With the defeat of the Lunar revolt, and Luna's banishment to the moon her great generals were placed in secret prisons. Barbrix, the dragon general was shackled by the very draconian magic she taught to the ponies and trapped in her home.

Twilight Sparkle was very recently possibly the happiest Faelin in Equestria. However, her parents death and brother's enrollment in the military academy leaves her bereft and without a guardian.

Celestia has ruled alone for nearly a thousand years, and regret has constantly plagued her. with her new apprentice's tragedy she sees the possibility for every party involved to come away whole again.

An AU asking a few questions, namely a rule 63 spike, and the switching of roles, Barb to the elder guardian figure, and Twilight as the younger ward. Eventual barb/rarity romance, sex tags for those later chapters.