Twilight's entire world was burning white light. Then darkness, before exploding into a cacophony of spinning and twisting colors. Flashes of everything and nothing at once blared across her mind. Her body seemed to drop out from under her and the world warped itself around her.

Twilight was quite used to teleporting. But she'd never experienced the phenomena for more than a millisecond before now. She couldn't really ’see’ but she could perceive it all. Which was alienating enough. But now she could feel the magic of her mentor besides her, no, all around her. Stretching out and around everything, her power carrying Twilight. There was no cold or warmth but she could still sense the power if only distantly. A power great enough to raise the sun with as much effort as it took a pony to breath. If she could have she would have gasped.

Then it ended. Normal reality returned and Twilight found herself taking her first clumsy steps forward. She almost face-planted in the snow, had a wing not drawn out to steady her. Thick white snow crunched under her boots as she shook her head. It had been a long time since teleportation had left her so disoriented.

'But then I've never really piggybacked on a cross continental teleport either,' she reflected.

Shaking her head Princess Twilight replied, "Yes I'm fine, sorry just a bit dizzy." Twilight chuckled, feeling embarrassed.

"It can be quite a difficult thing to deal with. I remember being very confused the first time I teleported. In fact I also recall overshooting my mark by quite a margin," the princess grinned. Twilight ears pricked at hearing any detail from her mentor’s early life. Something she, nor anypony, knew much of anything about. But it seemed the princess had already changed topics and was glancing about their surroundings. There was a cheeky grin on her face as if she had seen something terribly entertaining.

'I wonder what she's looking for?' Twilight thought. Glancing around with the princess, she only saw snow, large mountains and lots of bushes and pine trees. Suddenly, the cold hit her, "Bbbrrr!" she let out a small whinny of displeasure, her ears dropping to her her head as she instinctively shook her head back and forth.

"I did tell you it would be chilly. But don't worry we're scarcely ten minutes away from Nichola and it will be much warmer there," the elder alicorn assured. "It seems everything will be ready on time as usual," Princess Celestia said cryptically. Something Twilight had grown very used to in her apprenticeship.

She looked up at her teacher, former teacher, curiosity clear on her face. Celestia had the good manners to look embarrassed and replied, "For the festival of course,” she explained.

'What is she planning?' Twilight wondered, half frustrated at her lack of knowledge and just a little excited. “Of course" she replied, a tiny grin appearing on her face.

"Well then, shall we be off? We've a busy schedule," the princess said. Her right fore-leg stretching out and pointing to the large collection of brown and square houses situated on a wide flat bed of rock on the otherwise hilly, mountain range.

"Of course!" Twilight replied. Still having to push herself somewhat to keep up with her princess's gentle stride. Looking around at their surrounding again it was only now that Twilight saw just what the place was like. Despite living in the mountain city of Canterlot most of her life, this place was completely alien to her. Rough jagged rocks stood up against the sky, thick trees and bushes created forests, far too rough to be from a normal pony village. Dark grey clouds filled the sky more ominous than any normal pegasi storm. And all around them the scenery raised and lowered itself with no thought to the convenience of ponyfolk. She could easily make out the giant mountain slopes, covered in white snow as well as a seemingly impossible number of healthy trees and bushes. The only explanation was earth pony magic, Twilight decided.

As they drew closer to the town Twilight could make out the sight of pegasi flying throughout the sky. They didn't seem to be moving or dispersing the clouds, just inspecting them. In the town itself she could make out the vague impression of hundreds of ponies walking between cobblestone houses, though the specific details eluded her.

"Oh my. It seems hey've performed some renovations on the town hall. And the bonfire is even bigger this year," Celestia commented idly, clicking her tongue in an impressed sounding way.

Twilight looked at the elder alicorn, slightly shocked. She could only barely make out the bonfire or the dark cobblestones houses in the distance. But to notice a detail about one of the homes like that from their current distance was shocking.

Twilight's new wings shot out impulsively and started stretching, likely hoping to warm themselves. She resisted the urge to stop and blow in her hooves.

"Princess, how can you see that far and..." Twilight, despite her mentor’s warm wings, and the winter clothes still felt the cold. But despite wearing significantly less, Princess Celestia didn't even seem aware that she was walking in snow. "Are you even cold?" Twilight asked incredulously.

"Hmm?" the rainbow maned alicorn replied, glancing at Twilight, "suffice to say, not really. It's rather hard to get cold when you're responsible for the sun. I'm sure such a temperature does exist but I don't think I've ever really felt it. As for the sight, well, my senses are quite acute, sometimes a little too much. There are times when I just don't want to hear what's going on in my palace. Nor do I want to hear how my niece and Guard Captain spent their breaks," she winked.

'I wonder why she's never told me that before... wait what did she mean by, oh please no!' she thought suddenly disgusted with herself.

The older princess let out a burst of laughter at the horrified look that crossed Twilight's face.

Twilight’s eyes disappeared under her fringe, her eyes peeling wide open as her jaw hung slack. This was something quite rare, the princess rarely spoke of her own abilities beyond raising the sun. Twilight had learned a great deal in her time with the princesses in Canterlot. But it had all pertained to her own unique nature, not Celestia's. Which also meant she hadn't learnt how the princesses’ manes worked. A fact Cadence had also complained about, if for different reasons.

The princess's whimsical laughter broke Twilight from her shocked reverie. "Yes Twilight whatever you were imagining is true. Of course it also makes dealing with the nobility worse, I can hear. Every. Single. Remark. It's quite mind numbing really. I've learned to tune it out both out of respect for others privacy and for my own sanity," she guffawed.

Twilight chuckled along with her. The princess's good mood, was as infectious as ever. 'I'm glad I never complained about the princess behind her back. Not that I ever had much to complain about,' she thought smiling.

One small thought floated across her mind though. 'She's being so candid. Why has she never told me this before?' The thought was immediately cast to the back of Twilight's mind as they finally neared the town. The local ponies taking immediate notice of them, some bowing, or saluting, but most just waving excitedly.

Lining the snow swept stone streets were ponies of every tribe and age, all decked out in thick winter gear. Every few houses there lay a metallic brazier, providing light and warmth. She could even see some foals gathered around one toasting marshmallows. Carts were filled to the brim with food, banners and almost excessive amounts of tinsel. As well as other ‘simple’ decorations. Some of which were already in place connecting the dark brown houses and providing a nice dash of color against the brown and white.

Just as they entered the town proper, small groups or ponies approached them excitedly. Twilight's nerves getting the better of her she almost considered backing up and hiding under her teachers cloak. The unfamiliar environment and ponies triggering her shyness. Of Course Twilight felt the gentle push of her mentors animate, and usually immaterial tale brush up against her encouragingly. It wasn't exactly ‘there’ Twilight reminded herself, it was living physical magic, that also happened to be a tail.

"Princess!" a stallion’s voice cried out. It was deep and thick, the exact sort of voice very much used to shouting instructions and probably belonging to an older pony.

She was drawn out of her revelry when a black coated stallion, wrapped in a thick brown winter vest, a floppy eared beany and thick ugg-boots galloped up to them. Excitement warring with tension on his face as Celestia politely hailed him down.

"Mayor Stone-smith, how have you been?" she inquired cheerily, something in her tone making Twilight suspect mischief was ahoof.

Chuckling, the surprisingly short stallion replied, "I'd be better if I'd have known you were coming princess. My son spotted your arrival by telescope," he said good naturally.

Celestia raised a hoof to her chin in embarrassment, "And truly I was hoping for my visit to be a surprise. I know I don't normally attend so frequently but I haven't yet had the chance to introduce Equestria's newest princess. So this was something of a snap decision,” she explained with decorum.

The stallion wickered, looking more amused than anything else. "You don't make oversights, not like that princess, you're just trying to make me and the other chefs go grey," he replied. Princess Celestia laughed in response.

There was obviously a long standing relationship here. But, as Twilight tried to read into their a hoof to gently tapped her side, causing her wings to flare up in shock as she started. "Oh sorry, I just wasn't sure. What with the cloak and all," a pegasus mare with a lime green coat said, her tone a little embarrassed, but not nervous. 'Casual indeed,' Twilight thought happily.

