//------------------------------// // Twilight goes on vacation. // Story: Twilight Goes On Vacation // by Artist //------------------------------// It’s been almost three years since Twilight became the sole ruler of Equestria, three years of meeting with delegations from other nations can really take a toll on a princess. Twilight was sitting in her throne room in her castle, with Spike by her side, as friendship ambassador. “Spike, I need a vacation, is my schedule clear?” The alicorn asked. The dragon checked over his to do list and shook his head. “No, your schedule is not clear,” Spike answered. “Please clear my schedule for the rest of the week, we are going to the Crystal Empire for a much-needed vacation, please send a letter to my friends in Ponyville.” Twilight got up from her throne. Spike nodded, as he produced a scroll and a quill. “My dearest friends, I have taken the day off today, meet me in Canterlot castle.” Twilight dictated for Spike, then she used her magic to duplicate the letter. Then Spike used his fire breath to send each letter individually. “There.” Spike heaved a sigh of relief. Twilight walked to the door of the Throne room and opened it. “Come on, Spike, we’d tell Flash Sentry, where we’re going.” Twilight said as she walked out of the door and down the hall. Spike followed her, as he wondered what they were going to do in the Crystal Empire. Reaching the guard barracks, Spike knocked on the door twice. “Yeah.” a voice from inside asked. “Princess Twilight is going on vacation to the Crystal Empire, I will stay here to watch over the castle for her.” Spike answered. “Vacation?” The door opened to reveal an older Flash Sentry, his coat was almost completely gray save for a few spots where his yellow the coat came through. “Yes, is there an issue?” Twilight asked. “As a matter of fact, yes there is, you are the ruler of Equestria, you don’t get time off.” Flash pointed a hoof at Twilight. “But, I need this vacation.” Twilight insisted. “Have it your way then, why should I care.” Flash angrily slammed the door. Twilight let out a sigh, and walked back to her throne room. Meanwhile, in Ponyville, each of her friends got Twilight’s message. Rainbow Dash was up in her cloud home with her boyfriend, Soren, when she received the scroll. She opened the scroll and read it out loud. “My dearest friends, I have taken the day off, meet me in Canterlot castle.” Rainbow read the letter. “I won’t be seeing you for a few days.” Soren spoke once his girlfriend was done reading the letter. “Yeah, but not sure what it’s about.” Rainbow shrugged. Across town, Pinkie had also received her letter and was reading it, at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was doing the same. Rarity and Fluttershy were at the spa when they received their letters. “I wonder what this is about.” Rarity said, as she was soaking in a hot tub, and opened the letter with her magic. “Looks like Twilight wants us to meet her in Canterlot.” Fluttershy said, sitting under a hair dryer. “Well, then we must go at once.” Rarity spoke as she stepped out of the hot tub and took a towel and dried herself off. When Rarity and Fluttershy were done at the spa, they walked into town Square where the others were waiting. “Come on girls, we wouldn’t want to be late for the train.” Fluttershy spoke, trading off in the direction of the train station, with the others following her. Once arriving at the train station, each of the former carriers of the elements of harmony got their tickets, and waited on the platform for the train to arrive. A few minutes later, the train arrived and ponies and other creatures of all different races filed out of the train cars. “All aboard for Canterlot.” The conductor called as the train’s whistle whistled. Fluttershy and the rest of her friends made their way onto the train and found seats, as the train left the station, Rainbow couldn’t help but wonder why Twilight needed them in Canterlot, was something wrong? Rainbow hoped not. Arriving in Canterlot, Fluttershy and her friends got off of the train. Flash was waiting for them on the platform. “Hey girls, I’m here to take you directly to the castle.” He spoke, as they started walking toward the castle. “Well, howdy, Flash, how’s everythin’ going?” Applejack asked, as she walked next to him. “It’s fine.” Flash answered with a bit of a smile. They continued walking, when they got to the gate, the yellow stallion opened it for them and they went through. “It’s nice to be back here.” Rainbow announced as she flew beside Fluttershy. “Yeah, it really is, I can’t wait to see Twilight again.” The yellow Pegasus smiled at the memory. Once they had reached the end of the hallway, Flash used his magic to open one of the big blue double doors. “Your highness, your friends are here!” Flash bowed. “Very well, please let them in!” Twilight spoke sitting on her throne. Flash opened the other side of the doors to reveal Twilight’s friends. Her friends trotted into the room and Flash bowed as he left. “Girls, I’m glad you’re here, we’re going to the crystal empire for a much-needed vacation!” Twilight said as she got up from her throne and walked toward her friends. “Awesome!” Pinkie squealed in delight, ruling up on her hind legs. “When are we going?” Fluttershy asked. No pony said anything for a long while, then Applejack spoke up. “Twilight, are we gonna teleport there or take the train?” The Earth pony asked. “Take the train, of course!” Twilight answered. “Then, what are we waitin’ for, come on girls!” Applejack said as she and the others, including Twilight left the throne room, and walked out of the castle. Arriving at the train station, the purple alicorn and her friends sat on the platform waiting for the train, once the train had arrived, the six friends walked onto the train and found their seats. Once on the train, Twilight took her seat next to Rarity who was putting the finishing touches on a dress she was making. Twilight wondered if her niece would be happy to see her again, over the last three years they haven’t been on the best of terms, with Flurry now ruling over the crystal empire alongside her mother Cadence, who Twilight hadn’t seen since Flurry’s coronation ceremony three years ago. “Twilight darling, are you ok?” Rarity asked concern written in her face. “I just don’t know how Flurry will react to seeing me again, we haven’t spoken in three years.” Twilight let out a sigh, as she looked out the window. “Oh. Come now, darling, I’m sure that she would be happy to see you.” Rarity reassured Twilight, putting down her sewing equipment, and lifting the alicorn’s chin to meet her face. “You’re right, as usual.” Twilight lamented. Twilight hoped that her brother Shining was still willing to speak to her.