A cool wind blew through her mane as she looked out onto the city below. Twilight stood there, on one of the many tower balconies of the royal palace, looking down at the ponies in the streets beneath her. Even from up here, she could see them, happy and celebrating. They were smiling with each other, laughing, enjoying the day, and every once in a while somepony would even break out into song and dance. The whole image made it very clear what was going on; that this was a day to be joyous. But for Twilight, there was no hint of joy in her face, merely sadness. She lowered her head, resting it upon her hooves as they were placed upon the edge of the balcony. Look at them. They're all happy because of me. Celebrating, because of me. They're safe...because of me. And why not? The evil spirit of chaos is vanquished and all of Equestria is free of his dark power. Why wouldn't they want to throw a party or two? Even her mind, the sarcasm of those words rang true. I should be happy...but I'm not. So engrossed was she in her thoughts that Twilight failed to notice the distinct sound of somepony approaching her. Only when this new figure came within a few feet of her did her ears finally perk up, causing her to turn.

"Bit for your thoughts, my student?"

Sure enough, there was Princess Celestia herself, looking as composed and as regal as ever. A true sight to behold, especially with the orange glow of the setting sun. Her words held that same motherly tone Twilight had grown so used to hearing over the years, but today, they seemed to bring no comfort, for the young unicorn merely looked away from her mentor and back to the cityscape before her.

"I'm...I'm fine."

But Celestia merely raised an eyebrow as she took her place alongside her student.

"I mean no offense, Twilight...but you're a poor liar."

Twilight looked up at her, a pang of guilt filling her heart, before looking away again. As she kept her eyes off her, Twilight nevertheless kept on listening as Celestia spoke.

"You were not present at the celebrations earlier. I presented all of your friends to the Canterlot populace to let the people know who it was who had saved them...yet you chose not to be there."

Twilight hung her head lower, letting out a sigh as she did so.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I just...didn't feel like celebrating."

Celestia nodded before raising a hoof and gently placing it upon Twilight's shoulder, gaining her attention.

"You did a good thing today, Twilight. You saved Equestria from having to endure another reign of chaos. I was there the last time Discord ruled this land, and believe me when I say that you have done an immense service to the land by stopping him."

But Twilight merely shook her head at that.

"I know that! I truly do! But...You know what I wanted. I wanted him to accept us, to give up his chaotic ways. I wanted peace between him and us ponies. I know he was capable of friendship...but he wanted none of it."

Looking down at the streets below, Twilight's expression became one of sadness once more.

"I...failed."

Celestia saw the pain in her student's eyes and softened her expression, leaning her head close and nuzzling Twilight's in an affectionate manner, like a mother comforting her child.

"You mustn't blame yourself, Twilight. You did not fail anypony."

But Celestia was prevented from saying anything further, as Twilight pulled away from her and began to walk off in a frantic manner.

"But I did fail! One day, I'll be known as the Princess of Friendship. Friendship! How can I ever claim a title like that if I can't help my enemies to accept it into their hearts? Everything I've been doing has been to try and make things better for everypony around me, pony or otherwise. And today...I couldn't do that."

Celestia looked at her, seeing that Twilight was actually in tears over this, leaning on the edge of the balcony yet again. The young unicorn's mind was racing, thinking over everything that had occurred recently. I wanted to give him friendship. But he didn't want it. What if...what if this just makes him worse one day? How am I going to deal with it? What if this makes it impossible for him to ever be friends with anypony? She lowered her head, pressing it against the marble borders of the balcony, and listened as her mentor began to approach, clearing her throat somewhat. After a long silence between the two, Celestia finally spoke.

"A long time ago...there was a mare who always did everything in her power to help those she came across."

Twilight paused for a moment before gradually looking up, seeing Celestia looking out at the horizon while speaking.

"No matter how serious, there didn't seem to be any problem she couldn't solve. Even when she faced enemies, she was almost always able to find a way around the problem, giving them peace instead of war."

There was a flicker of something in her eyes, but it went by so quickly that Twilight didn't have a chance to see what it was. Letting out a sigh, Celestia continued.

"But then...one day...that mare came across a foe unlike anything she had ever faced before. Time and again she tried to reason with her opponent, and time and again the opponent rejected her. There was no peace to be had, no compromise, only victory or defeat."

Celestia looked down at the ground, a slight look of shame crossing her face.

"A battle broke out between them...and in the end...the mare emerged victorious. Even so...it did not feel like a victory. Not to her."