Bringing one hoof to her chest. Smiling warmly and hoping she didn't look too nervous Twilight replied, "Yes, I am princess Twilight Sparkle, but um, just feel free to call me Twilight." She, chuckled nervously.

The pony smiled in response, "Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance majesty, I mean Twilight." The pony offered a quick, polite curtsy before rising.

Twilight could already see a collection of foals and other curious onlookers gathering around them. 'I hate being the center of attention, Rainbow Dash would love this!'

"You'll be wanting a tour perhaps?" the mayor asked. Seemingly unsure of who to address as his eyes and posture darted from Twilight to Celestia and back again. Not nervous but certainly unsure

"Oh I couldn't ask you to do that after arriving unannounced like this. If anything we should be offering to help," the princess replied charmingly.

'We?' Twilight couldn't help but feel a little scandalized at that, it wasn't her idea after-all. But before she even could have raised so much as a retort. The newly introduced princess was quickly buried under hooves to shake and foals asking to see her wings.

"Besides I've visited so often, I'll be more than capable of showing Twilight around. And there's more than enough ponies to ask for directions or to tell my companion here about some history if the need arises," Celestia assured. Her voice somehow carrying over the din of the crowd surrounding Twilight.

"You're interested in our history?" the mare who had curtsied asked. Still close enough to be heard despite Twilight having half a dozen adult ponies curiously inspecting her and a dozen of so foals. Two of which were most certainly pulling on her wings.

"Ah, um yes, I am; I was a scholar before anything else," she explained, while gently trying to pry the curious foals of off her. Luckily a savior intervened.

The pegasus mare with a lime green coat and and a dark blue mane offered a rather, Twilight thought, dramatic bow and said. "I'm the local teacher so I know more or less anything you might like to know about our history, of course, you do have princ-" Princess Celestia let out a polite cough and winked down at the mare, who smiled. "Celestia with you so I might not be necessary," she finished rubbing her hoof against her mane and smiling.

"Not at all, I hardly have enough personal experience to explain anything of import. I think we'd both appreciate the offer especially as you seem to be looking after these young ones," Celestia said kindly. Chuckling at the antics of the foals as a few of them gathered around her hooves.

'I’m glad she can laugh' Twilight groused internally. Only for the princess to lower her head and pull the attention of the remaining foals. Who decided querying her about her mane would be more interesting than trying to solicit rides from Twilight herself. The alicorn let out a quiet relieved sigh. Now there were only three around her, patiently sitting by their teacher.

"I'd be delighted to show you both around. I'm looking after these little ones while their parents are out in the woods. I thought we might try and work something educational into the day. Come along children stop trying to climb on the princesses." She waved her hooves in what was likely meant to be seen as a disarming gesture. Her words were met with groans from the foals’

"Don't fret my little ponies, there will be time for ‘horsing around’ later," Celestia said with a wink.

Twilight was left unsure of exactly what to do. 'Why did it have to be foals?' she silently lamented as their now much larger group set off at a gentle canter, deeper into the village.

"I'm not sure how much Princess Celestia has told you. But we were originally a mining settlement that many believed was wiped out by a strong winter. We were ‘discovered’ and invited to join Equestria after a generation or so of isolation," the teacher explained. Together they passed through the streets, a small number of ponies stopping to bow. But most just offering polite acknowledgement or curious stares before going on their way. The place had a festive, relaxed atmosphere.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself, did I?" she asked, stopping them as the teacher turned and put her hoof out once again. This time Celestia took the opportunity and returned the mares hoofshake.

"Princess Celestia, charmed I'm sure," she smiled winningly at the pony. Seemingly unconcerned with the bored foals scampering between their legs.

"And I kind of got swamped before introductions could get very far," Twilight chuckled. She was rewarded with a small giggle from both mares.

"That's an interesting name for a teacher though, does it have an added meaning?" Twilight couldn't help but ask. Many ponies chose or added new names to themselves after gaining their Cutie Marks. But even without that ‘Lynch-pin’ still seemed quite unique to Twilight.

"That's an interesting question," the teacher replied. "It's actually something local. A teacher plays more of a role in the community than they might outside, it's why I look after the little ones when their parents can't. There's only two teacher here as our populations is small," she explained as Twilight nodded. Their hooves guiding them deeper into town. "My father was a teacher as well and he said that my name was to remind me of my important role in holding together the community. I teach the junior years and the secondary education is handled by another pony; we both have seats on the town council." she finished

"It's nice to know teaching is regarded so highly here. Education, learning," she let out a small sigh, "it must be a very rewarding job," Twilight continued.

Blushing slightly the mare replied, "Oh it is. One of the best jobs in the world I say, and before you ask we don't have a university here sadly," she chuckled. "There's some mail order qualifications that can be arranged. But most work here is trade related so we usually have to send anypony who wants to attend university away for quite sometime. Assuming they can't be apprenticed like I was."

"There are that many apprenticeship options?" Apprenticeships were common in some lines of work. But for a number of positions, being able to take on an apprentice required very specific training and qualifications.

"Indeed, Nichola is almost entirely self sufficient in many ways," Celestia interjected, before covering her mouth with a hoof. "My apologies for interrupting," she said politely.

"Not at all princess. Oh we're just coming up on the council building now, I know it looks a bit rough but everything here has to be. The weather teams can only do so much and it's still a mountain after-all," the teacher explained.

Lynch-pin stretched out her left hoof and pointed at a large three story circular building. Twilight was almost reminded of Carousel Boutique.

'I can't imagine Rarity would find that very flattering though,' she thought. Yes the shape was similar, especially the roof. But it was darker clearly made from thick stacked bricks and strong mortar, it almost looked like a middle ages throwback. But Twilight could see, from what little she knew of classical building and castles, due to having grown up next to one that was quite a bit. And she could see that it was very well designed, definitely up to modern standards.

Stretching up two stories high, tinsel hung from the overhanging roof and bright braziers glowed against the dark stone work. Hanging just above the giant twin oak doors there was a great thick wooden sign reading simply -Town Council Office- it swayed gently, creaking in the wind.

"It's somewhat sad for a historian, most of our building will likely look pretty modern. We're a stubborn bunch, living here and all. We have to replace things so often that very little of the older town still exists. And don't even get me started on the chances of finding any part of the original settlement."

"Why do you live out here? It's beautiful but even the story of Nichola that princess Celestia told me made it sounded difficult. I mean how does the town support itself? I can't imagine farming is very easy," Twilight asked curiously.

Shaking her head Twilight replied, "No, Princess Celestia wasn't lying when she said this trip was sudden." Twilight blushed slightly, hating to be seen as ignorant.

"Wel-" the young teacher was cut off by a loud giggle, she moved to look past Twilight. And for the first time in minutes Twilight realized she didn't have foals scampering between or around her legs. And that the warm calming presence of Celestia had vanished leaving her more exposed to the chilly winds. 'So that's why it's so cold' she determined. Turning around Twilight saw Celestia entertaining the foals. Using her magic, hooves and wings to create small snow sculptures for them, much to their delight. And from what Twilight could make out at least one pegasus foal being half supported by the princess's own wing as she tried to fly.

Smiling Lynch-pin turned back to Twilight and spoke, "It seems they'll be entertained for a little while. Would you care to come in and get out of the cold?" Nodding in earnest Twilight used her magic and opened the great oak doors. They groaned against the growing breeze as she followed the teacher into the council chambers.

The inside of the chambers was significantly less foreboding. Warm colors and light permeated the room and much like the rest of the town a large fire place took up a solid portion of the room. Though this particular fire place was half submerged into the floor she noticed with idle curiosity.

Surprisingly the entire building itself was empty of inhabitants, besides the two mares. There was also a large number of empty cardboard boxes stacked up against a back wall.

"Those hold the decorations, most houses have them as well, these ones are for the streets and the like. Sorry about the cold, I know it can be hard to adapt to at first," she added on, seemingly as an afterthought.

Blushing slightly Twilight replied, "Heh, sorry. I’m not really used to this sort of weather," she explained.

"I can always spot it, it's easy enough. The color hasn't left your cheeks yet though, so that's impressive. That must be a fine coat you're wearing," Lynch-pin said. The teacher lowered an emerald colored teapot onto the flat metallic top of the fireplace.

