With Shining Armor and Princess Cadence coming to visit, Twilight will do her best to make sure their visit is one worth remembering! That is… of course… if nothing goes wrong.
Summer in Ponyville is always nice, and with the visit of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence coming to the humble town, Twilight Sparkle is doing her best to make sure that their stay is lovely.
But when Twilight receives a note, two days before the Royal Couple are expected to arrive, things start to go wrong. And when things start to go wrong, it can only do one of two things.
Summer was blossoming the great land of Equestria. Celestia’s sun was warm, and Luna’s nights were cool. The trees and lands were alive with loving care and fortuitous spirit, as nature burst alive with every passing day. Apples were growing, the skies were clear, and the grass was green. The lands and towns were warm, and Ponyville was no different.
Town Square was filled with the hoof steps of ponies wandering to and from their daily business, with the Market Square bustling with ponies buying and selling produce and other odds and ends.
Ponies were browsing the stalls to and fro, their eyes glancing over what the stalls had to offer. Now and again, something in the corner of their eye catching their attention.
One purple alicorn, sprinting from stall to stall, was something that took a bit more than the Corner of the eye.
Twilight ran up to the next stall, a chubby stallion with a brown coat, and dark brown mane; stood on the other side of the table. He blinked as Twilight’s bugged eyes looked over his produce, her hoof pointing down at his crate of carrots.
“Twelve of those please!” She smiled widely at him. Sweat was running down her forehead; whether this was from the heat, or her rapidity in “Browsing” the market stalls.
“Twelve?” He asked. “As you wish, princess; but I should inform ya, we have a sale on Carrots this week. Fifteen for the price of ten. If that interests you, of course.” A smile flaunted on his face as he looked at the mare. Her eyes bugged slightly more, a small twinge of a twitch in her left eye.
“TWELVE!” She called out into his face, causing him to back away slightly as the alicorn neared him.
“Ugh… y-yes ma’am…”
The stallion leant over the table, picking carrots up and putting them into a bag, watching the princess watching him do so with a look of discomfort. He watched as her head quickly switched around, her turning away from him.
“Come on Spike… where are you… We’re running behind schedule and we don’t have the Daisies yet!”
She blinked, looking down at the touch of claws resting on her right hind leg. The young dragon was leant against her, panting slowly.
“You… do remember…… some of us… can’t fly… right?” He panted out, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
“Sorry Spike. We’re just so busy! But now we Have the Carrots! So let’s mark it off!”
Spike caught his breath, nodding as he took up the scroll, checking off the picture of carrots with a swipe of quill. “Carrots check. Next up is Eggplants. … Eggplants?” He raised an eyebrow. “Who wants Eggplants?
“We need more. Shining Armor and Cadence are going to be here in two days, and I can’t afford to NOT have Eggplants if they want them!”
“Hmm… I thought we were prepping for their visit, not grocery shopping.”
“We ARE preparing! And we’re running out of time!”
“Twilight… Rarity and Fluttershy are cleaning the castle, Rainbow Dash is making sure the weather’s nice, Pinkie and Applejack are sorting the food. AND it’s two days. Besides, it’s not a formal visit, right?”
“No! No of course it isn’t!”
Spike looked up at the purple princess. Her face was contorted into an awkward smile, her eyes darting around slightly. It took him a few seconds, before he sighed, rolling the list back up and putting the quill behind one of the scales on his head.
“You had Rarity and Fluttershy put up Crystal Empire Tapestries again, didn’t you…”
“…… Just two!”
Pinching the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb, Spike mumbled in reply to the mare. “Go and take them down… I’ll sort the groceries…”
“Are you sure? We still have half of the list to finish, and it’s only two Tapestries…”
“Go ahead, I’ll take care of it. Besides… WAS it two?”
“Yes. It… WAS… two.”
“And now?”
Twilight opened her mouth, as if to retort to the Dragon’s comment. Shortly afterwards, she closed it again, sighing in defeat.
“Oh the castle looks Divine, don’t you think so, Fluttershy?” Squeaked the white unicorn mare as she stood within the map room of the grand castle.
The summer’s sun gave the crystalline hallways an aura of light, and essence; the wisps of light caressing each wall and ceiling that everypony would walk down. The map table itself had been cleaned to a shine; the Golden Oak Chandelier sitting above it, its layered crystals forming patterns and intricate designs that were illuminated by the sun’s gaze. Four Tapestries were hung up upon the walls in this room alone, icons of the Crystal Empire accented on their faces, long and delicate as they hung softly from the walls.
“It looks lovely. But… um… don’t you think it might be… ugh… too much?” The pegasus softly replied to her friend as she hovered in the air, gently polishing the Oak.
“Too much? Fluttershy! This is Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and the soon-to-be Royal Baby!! Hehehe!” She gleefully hopped on her hooves at the thought, excitement jittering through her bones at the thought of the Royal Couple and their little Filly, or Foal.
“It’s still Twilight’s Brother. After seeing how she decorated his room, I think he prefers the…… Simplistic Touch.”
“Yes yes, while I do admit that Shining Armor’s choice of ‘Decor’ was rather… shall we say, Standard…”
Sugar spilled from the sentence, memories of Shining Armor’s room when the couple announced the baby, coming back to her. “He is still Guardian of the Crystal Empire. Personal effects are for the Personal touch. This, is Official!”
“Is it?”
“Quite frankly, darling; I don’t really know." Her magic wrapped softly around a small frill in the tapestry, smoothing its formation. "Twilight seemed adamant, however she is at a point where her… professional opinion may be a touch… skewed.”
The Pegasus frowned. “I hope she’s not pushing herself too hard.”
The doors to the room creaked open. The two mares turned their heads towards them, as a familiar Purple Alicorn trotted in slowly, her magic currently holding a large selection of tapestries beside her. As she entered the room, her magic was cast over the four that also hung upon the walls, as they were taken down.
“Good afternoon, Twilight.”
“Hey girls.” She mumbled.
“Dear, why-ever are we taking the tapestries down? We just finished putting them up.”
The alicorn sighed. “Cos it’s not a formal visit. It’s my brother and my sister-in-law coming to visit; and I shouldn’t be panicking myself over decorations and design for an informal visit from family.”
Rarity frowned slightly. “Spike?”
“Spike…”
As the tapestries joined the ever-growing collection, Rarity’s frown turned into a moping annoyance. Fluttershy glanced down at her friend.
“Um… would… ugh… would you like me to go and… give Rainbow Dash the bits?”
“If you wouldn’t mind…” Rarity replied with irritation, her purse floating in her magic as ten bits came from within.
