Chapter Preview: What We Learn Amongst Ourselves

Damn... I've nearly forgotten how bad this all was...

"Progress has been made steadily, but it won't be long until everything has returned as it once was." The Princess whom I accompanied stated with the utmost of callous confidence, the pair of us walking down the town that was recovering from the vicious onslaught of the Storm King, and the parting gift by Zagreus.

Buildings being repaired, stone pathways renewed. Grass and flowers re-planted, statues becoming properly restored. I was halfway to blaming myself again for the damages caused here from the battle against the very force of imbalance itself, but I think enough people have grown sick and weary of me constantly putting myself down.

Except the sickos who thrive in it, but why should I judge?

The Princess of the Sun continued speaking as we passed through the busying afternoon, her pink eyes gazing on surroundings with small friendly nods to the ponies hard at work, committed utterly in restoring their home. "The real challenge came in the form of fixing the mountain above Canterlot." A ghost of a smile on Celestia's muzzle, voice tinged with amusement. "That was quite a week of effort, moreso than any obstacle I've faced in three hundred years."

However do you not get bored, I wonder? Regardless, I said nothing, more intent on whatever Celestia had to say next which was particularly relevant in our beginning discussion just inside the massive castle earlier. Where the exterior, no shocks at all, looked far more cleaner and completely renewed than the rest of the repairing kingdom. Of course, fix Celestia's [BEEP] first! Nothing else mattered more than to make your idols look good, huh?! Twilight had insisted in the past for her and friends to help Celestia and Luna restore Canterlot. Myself opting to assist two.

But these mares, for some reason, had put their hoofs down and ordered for us to continue relaxing back in Ponyville, not to fret about something those siblings claimed they could easily handle by themselves. Guess blind stubbornness is a common occurrence of a trait among royalty in Equestria.

"The fact that, whether you are making snark remarks or crude commentary, moreso in your mind rather than outwardly, is rather refreshing and displays maturity." Celestia half-joked, smiling pleasantly with scarcely a side-glance. I wasn't smiling, or laughing. Nor was I even agreeing. Mature? What was even the meaning of that word anymore? The Princess of Day then sighed lightly, finally getting to the point of before. "I know it's hard to imagine someone so close to be imperfect, Stardust. Even I had fooled myself sometimes, regarding Twilight to be the perfect pupil who could achieve no wrong... But I suppose that is a sign of my own imperfection, too."

We both knew what she was thinking about with those words; the incident with the play. I winced, accepting the point Celestia made, but counteracting a gross assumption this alicorn just made.

"It wasn't about thinking Twilight is flawless. Part of those flaws are why I am so endeared to her." Blinking a little for composure, heaving slightly in breath before proceeding in stern assurance. "My issue relied in Twilight failing to learn from past mistakes and almost condemning herself..." Not to mention, our close friends.

"Hmm... That sounds like somepony else whom could relate." Was that... Teasing? Because I certainly didn't find it amusing in the least, glaring at the stone ground we walked upon with such an intensity it could burn through the marble.

"This is different..."

"To be sincere, Stardust, I fail to see how."

Yep, teasing all right. I glared up exasperatedly, just yearning for once - for once that this mare would accept anything with just a bit of salt. "She almost put you at war with another species."

Did Celestia just shrug, or was that my blinding rage hallucinating things? "That's not the worst mistake a student of mine has committed. You recall Sunset Shimmer?" How could I forget, since I just said goodbye to her about two hours ago! But the tall Princess, as we turned a corner and kept watching our steps for leftover rubble, continued in light tenderness, as though soothing a disgruntled teenager. "Status or rewards, new responsibilities or expectations, no one would simply change altogether. Twilight acted from fear, paranoia, uncertainty and willingness to sacrifice while knowing the damage it would have caused. Just as I would expect from my former, best pupil."

What? Bewildered, my head finally snapped up to look intently at the delusional mare, a brow raised upwards in perplexed bafflement. Just what was she uttering about this time? That she expected her best taught student to steal a magical object that was keeping another species safe and happy?

"You often expect Twilight not to commit anything you possibly would, nor anticipate any action or reaction that resonates by your own behaviour. The behavior of her trusted and beloved Warrior." A side-glance of pink. "Tell me, why do you earnestly expect Twilight to undertake no decisions you would most likely cause, or presume to cause, in this case?"

Just how much was this alicorn aware of? Nevertheless, my answer came into a confessional grumble which consisted, "Because she's suppose to be better than me..."

Or, to better phrase it, I want her to be better than me, in every aspect...

"...Then perhaps you don't know Twilight as better as you assume." When I looked back up, Celestia had turned away from me against to what's right in front of us, halting in place while I followed the gesture. The Princess of Day soon motioning to what's directly before us with a single, solitary nod.

Yeah, the school for gifted unicorns, looking much better than it did last time, when Twilight came for Celestia's approval and tips of the new School of Friendship. That's right, Celestia's a teacher here; a hobby she appeared more content with than ruling an entire nation. Guess we all have to stretch our boredom somewhere after a thousand years, even though that's no excuse for lazy ruling.

What were we even doing here, for that matter? My hazel eyes looked curiously to and from the building and the monarch, tilting my head slightly. But Celestia kept quiet, appearing lost in thought, her heart a tranquil place in nostalgia and melancholy. My own heart was sizzled in hopeless confusion. Again, we were here because... Celestia had a class to teach?

Nope, didn't look like that, as Celestia finally turned to completely face down at my state, pink eyes reflecting tender lightheartedness, offering a soft smile. "Twilight may have learned plenty about you, Stardust... But do you know everything about Twilight? Has she told you everything she's been through, prior to her days in Ponyville, before meeting the most wondrous of friends anypony could ask for?"

"...Only bits and pieces." I murmured admittedly, slowly glancing to the educational facility yet again. Yes, Twilight, since as a filly, was a student here, eager to learn and study any and all aspects of magic, before friendship became the top priority. And because of that, any friends that would have been made were shunned away, in the pursuit of something supposedly better. Celestia's star pupil.

But that was just about what I knew. Was Celestia insinuating more answers could be found, here at the old school where it all officially started? Where destiny had fully impacted the young Twilight Sparkle, beginning her steps into who she would become; what that mare was today? Why was any of this even relevant?

"This is only the first part to clarity, Stardust." The Princess of the Sun was already moving away, back the direction we came from, as I never took my eyes off the school, feeling something commanding I stayed. Celestia's voice growing more distant with every parting step. "Six steps, and perhaps you will know how you and Twilight are not as apart as believed...Go inside, learn the past to understand the future. There may still be hope for you both."

Whether be it curiosity, hope, or desperation guiding my actions that moment, I accepted the plunge to seek the truth Celestia vaguely implied. In all honesty, I had nothing better to do worth my time, and if this helped uncover the truth as to why Twilight would even consider taking the pearl...

I needn't look far, for practically barging through the doors led me right into a certain yellow unicorn whom looked like my Twilight's twin. "Stardust Balance?"

---

Coming this week.

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[GRANNERD]

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