Princess Twilight Sparkle could only look outside the window, watching how the tall, yellow grass moved to the wind, swaying to the right and then to the left thanks to the Friendship Express's momentum while the clouds seemed to be chased down in the blue sky by the train, as she tried once more to process what she was told by her friends about an hour ago. It was difficult for her to process the fact that her friends have told her, a fact that she found to be very thought-provoking. Why did this seemingly big friendship problem seem like it can revolve around the two sisters again? How could she ever forget about the ponies that made her into what she is today? Who she is?
“Twilight, the ponies that the rest of us are referring are Celestia and Luna."
She never felt so incredibly embarrassed, so terribly shameful, and so stupidly shocked in moons. The way she responded with a loud exclamation in disbelief, her hoof raised to contain her pumping machine that was her heart in place, her wings puffing-openly to represent her shock… all while her friends, and to be rather specific, her diplomats, were shocked at her response for either wondering why she was acting delusional or knowing frighteningly that she didn't know at all.
But besides the stupidity she felt, she also felt very… scared… a feeling that she never felt since her coronation as Equestria's newest ruler (a wave of memories rushed back into her after realizing how long it has been since she ever interacted with the former princesses). It wasn't the "scared" emotion that was scared but knew that everything would work out just fine, like nervous or anything. Not like when the Young 6 fought off that troublesome dinosaur or when Flurry Heart finally was old enough to present the Crystal Heart for all during the annual Crystal Faire alongside Cadance, a particular memory that was memorable for the right-right reasons. No, it was the type of true "scared" scared, the frightening kind, the kind that she was legitimately terrified of what was to happen as she had no idea what would happen. The kind that happened almost every time when she and her friends would have to save Equestria nearly every time, the most prominent of that feeling when they fought against the Mean Trio.
That feeling of fear and shame rushed over her like nothing had done before for the longest time.
"Twilight? You okay?"
A voice saved her from the depths of the deep hole she continued to explore without a destination. Her eyes opened a bit wider hearing her voice as she turned her head around, looking away from the window, to see the apple farmer standing before her, giving a comforting smile. Yet Twilight, being Twilight, noted that within that smile, two concerned eyebrows betrayed the safe haven. She knew it better that this was going to be a rather long talk, especially from her. She knew it better than to not lie at all, as Applejack was almost impossible to lie to these days.
"... not really, AJ," responded Twilight as she turned her entire body around to face her
"Ya don't mind if ah ask why not?" asked Applejack as she helped herself by taking the seat in front of Twilight, knowing the response and ready to talk to her face-to-face.
Twilight nodded her head slowly. Despite Applejack's better skills at interrogation, Twilight was determined to keep her personal problems away from her, especially in lite of what this friendship mission could mean… and weigh.
"... yeah, it's just about the friendship mission we're being sent to. Smolder brought up a very good point about the type of situation we might be in. Especially with how this problem is located in the town where the princesses are retiring, if this problem is indeed within the two, it won't be the first time Celestia and Luna have been involved in this… and the first time that a friendship problem appeared within the two, Starlight didn't report me very hopeful findings with the two, especially... Celestia."
"Oh?" Applejack perked up a bit, her little surprised shock was an indicator for Twilight that Applejack wanted to know more. And so, reluctantly, she recalled the story.
"Well," started Twilight," while Starlight was dreaming after having switched their cutie marks for a day- yeah, don't get me started on that, she dreamed of how the Nightmare forces not only took Luna into Nightmare Moon, but they took Celestia as well into… I can't remember, Solar or Sun something… I can't remember, but I do remember seeing a glimpse of her way back, but that's just it, I can't seem to put my hoof on it. I mean, while one can argue that it was a dream, I did some more reading about the Nightmare forces, since, well, yeah, it left me completely shocked that Celestia could ever possibly turn into something like Nightmare Moon.
"It took me to read Starswirl's journal that I realized that it was possible for the two to become Nightmare versions. Apparently, the Nightmare forces have had a long history with the two, the two accidentally stumbling upon their world through a mirror, just like the one I have with Sunset Shimmer. These Nightmare forces exist all around us, just waiting for the right moment where we hit our lowest point in hatred and sorrow. It happened to Luna, it happened to, well, me, from Sunset's world, and it happened to Pinkie Pie, of all ponies.
"For a while, I was handling things cautiously around Celestia until Chrysalis captured us that day when the Changelings were liberated. The thought that Celestia would… well, pose a threat to Equestria never crossed my mind since… until now, I guess…"
Applejack simply looked at Twilight with concerning eyes, taking in all that Twilight had to say. Which was a lot. Applejack couldn't remember the last time Twilight was ever this worried. This whole situation seemed like it was a bad omen for Twilight and while she herself thought that this whole Celestia-going-evil thing was rather silly, she knew better that it will be a mistake to misjudge Twilight's concerns, especially with one that could once again be a threat to Equestria.
The two exchanged shocked expressions when they felt a jolt within the cabin, as the sound of metal screeching along rails painfully irritated their ears. Feeling the motion of the train traveling slower and slower before it reached a halt, they could hear the conductor yell," Now arriving at Silver Shoals!"
Applejack noted that Twilight grimaced a bit before giving a sigh, a complete opposite from how the other passengers were reacting.
"Well, let's see what we can do then," mentioned Twilight as she got off her seat and headed along with the others.
Applejack was the last one to get off her seat, the last one to follow through her friends out of the cabin behind the Princess of Friendship. Now Applejack had her own small Friendship problem to handle with.
"Yeah… let's…"
If one were to think about a nice place to retire, one wouldn't have thought of Silver Shoals at all… for a long time, that was. The coastal town was indeed beautiful during the day and quite lovely during the night, with its brick homes residing along the tall hills by wooden planks and the blue waves crashing along its cliffs, taking every sunrise and sunset with a grand show and every moonrise and moonset with a tender some care… it really was a special place. Yet, for many ponies and creatures at the time, it was just your average town. It was beautiful to finally spend the rest of your life with, but it was nothing compared to Las Pegasus, Califoalnia, or even Rainbow Falls. It wasn't until rumors of the former rulers of Equestria residing in the town that finally placed the coastal town on the map, and beyond. Yet for all of its popular tourism due to the rumor, nopony has ever seen the rulers at all. But it hasn't stopped for some to keep returning at every chance they got.
