Later that night,

Celestia’s bedroom

Celestia was readying herself for slumber. Outside her window she could see Luna staring at the moon, just as she did every evening. Ever since their movement to this world, Luna had entered into a state of melancholy. Unlike in their old world, the Moon and Suns raised and lowered themselves, rendering Celestia’s and Luna’s astrological functions obsolete. Fortunately for Celestia she had her work as the head of state to fill her time. Luna, on the other hoof, had nothing to do, with even her ability to see and shape the dreams of Equestrian citizens beyond her powers.

Celestia pitied her once estranged sister. “Hopefully, her upcoming journey to America will provide her with something to keep her happy,” thought Celestia to herself.

Clop, clop, clop.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the gentle knocking of hooves on her bedroom door. Creaking it open, she found herself looking at Twilight’s worried face.

“Twilight! Please come in. What is it?” asked Celestia, concerned by the worry on her best friend’s face.

Twilight spoke as soon as she had entered Celestia’s room. “I’m worried about Starlight,” said the purple alicorn.

“Why is that my dear Twilight,” responded Celestia.

“I normally never question your decisions. However, this time I think that you may want to reconsider your decision to send Starlight to the Soviet Union.”

“Go on,” urged Celestia.

“Ever since the contact with the human race, I’ve been obsessively reading every material I could obtain from the human diplomats.”

“That’s nothing new,” replied Celestia.

“True, But in my readings of so-called ‘Western’ materials on the Soviet Union, nearly all reports on the country are negative. Even the handful of ‘positive’ materials I could find indicate that the communist government that exists there regularly abuses the rights and the dignity of its citizens.”

“I’m well aware of these reports. In fact that’s why I chose Starlight for the mission to that country. She is very loyal and dependable ever since her reformation. Thus I can count on her to provide an accurate assessment of the country. Don’t you trust your pupils loyalty or abilities, Twilight?”

“I do,” replied Twilight, taken aback at Celestia’s insinuation that she was a distrustful pony. “It’s just that I’m worried for her. Even now, nearly two years removed from her actions in her village she still expresses regret over her actions. I’m afraid that if she is exposed to a government with a similar philosophy as the one that she once held and which is engaged in actions that remind her of what she did, she will regress and begin to feel regret over what she once did. I care too much for her to let that happen to her.”

“I understand, Twilight,” said Celestia.

“You do.” replied Twilight, astonished that Celestia was acknowledging that she was more perceptive.

“Yes indeed. I welcome your candidness as well. Not many former students are willing to tell their mentors when they believe they are in the wrong.”

“So does that mean that you will perhaps change where she is sent?” asked Twilight hopefully.

“No.”

Twilight looked back at Celestia in a visibly confused manner. “Pardon?”

“I said no Twilight. While I appreciate your advice, as always, I’m going to have to decline your recommendation that we reassign Starlight Glimmer. I believe that it is important that she confront an authoritarian egalitarian society so that she can once and forall overcome her regret for her actions in her anti-cutie mark village.”

“Besides, Twilight, cancelling her journey to the Soviet Union would only serve to undermine her confidence. She’s very perceptive you know. She analyzes everything you do. You’re her role model. If you were to even insinuate or imply that you don’t have confidence in her, that would hinder the process of rehabilitating her.”

“I’m sorry, Princess Celestia,” said Twilight as she hung her head down, saddened that she had disappointed Celestia.

“Don’t be Twilight,” said Celestia as she embraced her former student. “You make me proud everyday. When I first took you under my wing, I could have never imagined the great magician, leader, and friend that you would have turned into.”

“Well thanks,” replied Twilight, her cheeks burning as she blushed.

“I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never told anyone in centuries. But you’re going to have to promise not to tell anyone else,” said Celestia, her demeanour suddenly sad.

“You have my word,” promised Twilight.

“You as a student of history are well aware that 500 years ago, I was briefly married to a unicorn knight named Brisk Bronco for a about a decade.”

“Until he passed away without leaving you without a heir..”

“Correct. What you, and indeed the general public don’t know is why we never were able to give birth to an heir.”

Turning back towards Twilight, Celestia continued, “My advisors repeatedly tried to come up with face saving stories, such as me having repeated miscarriages in order to mask the truth.”

Twilight thought she knew where this was headed. She could see the pain in Celestia’s face, her eyes glistening as she fought back tears.

“The truth was that we were never able to have kids because I’m infertile thus will never be able to have my own kids.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Twilight, unsure of what to say to comfort Celestia.

“The point of this story is this: you were the daughter I never was able to have. I would like to thank you for always being there for me and for turning out better than I could have ever dreamed,” said Celestia, tears gently rolling down her face. “Thank you Twilight. I will always love you and be here for you no matter what.”

Twilight, didn’t know what to say in return. So instead she acted, embracing Celestia with her forehooves. Only the gods knew how long they stood there, sharing their tender, tearful embrace. However, they didn’t care. They were two equines who were sharing the greatest gift of all. Love.