The Canterlot throne room
Twilight had little doubt her friends would last for years of her life, so certain things were getting better between them as time went on, ruling Equestria has been an adventure and not one to say as the easiest. Things were beginning to look up, her pupil, Luster Dawn was doing well in Ponyville, learning about friendship in her own ways. But Twilight Felt it was best to bring up an old tradition that helped her learn, with the assistance of a special scroll she would send letters of new lessons learned and adventures taken with friends. Things were good and the ponies of Equestria were so happy and almost celebrating their happiness every other month!
The kingdom was at peace and the defeat of the most feared enemies of Equestria were vanquished many years ago, her life has become a busy mix of leading during the day and assisting with the night and ponies dream, there has been little major issues over the many years. And how she had grown, both in size and confidence as the world had experienced its longest prolonged peace in many years, but the thought of that made her uneasy, things were rather too settled down, often enough such peace rarely lasted. It brought upon a deep onset of unease in her body and she didn't know where it came from, a growing gloom in the back of her mind was setting and never knew such a somber gloom could find its way into her head.
"Your highness? Are you okay princess?" Standing in front of her was her aide, Blank Slate, he was staring at her with his quill awaiting with his magic, the look of concern apparent on his face as a few strands of green mane blocked his view and moved it away.
"Oh! Forgive me Blank Slate, I was deep in thought and spaced off, w-what were you saying?" She sighs softly and looks down at him with an embarrassed look, failing to inspire much confidence in her aide.
"Is everything alright your highness, you've spaced out on me three times now and I'm only halfway done with the income census for the northern regions!" He looked concern but he wasn't sure if he needed to continue.
"No! Er... I mean yes Blank Slate, please continue! I won't be a further disturbance." She gave a weak smile but she couldn't stop thinking about the uncertainty in the back of her mind. Twilight found her mind in and out of focus but after another few minutes Blank Slate was able to finish the census and looked at her before giving a bow.
"Your highness we have went into a free fall of income in the northern provinces, they have expressed troubles with crops and unknown damage being caused but what seems like storms to mines and homes in Saddle Arabia, a few have issued concerns of the utmost, some of them are fleeing the north to come south, shall we issue a declaration of aid?" Blank Slate pulled out a new scroll and began to take up a ledger of possible works that could help solve a few of the issues.
Twilight was surprised by this sudden news, such chaos and sudden change in the northern provinces was a cause for alarm but she took a deep breath and watches him for a moment as she thinks through the issues, even standing up and stepping down her throne to pace. What could be causing the issues in the north, the loss of crops and storming, the deficit of bits coming from the north, things were spiraling out of control but how should she address this issue. She needed someone to go north and investigate what was happening there, however as she opened her mouth to issue her orders to Blank Slate a sudden bustling sparked her interest outside of the throne room doors before crashing through them, guards trying to pin down Spike as he burst in.
"T-Twilight! We need to speak right now! There's issues with... nngh let go of me!" He struggled against the guards holding him down, trying to follow their orders against the large dragon.
"Spike! Her highness has requested undisturbed council, we have told you to wait several times while she finishes business!" Gallus cried out, he lets go of spike and rushes in front of her, bowing low. "Forgive us your highness we tried to stop him from disturbing you during your council, we will remove him..."
Gallus was cut off with Twilight's hoof touching his armored helmet and pulling him back onto his feet as she smiled and nods to Blank Slate who bowed low and walked out of the throne room.
"Please, Gallus let me talk to spike, his disturbance is actually favorable, please release him and let me speak to him alone." She finished and nodded to the Gryphon who in turn bowed and nods to the other guards, the captain of her royal guard whom took up her brother's place from long ago retreated out of the room with the other guards and closed the door behind them.
Spike stood up and brushed himself of dust from the floor after being tackled by the guards and looked at Twilight with a sudden realization of what he was talking about and his demeanor changed entirely.
"T-twilight, uh... Well this will come quite hard to hear i'm sure but it seems that... well, Rarity is not well, I went to see her when I was coming back from the northern provinces to tell you about some strange things happening..." He looked even more gloomy than he started at this, his mentioning of the northern provinces did strike her as odd but this information about Rarity was much more important at the time.
"I heard about the north, Spike but tell me what is wrong with Rarity!" She was getting worried, not sure what all of this was meant, the dread in the back of her mind and now this!? Things didn't seem right but she needed to know how she could help Rarity!
"Doctor Hooves jr. said that Rarity only has a few days, she's... Dying, a-and I have no idea what to do! I tried to send a letter from Ponyville but my magic is not working, something is off and I don't know what! I-I..." He trailed off with that and Twilight Sparkle noticed she had never once seen Spike slump so very low, so very dreary and lost. It was a whole new feeling to know one of the closest friends in her whole life was coming to her last days and she needed to go! A new era was beginning but not the happiest of years seen for so long since the hand off of power, Twilight made preparations to make her way to Ponyville and it would be the single hardest time of her life as the life of one of her friends was coming to its end.