Trixie stared at the banner, it’s words “Pinkie Pie’s Pre-Performance Preparation Program for Potential Professional Party Ponies” scrawled in sloppy pink paint. Trixie wondered where Pinkie had gotten a banner long enough to fit the entire thing.

However, she could not let it distract her from her task. “So without further ado, I now present to you the big finale,” the showmare declared, though there was no audience, save for one pink pony. With a look of apprehension, she reached into her signature sorcerer's hat and with a look of pure disgust pulled out a plate with a mushy mess, covered in what looked like blue frosting.

“Ta da,” she said with zero enthusiasm, as she held the pitiful confectionery remains on the plate, the rest of the cake was in her hat.

Her finale was met with a single applause, and despite its enthusiasm, Trixie could hardly call it welcomed. “That was great Trixie! Much better than last time. This time you actually managed to keep some of the cake on the plate this time.”

Yes, the previous attempts at pulling a cake out of her hat had ended exactly as Trixie had expected them to. What she was left with was a sugar frosting nightmare and no guarantee it could be solved with some enchanted laundry detergent.

“Now I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry, I have the perfect solution. We’ll just tape the cake to the plate so it doesn’t fall over,” Pinkie said as she walked up on the impromptu stage that had been put up in the Ponyville Library. Pinkie had used a bunch of empty crates from Sugar Cube corner, and of course her incredibly large banner.

Trixie could only sigh heavily at the strange mare’s proposals, “I don’t know if birthday cake is the best fit with a magic show.”

Pinkie gasped and stepped back as if Trixie had said something truly offensive, “There is never not a place where birthday cake is the best fit.”

Pinkie then pulled out a roll of tape, from where Trixie could only imagine since she had no pockets or bags with her. As she wrapped the fresh piece of cake that also seemed to appear out of nowhere onto the plate, Pinkie Pie continued her losson, “Remember Trixie, ponies love to smile, and we, as party performers, must do what we can to make them smile. So we give them what they want, and what pony doesn’t want cake?”

Trixie decided not to risk stepping on another pitfall, and merely nodded her head slowly in agreement, “Well I suppose that’s true.”

“Now the next thing I think we really need to work on are balloon animals,” Pinkie said in her normal bright and happy tone as she put the taped cake mess back into her hat.

Trixie however, did not seem to share in Pinkie’s enthusiasm, and had a feeling her day had only just begun.

…

All was quiet throughout the former castle of the royal ponies sisters. Despite being in the middle of the Everfree Forest, which teemed with wildlife, the entire area had a calm, serene grace to it. This was  shattered as a loud explosion echoed throughout the old castle and out into the surrounding woods.

Sunset Shimmer took off the ear muffs she had been wearing, and looked out a nearby window to see some birds flying away, no doubt frightened by the commotion.

The room she was in was now filled with smoke, another by product from the spell that had just went off. Luckily, the obstructing smoke was cleared away in an instant thanks to Twilight. Twilight removed her own ear muffs and goggles and gave a small cough before turning to Prim.

“Well, seems subject #1127 is indeed a Class A hazard, we need to make sure it is locked away in one of Canterlot’s forbidden wings,” Twilight dictated.

Prim copied down the princess’ words, “Yes, an explosion that size makes this a rather dangerous spell. I swear our ancestors were such barbarians sometimes.”

Twilight then took the book containing the spell she had just tested and placed it in a box. The box was then bound and placed in a small pile of about half a dozen other boxes. Sunset remembered how the last book she put over there had generated a massive tornado out of thin air, more powerful than even the most dangerous ones produced in Cloudsdale’s weather factories.

Twilight took the grabbed the next book off a larger pile of untested spell, “Now Prim I think we must not be so harsh on our predecessors, they lived in a different world, and their knowledge of magic wasn’t nearly as acute as ours so naturally their spells lack… finesse.

“I just can’t believe Celestia used to keep such powerful spellbooks, or that she would just leave them behind,” Sunset replied, trying hard not to sound too in awe.

Twilight gave a small laugh, “Yes, well she kept all the dangerous ones locked away to avoid any ponies finding them and abusing them. Got to say her hiding place was good since I didn’t find them until we had nearly finished renovations.”

Twilight skimmed through the book before giving a look of revelation as a small smile crept up on her face. She turned to Sunset and asked, “Hey, maybe you’d like to try this one Sunset. I know you haven’t exactly had a lot of chances to practice magic over the years.”

Sunset was taken aback at Twilight’s suggestion. It’s not that Sunset didn’t think she could pull it off, given her last visit when the barrier weakened between Equestria and the world she had fled to, Twilight was well aware of the skills Sunset still possessed.  For the first time in forever, Sunset felt a nervous jolt of excitement creep into her. The prospect of trying out ancient magic was apparently strong, so she took the offered book in her magical grasp.

