Big Macintosh stood precariously on the top rung of the picking ladder. He stretched and strained against the side of the barn to loop the end of the big banner to a bent nail. Finally he got it on and exhaled a sigh of relief. "That's one," he huffed.

Suddenly the other end of the banner floated up and hung itself easily on the second nail.

Big Mac glanced over his shoulder and laughed. "Welp, don't even need this here latter no more now that yer here." He slid down to the ground. "I'm glad ya came back. How've ya been?"

"Oh, you know me," shrugged Twilight. "Always busy with something… So, heh." She kicked a dirt clod absently and then swallowed. "I heard you wanted to talk to me about… something."

Big Mac's eyes fell to the ground as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, yeah… Um, so ya probably heard a lotta talk goin' 'round 'bout… us. I just had to set ya straight on somethin'."

Twilight could feel her face beginning to heat up as her eyes shifted around nervously. I knew it, she thought. I ruined this.

Big Mac began to blush. "This is real awkward to say but I just wanted to make sure you knew that we never actually… did it."

Twilight blinked, mystified by his claim to the point of thinking she must have heard him wrong. "Eh… We didn't?"

"Nope," he shook his head.

She thought back to all she could remember about the night and morning in question. "What exactly did we do if not… it?"

"We drank. Ya drank a lot, 'specially fer moonshine. Then you, um, prepositioned me rather… vigorously. I said we shouldn't. Ya didn't seem ta be okay with that 'cuz ya went in my room and done passed out on my bed."

Twilight covered her face in shame.

Big Mac looked down at the ground in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I shoulda just slept on the couch downstairs. Woulda saved us a whole lotta trouble. I don't know what I was thinkin'"

"No, Big Mac," she flailed. "Don't apologize for me stealing your bed. You didn't do anything wrong. It was just a bad situation. But… just out of, you know, curiosity, did you say no because I was drunk or because it was me?"

"'Cuz you were drunk," he replied. "Did you say yes 'cuz you were drunk or 'cuz it was me?

Twilight laughed nervously, "Well 'cuz, because it was you."

"Oh," he said, surprised,

Totality and Apple Bloom peered down on the two from the open hayloft window. They laid low with their muzzles at the edge.

"What's "it?"" whispered Apple Bloom.

That night, Twilight and Totality returned to Ponyville Cemetery to lay Spike to rest one last time. They both laughed when they realized that the earth over Spike's grave was still so loose that Twilight could just levitate it all out at once and they didn't even need shovels. She placed the little dragon carefully in the coffin and included his favorite bowtie, which they'd used in the ritual.

"I wish I had something to add to thank him for being an unwitting guinea pig for me," muttered Totality.

"You gave him a heart made out of around three pints of your own crystalized blood," offered Twilight.

"Oh yeah,"nodded Totality. "I guess that's something."

"It's been a real rollercoaster," sighed Twilight. "Goodbye, Spike." She set the lid back on the coffin.

Out of reverence, they buried him slower than they had the empty coffin on their previous trip, even though there remained a risk of being caught trespassing after dark.

"So you didn't want to sacrifice me even a little?" asked Totality as they departed from the big metal gates.

"No," groaned Twilight. "Now stop asking."

"That's good. A lot of things didn't go like we wanted, and I'm not just talking about the project, but if we were doing teacher evaluations, I'd say you met or exceeded expectations."

"Thanks," nodded Twilight. "That means a lot, since I know your expectations were pretty high."

"You put a lot of faith in me and basically let me drive that whole project by myself," Totality elaborated. "I've never gotten to do something like that before."

"It did give me a really good picture of your overall abilities. I have to say I'm very impressed with you as well."

"Thanks… too bad you can't put that in a letter though. Whatever. If I execute my thesis well enough, it'll be fine if I don't get a letter from you. I can always get a recommendation from a lesser name at my school anyway."

"Yeah," sighed Twilight. "I still can't write you that letter, exactly, but… I can do something more to help you."

Totality screwed up her face. "What?"

"You'll see… Maybe," she added with a hint of worry.

Princess Celestia walked slowly down the great hall, admiring each stained glass window as she went. She gazed into the enchanted window and became lost in thought until she heard the sound of approaching hooffalls. She turned to see a lone Shining Armor striding toward her.

Celestia squinted in confusion "Shining Armor? I thought you were posted at the south gate."

Shining stopped before her. "Yes, well, you see-" The visage of Shining Armor dispersed in an instant to reveal Twilight Sparkle. "I'm not really Shining Armor."

Celestia's eyes widened in surprise. "Twilight Sparkle?" she stamped her hoof with rage and thundered, "Guards!"

Twilight collapsed on the floor in submissive fear and covered her head. "Please, Princess Celestia," she pleaded. "Just hear what I have to say and then I'll leave. I-it's not even about me or you."

The doors burst open and a hoofful of royal guards filed in.

"Wait," commanded Celestia. "Very well, Twilight. Arise and state your business," she spat coldly.

Twilight tried not to shake as she got up on four hooves again and looked Celestia in the eyes. "I wanted to tell you about a student applying for Canterlot Academy."

Celestia's face softened. "You came to Canterlot, disguised yourself as the captain of the guard, infiltrated the castle, and risked coming here to speak with me directly about a potential student?"

Twilight gritted her teeth "Yes? You're no longer responding to my letters, and she's such an incredible self motivated student. I'd be remiss if I didn't do everything in my power to help her succeed. She's been studying under me during the break between her junior and senior year. In just the short amount of time I've spent with her thus far, I've been utterly shocked by her well rounded knowledge, multifaceted problem solving abilities, and scientific acumen. She'd make a more than worthy addition to the academy's enrollment." She took a deep breath, fearing she might scuttle Totality's chances instead of help them. "I know my words don't carry the same weight that they used to, but-"

Celestia interjected. "Actions speak louder than words, Twilight. If you would do all this for a student, then I have no choice but to believe she is as remarkable as you say."

"Thank you," breathed Twilight, in relief. She produced a rolled parchment and levitated it to Celestia. "This is her name and information."

Celestia took the paper and scanned it.

Twilight started to say something more, but realized that her 'business' was concluded and she should leave while she was still ahead of the game.

"Well, that's- that's all. See you… never, I guess." Twilight sighed and then turned away, walking slowly toward the awaiting guards.

Celestia glanced up from the paper with a defeated expression. That was really it, she thought in amazement. Twilight came all the way here merely to help one student. "How infuriating," she muttered under her breath.

"Wait," called Celestia.

Twilight froze and glanced back over her shoulder.

"Twilight Sparkle, I concede you've made it all but impossible for me to hold the high ground in this squabble. I can't in good conscience maintain this meritless grudge against you. The fact of the matter is that your absence has been an unwarranted loss for you, I, and the school. I can't let pettiness get in the way any longer. Will you accept my apology... and your old position?"

Twilight lost her breath as tears came to her eyes. "Really?" she sniffed.

"Yes, Twilight," she nodded. "I'm sorry. This should never have happened."

"Yes," cried Twilight," spinning around. "Thank you!" She dropped to her knees with head bowed.

Celestia placed a hoof under Twilight's chin to lift her up. "Don't thank me, Twilight. I'm simply righting a wrong."