“Dear Twilight Sparkle, you must come to Canterlot immediately. I must discuss with you a matter of great importance. No, this is not a test. Don’t bring quills again. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”
“That’s what the letter says,” Twilight finished. The letter had a tone of urgency to it, so she figured it would be a good idea to explain to her friends why she was suddenly leaving.
“Maybe she’s just takin’ ya to the next level of yer studies,” Applejack suggested. “That’s probably why she said it ain’t a test.”
“Oooh, what if she’s gonna teach you that coolio age spell that’s only for the highest-level unicorns?” Pinkie added excitedly.
“Just don’t be gone too long, okay, Twilight?” Spike had become more attached to Twilight after the incident in the Crystal Empire.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, Spike, but I won’t be gone forever,” Twilight reassured him. “But this matter is important, so I’d better get going, you guys.”
Twilight trotted around the library and made a careful checklist of all the things she would need; books, flashcards, more books, a few snacks, a few bits, etc. Also, no quills and paper. The unicorn then nuzzled her loyal assistant before heading off for the train station.
Her friends had been waiting for her, as they had beat her there and all offered her presents; Applejack gave her some apples, Rarity gave her “the most fabulous blanket in all of Equestria” that was also very warm, Pinkie Pie gave her that flugelhorn from the Crystal Empire, Fluttershy gave her a small and round bell, and Rainbow Dash gave her a slingshot.
“’Cause you know, your birthday is tomorrow,” the blue pegasus noted. “We weren’t sure when you’d be back, so we decided to give you the presents now.”
“Aw, thanks! She joined with her friends in a group hug. She put all of her new things into her saddlebag. “You guys make sure Spike does okay without me, alright?”
“We promise,” Fluttershy answered. Twilight stepped on the train just before it began its trek to Canterlot.
The train ride was hours long, giving Twilight plenty of time to ponder over what could be so urgent. Had the Griffin Kingdom gone through the revolution that had been hinted at throughout the nation and it’s affecting Equestria? Had the delegates of Saddle Arabia deemed the festival unimpressive and refuse to make trades with Equestria? Is Celestia upset because she’s only been sent one letter for a while? Have the changelings returned to Canterlot? Had Discord broken free from his imprisonment and this is all a trap? What if Luna has become Nightmare Moon again?
Calm down, Twilight. It can’t be that bad, can it? Maybe Applejack is right. It could be the next level of my studies. But what if that means I’ll have to move back to Canterlot? No… she would have forced me to pack all of my things, quills included, and bring Spike. What if she’s just going to tell me that Cadence is pregnant or something? I doubt it.
The train came to a halt at the station. Twilight trotted out of the train and onto the platform, gazing at the beautiful castle in the distance. She resisted the urge to visit her parents before meeting with Celestia, because the letter did state that the matter was of great importance. She walked to the castle. The guards let her through the gates and inside the magnificent building. She stepped through the halls and into the throne room.
There she saw Princess Celestia, sitting on her throne and looking very disconcerted.
“You called me here, Princess?”
“Yes, my little pony,” the glorious princess replied. “There is something I have been meaning to share with you for a long time; something I have not shared with any other pony that is alive.”
“Are you going to tell me that Shining Armor and Cadence are having a baby?”
“They are, but that is not what I wanted to tell you. No, this is far more important. I must tell you the story of the many things I’ve done to keep my thousand-year rule.”