Starlight is trotting alone in the Castle of Friendship. It's been an awkward two weeks since learning that Twilight has gone astray and continuing in her pursuit to bring Spike back.
"Who's going to replace Twilight Sparkle as a Princess?" Starlight speaks loudly since no one is in the castle. She then hears the castle doors knocking. "Who can that be at this hour?" Starlight trots to the castle doors. It's 3:30 in the afternoon. As of late, no pony has come by to the castle for any visitations except for the Mane 5. Starlight opens the door. "Yes?"
"Hey, Starlight!" Discord greets his friend for the first time since leaving Equestria to retrieve Spike.
"Greetings, Discord. Come on in," Starlight opens the door wider.
"Thanks," Discord hovers inside. "So, how is it having the castle to yourself?"
"Lonesome, Discord. I've been lonely in this castle since Spike left and, Twilight going astray. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing well. Say, have the Unity Seven told you about Spike's memory and what they've seen?" Discord asks.
"No. I haven't seen the Unity Seven in a week. How is Spike doing, Discord? The girls haven't told me much except Spike is a powerhouse that dominated Twilight."
"I have all of Spike's memory from the day I returned to Equestria. Want to see his memories?"
"Sure, Discord. I would like to see how my friend is doing after all this time."
"I'll set everything up for the movie. It will take a few days to see it all."
"What in Equestria did Spike experienced?" Starlight asks.
"Earth Land and their adventures. It'll shame what the Mane 5 has been through," Discord said.
"What!?" Pinkie shouts from behind, hoping to surprise Starlight with a party. "What do you mean it'll shame our adventures?"
"Well, Pinkie. What Spike experienced in Earth Land is more amazing than anything I've witnessed here in Equestria."
"That's not possible, Discord! My friends and I have experienced so much that hinders Equestria's lifespan."
"Well, if you take a look at Spike's memories, you'll see all he went through. Also, some memories may be striking for you and your friends to hear, excluding Twilight, of course."
"While you prepare the movie, I'll grab our friends to watch Spike's memories," Pinkie zooms out of the castle.
"Well, I'm glad Pinkie said our and not her friends," Discord said.
"What surprised you the most about Spike's memories, Discord?"
"Too hard to say. That's how epic Spike's memories in Earth Land are, Starlight."
"Wow," Starlight can't fathom Spike's endurance in Earth Land based on Discord's statement. She tries to imagine likely scenarios Spike could encounter.
Starlight trots to a vacant room that served no purpose in the castle even when Twilight and Spike were around. Starlight deems this room to be the movie theatre room. She places the seats to watch the movie comfortably. Discord arrives in the room, and he decided to bring Princess Celestia.
"Hello, Starlight," Princess Celestia smiles at her.
"Hi, Princess. How are you doing since you've come back to Equestria?"
"I'm well, Starlight. Things are progressing nicely since the Bar of Alliance had their meeting."
"Theirwhatnow?" Starlight is confused. She knows Princess Celestia made her temporary Ambassador of Friendship and appeared in the first-ever Bar of Alliance meeting, but she hasn't appeared in any other since.
"Discord and my sister attended a Bar of Alliance meeting recently. What we feared is no longer a dire situation. The Bar of Alliance understands where Spike stands in his life and agreed if Twilight were to return and go in hiding, they would apprehend her."
"Good to know, Princess. So, here's my next question. Who is replacing Twilight as Princess of Friendship or a Princess of Equestria?"
"I've chosen to step aside and let Luna choose who'll be the representation as Princess of Equestria or representatives of Friendship in Equestria. According to her notes, she has chosen seven delegates to be under her wing."
"The Unity Seven," Starlight figures out who Luna wants under her wing.
"Precisely," Discord said. "Princess Luna sees the bigger picture and the future of Equestria with more creatures coming to Equestria. With the peace between ponies and the Bar of Alliance increasing, thanks to you at the School of Friendship; We may have newer students coming into the fray and learn to create new bonds that'll last an eternity."
"Well, I have you and the rest of the teachers to thank. I can't take all the credit," Starlight humbly expressed.
"Shall I bring the teachers to watch Spike's memories? It may help create new ideas and topics to teach in class," Discord suggests.
"Yes," Starlight nods. "They need to see how Spike is doing after all this time. Bring the counselors as well."
"I'll be back in a few moments," Discord opens an umbrella and flies out the window.
"So, what will happen to Twilight if she returns to Equestria unscathed or scathed?" Starlight turns to Princess Celestia.
"Twilight will be in the deepest depths of Tartarus, where she won't be a nuisance to anyone ever again. Discord will strip Twilight of her wings and horn. She will be an earth pony that won't have any luck in escaping Tartarus. Maybe someday, we'll reform her.., maybe..," Princess Celestia sighs heavily. "Starlight, did I failed you?"
That question took Starlight by surprise. She wasn't expecting to hear Celestia say those words to her in life, ever. After some thinking, Starlight looks at Celestia's eyes.
"Certain things were beyond your control, and you were in the midst of what you believed was right after getting manipulated not once but twice during the Spike Saga. Discord imposed as Spike for the right reasons while Twilight was slowly turning into someone she's not. Like you, most of us were oblivious to what Spike was enduring during his tenure with Twilight and her friends. You didn't fail me, Princess Celestia. The pony that failed me is Twilight Sparkle. She lost everything, including her sanity. You failed to see the bigger picture and the reality of the situation. You failed to see someone you hold dear suffering under your nose. You failed Spike as a friend, and so did I after living in the castle for a few years now. I should have spoken after seeing what Spike was going through. I should have contacted you but, I didn't. We all have our moments when we fail, and it's up to us to better ourselves or not."
Princess Celestia takes Starlight's comments to heart. She did fail to see the bigger picture and fail Spike as a friend. Princess Celestia never questions Spike's presence and had little involvement in Spike's life now. Especially all the times she invited Twilight and her friends to come to Canterlot on special occasions.
"I'm so ashamed of myself for the Princess I was. I disregarded Spike until Discord came and told me everything while imposing as him. I failed a different species while focusing my time and attention on Twilight Sparkle and wanting her to succeed as a future Princess of Equestria. I will better myself to become a better Princess of Equestria."
"That's good, Celestia. Humble yourself before making any decisions that'll better Equestria as a whole in the future."
Discord arrives with Sunburst, Trixie, Maud, and the CMC Counselors. Pinkie returns with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack. Everyone takes their seats after hearing Discord displaying a movie about Spike's memories. Discord reminds everyone that Spike's memories contain strong language and violence. With that said, Discord starts playing the movie. The first thing everyone sees is Spike opening his eyes in the Fairy Tail Guildhall.