The royal throne room of Canterlot was a quiet place today, as all within it could feel the tension in the air. Many of the guards looked to each other nervously, not saying a word, and yet, all of them knew that what was about to occur was a matter of grave importance. Celestia was there, sitting upon her throne, watching the other side of the hall intently. Though silent, her eyes never left the doors leading into this vast chamber, and silently counted the moments as they passed by. She turned briefly, looking out of the nearby windows, to the northern parts of the skies, and sighed, knowing what was about to happen. However, she was jarred from that as a loud creak could now be heard. Turning, she looked on with some relief as Twilight, her faithful student, finally entered the chambers, escorted by a pair of pegasi guards. They brought her along the hall and before the steps leading up to the great throne, after which, Twilight gave a respectful bow. Celestia smiled and nodded at this, after which she looked to the two escorts and waved a hoof, giving them permission to leave. As had happened hundreds of times before, the guards saluted their princess before leaving. Now here, Twilight rose from her bowing position, looking right into Celestia's eyes.

"You sent for me, Princess?"

Celestia nodded at that.

"I did. Twilight...a matter of great importance has occurred, and I require your aid to resolve it. For you see...the cry-"

"The Crystal Empire."

Twilight's words caught Celestia completely off-guard, but within moments, she looked to her student, seeing the look of utter seriousness upon her face, and let out a sigh, slumping her shoulders slightly. A few moments passed, wherein Celestia thought things over for a moment, before raising a hoof and gesturing to the guards in the hall, giving an overall command to leave. Needless to say, the stallions were quite perplexed at this. After all, to leave the presence of one's princess entirely, leaving her alone with just a student, was not usually something they ever did. Even so, after receiving a stern glance from that princess when they continued to stick around, they quickly got it into their heads that it might be best for them to simply do as they were told. And so, after giving a salute in unison, the guards all turned together and began to make their way out of the throne room. When they'd finally departed and closed the doors behind them, leaving Celestia alone with Twilight, the elder alicorn rose from her throne and descended down the stairs, never taking her eyes off her beloved student.

"I sometimes wonder if there’s any point in me telling you what's going on these days."

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Twilight's couldn't help but giggle slightly. Even so, she regained her composure as Celestia walked past her, prompting her to join her.

"I'm going to assume that the Empire ends up secure in the end?"

Twilight nodded in response to that, after which she turned to Celestia and asked a question of her own.

"And I'm going to assume that my brother and sister-in-law are already heading there?"

Celestia chuckled briefly, still clearly getting used to the fact that her student was now just as ahead in the game as she was, before smiling down to her.

"Yes. Although, between you and me, I doubt my niece was all too thrilled about having her honeymoon cut so short."

Like a pair of school-fillies, the two mares giggled together, though kept it as quiet as possible, lest the guards outside the chamber manage to hear them. However, as the matter-at-hoof caught up with them, their smiles faded, and Twilight remained silent as her mentor walked from the throne room into an adjacent chamber, where there was all manner of ancient books and tomes strewn about the place. The young unicorn recognised it immediately as a personal favourite place of Celestia's, where she would sometimes spend hours just reading about ancient Equestrian history. However, today, the elder alicorn was focused on one book in particular, which was already open on a table before them. As they approached, Twilight saw several images within it, in particular, a map of the ancient Crystal Empire. Sighing, Twilight gently placed a hoof upon the book.

"Even after all I know...I still never figured out why. Why, after all these centuries, did the Empire only now return?"

Celestia frowned slightly as she too looked to the book.

"Some curses and spells only have so much strength in them. Even the Elements of Harmony could only last so long...just look at Luna."

Twilight grimaced at the knowledge of having yet again drudged up such painful memories for her teacher. However, as the young unicorn turned to her, she was relieved to see that the latter was wearing a small smile, silently showing her that she was fine. Even so, Twilight looked down to the open book once more, looking over a few of the centuries-old inscriptions.

"Cadence and Shining end up ruling the place. But first, we'll need to take it...from him."

Celestia looked to her student, and for a moment, she seemed confused as to what Twilight was talking about. But, as the moments passed, a look of understanding dawned on her, followed shortly afterwards by a clearly horrified expression. Several moments of silence followed, and Celestia had a few false starts as she tried getting her words out, but, when she did, her tone was one of disbelief.

"You mean…Sombra? He...he's returned?"