Twilight watched her teacher, enraptured by what was being said, and took a step forward. After a few false starts, the young unicorn finally managed to get out some words.

"This enemy she faced...who was it?"

There was a deathly silence between them, and Celestia's face became a pained one. A sense of foreboding filled Twilight’s heart as realisation began to dawn on her. As her teacher turned to her, she listened as she spoke the answer she already knew was coming.

"The enemy...was her own sister."

Guilt crossed Twilight's face after hearing those words, causing her to turn away from Celestia. Great job, Twilight. Not only did you fail today, you also had your teacher drudge up her most painful memories. Top notch! Celestia, seeing the way her student was deliberately avoiding her gaze, instead put on a small smile and placed her hoof on the underside of Twilight's face, carefully guiding it so that she was looking at her once again.

"When the battle was done, everypony in the land hailed me as a saviour, a heroine, even though such words were the last thing I wanted to hear. My sister was gone, and it was by my failure to reach her that she had to endure her own imprisonment. So believe me...I know what it is you're feeling right now."

With guilt plastered all over her face, Twilight's gaze strayed from Celestia. But, she was forced to look back to her again when she began to carry on speaking.

"Although I considered that day to be my greatest failure, it nevertheless taught me a valuable lesson."

Twilight's tilted her head slightly, displaying her confusion. Seeing this, Celestia's smile widened a bit before she began to explain herself.

"Not every foe can be negotiated with, at least not at first. Some...will simply fight on."

The young unicorn looked away, sadness upon her face yet again. That seems to be the case. Every time I've tried reaching out to those who would harm me...it always descends into battle. The only time that hasn’t been the case is when I encountered Trixie. And even then, I had to show off my power to make her understand. I just...wish that, this time, I could have changed that. But, she looked up again as Celestia cleared her throat. Looking upon her teacher, Twilight remained silent as the latter continued speaking.

"However...do not take my story to mean that such diplomacy should never be attempted. On the contrary. For such efforts are noble in their own right, even if they do not always succeed."

After having said that, Celestia raised her eyebrow slightly.

"I assume that, when the threats of the future rear their ugly heads...you will attempt such peace again?"

There was a pause afterwards, wherein Twilight hesitated to answer. Eventually though, she gave a single nod, to which Celestia merely smiled.

"Do not be ashamed of that, Twilight. That you would wish for peace instead of a fight is the mark of a truly good person. And even though not all will accept that peace, simply wanting it, and trying to achieve it...is worth it."

As Twilight looked away, seeming unsure at those words, Celestia raised her hoof and placed it onto Twilight's shoulder again.

"And remember...you still saved all of Equestria today. Mares, stallion and foals who will all live normal and safe lives because what you and your friends have accomplished. Even if the day did not go the way you wanted...never forget that there is comfort in that at least."

Twilight looked up at her mentor, feeling the sense of guilt and shame from her earlier actions begin to melt away. Her despondent expression began to fall, instead replaced with a warm smile as she gazed upon her diarch. It's strange...how she’s always able to make me feel better like this. How my future self ever forgot to listen to her, I'll never know. Letting out a brief giggle, Twilight moved forward, nuzzling Celestia in that same warm manner that she had been privy to not so long ago. The sun princess, smiling at this, followed suit, and soon the two were together in a warm embrace. But, through it all, Twilight's mind was hard at work. It's like she says...I'll still plan to talk to my enemies if I can. But she's right. Not all of them are going to be willing to talk to me, or even consider the idea of peace. But...if there's one thing I've learned from this entire experience...it's that all that knowledge doesn't always equal wisdom. I thought I could talk to Discord right from the start and make him our friend. But...perhaps it was just too soon for him. Maybe all he needs right now...is time. I fully intend to release him again in future, like he's supposed to, and on that day...I truly do hope we can become the friends we're destined to be.

Eventually, the two mares parted from one another, with Twilight looking far more relaxed than she was before. As Celestia smiled down at her student, she spoke in that same calm tone that ponies so often expected of her.

"Come on. I think it's only fair that the ponies at the party got a look at their true heroine today."

In spite of how she'd been feeling mere minutes ago, Twilight let out a brief giggle at that.

"Well...I hate to disappoint."

And so, the two mares began to walk together towards the entrance of the tower. But, as Celestia moved ahead of her, Twilight slowed down, turning her head and looking out onto the horizon.

I wonder...how many enemies do I have to go through...before one of them accepts friendship with us?