something I just need to take care of and then I’ll be back… hopefully.”

Twilight turned to face the unicorn, a small smile upon her face. “Good, cause we have a magic show to go to together, and you and I were just starting to get to the really fun spells in the library,” she said.

Sunset was glad it was still dark and that her coat helped hide whenever she blushed. She then stammered out, “Y-yes… looking forward to it.”

Sunset then turned and walked away towards the room holding the portal back to Ponyville. As she was about to exit the hallway, Twilight called back to her, “Don’t worry I’ll tell the others you had some family stuff to take care of.” Sunset smiled and without turning back she headed towards the portal room.

…

Peridot had grown tired of sitting still, at least that’s what Zephyr guessed from the way she fidgeting in her chair. The two fillies were sitting in the room that had been converted into Twilight’s office, which served as the place of choice for Twilight to scold them on whatever mischief they had just gotten into. This time though something felt different to Peridot. Zephyr had not spoken to her all day. So finally she broke the silence, “So what’s got you so ticked?”

Zephyr did not look at or acknowledge her sister. However, just as Peridot was afraid her sister had gone deaf, she replied, “You know, it’s all your fault we’re in here.”

“My fault?” Peridot asked, confusion apparent in her voice. “Last time I checked, you were right along with me. In fact it was you who fell in the water giving away our position.”

“Because you dropped me!” Zephyr interjected.

“Details sister, details,” Peridot continued on.

“Yes Peri, vital details. You were the one who planned this, you talked me into it. Then you got us caught AND dropped me,” Zephyr listed, no longer sitting but was standing right in her sister’s face.

Silence followed Zephyr’s rant, until Peridot added, “Okay Zeph let’s do a recap. You agreed to go along with my plan, you were the one who came up with the idea to use the glass roof as an entrance, you chose to use an invisibility spell, and it was this faulty invisibility spell that got us caught. Now don’t put all the blame on me just because you’re afraid the princess won’t love you anymore because you messed up.”

“What!?” Was all that the unicorn could say.

“Yeah, you heard me. You think your little crush is a secret? You think that now you’re precious princess won’t think of you as her perfect little student anymore is that it?” Peridot was now standing up as well, with her face just inches from her sister’s.

Just when tensions were about to boil over, a small cough broke through. The twins turned to see Princess Twilight standing in the doorway, an awkward smile on her face. Both of the fillies’ bravado instantly deflated, and they both could only stare dumbfounded at the princess.

Finally, Twilight spoke, “Umm I hate to interrupt this tender moment between sisters, but if you two could take your seats.”

They girls both sat down, avoiding looking at both Twilight and each other. Zephyr merely focused on Twilight’s diploma she received from graduating magic academy. Once Twilight sat down she gave another small cough to get the girls’ attentions.

"Now girls you know what we're here to talk about," Twilight said casually as she brought her hooves together. Neither of the girls were willing to confirm Twilight's claim and instead went back to looking all around the room.

Twilight spoke again, though with greater annoyance in her voice, "You know what I'm talking about girls, the night when you crashed into the bath hall while Trixie, Sunset, and I were bathing. Peridot you were dressed as a ninja."

"Well ninjas are known for being stealthy, so I figured it was the perfect outfit," Peridot if interjected.

"The appropriateness of your outfit choices is not the issue here. Rather I want to know why you two decided sneaking on top of the roof, endangering both your lives, just to spy on me was ever a good idea in the first place," Twilight asked, as she put her hooves together and awaited an answer.

Sadly no answer came, as the girls could not find a way to give her one. At least not without revealing Zephyr’s motives for going along with the plan. Peridot could only look at her sister, and see the beads of sweat start to run down her forehead. She also noticed her sister shuffling her hooves,  something she only did when overcome with nerves.

Finally, Peridot gave a noticeable sigh and said, "Princess it was my fault. I roped Zeph into it, and I was the one who orchestrated the entire thing."

Zephyr could only stare slack jawed at her sister, she had never covered for her like this before. "Zephyr is this true?" Twilight asked.

The question broke Zephyr’s concentration on her sister. "Oh huh?" Was all she respond with.

"Is what your sister said true?" Twilight asked again.

This was it, she thought, her way out. Peridot had given her a lifeline. All she had to do was say yes.