The bits hovered up to Fluttershy as she took them in her hooves. She nodded with a light smile as she softly left the room.
Twilight blinked. “Um… did you two bet on Spike talking to me about this?”
“Hmm? Oh heavens no dear! Of course not! Eheheh…” She awkwardly replied. The alicorn seemed to remain unsure, though a shrug following the gaze quickly wrote it off as she trotted towards the inner rooms to collect even More Tapestries.
The doors closed behind her, leaving the magic marshmallow to herself; grumbling alone.
“We bet if you would take the tapestries down or not…”
Spike loaded the last bag of groceries into the large cart, all of them just squeezing into place to be able to fit snugly. Clapping the dust from his hands with a smile, he looked at the Tetris-Precision layering of the bags and sacks.
“Thanks for lending me a cart, Applebloom. I couldn’t have gotten all this back without it.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled at the Dragon, standing proud that they had aided someone once more; the Cutie Marks on their flanks still shone bright since the day they had obtained them.
“Happeh t’help Spike.” The young apple said. “But ugh… are y’sure y’can get this back?”
Tilting his head, Spike took another glance at the cart. It was full. Of heavy food. And it was the cart Big Mac used. The CMC had only gotten it here by joint effort.
“Oh… ugh… I don’t suppose you guys ugh… Cutie Mark Crusader, Cart Pullers?” He offered, a "winning" smile in addition to two thumbs up in hope.
“Tried it.” Scootaloo muttered. “Fell down a cliff.”
“Oh.” He sighed. The cart was a daunting sight. A big stallion like Big Mac could pull it, and probably Applejack as well; but Spike was neither of those Ponies.
Waddling to the harness, he tugged on it. Putting all of his weight into dragging the heavy cart even a fragment of distance would be enough to convince the little dragon that he had a point to looking like the idiot he was making himself out as.
Alas. With his feet skidding across the earthy floor in desperate battles to try and move the great wagon, he only succeeded in working up a sweat.
“Phew… Okay… that isn’t gonna work…” He tapped his clawed fingers against his chin, looking around the square for something. Anything. A sign of inspiration, or aid.
“Hmm… your brother’s busy, right?”
“Uh huh. Big Mac’s doin’ his chores.”
“And Applejack?”
“… Sortin’ YER food fer Twilight’s Brother’s visit; r’member?”
“And Rarity and Fluttershy are sorting the castle… Pinkie’s baking… Scoot, know where Rainbow Dash is?”
“I haven’t seen her today.” She replied, glancing up to the sky.
Spike sighed. “Great. Guess I’m-“ He stopped, stunted in his own breath. The back of his throat began to burn as a deep bubble formed within his gullet.
His cheeks blew up, the heat within then growing with the magical flames. He let out a strong belch, as a scroll formed in the free flames. He shook his head; the sudden message delivery catching him off-guard; picking up the scroll when he regained his form.
He opened the scroll, and glanced over its words, mumbling to himself as he spoke the words incoherently in a babble.
Spike’s expression drooped as he glanced over the words, rereading them to just confirm to himself what they said. He hummed curiously, rolling the scroll back up.
“Everything okay?” Sweetie Belle perked up to the Dragon.
“Yeah, just gotta deliver a message to Twilight when I get back.”
“What did the scroll say?”
A grimace shortly spread over Spike’s mouth, looking down at the paper in his grasp.
“Ugh… I think I oughta tell Twilight before anyone else.”
“Okay.”
“Do ya wan’ us t'get this back?” Applebloom offered to the dragon, a sweet smile as she gestured.
“Ugh… are y’sure you can manage? I mean it’s pretty big and heavy…”
“Relax Spike. We can take care of it.” Scootaloo grinned as she flittered her wings. “Go ahead to Twilight. Oh! And can you ask her where Rainbow Dash is?”
“Sure. I’d like to know myself, to be fair. Thanks again girls!” Spike waved back to the once more before turning off towards the castle. His little legs carried him off towards his destination; leaving the Cutie Mark Crusaders to look back at their task.
“And… how are we meant to get this back to the castle?” Sweetie Belle quirked to her two compatriots.
Applebloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle for a few moments, then turned to one another. A small smirk began to form at the corner of their mouths, slowly and steadily growing larger as they looked back to the Unicorn.
Sweetie Belle blinked with confusion at the two, then glanced upwards; to the Horn upon her forehead. Looking back down, the two had a manure-eating grin on their faces.
“…and… how many did you say you had put up?” Hummed a pale yellow pegasus, herself and Rarity frowning at the, once, small pile of tapestries; that had now seemingly evolved into a large hulking mass of almost sixty of the bundles.
Twilight chuckled lightly as she looked at the pile. “Two…”
“That's a funny looking two…”
She sighed. “I know… I just wanted to make their visit special. I haven’t had chance to see them properly since they announced the baby. I’ve wanted to see them, but…”
“We know, darling. Royal Business and everything.”
“It’s not just that. When I’ve gone to visit them, business here has sprung up; with the Map, or something in town… or other things… and when they’ve come to visit, the travel has made Cadence sick.”
Rarity wandered towards Twilight, laying a hoof on her shoulder. “Well that’s not too farfetched, Twilight. Pregnancy does that to a mare.”
“I know. I’m not blaming any pony; I’m just happy I can see them.” She smiled.
“How are they getting here? I-If the train makes Cadence ill…”
“They’re arriving by carriage. They wanted something ‘Soft, Subtle and Scenic.’” Twilight replied with a smile. She blinked at her words, chuckling a bit. “Maybe THAT should’ve been my spark on the tapestries…”
“Well the tapestries aside, is there anything else we can do for you, dear?”
Twilight glanced around the room one final time. The table was gleaming, the Golden Oak was sparkling with each of crystal, and the walls reflected the incoming light immaculately throughout the room, and the connecting corridors.
“No. Thank you both; it looks great.”
The two mares smiled and nodded to her.
“It was our pleasure.” Fluttershy sweetly opened up to her friend.
“Well thank you, anyway. I’m sure Spike and I can handle the rest of the day. Just as soon as he gets back with the groceries.”
“Very well then dear. Have a lovely day.”
Rarity smiled as she wandered towards the front entrance, Fluttershy waving to the Alicorn slightly as she flew just after her friend. The doors closed behind them in a dark pink glow, that emanated from her horn.
“Right…” She turned to the pile of tapestries. “Guess I can send YOU back to the Canterlot… where did I leave that box…?”
Her hooves guided her out of the room and into the hallways, Twilight mumbling to herself softly as she starred at the ground. The pitter-patter of feet waddled up to her slowly.