Today, however, might put a rest to the rumor of royalty residing among the town. While residents of the town took no matter of the scene unfolding, the tourists simply watched in awe as the alicorn, three Earth ponies, two pegasi, a unicorn, a hippogriff, a yak, a griffon, a dragon, and a changeling were walking along the stone path of the town's small square, where most residents stop to sell or buy items. Ignoring the obvious stares they were receiving, the group continued their way, walking up the jagged stone steps of the town.
Having flown for quite a while (and not knowing where they were going) Smolder was starting to get a bit tired of the journey and asked her friends around her," Hey, so… where are we going, exactly?"
"To where Celestia and Luna are living," responded Ocellus.
"Yeah, I know that, but, where, exactly?"
"Probably to a nice, cozy house out on the valley, but not too far away from the sea. It's where I would love to retire after a long day's work, " answered Silverstream, jumping up to fly a bit as she hugged herself in thinking of how wonderful it would be to have a home like that.
"That sounds about right," Sandbar agreed, nodding his head.
As the path before them was growing less steep, the young six then heard a familiar sound of snickering and looked forward. The source was coming close to Twilight, but it wasn’t her voice. It was obvious that it was coming from him, being the Captain of the Royal Guard protecting the Princess. Despite not entirely knowing what was the reason, the rest of the Mane 6 didn't seem to agree with what he was laughing about as they gave him concerned looks.
"What Griffin laughing at?" asked Yona.
As Gallus's small fit was finally dying off, he helplessly replied,"...Nothing, really… it’s just… oh man, when you see the place…" He then proceeded to take fast deep breaths to keep his composure, successful by the fifth time.
"Is there something that we should know about the place, Gallus?" asked Twilight.
"No, nothing," answered Gallus," I mean, you've all been to their place, right?"
Everypony and everycreature looked around, wondering if any of them did. Some slight embarrassment was seen, as some were just remembering how awful it might have been for Twilight to not know where the Princesses were.
"Wait, was I supposed to know that as well, or is everypony not supposed to know that?" asked Twilight.
Any slight embarrassment that anypony or anycreature felt for not managing to make a visit to the former princesses in the past immediately disappeared. Everypony and everycreature looked at Twilight once more, some giving more concerned looks while others gave shocked looks. Gallus joined in, simply facepalming, clanging the metal armor on his claws and head that resonated the sound of disappointment.
"Okay,” sighed Gallus as he lifted his claw back to the ground. “To answer your question, yeah. Only you and I should only technically know where exactly the Princesses are. But, knowing you, you know, I kinda thought you might share it with the rest of your friends here."
"Good to… know?” said Twilight sheepishly, once again feeling that shamefulness for the second time today. “But where exactly are they then?" asked Twilight, trying to stay at ease as the group finally made their way up to the top of the flighted steps, finally on flat ground.
"Over there," responded Gallus as he pointed outward.
The group looked at where he was pointing, which was a building that looked similar to that of Ponyville Hospital, except if it was updated to be much grander and majestic, almost suggesting that it was a getaway hotel. It even had a penthouse made of glass, held by pillars that made up like the roof of the entrance. However, even with its white roof and its small gothic-like windows to note a few, it was only almost. The huge green hedges that surrounded the perimeter of the hospital, as well as a fountain in the middle, blocking the view of the entrance, didn’t hide the fact that one can still tell that the building was a place for the old. To top that off, a sign that featured the place’s name, as well as an alicorn’s head smiling as its wings shaped like waves nearly covered its face gave its hidden disguise away.
The sign read, in golden lettering, ”Silver Shoals Retirement Center”. They were here.
When news arrived at the Silver Shoals Retirement Center staff that Celestia and Luna have decided to retire the rest of their lives in their center, everypony was shell-shocked. The center didn’t have that many ponies nor creatures in its center at the time, only merely twelve residents, with only twenty-four staff members, two of which were the center’s owners. The center barely made enough to make a profit and have reason to be running. One can say that it ran like a small business, but despite the stigma, the staff members took it well, as, like a small business, they took their time and care at the fullest for their twelve residents, ensuring that these residents will have the best time of their lives. They were so devoted that all of these staff members knew their residents well, and very well indeed. With the way things were working out, the center was just another home, another family for these thirty-six. That all changed when two Royal Guards appeared on their doorstep and gave them the news.
The old owners, surprised and scared out of their wits, took drastic measures to meet the supposed demand and attention their small center would receive. For one, the owners combined their own savings to start remodeling the entire place. First, they tore down a majority of the center’s wooden structures and replaced it with marble and stone, gone were logs and in were pillars. Then, they started decorating the place seemingly as a resort, adding in a huge fountain and green hedges around, as well as adding lights and a small bar for its pool deck (which, by the way, added another pool next to it, as well as a big jacuzzi and four saunas, one of which was for individual use only. That and a track and field was added).
After the center was done and finished with the remodeling, the owners set their eyes on changing policy around the center. At this point, one could say that the staff members, dragged across the floor with the owners, were fed up with these unnecessary changes and that they took their interests into something else. Who knows what the owners could be writing down that could potentially harm their little family, not that it was already smashed to begin with thanks to the new center.
Wrong. The staff members, including the twelve residents, pitched in to help the owners with the new center, as well as help calm down the owners when things seemed lost. They stuck together to make sure that the center stood remodeled as such for one thing and one thing only: family.
With the policy, they made sure that ponies and creatures who want in in their home had to meet requirements, as well as enter in an extreme betting process, which essentially meant that the individual, or group, had to seem likable to be part of their family. For their new policy was made so that they, the original thirty-six, could be together and expand with residents that know that time and care are everything.
Essentially, respect was needed, as well as character, to enter this little family.
But that was many moons ago… and like all things that happened in the past, unfortunately, to the ponies and creatures of today, these little adventures seemed like they were legends. To the ponies and creatures of yesterday, if any sadly, it was almost like it happened… yesterday.
Twilight entered the hallway first, unsure of what to expect inside the daunting building. Inside, she was greeted with sounds of chatter and steps, as well as an abundance of ponies and creatures alike. It almost reminded her of Ponyville’s marketplace during the rush hour.