"No," was all she replied.

Zephyr almost couldn't believe what she said, and judging by the shock look on her face Peridot couldn't believe it either.

Twilight merely look confused before she replied, "Sooo you came up with the plan then?"

"Well no Peri did come up with that part, but I went along with it. Also I'm the one who suggested I use an invisibility spell so we could use the roof," Zephyr carried on.

"Which was incredibly dangerous," Twilight interjected.

"Yes it was, and I'm sorry," Zephyr replied.

"Yes, both of us are," Peridot was quick to add.

Twilight Sparkle smiled at the two fillies, before she continued, "Alright well now that is clear. All that's left is for you to explain why you did such a thing in the first place?"

Out of the pan and into the fire, Zephyr again found herself faced with the one question she wasn't willing to answer. She looked to her sister for any sign of a strategy. Unfortunately, she was only met with a shrugging Peridot.

"Honestly, it's because I don't think they're deserving of you princess," Zephyr said. That answer seemed to surprise Twilight and Peridot,  given both their mouths were left hanging open.

Fighting the growing blush, Twilight tried to get some clarity. "Uh, I'm sorry but what do you mean 'not deserving' ?" She asked.

Bolstered with a new wealth of confidence, she replied, "Princess it's obvious why those two are here. They're just like all the others, they only want to get close to you because you're royalty."

Peridot jaw could not hang any lower. Her usually timid sister was speaking up, and to Twilight of all ponies. Usually, Zephyr could do good to stammer out a greeting or accept a compliment from their alicorn caretaker.

Twilight did not immediately respond. Instead she looked as though she were weighing her options. Finally, she said, "Zephyr,  I first want to say that I'm flattered you care so much for me."

The unicorn failed to contain her blushing at Twilight’s complement. "However, I'm a grown mare and who I spend my time with and decision I can make for myself". Suddenly, Zephyr’s confidence deflated and she slouched in her chair, which did not go unnoticed by either her sister or Twilight.

"Girls I've taught you many things these last couple years, but what I'm about to tell you is probably one of the most important lessons I could impart on you," Twilight said as her horn glowed and projected a screen onto the wall. "I want to show you both something," she said as she performed a spell on the wall. It was a magical projection, which  unicorns could use to show their memories to others.

The two sisters were shown scenes from Twilight’s past. There were magic duels, cursed amulets, stolen crowns, and trips to other worlds. Both times Twilight was tested, and both times she came out victorious. But what elements the two stories shared were that both Trixie and Sunset Shimmer asked for forgiveness, and both times Twilight granted it.

Twilight cleared her throat and said, "You see girls, when it comes to dealing with troubled ponies I do have something of a track record. Now if there's one thing I want you to take from this, its that ponies can surprise you. Sure, I've faced enemies that were downright evil. But I've also found the ponies that are the most antagonistic are sometimes the one who just need friendship the most."

Zephyr could not find the words to say. She had let her self-righteousness take over, and had even questioned Twilight’s authority. yet here where these two ponies, both of them had done some pretty awful things to Twilight, Yet she still forgave them. All she could ask was, “But why? Why did you forgive them?”

Twilight gave a small smile and walked over to her young charge and put her hoof on her shoulder. “Because my little pony, we all make mistakes, even me. This means we all deserve the chance to be forgiven for those mistakes if we’re willing to put the work in.”

“But you’d never do something as bad as they both did!” Zephyr blurted out.

Twilight could only giggle at the filly, but did so in a manner that was not condescending. “Oh how I wish you were right. However, I’m no different than any other pony Zephyr. I make mistakes, same as any other ponies. What’s important isn’t never being wrong or doing the wrong things. It’s about being humble enough to know you were wrong and seek forgiveness.”

She brushed the filly’s mane with her hoof gently. Peridot noticed her sister grew as red as a tomato from this and did her best not to laugh. Twilight then walked back behind her desk and took her seat. “So did you learn an important lesson today girls?”

“Yes,” they replied in unison.

“Then perhaps you would be willing to share it with me,” Twilight responded.

“Do you want us to write it to in a letter like usual?” Zephyr asked, Peridot could only put her face in her hooves at the question.

“Umm I don’t that would be necessary this time,” Twilight replied.

