It was the quiet, early hours of the morning, and Spike was sleeping soundly in his basket, which he had placed right next to Twilight's much larger bed. A contended smile was upon his face, showing the signs of a good night's rest. However, no sooner had the far-away rooster call of morning been sounded, when a sudden and very loud crashing noise permeated the whole of the library, jarring Spike immediately. Although in a slight state of panic at first, it quickly died down as he looked around the room. Oh, just one quiet night, is that too much to ask? Turning, he looked upon Twilight's bed, which was empty, it's covers thrown back. Huh, guess she's already up. After letting out a yawn and stretching his arms a little, Spike got out of his basket, wherein, to his dismay, the loud noise from earlier began anew. Sounds like a construction site or something, he mused, and it was not long before he began to make his way downstairs. As he passed by the various rooms of this place, he couldn't help but smile. Feels weird living somewhere new like this. Still, Twilight likes it, so I guess it can't be all bad.

Eventually, he managed to find his way down to the main floor, where he scoured around for Twilight. However, his oldest friend was nowhere to be seen, prompting him to walk further into the room. After looking around for some time, he instead tried focusing on the loud noise that had continued throughout it all. Wait...that's coming from inside. Turning, he looked upon a door that, frankly, he'd never noticed until now, right on the side of the main staircase he'd just come down. Raising an eyebrow, he began to walk towards it. However, as he raised a claw to open it, he was taken aback as the door opened without him. Taking a step backwards, the young dragon looked on as Twilight herself walked out, looking quite surprised to see her number one assistant there waiting for her.

"Oh, Spike! I didn't know you were up."

Spike folded his arms after hearing that.

"Kinda hard to stay sleeping with all that racket."

Understanding dawned on Twilight's face as she took that in, blushing slightly.

"Oh...right. Sorry about that. I just had a lot of work to do down in the basement."

Spike's eyes widened after hearing that.

"We have a basement?"

Twilight smiled and gave a short nod.

"We do. It was pretty empty though, full of cobwebs and dust. I doubt anypony's been down there in years. But, I needed a place to do some of my research and magic practice, so I figured I'd get the place fixed up."

Spike nodded in kind after hearing that. Makes sense. Twilight's not gonna stop practicing magic just because she's moved. And it'd be pretty dangerous for her to do it with all these books around. Still...I'm more than a little curious to see what she's done so far. Looking past her, Spike began to take a step towards the open basement door, only to be barred by Twilight's hoof.

"Sorry, Spike. but I'm still doing a lot of work down there. It won't be ready for some time."

The young dragon looked up at her, looking more than a little annoyed at that.

"What specifically are you doing down there that's so important that it couldn't wait until I'd woken up?"

Twilight's face became one of utter seriousness as she answered.

"The Elements."

One look at Twilight's face said it all. Ah, so this is where she's going to be keeping them. Tilting his head, Spike looked upon the unassuming door, knowing that, just down those steps, were the most powerful magical artifacts in Equestrian history. Kinda scary to have them so close. Still, Twilight thinks they're okay here, so I guess that's fine. Looking up at his friend, Spike let out a sigh, showing his acceptance of her wishes, before putting on a smile. Returning the gesture, Twilight placed a hoof upon his shoulder for a few moments before turning, ready to head back down the basement. However, before she did so, there was a knocking sound on the door. Both of them looked at each other with confusion on their faces, after which, Spike walked over to the door himself, reaching up and turning the knob. After opening the door, Spike's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, as there, standing before him, was none other than Princess Luna. Smiling, the younger alicorn sister cleared her throat somewhat before addressing him.

"Greetings, Spike the dragon! We have come to participate in the ritual of morning tea with your keeper, Twilight Sparkle!"

But the young dragon merely stood there, mouth agape, for some time, before eventually shaking his head to get himself out of it. Turning, he looked upon Twilight with an utterly deadpan expression, which was mirrored in his voice.

"Twilight...the Princess of the night has arrived to have tea...apparently."

Upon seeing the Princess, Twilight's face immediately broke out into a massive smile, and she galloped forward, stopping just short of the door.

"Luna! It's so good to see you!"

The blue alicorn gave a smile and a short bow of her head in greeting to that.

"Good morrow to thee, Twilight Sparkle! We are pleased to see thee again. Though, in truth, we were quite surprised to receive your invitation."

Spike raised an eyebrow at that. An invitation? To Luna herself? Since when does Twilight just ask Princesses around for tea so casually? A frown then formed on his face, albeit very briefly. Would have been nice to be told this kinda stuff before visitors actually arrive at the front door. However, Twilight was rather oblivious to her assistant's concerns, as she stood aside, allowing the Princess to enter. After taking a moment to look around at the main portion of the library, Luna looked upon Twilight with an appreciative smile. Twilight returned the smile prior to closing the door, after which she turned to Spike with a look on her face that Spike knew all too well. The young dragon shrugged his shoulders a little and chuckled.