Despite how densely crowded the very white room was, the hallway tried its best to keep its open atmosphere, with a large gothic window from above allowing all the sunlight in and hanging from the window frames were chandeliers, ready to light up for the night. Thanks to how open the room was from above, one can see each floor from the left and right side, ponies and creatures walking around and some simply staring out in the distance, hanging on the railings, the right and left sides of each of the two floors connected by mezzanines above the entrance of the hallway. There were benches nearly on every side of each wall, as well as benches in the middle of the hallway, always accompanied by a plant of some sort. Beyond the hallway was an entire wall of glass, showing (if one can see through the crowd) the pools and the track and field in all of its glory. In the center of the hallway was a circular info desk, crowded around by its residents but noticeable thanks to the big insignia of the center etched on a massive white pillar.
Twilight tried her best to make her way toward the information desk, avoiding to bump into anypony and make a fuss out of it. For the first few moments, it seemed like she succeeding, but it quickly went downhill as she accidentally bumped somepony from behind, granting her a “Hey, watch it!”, and finally realizing that she was being pushed and shoved around, away from the info desk.
Maybe I should have kept my Princess form, thought Twilight. She had just transformed into her old, younger self as a Unicorn, to hopefully avoid any immediate detection that royalty was in the building.
She could’ve done this earlier before boarding the train from Ponyville and again walking through the nature of Silver Shoals, but she didn’t care about the looks she was receiving from ponies and creatures around her; she was too busy with Celestia and Luna on her mind at the time. She decided to change just now when she made her way around the center’s outside fountain, hearing an old stallion screaming,” Oh my Twilight, it’s Princess Twilight! And her friends are with her! Oh my staaarrrrssss!!!!!”
Just as the stallion might have fainted, Twilight’s mind automatically made her mind up to Transform, to the surprise of her group. She should be used to this by now, but Twilight, being Twilight, still wasn’t comfortable when ponies and creatures praise her as something more than just their ruler. She was fine with ruling and the looks she would get at times, but when it comes to ponies and creatures fangirling around her, it just didn’t feel right, in a sense. So, every now and then, before she would leave anywhere that might attract attention, she would transform into her old Unicorn-self. It felt good, every now and then, to be ignored, to be just one with the crowd.
This wasn’t the case at all at the moment.
Just as she thought she should transform back into her own self, a loud screech of what sounded like a hawk was heard, immediately silencing the room. Everycreature directed their attention to the source of such an ear-piercing distraction.
“Attention! Please make way! Important royalty business being dealt here!”
With that, the group surrounding Twilight made their way away from her. She took the chance to draw a deep breath as she turned around to see the griffon in armor make his way toward her, behind him, her friends following. Nocreature dared to draw a breath or a noise as the Friendship Council and the Young Six made their way.
“Thought you might need a little assistance, miss,” said Gallus with a smug, his claw out to pull Twilight up.
Twilight looked at her guard with a little glare that was overlooked by a little smile on her face. “I guess I did,” she responded as she placed her hoof on his claw, pulled up from the ground.
As the group walked over to the info desk, Silverstream nudged Gallus and whispered,” Didn’t know you had it in you, captain.”
Gallus looked up to her face and, with a chuckle, simply smiled as he nudged Silverstream back.
The attendees inside the circle of the info desk stood still as Twilight and the others finally stood before them. None of them knew what exactly was going on. None of them knew what to do at all. It had been moons since actual royalty has entered the premises (royal guards, “very important ponies, captains of such, don’t count).
“Hello there,” started Twilight,” we were wondering if you know the room number where Celestia and Luna are residing in?”
The attendees blinked once. In recognition, they deeply sigh. The same question must mean that this could just be another elaborate prank by some rich, snobby tourists. Which meant it was time to stick to the script.
One of the attendees from the middle, a mustard-yellow Earth pony, cleared his throat and said,” We’re sorry, but we don’t have the former princesses of Equestria housed in this establishment. Now, if you will, please…” as he pointed out to the door.
Twilight was taken aback from the response she got. The others, too, were also visibly distraught by such a reply.
“Wait, what? But-” started Twilight but before she could continue, Gallus sighed and opened his wing to cover Twilight’s mouth (now that she was nearly the same size as he was).
“Look,” said Gallis,” can I speak to, what’s her name, Sorrow Cream or Tomorrow Crepe or, I don’t know, one that can’t take a joke for all these moons?”
“That’s Sorrow Crimson to you, Smallus.”
Taking a look from the right, the group watched as the crowd made way for the unicorn wearing a charcoal gray dress who spoke. The dark crimson unicorn walked forward, a gold ring on her right hoof as well as diamond earrings shining noticeably. Her long mane bounced up and down as she did, with only the strands in front of her face, shaped like the ends of a ribbon, not bouncing along. Although not obvious to the common pony, Rarity could tell that she was expertly wearing a lot of makeup, with that black eye shadow and those long eyelashes.
"Well, hello there," said Gallus, keeping a smile that was betrayed with his glaring eyes.
"Hello yourself, griffon," responded Sorrow Crimson, with a royal yet snobby voice. "What is it that you want? Another visit with you-know-whos?"
It was obvious that the group didn't like the first impression that they were getting. While some looked at her with displeasing eyes, some took a more significant look. Yona looked like she was going to ram into Crimson up on a wall. Rarity kept her face locked on her, with such disapproval. Twilight, not one to take such disrespect toward her friends, tried her best to shove Gallus's wing away so she could handle the talking. Rainbow would’ve made a move if Applejack didn’t suddenly grasp her hoof. The one with such anger, however, came from Silverstream, as it looked like she was about to burst. Yet Gallus seemingly kept his ground firm as he responded back sarcastically," If you would be sooo kind, Srimson."
Sorrow Crimson looked at him with disgust as she huffed and pointed up. "Same place as always, dummy. She just came back from their daily jog."
"Thank you soo-" Gallus would've kept on going with a very loud and long "o" if he didn't caught a change in the usual conversation. "Wait," he broke as his tone changed from such rich ridicule to genuine seriousness," what do you mean by 'she'?"
"I mean what I mean, bird, now get along!" she responded as she turned around and went back inside the crowd "You're hurting business with your crowd of fans! Estella, give him the key!"
