//------------------------------//
// The Library Conference 
// Story: Rainbow Dash and the Crystal Empire 
// by Rainbow Dash 55 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash was right: they were headed to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's old castle. Apparently, it was being renovated so they could live there again.
Rainbow soon found out why they were there.
"Celestia!", Twilight cried. She ran over to her.
"Twilight! Rainbow Dash! What is the meaning of this delightful surprise?", Princess Celestia smiled.
Rainbow bowed. "Your Highness, we have terrible news."
Celestia's smile faded. "Come with me."
She led them into the library, where Princess Luna was discussing blueprints with a construction worker, just like Celestia was when they got there.
"You may be dismissed. Tell everypony else to take a 30-minute lunch break." Celestia smiled kindly at him, but Rainbow could sense she was stressed.
The construction worker bowed, then left.
"Hello, sister. Twilight. Rainbow Dash," Luna greeted them.
Rainbow bowed again.
"Luna," Celestia said. "Twilight has something to tell us."
They all looked at her.
"Uh..." Twilight didn't plan this out very well.
"Allow me, your highness," Rainbow saved her. "This is very difficult to say, but. The Crystal Empire. Twilight believes it is being invaded, once again."
The sisters gasped, and Twilight gulped.
"What gives you a reason to believe this, Twilight?", Celestia asked.
"Well, my wings are hurting, and I can't fly well at all. I also saw a bright flash coming from the direction of the castle. I assumed it was, well--"
"Harmed," Luna finished.
"Oh, Celestia, I don't know what to do!", Twilight cried. "I came to you because you always know what to do, with the help of Luna, of course. I'm so sorry! I'm not ready to be a princess yet! I--"
While Luna and Rainbow comforted her, Celestia smiled. "Actually, Twilight. There's something I've been keeping from you. From everypony."
Twilight sniffed.
"You don't have to tell her, sister," Luna assured her.
"No. I do. It's the only way you can save the Crystal Empire." She sighed. "Many ponies believe that I am a great, problem-solving leader. A true princess. But the truth is...Luna's responsible."




"WHAT?", Twilight and Rainbow asked at the same time.
"It's true," Luna walked over to Celestia, and smiled. "I'm sort of the mastermind behind everything."
"It's just that, everypony expects me to be the brave, heroic, older, wiser sister. And I'm not. I try to be a loving sister, but I don't save the day or make all the conferences. That's all Luna's doing. She deserves all the credit. And always has. So, I want Luna to help you with this mission. I trust her."
She started to walk away, but Rainbow said, "That's it? You aren't going to help us at all?"
Celestia sighed. "I'll only get in the way." She closed the doors with a spell from her horn.
They looked at Luna, and she, too, sighed. "She's had some difficulties in the past with these sort of things. Do you two remember the story of when I was banished?" They nodded. "After I was freed from the moon, she told me there were hundreds of other ways she could've punished me. She told me a few dozen ways she could have, but I forgave her. And she forgave me."
"That's amazing," Rainbow said.
Then, a window shattered.