"I'm glad you heard about how our town was first saved by the gift-giver, who we call Nichola, it's an important part of our culture. But you must understand that already, we aren't terribly subtle about it," she smiled.

Chuckling nervously Twilight opted for a diplomatic answer,. "Yes it was a fascinating, legend," she replied, her ears twitching as the tea kettle boiled.

"Oh it's better than any legend, it's true!" the mare replied enthusiastically, serving Twilight a cup of hot tea, it was slightly brown and had a strong smell to it.

"Of... course," Twilight replied carefully. She quickly took a sip of the tea and resisted the urge to scream as the burning hot liquid made it's way down her throat.

"It's a bit strong as I understand it; sorry for not warning you," the teacher replied.

As Twilight let out a very un-princess like choke, before smashing a hoof against her chest and forcing the drink down. "My fault, it was just boiled after-all, it's very nice actually," she noted with some surprise as heat began to spread from her belly outwards.

Smiling Lynch-pin spoke again, "You wanted to know how we support ourselves?" she asked. Taking a much more measured sip of her tea. Twilight nodded and listened.

‘Hming’ the teacher took a moment to think about her answer. "We get our money from a few places, but it's mostly coal and gem mining also some wool, though not so much the latter," she explained simply.

'That's a bit of an underwhelming answer' Twilight thought. As if psychic the young teacher continued her speech.

"We were founded over a millennium ago. A collection of commoners sent of by some fickle lord or lady to try and tap the ‘unlimited’ resources locked in the crystal mountains. This was before the princess's finished uniting united all of Equestria. So there were still petty nobles and tyrants with more influence than brain cells," she barked out a laugh. Twilight joined her with a polite chuckle other own.

"So they set out, a few hundred ponies strong, deep into the mountains. Some think the town itself has moved steadily over the ages and I don't think they're wrong. There's too many scattered landmarks that at least imply somepony building there for them to have been uninhabited. It turns out there weren't as many gems as the nobles wanted, but a lot of coal. So we make a decent amount of that these days, no sensible pony folk would work up here so we don’t have much competition," she grinned.

"Nopony's sure what happened but at some point our ancestors lost contact with the one who sent them here, survival became ‘harder’ but not impossible. In the summer there's a surprising amount that can be grown here even if its not enough to trade. There were other settlements nearby, by that I mean a three week trek down a mountain slope," they both laughed.

"I'm a little surprised there isn't any sort of logging done here," Twilight wondered. There were certainly enough trees for it after all.

Lynch-pin smiled knowingly. "We actually need them here more than anywhere else. Partially to help build frames for houses but besides that, they actually help stop avalanches and help hold everything together. So taking out all the trees would probably destroy us, and the local animal population," she replied. Her tone becoming very -teacher like- Twilight recognized the sound. It was similar to what her friends called her ‘lecturing voice’ it was a unique experience to be on the other side of it. The princess somehow always avoided making Twilight feel like she was being lectured. Unless of course she really needed a lecture, 'I won't be forgetting ‘that’ mess for awhile' she thought. 'Or the Want it Need it Spell debacle'.

To distract herself Twilight broached another subject she'd been curious about. "So does the wool come from farms? I can't imagine supporting something like that would be easy, even connected to Equestria as you are now," she asked.

Letting out a small cooling breath over her tea the teacher replied, "That's actually a little complicated to explain to an outsider. Nothing against you princess, it's just something we grew up with." she added politely. "We don't have ‘farms’ per-se. Instead we have a sort of deal with the High Bighorn Mountain Sheep and the Forest Ewes. In the summer it gets too hot, especially with the empires return, so we shear them and keep the wool. They return to the mountain paths and forest trails and we don't see much of them the rest of the year. Some come down for the Gift Giving, but even that's about as rare as the princess's visits."

Nodding Twilight let the conversation simmer for a time, they were in no hurry after-all. And the comforting roar of the fire, the wind gently beating against the rafters and the smell of hot tea made for a relaxing atmosphere.

"Still most of our money and resources comes from mining coal and gems. We have even more since the empires return, we even had a crystal pony pass through here on a trip to Equestria. Have you ever met one? They're very... mysterious I felt," she whispered conspiratorially.

Twilight let an excited smile bloom on her face, she and her friends had met Crystal Ponies after-all, many times. "I have in fact, my friends and I visited the Empire when it first returned and again for the Equestria Games," she said excitedly. Lynch-Pins ears perked up as the mare leaned forward curiously.

"So how did it return, there's lots of rumors about monsters. But to hear it from a pony who was actually there," the teacher wondered with baited breath.

Settling in against the comfy floor pillow Twilight prepared to tell the story. Lynch-pin had already told her so much after-all, and would probably tell her more in the future. There was no reason not to tell her about their first ‘exciting’ trip to the empire.

"After that we all got crystals coats, but they didn't last very long," Twilight chuckled. For her part, Lynch-pin hung on the edge of her seat, mouth agape.

Twilight blushed at being so overtly ogled. Not an uncommon occurrence even before her ascension but still an unnerving one.

"That's incredible!" the mare finally spoke, her words tumbling out like a breeze, as Twilight fought back the urge to blush, again.

"Not really, my friends did amazing work at the fair though, and Spike was very brave and I was amazed at Cadence's shield spell. I don't think i'll ever look at stairs or doors the same way again though," she rambled, trying to divert the matter. 'Maybe if I mention the second time we went, that was more embarrassing than anything else.'

"Well, I guess, but still all of it was just so amazing," she finished, her tone rising in pitch as she seemed unsure of what else to say. "Stuff like that only ever happens in stories, normally anyway."

"Thanks, but I think we've strayed a bit, maybe you could tell me more about Nichola?” the nascent princess asked hopefully.

Blinking in surprise the mare responded, "Oh well, there isn't much to say really. Once the foals are done playing we could continue the tour I suppose. Though it feels a little underwhelming in comparison to you and your friends lives," Lynch-pin stated.

Twilight's thoughts were interrupted when the doors to the council chambers swung open with a bang. In flowed a chorus of giggling foals, flushed red in the cheeks as the clambered closer to the fire. They were followed by Celestia, who smiled bemusedly at the scene.

"Bragging my dear?" she asked, her delicate eyebrows arching. "Tsk, tsk, I thought you knew better than that; especially after that friendship report you sent me. What happened again? Something about a ’Mare Do Well’ as I recall?” the princess laughed.

Twilight's wing flared outwards and she let out a small sequel, rising from her cushion she cried, "No that wasn't what I was doing!" she turned to face the rather stunned teacher and asked "Did I come across like that? I didn't mean to and-" Twilight's rant was put to a stop when she felt the princess press up against her side, lowering her neck around Twilight's as a sign of closeness.

"Twilight, I was only joking," she whispered, sounding apologetic but also slightly amused by her former students antics.

"Oh, oh ok then" Twilight panted in relief. Celestia gently disengaged herself from her student and moved to a small table near the back of the room.

The purple alicorn glanced around the lightly lit office and saw that most of the foals were looking at her with some confusion or amusement. She glanced over at the teacher and saw her pressing one hoof to her mouth in a desperate bid not to laugh.

That was apparently all the encouragement the teacher required because she immediately burst out laughing. To the point of practically rolling around on her own cushion, howling with laughter.

"Can the little ones have some of these cookies?" Celestia's voice emanated out from the back room. The teachers laughter subsided and she have the good graces to look rather embarrassed at herself while Twilight blushed. The foals immediately forgot what they had been doing, and galloped over to Celestia. Bouncing around her like ducklings expecting their mother to feed them.

"It shouldn't be a problem," she said. The teachers eyes darting from side to side avoiding actually looking at the offered treat. "But those are quite filling, all the food we make is, so they can only have half each," the teacher instructed, her professional demeanor returning to her. The foals let out a collective groan as Celestia levitated the cookies broken in halves and quickly dispersed them amongst the foals. Along with a whole cookie flying over to a grateful Lynch-pin.

