//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Need for Quiet // Story: The Great War // by PioneeringAuthor //------------------------------// “Princess Twilight! How soon will Princess Celestia return?” “Princess Celestia is scheduled to return in a few months. There is no need to worry. Again, she is taking many guards with her, and she herself is among the most powerful ponies in existence. This is a diplomatic journey of friendship, and we do not foresee anything terrible happening.” She stood outside the Castle of Harmony, at a podium for all to see. Many, many reporters from all across Equestria were here at her meeting with the media. For the occasion, she polished her golden tiara until the tiny amethyst gems on it gleamed, and then she wore a golden necklace, and fine, polished shoes. With her mane done in an ornate bun, and her wings and pelt groomed to perfection, she stood tall and confident over the crowd of worried reporters. Dozens more all shouted out questions, but Twilight silenced them by politely raising a hoof and saying, “If you have more questions, please come tomorrow to the next press conference. No more questions for today.” The crowd groaned in disappointment and grumbled to each other. “Please leave the castle steps safely, and in an orderly manner,” Captain Flash Sentry said with a wave of one of his wings. Though it took many stern looks and several polite commands, Flash and his guards did get the paparazzi to leave. Princess Twilight turned and walked back into her castle, as elegantly as possible. As soon as the doors were closed behind her, she unleashed a heavy sigh, and flopped onto a couch in a side room. Every muscle in her face ached from smiling the same smile for all those hours, and her head swam from all the questions.  “Should I get you some aspirin, Twilight?” Spike asked, handing her an ice pack for her head. “Yeeeees, pleeeeease,” she groaned, gratefully taking the ice pack in her magic and squishing it against her forehead. Immediately Spike ran off to another room while Flash quietly walked over. With one eye open, Twilight watched him come, trying to think of something positive to say. “Well… we got through one day.” Flash smirked, taking off his helmet with his wings. Even he, who had been silent most of the time, seemed exhausted from the whole meeting, and his neck loudly popped when he tilted his head to the side. He winced a bit. Carefully he tilted his head back the other way and sighed. “Yup. You sure you want to do this again tomorrow?” Slowly Twilight shifted her position until she was sitting on her haunches, holding the ice bag to her head with her magic. “Yes. I have to reassure the citizens,” Twilight groaned, “I didn’t realize THAT many of them would be in such a...” “Panic?” “No, not panic, just… almost panic? Worry… lot of worry… I should have seen this coming. This is the first time Princess Celestia has gone out of the country in… I forgot how many centuries. Sorry, my brain cells aren’t at full power right now, heh.” “Yeah, mine aren’t so full either, and I didn’t have to answer everything,” Flash chuckled as he rubbed the sides of his head with his feathertips, “Part of me wants to bang my head against a wall for some reason.” “Me too, ha.” One of the side doors opened loudly, making the two ponies flinch and look over. “FOUND IT!” Spike called as he charged into the room with an aspirin bottle in one clawed hand and a glass of lemonade in the other. He’d carefully picked a glass tall enough to allow him to run a bit without spilling any of the lemonade, too. A smile formed on Twilight’s face as she leaned forward and took the aspirin and lemonade with her magenta magic. “Spike, you are the best assistant a princess could ask for,” Twilight murmured after taking two pills. The cold lemonade washed over her tongue and down her throat with a soothing, tangy sweetness that helped wake her up a bit more. Spike looked over at Flash and then facepalmed epicly. “AUGH! I should’ve gotten something for you to drink too! Hang on, Flash,” Spike called as he darted away again. “No no, it’s fine! I.... aaaand he's gone," Flash remarked as he flopped onto the seat beside Twilight. "So, feeling better? You looked like you might faint." He teased his wife with a smirk, and she had a twinkle in her eyes. “You saying I’m frail?” “Oh yes, very frail. So frail that you can save the world only once per year." They both chuckled at that, and Twilight added, “Yes, and I’m already at my world-saving limit for a while, I think.” Flash cuddled up against her, laying his head on her neck for a brief moment before the door burst open again. “HERE!” Spike called, running over to Flash. Flash lifted his head and took the lemonade with his wing. He took some aspirin and nodded to Spike. “Thanks, Spike.” “Spike, is dinner ready yet?” Twilight asked, stretching her wings for a moment. “The servants said it should be ready soon,” Spike informed her with a wide smile, “It’s gonna be good!” “It always is,” Flash pointed out with a smirk as he hopped off the couch and turned to Twilight. He offered a wing, saying, “Would you like me to escort you, Your Highness?” "Of course, Captain Flash," She giggled. With an elegant flair, she took his wing, and trotted away with him to dinner.