As she looked over the first spell, Twilight walked over and placed a simple piece of firewood on a stool that now sat in the middle of the room. After a few moments looking it over, Sunset began to replicate the thoughts and mental patterns it outlined. Soon the feeling of energy surrounding her and building up at the point on her head was both welcomed and slightly uncomfortable. When the small pressure began to build more, Sunset just released the energy specifically like how the book described.

The pressure vanished and she looked up to see that nothing but the stool remained. She and Twilight walked over and then Sunset realized that the firewood was actually still there, it was now merely flat. The log now looked like a picture that had been perfectly cut out of a book.

“Huh?” Was all that came out of Sunset’s mouth.

“A spatial readjustment spell, turns three dimensional objects into two dimensional objects. Pretty elementary stuff, but the fact such a spell exists in a book this old is fascinating. The earliest records of such magic are almost three centuries younger than this tome.”

“Oh yeah, I was just about to begin learning spatial magic, you know before…” Sunset began, but then she felt oddly uncomfortable.

Twilight now found herself also unable to say anything, but then coughed into her hoof and picked up the now flat log. “Well, the important thing is now you can learn all that you’d like.”

Sunset turned to face Twilight, a look of surprise plastered on her face. “Really? But why Twilight, the last time you and I saw each other I tried to kill you and your friends, and then use your own crown to conquer Equestria. So why are you being so naive? First you let me stay behind, and now you’re cool with me just crashing at your place?”

A silence descended on the two ponies, before it was immediately broken by a small cough from “Oh well, the levels of awkward were fine before, but now they’ve exceeded even my limits of snooping. Twilight I’m gonna go see how Sweep is doing with the cleanup on floor two, and then see if Spike has lunch made for us.”

Twilight did not respond, but Prim was smart enough to let herself out. After taking a moment to let Sunset’s questions stew, Twilight finally took a few steps back and answered, “ Because you remind me of somepony. She was smart, some would say brilliant. All she cared about was magic and studying, so much so that she cut nearly every other pony out of her life.”

Sunset could not believe what she was hearing, that little miss alicorn of friendship, Celestia’s all time best pupil, had been just like her. “Of course I never resorted to thievery, blackmail, intimidation, and attempted conquest. So I guess we’re not exactly alike…”

        Okay maybe not the same, Sunset corrected.

        “However, I look at you, and the choices you made, and I can easily see how I could have been just like you. Ever since Celestia sent me to Ponyville to learn about the magic of friendship I’ve learned many lessons, sometimes more than once. But of all of them, the most important I think is forgiveness. I gave you another chance because I was given another chance, and I must admit I was worried and there were times I questioned whether I had made the right choice, but since you’re here it seems I made the right one.”

        Twilight then looked up at Sunset for the first time, but what she saw was not what she had expected. Sunset was trying hard, and was incredibly failing, at suppressing some heavy laughter. Finally, the unicorn could not help herself and let loose. Twilight could only blush and puff her cheeks out in frustration.

“I’m sorry Twilight, I really am, but that was just so cheesy,” Sunset finally managed to say through her jovial laughter.

“I’m afraid I must agree with Ms. Shimmer,” came another voice, as Prim entered back into the room.

“Oh Prim, what perfect timing you have,” Twilight deadpanned.

“Well, you know me. I always like to practice punctuality, because I know how important it is to you your highness. Also crashing your intimate interactions is my other duty as outlined by your brother…”

“No romance going on here Prim,” Twilight quickly interjected.

Prim adjusted her glasses, though Sunset was starting to think this was more of a nervous reaction of Prim’s rather than a necessity, “Hmm, yes quite right. Still I’ve also come to let you know Spike has nearly finished lunch. Also the twins are desperate for you, your majesty. Though I’m sure it’s just for your tutelage since they’ve finished all the primary schoolwork.”

Twilight heaved a sigh, though there was no annoyance in it, just anticipation for her enthusiastic admirers. “Well Sunset, shall we?”

Sunset replied with a shrug, “Yeah I could go for a bite, though I would like to try out so more magic afterwards.”

“But of course, our day has only started,” Twilight responded.

As the two made their way out of the room, Prim held her hoof out to hold Sunset back without Twilight taking notice. Once the princess was far enough out of earshot, she spoke to the other pony, “Ms. Shimmer, we both know that Twilight can be… a bit on the naive side. However, it is that naivety that brought everyone who lives at this castle here. Each one of us would lay down our lives for her is what I’m trying to get across.”

