Why does it have to be so noisy? At the end of the day, it's just the end of another day, isn't it? So what if it also marks the end of the year, too. Oh, I should get myself worked up into a frenzy because of some arbitrary quirk of our system for marking time? Pfft. No, thank you. Ponies shouldn't need an excuse to eat, drink and be merry to each other. Twilight Sparkle suppressed a sigh as she manoeuvred her body around yet another coterie of servants making their way to the grand ballroom of Canterlot Castle where hundreds of their colleagues were in the midst of putting the finishing touches to the Old Year's End preparations. Pinkie Pie, she could tell from the excited trills that followed her down the corridor, was having the time of her life down there; all of her friends were, in fact, but this particular celebration held little significance for Twilight.

Okay, yeah, the fireworks can be pretty to look at, but when you've seen the Elements of Harmony at work, a little bit of sulphur and charcoal really doesn't compare, does it? Plus, all those poor animals … I know Fluttershy is hard at work making sure that they're all safely out of harm's way, but I still can't help feeling bad for them. Why should they have to suffer just so that we can have a good time? And don't get me started on the resolutions either! Why make promises that you just aren't going to keep? It's all so meaningless.

“You're not really just going to stay in the library for the whole night, are you?” asked Spike, the young dragon shooting Twilight's star-adorned flank an irritated expression as he struggled to keep pace with her. “Your friends have been really looking forward to sharing this celebration with you, you know?”

Twilight did not deign to respond, instead keeping her focus solely trained on the book of ancient spells that she had found earlier in the day; she had only been pried out of her studies and gone down to the ballroom to show her face once to them, as basic politeness dictated that she do at least that much. Plus, Spike was not prepared to let the evening pass without seeing what Rarity was wearing. Between dodging the catering staff and maintaining a telekinetic grip on the book, she didn't have the brain capacity to spare to worry about making idle chit-chat.

It didn't take long for Spike to get the message and he settled for simply staying by her side, in as much as he was able to as Twilight continued her headlong march for the library; every so often, he would allow his attention to drift to the windows. It was a beautiful night in Equestria: the stars lit up a canvas of black while Luna's radiant moon shone majestically over the gleaming spires of the city below.

Princess Celestia would be so disappointed in me, but at the moment even that thought doesn't bother me as much as it would've done a few months earlier. My new friends, if they really are my friends, will recognise my need for solitude, won't they? I could explain to them how I feel, but I'm not so they would really understand my desire. Sometimes, I just need to be … alone. Apart from Spike, of course. Goddesses, he probably thinks I'm being terribly rude right now. Wait, is he saying something?

“Twilight, watch-” the young dragon said warningly.

With a thud, Twilight collided with something firm, yet also soft and yielding.

“-out,” he finished unnecessarily. “Good evening, Princess,” said Spike to Princess Celestia, affecting a formal bow.

Twilight backed up a few steps and shook her head, involuntarily releasing her magical grasp on her book. “Sorry, Princess,” she said, her muzzle turning bright red in embarrassment. Her mulberry eyes took in the ethereal form of her mentor, clad in a shimmering golden dress that hugged the delicate contours of her body. Bold though it was, it still paled in comparison to the glittering lustre of her multicoloured mane, flowing smoothly through the air as if possessed of its own microclimate. “Are you on your way to the party?”

“I was, my faithful student,” Celestia said, her voice every bit as regal as her bearing. It was never cruel, never angry; always patient, always loving, always nurturing. She took a few steps closer to Twilight, her elegant shoes clicking softly on the cool marble floor as she covered short distance between them, narrowing her eyes. “But then, I received word that a certain somepony was trying to avoid attending.”

“I'm sorry, but I just don't see the point in going,” Twilight replied with a shrug of her shoulders, using her magic to lift up the book that lay still on the floor. She tried not to show her annoyance at the way the pages had crumpled inward and she smoothed them out gently with her hoof. “If you'll excuse me, I'd really like to go to the library now and finish this book. If I can get through it before the night is done, it means that I can start on the next one first thing in the morn-”

Her babble was cut off by a gold-encased hoof smothering her lips. The princess smiled benevolently at her and all Twilight could do was stare up into her luminous violet eyes; it was so easy to find oneself entranced by those hypnotic orbs, and Twilight was no exception. Indeed, she'd often found herself bewitched by Celestia's beauty. Many had, so she was far from alone on that score at least. It wasn't that she was attracted to her at all, simply that she could appreciate her on an aesthetic level as much as she could as a wise teacher and friend.

