Twilight let out a fond sigh as she took a seat in Princess Celestia's private study. It had been quite some time since she had last been there. But entering felt just like old times. She had become quite close with the beloved ruler since becoming her private student. And over time, she'd seen Celestia as a second mother. "This place is just like I remember it." Twilight said with a fond smile.
"I should hope so." Princess Celestia said with a giggle and friendly smile. "I kept it just the way you like it should we ever have one of our little chats again." Celestia took the seat across from Twilight, and poured each of them some of the tea she had ordered for their talk. "The celebration was not the most ideal place for us to converse. So I decided on a more private setting."
Twilight nodded in agreement. "I'll say. It's so good to talk with you again Princess." Twilight looked down at her tea thoughtfully. "I hope it's not too soon to ask this, but how is Princess Luna doing?"
"My sister is doing quite well Twilight." Celestia answered. "However, readjusting to all the changes since her absence will take some time." Celestia took a deep breath, and a small smile graced her lips. "But more than anything, I'm just happy having my little sister with me again. Now I have more than one person I can truly share my thoughts with."
Twilight smiled at the compliment, but her smile soon faded. "Princess Celestia? I know that you had no choice in banishing Princess Luna. But, I want to know something. Why did you cover up her banishment? Even when I saw the signs of her return?"
"That, my faithful student, is a shame that has never left my heart." Celestia said sadly. "All of Unity would have panicked if they had realized that one of the royal sisters was removed for what would seem like forever. But even worse, they would have turned the blame onto me. Painting me as an ignorant sister and unworthy ruler. They would not have been wrong for the first half. I thought that as long as Luna had my love, she would never want for the love of anyone else. But I was wrong. And that cost me greatly. To this day, I hold no greater regret in my heart." Celestia then looked out to the window. "I was surrounded, yet completely alone. And my connection to the Elements of Harmony severed. So to hold the nation together, I fabricated a story to cover Luna's fall." Celestia hung her head in shame. "Never before in my immortality had time ever seemed so long. Or so tormenting." Celestia then looked Twilight right in the eye. A sadness never before seen present in her gaze. "Sometimes I wonder if I even deserve the love of my subjects. Or the devotion of such a wonderful girl."
Twilight placed her hand on Celestia's and offered her a warm smile. "You did the best that you could Princess. That's all anyone can give. And it was more than enough since you were able to teach me a lesson I didn't even know I needed." Twilight embraced her mentor in a tight hug. "And we couldn't ask for a better leader."
"Thank you Twilight." Celestia said with a relieved sigh as she returned the embrace. "I'm glad to have someone new to confide in. The world seems much more magical with you around."
Twilight giggled as she pulled out of the embrace. "I AM the Element of Magic. So that was too easy!" Both teacher and student shared a laugh. "You were right about making friends. Together, we did something most would consider impossible. And we also had help from a friend I didn't even know I had."
"You mean Burst Stream, correct?" Celestia asked. "It seems I underestimated how committed he was to that promise he made. And in the end, he proved those who told him otherwise wrong. He was willing to go all the way for Luna, and yet he didn't even know her. Do you have any idea why he did something like that?
Twilight scratched her chin in thought. "Well, there was something I heard him say while he was fighting Nightmare Moon. He said that's what heroes do. They use their power to do as much good as they can wherever they can. He really took a lot of hits just to even get the chance to keep his promise. Speaking of Burst, I left him to babysit Spike while I was here. The two of them seem almost like brothers they're so chummy."
"Seems the two of you might make a good couple." Celestia joked. She couldn't help but giggle as she saw Twilight's face turn red at the implication! Twilight left in a fluster, and Celestia teleported an object over to herself. It was the same plushie that Burst had given her that day they had first met. I'm glad I kept this. I guess my 'hero' is always by my side. Celestia thought with a smile.
Meanwhile, back at Golden Oak Library.
"I'm back!" Twilight called out as she entered the door. "So how are-" Twilight's jaw dropped when she saw Burst and Spike sitting in front of a TV. "What are you two doing?"
Burst blinked. "Um, introducing Spike to Power Rangers." Burst then looked to Spike. "Geez. No need to get all upset about it. Didn't you ever give Spike much of a childhood?" Burst saw Spike shake his head. He then put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "There is so very much to teach you padawan." Burst then scooped up Spike in his arms. "I'm going to be borrowing him for the next couple hours! Bye!"
"Hey!" Twilight called out as she followed Burst over to his house! "Make sure to have Spike home by dinner!"
Both Burst and Spike nodded, and threw themselves on Burst's couch. "So, what's next on the list Burst?"
"Here's a hint." Burst said with a smirk. "IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAAAND!" They then proceeded to hold a Dragon Ball Z marathon. Twilight later found the two mimicking the Goku vs Vegeta beam clash. And she couldn't help but snap a picture. For purely research purposes of course.