Sunset quickly felt a familiar sensation overtake her, although previously she had always been on the delivering end. “I get the message, and I know you believe it about as much as I do, but I’m not here to cause harm to Twilight. I wouldn’t have waited to come here after my one escape route closed if I wanted to cause trouble.”

“Then why are you here?” Prim sharply shot back.

“Wish I knew,” Sunset quickly answered nonchalantly.

Prim, probably exhausted with her grilling going nowhere, turned away and followed Twilight’s path. Sunset followed quickly behind her towards the kitchen.

…

Twilight entered the kitchen to the welcomed smell of melting cheese and fresh vegetables, which told her Spike had made his famous Panini sandwiches  for everyone. Before Twilight made it to the table though, two familiar blurs came to her and blocked her path.

“Oh Princess, you’re done practicing ancient magic already?” Zephyr asked.

“We knew some outdated spells would be no match for you Princess,” Peridot added.

Twilight was used to the twins flattery, and merely kept walking towards the table while giving a polite affirmative nod. As she sat down, still taking in the aroma of melting cheese and fresh vegetables.

“So I see neither you or Prim were brainwashed, castle’s no more wrecked than usual, so I guess magic testing with Sunset Shimmer went better than I expected,” Spike said from the kitchen as he flipped another sandwich, which Twilight could tell was hers from the darkened bread, as she liked her sandwich toasted extra brown.

“Real funny Spike, but yes I think she actually enjoyed herself. She even managed to pull off a basic-level spatial spell. That’s impressive considering she said she’d never made it to that part of her teaching,” Twilight recounted as Spike walked over carrying a plate in each hand, and a third one balanced on his tail. As he gave Zephyr and Peridot their plates and then Twilight hers, the three ponies thanked the dragon for their meals and began to eat.

The small sounds of gratitude filled the kitchen, little noises of glee and satisfaction, but they were broken as one energetic filly finally asked a question that had been hanging off her tongue. “Umm, princess…” Zephyr

“Dear, you know I’ve told you and Peridot not to be so formal with me,” Twilight interjected.

“Two hundred and seventy two times,” Peridot answered.

“Yes, so you know you two can start taking my advice at heart,” Twilight deadpanned.

Zephyr seemed to take in what Twilight was saying and shook her head and continued, “Okay… Twilight.” The young filly seemed to shudder at bit, like the lack of honorifics seemed to cause her physical discomfort. Still she carried on, “Well, I was wondering, I’ve been keeping up with my chores, and I have been doing all the preparatory work you laid out…”

“She does that non-stop, makes it hard for a filly to get any sleep,” Peridot added.

Zephyr ignored her sister and carried on, “Well, I was just wondering when you’ll begin to teach me magic?”

Her question was immediately met with grimaced faces from Spike and Peridot, the second she noticed was that Twilight had stopped eating. For a few brief moments in time there was silence, followed by noise and movement. Twilight was no longer seated at the table, and instead had already left the kitchen entirely. As if anticipating some disaster, Peridot had ducked under the kitchen table while Spike chose behind the counter, Prim did not move from her spot. Sunset seemed unsure what to do, while Zephyr’s enthusiasm had not waned.

Just then, Sunset heard a familiar pop, and Twilight was suddenly standing on the table, along with a pile of books and scrolls. Before Twilight could fall from her unexpected destination, she hovered in the air instead, her wings’ beatings caused some of the scrolls to fly off all over the room.

Before Sunset could ask what had just occurred, Twilight was already flipping frantically though one of the books she brought, and then began speaking to Zephyr.

“Well, since you’re a beginner, I suggest of course the first five chapters of Dr. Hoofweel’s Guide to Your First Levitation,” she told the filly as she placed the book in front of her. “Of course I also highly recommend Madam Bridlestar's Your Key To Manipulating the Universe, she can get a little too...dramatic for my taste sometimes, but her theory is top-notch.”

As Twilight listed off books, papers, and academic journals for the eager filly to read, Sunset suddenly felt a great weight come upon her. It came with this sense of deja vu, and she quickly realized what it was. An eager young student, her eyes filled with hope, excitement, and even a desperation to learn. A teacher, all too willing to pursue this course, though Twilight differed from the alicorn in Sunset’s memories, as her excitement was as outwardly visible as her young student’s.

“So once you’ve read all those, you can bring me your notes, and then we can get started,” Twilight finished.

“Really!?” Zephyr asked her soon-to-be personal mentor.

“Yes, I think you’ve more than proven yourself responsible these last couple of months. So I feel you're truly ready to begin, after you’ve learned the basics. Remember the old saying, a castle is in more danger from a poor foundation than any army.”

“Or dragon,” Spike interjected from behind the counter.

Twilight gave a small laugh, “Yes, well I think we can all study soundly, knowing the only dragon in our lives cooks meals, not villages.”

