Author's Notes: Well, compared to last time, this wait probably seems positively short! I'm glad I found time to get this chapter done relatively quickly.

Also, I remember someone mentioned in a review from Aurellus Maximus, back in Chapter 4, that they were curious as to why Caramel was tagged, which he no longer is. Back when I first made the character tags, "Caramel" was actually listed as "unknown". Figuring that was a broad term that could be used for either unnamed background ponies or OCs, I applied it to Starfall. So thank you, Maximus, for bringing that to my attention. Princess Luna is now the only tagged character, until they made a dedicated OC tag.

Thank you once again to everyone for all the reviews, and as always thank you to my beta DiamondGirl400 for looking over this chapter! Now, on with the story!

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Chapter 6

Mentor and Student

Both Starfall and Princess Luna seemed as shocked as each other by Princess Celestia's request. She wanted her younger sister to to tutor Starfall in advanced astronomy, just after she had accused him of betraying the Royal Family?

Princess Luna, after a long silence, was the first to get over the shock of her sister's request. "Surely thou jest, Sister?" she asked, sounding disbelieving, possibly thinking this was all some kind of joke. "We just discovered him to be in possession of knowledge he should not have. Even if it was by no fault of his, surely thou jest when thou say such things?"

But Princess Celestia shook her head. "I am being completely serious, dear Sister. When Twilight first displayed her magical potential, it was during an entrance exam into my school that had been set up to assist gifted unicorns in fully realising their talents. As it turns out, she not only hatched a baby dragon egg, as her exam requested, she also made the dragon grow to fifty times its own size, levitated all the examiners, and turned her watching parents into potted plants. It was astounding magic, especially considering she was a young filly at the time, and was performing all those impressive feats at once, but she was performing all that magic only after losing control of it. She needed to refine and control her abilities, and since she showed potential far beyond what even my school had seen before, I took her in as my personal student...a decision I am happy to say I have yet to regret."

Twilight Sparkle ducked her head, an embarrassed blush appearing on her cheeks, though Starfall did note she was still smiling. Obviously she felt greatly honoured by the high praise she was receiving from no less than Princess Celestia herself.

But the Princess was not quite done. "Starfall is in a similar position, sister. He has shown himself to possess a remarkable gift for understanding and reading the stars, almost on instinct. But from what I saw of those test results, his knowledge is still very raw and unrefined. With a mentor to teach and guide him on the subtleties and intricacies of the stars, he could become a master of astronomy. And you, Luna, as Princess of the Night, know more about the stars than anypony in Equestria. As such, you are the best pony to teach him everything he will need to know to become a master of his special talent. This can also be a chance to help him understand why the secret he possesses knowledge of is something that should never be shared, under any circumstances."

Princess Luna seemed to have been given a lot to think over with her elder sister's speech, as she looked down, a thoughtful expression on her face as a hoof rubbed her chin. "Thou hast presented some valid points, Sister," she finally said, her words slow and drawn out, as if still thinking about it.

Princess Celestia smiled, adding on one final point. "Don't forget, my Sister, that Starfall can help you, too," she added, drawing a confused look from Princess Luna, and a disbelieving one from Starfall himself.

"Me?" he questioned softly. "How can I possibly help?" he asked, glancing at both Princesses briefly, noting that Celestia was smiling softly, clearly thinking he had missed the point, while Luna's face expressed that she was agreeing with him rather wholeheartedly. Twilight wasn't taking sides, it seemed, but was just as confused as Starfall.

Princess Celestia paused a moment, before finally speaking, though she directed her words at her Sister. "Sister, while I understand that you have endeavoured to catch up on a thousand years of history and culture you have missed out on, it has become more and more obvious to me that you need outside help. You need a pony who knows modern Equestria inside and out. I've tried my best to help you, but I'm too familiar with the older times to be truly helpful. Starfall here was born and raised in this day and age, and if you agree to tutor him, will be in the best position to help you."

Princess Luna seemed rather surprised by Celestia's suggestion, her expression also telling Starfall having him teach her about the modern world was probably a nasty blow to her pride. He grimaced slightly, worried that Luna may react poorly to her Sister's suggestion.

Princess Celestia also seemed to realise this. "I know it defies your sense of pride and tradition, Sister. But that is why you need somepony like Starfall to assist you in such a way. The world has changed, Luna, things are different, now. I can say with complete honesty that, in the years I have taught Twilight Sparkle, she has amazed me by teaching me some very important things herself...even if she was not aware of it at the time." The Princess of the Sun gave Twilight another warm smile, the purple unicorn blushing and ducking her head once more. If this kept up, Starfall may have to start worrying about Twilight's cheeks setting on fire.