Zephyr gave a tiny pout. Twilight knew this tactic well, having fallen victim to it several times in the past. She gave a sigh and then acquiesced, “Fine.”

Zephyr wore an enthusiastic smile and started, “Dear Princess Twilight today we learned that no pony is perfect.”

“This applies especially true for some ponies,” her sister added. “But if there’s one thing that’s equally true of all ponies,” she quickly added before Twilight could give her a scolding look.

“It’s that they all deserve the chance to be forgiven,” Zephyr carried on.

“Faithful students Peridot and Zephyr,” the fillies recited together, one noticeably more enthused than the other.

“Excellent girls, now then I’m sure you’re wondering if I forgive you for your action last night. The answer is of course yes,” Twilight said. Peridot gave a triumphant pose at this, but Twilight was not finished quite yet. “However, I still want the two of you to clean the bath hall today. It will Clean Sweep and Spike a nice break today and will give the two of you an even more needed chance to reflect on today’s lesson about forgiveness,” she said while giving her best teacher’s grin.

Zephyr repeatedly promised that she would ingrain today’s lesson in her mind while Peridot’s whole demeanor took a nosedive and she could only groan loudly. Twilight sent them on their way with a wave of her hoof. Once the girls had left the room, Twilight turned in her chair to look at her back wall. Just when she was about to pick up one of her books off the shelf with her magic, a small cough broke her spacing out.

“Umm Twilight,” said Peridot. Twilight turned to see the pegasus filly still stood in her doorway.

“Yes, dear?” Twilight asked.

After a brief pause as Peridot seemed to search for the right words she finally said, “You know Twilight, Zeph she… she thinks the world of you. Thanks for not going off on her.”

Twilight gave her a smile, the smile she had been giving the girls ever since had brought them to her castle from Canterlot those years ago. The same smile she had given them after every successful assignment, and every failed attempt. “Well you’re quite welcome, and yes I know both you and your sister think highly of me.”

Peridot then leaned on the door frame, returning to her usual casual demeanor. “So how did you get so good at being a teacher anyway?”

Twilight laughed, one thing about Peridot she loved was her straightforwardness. “Well, let’s just say I had a good teacher of my own,” she answered.

…

The sun over Canterlot was as bright and warm as ever, a sign that the princess of it was in good spirits. Princess Celestia had many reasons to be in such a mood, but today had been an especially pleasant one. She and her sister Luna had a lovely breakfast earlier in the day. Since breakfast was a time the two of them were both awake they always tried to enjoy that particular meal together. Sometimes Celestia still could not help but feel surreal at the fact that her sister had returned after a thousand years and now they could even have breakfast together.

Still Celestia just felt truly blessed to have her sister back in her life. She had even taken down the murals and tapestries depicting her banishing Nightmare Moon. Since these had been put up only as a reminder to Celestia she was happy to see them go. Yes a thousand years of life had also brought her a thousand years of mistakes and guilt. Hopefully, this one reversal would be enough to get her through another thousand years.

Celestia’s deep thinking was interrupted as one of her guards announced himself entering the room, which Celestia permitted.

“Your Highness, I have urgent news that we have a situation on our hooves,” he said.

Princess Celestia was ready to assume the worst, “So who’s come back for another fight this time?” She asked in a deadpan voice.

“Actually your majesty it’s not that serious. At least I don’t think it is,” he responded, the tone in his voice only made Celestia more confused. “I've know every code in the manual, and in my twelve years serving you I’ve seen them all used but one.”

A sudden adrenaline took over the sun princess. She knew every code in her guard. The one for when Twilight’s magic had went out of control as a filly, the one for when Spike had accidentally set fire to something as a hatching, and the one when the royal tea cupboard was nearing complete bareness. But there’s was only one alert that have never been used. The one Celestia wished for and feared the most.

“So your majesty I’m here to announce we have a code Setting Sun. What would you have me do?”

“Send her in,” Celestia responded without hesitation.

The guard bowed and walked back to the door of her chamber. After a brief that seemed to last another thousand years for Celestia the guard opened the door completely.

There she stood. The second pony Celestia had never expected to see ever again, but she sorely wished she could.

Sunset Shimmer entered as the door was closed behind her. She then simply said, “Hello princess… I’m um back.”