Twilight levitated a small pile of pillows and blankets near the fireplace. The foals took to them and bundled themselves up cutely with their tiny snacks. Just as Twilight lowered herself back to her own pillow she felt a large presence next to her. Celestia dropped to the ground without any ceremony, accompanied only by a little sigh as she sat next to Twilight, her barrel resting on the rugged stone floor.

Twilight glanced over at her former mentor and saw a singular brown, chocolate chip cookie clenched between her pearl white teeth. The princes smiled and telekinetically broke off one half and levitated it to Twilight.

Twilight suppressed an embarrassed yelp at the closeness. They were both princess's and Celestia chose to sit next to her, she wasn't going to offend anypony. Gently Twilight took the cooky from the princess and brought it to her lips with a crunch.

"Why so quiet Twilight?" the princess asked, bumping into Twilight's side gently. Of course considering the princess's size and Twilight’s jumpy, mood that was still near enough to knocking her over.

"Oh um, sorry I was just waiting for Lynch-Pin to tell me more about Nichola," she covered.

The school teacher was now the center of everyponies attention as she clearly searched for something to say. Twilight felt a little bad about the teachers discomfort, but she'd had enough of being the center of attention for a little while, it was exhausting.

"We could continue the tour once we’re done eating. I think the next place we should stop off is at the town bonfire. It's one of the most important parts of the Gift-giving and serves as a shining example of what Nichola, as a town and community, represent. As well as symbolizing the importance of friendship and the power of cooperation," she said. Clearly referencing a worksheet of some description.

Twilight was surprised to see the foals actually looking excited about such a trip.

"Teacher, teacher!" One of the fillies cried out. Her yellow coated hoof raised in the air, as she peeked out from her blanket that was shared with three other foals.

Twilight looked around, 'Surely they've heard it by now, why hear it again?' she wondered. That was when the scent of chocolate once again struck her nostrils. She glanced over the room and saw the foals all nursing small steaming mugs of chocolate, with marshmallows.

'Where in Equestria did those come from?!' Twilight questioned. That was when a mug was levitated under her snout by the princess, who gave her a small wink. 'Ah, that it explains that', she thought. Conjuring nothing out of the air was something the princess rarely indulged in. Twilight took a quick sip of her drink and found it almost identical to her mug from the morning, 'Did the princess make it?' she thought, looking up at the alicorn, who actually seemed to duck her head in a bashful nod.

Twilight was snapped out of her reverie when Lynch-pin's voice made it's way to her ears. "Oh I'm sure they've already heard the story," she commented gently.

Twilight fully intended to agree with this. Despite the story being in of itself quite nice it was rather silly so she didn't feel the need to hear it again. Only to be interrupted, or perhaps preempted, by Celestia.

"From the mouths of foals," she smiled. "I personally would love to hear it told again, I doubt my own brief telling could match that of a local and I find it never truly gets tired. Besides it shall be a fine way to pass the time until they've rested and we set off for the bonfire, don't you think?" she asked. Looking at the small fire place and how so many ponies seemed cuddled up for warmth of companionship. "Rather apropos if I do say so myself," Celestia grinned charmingly.

The foals looked eager. Celestia lay her head down on her for-legs, the fire light dancing in her eye's and Twilight felt mildly confused as Lynch-pin began her story.

"Many centuries ago, before even your oldest great grand parents there lived a pony named Nichola. They resided in a mountain town with no name..."

Twilight reclined on her pillow as Lynch-pin began wrapping up the story of the Gift-giver. The foals were clearly, despite obviously having heard it a number of times, completely entrapped by the telling. Even being a full grown pony Lynch-pin herself seemed to get very into the event. While Celestia simply look relaxed, laying down and gazing at the fire. A small serene smile on her elegant features, it was a state that Twilight rarely saw her in these days.

The princess's expression sometimes looked slightly amused at the unfolding story. But if anything she seemed almost on the verge of falling asleep. Though the solar princess seemed to know ‘just when’ a foal was going to look her way to see how the solar princess was enjoying their teachers story. As well as the student's ‘helpful’ additions, and she would looked roused and excited and pull all the right faces to make them happy.

It seemed that the ‘real’ story of Nichola was significantly more detailed and steeped in mysticism. The message was the same, but with the additions the foals and the even more mythical elements of this particular telling. It seemed Celestia's own version had simply been the bare bones of the matter. There were even other stories, or small sagas regarding the founding of the town and Nicholas involvement. Placing the pony as something closer to a folk hero than anything else. Idly Twilight wondered if Celestia was incorrect or if it was the locals.

The more Twilight listened the clearer it was becoming that Nichola, seemed to have an almost almost spiritual reverence from the townsfolk.

"All-right my little ponies, and princesses," she added jokingly, "It's time to go. We have to show our guests the bonfire ceremony. I'm sure there will be plenty for you to do there," she added encouragingly. The foals cheerfully flung themselves off their pillows and out from their quilts. Quickly re-dressing themselves in their winter-wear and making for the door.

Celestia herself slowly rose from the pillow, letting out a deep yawn and stretching like a cat. Twilight simply cracked her neck slightly before making for the door. Her mind trying to piece together the founding myth of Nichola, so reminiscence of Hearth Warming Eve, but so contradictory. The town itself apparently had a hundred different tales and sagas and traditions all built around this idea, this personality. It was strange to say the least, at least to Twilight.

Preparations for the cold made, Twilight followed the school teacher and her foals as they made their way to the town square. The town seemed even busier than it had before! Ponies rushed from street to street, pulling logs and carts behind them, yet there seemed to be an easy feel to it, as though they worked at this pace all the time.

The snowfall seemed to have decreased even allowing patches of the darkening blue sky to stand out against the oppressive grayness.

"There it is!" one of the foals cried, jabbing a hoof towards a house excitedly.

'What does she...' Twilight looked at the house. Then she craned her neck higher and saw that looming over the two story brick house was the making of the world largest fire hazard. "Oh," she said simply.

Twilight heard a small chuckle emanate from the princess at her side. "It's rare to see you stunned speechless my student," she said cheerfully. Seemingly as much to reassure the filly, who was looking a little disappointed at Twilight's reaction.

'Think of something, fast!' she took in a small breath as they turned the corner. "It's incredible, to see it towering over the housing like that, I've never seen anything like it," she said. Trying to inflect as much enthusiasm into her words as she could, and it was admittedly impressive, if terrifying in it's potential body count. Her word seemed to reassure the foal who pranced back up to the front of the cue with a smile on her face.

Now Twilight could fully see the much spoken of bonfire and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. Easily three stories high, maybe more, she hadn't been able to measure it properly, yet. It stood tall and wide taking up almost as much ground space as Carousel Boutique. Logs, twigs and even entire dried branches were piled up upon one another in a manner that seemed to lean toward both sturdy and precarious.

The bonfire itself was surrounded by a great circle of painted red metal. That was clearly there to stop any fire from spreading too far into the giant town square. It's size likely a call back to the ancient market days of the middle ages. The snow had been swept clear as had the sky above the square, letting the winter sun shine down on the ponies as they worked.

Wooden benches and large cooking pits were scattered around. Carts filled with popcorn and pastries were still sealed shut, evidently waiting for just the right moment to open their doors. 'There's even a well right in front of the bonfire. It must be to help put out fires, though...' she looked up and just imaged it blazing in the night. 'I can't imagine anything but a full blown storm would stop that thing if it went out of control.'

"All the food is free on this day, but most of the ponies who run the stalls are working at the moment," Lynch-pin said. Possibly noticing that Twilight had been eyeing the carts hungrily.

Blushing Twilight replied, "Oh, um that's fine I was just- I had a big breakfast anyway," she smiled.

"You'll want to have a big appetite for this evening, the chefs here are fantastic. The main meal is probably my favorite part of the this celebration," Celestia chimed in conversationally. She gently nudged nudging Twilight as a show of encouragement.

'Since when has she been so casual?!' Twilight wanted to cry. Only to be interrupted by the chirping of about a dozen foals all wanting to explain what ‘their’ favorite aspect of the holiday was. Naturally it mostly related to presents.

"Yeah, last year I got a model train set, i'd show it to you but my house is on the other side of town," another crowed proudly.

"My pogo stick is great, I can bounce really high on it!" one colt said, jumping up and down as if to prove his point.