With that, Sorrow Crimson disappeared within the crowd while a white unicorn with her lemon yellow Mane tied from the info desk fearfully took off a locket that she was wearing, which was shaped as the logo of the center. Not moving away from her spot, she immediately threw the locket to the desk which Gallus quickly took.
"Sorry, sorry!" pipped Estella.
"Nah, don't mention it, Stella," responded Gallus, looking at her with such melancholy. With a thumbs-up, Gallus led the struck group to the left, the crowd now resumed with the usual noise, only this time their conversations were about the scene that unfolded before them.
Nopony and nocreature spoke at all as Gallus led them through the crowd, everycreature and everypony still making way for them. They continued to follow through the first floor of the retirement center's rooms for its residents until they reached the end of the hall, where two large, glass elevator awaited them. Not saying a word, they waited for the one on the left to open, allowing a group of about fourteen ponies, griffons, and dragons alike to leave like a clump of sardines inside a can.
The group made their way in the elevator without any problem, as the residents who were impatiently waiting for their turn simply didn’t want to deal with them. One by one, they entered the elevator, with each creature and pony entering eliminating space for one and the other. Despite how much space there was, the group found themselves somewhat too squish with each other. Yona looked as if she was going to object taking the elevator last second, but Gallus, seemingly reading her mind, said,” Don’t worry, these things are designed to hold as many as three elephants. I think.” With that, he pressed the third-floor button and the elevators closed in front of them.
As soon as the elevators closed and watched as they slowly rise above the crowd, Rainbow Dash flew up as close as she could to Gallus and exclaimed,” What was that all about?!”
"What?” asked Gallus, as if nothing happened.
And so, the rest of the quick elevator ride went something like this.
“What do you mean ‘what’?!”
“That unicorn totally made fun AT you! It wasn’t at all with you!”
“And it wasn’t as if you didn’t help calm ‘er down as well!”
“Oh Applejack, please! That pony had it coming! I’ve never seen somepony so inconsiderate in my entire life!”
“I didn’t even felt a touch of anger from you, just, confusion. Talk to us, Gallus, what happened?”
“Yona should have taught rude unicorn lesson!”
“Gallus, please, talk to us. What do you mean by ‘what’?”
“Now, now, I know she was rude, but, Yona, let’s not get that hasty-”
“Hasty?! Sandbar, Yona should’ve dealt with her! With me on her side, she wouldn’t stand a chance!”
“Count me in as well, girls! I’ll show that unicorn a thing or two about messing with my lov-”
“ENOUGH!”
With the power of her Canterlot voice, Twilight silenced the elevator effectively. Unfourantely for her, the elevator just opened its door, which meant that everycreature and everypony else heard her voice, echoing loud throughout the entire center. The residents of the third floor, those already out and some just opening the door of their rooms, looked at the purple unicorn with such confusion and surprise. Twilight, realizing her mistake, shrunk a bit as Gallus shook his head and continued to walk out of the elevator, with the others following in silence.
As the doors closed behind them, Twilight walked quickly to catch up to Gallus, ignoring the looks from the residents. Once she was next to her guard, she asked in a caring voice, “Gallus, what was that?”
Gallus sighed, turned to look at Twilight, and said,” That’s literally how my conversations go with her. Ever since day one of my official duties as Captain of the Royal Guard. I… had a rough first impression with her, accidentally came late and all, but that was that. She’s just that rotten and well, I play around with her. But she’s all good… in a weird way, I guess.”
Twilight processed in what Gallus said. It made no sense in her mind. How could he not care at how rude she was acting? And so she asked.
“... I don’t get it. So, you don’t care about how she just treated you?”
“Trust me,” said Gallus as he turned away,” it’s all good. Besides, it takes a lot more than some petty insults to ruffle my feathers, being from Griffonstone anyhow.”
“Oh,” said Twilight simply. It kind of flew past her mind that Gallus was from Griffonstone, which, from what Pinkie and Rainbow said at the time, wasn’t the grandest places of all for a long while, especially for a griffon abandoned in the streets. Nowadays, ponies and creatures come from all places to visit what was considered the grandest place of them all, some even mentioning that its beauty and elegance were enough to rival Canterlot.
All of a sudden, a lightbulb went up on her head. She had just remembered the whole point of being on this little trip. But before she could say anything to Gallus about her newfound hypothesis, Gallus stopped in the middle of the corridor and pointed to the right.
They were in right in the above of what would be the small hallway of the entrance before the grand hallway before them. Gallus was pointing at two grand doors that stood before them, which had a sign that was hung by the doorknobs that read in bold, red words “CONSTRUCTION AREA DO NOT ENTER PENTHOUSE”. It would be enough to throw any resident off that it was just another door if one didn’t look to see that the two doors were joined together by an odd keyhole that was shaped like a heart.
“We’re here,” announced Gallus to the group as he knocked on the door with a pattern similar to that of the famous “Shave and a Haircut… Two Bits”. He then placed the golden locket inside the keyhole, with the logo facing toward them.
“Ooh,” squeed Pinkie Pie, shaking with excitement,” I can’t wait to see the Princesses! It’s been forever since we last met them! I mean, do you think they’ll remember us? Our names? Our faces? Oh no! Wait! I’ve come prepared!”
As the lock on the door was opening, Pinkie grabbed Applejack’s hat and out emerged a big, three-ring binder, much to the surprise of everypony, including the farm pony.
“Okay! I have learned from the past that care packages aren’t all they’re cracked up to be and that it could sometimes lead you plunging down to the ground thanks to a tornado! So, I came up with these cute, poppy flyers that feature fun facts about us! For example, for Twilight’s, I came up with how she was your former student, how you made her into a princess and then into a ruler, how you had to stop her Want-It Need-It spell once, and how you are the only one that knows that one time when she tried to perform the Prome-”
“Okay!” interrupted Twilight as she used her magic to silence Pinkie before anypony else knew that secret. “Thank you so much, Pinkie, for making those flyers!”
“Shh!” hushed Ocellus. “We’re going in.”
One by one, the group entered into the penthouse silently and cautiously, not sure exactly what to expect inside, with Twilight entering in last, quickly remembering again who they were about to meet.
What would they say? How will they react to seeing me and the others all grown up? How will they approach me, knowing that I haven’t visited nor talked nor even dreamed of them for the longest time? Will they be mad, disappointed, sad? What, what, what?!
