Twilight carefully lifted the lid of the odd package that had arrived at the laboratory and smiled warmly. Inside was a cake, well at least it resembled one anyway. She looked at the running white icing and sloughing ‘sponge’ contained within before reading the message written on the stricken treat:
“Congrudlations Director on the completion of T.C.A.P! We all look forward to wroking with you in the future!”
Twilight ignored the distorted nature of the words and simply enjoyed the warm fuzzy feeling that came from knowing that they cared. The simple basket had been delivered from the local primary school, made by the children there just for her. It had arrived, by standard post, at the desk of the newly completed research building.
‘T.C.A.P’ or ‘Twilight’s Centre for Academic Progression’ was a marvel of the modern age. It was a place where the new sciences of magical technology were studied, explored and created. Now on the day of it’s completion Twilight felt elated and a little saddened. So much work had gone into this place and there were still many wonders ahead of her as they explored this evolving craft that was the blending of magic and mechanical construction.
As with every stepping stone in life Twilight found that achieving something was only part the fulfillment of a task; the journey was half the experience - and what a journey this project had been! She lifted a hoof to remove some pins holding her mane in a tight knot, letting the dark purple locks tumble down and cast aside her ceremonial crown.
Being dressed up for the celebration was all fine in theory, but after the third hour Twilight had been dying to get out of the formal attire and just be herself again. She cast off the formal trimmings, the jewelry and the beautiful shoes with a sigh of relief. Comfort was secondary to appearance it seemed.
She arose from her immaculate desk, covered with papers, forms and writing utensils and supporting a new communications terminal. She trotted over to the window overlooking the main courtyard below, crossing the deep blue carpet and pictures of notable figures from the past to stand before the large window that made up the far wall of her office.
Twilight caught sight of her reflection in the glass and regarded the purple pony before her. The novelty of her being an alicorn had faded somewhat now, being swallowed up in the new duties Twilight had to perform. She spread her wings and almost laughed at how once they’d been new and amazing. They still looked the same, but the feeling of awe Twilight had once felt had dimmed with time. Oh how we take things for granted.
Down below, far down below, Twilight saw the life blood of T.C.A.P bustling about the daily business of running such a facility. T.C.A.P was a monument of glass and steel, the central spire from which Twilight looked down to the subterranean test warehouses and hangar bays where the more exotic experiments took place.
She shook her head at the central statue that dominated the central plaza, a far too kind depiction of Twilight herself. She studied the depiction of her, laying down on her stomach while reading a book to numerous youngsters of various races. Everything from her horn to the folded wings at Twilight’s sides were picked out in crystal, a gift from her fellow Princess Cadence. The various foals, chicks and younglings were each shown in different precious stones and marbles.
“A symbol for this new centre of learning, each race who took part having a place of equal footing upon this road of discovery! “
Twilight could still hear the words of Trixie her ‘P.R’ specialist as she announced to the gathered crowds that had come to the ceremony. Every time she thought of Trixie Twilight couldn’t help but smile. To think that such a pony who at one time had hated her could now become one of Twilight’s closest friends. The redemption of Trixie was nothing short of miraculous in Twilight’s mind, only surpassed by Discord’s reformation in her mind.
Such was the power of friendship and simply caring for one another. Sure many of the other races thought it was sappy wishful thinking, but the results couldn’t be denied. With the simple application of the principles of harmony the world had changed.
Starting from the humble beginnings in Ponyville, the magic of friendship had carried Twilight to where she was now. The director of a new school, a princess in a alliance of nations that included griffons, ponies, zebra and even dragons. It was humbling and scary despite being so exciting. The world was theirs to explore now, as the infighting and opposition faded new potentials had become a reality.
Of course there were still dangers out there, changelings, monsters and other creatures who were (for the time being at least) beyond reason and peace. Twilight hoped with time that everyone would find a balance of at least tolerance, but that was a distant goal that had to be done in small steps.
Twilight cast her gaze further afield and saw the now thriving city that Ponyville had become. Nestled in its heart were the selfsame little cottages that founded this place, preserved and kept to remind all of the city's humble roots. Even with all the inventions and progress it was important to remember the basics, the core values that Equestria was built upon. Without them all this was smoke and mirrors.
The newer buildings had sprung up around the little town as fame and chances for learning had drawn peoples from all over the lands. Ponyville was now the cosmopolitan centre for Equestria where it was commonplace to see all kinds walking its streets. The air was full of griffons, pegasi and other flying races, the shops run by buffalo or zebra and everywhere a feeling of hopeful unity.
Every place had its troubles and Equestria was no different, but by and large things had gone from strength to strength and T.C.A.P was the latest jewel to be unearthed in this changing age.
Twilight smiled as she saw Spike’s own home on the outskirts of Ponyville; his own personal mountain, crafted from the highest quality stone and gems from the lands all around. She thought of her adopted ‘little’ brother and smiled happily. She was so proud of him and all he’d accomplished too. Equestria’s envoy to the Dragon Empires and a powerful dragon in his own right, Spike was an example that even such different races could find a place to work in harmony with others.