Somehow Zephyr found a way to seem more excited and gasped before asking, "Oh, do you think one day I’ll become strong enough to take down a dragon?”

“Pfft, unlikely. Twilight’s spent more of her time running away from dragons than fighting them. It wasn’t until after she became an alicorn that she was able to go hoof to hoof with one by herself,” Spike replied teasingly as he came up from the safety of the kitchen counter.

Twilight ignored her former assistant's teasing and turned back to the filly unicorn, “Now Zephyr, you need to realize that genuine magic training is hard work. From this point on it’ll be lots of studying and practice.”

Unfortunately, Twilight’s advice seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Zephyr was too busy staring off into space, mumbling to herself. A blatantly loud cough from the alicorn snapped the filly from her daydream, and she took on a more serious tone, hoping it would get through to her student.

“Zephyr, tomorrow I’ll have Sunset take you to meet with a certain pony, okay?” Twilight asked kindly.

“Sure, but who is it?” The filly responded.

“Oh just another pony I helped teach magic to, and I’m sure she’d love to help in the development of other young minds.”

“Wow, that’s so cool! I promise I won’t disappoint you princess,” said the excited filly as she got up from the table, gave a polite little bow and ran off, thanking Spike for lunch after she was already halfway down the corridor.

Peridot, who had continued eating after the storm caused by her sister’s excitement died down, also finished, and mirrored Zephyr’s bow, “Thank you Spike for the meal, and thank you princess for teaching my sister and I.”

“Oh Peri, you know I love teaching, and you two make excellent students,” Twilight replied.

Peridot then gave a polite nod and left, presumably to find her sister. This left Spike, Twilight, Sunset, and Prim in an uncharacteristic peace. This calm was broken by a small cough from Prim, as she spoke once she had the princess’ attention.

“Your highness, assuming no more bundles of sweetness and headaches arrive seeking your infinite wisdom, I have some business to attend to before we continue with your afternoon itinerary.”

“Of course Prim, Sunset and I can wait for you. Right Sunset?” Twilight turned and asked the unicorn.

Sunset, whose mind had been preoccupied with other times, was caught off guard by Twilight’s question, “Oh, umm yeah, definitely.”

Prim then gave a polite nod and left the kitchen, as Spike stood up, gathered all the plates and walked back over to the kitchen, leaving the two mares.

Twilight, seemingly waiting until they were alone, then asked, “Sunset, are you okay?”

With the dragon and the demon in the glasses now gone, Sunset replied, “Well, it’s just… how is it? Being a teacher I mean?”

Twilight seemed taken aback by this question, but she quickly answered, “Well, it’s different than being a student. A bit surreal really, sometimes I’m not sure how Celestia has done it for so long and with so many students.”

“Are the students that bad?” Sunset asked nervously.

Twilight giggled and responded, “Oh no, it’s not that. It’s just that, you take these ponies under your wing, and you make a sort of an unspoken promise to each other. They agree to follow your rules and use your instructions in the hope that they’ll grow as ponies. But, you have to be able to provide them with the means to do that. I knew of the pressures of being a student, but  I never really thought much about the pressures of being a teacher. All this admiration and authority comes at a price, and I just hope I don’t let them down.”

Sunset had also never considered any of the things Twilight was talking about. That a student’s failures could potentially hurt their mentor more. For the briefest of moments Sunset let her mind ponder an idea. She looked out a random window, and through the forest canopy outside she could see the the smallest glimpse of a city hanging off the side of a distant mountain, where she wondered if there was another teacher who worried about if she had failed any of her students.

“So Sunset, while we wait for Prim to get back, what do you want to do?” Twilight asked, which brought Sunset out of thinking.

“Oh, well, I’m not sure,” she answered.

Before Twilight could make any suggestions of her own, the quietness of the castle was broken by a familiar sound coming from the mirror room, but then it was completely and utterly shattered by yelling coming from the same room.

“That mare is crazy!” shrieked a familiar voice.

Not wasting any time, Twilight and Sunset ran over to the room, and opened the door to find Trixie. Or who they assumed was Trixie, it was a little difficult to tell who it was underneath all that cake batter.

Indeed, Trixie, traditional wizarding hat and all, stood in the middle of the room, her coat, mane, and cape all caked in pink frosting and a brown mushy substance that Twilight was able to identify as chocolate batter after years of experience.

“I….I don’t think I can do it anymore, she’s a lunatic. She’s absolutely mad!”Trixie shouted as she continued her tirade.

Sunset made little effort of hiding her amusement at the sight, but Twilight showed at least a modest amount of restraint as she spoke, “Well, I guess bath duty can be added to the schedule.”