The days passed rather quick with all the events that happened in the past year alone. Twilight and her friends fought through many hardships, but they were all nothing six best friends couldn't handle together. That was the magic of friendship. However, the other half of Twilight's studies didn't fare as well. The one thing that was what made Twilight who she is. The one thing that defined Twilight Sparkle. The one thing that she was always eager to learn as much of as she can. Magic.
Over the course of the years she lived since she earned her cutie mark, Twilight had made it her obligation to learn as much magic as she could. With all of the studying she had done in as much time as a year, she could learn more than 5 spells a month, and at least one of these spells would be an advanced spell; something which a high level of magic was required to perform. Twilight already had the level of magic necessary to perform these types of spells, and it showed immensely.
But she wanted to test her magical output even further, so she searched through her library. Each and every day, book after book, scroll after scroll flew from the bookshelves. Piles of them sat around her as she looked through each one. Although there were many different subjects of magic to browse through, almost all of it covered subjects she already knew. Time and time again, Spike had attempted to convince her to take breaks. She did sometimes, but most of the time, she excused herself by being "too busy" to take a break.
And yet again, it happened as the small purple dragon came inside her bedroom, carrying a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Twilight, it's been a whole year already. When will you relax? Here, this should help a little." He held out the cup towards Twilight. It glowed a deep fuchsia hue as it levitated over to her, and she took a small sip.
"Thanks Spike, but I still have yet to find anything. I can't stop until I do. It's nice of you to think of me like this, but now's not the time." She set down the cup on the table next to her before her mind toggled back to the book laying in front of her.
"Twilight, will you just look at yourself? Your mane is frazzled, your tail is ruffled, you look like you haven't showered in days... you look worse than you did when you freaked out about being late for a friendship report. You need to get off your flank and do something that doesn't involve books."
"Sorry Spike, but this is important to me. Have you ever stopped to consider that me learning more magic can be something that could save Equestria in the future or something? What if I needed a certain spell sometime, and I didn't have said spell? Then all of Equestria would be doomed!" More books flew off shelves, hovering around Twilight as their pages were shown to her.
"Ugh, now you're just being overdramatic. I'm sure whatever magic spell you would ever need in the future, you would have already known by now. Just relax. Take a deep breath. Spend some free time doing something that, once again, doesn't involve books. Take a walk. Hang out with Pinkie Pie. Visit Fluttershy. Anything that isn't this. Also, a shower wouldn't kill you." Spike pointed at Twilight's messed-up mane. Never had he seen it so unnatural.
"Ok, you have a point on the shower. I'll get to that eventually."
"Does eventually mean a few days from now?" Spike rolled his eyes, giving Twilight a disapproving look afterward. Twilight just ignored his comment, and focused back to her books.
"What would Princess Celestia think of seeing you like this?" Now Spike only crossed his arms as his gaze met Twilight's. That's when a spark clicked in the unicorn's head, and a grin formed in her face. Before Spike could question her sudden happiness, she disappeared, and teleported behind him, staring down at his small body with that same grin.
"That's a great idea, Spike. I'll write a letter to her!"
"It... it is? I mean, of course it is! Yup, a great idea I came up with myself. Me, myself and I... I think?" Spike shrugged, and pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment from seemingly out of nowhere. "Whenever you're ready, Twi!"
The halls of Canterlot Castle were almost always quiet. The only sounds that would pierce the quietness of them would be the audible clopping of hooves from the Royal Guards, or one of the princesses themselves.Towards one end of a hallway were the Royal Guard Barracks, a hall where the guards would report for duty, as well as taking small breaks in the lounge area. The other end of the hallway lead to the royal library, where hundreds of thousands of books, scrolls, and almost anything informational were stored. Between those two hallways were a third hallway, and the end of that led to the Throne Room, where Princess Celestia tended to her duty as the ruler of all of Equestria.
Every once in a while, the Princess would receive a friendship report from her faithful student Twilight, as well as her many friends in Ponyville. Every time she read these reports, a smile formed on her face, as the magic of friendship was something she always cherished. Looking ahead, she noticed yet another swirl of magical energy materialize into a scroll. She gladly unfurled the parchment, and began to read over it.
Dear Princess Celestia,
There is something I would like you to take into consideration. My time as your student has been nothing short of the best years of my life, and I am grateful for all the years you have spent teaching me magic.
