Tirek is gone and so is the library, but Twilight Sparkle can't stop thinking about them. Is she playing the part she wants to play? Are her desires all the same as her mentor's? Has ascension truly helped her to spread the magic of friendship? To answer these questions she must turn to her friends, her mentor, and a more uncertain source: her heart.

A/N: This is an alternate version of events after the Season 4 finale, returning after a two-year hiatus. The beautiful new cover picture is courtesy of AquaGalaxy. Dedicated to palaikai and BrownEyedBagel for their support, plus RealityCheck, Jawjoe and StrangeReasoning for inspiration; and finally Black Hoof, without whom I may never have continued the story.)