Feeling a little, something, Twilight interjected, "I can see that, even without it you can jump high,” she said, hoping what she offered was an encouraging smile. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Celestia looking down at her happily.

"Thanks!" the colt replied excitedly, as he started to bounce around them in circles.

"What was your favorite Gift-giving day present princess?" one pony asked her, startled Twilight didn't know quite how to respond. Her wings twitched as she spoke, "Oh, um I never really got one. I had Hearth Warming Eves gifts if those are similar but I'm afraid this Holiday isn't really celebrated where I'm from," she said awkwardly.

The foal shook her head. "Hearth Warming is totally different and not nearly as good as our holiday. Besides even if you don't have the holiday you should get a present if you were good, right?"

"Not really," she mumbled awkwardly. Knowing she was on thin ice as she spoke her natural bluntness warring with her knowledge of exactly where this conversation could go. "You see, I think it's that-"

"Her logic is unassailable Twilight," Celestia interrupted cheerfully, before lowering her head down to the filly's level. Or as close as she could get without dropping to her knees. "But my little pony, I imagine that because this holiday isn't celebrated as far outside Nichola as it should be. That Twilight may not have realized who she got those little extra gifts from. I have heard that leaving a note saying a present is from a long lost cousin is one of Nichola's ways of maintaining the mystery outside of town," she stage whispered dramatically.

Twilight's head snapped to the princess. Her wings spread deftly as she looked over the elder alicorn scandalized that the princess would actually help maintain the charade. she could see the students obviously thought Twilight was just surprised at such a revelation. Lynch-pin was obviously happy Twilight hadn't explained that "Nichola" didn't visit ponies outside of the town. Where it would be easy enough for parents to slip an extra toy into the pile.

"Um, yeah, that must be it," she lied unconvincingly. But that seemed to more than satisfy the foals, who were distracted by the sight of the mayor's approach.

The small stallion galloped up. In-place of the snow hat he was wearing a padded chefs hat over the top of his thinning mane. "Ah you've arrived a little earlier than expected, not all the wood has been stockpiled for the night but everypony is taking a bit of a break. We're preparing the soup to warm up some of the workers, would you all care to join us?" he asked politely.

"I'm sure we'd be delighted," Celestia assured, falling in line with the mayor and making sure to keep her trot slow so she didn't accidentally overtake everypony. Twilight had always wondered if the princess found doing such a thing irritating.

'I need a break, this is all too much, of everything' she thought. Looking at the princess, the bonfire the foals. The change in her mentor ‘former’ mentors behavior, her confusion and irritation over how seriously everypony took a mere holiday. 'I need to think,' she decided resolutely.

"Twilight aren't you coming?" Celestia asked gently having noticed her frozen state; desperately Twilight searched for a polite way to leave this scenario.

"Um, actually... it wouldn't really be fair for me to have any soup if the ponies working are waiting for it. Besides I've been wanting to see some of the mountains wilderness in a bit more detail since I got her. Maybe I should go gather some more wood and then I’ll join you?" This actually seemed to impress the mayor and the students immediately began clambering with their teacher to go as well.

Celestia gave her a considering look, the first one she'd really seen that day. "You raise a good point and I'd be a poor guest if I didn't help out as well, I'll go with you," she said.

'This is exactly what I wanted to avoid!' Twilight's thought with irritation. Being alone with the princess was normally an opportunity she'd relish, normally.

"Can we come too, we never get to go into the mountains, Yeah we want to help!!" the foals seemed to say as a mass.

"I'm really not sure, field trips need more escorts than just me," Lynch-pin said uncertainly. Clearly not looking to deny her students the chance to help.

'Aha!' Twilight cried silently "Why not have princess Celestia go with you? A teacher and two princess's might be a bit much. But there’s no way anything can go wrong with Princess Celestia around,” she assured. Now Celestia was definitely giving Twilight an odd look, subtly though, as the foal practically started dancing around her in excitement.

Twilight could see Lynch-pin looking at her curiously, likely wondering why she didn't want to come along as well. 'Ooh I hope she doesn't take it the wrong way,' Twilight worried, resisting the urge to look away.

"That seems fair enough. Don't worry in the slightest I'll keep my eyes on them as attentively as I do my own sun,” The solar diarch assured confidently. Her wings sweeping out as she gently herded the foals and teacher to the town edge, sending Twilight a polite nod as she went.

Twilight took the distraction for what it was and she summoned her magic enveloping her body in a faint purple light and with a flash she disappeared.

As fast as she'd vanished Twilight re-appeared with a flash. The surrounding forest and snow providing an excellent cover for her. 'Glad I didn't accidentally try to teleport inside anything. That always gives me a headache.' A pony, nor any creature as far as she knew could reliably teleport inside anything. At least not by accident, the caster would just bounce of the object in question and reappear nearby.

Twilight let out a relieved sigh, mist spilling from her mouth as she did so. The snowfall continued unabated and the young alicorn shivered. "It's so much colder with nopony around," she muttered rebelliously.

The forest canopy was covered in snow, Twilights ears twitched and she could hear the small sounds of a few animals not in some form of hibernation. Snow covered the trees and bushes, what little green and brown could be seen standing out starkly against the whitened landscape.

'Guess i'd better find some dry wood,' she thought with a sigh. The alicorn turned and made her way out from the nest of trees and into a wide opening. Grey slabs of stone occasionally jutting out of the snow or from bushes as she walked.

Too lost in her own thoughts Twilight didn't even notice when her walk took a steep incline. The snow crunching under her hooves growing thinner as more and more stone and the occasional patch of dead grass appeared in front of her barely aware eyes.

That was when a snowball collided with the side of her head, flinging her off balance and to the ground with an ‘oomph!’

"Just what I needed," she mumbled. Uncertainly rising to her hooves and out of the wet dirty snow as a group of yearlings galloped up to her.

"Sorry, sorry! I am so sorry!" one of the colts cried, his voice cracking as he and his friends. Another yearling colt and a young mare about the same age galloped to her. Stopping at a respectful, or shocked, distance once the saw her wings, flared in surprise a natural ingrained defense mechanism against attack. 'Which would be really useful if I was being attacked, and a faster flyer,' she thought with irritation.

Twilight could feel her sensitive ears twitching. So used to picking out even the smallest scrap of sound in the library, the three young ponies attempt to have a hushed conversation never stood a chance.

"Oh, Tartarus, we hit a princess!" the first colt whispered, his voice rising several octaves as he tried to remain quiet. He was a mostly creamy colored pony with a sandy blond mane.

"But there's only three princess's how do we know she's not a pegacorn, thingy," the blue coated, brown maned mare replied.

Pegacorns was a pony with pegasus wings and a horn, but usually lacking any sort of extended life span or extra magic. In most cases they were universally weaker than the average pony on magical fronts and some never learned how to harness their full magic at all. They were also almost all universally sterile. The only two Twilight could think of was an ancient apprentice of princess Celestia. She bit her tongue thinking of her, former, mentor and a famous mayor and general, from Stalliongrad.

"That doesn't make a difference does it, besides she's just standing there what if we hurt her?" the third pony asked, he was a tall colt, probably just on the cusp of becoming a stallion. He had an orange coat and a blue mane styled like some smaller version of Rarities.

Shaking her troublesome internal monologue off Twilight spoke to reassure the younger pony's. "It's alright really," she sighed dejectedly. 'I really just need a few minutes to myself,' she reflected rubbing her tired eyes.

"Don't worry, it's fine I was just, getting some fresh air, go back to your game I won't bother you," she said. Far more curtly than she had intended, her ears pressed to her skull as she felt guilty.

"Are you really a princess?" the filly asked, eyeing Twilight's wings with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"How does that work? I mean it's not like princess's just ‘spring’ up from the ground or anything," the middle colt asked. Apparently completely unaware of his friends less than friendly tone.

That was a question Twilight had gotten sick of fielding, if only because she wasn't exactly sure of the specifics herself. "It was, a lot of things, I'm one of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony. I'm also princess Celestia’s, former, apprentice in magic and it was after I, well after I understood friendship on a whole new level. With the Elements, my friends, the spell, it all sort of, combined," she finished awkwardly.

