//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 - The Train Ride Home 
// Story: Leader of the Pack (Book 3/3) 
// by AdrianJNovelle 
//------------------------------//

	"Hold still, please," said Princess Celestia, lowering her head to aim.
"I'm holding still," replied Dawn, who stood as motionless as a statue but his mouth in front of the great alicorn. Twilight was right beside him, anxious to see her husband's new horn.
The Princess concentrated, tightly closing her eyes, her yellow aura becoming quite prominent over her large horn, a flash of bright light sparking from the tip. A bolt came rushing to the nub that was supposed to be Dawn's horn. Hundreds - if not thousands - of particles formed in a cone shape, quickly sculpting themselves into what was now Dawn's new horn. Upon the shape's completion, the Princess opened her eyes and retracted her aim, all the light she created dispersing into thin air, a few sparkles twinkling around the glow of Dawn's artificially created horn.
"I am finished," she said, erecting herself upright. "How does it look?" she synthesized an oval-shaped mirror. Dawn stared into his reflection, particularly at the horn.
"Well, what do you think, Twilie?"
Twilight stepped closer so she could be seen alongside Dawn in the mirror. "I think it's beautiful," she said.
"I think so, too," added Dawn, stroking it. "Not too sharp, nor dull...looks like an exact replica!"
Princess Celestia dismissed the mirror in a cloud of magic dust.
"I'm glad you like it. If you two need anything else, please do not hesitate to ask. Is that clear?"
"It is, Princess," answered Twilight. "So...since I can't study magic, what am I to do about my studies in Ponyville?"
"You still wish to pursue your studies even though you are married?"
"Of course, Princess. I love my studies. Not as much as I love Dawn, but still pretty close."
"Very well. How about you go and just spend time with your friends - and Dawn, of course - and see what you come up with? There are still plenty of lessons of friendship for you to learn, Twilight. Learning, as I'm sure you're aware of, is an indefninitely occurring concept. You never stop learning, Twilight. Do not threat: you will always find something to learn about friendship from your continued studies. And, if you can't for a while, look on the bright side: that's more free time you have to spend casually with your friends or with Dawn."
"I understand, Princess," Twilight did not sound very pleased. "I'll be sure to send my reports if I get any in."
"Thank you, Twilight. I look forward to your observations and experiences."
Twilight took a bow, Dawn proceeding her, and then calmly exited Canterlot Castle. The couple strolled casually through Canterlot on their way to the Friendship Express station to head back home to Ponyville.
"The Princess sounds very proud of you, Twilight," Dawn remarked as they passed through town. 
"I wouldn't know," Twilight muttered.
"I think how the Princess's words are being received is based on your attitude, Twilie. I can tell you're not too happy with yourself after losing your horn, despite marrying me. Sure that was a happy night for everyone. But it doesn't change the fact that you're still not magic anymore."
"The Princess told me that I am always magic."
"Oh. Well, I don't think she intended that to be literal, especially after the loss of your precious horn. You're as magical as Pinkie Pie."
Twilight lowered her head in disappoint as they arrived at the station, in patient await for the train.
"What I think could be helpful, Twilie, is if you did something like a support group."
"A support group?" Twilight asked with disgust. "Really?"
Dawn nodded. "Aye. I'm no psychologist or anything - in fact, I'm not even a painter anymore - but from what I hear, group therapy is a good tool for fixing problems."
"No amount of group therapy can allow me to be a unicorn again," Twilight remarked.
"Perhaps not," Dawn affirmed. "But there is no doubt in my mind that it could make you feel better."
The train could be seen in the distance, speeding its way down the track as its engines roared and bells chimed.
"Feel better?" Twilight shouted to be heard over the encroaching steam engine. "That's all that matters, isn't it: just that I feel better?"
"Well," hollered Dawn. "I can't change the fact that you're not a magical unicorn anymore. And you know that if I could, I would. And you know that all I want for you, Twilie, is to be happy. As your husband, I feel it is my obligation to fulfill that promise, even if it simply putting on a bandage."
The train pulled up, tons of steam leaking out of its exhaust pipes as its doors opened promptly, several ponies of all sexes and colors and types and ages stepping out, pardoning themselves if they made any intrusion. Once the station cleared, the newlyweds stepped inside and seated themselves abreast to one another. They were not alone, for two or three other ponies occupied the car with them, but it was still pleasantly quiet in the car once the roar of the engine faded from ear.
Dawn resumed the conversation with a kiss on Twilight's cheek. "You know," he began. "I don't think we're the only ponies in Equestria who used to be unicorns but are earth ponies with horns now."
"You really think so?" Twilight asked, looking up at him.
"Yeah...not that Ponyville or Canterlot or anywhere else in Equestria is dangerous - except maybe the Everfree Forest - but I'm positive there are other ponies like us. They probably all feel bad about not being able to cast spells or levitate objects or retrieve things from high places, too. Maybe if we looked around for a few of them, we could all reflect on one another's feelings about what life is like not being magic."
"I've never seen them," Twilight said, leaning her hoof against the windowpane. 
Dawn put his arm around her. "One thing I learned as a painter is that things that are apparent don't become visible until you look for them."
Twilight did not reply. That statement did persuade her moderately. Is it possible that other ponies have gone through the pain and turmoil she has? Are there other unicorns and maybe even pegasi who are dishearted and socially isolated because of their inability to fly or cast spells? This was a topic Twilight knew next to nothing about: a topic which would require some research.
Twilight still did not acknowledge Dawn's sentence, for she was deeply into thought. But, since it would require doing what she loved most, what harm could become of it?
"Alright," she mumbled after a while. "I guess we can look into it."
She then stared out the window, to the clear, blue skies of Equestria as the Airborne Express came into view. The heat of the sun kept or warm and relaxed her, and the quietness of the car kept her at ease. She did not fall asleep, but she did close her eyes as her research-to-be-done consumed her thoughts those long minutes as the train drew closer and closer to Ponyville.