"Ughhh.....I feel awful.." A very exhausted Twilight lazily uttered as she, at this point, was crawling to her bed.
It had been a full day's worth of reading on royal etiquette and duties, not to mention her research along with multiple confirmation papers on her new title and status which left her confined to her home since the morning began with no time that she allowed herself to rest. Being a princess required much more reading than even she could handle apparently.
"Who knew that being that being a princess was so demanding--no wait, article 2-365 sub-page 4 explains the weight very clearly." Twilight sarcastically whispered to herself.
Princess Twi--Oh wait, it seems you're about ready for bed, " Said a familiar mare as she walked inside. "Well if you're tired, you can have a bottle of my fresh batch of apple cider for a comfortable night's sleep. Of course this one's free to celebrate considerin' you becomin' a princess n' all."
Twilight looked at her with a slight glare. "You know you don't have to do that, Applejack."
Applejack simply grinned at her words and lowered her hat as to shroud her eyes from view. "Well, I suppose you're right. I wanted to make sure you're sleeping well with all that work Celestia's having you do. Anywho, good night, sugar cube." Applejack said as she made her way to the door.
Twilight groaned strongly. It had only been a short while after her coronation, but every pony was treating her as if it were already well known for moons. They threw her title around casually as if they never knew her as a normal unicorn who was simply intrigued with studies and magic. The feeling wasn't exactly horrid or anything, but it was unsettling.
She didn't mean to sound hostile towards AJ, but it's really uncomfortable how she's treating her of all ponies. Other than Rarity, Applejack was totally into the new royalty thing. The thoughts ran a muck through her mind as the minutes went by, but eventually they came to pass and she left them to drift into a peaceful slumber. She knew she'd have even more work to finish the following day.
The following morning, Twilight is hard at work again with her nose literally in the books with all the intense reading she is performing. Her lovable baby dragon assistant is hard at work putting all the arranged papers in the proper chutes and using his magical fire to send letter after letter to her mentor-now-peer, Celestia, as she completes them.
"Spike, you're really putting in allot of work! I don't know if I could've gotten a quarter of what I've managed to without your help." Twilight complimented.
Spike, slightly flushed quickly replaced such with a boastful pose. "Big props for your 'number one assistant'?"
Twilight let out a small giggle at his teasing behavior. "Let's just try to get this work done for now, 'number one assistant'."
Spike began working again, but suddenly stopped. "You know, I don't get why Celestia's trying so hard to get this work done." He commented as he continued his work waiting for Twilight's response.
Twilight looked at him with an agreeing expression. "I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it must be important." She began writing again as she continued, "She usually doesn't rush work, but this is first time she's made it imperative I get this done as soon as possible."
An excited brash cyan & rainbow colored pony entered without so much as a knock geared with a baseball cap and whistle.
"Hey, Twilight you ready to get those beauties in shape?!" She exclaimed with much enthusiasm.
Twilight only lifted her head up for a second to see her friend before nose diving back into the text whilst responding. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. As much as I'd love to finally get the hang of these things, I must finish this work that the princess has sent me to finish. Besides, this will leave my research completely untouched for a couple days at the least. I'll probably not be able to leave for a week or so at this rate.."
Twilight let out a large sigh. The one thing Twilight truly worries about is how long the work will keep her from her personal life. Many of her friends have come in the past three days offering her some time away from the tree house, but to no avail. Twilight couldn't see herself leaving work unfinished, even if for a little while. She promised herself plenty of time with her companions AFTER all the documents were finished.
Rainbow Dash uttered blank words as if she wanted to retort to her decline, but simply left it at that and began walking towards the door.
"Hey, Twilight, that research thingy, what exactly is it about again that's so important you can't hang out for two minutes??"
Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash's expression. It was obvious she wasn't happy having to wait so long to teach her, but she simply looked back at her paper, for both their sakes and began explaining,
"I'm researching the origins of Alicorn magic. Don't you find it weird that I was able to just..become one? I mean, it was a transformation of my entire form..my being. I wonder if Pegasi could gain unicorn magic..? It's so much to know about Alicorns that have never been known other than royalty. I want to know the origins, and I think I'm very close." Twilight described with slight vex in her voice.
Rainbow dash pouted for a few moments before responding. "Well, alright. But you better be in top form when I'm whipping those wings into shape!" Rainbow Dash assertively responded as she quickly darted out of the tree house, the wind of her flying speed closing the door for her.
Twilight couldn't help but feel guilty. She really did want to go, but whether it was today like Rainbow Dash's training, or yesterday like Pinkie's Alicorn Welcoming Party, the work she was sent left her immediately too busy to do anything at the most important of times. She knew what she needed at this time more than anything: Another assistant.
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"WHY DO YOU NEED ANOTHER ASSISTANT?! AREN'T I ENOUGH?!!" Spike cried indignantly.
Having to explain the situation to Spike was what she probably dreaded more than anything about this situation. Not only was Twilight paying quite the hefty amount of bits out of her own pocket to get a personal assistant, but she was a prideful pony. She was well versed on doing large amounts of work single-handed.
Spike's only duty as an assistant is handing her things and organizing--A secretarial job if you will, but for all the work she had in front of her, it'd have to be someone knowledgeable and familiar with more complex tasks that require a steady and focused hand. Try as he might, but spike is just a baby dragon in the end, and this job was a little too much for just the two of them this time.
"Please, Spike, understand that I wouldn't be asking just any pony, and we need the extra help if we are to finish this without taking weeks on end." Twilight attempted to clarify.
Spike turned away, arms folded before exasperating a defeated sigh, simply turning back to her with pleading eyes.
"Are you sure we really need another assistant? Am I really not helping you enough??"
Twilight's expression changed into one of a mindful parent. "Spike, you're a great amount of help, and your assistance has gotten much more than I could've gotten done on my own, but it's still not enough. I'll need someone else doing half of my paperwork, too. Don't worry, it'll be someone trustworthy and friendly. It'll be like nothing's really changed, and it's definitely not permanent."
Spike's worries seemed to have disappeared and he stretched, feigning zest. Twilight slightly chuckled at this gesture,and both she and Spike exchanged smiles before continuing their work. In between the work, she had some time to send Celestia a note requesting an assistant capable of help Twilight do her work and research.
As the night approached, she had made herself a quick hay sandwich to prevent her from starving and prepared for bed. She didn't feel as tired as usual; She saw it as a good sign. Almost on cue, a knock came upon the window. She opened it, and it was Princess Luna who had greeted her with her usually calm but impressing demeanor.
"Princess Luna! This is a surprise, you've never visited before." Twilight said with genuine confusion.
Luna smiled slightly as she made her way in, assuming her welcome.
"Well, I did want to visit you for once," Princess Luna said as she looked aimlessly at her home. She caught herself from taking too long, "Nevertheless, the real reason I came myself is to inform you that we have a couple candidates for the assistance you've requested."
Upon hearing the news, Twilight's face showed such calmness that Luna it found a little weird, but she was happy for her realizing how hard she was working to finish all the work Celestia sent her.
"So when will I see them?" Twilight asked.
Luna motioned as if she was thinking seriously about the question before answering. "Oh, well, you may see them tomorrow morning. I'll give you these," No sooner than she spoke a small pile of papers wrapped in a folder levitated and landed on Twilight's desk.
"These files have information on all the assistants we could find that match your request. It's probably best you have an answer ready as soon as possible." She advised.
Twilight nodded and bid farewell as Luna waved goodbye, leaving the same way she came, eventually fading into the dark of the night. Twilight glanced over at the papers, with a looks of nervousness and delight. Looks like there were a couple of capable looking ponies on the files, a silver stallion in particular.
