Princess Luna let out a very un-princess like groan as the lastest colt was lead out of the testing room. So far, every foal had been a bust. Not to say that any lacked magical ability. Far from it.

All were gifted. She was also glad that several non-unicorns had even tried. She had given high recommendations to her sister's school to all the parents so far.

One, a rainbow maned Pegasus, had come all the way from Cloudsdale by herself so she could, as she put it, "See the coolest castle ever!" And had got stuck in line. Admiring her spunk, Luna had recommended Rainbow Dash to her captain of the Shadowbolts.

She could still hear the filly's distant woop of "Best. Day. Ever!"

Chuckling, she turned to one of the Chiroptera guards. "All right. Who is next?"

The guard checked the list she was holding. "Last one. A miss Twilight Sparkle."

Luna perked up at the name. Ever since Cadance has mentioned her months before, she had wanted to meet her. They had locked eyes at the most recent festival. At that moment, Luna had felt a connection form, one like her sister had formed with Sunset Shimmer.

Or who Sunset had once been at least. That was something she and Celestia still needed to discuss.

A power that had not been seen for a thousand years had returned to Equestria. A power that still scared Luna half to death. One that, no matter what the Unicorn Guild said, she and her sister had no hope of matching.

But that was beside the point as the door opened and Twilight Sparkle trotted in. Luna could only hope that she was smart as her niece had said she was.

"Good evening miss Sparkle. I take it you are here for the test?" Twilight nodded excitedly, barely keeping herself from hopping excitedly in place. Luna giggled at the sight. "Very well then. The test ends when you open that door," she continued, pointing at the door next to her.

***

Twilight was confused. Was that it? Just open the door and the test was over? She was about to walk over and just that when something clicked in her mind.

"Wait a moment. She said the test ends. Not what the test is. Why?" She thought. After a moment of thinking it over, Twilight had an epiphany. "I hope this works."

***

Luna couldn't keep the grin off her face as she saw that Twilight understood. Just for a split second, she saw a six-pointed star flash in the filly's eyes. Even though she was no longer connected to them, she felt the Elements of Harmony begin to awaken from their slumber.

"The test ends when I open that?" Twilight asked. Luna nodded."Then, how do I pass the test?"

"By asking how you pass the test," Luna replied. "Congratulations by the way. You've passed. I'll need to discuss your room and board as my student with your parents."

Twilight couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a resounding "Yes!"

***

One week later.

Most days, Princess Celestia could sum up her day in one word: long. Very few things were worth her time and the stack of paper Raven Inkwell gave her every morning. And they seemed to be getting bigger.

Today though was an exception. Luna had come up for a visit and had even brought her new student with her. Twilight Sparkle had been in awe when they had first met. Celestia had held back a giggle. Sunset had been the same when they first met.

Speaking of the two, they were in another room at the moment, getting to know each other. It was the first time both sisters had both had students together.

Sunset was outgoing, friendly, and very snarky (Which Celestia believed had much to do with Morning Star and Evening Burst finally settling into their fusion.)

Twilight seemed more reserved and shy. More interested in books than making friends. Luna hoped the meeting with Sunset would change all that.

"So Luna. What is it like having your own student?" Celestia asked, taking a sip of her tea.

Luna slumped in her chair. "Tiring. How you do it day in and day out I'll never understand."

Both had retreated to Celestia's private room to avoid any distractions. The room itself overlooked Canterlot far below.

Celestia giggled. "I have been doing for longer. It does take time to get used to. But it is always worth it in the end. How is Twilight taking it?"

Luna smiled. "Rather well actually. Her parents let her stay in the castle this past week while we finished how her studies would go."

"And how will they go? From what I understand, she lives here in Canterlot correct?" Celestia asked.

Luna nodded. "Indeed. Since she does, I've set up a teleportation circle that connects her home with the castle. I will no take her away from her family, so I will only teach her during the night all week, Weekends optional."

Quirking an eyebrow, Celestia took another sip. "How will that help?"

Luna smiled. "Easy. From what Twilight Velvet tells me, her daughter is a night owl, reading well past her bedtime. So now, she has a reason to stay up so late."

Celestia nodded, but her gaze fell a moment later. "And now we come to another problem."

Luna frowned. "Tia. We cannot fight her. We didn't even make so much as a scratch on her a thousand years ago. And that was with Discord's and the Elements of Harmony's help."

Celestia frowned as well. "I know Luna. But why did she come back? I appreciate the damage mitigation from Sunset's birth. But what did she show to Evening and Morning? They're jumping at shadows now. They never did that before."

Luna shivered. "Do you remember what she showed us? It broke us. I still remember what she said to us then."

Celestia nodded. She remembered it as well. It still haunted her in her darkest moments

Do not make me come back. This universe will not live to see its next dawn if I do, and you two are at fault.

Said in a matter of fact tone. One that had unnerved even Discord. No malice. No threat. Just a plain statement of fact. None of them doubted she didn't mean it either.

She apparently had come back though. But she was apparently in a good mood since Equus was still there.

Author's Note

Yes, Sunset Shimmer is indeed a fusion of two different ponies. It's a Steven Universe style fusion, but with one major change to it.

Morning Star and Evening Burst can't unfuse. At all. The spell wasn't cast correctly. If it had been, then they could return to their normal selves, and Sunset would be something they both share together.

More will be explained in the next chapter.

As for Luna's test, I based it on another story where the idea was the same. It wasn't for Twilight. But the idea is there. I just can't remember what that story is called.