Twilight said nothing, merely giving her teacher a single grim nod, all while a slight look of sadness filled her eyes. Celestia did not notice the latter, however, as she instead turned to the book before her. She raised a hoof and began to carefully flip through the pages. Eventually, she stopped, looking down with a frown at the image she'd found. Twilight looked on and saw, as she expected, that she had found an old drawing of the stallion himself. Sombra, clad in that red cloak of his, looking down upon the enslaved ponies below. It was an image of oppression, of control, of evil. Small wonder Celestia had such concern in her eyes.

"Sombra was one of the most tyrannical beings in Equestria's history. When he fell, he took the entire Empire down with him, rather than let anypony else take it."

She looked up to Twilight, narrowing her eyes as she did so.

"Twilight...I know your victory over him is already assured, but even so...do not underestimate him."

Twilight nodded at that.

"I won't. I saw his dark power first-hoof. Heck...I even felt it at one point."

It took a while for Celestia to truly understand what her student had just admitted to, but when she did, she gained a look of great concern, reaching forward as if to hold Twilight close. Seeing this, Twilight shook a hoof at her slightly.

"Oh! Don't worry! I'm fine! It's just...the feel of dark magic...it's not something you ever forget."

Celestia nodded at that, showing a look of understanding. Twilight could remember why, as she could recall, even now, how her mentor had demonstrated such terrible abilities before her. Hate and fear was what fuelled such power, and thus, it was a forbidden school of magic. When Sombra used it, it was truly devastating, as Twilight was well aware. Steeling herself somewhat, Twilight let out a deep sigh before putting on a reassuring smile for her mentor.

"Don't worry, Princess. I'll get my friends...and then we'll deal with the Empire...and Sombra."

But, rather than looking reassured or happy about that, Celestia instead looked thoughtful, as she looked right into her student's eyes. When she finally spoke, her words were quiet and thoughtful.

"Twilight...I ask you speak truly now. Do you, perhaps...intend to do more than simply fight Sombra?"

The young unicorn stood there, looking at her mentor, at the way her eyes practically pierced into her soul, and thus, could not help but look away. Her teacher had the right of it, that she had planned on more than simple confrontation with the dark stallion, but, it was clear from the look on her face that she was not comfortable with actually telling Celestia wheat she planned. The sun princess looked to her, seeing the discomfort upon her face, and got the message; that Twilight DID have a plan for Sombra, but wasn't sure she'd approve of it. Silence fell between the two mares with this knowledge, after which, Celestia let out a deep sigh.

"Twilight...I know you have had many plans for the things you knew you'd come across...but I wonder if your decision this times is...wise."

Twilight turned to her, and for once, her expression was a completely neutral one.

"Princess...how much do you know of Sombra? Outside of his goal to conquer the Empire?"

For a moment, the princess looked quite taken aback by that. But, as she stopped to consider her student's question, a look of realisation crossed her face, letting Twilight know her answer before it was even spoken. Sadness entered Twilight's eyes once more before she took a step forward, raising a hoof and gently placing it upon Celestia's shoulder.

"I do know him. From my memories. I know...what he used to be. If I can reach out...if there's even a chance...I have to take it."

Yet again, there was deathly silence between them, as Celestia turned from her and appeared to be thinking long and hard on the matter. Twilight waited patiently, perhaps concerned that her beloved teacher would reject her plan outright. However, it was not long before Celestia let out a sigh, turning to her again, though this time with a far more serious expression.

"Twilight...you know I trust you. All the things you have taken upon yourself to resolve...you have done so. If you say that you can do this...I believe you."

Twilight smiled at that, but only briefly, as Celestia raised a hoof, stopping her from speaking as she continued.

"But I say again...be careful. The darkness in Sombra's heart is all-consuming. Take care...lest it take you too."

The concern in her voice was as obvious as it was in her face, and Twilight's expression softened considerably, leading to her rushing forward, holding her mentor close in a hug. Needless to say, it wasn't long before Celestia returned the embrace, and for a while, teacher and student stayed together, both concerned for what lay ahead of them. But, in time, they finally parted, giving each other one final silent look of farewell. At the end of it, Celestia gave Twilight a reassuring smile, which the young unicorn thankfully returned, before the latter began to walk off. Celestia watched as she started running from that room, out through the throne chamber and beyond, no doubt to gather her friends and head off to the Empire. When her student was gone at last, Celestia's smile faded, and she walked over to the massive windows of her throne room, looking out towards the north once more.

"Oh, my student...take care."