“Ugh… Twilight…”
She looked up. “Ah Spike, excellent. Where did we put the crates for storage? I need them for the tapestries.”
“A crate? For two?” He folded his arms, the scroll sitting idly in his right hand, resting against his chest. He raised an eyebrow with the question.
“… Um…… yes?”
“Uh huh… Sure I know where they are, but-“
“Oh good. Well when you’re done with the groceries, we can-… Um… Spike, where are the groceries?”
“They’re coming… Eventually… listen, um… this came for you.” Unfolding his arms, he offered the scroll out to the Mare; a sombre look upon his face.
She tilted her head to the sight, taking the scroll up in her magic. It unfurled, as her eyes scanned over the words.
Her gaze soon turned dull, her eyes cast downwards upon the ground, as if it was more worth looking at than the words upon the scroll.
Her smile had all but faded into a frown. The scroll softly rerolled itself, and landed back into Spike’s hand. He looked down at it, then back up as Twilight plonked down onto her haunches, a sigh of disappointment cast from her nostrils.
“…I’m sorry Twilight.” Spike mumbled, putting his free hand on her shoulder. “I know you was looking forward to this.”
Her stare faltered none; still fixated upon the blank spot of floor between them. Tossing the scroll over his shoulder, Spike pulled his dear Alicorn into a small, but sweet hug, the letter rolling itself out over the floor as her own hooves wrapped around the dragon, as her head leant against his shoulder.
Its contents were short, to the point, and sharp as a knife.
Twilight sat at the map table, staring down upon the scroll.
The map room was silent, empty apart from the Alicorn herself. Her face rested in her hooves, eyes skimming over the words slowly, as if looking for some hidden message to explain the letter.
“‘Twilight. We can’t come this weekend. Sorry. Shining Armor’… No explanation. No hello, not even 'Dear Twilight'… Did I do something wrong?”
The door creaked open, the small Dragon's head peaking inside, looking at the mare who continued to read the letter.
“Ugh… Twilight. The groceries are all packed away. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are wondering if everything’s alright… whadya want me to tell them?”
“... Just Royal business, I don't wanna bother them."
"Alright… are you okay?"
She sighed weakly, still not moving her eyes from the scroll. "Not really…"
"Maybe Cadence just couldn't make the journey."
"Maybe. But if it were that simple, Shining would've told me; right?"
"Ugh… good point…" The dragon mumbled, scratching his head. "Anything I can do to help?"
She glanced up to Spike, finally leaving the confounds of the scroll. "…No, it's fine. Thanks for helping with the groceries."
He smiled, holding a salute to his Princess. "Happy to help. I'll go tell the CMC. You… want me to go tell the others?"
"Please."
A firm nod and a kind smile, the young dragon turned out of the room; once again leaving Twilight to her thoughts, her ideas, and the scroll. Her eyes dropped down to it, once again.
Her eyes glazed over the words, over and over again; as if they were taunting her with something she couldn't see. About twenty minutes had passed by since Spike left, the Alicorn still melancholic over the words before her.
Had she said something?
Was her desire to see her Brother and Sister-in-law bothering them?
Did they not want to come?
Had something happened?
The doors creaked open, finally forcing the mare to look up. Spike held the door open as her friends all walked in, all with a look of support to their faces.
"Spike told us the news, dear. Are you alright?"
Twilight's magic covered the note as it slid along the table to the other side. The five mares gathered around the southern end of the table, their eyes reading over the words. A short letter, it didn't take long for them to finish.
"Wait wait… that's it?" Rainbow popped the question, her eyebrow raised as she looked to Twilight.
"That's it." The reply came, the purple alicorn's head rested against one hoof.
Rarity's face frowned as she gestured down at the letter. "I usually start my letters with 'Hello' or 'Dear' or at least 'To'. This is rather abrupt of Shining Armor."
Applejack began to trot her way over to Twilight on the other side of the table. "Ah don' see why Shinin' Armor would jus' up'an' stop. He's yer brother, he loves ya. An' Cadence loves ya too."
"Then why the letter?"
Pinkie stared down into the letter, a sneer in her eyes as she glared into it. "Is this real? Is this a joke?"
"Pinkie Pie! Why ever would you consider this being a joke?"
"Well when they announced the baby, they said they'd be a day late; and they came anyway…"
"That was a misunderstanding, and a time mistake though. And they just said they would be late." Twilight began. "This just says they… aren't coming."
"I'm sure Shining Armor has a reason for this." Fluttershy spoke out with a smile.
"He better have." Grumbled the rainbow-maned pegasus, flapping her wings abruptly. "I spent all morning making sure the sky would be clear on the day!"
Applejack rolled her eyes at the tomcolt, instead turning to Twilight and putting a supportive hoof on her shoulder. "Ah know yer hurtin', but why don'cha try sendin' a letter back? If he were in a rush, maybe now he's got a minute."
The purple princess turned to the Apple Bucker, taking in her words.
If Shining Armor was rushed when he sent the letter, maybe seeing if he was free for an explanation would work.
"I suppose it can't hurt."
"Exactly! Heck, ah bet this'll be a big misun'erstandin'!"
A smile crept onto the alicorn's face for the first time in a few hours. She nodded to the Apple, turning to Spike.
"Spike, take a letter."
He smiled back, quickly running to the side of the room to grab a blank scroll, and a quill.
Dear Shining Armor.
I don't understand your last letter. Has something happened that you need aid with? We are all at your call, if you need us; you need only send the reply asking for it.
I hope nothing is wrong; but if you can explain to me your last letter, it would help.
Your loving Sister.
Twilight Sparkle.
Spike rolled the scroll up, tying the ribbon around its spine. He held it up, blowing his Dragonfire onto its form; the paper burning into a jade mist, and flittering out of the window.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as she watched the smoke leave the castle.
"Ugh… don't those letters go to Princess Celestia?"
"They do. But Spike received the message, which means the Princess sent it, so I assume she's nearby-" Twilight stopped herself mid-sentence, the realisation hitting her. "…which means that… either she's at the Crystal Empire…"
"Or Shining Armor is at Canterlot." Rarity finished, raising a hoof to the table excitedly. "The plot thickens, ladies!"
"Ahem…"
She blinked at the cough, looking down at the dragon still holding the quill in his claws; a raised eyebrow looking to her expectantly.
"Oh and obviously the lovely dragon as well."
"Thank you. So ugh… what now?"
Twilight turned to the Dragonling. "There's no reason to go running off if it's nothing. I suppose we just await a reply."