As excited as she was, and despite her best intentions suggesting she read them before the night ended, she allowed her bodily functions take the wheel and guide her quickly to bed.
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The moon set brilliantly over the Canterlot castle as the familiar azure pony gracefully descended to the main living quarters of the most powerful of princess's with news to bare to her directly.
"I've done as you requested, sister." Luna said nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Luna. I know this is sudden but we need Twilight's influence as soon as possible." Said the luminescent pony as she peered over at the Everfree Forest with concern and fear written all over her face.
In the distance, a looming red glow burned faintly far beyond either of the princesses sights, but the presence was all too real.
"Princess Celestia, It is very late
Have your nerves left you awake?" Came rhythmically from a very concerned zebra.
"Yes, this danger is new to even me and my sister. I'm afraid we'll be dealing with an enemy even I have not known." Celestia replied with honesty.
Although she was very concerned, she dared not to let it get the better of her. As a princess, she couldn't allow herself to lose too much face.
"At any rate, aren't you tired, miss Zecora? Surely your journey here must've left you exhausted." Celestia asked amiably.
Zecora shook her head with a pleasantly flattered smile upon her face.
"I am well as you can see
Much less I would've been in the forest of the Everfree
Many thanks I have, so I must assist
I'll do whatever is needed from you princesses."
Celestia and Luna both looked at each other with faint glimmers of optimism, and looked back over to Zecora. Their conversation would be muffled under the sound of the night as their calm dispositions would be shared in the silhouettes of the dark.
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The morning following, and Twilight awoke to the sound of a knock on the door.
Of course! Today, I'll be able to choose a capable secondary assistant! She thought to herself excitedly.
She hurried over to the door. without so much as brushing her mane eager to see her wonderful, helpful--Pinkie Pie?
"Hey Twilight!" Pinkie Pie yelled exuberantly upon the opening to the door, "I heard you weren't eating right, so I brought you an apple pie!"
Twilight had a puzzled look on her face before comically shaking her head as if she was trying to shake something off her face. "Pinkie, that's not exactly--"
Pinkie quickly interrupted, "It has frostingggggg~"
Twilight simply sighed after understanding what she really wanted.
"Care to join me inside Pinkie? Although I have to tell you, I'm extremely busy." Said Twilight with comfort in seeing even her crazy, off-the-wall friend.
Pinkie's face lit as if she were going to explode from happiness, but reverted to a stern face.
"I'd love to, but these guys have been knocking for hours trying to get in touch with you." Pinkie pie said with a casual tone.
Twilight responded with a puzzled look. "Who?"
Pinkie Pie moved over almost as if she was introducing her to show six ponies she's never seen before, but she recognized one of them from.....the files!
"The assistants!" Twilight exclaimed.
Twilight moved Pinkie over using her magic and rushed over to the ponies, all of them with a very impatient look on their face.
"I'm terribly sorry about the delay, I'm--" Twilight was interrupted by a very rude sigh,
"We know who you are, foal 'princess'! Tell me, how it is you're so rude as to leave people awaiting her so long?!"
She looked over at the stallion. He has a silver coat that, complimented his light blue mane. It was the one she was seriously considering to hire, too..He looked very irritable, and.....intimidating. She looked over the other ponies, they all seemed very irritated. Twilight had really messed up, she must've been a lot more tired than she thought, and overslept.
I'm such an idiot! Twilight thought to herself. I'll never get the work done with the bad chemistry just oozing from all of these guys!
Spike was awoken by the outburst, he looked over to see a very angry Pinkie, and assessing the situation began to shout, but stopped himself upon hearing another outburst.
"Hey, that's a little rude of you to talk to a princess like that, don't you think?!" Twilight felt as if she was saved for a second, and looked behind the other six. Looks like some pony DID stay other than these guys. The silver stallion simply glanced back over Twilight with a glare before looking in the direction of the mare in the back.
"Hmph, she may have been accepted by you, but I still haven't accepted her as such." He said with a scowl.