But her worries and carefulness were soon replaced by the amazement and wonder of what stood before her and her friends.
The penthouse seemed smaller from the outside. A large open space stood before them, the center of the room sinking deep underground a bit to make up a small living space. The oval-shaped middle “living room” had only four stylish armchairs, a circular large coffee table, and two tufted chaise lounge chairs, one for the left arm and one for the right arm. Out in the back was very similar to that of the glass wall of the main hallway, revealing a spectacular view of the Silver Shoals valley, as well as its shores from afar. The kitchen and the dinner table, very modern with its sleek design (again, marble), stood before the glass wall. The glass wall also included a glass roof from above, which kept going until reaching the marble roof of two rooms, one on the left and one on the right corner near the entrance. Both rooms were designed like a cone-shaped tent, expanding into touching the corner of the room up top, but they had different color designs, as the one on the left was mostly yellow and golden while the one on the right was blue and dark.
In short, the penthouse was breathtaking.
“What a lovely place!” exclaimed Rarity. “The view, the lounge chairs, the living space, the tent rooms! Just look at how it all complements the rich white marble and quartz located around the room!”
“Ah’ll say,” commented Applejack.
“It is quite an eyeful, isn’t it?”
The group stopped dead on their tracks as they heard the doors close behind them and from it, a new door was heard opening, coming from the left.
Particularly, Twilight almost felt her entire heart jump out of her body when she heard that voice. Despite a change in how fragile and older it sounded, it still had that royal, mystic voice that she hadn’t from in moons. She turned around slowly, not sure if she wanted to see at all, but curiosity got the best of her. And with that, her eyes took everything at who stood before her.
She stood in front of the yellow room, almost as tall as her older sister, in fact, looking more like her sister’s physique from many moons ago. Her long mane, no longer flowing along without the power of her magic, simply spread down from her neck while her tail almost barely touched the ground, with only the “stars” on her mane and tail sparkling still. She wore nothing at all except slippers that resembled her cutie mark, the moon. She gave a quick, sly smile to the group.
“Well, this is quite a group you’ve arranged, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” spoke Luna.
With that, Pinkie let out a huge gasp and immediately jumped and hugged the former princess of the night. Initially surprised, Luna embraced the hug while the rest of the group, unsure of what manners were to greet a former princess, simply gathered around hugged Luna, forming a huge circle as they smiled and laughed.
Everypony and everycreature in the room took in the small, sweet moment they had together before they broke the circle. Almost at once she was out, Twilight suddenly remembered the thoughts she had before entering the room. And then, another lightbulb on her mind.
“Luna, I am so, so sorry for finally visiting you and Celestia now after all this time and,” started Twilight but then Luna raised her hoof up in the air, a signal that Twilight took to be quiet.
Putting her hoof down, Luna calmly said,” I assure you, fair Twilight, that there’s no trouble in that at all. I know that Equestria isn't sometimes easy to rule, even with your friends at the ready. But it will always be a joyous occasion to see you all visit."
She ended that sentence with a small chuckle, her smiling face that seemed reassured that they were here to visit. The group around her gave uncertain looks, with Twilight's face growing much more in despair when she heard Luna keep mentioning that word: visit. She turned to look at Gallus, who looked at her back with a slight jolt, telling her to explain the real reason why they were here.
"Unfortunately," started Twilight, letting out a sigh," that's not why-"
"Why, I just realized," interrupted Luna. Twilight instantly winced when she saw Luna so shocked.
“Wait, Luna, I can explain!” she exclaimed, her hooves up in the air. She didn’t know that Luna would instantly know why they were here.
"Why aren't you as grown as I thought you will be? Surely with all that magic within you, you will be quite a figure. And pray tell, by Starswirl's beard, where are your wings?!"
Twilight stared at Luna's surprised look with a blank expression. At the moment, she hated that she’ll have to tell her that a simple visit wasn't why they were all here, so she took the statement as an opportunity. She put her hooves down and began to talk.
"Oh, um, no, actually, I have! Rather, grown-up, you know, throughout these moons. I'm just, well, using a spell to hide my appearance so that I'm not that noticeable! You know, big, tall, wavy purple alicorn!"
Luna laughed at Twilight's stumbled comments, with some of the group members chuckling along, many not knowing that they were stalling the inevitable. Only Gallus and Applejack were the only ones not going along, staring at Twilight with concern.
"Oh, don't be so bashful!" went Luna, "To be afraid of towering over your subjects… ha! You know, you just sound like… like… "
Her enthusiastic tone died off faster than her sentence. Twilight felt an immediate drop in mood, the air getting colder, the fake smile she had dropped into a worrisome face. She felt exposed as Luna's expression turned sorrowful, who then lowered her head a bit down to the ground, so that nopony and nocreature could see her face.
Applejack, not wanting to witness Twilight pull off the murder anymore, saw the opportunity to drop the unfortunate news. "Princess, ah'm sorry but we're sadly not here for ah simple visit."
Without looking up at Applejack, she simply asked in a quiet voice," A friendship problem, perhaps?"
"Yeah," responded Gallus slowly, walking up close to Luna as Applejack stood her ground. He spoke cautiously, as he felt like he was spilling out hot alphabet soup in front of the dinner table. He didn’t want to anger the hostess at all. But he knew it had to be done. Just, with caution as much as possible.
"The Friendship map signaled us for the first time in years. It called all of us to here and, well… We figured, since it called an awful huge group, as you can see here, um... and… taken from, well, your past, with the friendship map… it might involve you and Celestia. Again."
Luna processed the words in for quite a while, still haven't lifted her head up. Her mane covered whatever emotion her eyes could show and regardless of her mouth being visible, it showed nothing as well. Yet her body figure screamed sadness.
The group stood still, waiting for anything to happen despite not knowing what to do if something happened. Suddenly, Luna took a deep breath in and rose up, Gallus and Applejack falling back a bit. Twilight's eyes never left her face, her mind blistering about the possible consequences that could unfold. Except one.
If it was true, if Luna does agree, that the problem was coming from the two sisters… given everything that rushed back into her mind on the way here… even with her experiences to keep calm at situations like these… she might faint.