"We're here if you need us, Twilight." Hummed out the fair yellow Pegasus.
"Thank you. All of you."
The rest of the girls all smiled to Twilight, Pinkie's wider than the rest for no reason, other than it was Pinkie.
"Tell us when ya get the letter, Twi. We'll come'a runnin'."
"Thanks girls. I'll come find you once I get a reply. Hopefully this is all one big misunderstanding."
A resounding nod came from the girls as they began to make their way out of the room, each exchanging words before the door shut behind them.
The room remained with the two residents of the castle, a dim quiet between them. The purple mare's eyes drifted to the dragon.
"I hope he's okay."
"Aww come on, Twilight. He's your brother. He's been mind controlled, his kingdom was nearly destroyed, his magic was stolen…"
He stopped as he watched the mare raise a skeptical eyebrow to him, clearly requesting he get to the point. He smiled weakly. "What I'm saying is, he's been through a lot. Whatever it is, I'm sure he can handle it."
Twilight's anxiety and stress didn't subside one speck as an entire day passed by; with no words from her brother, her sister-in-law, or even Princess Celestia.
Something was clearly going on that Shining Armor and Cadence couldn't speak with her; but for Princess Celestia to also not reply to her message, even to say that it had been received, was beyond something Twilight had experienced.
Her hooves clopped around the grand halls of the castle, pacing back and forth down each corridor, awaiting the calls of Spike as a letter would, undoubtedly, return.
Right?
"Has something happened in Canterlot? Are the princesses alright? No no, of course they are; the Sun and Moon rose normally… But if nothing's wrong, then why haven't I heard anything back?"
She tapped onto the floor, desperately trying to drudge some sense into the situation. Too many questions, and basically zero answers.
"Think, Twilight, Think…"
"Twilight!"
The plopping of little feet running down the corridor shone out like a great beacon of hope behind her, Twilight's head quickly turning to the voice. Spike was jogging towards her, with a scroll in his claws.
"I haven't read it yet, but it came a couple minutes ago."
"Finally! Some answers!"
Taken in her magic, the ribbon on the scroll unfurled as the page floated out in front of the mare, as her Dragon quickly made his way beside her to read it over her shoulder.
My dearest Twilight.
I am afraid that I cannot explain Shining Armor's last letter to you. I have answers, yet they are ones I cannot give openly.
I would suggest coming to Canterlot, as soon as possible.
All I recommend, is come with an open heart, and open hooves.
Princess Celestia.
Twilight stared at Celestia's immaculately scribed words upon the page, still comprehending the text.
Something was clearly not right.
But what did she mean 'An open heart, and open hooves'.
Had something happened to somepony?
"Twilight?"
Blinking, Twilight shook the cobwebs from her head, looking to Spike once more. His eyes showed concern; not just for the words on the page, but for the mare reading them.
"Uh… yeah?"
"You want me to go get the others?"
Attentive as always, was her little dragon. The smallest smile lit on her face as she looked to him.
"Please… and thank you, Spike."
He nodded, turning back to his origin point and jogging off into Ponyville; where five mares awaited his word.
Her eyes fell back to the scroll again; Scrolls seemed to be nothing more than bearers of bad news, the last two days.
"Shining Armor… Cadence… what's going on…"
Running over the words one final time, Twilight coiled it up and galloped back into the map room.
The prismatic pegasus looked at the scroll curiously, as did the rest of Twilight's friends. "An open heart, and open hooves? What in the hay is that supposed to mean?"
"Soun's like somethin's amock. We better get our hinds movin'."
Rarity smiled to the farmer. "I agree, and the sooner we leave, the better."
Twilight smiled at them all. "Thank you… I checked the schedule before you all arrived. The next train for Canterlot leaves in half an hour; so let's move out!"
A firm nod came from each of them, as the group of seven friends all began to make their way towards the exit of the castle. Murmurs echoed between the fare mares, as Spike plodded alongside his dear alicorn.
Her eyes were forward, but a glaze coated them.
He had seen the look on her face before. It was a gaze of a full mind, but empty head. She was thinking. Hard.
With a slight frown, he watched as the others wandered forward. He could catch up with them, knowing that Twilight's automatic steps would lead her to their destination regardless. But his mind was telling him to stick by her side. Whatever was going on, Twilight's mind must've been in tatters.
While she knew that answers were a simple train journey away, Twilight's anxiety hadn't wavered. The letter spoke urgently, and Celestia herself has replied to it, not her brother. Something had happened, and the letter hadn't given her any answers. If anything, it only fed the flames of her already frazzled brain, into asking so many more questions.
If Celestia was replying, she must've been alright, but what could possibly have happened for both Shining Armor, and Princess Celestia to be in the same place, but him not be able to respond to her?
Was Shining Armor injured? Had Sombra somehow returned to entrap the Crystal Empire again?
"-light."
Had some dark entity come from the alternative universe? If so, was Sunset and the rest of the human world alright? Had the Sirens returned with renewed magic? Or fixed their pendants? Perhaps they had regained their magic, and come back through the portal. The portal in her own castle, no less!
Whatever happened to the mirror in Canterlot? She would have to have Spike remind her to ask.
"Twi-…"
What about Tirek? Had he escaped Tartarus again? Or maybe Chrysalis and the Changlings had returned after their defeat by Shining Armor and Cadence? Perhaps they were back for revenge! Or… had Shining Armor been mimicked by a Changling? Or Cadence again? Or even Celestia herself?
"Twilight?"
Discord couldn't have returned to his chaotic ways, could he? He was friends with them now. Surely the actions against Tirek would have shown him that.
Had all of the evil forces the six of them had fought since she moved to Ponyville banded together, and Princess Celestia was the sole escapee of some grand villainous attack on the entire land of Equestria? Was Celestia a captive of the Changling hordes, now playing soldiers for the diabolical rulers of evil? Was the letter a ruse to get the Elements of Harmony into the castle dungeon, unaware of the fate that would befall them?!
Were all of the horrible realities that Starlight Glimmer had shown her all coming true at once?!
"TWILIGHT!"
Three quick successive clicks of small clawed fingers snapped infront of Twilight's face, knocking the cobwebs from her mind. She blinked hard, shaking her head as she glanced up; Spike and the rest of her friends all staring at her with confusion, and concern.
"Huh?" She mumbled.
"You've been blanked out ever since we left the castle."
"Y'sure yer gonna be okay, Sugarcube?"
Her eyes gazed slowly at them all, a slow sigh escaping her nostrils.