Her eyes picked out the rolling farmland of the Apple’s orchards, Fluttershy’s still simple cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest and Rarity’s own little business empire that dominated the trade districts. Twilight reckoned she could hear the music being played at Sugar Cube Corner and even see the distant flash of a rainbow from Cloudsdale from her vantage point.
Twilight’s dearest friends had moved with the times too, each finding success and happiness in their own ways. They were famous, heroines of the land and had been well rewarded. Sometimes Twilight missed the simple little group of friends learning from each other the simple basics of getting along.
She recalled the great things they had accomplished together, the return of Luna to the land, Discord’s troubles that had been overcome, the saving of the Crystal empire and many more little triumphs which were each a tale of their own. Talked about and recorded in history the exploits of the ‘Elements of Harmony’ were so fantastic that if Twilight hadn’t lived them she would be hard pressed to believe such.
Pulling her mind back to the here and now Twilight smiled again, still so much to be done. With a contented sigh she returned to her desk and with a few hoof strokes upon the runed display powered up the monitor. Just one of the examples of magical technology recently developed - Twilight was quite proud of this if she did say so herself. A scrying crystal, machined into a smooth plate and mounted into a brass frame. An expansion of a simple idea which when linked to others of the same manner throughout Ponyville and created a network of almost instant communication.
Twilight entered in her own pass-codes and pulled up her schedule from central storage. It was a massive list of meetings and appointments, the one thing Twilight didn’t have now was much free time. The combined duties of royalty and running T.C.A.P took their toll, but Twilight wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tapping her hoof idly Twilight sorted through the reports and messages, all important in their own way. Well perhaps not the advert for horn polish, how did those things get into the central storage core anyhow? Twilight chuckled, it didn’t take long for enterprising citizens to make unforeseen use of the new technology.
That was when she saw it, a flashing icon in the top left of the ‘screen’. A message arriving with an attachment. Twilight sighed, she was only half way through reviewing the information already present. What ever that new message was it would just have to wait.
Continuing down the list Twilight saw that Trixie had been busy, several public appearances had been arranged for her and….. A gentle chime informed Twilight that another message was awaiting her.
Stubbornly ignoring the disruption Twilight pressed on, a lecture to prepare for, meeting with Applebloom about the refits to the Bloomberg…..’bling’ Another message made itself known and Twilight ground her teeth, Trixie was supposed to screen unwanted messages until Twilight was ready to receive them but evidently she...’bling, bling, bling, bling’
Twilight’s temper frayed, “What! What could be so important!” With a snort she moved a hoof over to the incessant icon and hit the screen in anger. Five messages resolved before Twilight’s angry face. Luna, Celestia, Cadence, Paperweight and another advert (this time for hoof buffing sessions.)
Taking a deep breath Twilight did her best to compose herself before opening the first link: Twilight, need to speak with you! Luna
That was Luna alright, simple and to the point. Twilight rolled her eyes, every message from Luna was a ‘need to’. Probably her connection to the new network was slow or something. Still the other Princesses were trying to reach Twilight so maybe it was something important?
Celestia’s message was was nothing if even more cryptic though: Princess Twilight, we have an important matter to discuss with you at your earliest opportunity. It concerns a grave matter that I will only divulge face to face. Please come as soon as you are able to Canterlot.
Well that was helpful….. But if Celestia was talking about the same thing then maybe? Twilight quickly opened Cadence’s message and found it was of the same ilk: A few pleasantries followed by an urgent call for an important meeting. Clearly something was ahoof in the world and she was needed urgently.
With a resigned sigh Twilight dismissed her carefully organised schedule and began composing replies to her fellow rulers. “I really need to invent a way to send a reply to every pony at once,” Twilight muttered.
She briefly glanced at Paperweight’s message, no doubt an update on his project. For a few moments Twilight considered opening it, royal duties came before the indulgences of study. With a mental note to catch up later Twilight powered down her screen and headed swiftly for the door.
Twilight angled her flight and swooped around the majestic city Canterlot. Unlike Ponyville Canterlot had stubbornly refused to change its appearance with the new age. The capital of Equestria looked like it had for centuries, its towers the selfsame rounded style favoured of old.
She suspected that as with Celestia and Luna Canterlot took after its Timeless rulers maintaining something solid and dependable in the world. A point of reference, as it were, for a land whose face was changing quickly in the face of progress.
Twilight had passed many examples of the new technology sweeping Equestria on her journey. She’d seen crystal relay towers springing up across the land - glowing peaks forming an important chain in the growing network of protective fields enveloping Equestria along with speeding messages through the air to the far corners of the alliance’s reaches.
Despite their practical nature care had been taken to keep them aesthetically pleasing. Twilight still wondered at the graceful pillars that more resembled glittering trees in the early dawn light than mechanical constructs. Their polished ‘trunks’ composed of magically conductive metals while their branches were decorated with shimmering crystal leaves, each one a hub for a different use.
