Twilight Sparkle was resting in The Golden Oaks Library. The last few days had been quite eventful for her. Not only had her brother Shining Armor gotten married to her old foalsitter Cadence, but the wedding almost didn't happen. A strange race of creatures called changelings had invaded. And their queen Chrysalis had replaced princess Cadence by trapping her in the caverns below Canterlot castle. If Twilight had not suspected that something was wrong with Cadence, who knows what would have happened? But thankfully when Chrysalis had trapped her in those same caverns she was able to find the REAL princess Cadence and help her escape the caverns. Twilight smiled to herself as she thought of what had been the first clue to her that something was wrong with her old foalsitter. They had a special way of greeting each other and when she did not do it, that confused Twilight. And afterward, when she saw how she was treating everypony something felt off. She had tried to tell her friends but they thought that she was just being possessive of her brother. And at first, Twilight was going to agree with them after having thought it over. But when she saw the strange magic Cadence was performing she was convinced that she was right. That led to a brief falling out with her friends and her mentor princess Celestia. But in the end everything was alright. She was convinced that nothing else would go wrong for a while. But unfortunately, she was wrong.
A day after the wedding, princess Luna noticed that something was not quite right with her sister. She had heard from Celestia everything that had happened at wedding and the changeling attack. The first words out of her mouth were: "Chrysalis BURNED your horn sister?! Tia , are you SURE that you are alright?" Celestia chuckled at her sister and said kindly: "You know better than anypony that I have suffered worse injuries in my life than a burnt horn."
"But sister for the past few months you have been--" Luna says but is cut off by her sister saying: "I will be fine Luna. Please don't worry." But Luna couldn't help but worry. She knew that bad things could happen to alicorns if they weren't careful. She didn't even know what happened to their parents. They died not long after Luna had born. Luna wished that she had never had gotten jealous of her sister. That had caused her to expand her magic to raise both the sun and the moon. And Luna knew that was dangerous in itself. Because her sister's cutie mark was clearly meant for the sun alone! She hoped beyond hope that her sister was truly alright.
Four days after the wedding Twilight and her friends were having a picnic. Rarity as usual was sitting on a couch. Applejack said: "Ah swear Rarity. Ah ain't never seen a pony so scared of just sitting on the grass. Why don't ya just relax and sit on a a blanket like the rest of the us?" Rarity remark was: "We don't live in the primitive ages Applejack. I believe and using things that are essential." The rest of the group looked at each as if asking the other 'How is a couch essential for a picnic?' But didn't say it. They were such good friends that they could overlook each other's differences and quirks. Spike was also with the group. Though Twilight wondered if he mind was on the food, Rarity, or both. Pinkie Pie had brought her party canon. Though for what purpose her friends could only guess.
"Sugarcube, Ah still can't believe that we believed that monster over you." Applejack said
"Yeah old chesse legs was an old meanie pants." Pinkie Pie said "I bet she has never even cracked a smile in her life! She sure was cruel. The way she struck down princess Celestia was awful!"
When she saw the looks from the rest of the gang, she realized that she had said the wrong thing, again. Twilight still managed to smile though as she said: "It's okay. From what we have learned about changelings, they are masters of disguise. They can change into anything. I don't blame any of you!"
"And that's what makes you 20 percent more cooler than us, and that regard." Rainbow Dash said
Everypony laughed at that remark. Although Spike said: "I never got to throw the bachelor party. Do you think that Shining Armor would like me to do it after his honeymoon?"
"I'm afraid not Spike." Twilight said "That is normally done BEFORE the wedding. And unfortunately we were too busy to get to that part."
"Aww, but I was looking forward to throwing it." Spike said in a whine "Are you sure about that Twilight?"
"Maybe next time Spike." Twilight said "You never know when one of our friends will get married." She smiled when she remembered that Rarity had pushed other mares away to catch the bouquet. It is a belief that whoever catches the bride's bouquet is going to be next to get married. But Twilight didn't believe that. It was just fun. After a while Fluttershy who had been admiring the animals in Ponyville park finally spoke up:
"It is so peaceful out here. It is hard to believe that a few days ago Equestria was in danger from love hungry creatures."
No pony made an answer to that. Because most of them were still ashamed of their behavior. Fluttershy was too, and that is she said: "I'm sorry that I didn't believe you Twilight. We've all known you for so long that I feel ashamed that I didn't at least, consider what you were saying."
Twilight knew that the others would follow suit so she said: "Everypony listen. It hurt me when you didn't listen. But I am still your friend. And I think that our friendship can survive anything." Her friends smiled. Spike looked like he was gagging but in reality he was burping up a letter from princess Luna.
Twilight took the letter and read it and her smile disappeared. Applejack was considered for her friend and asked: "What is the matter Twi'?"
"We have to go back to Canterlot, NOW!" Twilight exclaimed
"Why darling?" Rarity asked
"Princess Celestia has taken Ill!" Twilight said shunning her friends