"Yeah… I'll be fine. Just… my head getting away from me. What's important, is that we're needed in Canterlot. My questions will be answered when we get there."
Fluttershy nodded to her sweetly. "Well if you wanted to talk about anything, we have ten minutes before the train arrives."
The alicorn blinked, finally turning her head around to see where they were.
The Ponyville train station.
She grimaced weakly, rubbing her hoof to her forehead.
"Ugh… did I doze off all the way here?"
"Mhmm." The pink pony hopped around her. "We were asking you questions, but you were just staring at the ground, mumbling to yourself. But you seemed to be following us, so we figured we'd wait until you got here to wake you up, so that you didn't walk in front of the train or something."
"Ugh… fair enough."
"… A million questions runnin' through your head?'
Twilight turned her gaze back down to the dragon stood beside her, his previous look of mild irritation converted into a solemn smile. If anyone could tell what Twilight was thinking, it was him.
She smiled weakly, knowing she couldn't get passed him. "A million and one…"
"Well it's like you said. We'll get to Canterlot, find Princess Celestia, and get the answers we were looking for, right?"
"I know Spike, but what if-"
A small, claws hand held itself up before her. She looked down at Spike, wondering why he'd interrupted her with 'The Claw'.
"Is Ponyville on Fire?"
She blinked, tilting her head at him at his strange question.
"Um… no…"
"So Tirek's still in Tartarus. Is it raining pies?"
Twilight smiled, weakly, but it was a genuine smile. Spike was doing his best to help her calm her mind, and feel better; just as he always had done when her brain was prone to exploding. He was showing her how silly some of her 'Theories' were.
"No. It's not." She replied with a sincere look, allowing the dragon to finish his point.
"So Discord's still our buddy. Is Fluttershy a Changling?"
The smile slipped. That wasn't exactly a point she could ascertain. Turning her head to the pegasus in mention; Her horn lit up slightly as a spell began to charge.
A force-reveal spell; one that she had discovered after seeing the salve that alternate Zecora had made to detect Changlings. In case they ever DID return, she decided to research it.
The spell shot out at the pegasus, a light purple glimmer spreading out over her quickly, but smoothly; a low, quivering moan leaving her maw.
As quickly as the spell appeared, it was gone, and Fluttershy clamped her hooves over her mouth, her face quickly turning a burning red shade, her pupils pinpricks as they darted around her group of friends. Beads of sweat dared to roll down her forehead as they all stared at her.
Inquisitively.
"…… I'm gonna chalk that up as a… no…"
Spike scratched his scales uncomfortably. "Ugh… right… yeah anyway, what I'm trying to say Twilight, is that yeah; you've got a million questions to be answered. But they're overzealous. No evil sorcerer from Tartarus, no world changing chaos, no love-stealing armies. The only important question that needs answering right now, is 'Is Everypony alright?'. Yeah?"
She smiled. The little dragon could work wonders when he saw his friends in turmoil. She leant down to him, wrapping a hoof around him softly to bring him into a hug.
"Thank you Spike…"
Feeling the hug be reciprocated, she leant against him a little more.
"Anytime."
"Hey, the Train's rollin' in!" Rainbow called from over Twilight's shoulder. "C'mon!"
The dazzling Equestrian landscape passed by the window of the train car, the peaceful chugging of the locomotive carrying its passengers with a soft sway that made the environment around them seem to bounce and breath as they gazed, the soft grasslands, and pathways having a life of their own.
Twilight's gaze seemed as blank as before, as she stared into nothing of any repute. The rest of her friends were discussing issues of the day, events passed by, or even what they were going to do once they reached the city.
She could have sworn that, outside of finding out what was going on with Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash and Rarity definitely had inklings of going off into the grander areas of the city; Pinkie and Spike seemed rather content with just going and gorging at Joe's Donut shop until everyone was done with their 'work', such as it was; and Fluttershy and Applejack didn't really seem to care about afterwards. More than likely, Applejack would end up either going and browsing the stalls, or maybe just finding somewhere quiet to take a rest. Fluttershy… well the sweet pegasus could find animals to play with anywhere.
As long as their wasn't a repeat of the first Grand Galloping Gala, of course.
While everypony was in spirits of speaking of commonplace, the tension of the situation could be cut through with a knife. The way they spoke, the slowness of what they spoke of, she could tell that they were concerned for what was going on, just as she was.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see one or two of them throw her a caring look now and again, but she didn't turn to acknowledge it.
As Spike said. The only important question was 'Is Everypony alright?', and she had to keep that in her mind.
Whatever the answer was. Or might be. Or might end up being.
For either side of the story.
A comforting hoof rested onto Twilight's shoulder; its softness massaging the knots in the muscle lightly. She turned her gaze away from the window, to the orange mare sat beside her with a friendly smile.
"Ah dunno whatcha thinkin' Twi, but this is yer brother yer thinkin' about. Big brothers are pr'tective of their li'l sisters, take it from me 'r Applebloom."
Her smile contorted into a chuckle, a short snort hidden within. Heheh… heck, Rainbow could tell ye about th'last Sisterhooves Social."
A snirtle coming from the prismatic pegasus as Applejack brought up the memory. "Oh don't make me- ahaha!" Rainbow barely held herself at the memory of Big Macintosh on the day, pounding her hoof on the seat beside her.
"Ah'm told he wore those heels be'dder than you ever coulda, Rainbow."
Her laughter halted, a quick blink bringing the prismatic mare to recognition of the phrase. "Hey! I mean… probably… I mean… Who told you that?!"
Twilight chuckled to herself as Rainbow fell over her words. With such good friends by her side to help her through every endeavour, she could take on anything. Apocalypse, Assimilation, War, and Chaos itself; nothing would break them apart, or break her.
The city of regality, majesty, where everypony was somepony; the great, utopian structures and design of the city and its features complimenting the very breath of the upper half.
Ponies wandered its streets, carrying bags containing Celestia-knows-what in them all, as pegasi and unicorns alike hauled potential dozens of large shopping bags around.
While her family was rather well off, especially given how… prestigious herself and her brother had become in society, Twilight never really saw any point in 'Shopping Sprees'.
Rarity had offered for her to accompany her on multiple large fashion trips, but Twilight would often decline; mostly due to a previously scheduled library pre-evaluation reshelving, which was usually then followed by the evaluative reshelving itself, and then a Post-evaluative reshelving, to check that her pre-evaluative, and evaluative reshelvings, had done their evaluations well enough to not garner a Post-Post-evaluation reshelving.
Or as Spike said '"She's doing books again."'
