Luna sighed as she took one last look at the stack of reports remaining on her desk and mused to herself, “I never realized how much paperwork it took to keep Equestria running. Why would I have have actually ever wanted this?”
“You also weren’t the same pony those thousand years ago.” Celestia said, as she walked into Luna’s office.
“That I was not.” Luna sighed before continuing, “Sister, how did thou manage this all those years?” Luna inquired.
“To be honest, I almost didn’t” Celestia replied, sounding tired, “If you look back on the times that you were gone there were several instances of ponies coming close to open rebellion. This is one the reasons that the nobles exist now. I gave them titles, land, and had them run certain parts of government, or used them to indirectly control the general populace.”
“It would seem that now they are more trouble than help.” Luna responded irritably before continuing ‘Why didn't thou put a stop to the corruption beforehoof?
“By that time the nobles had grown too powerful and had too much support among the populace,” She stopped to take a breath before continuing, “Also, I had passed laws that gave them some measure of power so that they would be an effective method to control the populace. Unfortunately it was this very power that makes it so that, to this day, we are stuck with them.”
“While this is all interesting, that is not why I requested your presence, my sister. I had wished to inquire about how long it might be before you feel ready to resume your duties?” Luna asked seriously.
“I’m well, I’m not sure.” Celestia replied, not meeting her sister’s eyes.
“You must get ahold of yourself; it has been what three almost four months now? While Miss Sparkle’s passing has been hard on us all, it is your duty to push onwards, regardless. The civilians question what you have been up to. There are even rumors spreading about how I am Nightmare Moon returned to try and cause an eternal night.” Luna said, sounding bitter.
“How can ponies still believe such nonsense?” Celestia exclaimed, “How many times must I assure them that you were not yourself at that time?”
“To be honest, I do not believe that the ponies of Equestria will ever truly consider me as an equal to you. This is why it is imperative that you must return to your duties as soon as possible.” Luna sadly replied.
“Well, next week I have plans to go and visit Ponyville.” Celestia said slowly.
“Ponyville? You have plans to go and visit with Miss Sparkle’s friends?” Luna inquired.
“I had wished to see how they were holding up all this time, and I need to talk to them about Twilight’s parents.” Celestia explained.
Luna grunted out, “Hmph, if I had my way they would no longer be breathing.”
“How many times have I told you that the death penalty no longer exists?” Celestia asked, in exasperation.
“I still feel that was a blunder on your part.” Luna muttered, “Anyways, why wait a week to go and visit Ponyville, when you could visit now? It’s not like you’ve been doing anything lately. The sooner you get this off your chest, the sooner you can start doing all this blasted paperwork again.”
“All that Blasted paperwork is what helps to keep this place running.” Celestia gently reminded Luna.
“I know, but that does not mean that I have to like it.” Luna muttered waving her hoof in front of her face in irritation.
“You should go to Ponyville Later today and talk with Twilight’s friends, then get back here and do your own paperwork.” Luna insisted.
With that, she stormed off down the hallway, hoof steps echoing off the walls leaving Celestia standing in front of her office thinking about what her sister had told her.
• • • • Ponyville Later That Day • • • •
As Applejack opened up the door, the rest of the girls held their breath as they leaned forward. The door swung open without incident. They sat there for a few minutes, as if deciding as to who was going to go into the library first. After they all sat there next to each other for a few minutes exchanging stares, Rainbow spoke up in her raspy voice.
“What are we waiting for?” she demanded.
With that, she took off into the house at a speed others could only hope to achieve. The rest of the group only stared after her in silence.
Next to go in was Applejack saying, “Well somepony is gonna have to go in after her, even if it's only to keep her out of trouble.” She said as she ran in after Rainbow.
Rarity then spoke up. “Well, I guess I had better go on in and see that they keep out of trouble,” She turned to look at Fluttershy, “Are you going to be alright, darling?”
Fluttershy just nodded her head and followed Rarity through the door.
