It had been two days since her disturbing visit to Zecora’s and yet every haunting detail from the encounter hung over Twilight like an anvil waiting to drop. The thought of anything so horrid was an unbearable mental image, and Twilight had to force the creeping notions out of her mind when they arose.
She had tried to sleep on the thoughts that were ravaging her mind, but to no avail. Rest did not come for the young unicorn. The heavy bags beneath her eyes were more than a telltale sign of her insomnia. She had kept herself cooped up in her library, rummaging through every piece of literature she could get her hooves on trying to figure out more about the foreboding insight that Zecora’s dreams had been cursed with.
The entire library had been checked, top to bottom, “A” through “Z”, and everything in between, but to her disdain, she was unable to scrounge up even the tiniest scrap of information regarding the foretelling. It was beginning to seem hopeless.
When nothing had turned up in her vast labyrinth of literature, Twilight made it priority to contact Princess Celestia in regards to the looming divination. She explained everything that Zecora had witnessed, and expressed great concern, hoping to receive a speedy response concerning the topic that ailed her. But to her discontent, the princess had not yet responded to her plight. What in all of Equestria could possibly be keeping her from sending a reply? It was driving Twilight up the wall with nervous anticipation. Princess Celestia was normally quite punctual with the passing of mail, making Twilight’s mind even more erratic.
Spike was vexed by Twilight’s recent behavior. She had been acting quite strange since her visit to Zecora’s. The letter she had him breathe away to the princess in a dash of emerald flames had been written by Twilight herself, rather than a recitation of her thoughts for him to convey. It was strange, thought the little dragon, but at the time he didn't pay it much mind, as he was relishing a break from the daily transcriptions.
He saw the purple mare sitting at the kitchen table, her mane and tail appeared frazzled and unkempt. She sat hunched over the table with her face buried in the crooks of her forelegs, crossed over one another on the table. Was Twilight crying? Spike cautiously approached her, trying to decipher what must be troubling her. As he neared her bunched stature the sound of soft snoring tugged at his ears. She wasn’t crying at all; just sleeping. That was a relief. Strange though, he thought, Twilight was usually bustling with energy in the mornings.
Spike gently nudged the young pony, “Hey ya, Twilight, what’re you doing sleeping on the table? You know you have a bed right?” He was hoping his meek attempt at humor would brighten her up.
Twilights eyes drifted open unsteadily, releasing a bleary moan. Sunlight filtered in through the windows and burned her tired eyes. She cast a sideways glance at her scaly assistant, whose concerned eyes made her smile. “Mornin’ Spike,” she mumbled into her hooves.
“ Good morning, Twilight! What would you like for breakfast today?”
A great yawn interjected within her response, “Wha-ev you wa-ah do is fine, Spike.”
He returned minutes later with a scrumptious daffodil and hay sandwich, toasted with dragon fire, and a tall glass of apple juice to go with it. Twilight smiled. This was one of her favorite meals.
Spike snacked on a handful of precious gems as Twilight finished her delectable dish. “Thank you, Spike, that was absolutely delicious!”
“Aw shucks, it was nothin’! You’ve seemed really stressed out lately, Twi, it was the least I could do!”
She sighed, “It’s that noticeable, huh?”
Spike looked on timidly, “Yeah, kinda. Ever since you went to visit Zecora you have seemed outta whack. What happened over there?”
Twilight pondered for a moment, debating whether or not the dark dreams and premonition were something that the young dragon should know about. But as his worried eyes looked upon her, she knew that it was best that he knew the truth. Twilight drew a deep breath and began her story.
Spike looked upon her with disbelief. Chills coursed through him with the thought of what Twilight had been foretold. Surely such madness could not be true, could it? After much discussion on the sinister fortune, both Spike and Twilight felt that further action was necessary. Perhaps if they sent the princess another letter the severity of the matter would be addressed. It was worth a shot.
She didn't want to seem impatient, but who knew how much time they had if this nightmare became real. Besides, Twilight thought, if anypony would know something about ancient prophecies, it would be her mentor, after all, the princess was over a thousand years old. Surely if something as terrible as Zecora’s dreams were true, Celestia would have something to go on. Even if the Alicorn of the Sun did not have the answer herself, Twilight felt confident that she would know where to search.
Two more days had passed since her most recent script to the princess, and still no reply. What the hay could be taking so long? Twilight needed answers; she needed guidance. This was serious business, and somehow the princess seemed to have shoved it off like she had done when Twilight had noticed the portentous precursors of the return of Nightmare Moon. ‘But the princess didn't blow you off when you recognized the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return,’ Twilight reminded herself, ‘She knew what was happening as well and her wisdom guided me to discover the Elements of Harmony for myself through the magic of friendship.’ Twilight ridded her mind of all notions that the princess simply wasn't taking her worries seriously with a gentle shake of her head. But if the princess was taking her concerns to heart, why was it taking so awfully long to hear back from her. Twilight pondered this warily. A sudden dark thought slithered its way into her mind and crashed down upon her, pinning her struggling optimism to the ground. If Celestia wasn't brushing her qualms aside, then what could be keeping her from making contact?
With all her heart, Twilight beckoned her mind to remain convinced that the princess was merely busy with royal affairs. But something more profound lingered on; a truth that Twilight was steadily coming to realize, though her adamant mind rejected the surreal imaginings. Her heart sank into her stomach. Something must be terribly wrong in Canterlot. The princess must be in grave danger….