Twilight HAD indulged Rarity on one spree, back before her ascension, though Rarity quickly found out that taking Twilight Sparkle into the Canterlot Royal Library to check 'One little book on sewing' was… unwise, was the word Rarity used.
Both Twilight and Rarity enjoyed the day, regardless.
Despite the fact that Twilight didn't leave the library.
For the entire day.
While Rarity went and shopped.
Alone.
The trot to the castle was sombre. It was early midday, so many ponies were either finishing lunch at one of the many café's, or were going about their business as per the norm in the city. The cool setting, warm air, and familiar streets let Twilight's mind wander, yet again.
Shining Armor and Cadence must have already been on their way to Ponyville to stop in Canterlot, surely? Or did they come here specifically? Were they called? Canterlot WAS en route to Ponyville from the Crystal Empire after all…
When had they arrived in Canterlot? Had they been here long? Did they plan on staying long? Were they going to come at all? Or did something drastic happen in the city?
Sweat began to form on Twilight's forehead as she considered the possibilities of what may have occurred.
Celestia said to come with an open heart, and open hooves. Had Shining Armor been injured? Was there an attack on the city, and he had been hurt in its defence? Cadence had been quiet, was she caring for her husband while Celestia wrote to Twilight?
It began to make sense. Shining Armor must have written the first letter with the last bit of his strength, before passing out from the horrible attack! He was brutally injured, and Cadence was caring for him at his side; that's why Celestia was the one to write back to them! Oh gosh, what could have happened to her brother to put him in such a state?! Chrysalis? Tirek? Discord? Discord wouldn't just MAIM a pony, but Chrysalis and Tirek might. Chrysalis imprisoned Cadence and sieged the city, and Tirek… well Twilight knew full well what Tirek had the potential of doing.
What was she going to do? She could only sit there with her sister-in-law and watch over her brother until he awoke from whatever horrible fate had become of him.
Twilight's internal breakdown was quickly interrupted. A firm yank on her wings, something wrapping around her, and a quick collection of yells; the lavender mare let out a shrill cry before falling back onto her flank.
Shaking her head out of the daze she had fallen into, she looked up at the sight before her. Three Earth pony stallions were all stood there, connected to a large, and she meant large, wagon of goods; and they were… staring at her.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were both flying up at the top of the Cart, holding it, and its contents, from moving forwards. Rarity's soft blue magic was held around the three stallions.
Twilight's gaze was shuddering slightly as she glanced around, several other ponies watching with mumbles and murmurs. A few upper-classes went about their business rather quickly, but a few onlookers were still there.
Her head turned about.
Pinkie's hooves had a firm hold around her hind legs, Applejack's around her midriff, and Spike had a grip on both of her wings.
She blinked as the realisation dawned on her of where she was.
She was in the road.
She'd walked into traffic.
"Oh… o-oh oh m-my…my gosh, I- I am… s-so so sorry, gentlecolts." She stammered, everyone's grasp still upon her as the Pegasi and Unicorn released the wagon and its wagoneers. "I-I… I wasn't…"
"Y'should watch d'streets aroun' here, Princess." One of the stallions replied in a thick Manehatten accent, stopping her mid-ramble. "I'gets pretty hectic aroun' 'ere if y'don't use ya eyes an' ears."
"Are you alright, Princess Twilight?" One of the others spoke out, a rich Trottingham accent curling his voice eloquently differently to his counterpart.
She felt her hooves and wings released as the stallions went about their way; swearing that she heard the third one mention something about 'It being a pretty crappy day if they ran over the princess'.
"Twilight, what's gotten into you?!" Rainbow called out from a few feet in the air, staring down at her friend. "You doze off on the way to the station, and then you walk into traffic? If Spike hadn't stopped you, you probably woulda walked in front of the train!"
Twilight's ears flopped down, her gaze shifting to the floor instead of her friend, seeming to find less guilt in her actions with the stone pavement.
"Darling, you're going to hurt yourself before you even get to the castle if you keep drifting off like this."
"I… I know… I'm sorry, everypony…"
"Come on."
Twilight turned her head up to see Spike walking towards her. He held a firm stare at her, one that could be mistaken for anger, but Twilight saw determined concern; similar to how he looked when she had her… Episode, back in Ponyville a few years ago.
"The sooner we figure out what's going on with Shining Armor and Cadence, the better."
He held out his hand to Twilight, standing strongly against her, as though not only offering his aid to her, but outright awaiting for her to take it.
She bowed her head in solemn guilt for a moment, before placing her hoof in his claw, using it to stand back onto her hooves. She gazed down at him, his unwavering gaze still fixed on her.
"Sugarcube, why don't th'rest of us leave you an' Spike t'go talk t'the Princess?"
Twilight's eyes quickly turned to the Earth Pony. "What? B-but I-"
"You nearly walked into Traffic, dear; and to be fair, we were all discussing this on the train. We're here to help you, as always, but… well…"
"This is family…" Fluttershy added in.
"You… y-you were all talking about it?"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Well s'not like you heard any of us. You dozed off there too."
Pinkie trotted over to Twilight with a smile. "You gotta do what you gotta do, Twilight. We're here for smiles afterwards."
Her eyes began to glisten over, wetness manifesting in the corners of them as Twilight looked over them all. They all seemed to agree that, even thought they had come all this way to figure out what had happened, it was best if Twilight and Spike proceed to the truth themselves, and report back.
They all held strong, saddened faces; likely upset in the fact that the best course of action, was indeed, to leave them to it.
She sniffed back a tear, gazing down to Spike. He nodded his support to her, determined gaze still unwavered as he awaited her.
Swallowing an emptiness, Twilight turned back to the five mares. Her chest threatened to shudder into a state, but Twilight held back, held strong against it. She couldn't afford to break down now, not before she had even seen Shining Armor.
"… Alright…" She sniffed, swallowing back the dryness in her throat. "I- We… we'll… we'll meet you at Donut Joe's in an hour…" She reached, putting her hoof on Spike's head softly as she looked to the others. She received a multitude of nods and agreements, before Applejack perked up.
"Ah'd… not bring up th'whole 'Nearly ran over' thing t'Shinin' Armor, if ah were you, Sugarcube. Wha'ever's happenin', ah don' think anypony needs th'extra stress o'thinkin' they might've lost ye today."
"I know… I… it was foolish of me… but like Spike said. The real question right now is 'Is Everypony alright?'. And soon, I'll have my answer."
Applejack nodded with a half smile. "Make sure y'take care, Twi'. Cos y'nearly had yer answer a few minutes ago. A big fat 'No'."
"I know… I'll keep my head until we get to the castle… right Spike?"