"Well, it's only natural that a princess should be graceful and prompt--She clearly is not anyone of those things!" A refined bronze mare exclaimed. "It's simply unforgivable!"
The other ponies simply muttered in agreement to her words taking turns in sharing disappointed glares at her. Twilight could only hold her head down as they bombarded her with ridicule. She felt as though she could cry. The people haven't accepted her yet, and she couldn't blame them. She's barely acquainted to the title herself. Anyone can be dubbed a princess, but was she really ready for all the responsibility it now held for her? She could only find these thoughts in her head followed by their constant criticisms.
"You guys are out of control to think you can just talk to her like that! So she made a mistake; Everyone makes them!" The mare shouted above the sound of their mutters.
"Not when you're a princess you don't," a rather uppity looking unicorn said with disdain in her voice, "It's clear to me that this girl has much to learn before she'll be a full fledged princess."
The pony from the back walked in front of the crowded ponies and stood in front of Twilight in a protective stance looking dead on at all of the glaring potential assistants. Twilight took another look at her, and she seemed to be one of the most peculiar a mares she's ever seen. Her mane was green and black, and very short. Her coat was a blue-gray, and she worse allot of clothing, something most ponies don't do. It was a black dyed white coat and she wore foot guards. The most interesting thing about her was that she was a Pegasus.
The other potential assistants were unicorns, and well versed in magic. To help with her task, Twilight needed someone who could perform multiple tasks at a quick pace, and be able to assist her with her research as well. She thought that only unicorns would be capable of such a task, but Celestia probably knew something about her she didn't that was on par with the others.
"Will you move?! I have quite a few words to say to our 'princess'!" Yelled the silver stallion with an overbearing tone that made twilight's wings retract.
"Not until you can speak to her in a quiet and respectful manner that everyone one, especially a princess, deserves." Replied the mare.
This was so pathetic! Here she is being battered by horrible words, and she couldn't find the means to stand up for herself. She felt so insecure about her ability to be a capable princess already, it didn't help that these guys are repeatedly shouting it in her ear. She looked at the mare, she could tell she was trying her best, but their constant yelling could break any pony's will to protect her. Especially when she won't even stick up for herself. She looked over to Pinkie and Spike who were both fuming, looking as if one wrong step could make them rush in to go tooth and nail; Twilight knew this couldn't go on any longer. She gathered up all the mental strength she had and began to shout.
"QUIET!" Twilight ordered.
All of the potential assistants tensed up and immediately stopped talking waiting for her words.
"I am truly sorry for my rudeness as a princess, and as your potential employer. Under normal circumstances, there is no excuse for my lateness--but as you can see," She pointed to the piles upon piles of paper clearly visible in the library even from outside, "I have much work I've been assigned and have been doing all of this work day in and out for half a week. I wouldn't have asked any pony to help me if I didn't need it."
The silver coated stallion tried to speak, but upon reflecting his actions, he simply stood there quietly along with the other six who were so hasty to join in on the glares they were so quick to give Twilight. Although she felt very bad about the bad start they had, it was important that they at least respected her enough to not insult her.
"Today, I needed figure out which of you ponies could not only could perform my tasks, but also fit into the flow of my work, which means understanding, kindness and loyalty. Only one of you have shown that in this situation so, while I thank you for the patience you have shown up to this point, the rest of you may go."
As she motioned the others to leave, she looked over at the blue-gray pony.
"Thank you, for standing up for me." Twilight said with pure sincerity.
"No problem, my name is Scrutiny Spectacle." She boldly expressed holding a hoof out. Twilight nodded appreciatively and responded appropriately. "Twilight Sparkle."
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Meanwhile, the faint glow exploded in an abrupt red glow that scared the nearby animals. It was not larger a flash than one that could be seen from the trees, but one thing was for sure: It was.....growing. A faint laughter can be heard throughout the forest..