Head down. A quiet, solemn, yet hollow voice. She spoke. "I wouldn't call it a friendship problem."
The yellow door behind Luna fully opened to reveal the room inside, intending for the group to enter. With Twilight leading, the group carefully gathered around to see what was inside and gasped at the sight.
Liked the penthouse, the room seemed smaller on the outside. The cone-shaped room had everything that made it like a cozy bedroom, a small wooden desk next to a queen-size bed, a carpet shaped and color like the sun, and a big light, shaped like the sun, hung straight in the middle of the room, along with its yellow walls, shaded differently to depict waves and decorated with clouds.
But the group didn't gasp at the room. They gasped at who was in the room, laying on the bed. Tissues were scattered around her bed, overflowing in a small trash can nearby. Another trash can stood by, but from just looking at it, the trash can served as another disgusting purpose. On top of the wooden desk, numerous types of medicines, ranging from pill canisters to liquid medicines, were scattered around, some on the floor with their original packaging. A bowl of soup (tomato, it seemed) was laid on top of a stool next to the bed. Two machines, one that seemed like a heartbeat monitor and the other as a humidifier stood nearby the bed on the left, completely taking over the corner.
Twilight looked briefly at who was lying on the bed, only briefly. She couldn’t believe it. She wouldn’t believe it. The former Princess of the Sun laid down on the bed, covered in multiple blankets as she coughed irritably and hoarsely. Her face was the only part that was exposed, but it was enough to see she was in a terrible state, with eye bags, wrinkles, unwashed mane, all exposed within that pale, white coat.
With that brief look at Celestia, Twilight felt her legs giving up, her mind becoming sleepy, and the room around her turning black as she fainted.
Her body was still aching after everything that happened. Even after that lesson ended, Luster still felt her body limping on her, especially her nose as she walked to her fifth-period class. If it was any good, she at least learned something today that would completely make her life today a little easier. She learned that she’ll have to be ignorant around everypony and everycreature if, and only if, it didn’t involve anything about completing her pending task: read that strange new book.
Wait, that sounds like I’m the bad guy here. No, I’m not! How about… avoiding everypony and everycreature? Yeah, that definitely sounds way better. Like, twen- OH, HEAVENS TO TWILIGHT!
Everything that happened today has led her to make that unusual declaration for herself.
When she stumbled her way to Acting Professor Rumble’s third-period class, she sighed. When she heard that they will be doing aerodynamic exercises, she cried (to much embarrassment from her other peers). When she felt that cold floor on the side of her cheek for what felt like a million times, she groaned. When she heard her partner… Jessie or whatever that griffon’s name was, said anything to her, especially when she was looking at that book, she lost her train of thought (and mark on her page).
It didn’t help at all when her griffon… friend pushed her off once from up top the “clouds”. Apparently, she said that Acting Professor Rumble told the class to push their partner off the platform so that they learn to trust their friend in this weird “trust fall”. Some trust fall it must have been because that was one painful slam on the ground. The griffon kept saying that she was supposed to open the prosthetic wings attached to her and glide her way back down so that she could grab her near the bottom.
Scratch that, some lesson. No wonder he was only acting professor.
Essentially, when anything at all happened during that third-period class, she winced at how she made a fool out of herself (thanks to her friend) and that her curiosity over that book was growing deeper within her.
Fourth-period was no help to her growing desire. Professor Sweetie Belle’s lesson decided to take a break from actual academics and instead focus on creating dresses (something that she noted that the professor didn’t know how to do that well like her sister). Learning her lesson from slamming her face on the wall multiple times in third-period, she thought that sneaking peeks from the book would finally at least stay focus on one thing at a time without hurting herself.
Wrong. When she already set her book up and heard to remove everything from their desks, she sighed. When she got caught sneaking looks at the book, she cried (to much embarrassment from others). When she decided to use the same spell from the third-period and accidentally stabbed herself with the pin, she groaned. When she heard her partner, Winifred, trying to talk to her throughout the period, especially when she was trying to focus on reading that book, she lost her train of thought (and mark on her page).
It didn’t help at all when Winifred yelled her name so loud she accidentally again pierced herself with the pin, only this time sharper. Apparently, Winifred claimed that she was sewing her dress along with the table cloth beneath her, dragging everything, like the pincushions, the sewing machine, and Winifred’s dress. To make matters worse, Professor Sweetie Bell sent her to the nurse’s office, claiming that she looked like a mess. A mess.
Some lesson. She spent the rest of the period in the nurse’s office as the school nurse gave her a bandage over her left hoof and a pill to temporarily relieve the pain she felt over her body, particularly in her face.
When the lunch bell rang, she exited the nurse’s office and saw in front of her Winifred, who had her saddlebag, a small smile on her face as she took her saddlebag, making sure that the book was still inside. She looked at Winifred, gave a small nod, a very quiet “thank you”, and left, leaving Winifred confused.
She ate her lunch alone in one of the school’s towers (barely anypony or anycreature goes), taking much of the time thinking about what happened today. After much time staring out in the sky, she started to ramble to herself.
“I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it weren’t for these distractions,” she mumbled as she ate her daffodil and daisy sandwich. “I mean, would I have a bandaged left hoof? No, if it weren’t for Winifred yelling at me the whole time. Would I feel like I broke every bone in my body? No, if it weren’t for Jisselle to, I mean… Jessie, no, I mean… Griselda? Ugh!”
She threw her half-eaten sandwich down to the ground in frustration.
“By Twi-, no, no, no, no, I was right the whole time!” she exclaimed. “This is all so pointless! How can Twilight think that friendship is worth fighting for in the end!? How could she be so devoted that friendship is as much valuable as actual work, actual success!? I can’t seem to get anything done thanks to this school, these teachers, these so-called lessons, and… and… and… these FRIENDS!”
Then, her right ear twitched. She thought she heard something from underneath, like somepony or creature going down the stairs quickly. Like he or she heard her.
She quickly laid down to the ground, her head poking down the spiral stairs to see who it was. She saw nothing within the dimly-lit stairs. But she knew something was up and she wasn’t sure at all that it was simply “nothing”. Pulling herself up on all fours, she started to walk down the stairs to see if she can catch up to her, but she stopped almost immediately when she felt that she stepped on something soft on the ground. Looking down, she realized that she ruined what remained of her sandwich. Somewhat ashamed, she picked it up with her magic, but not before she saw strands of… something… like somecreature’s or somepony’s mane.