"I'll do my best to help you keep it. No guarantees though…"
The alicorn nodded softly to him, as she waved shortly to the rest of her friends; the pair of them turning towards the castle.
The five of them watched as the princess and her little aid wandered towards the castle.
"Um…" Pinkie hummed out. "Just outta curiosity… what was in the wagon?" She glanced up to the two pegasi. "I mean… if it was a shipment of… feathers, or pillows, or maybe frosting or something, then…"
"It was um… for the C.S.S.L. … the ugh… Canterlot Structural Support League…" Fluttershy mumbled out, tapping her forehooves together with a frown.
Applejack raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side. "Aaand… fer those of us not native t'the city?"
"Bricks…" Rainbow Dash butted in, hovering just beside Fluttershy. "It was a shipment of bricks and scaffolding…"
"…… That's…… not feathers…" The pink baker softly spoke out, her expression deflating at the thought of what might've happened.
The royal guards parted away from the grand doors of the Canterlot Castle as the two of them approached, one of their magics opening the gates to them.
Twilight and Spike walked into the castle's main hallway, it wasn't much different than the numerous other times that they had visited. The tapestries hung well, the stained-glass windows adorned on each side, picturing major events in Equestrian history; with the two of them even upon some of them.
Though their eyes did not wander to them, they had seen them enough times to know what they represented. For the time, their goal was Celestia.
And whatever followed with her.
A resounding creak came from the grandiose doorway that lead to the Royal Throne room, twin guards on each side of the massive barriers that were opened by a light green glow from one of the guards.
Twilight and Spike stepped into the room, their eyes turning towards the Princess of the Sun, sat at the opposite end. Her gaze turned upwards from the document before her, to them. A half smile, she nodded to the mare in glasses beside her. Clearly a secretary of sorts, the mare nodded back to her, taking the paperwork with her as she wandered away.
"Hello Twilight, Spike. I'm glad you arrived with such haste."
"We came as soon as we could, Celestia."
"With no help from dozy here…"
Celestia raised an eyebrow as she trotted towards the two; watching as Twilight nudged Spike with her elbow.
"Spike, we agreed to leave that until After we find out how badly injured Shining Armor is!"
Both the Alicorn and the dragon looked to the lavender mare curiously.
"Forgive me… but whatever do you mean by… Dozy… and Shining Armor's… injury?"
"Yeah Twilight, I thought we had no idea what happened. Did we miss something in the letter?"
Twilight shook her head. "It just makes the most sense. Shining Armor sending a short letter, then you sending the next letter yourself, Princess. He must've been injured in some attack on the way to Canterlot, and he wrote those words with his last shreds of consciousness!" She exhaustively let out, each word shrinking the pupils of her eyes by another fraction. "Cadence is clearly tending to him, and that's why you called me here with open hooves, and an open heart! Oh our parents are going to be hysterical when they find out he's hurt! Mother will- oh my gosh, do they even know?! Princess, I need to-"
"Twilight. Shining Armor is in good health."
Twilight blinked as her thoughts were interrupted by the fair Sun's words. Shining Armor was… fine? But then what could be the problem?
"But… then what's going on?"
Her eyes darted to Spike shortly, receiving only a shrug from him. "Don't look at me, I'm as clueless as you are."
"Princess… what's happened?"
Celestia bowed her head to the pair, her eyes closed for a few moments before she reopened them, raising her head back up as she began to trot towards the door.
"Come with me…"
Twilight and Spike shot each other a concerned gaze, a grimace of worry as they began to follow her highness. Regardless of Twilight's role, Celestia was still her old tutor, and her elder, by far; as well as a pony they would respect.
The trot away from the the throne room was silent, aside from the clopping of hooves on the floor beneath them, and the occasional murmur of staff around the castle. Celestia was watching forwards to where she was going, allowing the two to simply follow her.
But it was getting too much for Twilight. Concern and curiosity were beginning to plague her mind again, her eyes small as tiny beads of sweat ran down her forehead.
Shining Armor was perfectly fine, but he wasn't able to write to her. No assault had been made, yet Celestia wrote to her.
It couldn't be Tirek, he was still in Tartarus… Starlight Glimmer and Discord were reformed… Sunset Shimmer was their friend AND on the other side of the portal… Nightmare Moon? No…, the moon had risen perfectly fine since receiving the first note… Changelings! It had to be Changelings! Was it Shining Armor that had been taken by a Changeling? Or Cadence? Or even Celestia? Was she walking into a Changeling trap?! She cast her Force-Reveal spell on Fluttershy, but would she dare cast it on Celestia? And would it even work? Or would she… oh gosh, would she be sent to the moon?! Then she wouldn't even know what happened! What was she-
"Oof" She whomped out, falling onto her flank after colliding with Celestia's plot, a surprised blink on the Sun Princess' face, as both her and Spike looked back to the lavender princess.
Spike turned to Celestia with a half frown.
"Told ya. Third time she's done it today."
"I… I'm sorry Princess…"
A sweet half-smile greeted the alicorn. "It is no trouble, Twilight. Whatever is running through your mind… you will receive your answers. Whether you like them or not…"
Celestia turned to the double doors before her. They were a clean oak, and a bright colour, with a single guard to the side of it. With a nod to him, he left his post, passing by Twilight and Spike.
Three raps of Celestia's hoof tapped the door, followed by her taking a short step back. Agonisingly silent seconds passed by, as Twilight could only stare at the door; awaiting whatever cruel fate stood before it.
The doorknob glimmered a faint pink, rotating and unhinging. The door pushed itself open.
Twilight's eyes widened as she saw what trotted out of the doorway.
It was Shining Armor.
But… while Celestia said he was in good health, Twilight had high doubts.
His hair was a complete mess, frayed and disheveled, thrown all over his face and head. His eyes, red and bloodshot, clearly he had some major illness or… no… had he been…crying…?
Shining Armor's gaze turned slowly up to his sister, his breath slow as he moved away from the door.
"… Hi Twily…"
"Shining Armor… what's happened? What's wrong?"
A grimace spread on his face. He turned up to Celestia, her eyes wise and knowledgable as she simply nodded to the stallion; walking passed him and into the room he came out of, shutting the door behind her.
That left Shining Armor, Twilight, and Spike alone in the corridor. The air was silent, empty; yet thick and cold. His gaze fell back down to the floor, falling onto his haunches.
"This… isn't how I wanted to see you this weekend…"
"Not exactly the meeting we had in mind ourselves…" Spike mumbled from the side.