"Sure. I'll get the kettle boiling."

As the two mares waited for Spike to bring the tea, they sat on either end of a table Twilight prepared for them. The young unicorn smiled as she gazed upon her royal friend. Still looking like she did after the darkness was purged from her. It'll probably take a while before her magic recovers enough for her to assume her regular appearance. After taking position, Twilight cleared her throat a little before addressing the younger sister.

"I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to speak to you at the party. It's just...well...you seemed pretty swamped with ponies at the time."

Luna smiled and shook her head.

"Think nothing of it, Twilight. We are simply pleased we get this chance to visit."

Twilight chuckled a little at that. Still referring to herself in the third person. Wonder how long it'll take for her to work out of that? Turning, Twilight looked on as Spike finally arrived, carefully carrying a tray with three cups of tea resting upon it. The two mares watched as he brought it to the table, laying it down before getting a chair of his own to join them. As the young dragon got started with his own cup, Twilight began to notice that Luna had been staring at him the whole time. After several moments of silence, Luna finally spoke.

"If I may ask...what exactly is the relationship between yourself and the young drake here?"

Twilight looked to her as if she'd just asked the easiest question in the world.

"Spike? Well...he's my best friend. My number one assistant."

Spike smiled and puffed out his chest with pride after hearing that, prompting Twilight to roll her eyes at his reaction. Luna, by contrast, raised an eyebrow at that.

"But you are also his caretaker, yes? You look after him in lieu of his own blood kin?"

Twilight paused for a moment before answering that.

"Um...well...yes."

Luna kept her eyebrow up.

"Forgive me, but it's hard to imagine one so young being an adopted Mother."

At those words, both Twilight and Spike simultaneously spat out their tea, making sure to avoid hitting Luna with it as they did so. After wiping the last drops form their mouths, Twilight began frantically waving her hooves.

"M...M...Mother?! I...I wouldn't go that far!"

Spike nodded at those words.

"Yeah! I mean, Twilight's great, but it'd just be weird to call her "Mom" or something!"

Twilight nodded in agreement.

"Besides, I've just had him with me for the last couple of years. Celestia did most of the rearing."

Luna looked at the two in silence for a time, before, to the surprise of both of them, starting to giggle.

"Forgive us. But, after seeing what we have of you two, it is hard to not also be reminded of Mothers and their sons elsewhere in the world."

The two looked at each other after hearing that. Well, Twilight thought, I'm not against the idea of being a parent. And, I guess, Spike has been my charge for a while now. Faust knows how he must be thinking about this suggestion. However, as her thoughts began to truly sink in, her look of panic began to fade somewhat. Still...Spike...as a son? In time, she was interrupted from that train of thought by the sound of Luna clearing her throat.

"I must confess, Twilight, it is strange to see pony and dragon living together like this. Our two races usually have very little in common."

The young unicorn smiled at that, silently thanking the opportunity to change the subject at last.

"Spike's been with me for as long as I can remember. When I was trying to enter Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, they gave us a test to see how we would cope with trying to hatch a dragon egg. Of course, they never expected young colts and fillies to actually be able to do it, they just wanted to see what kinds of magic we had up our sleeves for the attempt."

Twilight looked upon Spike, her mind awash with feelings of nostalgia for those early days.

"But then, something happened. I entered a kind of trance-like state, sending magic everywhere around me. That caused Spike's egg to hatch. Celestia raised him for a time until I was old enough, after which he became my assistant."

I still remember being terrified of going into that state. I'd never been afraid of magic until that moment. Never knew how powerful it could be. Then again, I'd never be where I am today if it hadn't happened. A small smile crept onto Twilight's face. Mental note, remember to thank Rainbow for her rainboom sparking it off. Meanwhile, Luna stared at Twilight, her face making it clear she was impressed with the story.

"Hatching a dragon egg? As a filly? Twas powerful magic indeed, Twilight. We can see why our sister chose thee as her apprentice."

Although she would have wanted to put on a smile for Luna's benefit, Twilight, just for a moment, took on a somewhat steely look in her eyes. She turned, hoping that Luna would avoid seeing it, and instead focused on drinking her tea. However, every once in a while, Twilight glanced back in her direction, only to see Luna looking at her with a curious face. Celestia is her sister. I have to remember that. She wouldn't understand. She doesn't know what I know. Clearing her throat, Twilight decided that, perhaps, it might be better to simply change the subject.

"Tell me...how are you coping with Equestria since your return?"

It took a while, but Luna broke out into a small smile, one that Twilight narrowed her eyes at slightly. That's a forced smile. I've used it enough times myself by now to recognise it.