Thinking that it might reveal who was probably eavesdropping on her, she picked it up and observed. The strands were colored neon carrot, and it felt thick. This wasn’t anypony’s strand of their mane. It came from somecreature, and one creature stood out immediately as to who would follow and eavesdrop on her.
“Winifred,” she whispered, the revelation striking her like a spear toward her heart, the sound of the fifth-period warning bell ringing in the background.
As she walked to her fifth-period class, that was when she made her declaration. She had made up her mind. Besides, it was Winifred’s fault for sneaking up on her and… sadly, it might be for the best.
Perhaps, she solemnly thought as she entered Headmare Starlight’s class: Magic.
Much of the class were already sitting on their cushioned seats as Luster decided to walk around and sit in the darkest corner of the room, the bell ringing to announce that the fifth period had just started. Normally, throughout the class period, she would be sitting up front, down below as close to the headmare, taking rigorous notes and always raising her hoof whenever something puzzled her. Magic was her favorite subject, after all. But today, she just wanted to stay away from anypony, including, most regrettably, Headmare Starlight. All she wanted was to finally read that book, get that assignment out of the way, and finish the rest of the assigned tasks at another time so she could get back to… her…
… right…
She flipped through the pages of the book, finding her mark underneath the chapter titled “The Moon and the Nightmare Forces”. Now finally reading the section in the chapter titled “Examples of Nightmare Forces,” the section that she was meant to read. While she found it odd that the particular passage where she had to start was written on a sheet of paper that was wrinkled, seemingly burnt, she didn’t care at all. She finally found the perfect time to dig deep and she intended to finish before this period’s end. She started to read aloud quietly.
“‘For as long as history can remember, nightmare forces have been nature’s way of cleansing what is deemed as the evil and corrupt of the land.’”
She stopped and reread that sentence again and again. She was confused about what she just read. How could one deem such evil as a necessary way to destroy evil? She wasn’t one for reading textbooks that were grossly biased or misinformed, but if Twilight assigned her this book, then so be it… goes to show another point of how great her mentor was… She continued reading.
“‘An early example of this attempt was made by a unicorn named Stygian. Stygian was a friend and battle strategist to the legendary (yet very real) Pillars of (Old) Equestria. However, when he felt that he was left out by the very prideful Pillars, he attempted to join them by making copies of their artifacts. A well-meant action that was colorized as an evil attempt to overthrow Equestria. It was of their boastful and ignorant behavior that Stygian made the right choice to call upon a specific type of a Nightmare Force, enabling him to become the Pony of Shadows. He used this particular spell to call upon the-’”
Luster felt something soft thrown at her. She turned around, searching for the culprit first, figuring it was a pony or creature making fun of her again. Realizing that everypony was (seemingly) listening to Headmare Starlight’s lecture, she looked down to see what was thrown to her, which was a crumpled piece of paper.
Perhaps a note, she thought as she lifted it up, opened it, and read the chicken-scratch note.
You know, it’s against the rules to be doing work while the professor is talking. Especially when its work from a different class.
Maxilla, she thought. It had his stench written all over it with that language.
She stopped reading and looked around frantically, wondering where that deep blue changeling was sitting. She completely forgot that she had this class with him until today. She just never noticed him after all this time.
But she never noticed him. Not even now. She decided to keep reading the note.
Don’t even bother trying to find me. If you want to “talk”, just write it down and throw the note. Doesn’t matter where. Anywhere.
Even though she was close to completing Twilight’s task, she groaned a bit as she considered. She thought about not wasting her time with that changeling, but… well, now that she indirectly told Winifred that she didn’t want to do anything with her new-found friends and probably told the rest about it…
… it would be nice to have at least someone to talk to… or in this case, argue with.
She wrote her note down with a quill, rather hastily to avoid detection from Headmare Starlight.
What do you want now?
After completing the note, she crumbled it up again and decided to throw it toward the center of the room. Like magic and much to her amazement, the note just disappeared in a dark blue smoke the second it left her grasp.
She waited, but not for long as she noticed that the same smoke appeared from her left, catching the note with her magic. She opened it up and read the reply.
Nothing much. Just wanted to know how you’re doing on the book that I let you borrow.
Her eyebrows furrowed a bit. She wrote back and threw it with a reply.
What do you mean “borrow”? And its load of garbage, I’ll tell you that.
I don’t know how long that spell will hold up. You know, since changelings don’t necessarily have magic. I haven’t begun reading it yet though.
You haven’t read it at all?!
Because of classes!
Yeah, I can agree on that.
So ha! Don’t think you can mock me on how straight-forward you are on your work, ey, protégé?
Protégé? You know what, I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much, bug.
Whatever. So, what you found in the book?
Well, hate to spoil you for making a big fuss on the book, but, it’s a load of rubbish. My assignment was to read on the nightmare forces, but from it, I can tell its a bunch of propaganda for the rest of the book, it’s like it’s trying to say that we should be glad that we have nightmare forces.
Yikes. I guess I should return that book then. I thought it looked interesting but I guess not.
“Are you kidding me!?”
Luster suddenly clasped her mouth with both her hooves. Yes, she was angry, but now that everypony and everycreature was staring at her, she was also getting embarrassed and… ashamed.
She then felt her soul leave her body when she saw Headmare Starlight’s face, seemingly disinterested, started to talk to her.
“Luster Dawn, can I see you after class?”
Her body was still aching after everything that happened. Twilight couldn’t believe that the alicorn before her, lying on her sickbed, was her former mentor, the one pony she looked up, after all this time. Even as Celestia looked at her with a smile, it couldn’t cover up everything around her. It pained Twilight to see her smiling. Deeply.
“She started to feel ill around last week,” said Luna, sitting on the stool that had the now cold soup. Everypony and everycreature was inside the cone-shape room, feeling tight as the door behind was closed (to keep the warmth so that Celestia doesn’t feel old, said Luna).
