Weeks past as the renovation of Canterlot progresses quickly. The six went about their lives rebuilding their emotions, their spirit, and their being. They all missed the strange warrior – a pony who was so unique and cryptic that he somehow, some way touched their hearts. Twilight Sparkle scoured the libraries to find out more from other worlds that may exist. Applejack looked at apples in an enlightened way, feeling as if she took such a commodity for granted beforehand. Rarity made jewelry from only the best of the best gems and emeralds to improve on her jewelry crafting. For every one she made, another idea popped into her mind that would fit into her outfits. Rainbow Dash spent her time day dreaming about the stories she was told about Crimson’s adventures and liked to put herself in those situations. Pinkie Pie gave a moment’s thought on why not every pony enjoys her antics and parties. With Crimson, she never fathomed the thought of some pony not KNOWING how to have fun, much less what to do once experiencing it. She took things a touch slower than just giving the grand finale in the beginning. But with that, she made her finales even larger in life than they previously were. Fluttershy learned more about fear. She tried to be more assertive on things she knew, and felt in her heart is right. When it wouldn’t always work, and she would push her ears back, lower her head, and droop her eyes in submission in the end. Even after all of that, she always felt that she’s was trying, and Crimson would be proud of her.
* * *
One sunny day, Twilight was reading a book on architecture, looking for what she could imagine what Crimson’s cities looked like. With a belch, Spike, who was putting away the books Twilight threw on the floor, regurgitated a rolled up piece of mystic parchment. He caught it with his claw, then slid down the ladder and gave the letter to Twilight.
“Thanks, Spike.” She telekinetically grabbed the scroll and opened it up. “It’s from the princess!” Twilight smiled as she started to read the scroll out loud. “My faithful student, please gather your friends and come to Canterlot as soon as you’re all available. Signed, Princess Celestia.” She lowered the scroll and looked up in thought. “I wonder what’s going on.”
Spike shruged. “It couldn’t be anything TOO urgent as it read, ‘as soon as you’re available.’”
“You’re right.” Twilight stood up and started to leave the library. “Take care of the place until I get back.”
Spike gave a playful salute. “Right.”
* * *
Twilight gathered her friends and took the train to Canterlot. This would be the first time since the basilisk that they were all together at once. They talked stories about their time with Crimson, and how silly some of his ‘antics’ were.
Rainbow Dash leaned forward as the girls sat in a circle. “And when he was about to charge at the train because he thought it was a monster.” The girls laughed as the train let out a whistle while it started to slow down.
Twilight let out a sigh from the laughing. “We’re here.” The six got up and exited the train. They looked upon the newly renovated Canterlot in awe.
Applejack looked around. “They sure did a good job clean’n this place up.”
Rarity admired the newly constructed castle. “Such fabulous work.”
Twilight looked around at the new construction and updated defenses around the castle. “Yeah. It looks like the royal guard is upping their game around here.”
Pinkie Pie looked over to Twilight. “Do you think the princess is going to throw us a party?”
Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie. “A party? For what?”
“You know, for saving the day.”
Rainbow Dash leaned into the girls. “Again.”
Twilight tried not to smile. “Oh hush. Come on, girls.”
* * *
Guards escorted the six through the castle. A lot of internal construction was still in progress, but it looked exponentially better than when they left. For the most part, the directions were the same. However, if they weren’t shown the way, they would have gotten lost. The throne room doors were marked with new protection wards, and were thicker and stronger to prevent another attack like the basilisk from happening again. The double doors opened and Shining Armor stood before them.
“Shining Amor!” Twilight trotted up and gave her brother a hug.
Shining Armor put his arm around his little sister. “Hey, Twilight.” He turned toward the throne where Celestia sat. “The princess is waiting.”
“Oh.” Twilight looked at her brother, who escorted the girls to the princess.
“Ah, Twilight Sparkle and friends.” Celestia grabbed a scroll that was next to her. “This is for you.” She telekinetically moved the scroll to Twilight, who used her powers to take hold of the scroll.
“What is it?” Twilight asked.
“A letter from Crimson.”
The girl’s eyes lit up and they all give a smile.
Applejack leaned into Twilight. “Come on, Twilight. Read it!”
Twilight turned around and opened the scroll. Her smile turned blank as she stared at the parchment.
The princess looked at the confused pony. “As you can see, that is not of our scripture.”
“I can see that.” Twilight turned to Celestia. “I’ve never seen this language before.”
“Nor have I, which leaves questions…”
The throne room doors opened and Princess Luna walked into the throne room. “My sister, I have returned.”
Celestia smiled at her sister’s arrival. “My sister, how fairs the southern lands?”
“They are well. The fields have healed from the dry spell.” She walked up to the six while looking around. “I could not find my way to the throne room. Art thou renovating?”
“It’s a long story.” Celestia stood up and took a step forward. “Which I will tell you all about later. But now, we have a puzzle on our hooves.” She looked over to Twilight.
Luna looked at Twilight as well. “A puzzle?”
Twilight looked up to Luna. “Yeah, a letter from a friend of ours. We can’t read it.”
“Show me.” Twilight presented the scroll to Princess Luna. When she opened it, her eyes betray her as she tried to hide her shock. “Who is this from?”
Princess Celestia walked up to Luna. “Can you read it?”
“Yes, but it isn’t a form of literature I have seen in over a thousand years.”
The six looked in awe as Princess Luna returned the scroll to Twilight. Princess Celestia looked questionably at her sister. “How come I haven’t seen this but you can read it?”
Luna turned around and gave a very light hearted chuckle. “Good day, sister.”