"We are...dealing with it. In truth, it is hard to truly accept all the changes that have occurred during our absence. The new national capital, Canterlot? That city did not even exist when we were banished. Rivers have dried up, towns have disappeared...so much has changed."

Twilight's ears dropped a little. Great work, Twilight, she thought sarcastically, you've gone and made her feel worse. She's probably thinking about all the friends that have died in the last thousand years right now. This was supposed to be a happy visit! Quick! Change the subject! Twilight thought hard for a few moments before smiling and looking up at Luna again.

"Um...I'm sure everypony will do what they can to make you feel right at home, Luna!"

The Princess of the night looked at the young unicorn for a time, before eventually putting on another small smile. Thankfully, this one seemed far more genuine.

"We thank thee, Twilight. We are sure that everypony at the palace and everywhere else will help. They have been most accommodating so far. And in truth, we look forward to assuming our duties once more. No offense to our sister, but her night skies lack a certain...artistry."

The two mares both giggled at that, with much of the tension leaving them from it. This is much better, Twilight thought. All Luna needs is somepony to help her along. She'll be back on her hooves and assuming her duties in no time. I can't wait to see how happy she'll be working on the night skies and seeing everypony enjoy them, and helping along with their dreams. However, as she dwelt on that, a look of utter horror crossed Twilight's face. Thankfully, she managed to change it to a smile again before Luna took notice, but on the inside, her mind was racing. That's right! How could I forget? She can see into ponies' dreams! If she sees mine, and finds out what I know, who knows what might happen? Looking up, Twilight studied the alicorn's face carefully as she drank her tea. Luna is my friend, but I can't let her or anypony else know what I know...at least not yet. I have to find some way to safeguard my dreams. Taking another sip of her tea, Twilight sat in silence for a moment before starting to think on other matters. Eventually, her face took on a more serious tone.

"Luna...I wanted to apologise for what happened back at the castle."

The Princess of the night looked at her with some confusion, prompting Twilight to explain herself.

"I wasn't expecting my friends to come in and try to help me. I wanted to help you without having to fight you. And I'm sorry you got hurt at the end of it."

Luna, thinking on that, raised a hoof to the side of her face, the spot where Rainbow had struck her with the stone, which showed no sign of damage at this time, before letting out a sigh and smiling.

"There is no need to apologise, Twilight. You should be proud of having friends who held your well-being in such high regard. Rainbow is the bearer of loyalty. And loyalty, as we know full well, can often lead one to brash action. Still, you are to be commended. Few would have tried taking to their enemies. And in that darkness, your words cut through to me. It was a welcome feeling."

Twilight smiled at that, as did Luna, and the two mares sat in silence, enjoying this moment of understanding with each other. This is good, Twilight thought. Luna's adjusting, she bears no ill will against me or my friends. Everything is going great. However, as Twilight dwelt on that, she could not help but notice a look of melancholy upon Luna's face. After watching her for some time, she looked on as she began to speak.

"It is a shame, that our old home should be such a ruin. Still, it was the sight of both our banishment and our salvation. Perhaps we should push it from our thoughts."

Those words struck a chord in Twilight, causing her to think for a moment. Believe me, Luna...I know how painful it is to see a home destroyed. But, as she considered that, a new thought emerged. Should I tell her? I suppose it's only fair. It was her home after all.

"Actually...I'm planning on going back there in the near future."

Upon hearing that, both Luna and Spike turned to her, looking as if she'd suddenly grown a second head.

"Go back? Prithee, Twilight, explain why thou would wish to return to such a place?"

Twilight put on a small smile before starting to explain herself.

"That place is old, and no doubt has many relics and tomes that haven't been seen by pony eyes for centuries. It's my intention to bring them back here to Ponyville. Both to keep them safe, and to further my own magical training."

Luna watched the young unicorn carefully, seeing the clear enthusiasm in her eyes.

"Twilight...it is obvious that we cannot dissuade thee from thy goal. And thy words are true, there is indeed much lost knowledge in those crumbling ruins. Knowledge that ponykind has not known for many years. To return it is a noble goal. And we commend thee for thy ambition in furthering thy studies."

Twilight smiled at that, but it faded a little as Luna's face became more serious.

"But take these words to heart, young one. Tread carefully. Your raw talent in magic is powerful, but do not let overconfidence in your abilities lead you to take unnecessary risks."

Twilight looked upon the elder mare, putting on a reassuring smile for her before reaching forward and placing a hoof upon hers.

"Thank you, Princess. But I promise you, I'll be careful."

Luna stared at her for some time, measuring her words and her expression, before letting out a sigh and smiling in return. Satisfied with the young unicorns' words, the Princess got back to her tea, as did Spike, who had been looking more than a little uncomfortable with all this. Twilight, drinking her own tea, was nevertheless thinking many things over. Trust me, Luna...I know what I'm doing.