“I thought it was a simple flu, or a cold of some sort when she had a runny nose and severe coughing. But later, her symptoms got worse. She started to get the chills, her face started to seem more wrinkly and fragile, and then she couldn’t even walk at all once! The doctors gave her everything they had, even ones that are still being tested! Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Luna was starting to tear up, the room feeling more depressed in the yellow room. “They don’t even know what she could be suffering from. One even dared mention that she might… ”
Tried as she might, she wiped her tears off and cleared her throat, but her sorrowful voice and her red eyes still showed. “Even my parents didn’t show these symptoms.”
Then, Luna’s eyes went wide open as she felt something. She looked down and saw that Celestia’s hoof was on her hoof. Everypony and everycreature looked at Celestia, who first looked at Luna, then at everypony and everycreature, and then at Twilight. Twilight gasped a bit as Celestia looked at her with sweet eyes, as she shook her head slowly as if to say to not worry.
It was too much. Twilight quickly nodded her head, turned around quietly to say,” Excuse me,” and made her to the door, opening and exiting before closing the door.
All looked star-struck while Celestia, Applejack, and Gallus looked very worried.
“Fluttershy, Rainbow, come with meh,” said Applejack almost silently,” girls, stay with Luna and Celestia. Tend to them.”
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash nodded in response as they began to make their way out of the room.
Meanwhile, Gallus gave a similar response to his group, saying,” Hey, Ocellus. Come with me. They’ll need us as well.”
Ocellus nodded and tagged along with Gallus as Applejack held the door for them. As they did, Gallus looked behind and saw Silverstream’s face, worried. He did his best to give her a reassuring small smile as he turned the corner, Applejack then closing the door.
They found Twilight directly outside, leaning on the railing, looking down. Even with the sun up, it was quite a somber look.
Ocellus, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Gallus first looked around, making sure nopony or creature saw them come out of the “construction zone” before turning to look at each other, wondering who should go first. Applejack then sighed and motioned Fluttershy to tag along, walking forward close to Twilight, but not too close.
“Twi, you okay?” asked Applejack before she got interrupted by the unicorn’s quiet voice.
“How long has it been, girls?”
“How long has it been for what, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy nervously. She and Applejack didn’t know at all what was going to happen. Even after learning to be less shy, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel scared as she was sorry.
“The coronation,” continued Twilight, not turning back at all, not letting go of the railing, her head still looking down. “How much time has it passed?”
Gallus then nudged Ocellus, capturing her attention and asked her,” How does she feel?”
Ocellus simply shooked her head. “Not good. Its a mess. Distraught, horror, sadness, but there’s one thing that’s bubbling up inside her really fast.”
“And what’s that?” asked Gallus.
“I can’t remember that well on dates, but, about less than twenty years, perhaps?” answered Rainbow with a wary voice.
“Anger.”
“Twenty years” repeated Twilight, her voice rising. She got off the railing and turned around to see her friends before her. The girls and Gallus could see the tears on her face and while unknown to the rest, Gallus and Ocellus could see the anger building up.
“Twenty… years.”
“Um, girls…” started Gallus, wanting to warn the others before it was too late,” I think we should maybe-?”
“Not now, Gallus, stand your ground, now,” broke Twilight. As commanded, Gallus kept his beak shut while Ocellus simply started to walk back.
“Do you know how long twenty years is, Applejack?” she asked as she started to walk forward. “How about you, Fluttershy? Rainbow?”
“Now, now, hold your horses, Twilight,” said Applejack, her voice also getting louder. Applejack knew where this was going to led. And she didn’t want it to lead to it at all. “None of us knew what to expect here… ”
Rainbow and Fluttershy themselves also knew where this was going, as they trotted backward slowly, whispering behind Applejack,” AJ, don’t do it,” and “She’s not in the mood, Applejack.”
“But you knew that they lived here, Applejack!”
The bubbles have burst.
“You knew and we could’ve visited them years ago!” exclaimed Twilight, her right hoof slamming the ground.
“Ah thought ya knew! We all did! You’re supposed ta be the one who knew everythin’ about what goes what with the princesses, bein’ their chosen one and all!”
“Well, you thought wrong! Now not only do we have a friendship problem to fix here, but we need to find out how to save Celestia!”
“‘Find a friendship problem?’ That der is the friendship problem! This here IS the friendship problem!”
“How so?!”
“You with Celestia and Luna. Havin’ been separated for so long. Runnin’ out of-”
“Don’t you dare even say it, Applejack. Don’t you dare even think about saying it!”
“Oh, for Celestia’s sake, Twilight! She’s sicker than even Gr-”
“YOU!”
“ENOUGH!”
Gallus stepped in the middle of the rage, his talons placed on each of the sides to prevent anything from happening while Rainbow and Fluttershy flew in, Rainbow grabbing Applejack and Fluttershy grabbing Twilight. Ocellus just stood there, petrified, her glassless pupils tiny, shocked with fear.
“Darn it all, Twilight!” cried Applejack as she was pulled away by Rainbow,” This is yer fault! You should’ve been the one to be there for them! Ya should’ve known how they were! Not us! We’re your friends, not your secretaries or your fancy diplomats! Why haven’t you remembered!? Why didn’t ya bother to visit them? Why? Why, Twilight, why?”
As the two breathed heavily, slowly calming down and quitting with their fidgeting, Twilight stammered,” I… I… I…”
With a sudden burst of magic, Twilight teleported away, Fluttershy not grasping anything at all and shocking everypony besides Applejack, staring aimlessly with somewhat disappointing eyes.
“Great job, AJ,” mumbled Rainbow as she let her go, landing down on all fours. “Who knows where she’s gone off to now…”
“How could you two say those nasty things?” exclaimed Fluttershy. “Your friends, remember?”
Applejack simply sighed deeply as she picked up her hat, haven fallen when she was picked by Rainbow. “Ah know, girls. Ah know,” she said as she simply looked at the ground with concerned eyes, realizing what she did.
Meanwhile, Gallus went next to Ocellus and said sarcastically,” Thanks for helping out, you know?”
“Not now, Gallus,” shivered Ocellus, not looking at him at all. “You have no idea what went on there.”
“Yeah?” said Gallus with his eyebrows up. “That’s why I called you to come along. What did you feel? From her?”
Ocellus turned around slowly to look at Gallus, unsettling Gallus a bit., as the words she spoke barely left audible from her mouth.
“She felt lost.”