"We were so worried, Shining. Your note made no sense, then Celestia sent one instead of you… first I thought you'd been attacked, or injured, then I thought you'd been taken away, or-"
"Ugh Twilight…" Spike interrupted. "Maybe we just… let him tell us what's wrong."
"Right… right of course. Sorry, I've just been wracking my mind with everything. Please… what's happened? We're here to help as best we can. Me, Spike, and our friends."
"There's nothing you can do to help, Twilight… Any of you…"
Twilight was taken aback. Shining's words were harsh, pained. He glared into the stone, his eyes turning red once more as they glazed over.
"I… what do you mean, there's nothing we can do? What's going on?"
Shining Armor closed his eyes once more, taking a slow, steady breath. His eyes reopened as he let the breath out, his gaze still upon the stone.
"… It's the baby…
… She's gone."
Shining Armor bowed his head. His teeth grit as the words left him.
All the two of them could do was stare at him. Unblinking. Jaws drooped.
Everything burst into Twilight's mind all at once.
The Note.
The Reply.
Cadence's silence.
Celestia's words.
It all began to make sense…
"I… oh… oh my gosh… Shining Armor…"
"How?" The dragon pitched.
Shining Armor gulped back a shaking sigh, opening his glossy eyes, reddened and damp as he continued to avoid their gaze.
"It started yesterday… just North of Canterlot. Everything was fine, we were barely ten minutes from the city wall… then Cadence started complaining about her stomach… she was having these horrible… painful cramping feelings. One of our escorts said she might've been going into labour… but th-she wasn't due for two more months! I… I-I tried to help her calm down until we reached the city, but then the… oh Celestia, the blood…" He shivered. "When… when we got here, Cadence was taken into emergency… that's when I sent you the note…
…It wasn't long after that the doctors told us…
I… I-I jus-…" He stammered, his eyes bleeding out the tears as he desperately searched for the rest of his words.
"It broke us… She… she's still in bits! And I can't do Anything about it! And-And this far in, it's not meant to happen! It's Supposed to be Rare!" He bellowed, crashing his hoof onto the stone. His teeth grit as tightly as his eyes were shut, his face once again stained from the old, and new tears now running down his face.
The two could only stare at the stallion.
Their eyes quivering, glazed over as tears ran down their own faces. Spike held a closed claw in front of his mouth, daring not to choke back on himself.
Twilight, was not so lucky. Her choking sobs were quiet, but what she felt in her heart at that moment couldn't have compared in any form, to what Shining and Cadence were feeling.
Words could do nothing. Nothing she said would help in any way, shape or form.
All she could do, was heed Celestia's words.
The silence was finally broken. Twilight's hooves trotted slowly towards her broken brother, Spike's gaze slipping to her.
She stopped, barely a foot away. Lifting her right forehoof, she wrapped it around Shining; resting her head on his shoulder as his head sank into her own. His sobs muffled into her fur, as she rubbed her hoof softly on his back.
Joe's Donut Shop was probably one of the only shops left open at the late hour. Most of Canterlot had closed for the day, leaving only the nightclubs, nightlife areas, and the occasional diner still alit. The Gala had taught the girls that Joe's was usually still open late.
The five Elements sat at the round table inside the shop, gazing out of the window towards Canterlot Castle.
"Not exactly the 'One Hour' she spoke of, is it…" Rarity quipped, a look of concern on her face as she turned to the rest of the girls.
"If it's som'thin' t'do with Family, then it'll take as long as it takes."
Pinkie dipped a donut into her Hot Chocolate with a slight frown. "I hope Twilight's okay… I dunno if I can throw a party big enough to fix…… whatever's going on…"
Rainbow pounded her hoof onto the table. "That's why we should be up there, with her! She's been there for hours, and we're just sat here!"
A shake of a light-yellow head to her left stirred the Rainbow's gaze. "If Twilight needs us, then I'm sure she'll find us. For now, she has to do what needs to be done."
"We're her friends! We should be there, whether she needs us or not!"
"An' what if she needs us t'NOT be there fer th'moment?"
"She's right, Rainbow darling. Sometimes we need to take a step back."
Rainbow sighed, sinking into her seat. Her elbow rested on the table, with her face resting on her hoof.
"Fine… but seriously, it's been hours! Whatever's happen-"
The cling of the door's bell shot through Rainbow's words; the five mares turning to the door.
It was held wide, a purple clawed hand holding its frame open.
The dragon looked up at the five, his eyes hollow, and his stance slouched.
"Spike!" Rarity called out, the five mares removing themselves from their seats, trotting over to the dragon as he shut the door behind him.
"Hey…"
"Where th'heck have you an' Twilight been? Y'said t'meet here in an hour, tha'was almos' five hours ago! Heck, it's night time now!"
"We've been at the castle…"
Pinkie tilted her head. "All this time?"
He nodded to them, his eyes slipping away from them to no-where in-particular.
"So… spit it out, what's the word?"
Spike took a slow breath, wiping an invisible tear away as he let the air out; he turned his eyes to each of them.
This is the… third letter, I think, that I've sent since we left Canterlot.
Not much has improved.
Twilight's barely been home in a week.
Pinkie Pie hasn't… re-inflated properly since she got back. I guess the thoughts are still on her mind. This isn't a frown she can turn upside down.
Rarity and Applejack are back to work, probably doing their best to distract the thought. Heck, I'd do the same if Twilight was actually here to give me something to do… I've cleaned the castle three times.
Rainbow Dash is… well, I suppose she's probably trying not to think about it. I don't know if she's told Scootaloo, I haven't left the castle in case Twilight comes back.
Fluttershy… I daren't ask…
I'm coping, as I can only really guess you are too.
How are Shining Armor and Cadence? I know Twilight will tell me when she comes back from the Crystal Empire… eventually.
We're all worried. I know Twilight Velvet and Night Light know what happened, and… well I can only guess that they're there right now, with Twilight.
I know it's my family too but… well, someone's gotta hold the fort.
A lot of us wish that Twilight's farfetched theories were correct now… an injured Shining Armor is easy to help than a… broken one.
And Cadence, I can't even imagine.
I dunno too much about the whole 'Miscarriage' thing. But I get the feeling I don't want to.
Anyway, I just thought you deserved an update.
Such as it is.
Your faithful subject, and friend.
Spike.'
The thin ribbon wrapped around the scroll in the tiny dragon's claws, a deep breath followed by the cool green flame; the page enveloped in its flames as it disappeared through the window.
Spike watched it fly away, a half-gaze turning back to the map that he sat at. His eyes wandered to the large, crystalline tower that was the heart of the Crystal Empire.
