There was no doubt about it, the Crystal Empire was a beautiful sight. From the way the sun shone brightly and reflected off the many crystalline buildings, to the sheen of the native crystal ponies, to the sheer awe-inspiring sight of the great palace at the centre of it all, it was clear to all who saw it that this was both an ancient and magnificent place. Twilight, standing on the great balcony of that crystal palace, looked down at the streets below, smiling as she gazed upon the crystal ponies. Each one of them, mares, stallions and foals alike, had all been trapped by Sombra's curse, bound in a limbo state for a thousand years. And yet, to them, it was as if mere moments had passed. Even so, the trauma of those times under the dark stallion's rule had been weighing heavily on each of them, as they finally celebrated his fall. Couples, families, friends, all of whom had been separated thanks to his curse, now reunited in those streets, laughing, smiling, even crying with joy, knowing they were together, and, more importantly, free. Twilight smiled at this, knowing that such a happy thing had been done, and her smile widened ever further as she looked down from the balcony and gazed upon the beautiful crystal heart, now back where it should be; at the base of the palace, there for all to see and enjoy.

That ancient artefact had, with Sombra's passing, returned to its rightful place soon afterwards, powering the Empire and restoring it to its former glory. The shine had returned to the Empire's people in that moment, and the place was now safe and protected from all who would harm it. As one might expect, this whole thing was a rather heart-warming experience for Twilight, as she sighed happily from looking at it all. However, she soon found herself smiling at something completely different soon enough, as her ears perked up at the sound of flapping wings. Looking up, Twilight practically beamed at the sight of her sister-in-law, Princess Cadence, flying down from on high, no doubt returning to the palace after having toured the whole city. Twilight looked on with joy at her old friend's descent, landing upon the balcony with all the grace one would expect of a princess. The two smiled to each other, with Cadence taking her place right beside Twilight, as they both looked out upon the city together. Although silence passed between them, it was not one of discomfort, as Twilight had experienced so often lately, but rather, one of contentment, and a knowledge that all was right and peaceful. Eventually though, Cadence broke the silence between them as she turned to face Twilight.

"The ponies are recovering, thankfully. It'll take a while for them to truly come to terms with what's happened...but I think they can cope with it."

Twilight gave a nod at that.

"That's good to hear."

Looking at her, Cadence raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You know...we still haven't told those ponies who really saved them. Are you sure you don't...?"

She did not finish her words, nor did she get the chance to, as Twilight merely shook her head in response before speaking up.

"No, it's fine. I don't want them treating me like some kind of hero. I already get enough of that back in Ponyville for all the stuff I do. I don't need "saviour of the Empire" added to my resume."

Cadence giggled somewhat at that.

"Always so modest, aren't you? Most ponies would jump at the chance to be praised like that."

In spite of herself, Twilight frowned slightly.

"Most ponies haven't seen what I've seen to make those things happen."

Cadence looked to her former charge, seeing the uncomfortable look on her face, and knew, even without asking, that it would probably be for the best to drop that matter. Much like Twilight’s friends, and even her brother, Cadence knew nothing about what had truly transpired between the young unicorn and King Sombra. Most had simply remained silent about the whole thing, perhaps worried it would be an uncomfortable thing for her to think about. And given her reaction just now, it seemed that there might have been a grain of truth to that. Instead, Cadence simply resumed their silence, looking out at the city once more. Unlike before, this silence had become somewhat awkward, much to Twilight's chagrin. It was, after all, the first time she and Cadence had spoken when there wasn't something monumentally bad going on. The last thing she wanted was for it to be spoiled like this. So, after letting out a deep sigh, she put on a small smile for her friend's benefit and turned to her, clearing her throat and gaining her attention immediately.

"Still…we have far happier things to talk about. Like a certain princess getting a shiny new Empire to govern?"

Cadence chuckled at that.

"It still sounds so strange to me. I mean...me...having a whole Empire to my name? Looking after a whole population and...well...having them look to me like I've always looked to my aunt? It's...weird."

Twilight nodded at those words, knowing full well Cadence’s position, though she did not dare say so.

"I imagine my brother is having difficulty with it too?"

Cadence nodded, smiling slightly as she did so.

"Indeed. He's spent so long as a soldier, training to fight and protect. But now? Having an actual position of government...I'm not sure if he’s entirely happy about it."

Smiling herself, Twilight looked out to the horizon.

"I'll say. I remember him talking about all those times he had to stand watch beside Celestia while she met with delegates and ambassadors from all over Equestria. Hearing them go on and on about every problem under the sun. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn’t just snap during one of those meetings. And now, both you and he will have to actually be the ones those ponies talk to. He may...struggle."