Rainbow heard her friend come into the library right after her, she thought about it and that maybe she should stop and let Applejack catch up to her so that they could face whomever kept Spike hostage together. But when she stopped to get her bearings, she noticed that the only thing in the bottom floor of the library was a single chair with a certain baby dragon tied to it.
“Spike?” The uncertain pegasus asked.
“Dash, is it really you?” Spike asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.
“Is there another pegasus with a mane as awesome as this?” She responded, running her forehoof through her prismatic hair.
“Well, no. anyways can you untie me?” Spike asked hopefully.
“First, who tied you up?” Rainbow asked.
“Could you please untie me first? Spike insisted before going on, “This is getting really uncomfortable.”
“First tell me who tied you up, because I need to kick that pony’s flank all across Equestria!” Rainbow replied doing a backflip through the air as it trying to imitate kicking somepony before adding, “Then I might untie you” she smirked.
“I’m not sure who tied me up, I didn't get a chance to see them. One second I am coming from the basement to grab one of Twilight’s old books to look something up, and the only thing I remember after that is a flash of light and me tied to the chair” Spike answered, refusing to meet Dash in the eyes.
“So you are saying you have absolutely no idea who did this to you?” Dash asked in a flat voice.
“He’s lying,” Applejack declared having just caught up.
“How can you tell?” Rainbow asked.
“Jus’ take a look at his eyes, he wouldn't look you in the eye when he answered your question.” Applejack responded, gesturing towards spike.
The rest of the group had now caught up and was surrounding Spike.
“So, care ta explain why you have yourself tied up and having us worry ‘bout you this whole time?” Applejack asked.
“Well it kinda felt like you guys were avoiding me.” Spike tilted his head down, as the words left his mouth. He continued on while staring at the ground, “So why were you avoiding me?”
“Avoiding ya? Now why in tarnation would we go and do somethin’ silly like that?” Applejack asked refusing to look at anypony elses eyes.
“Well, I don’t know why, but everytime I came up to buy apples, suddenly you weren’t there.” Spike replied eyes still locked on the ground.
Applejack just turned her head away from spike and whispered hoarsely, “I’m sorry.”
Spike looked around the room at everypony else and pleadingly asked, “Why was everypony treating me as if they didn’t care about me anymore?”
A nervous Fluttershy looked up and started to speak in her soft voice, “We thought that you might blame us for Twilight’s death.” At the mention of Twilight Spike flinched. Fluttershy continued, “I don’t think any of us were prepared to deal with you being mad at us for it.” She ended softly.
After Fluttershy had finished speaking, the rest of Twilights friends looked around the room at each other in shame.
“Now please could somepony untie me?” Spike asked, obviously uncomfortable in his restraints.
“Sure, but first why did you tie yourself up? Your letter would have brought us all here anyhow.” Applejack asked.
“It seemed a good idea at the time.” Spike admitted, embarrassedly.
After hearing Spike’s response, Applejack proceeded to free Spike from the chair that he had tied himself to.
“Anyways, with Twilight gone, whatever could the princess want with the likes of us? I
mean the element of magic is absent, so it’s not like we can use the elements to help in the defense of Equestria anymore.” Rarity asked, sounding confused.
“Well, according to her letter she wants to talk to us about Twilight’s parents.” Spike stated.
“Well, when is she supposed to be here?” Pinkie asked excitedly, before continuing, “I have a party to plan!”
“Well, at least Pinkie is feeling happier now.” Rainbow stated tiredly
“The letter said to expect her in a week, and that was only yesterday.” Spike said.
“Oh that is more than enough time, for a second I got worried thinking I only had twenty-four hours or something to make the party for the princess. For that kind of party I need at least twenty-five!” Pinkie said sounding absolutely serious.
“Only twenty-five hours for a party worthy of my attendance? My, my what a bold boast. I might just have to take you up on that one.” a tired-sounding voice said from the doorway.
Pinkie's eyes widened even as she turned to look at the door, “Princess?”
“Hello my little ponies, now sit yourselves down for I need to speak with all of you.” Celestia said, with a heaviness in her eyes.