'Honestly, I might as well have said, ‘and now I'm an alicorn!’' she thought. Getting into the starry plane and Celestia's song was somethings significantly more personal, so she had only shared it with her friends. 'Of course, how much do I really understand friendship?' she wondered.

"That is so cool!" the first colt cried out, his own wings flapping in excitement as he looked over her own slightly larger ones with amazement.

"So how come it's never happened before? I'm sure there's plenty of other ponies who could do all that, I mean, what about Nichola? Well I guess Nichola's already something of an alicorn anyway," the filly reasoned. Her tone overly smarmy, looking over her in more detail Twilight could see the telltale signs of being spoiled rotten. Something she was well acquainted with having grown up in Canterlot and having had the unfortunate experience of meeting Diamond Tiara.

'Did she just imply that becoming an alicorn was like some cheap story told to foals to explain their new toys!?' Twilight let out an angry snort and prepared to fall into a tirade, explaining every single flaw in the story. Every single inconstancy and putting this ridiculous matter to bed one way or the other.

She took one firm step forward and looked down at the three smaller ponies, 'I'm a lot taller than them aren't I?' she realized. They were still young, the filly barely out of her childhood years surely.

'And remember what happened last time. This means so much to them even if it is silly. It's just a fantasy an old story but... what if somepony said Clover the Clever was a hack spell-caster?' she wondered. The three foals having scarcely noted her internal dialogue and in fact the other two ponies were in the midst of criticizing their friends poor manners.

"Don't you know how much the Elements of Harmony have done?" the other asked incredulously.

"It really doesn't matter, don't worry so much you two, but thank you, I really appreciate it." She turned and eyed the young filly down with a small patient smile, "Curiosity's a good trait anyway," she assured.

The three foals calmed down at her respective praise and Twilight started wondering just how to get rid of them. 'So far this ‘relaxing jaunt’ has turned out to be anything but,' she thought.

"But what about... I mean is Nichola an alicorn as well? I know he wouldn't live in Canterlot like other princess's but it only makes sense. How else could all those presents get around except by alicorn magic?" the filly insisted her tone significantly more relaxed than before.

'Oh great, I really don't want to lie to them but anything else and who knows the trouble it might cause.'

"Quite an interesting question there my dear filly," Celestia's lyrical voice appeared from behind a dense cluster of bushes and trees. The solar alicorn slipped through the bushes as though they were water, 'she must be using magic.'

The three foal turned and stood stock still in shock at the presence of another princess. One significantly more well known than, well any other, as she smiled over all of them warmly, her eyes just slightly amused.

"As for dear Nichola, easily one of the kindest and most generous ponies I have ever known. Well I will tell you this much. There are many magics in the world and I wouldn't be surprised that if you look hard enough and in the right places you might see how it can be done," she said.

Then she coughed into her hoof. "But that sort of thing is better left for another day. I believe that the food is being served and you three are likely expected back with by your parents, most likely very soon," she hinted. The amused smirk not leaving her face.

"Oh feathers! We stayed out way later than we should have," the filly muttered. completely engrossed by her silver watch on the outside of a cloth covered hoof.

"We can grab some wood on the way back, come on, we all have to chip in!" the pegasus cried, charging into the undergrowth quickly followed behind by his friends, who cheered goodbye as they went.

"Sorry if I was rude," the filly muttered,. clearly embarrassed a she turned and followed her friends, performing a running bow as she disappeared into the undergrowth.

As they disappeared Celestia turned and looked at Twilight her eyes closed as a pleasant smile encompassed her features.

"Weren't you meant to be watching the foals with Lynch-pin?" Twilight asked. Choosing to look anywhere but at the princess.

Blinking the solar diarch replied, "I was actually, along with those three, just to ensure they get home. but the little ones got bored quite quickly and we guided them back to town." She glanced behind her, eye's taking on a luminescent glow as she did so. "I have a small avatar watching over those three. there are few predators here, but even snowfall could be a danger, They should be fine though. truly I came here looking for you," the princess said with finality.

"Twilight," she could hear the princess utter quietly, as the cold wind broke on her face. "I saw that you wanted to sneak away, aren't you enjoying yourself?" the princess asked, almost sounding unsure of herself.

"I know you almost had an argument with those foals but-" Twilight could feel a warm wing stretching over her, readying to embrace her. 'I can't!' Twilight shoved, truly shoved, the eldest alicorn in existence, her mentor and idol princess Celestia.

"Princess!" she cried. But beyond staggering ever so slightly and locking her wings to her side the princess didn't seem physically troubled. Until Twilight looked into the alicorn's magenta eyes, the princess seemed to be almost reeling. Shock and pain were clear on her beautiful features, before sadness took hold, her head dipping. "I'm sorry Twilight, I am not sure what I've done but I'm sorry and what ever it is I can try to make it up to you," she whispered hoarsely.

Twilight wanted to embrace her teacher, to beg forgiveness and apologize for hurting someone who meant so much to her. She'd scarcely ever felt so low as she did now. But her wings twitched and suspicions and frustration forced their way into the forefront of her mind. ‘Don't drop this!’

Twilight tried to summon her anger, some indigence, but the wind was taken out of her sails. To see the princess standing such a respectful distance away on the mountain top, reminding her almost of a lost puppy at that moment. Twilight led out a tired sigh. "It's not anything you've done, today's been good, great even, despite some issues. Spending time with you like this it's been wonderful but..." she was lost for words. The princess's mouth opened as if to advise her but she immediately closed it. She knew that the words had to be Twilight's or they'd have no worth.

"Back when you were my teacher I looked up to you, I still do in so many ways. I was closer to you than anypony and even if I didn't really understand friendship I think you were my friend back then." She glanced at the elder alicorn, awaiting a response.

"Of-course we were, and are, friends Twilight. That's what I've long since felt," the princess insisted.

"That's what I thought as well. But then before I left for Ponyville, a full year before you told me to learn about the magic of friendship you just, changed. You were still kind, still my mentor, but it seemed like you were restraining yourself. Our long talks on magical theory seemed to dry up. Those late night astronomy lessons that kept going way over my curfew. Everything," she stressed.

"Eventually I started thinking. ‘What did I do wrong?’ is she not interested in me anymore? Why has everything changed?" Twilight saw the princess jerk back at her statement.

"Twilight, that wasn't what I ever intended. You've never disappointed me," she replied, her voice strained.

"And then you told me to stay with my friends, I was glad, but upset as well. I so rarely got to speak with you, only through letters and when I went to the Gala, even then we barely spoke... I... but today you've been so friendly so relaxed with me and-" she heard the princess gasp as her wings twitched rising up from her sides despite the cold. "Is it because I’m a princess now?" She asked, her voice on the edge of breaking, "was I not worthy before? Could we only be friends now?"

Twilight had half expected the princess to bundle her up like when she was a filly and had hurt herself or grown scared in a lesson. But she didn't, princess Celestia looked her over, pain clear in her eye's but her poise once again that of the refined princess Twilight had grown up admiring.

Celestia walked up to her in long purposeful strides, the snow crunching under her hooves as she came to a stop barely half a foot away from Twilight. "That is not the case my student," she said seriously her tone level.

"I never intended to make you feel like I didn't care, but I can see that I have made mistakes," she continued sadly. "Twilight if there is one thing you take from this conversation let it be that I adore you. I have for years and your rank, your tribe and sex, those are all equally meaninglessness to me. I consider you my friend, my closest friend," she said breathlessly.

"I am as casual with you as I am now because I want to be closer with you. As it was when you were younger," she said simply and directly, just the sort of thing Twilight needed when she was upset. "If I am closer to you now, if I am being more open it is because you have graduated from being my faithful student,. Had you graduated and not become a princess or become a princess sooner my behavior would not be different."

"So its just because I was your student?" she asked her head dipped low, Celestia sat down next to Twilight and looked over the mountain vastness. She reached down and nuzzled under Twilight chin ever so lightly.

"Not exactly, as it is with all things it's more complicated than that. Tell me Twilight, when you studied under me, when we were so close. How often did you speak to your parents?" She asked, arching a single elegant eyebrow at Twilight. "What about your brother or Cadence? Though she was rarely about at that time, I was surprised you did not try to write her letters. What about Spike, Twilight?" she asked, her tone deep.

