Following the Changeling Invasion of Canterlot, Twilight's friends, Princess Celestia and Shining Armor lament over how they failed to protect Canterlot from the Changelings as well for their behavior towards Twilight at the Wedding Rehearsal.
Five hundred years ago Celestia's neice was born. Since then Celestia has sought out proper foster parents for the unique foal. All of that has now changed. Celestia and Twilight are on their own.
After a conversation Princess Celestia has with her student, she decides it'd be best to address her issues and bring closure to a secret Twilight has kept for many years.
A young man with surprising leadership skills meets the most important day of his life, his death. Many would expect that to be that however fate has other plans.
Princess Celestia recounts her dealing with her guilt over ignoring Twilight Sparkle's warnings about the royal wedding, and the role she has let her student play in fighting threats to the kingdom.
The past always comes back to haunt the present, there is no escaping the inevitable. For decades, Celestia has kept a secret from her student. A secret she made out of pain, and through pain will be revealed for all to see; for Twilight Sparkle is