There was a distinct knock on the door that could be nopony else's other than Twilight Sparkle's.
Celestia paced her room. What if the elements of harmony didn't believe her? It was extremely probable. It would be so awkward. Celestia glanced at the calendar. Worse, what if they spread the rumor before she could stop them? What she was about to tell them was going to ruin her reputation forever, if necessary precautions were not taken. Hopefully, all was in order. Celestia took a deep breath.
Earlier that day
It was dark overhead, the weather seemed ill suited for the day. Rainbow Dash faced many protests from the citizens of Ponyville. Many clever colts tried to get on her "good side", and some fillies did too. However, it was all to no avail. For little did they know, Rainbow Dash was a little more informed about Celestia's secret. She didn't know what it was, exactly, but she knew enough to keep the skies dark. Celestia wanted it to be dark for the tone of her secret.
Luna knew the secret. She thought Celestia was being irrational, but the elder alicorn refused to listen.
"All these so called precations you take are ridiculous! It's not going to get out. Even if it does, do you not have magic on your side? You could brainwash everypony! Really Celest-"
"Luna! Stick to my plan. You must be outside the doors. If you aren't, the whole thing could fail. The things everypony would think!"
"CELESTIA! Listen! You can trust the elements of harmony! For that is what they are. Do they not represent trust?"
"Luna, there is no element of trust! We cannot be unprepared!" Celestia continued pacing. A slight depression in the ground was forming.
"Sister. Really think about it! They are the most reliable ponies in Equestria! You cannot go on this way. I will stop you from doing this if you don't listen!"
"I must be prepared." Celestia started repeating this to herself in a mumble, and everything else Luna said went in one ear and out the other. Luna sighed. She knew Celestia would most likely overreact if she tried to stop her, so she decided to just go occupy herself. Maybe try making a kite again. Or take a nap.
Yeah, a nap sounded good.
~*Ponyville*~
Spike burped, and in a flash of green, a message from Celestia appeared before Twilight.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I have very important things to discuss with you and your friends. While everypony else is preoccupied because of the day, you will meet me as soon as possible.
Gather your friends and board a train for Canterlot as soon as possible. Do not bring Spike.
This is confidential buisness. I expect that nopony will hear of the events that will go on in this room will not be repeated outside. I trust you, my faithful student.
Princess Celestia
"Aww, man. Why can't I come? That sounds suspicious anyway." Spike moaned.
"Hush, Spike. This is important business. I'll get my friends right away."
Rarity was making plans when suddenly the doorbell rang. I hope it's not another ding dong ditch,
Rarity wearily thought. It wouldn't be the first. She opened the door.
"Rarity! I have important news. Come with me."
"What news, darling?"
"Celestia says that there is an important thing she has to tell us and that we have to go to Canterlot now. Like, stat."
"Uh, okay? Sounds rather odd. Are you sure? I-"
"She's our princess. I have complete faith in her."
Rarity uneasily followed.
The other elements had similar reactions to Rarity's, except for Fluttershy.
Instead, Fluttershy hid in her cottage and refused to come to the door. Through a large set of speakers, a recorded message blasted. "THIS HAD BETTER NOT BE A DING-DONG DITCH!!!!!!!! IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO, GO SIT IN A PIT AND THINK ABOUT YOUR ACTIONS, YOU HEARTLESS PONY!!! If you aren't ding-dong ditching, please pull the rope." A previously unnoticed rope waited patiently to be pulled on. Twilight yanked on it.
Slowly, the door creaked open. "Hello? Oh hi, Twilight. What's going on? Is this a prank call? Where's Rainbow Dash? Have you done something to her?" Fluttershy got more and more nervous.
"Relax! We just came to tell you that Celestia wants us in Canterlot as soon as possible. It's a secret, apparently, and very important."
"Secret? Today, so suddenly? Doesn't seem realistic. I think it's a setup." Fluttershy did not move from the dorrway. Twilight grabbed her mane and started pulling.
Twilight was getting frazzled. "Yes, princess Celestia wants us there TODAY. We need you to get Rainbow. She's at home and none of us can go up there." She grunted through her full mouth.
"Oh. Okay." Fluttershy did not look convinced.
At Rainbow's house, Fluttershy flew up to the cloud house and then their view was obscured. Suddenly, a yell, a scream, and a clattering sound could be heard.
"Fluttershy!" The four friends cried.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash said.
Everpony heaved a sigh of relief.
"Rainbow! Uh, Celestia wants us in Canterlot as soon as possible! She says it's important."
"Okay. Let me just have a sec. Fluttershy! Unlock your wings!"
"I can't! I can't!"
"Let me-"
"No! Don't touch me there! There, see! Now they're moving again. You of all ponies should know my wings lock shut when I'm scared."
"Oh yeah, I knew that. Fluttershy, what are you stalling for? Let's go already! Sheesh, sometimes you're so slow."
On the train, everypony stayed silent. Twilight was upset. The whole train ride, troubling thoughts haggled her. Why didn't her friends believe her? Celestia could be trusted. Right? Or could she? After all, she had kept this secret a secret... Didn't she trust Twilight? Of course, she was telling her now. Better late than never. Right? Right?
Exactly four hours after the letter arrived, Celestia heard a distinctive knock on the door that could be none other than Twilight Sparkle's.
Celestia forced herself to act natural. "Hi girls! Guards, you are dismissed." The guards walked away.
"Come in, girls." The throne room was as awe inspiring as ever. The friends stopped to admire the newest window designs, and the many more windows, still closed, telling of things yet to come. Celestia's voice snapped them out of it.
"As you know, I have summoned you for a very important reason. It is of utmost importance that what you hear in this room, stays in this room. Understand?"
Twilight nodded the most enthusiastically.
"Is Luna here? Does she know your secret?" Pinkie asked. Everypony shot her a warning glance.
"She is taking a nap, but she knows, yes. Okay then, short and straightforward. My secret is that..."
Celestia took a deep breath.