The lavender alicorn looked down at her snow covered boots, her memory flashing back to the times she'd ignored Spike. Forgotten to respond to her brothers letters or had simply isolated herself from her parents, who themselves were very busy ponies. All so that she could study, even before the princess distanced herself.

"I didn't, I barely talked to them at all. You were the only thing that mattered to me besides my studies," she admitted, shame welling her stomach.

"That's not so, but you did lose perspective, and you are hardly the first, we all do on occasion. But that was one of the reasons I distanced myself. I feared what I was doing to you, what effect I might have on your life should things continue like that." Celestia almost seemed to be looking through Twilight, to some faraway place or pony.

"Feared princess?" she queried, looking at the elder alicorn as the solar princess gazed off into the mountains her eyes distant.

"I feared it was my fault, I worried that you weren't making friends with ponies your own age, instead studying all the time. That was why I arranged for Spike to be your assistant. I hoped having him around, and being responsible for teaching him would help you connect with others," she revealed. "But there was more than that. I feared I was overshadowing you, that nopony was approaching you out of fear of me and I was certain that even if you didn't realize it then it would lead you to a sad future. Pursuing only knowledge not for yourself but to live up to some imagined standard you felt I had set for you. That would lead to a sad end," the princess revealed mournfully.

"So," the princess sighed. "I distanced myself from you, I would never want you to think I didn't care but I freed up your schedule and tried to encourage you to get out more. To meet ponies your own age, not just an ancient mare like myself," she chuckled self derisively.

"I worried that you would be consumed by me, to live forever in my shadow and I couldn't let that happen to you Twilight. I realized later, after a year of watching you from a distance that whether it was presence or not-"

"It wasn't! That's just what I'm like, don't blame yourself!" She stressed, pressing her hooves up against the princess's chest to get to something closer to eye level.

"Thank you my student, but I imagine I played a role, even if I wasn't alone," she insisted. "I didn't want to lose you, one of the few I could be myself with and so I did monopolize your time even as a friend. As your elder and teacher I should have known better." she replied a small smile appearing on her face as she relaxed. "It was hard to do, but I felt it was the best way for you to grow, I didn't want to be the only thing in your life, that wouldn't be fair to you."

"And without me, the Elements..." she drifted off as Celestia shook her head emphatically.

"I will admit,” she said abashedly. "I had plans for the Elements of Harmony and they involved you. But that was not the only plan and I had no intention of forcing you down any path. There were other possible ways to save Luna. Cadence was one of my alternatives and I had a few options myself, though they were less certain. But, I won't deny that I had that much faith in you," the princess whispered, nuzzling Twilight's mane tenderly.

"Nightmare Moon's return and me sending you out with explicit, rather than implied, instructions to make friends wasn't a coincidence. Neither were the friendship reports. I didn't feel it right for us to be so close, not when I had to be your teacher first and foremost Twilight. But please know I never stopped caring about you," she urged gravely. "But you deserved, no you needed, the chance to grow in a manner that I couldn't help you with."

The princess looked down sadly. "That's why I sent you away, why I distanced myself from you, you needed to grow as a pony and I couldn't teach that to you only life could." The princess's wing tip lifted Twilight's chin up, “But as time passed I saw how you grew, how much wiser you've become with your friends by your side. I could see how you had come out of your shell and become your own mare," the princess whispered with pride.

"But that's when I also detected a change in you. A long forgotten ancestor gene, energized and brought to life thanks to using the Elements of Harmony. I knew you needed to be helped on your way and I made that your final test," she confessed.

"You graduated Twilight Sparkle and you became a princess, but one did not depend upon the other. I consider every pony, ever creature my equal and I have thought of you as my pear and my friend for the longest time. I just felt we needed to close one chapter in our relationship to start the next." The princes brought Twilight into a deep hug, hooves and wings wrapped around the tiny alicorn's frame as she heard the princes lean over her and whisper. "I'm so sorry Twilight, I never intended to hurt you."

They stayed like that for Twilight didn't know how long. As if Celestia was afraid Twilight would simply vanish should she let go. Nuzzling deeply into the princess's warm coat Twilight knew the perfect way to end this ‘chapter’ of their lives.

"Dear Celestia,

Today I learnt a lot about myself and a close friend of mine. I learnt that it's important for me not to bottle up my worries and that I should be open with my friends. Because they always have the best intentions and between friends a little mis-communication is nothing."

"My dear friend Twilight,

Today I was taught a very valuable lesson in friendship, one I have too often forgotten. I learnt that even the best intentions can go awry. And when that happens I should be open with my friends rather than trying to shield them and hide either them or myself from the mistake. Because a true, true friend will understand that I care.

And that I need to trust my friends to be able to understand that I only want to help and that I should accept their help intern.

"Your dear friend,

Celestia, Twilight Sparkle."

They finished their ‘letters’ in unison and leaned against one another, relief clear on their faces as they gazed up at the stars. Then Twilight heard Celestia chuckling, she giggled a little herself before the two of them were laughing as loud as they could. Twilight's energetic and youthful laughter with the princess's surprisingly deep and booming one. Celestia grasped Twilight tightly and flung herself down the hill, wings shielding her from the worst of the snow as they sped down, rolling and laughing all the way.

Upon reaching the bottom Celestia rolled out onto her back, stretching her wings against the the snow. Twilight stayed resting on the princess's left wing. 'No sense in freezing my flank off,' she thought.

"You know Twilight," the princess sighed out, her tone weary. "I was speaking from personal experience when I said living only to learn, or to work was an empty life, I've done it before,” she confessed. “The worst of it was after... the incident one thousand years ago," she said seriously. Twilight rolled over and propped herself up against the elder alicorn, intrigued as to the sudden change in topic.

Celestia was looking up at the stars grimly, "What happened?" Twilight asked, if the princess needed to get it off her chest then she should, Twilight thought.

Celestia glanced at Twilight from the corner of her eye before returning her focus to the night sky, what little was visible through the clouds. "After I banished, Nightmare Moon, I fell into a terrible depression,” the alicorn replied candidly.

Celestia's face twisted, her expression became pained as she spoke, "How could I? Banish the one closest to my heart, the one whom I had always tried to protect. We were meant to spend eternity together and yet I sent her away," the princess bit out. Her voice straining and Twilight was certain she could almost see tears in those magenta eyes.

Twilight leaned into the princess, nuzzling her affectionately. Comforting had never been one of her talents but she felt Celestia let out a small relieved sigh. The older princess reached up and rubbed the smaller ponies back with a hoof, "Have you told Luna about all this?" Twilight asked.

In response she let out a small chuckle. "You always have an easier time being more casual with her," the alicorn smiled ruefully at her. Celestia's flowing mane surrounding and framing her face.

"Hahaha, don't fret over it my dear." Celestia leaned back, taking in a deep breaths, in and out, in and out, her warm breath creating plumes of mist as she did so. "And yes before you ask again, I have spoken with my sister about this in great depth, or at least some of it. But my problems should not be her problems even if she has managed to drag much of it out of me." she smirked proudly before muttering, “Even if she has done much for me since her return.”

Her grin immediately turned into a frown as Twilight glared at her. "Given today's lesson, perhaps we should speak more. I simply don't want to hurt her just so I can feel some closure," Celestia explained.

Twilight nuzzled other mare, a decision like that wasn't easy, "I'm sure she can handle it."

Celestia lay her head back against the snow, stretching out her swan like neck as she did so. "I tried to release her," she said, half lidded eyes peaking at Twilight curiously.

"Really?" she'd never expected that, but then even if one of her friends, if Shining Armor had done something of similar scale Twilight could see herself trying to free them. If only in some vain hope of also saving them from themselves.

"Yes," she nodded. "I flew straight there, in a way that no normal pony could survive. Almost nothing can live in deep space and certainly not within the moon itself, not naturally at least.” The solar princess grimaced as she spoke, “I began tearing at the cage immediately. Nightmare Moon screeching at me as I did, swearing vengeance and cursing the ponies for their ignorance. Eventually I found that while I could enter the prison she could not escape.” Celestia leaned back against the snow, closing her eyes, “I went in hoping to... do something, anything!" Celestia said, as if searching for the words.