However, in the past year, I have noticed that, while my magical input has increased immensely, there really hasn't been much to improve on. What I mean is, I am trying to learn as much magic as I can, but I feel as though I'm close, if not already there, to reaching my limit.
I know there are higher existing degrees of magic, but I couldn't find any answers in any of the books in my library. Perhaps you, or anypony else you know, has an answer? Please, I'm desperate to increase my magic potential.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
As she finished the letter, Celestia took a moment to think to herself. Twilight, the one pony who was perhaps the most powerful unicorn in Equestria, one with the highest potential, and the Element of Magic herself, suddenly has less potential of her magic? This didn't sit well with the Princess. But, if she had been telling the truth about this, what was Celestia to do about it? She thought about that second last sentence in the letter.
Perhaps you, or anypony else you know, has an answer?
Right there was when Celestia thought, Maybe there is an answer, but... it is an option I didn't think I would ever take. Twilight means a lot to me, and whatever choices she makes, I can only support and guide her through. I am just not sure about this decision of hers. However, if Twilight wishes to take her magical studies further, I believe there is nothing more I can do, but to enlist the help of somepony else.
Celestia turned to one of the guards standing beside her in front of the throne. "Fetch my sister, and call her to my chambers."
The guard, without a questioning word, went off to find the other princess that ruled Equestria. Celestia rose up from her place, and proceeded to exit the grand room.
It hadn't been long before Equestria's younger co-ruler, Princess Luna, arrived in Celestia's chambers. "You called, sister?"
Celestia turned her head from the balcony towards Luna. "Yes. Come here, Luna. There is a matter of importance I must discuss with you."
"Really? What in Equestria can be so important that you seek my assistance for?" Luna had a brow raised, wondering why she would be needed.
"It's about Twilight. Something tells me she is having trouble in her studies. In fact, she is that something, and it worries me. You know very much how dedicated she is in learning magic, do you?" Celestia had a tinge of worry in her voice.
"But of course. She is very adept in magic, but that does not explain what exactly troubles her. What would be the reason, if I may ask?"
With her horn glowing, the letter from Twilight appeared in front of Celestia. She levitated it over to Luna, who grasped it with her own magic, and began to read it.
"Mmmhmm... nothing short of the best years of my life... all the years you have spent..." When she read on, her eyes narrowed a bit.
"Hasn't been much to improve on... trying to learn as much magic... close, if not already there, to reaching my limit... higher existing degrees of magic... couldn't find any answers... desperate to increase my magic potential." Luna stared long and hard at the letter, trying to comprehend what she had just read.
"Her limit? But I do not understand. I have always had the feeling she possessed incredible magic potential. Suddenly, it falters?" The look on her face showed nothing more than confusion.
"That is what I am not sure about, and for the first time in years, I am not sure about what the answer to her problem is. Perhaps you could help me come up with one?"
Luna shifted her eyes upwards, and placed a hoof on her chin, as if to ponder in thought. "Hmm... I may have the answer, and it exists in an ancient tome I discovered not too long ago. Do you remember back when Star Swirl started developing certain spells?"
"Luna, you don't mean... those spells, do you?"
She looked back at her older sister. "The very same he used with myself. But, those spells may be the answer to Twilight Sparkle's dilemma, as well as be a variable for something bigger we should take a look at. It lies in said tome."
Celestia looked off into the distance from the balcony they were standing on. Her face show a glint of worry. "I am not so sure about this. Twilight is my faithful student, and I don't want to risk anything."
"Do you not trust me, sister? She is asking for this, and besides, it would be wise of you to consider the options. At least take the time to look at the book I had been referring to."
Celestia stayed silent for a moment. She really wasn't sure if she wanted to put Twilight through even more studies of magic, even if she wanted to. Before first arriving in Ponyville, Twilight had been obsessed with studying, intent on increasing her knowledge and magical ability. Since then, she had been learning the study of friendship, if there was even a such thing as the study of friendship. She still did study, but took time of to have fun with her many friends in Ponyville.
In this case though, Luna had been proposing something different. She had been willing to give Celestia a chance to present Twilight with yet another opportunity of a lifetime. She knew Luna meant well. She then turned to face her. "Alright, Luna. I will see what it is you have to show me."
"You shall not be disappointed, sister."