The cold winds howled violently against the pointy rock formations in Northern Equestria. Deep, snowy drifts were covering the frozen wasteland. Dark clouds surrounded the majority of this snowy area, but beyond the large, magical canopy, stretching on for miles, was the Crystal Empire. It acted as a glass container that would not let in any of the snow or cold temperatures. Any snowflake landing on it would instantly vaporize. The canopy rose so high into the atmosphere above the low-hanging clouds, that it usually allowed the sunlight to shine through and produce enough heat to protect the Empire from the freezing temperatures.
Just about a mile past the barrier, various crystal formations could be seen, which served as housing for the ponies that dwelled there. The sun had just begun to rise over the frozen mountains that could be seen beyond the canopy, and the town began to wake up. Roosters started crowing and ponies inside the houses opened their windows. In the town below, crystal ponies walked out into the open to do their jobs and children began to play. At the very center of the canopy was the royal palace, where the royal family resided. It was made out of an indestructible, crystal material. The legs of the palace had roots going into the ground hundreds of feet below, making the palace sturdy as ever. Between all of the legs was the Crystal Heart, hovering and spinning in midair between a stalactite and stalagmite. This artifact held the source of power that created the canopy to protect the Empire.
Towards the middle of the palace was a balcony with a large fancy door leading to a bedroom. Inside slept Princess Flurry Heart. She was the daughter of King Shining Armor and Queen Cadance. She slept peacefully under the covers of her bed until a small gemstone on the table next to her bed began to blink on and off while making a magical chime to wake her up. She slowly opened her bright cyan eyes and then used the magic from her horn to remove her covers. She then pressed firmly on the gem and it stopped. She sat up in bed and yawned deeply before using a comb to tidy up her magenta and aqua mane. A long ribbon that matched the color of her eyes floated over to her and she used her magic to tie it up into a bow in her mane. She did the same with a smaller ribbon that she tied in her tail.
Hopping down from her bed, Flurry stretched a bit and then levitated a book towards her. Her entire room was cluttered with fancy decorations, toys and stuffed animals that her parents had spoiled her with over the years, but there was only one thing that Flurry was interested in right now, and that was the “Journal of Friendship” written by her aunt, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her friends. It was a diary documenting important lessons in friendship they had learned for several years straight when Twilight was sent to Ponyville to make friends and eventually earn her place as Equestria’s new leader. Flurry wanted so much to live the same life her beloved aunt had lived and was very drawn to the lessons in this book. She opened it up to a page with a small bookmark in the center that had a photo of Twilight and her friends. She began to read aloud to herself.
“Lesson Fifteen:
Dear Princess Celestia,
I am happy to report that I now realize there are wonderful things in this world you just can't explain, but that doesn't necessarily make them any less true. It just means you have to choose to believe in them, and sometimes it takes a friend to show you the way.
Always your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
After she finished reading this excerpt, she stopped and looked out into the town below while moving the book next to her.
“So that was when aunt Twilight first encountered the ‘Pinkie Sense’.” she said with a smile on her face. “Pinkie told me all about that one.”
She continued to leaf though more of the pages to check the length of this chapter. After each friendship lesson was a chapter-long description of the events that took place around it.
“This part’s probably gonna be a bit too long to read before I head off to eat breakfast, but maybe a little more reading won’t hurt until it’s time to-“
She was interrupted by a knock on her door and a voice that could be heard coming from one of the royal mistresses.
“Miss Flurry Heart? Are you awake?” she asked through the knob.
“Oh, yeah. I’m up, Pearl Shine, you can come in.” Flurry called back.
The young unicorn mistress came in holding a feather duster and a tray with some treats on top.
“Your breakfast is ready, your highness, and after you’re done, your mother and father would like to speak with you.”
“Okay, thanks. Tell them I’ll be down there in a few.”
Flurry used her magic to bring forward a small table and Pearl Shine set the tray on top. She then left the room as Flurry began to sip tea from the cup she was served.
“I wonder what Mom and Dad wanna talk about? I hope it doesn’t have to do with the ball tonight. Hopefully I can talk them out of going to it this time. I can’t stand those things.” she sighed before biting into a small piece of toast.
A few minutes later, Flurry left her bedroom and walked downstairs to the royal throne room where her parents were seated. King Shining Armor, the brother of Princess Twilight Sparkle, sat there in his robe and crown sporting a well-combed beard he had grown out over the years. Next to him was his beautiful wife, Queen Cadance, who now stood above him due to her natural alicorn ability to grow taller than most ponies when they reach their forties. They were both very happy to see their daughter.
“Hey there, kid! Did you sleep alright?” Shining Armor said as he got up and walked toward her and rubbed the top of her head with his hoof.
“I slept okay, Dad. Just been catching up on the Journal of Friendship lately.” Flurry said as she used her magic to lift the book to show her parents.
“Yes, we knew that would make a great birthday present for you. We’re glad you’re enjoying it.” Cadance replied.
“So, you both wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Your mother and I just wanted to show you the gown we had commissioned for you to wear tonight at the ball.”
“Oh.” Flurry said as the smile on her face suddenly dropped and she looked nervous.
“We know you’re not into wearing fancy dresses, but we did our best to make this one simple and not draw as much attention.” said Cadance, using her magic to open a nearby box and reveal a sparkly dress with puffy sleeves. Despite her promise that it would not attract too much attention, it was a bit too sparkly for Flurry’s taste.
“Um…okay. It’s definitely not going to draw that much attention, but it’ll still draw some.” Flurry said, sarcastically.
“Alright, so maybe it is a bit loud, but your mother and I just couldn’t stand the thought of putting you in something too mediocre.” Shining Armor replied.
“Try it on, dear. We made doubly sure it’s the right size this time.” Cadance begged her daughter as she moved it in front of her.
Flurry used her magic to put the dress on. A few moments later, she had successfully pulled her front legs and head through it. She seemed to be comfortable enough, but still wasn’t that impressed.
“Well it’s not as tight as the last one was. The puffs are soft enough. I dunno, it’s just…not really…me.”
“You look adorable, sweetheart.” Cadance said.
“I agree with your mother. You’re going to really shine at the ball tonight.” Shining Armor added.
“I don’t want to shine, I just want to fit in.” Flurry said, flatly.
“Hey, you’re going to do just fine. I know it’s hard being around the other royal ponies and having to put up with them being a bit snooty at times, but that’s just how some of them are. They care deep down. Trust us.” said Shining Armor, putting his hoof under his daughters chin.
“Are Crystal Clear, Lavish Laurel, and Prism Blaze going to be there?”
“Yes. Everypony who’s related to our royal staff and the politicians in the court are welcome to palace events.” Shining explained.
“Those three…are…a little too hard to make friends with.” Flurry grumbled.
“Don’t worry, Flurry.” Cadance added as she put her wing around her. “I know some of the kids your age in the courts are a bit too posh, but just keep your chin up and be confident. Let them all know you’re a princess and you can do this.”
Flurry sighed and closed her eyes and forced a smile for her parents.
“Alright. I’ll do it. For you guys.”
“That’s the spirit, kiddo.” Shining said, patting her on the head. “The ball’s going to happen at six tonight. You’re on summer break with no homework to have to worry about, so you’ve got all the time you need to prepare.”
“You’ve got this, sweetie.” Cadance said, patting her daughter lightly on the head.
Flurry carefully removed the dress to save it for later that night and bowed politely to her parents and then went off.
“I’ve got this.” she said. “I hope…”