//------------------------------// // Through the Years // Story: The After Years // by FoxMcCloud7921 //------------------------------// It was another beautiful morning in Canterlot. Ponies around the city were going about their business while almost occasionally bumping into a member of the Royal Guard. As for the aristocrats, many were planning out weekly schedules for their respective committees. For the castle itself, it was surprisingly…quiet. Princess Twilight Sparkle was standing in the throne room, looking at the row of stained glass that depicted much of Equestria’s history. However, it was the last few displays that she was focused on. It all began that one fateful day, on the Summer Sun Celebration. Who could’ve known what began as a trip to Ponyville led to where she was now, her original home. Twilight heard the doors to her right open but she didn’t look over since she could guess who it was. “You know, you’ve been looking at those murals a lot lately,” Spike said as he walked over to her. He had grown and matured the last ten years, now up to her height. Of course, she had done the same, though she wasn’t quite at Princess Celestia’s height. Not yet anyway. Twilight giggled slightly. “Sorry, just doing a lot of reminiscing lately.” “Reminiscing? I would’ve thought you’d wait another five hundred years or so before doing that.” “Very funny…I admit that I should do more with what little free time I have but…it’s kind of hard to find do something to do when you’re alone most of the time…” Spike sighed. “Yeah I get that…but hey, we’ll be seeing everyone in a few days so the wait won’t be too long.” “That’s true, and since you brought it up…” Spike groaned. “What did you want to do this time around?” “Well, I know we’ve been kind of cycling between themes that each of the girls like but…I figured we could change it up a bit for once.” “I still don’t like where this is going…” Twilight smiled. “It’s not as bad as you think. What I thought we could do was center it around the day we all first met…you do know what date is coming up right?” Spike was lost in thought and then it dawned on him. “Wait…you actually remembered it?” “Of course I did, it’d be horribly out of character for me to not remember,” Twilight said with a slight smirk. That old glint in her eye had never left her, even after all these years. “And, to top it off, I’ve picked the perfect place: the Castle of the Two Sisters.” Spike blinked. “Wow…we haven’t been there since…uh, when was the last time we visited there?” “It’s been at least a year, though longer for the girls I’m sure,” Twilight replied. Years ago, up until Celestia and Luna declared they would be abdicating the throne, Twilight and the others hadn’t been able to keep up with renovating the old castle inside the Everfree Forest. However, one of Twilight’s first decrees was to establish a team that would finish the project of restoring the castle to its former glory (Naturally, Rarity wanted to be in charge and Twilight was more than happy to oblige). It took about nine months but the castle was finally returned to its former glory and with the celebration that took place of course she made sure to invite Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “Lots of memories there,” Spike said. “Though, haven’t ponies been saying the Everfree has gotten a lot more hostile lately?” Now that Twilight thought about it, she had been hearing a lot of chatter from Ponyville concerning that matter. Applejack had sent a few letters complaining that timberwolves were starting to encroach more and more on the Apple property. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, had looked into it and simply said that this was mating season for many of the creatures, timberwolves included. Needless to say Applejack wasn’t convinced and said if even one creature came near the farm she’d take action. “We’ll be fine Spike,” Twilight assured him. “It’s not like we’ve had too much trouble before. Besides, the Tree of Harmony will keep things in check like it always does. Now then, you have my daily checklist ready?” Spike grinned as he pulled out a large roll of parchment. “My quill is ready.” Most of what was on Twilight’s to-do list were events taking place during the week but considering Twilight’s knack for getting things done beforehand, the castle staff were going to be hard pressed. Early this afternoon Twilight was to meet with the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia and while it was mostly going to be just the three of them talking about relations, she still wanted to impress, meaning she made sure the chefs prepare proper Maretonia delicacies. The next day would be the beginning of a three-day trip, where she’d be traveling to Puerto Caballo, Shire Lanka, and then finally finishing at the Gallopinghost Islands. Needless to say Twilight was going to be exhausted and while the meet-up with the girls was the following day, she was determined to make it the best one yet, regardless how she was feeling. “You know Spike, remember those years ago when I first became a princess and I really wanted to get involved with all the politics?” “Yeah?” “I was so naive back then…” Spike waited a moment. “But…?” “But I can finally appreciate what Celestia had to go through, especially when Luna was gone. So, does that about cover everything?” Spike looked at everything. “I think so. Your itinerary is all set when you leave. But…you sure you don’t need me to come along?” Twilight smiled. “I’ll be fine Spike. Maybe you can use that time to get a little R&R.” “Hmm… I guess I could drop by the Badlands, I haven’t seen Ember and Smolder in awhile…or I could visit Gabby over in Griffinstone. Or I could get a hold of Big Mac and Discord and do a guy’s night. Decisions, decisions…” Twilight giggled. “I think you’ll have plenty of time to do all of that, but either way you’ve earned it.” Spike was about to make a wry comment when they heard a loud boom in the distance and the sudden uproar of voices. “What was that?” “That sounded like the entrance gates but what’s going on?” Twilight wondered. The two made their way towards the entrance through the large hall. The commotion grew louder and upon opening the doors to the entrance hall, Twilight and Spike could see the Royal Guard were already surrounding the would-be intruder. “Now listen up y’all, I ask that you git out of my way and let me talk to Princess Twilight or else most of ya are gonna have dents in yer armor!” Twilight recognized that voice immediately. “Applejack?” The guards cleared away and in the middle was an orange earth pony with a brown hat and a yellow scarf. “Ah Twilight, thank goodness,” Applejack said, a little out of breath. “What’s wrong Applejack?” Spike asked. Applejack had worry in her eyes. “We got a problem Twi, a family problem.”