"I pressed myself to her, I wanted to hold her and chase the demons away as I had done so many times in the past, but I left bleeding," she muttered.

"It's fine Twilight, I healed, as often as it happened. I believe it made me much stronger for it," Celestia replied airily, clearly wanting to move on.

"She was not," Celestia interrupted firmly. "I do not consider Nightmare Moon and my sister one in the same, I know Luna does, but I would not want to, even if it can be unavoidable."

"Moving on," the princess said tightly. "I did discover that the cage could be broken, even the power of the Elements is not immutable. As an outsider it would be, not easy, but simple enough to break the prison with my power. Those binding were specifically designed to keep Nightmare Moon imprisoned and our magics are quite different," she explained. Not taking her eye's of the patch of stars, still not hidden by the winter clouds.

That was news to Twilight she'd scarcely thought the Elements could be defeated by, well anything, but it made sense. Nightmare Moon had escaped, before Discord even, despite being imprisoned for less time. 'That explains the stars aiding her, sort of' she thought. Despite her role as a wielder Twilight knew very little about the Elements. She made a mental note to ask the princess for more details on them later.

"So there it was, after listening to her for hours, feeling her blows rain down upon me I knew I couldn't free Nightmare Moon. She would destroy Equestria, the entire world if I allowed her to go free. But in the same breath I condemned my sister to her cold prison. I visited often, tried to help her, to save her, I even tried some experiments with the Elements but it all led to naught. If I did find a means or somepony to reactivate the Elements she would be free before they could be used on her. and that was assuming they wouldn't simply re-seal her, using the Elements was close to a last resort for me Twilight," the princess explained sadly.

"Nopony does, or nopony was supposed to and most don't; but I am drifting. I knew I could not free her and saving her seemed to become a distant barely possible dream in the early years of banishment. But I couldn't neglect Equestria, not with the griffon empire waiting in the proverbial wings. The dragons and Diamond Dogs eyeing our lands and our subjects. I had to focus on leadership and bearing the moon, something I never wished to do. With Nightmare Moon and the prison within, moving it was difficult to say the least,” she mumbled as if the very thought of it made her tired.

"So I closed myself off from my subjects, I still loved them dearly but I had no desire to ‘know’ them anymore. The few friends I had I drifted from, it was almost easy," she said, Celestia's tone laced with self-loathing. "There were many reasons, but two chiefly. I resented them," the princess said flatly, glancing at Twilight as if she'd run away in terror at the thought.

'Given how some Canterlot ponies behave I wouldn't blame you,' she thought. She bit her tongue to keep from actually vocalizing that opinion.

"I blamed them for not loving my sister enough, for not appreciating her work and contribution to Equestria. But more, I despised myself for choosing them over Luna, it was the right thing intellectually I knew, but I still hated myself for it. But hate is a weak shield and one I could never endorse, I knew I blamed myself, and that was why I chose distance. I intended to abstain from everything that brought me joy until my sister was at my side again." Celestia whispered, her voice tense.

"What right did I have to be happy while my sister lay in prison? By my own actions!" It wasn't really a shout, but it was definitely above what passed for normal from the solar princess.

"So, I closed myself off, I guarded them, led them, but I refused to know them. I would spend each night trying to aid my sister or simply staring at the moon, when I could at least, an invasion couldn't be ignored after all. It didn't last though, there were a number of reasons but one of them is close to you in particular Twilight Sparkle." Celestia smirked, clearly expecting Twilight to figure it out for herself.

"Cadence?" Twilight wondered aloud, she was rewarded with a slight nod from the princess.

Celestia let out a small warm laugh. "Yes, she was a small filly back then, and it had been some years since we had met. She was being raised within Canterlot and had just received her Cutie Mark. You know Cadence can feel others emotions as clearly as you feel magic don't you?" she asked.

"She came to me, burst into my throne room, past the guards and Duke right in the middle of a petition. She flung herself into my chest and started sobbing, wailing incoherently," the princess said quietly, almost guiltily. "She, well she said many things, only half of them comprehensible even to my ears. I know she begged me not to feel so sad, insisted that that I couldn't be so broken and well, begged to help me," the princess said. Pride in her niece warred with what Twilight assumed was some form of shame over apparently causing her to cry.

"That was sweet of her," Twilight said gently or lack of anything better to add to the conversation.

"It was, the guards tried to remove her, but I shook them off and had everyone leave my court and once the doors were sealed... I wept, no I was outright bawling for the first time since the banishment... and she comforted me. I'd already cared for her deeply and she was one of the few things capable of bringing a genuine smile to my face in those days. It was why I limited my time with her, but after that, I just couldn't. She helped me a great deal and I eventually taught her how to put up walls to protect herself from being overwhelmed by my feelings. I actually lambasted myself for letting my own walls down, so thoroughly that a foal could see through them. But we all have our limits, this was centuries ago now."

"Hm, oh yes, why do you think I called her ‘mare’ and your brother ‘colt’ at the wedding? Bad joke I know, but still valid. She's still young though, but all alicorns can, shift, their body to an extent. Cadence takes after Luna and has always been good at at it. Especially making herself look younger or older, larger and smaller,” Celestia chuckled. “Once when she was a filly her caretakers called me. She'd sealed herself in her room and refused to leave. Cadence had been experimenting with that power and but had made herself look old and couldn't change back. I spent the rest of the day coaching her through it." Twilight smiled as Celestia chuckled at the memory.

Twilight almost did as well, but she restrained herself out of sympathy for her old foal sitter, she'd had plenty of magical mishaps as well after-all.

"After that, I invited her to Nichola, it was something Luna and I used to do and I felt Cadence deserved the chance to enjoy it as well. There were other factors but Cadence helped me realize I couldn't close myself off like that. I hate what I would have become if I continued down that path. So instead I worked to make an Equestria where Luna could return to, a safe and happy place, with my little ponies help of course." the princess fondly pressed her cheek against Twilight's.

"There were others who helped me whether they knew it or not. An rival of mine, who relished in needling me. Dedicated scholars and workers who amazed me with their developments. It made me feel guilty as though I was ignoring Luna, and I would not let myself forget, but if I was to stop feeling. I would have become a monster,” she whispered.

"That would never happen," Twilight said simply, nuzzling the princess's mane fondly.

"Thank you Twilight." with that Celestia suddenly rose, her wings cradling Twilight's smaller frame as she did so. "But so that I may try and make some form of point out of this confession. I know what it's like to live with only a goal in mind, not allowing anyone to enter one's heart, whether it be leadership, or study. That was why I could so easily recognize it in you, even if our motives were different. One needs to, expand their social circle, to at least be willing to allow others in so that they may grow and that's a lesson I think we can all use."

"Time and time again Pri- I mean Celestia," Twilight chuckled ruefully as Celestia ruffled her mane affectionately.

That was when the sight of Nichola off in the distance appeared more prominently in Twilight's mind, "Ah!" she screamed out, her wings flaring as she collapsed from Celestia's gentle hold to the snowy ground. Quickly rising Twilight proceeded to perform a dance. She didn't realize she was but it always happened when she grew tense, her wings flapping with her tiny jumps as if trying to take off.

"We've been out here for ages, I just said I was going to help get some wood and now. Oh what if they think we left? That would set an awful precedent, I'm sorry I-" Twilight's ‘minor’ meltdown was calmed as Princess Celestia pressed a fluffy boot covered hoof against her chest.

"Don't be so stressed Twilight, we weren't gone that long, and you had every right to want time to yourself. We'll simply gather some wood for the fire and return; of course it will need to be a large amount to compensate for our talk, hmm." the princess dropped to a sitting position and placed one hoof under her chin, rubbing it absent-mindedly.

'OK, maybe chop down a tree? No that sort of wood is awful for fires, maybe Celestia knows a drying spell, genius!'

Before Twilight could speak the Solar princess clapped her hooves together happily and cried out, "That's it!"

"Wood magnets" Celestia said proudly, puffing out her chest as she spoke, her horn awash with golden magic.

The Gift-Giver

by vazak

chapter 3