"I know it's not the most ideal arrangement, my Sister," Princess Celestia continued. "But please, at least give it a try. You would be amazed at what the common pony can teach you, if you just take a moment to listen."

Princess Luna looked at the floor, apparently taking a few moments to think over her big sister's offer. Starfall could tell she still was not entirely happy about it, though, and was only considering because of the logic Princess Celestia had argued with.

Finally, the Princess of the Night gave a long-suffering sigh. "Very well, Sister. We shall take Starfall under our wing, and teach him how to read the stars like a master of the art. And..." here she hesitated, obviously still conflicted. "...and we suppose we could let thou attempt to teach us the ways of this new world," she added, talking to Starfall directly. "We would have preferred a more, traditional method, though, Sister," she added to Princess Celestia, sounding almost accusing.

Princess Celestia nodded. "I understand, Sister, but sometimes, the more unusual methods are in fact the most effective. And thank you for agreeing to this, Luna. I'm sure neither of us will come to regret this decision."

Starfall was floored, having to remember to keep his mouth shut so his jaw wouldn't hit the floor. Princess Celestia thought he had the potential to be a master astronomer, and had convinced none other than Princess Luna herself to teach him, just minutes after the Princess of the Night had tried to have him jailed, or worse, for having knowledge of a deep royal secret. This day just could not get any stranger. "Uhh...thank you, Your Hignesses...both of you. This is an incredible honour you've given me, and I will do my best to earn it," he said, his gratitude and awe there for all in the room to see.

Princess Celestia nodded softly. "You are very welcome, Starfall. I'm sure you will make us, and Equestria, proud. Now, if you or my sister have no objections, I see no reason why you can't start your lessons tomorrow evening, right here in the Royal Study. I will inform the guards of your new status, Starfall, and they will allow you entrance here for your lessons, and even during the day, should you need to see either of us for any reason."

Starfall nodded softly, before speaking up. "I have no objections, Your Highness, tomorrow evening sounds fine." Princess Luna did not speak up, but nodded when her Sister turned to her, showing her lack of objection.

"Then it is settled," Princess Celestia said happily. "Meet my Sister here tomorrow at sundown. She can arrange everything from that point onward. Now, it is late, and I'm you're tired, as I'm sure you are, Twilight," she added, letting Twilight know she had not been forgotten. "Now, Starfall, do you have a place to stay here in Canterlot?"

Here, Starfall paused. "I, uhh..." he stalled, realising he did not have anywhere to stay. He had only booked accommodation for last night, and did not have the money to afford any further accommodation.

Before he could either explain his situation – something he would rather not do – or come up with some excuse, Twilight stepped forward. "He could stay in my old tower here in Canterlot, where I stayed before I moved to Ponyville?" she offered, before turning to Starfall. "I'm only staying here until tomorrow, then I'm going back to Ponyville, so from tomorrow, you would have the place to yourself," she explained, Starfall picking up on the problem she was not directly referencing...he would likely be sleeping on a couch or something tonight, as he doubted Twilight's tower was designed with more than one pony in mind.

For a moment, Starfall debated with himself, not really wanting to accept charity. In the end, though, he was forced to admit to himself that this was the only way he would avoid sleeping on Canterlot's streets if we wanted to stay and take on this tutoring Princess Luna had been convinced to offer him. "I...that sounds good to me," he finally replied. "Thank you, Twilight. You didn't have to."

Princess Celestia smiled, adding her own voice to the conversation. "That was very generous of you, Twilight. It is nice to see you have been taking your studies very seriously." Twilight blushed for a third time, but nodded. "Now, you two are free to leave, then. Safe travels back to Ponyville tomorrow, Twilight, and say hello to all your friends for me. And Starfall, I probably will not see you for some time, so good luck, and remember, you have been given a great opportunity, here. Listen to my Sister, and don't waste it."

"Starfall nodded, both himself and Twilight offering the Princesses one last bow. "I'll work hard, Your Highness. And thank you for giving me this chance," he said once more, before turning and leaving, heading back out into the hallways of Canterlot's public area, his mind now finally comprehending just what had happened, now that he was out of the presence of the two most powerful figures in Equestria. He was going to study advanced, professional astronomy from the master of the stars, the Princess of the Night herself!

One thing Starfall shock-addled mind was very certain of, though, was that, from this day on, his life would never, ever, be the same. He just had no clue just how much his life would change in the near future.