Cadence nodded in agreement over that, after which she joined Twilight in looking out over the city.

"We both will. But, with luck...we'll manage...together."

Twilight turned, seeing the genuinely affectionate look upon Cadence's face as she spoke of Shining. The young unicorn smiled at this, feeling content and happy at seeing just how much love her old foal-sitter bore for her brother. However, that moment was sadly interrupted when the pair of them began to hear hoof-steps from behind them. They both turned, perhaps expecting it to be one of the new crystal guards, or perhaps Shining himself. Instead, they looked on with pleasant surprise to see that it was none other than Princess Celestia, and her sister, Luna. Instinctively, the two sister-in-laws bowed before the diarchs of the sun and moon. The two sisters smiled at this display, but, as they finally stopped before them, Celestia raised a hoof, giving them silent permission to rise, which they did so. Though no words were spoken, Luna cast a glance in Cadence's direction, gaining her attention. With her head, the moon princess gestured to the balcony door behind them, and Cadence quickly got the message. Turning to Twilight, the princess of love gave her a final smile and nod before following her lunar aunt back into the palace. Now alone together, Twilight and Celestia smiled at one another before the latter assumed Cadence's place, standing beside her student and looking out to the rest of the city.

"A grand old city. I visited it a few times...before."

Celestia's tone had changed slightly during that final word, with a feeling of melancholy tinting it. Twilight did not ask what she meant by it, but then, she didn’t need to. It was regret. Regret at not having been able to save the Empire a thousand years ago. Much like Luna’s change to Nightmare Moon, it was no doubt something that Celestia considered a failure on her part. Twilight looked to her, wondering just how much she felt pain over the centuries over these things she considered her failings. Whatever the answer, her mentor hid it well, always wearing that same calm and motherly smile she was famous for. For a moment, Twilight considered talking to her about it. However, as the elder alicorn looked down at her, she decided against it, instead waiting as Celestia spoke softly to her.

"I'm proud of what you did here today, Twilight."

Twilight smiled at that.

"Thank you, Princess. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing...but I'm glad it worked out alright."

Celestia nodded.

"I think you did do the right thing. So often there are those who seem beyond hope, to the point where many have given up on them. But sometimes...all it takes is one. One person to look beyond the darkness they shroud themselves in...and bring forth the light."

The princess turned, raising a hoof and gently placing upon her student's shoulder.

"Wherever Sombra is now...you did right by him. Never forget that."

Twilight smiled, feeling greatly relieved by her mentor's words. After nodding to one another, they looked out to the skies once more, with Celestia speaking in a low tone.

"Many have made mistakes in their lives. If somepony like Sombra can change...perhaps others can too."

The young unicorn looked up to her beloved teacher, and saw her deep in thought. As she glanced to her, a new idea came forth in Twilight's mind. A thought that made her question, made her doubt and, above all, made her nervous. Nervous about what Celestia would say, or how she would react when she spoke it. But, she knew deep down that it was something that had to be said. And so, steeling herself, she took a deep breath before saying what she needed to.

"Princess? Tell me about...Sunset Shimmer."

With the utterance of those words, Celestia froze, as if she had become a statue. Slowly, she looked to her student, and saw the honesty in her eyes. A terrible silence had fallen between the two, and, as ever, doubt began to gnaw at Twilight, making her wonder if she had done the right thing here. Eventually though, Celestia finally spoke again, though her words were greatly hushed.

"You...know of Sunset?"

Twilight nodded.

"I do. Or, rather...I will."

Those words told Celestia everything she needed to, and, as she looked away, a look of pain crossed her face, as the memories of those days, years ago, came flooding back to her.

"So...she will return?"

Yet again, Twilight simply nodded, prompting Celestia to close her eyes as she let out a deep sigh.

"I...I knew it was only a matter of time."

Twilight looked away, regret crossing her face.

"I'm sorry. If you don't want to..."

But, she was stopped from speaking by a raised hoof from Celestia.

"No. It's...its fine. I'm just...a little shocked, that's all."

It took a while, but eventually, the princess of the sun turned to her student, a genuine smile upon her face.

"So...what would you like to know?"

Author's Notes:

Just to let you guys know ahead of time, the next chapter will not depict the conversation between Twilight and Celestia. That talk will be occurring unseen and in-between this and the next chapter. However, if all goes according to plan, that conversation will be brought up again at an important moment later in the story.