I guess I'd better bookmark the page that I'm on, then. I have a feeling that the princess is about to impart a lesson.

“You should be enjoying this final day of the year with everypony else, with your friends,” Celestia said kindly. “This is not a time to be alone.” Her hoof vacated Twilight's muzzle, but it remained hovering in the slight gap between them. It took Twilight a moment to realise that she wanted her to take it.

Hesitantly, she did so; the coldness of the metal chilled her somewhat, but Twilight didn't mind so much. It wasn't often that one got the opportunity to hold hooves with the princess and she was not about to spurn the opportunity that had presented itself. “I don't mind being alone, Princess. Sometimes, I really need it.”

“Yes, I understand that,” replied Celestia, leading Twilight toward one of the balconies. There were several dotted around the castle and all of them featured spectacular views as a matter of course, but this one happened to overlook the city in its entirety. Even from here, it was possible for them to just about make out the hundreds of ponies standing in the streets and enjoying the festivities.

Somehow, Canterlot managed to look even more imposing in the pale waxy moonlight; Twilight, for her part, could only gaze at Princess Celestia and feel a little bit foolish at what was transpiring.

Why is this such a big deal? Surely it's not just me that craves a moment of solitude here and there?

“Keep looking,” Celestia said, the tiniest bit of firmness entering her voice. This was not an idle suggestion but a command.

“At the sky?”

Celestia nodded.

“I've seen fireworks befo-”

“-Sh.”

Bristling slightly at being hushed, Twilight returned her attention to the night sky; there could be no doubt that it was a splendid sight, but so what? Books were just as attractive to her, so why should her desires be forced to take second place to somepony else's? A tiny sigh escaped her, but it was not enough to warrant any further comment from Princess Celestia who merely stood stock still, her mane and tail the only parts of her that seemed to be capable of movement.

Suddenly, the world exploded.

At least, that was how it seemed to Twilight's eyes.

“Oh, wow, did you guys see that?” Spike said, practically shouting to be heard over the din of the tumultuous explosions rocking the heavens.

Rockets screamed, shooting straight up into the air; ponies gasped and applauded at the spectacular display of light filling the sky, briefly relegating the moon into a distant second place in terms of brightness. Multicoloured balls of fire scattered in every direction, exploding violently into streamers that arced back down toward the ground. Wave after wave of incandescent fury danced across the blackness. It seemed to go on for hours, but Twilight knew that it was only a few minutes.

Exclamations of awe rose up from the assembled crowd, coalescing as one at the climax: a carefully-arranged series of bursts which culminated in the night sky being painted with vibrant depictions of the two princesses. One of the gasps belonged to a certain unicorn who could only watch, rapt, as the skies above her danced with light and noise. For a moment, she was too overcome with emotion to speak, and tears formed in her eyes. When she finally found her voice, Twilight said breathily, “Is this why everypony looks forward to this time of year, Princess?”

“Well, yes, sort of, but not exactly,” replied Celestia, her hoof reaching out to stroke Twilight's shoulder as she searched for the right words. “What they look forward to is the beginning of something new. The end of the year, symbolic as it may be, also marks the end of a particular story, but much like with your book, there will always be a new one to replace it. New adventures, new promises, new discoveries. That is the magic of the beginning of a new year. Not fireworks, not resolutions, not parties, but of ponies facing an entirely new set of challenges together.”

Twilight was impressed that Celestia wasn't even out of breath after that little speech and she offered her mentor a small smile. “I think I understand now.”

“Good.” Once more, she offered Twilight her hoof. “Shall we?”

“Yes, we shall,” said Twilight, taking the proffered hoof. “Thank you, Princess.”

“You don't have to thank me, Twilight.” Her muzzle split into a wide grin. “Besides, I don't want to be stuck in there with your crazy friends all night.”

Twilight blinked several times, then laughed raucously as she noticed Celestia trying not to do the same. “Yeah, they can be a hoof-full, all right,” she said in between guffaws. “But I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of friends.”