Maybe it was the influence of other cultures that had made Equestria more sensitive to potential threats? Or maybe just hard won experience? Along with messages those towers maintained among other things a changeling detection field, barrier spells and a host of other subtle but purely defensive measures.
The Bloomberg had been a tipping point Twilight felt, the first Equestrian airship designed for hazardous travel and making use of the still progressing magical technology. It had been only a few short years since Twilight has seen the prototype vessel launched on its maiden voyage. She’d been there at the helm, official envoy to the dragon lands and what an adventure that had been.
The lessons learnt there were being put into practice now as Twilight approached Canterlot. It was subtle but there, a number of outlying outposts tracked her progress. Ready to raise defences at a moments notice. Are we losing our identity? The thought was quick and insidious and Twilight felt foolish for even thinking such a thing.
If there was one thing she trusted it was of the generally good nature of her people. Peaceful herbivores, lovers of things that grow. That was Equestria right? It was a tiny fear that gnawed at Twilight. When she’d first began her delvings into this new science everything had been about discovery and potential. Now?
Twilight would be there in her laboratory, working to make everyone’s lives better and know that she was doing something good. But then she’d come out into the world and see some of the results of her work and…..
“Is a sword an evil thing?” Twilight started realizing that she’d zoned out, almost on automatic Twilight and swept over the houses and mansions of Canterlot before coming into land upon one of the highest towers of Canterlot castle.
She looked up into the smiling face of Celestia who was watching Twilight with a knowing smile, “You looked distant Princess, the worries of the world weighing you down?” Celestia’s voice was jovial but Twilight sensed a slight undercurrent in her former mentor’s tone.
“Celestia I came as soon as I could,” Twilight nodded to her, funny how you can get used to some things. It seemed only yesterday Twilight would have felt it proper to bow, now a simple nod in respect would feel appropriate rather than prostrate herself.
“You didn’t answer my question Twilight,” Celestia’s tone was cold and Twilight felt her moment of assurance crumble.
“Sorry Princess I….no I was just thinking about things that’s all,” The long dormant urge to bow returned and to Twilight’s annoyance Celestia seemed to see it too.
“Twilight, you couldn’t pull the wool over my eyes years ago and still can’t now. Tell me what’s bothering you,” Celestia gave Twilight a calculating look that keenly reminded her just how vast the gulf was between the two of them. It was easy to forget that Celestia had been around since, well time itself.
Twilight forced a smile and to her relief Celestia met it with a genuine one of her own, “It’s a question that’s been on my mind since the first weapons of war were made Twilight. Is a sword or any other weapon evil?”
Studying Celestia’s face Twilight saw that the question had more depth to it than simple words, “Any tool used in the wrong way can be evil; a spade, a rock a hoof. All can be put to good or ill.” Celestia had cut to the heart of the matter and Twilight shouldn’t have felt surprised.
“Good Twilight, every so often it’s good to review past lessons to remind ourselves what’s important,” Celestia replied with approval and a wing of comfort.
Twilight felt its touch like a gentle breeze, yet it conveyed a power that was bewitching. Celestia and Luna were in this world yet not quite of it and no matter how normal they strove to appear they would always be a step apart from even Twilight or Cadence.
Celestia’s white coat shone even in the daylight, like a muted version of the sun above held within her own body. Twilight’s own magical senses had only grown with her own transformation into an alicorn and as she’d grown used to them the world had become more visible to her.
Celestia was a primal force, an element of the world given form and as she led Twilight down the stairwell Twilight thanked the heavens that it was given a smiling too. “It’s good to see you again Twilight, thank you for responding so quickly to my message,” Celestia commented over her shoulder as she lead Twilight down the stairwell.
“Of course Celestia. Luna and Cadence are here already?” Twilight asked trying to keep her mind focused. Even as a princess Twilight was still rooted in the earth, a being of this world granted a touch of something greater. To be around Celestia was like standing close to a flame, warming and mesmerising at the same time.
Twilight would have thought that becoming an alicorn would have made Celestia’s presence easier to bear, but instead it made her even more keenly just how different a royal alicorn was. It was like stepping out of a cave and finding yourself on a mountain top. Just when you thought you had the measure of your world a massive new vista was unveiled to you.
“They are Twilight, we have refreshments and even cake. It’s got Cloudsdale icing,” Celestia replied with a smile while bouncing her eyebrows mischievously.
Then Celestia would do something like that, take a simple pleasure in a mundane thing like cake. You could almost forget that you were with a timeless creature who had seen nations rise and fall.
“Glad to hear it. So what’s this all about?” Twilight asked.
Celestia’s smile remained, but her eyes pulled away from it, “There will be time enough for that Twilight.”
Drawing things out, taking all the time in the world. That was another habit of the timeless it seemed. Celestia would make even the simplest meeting stretch out, dancing around the issue unless it was pressing and savouring every moment like a fine wine.
Twilight’s expression must have show her annoyance as Celestia laughed musically, “Sorry Twilight I know how you like to stay on topic, please forgive an old mare’s desire to indulge in small talk.”
That was another thing, age did different things to a pony. Celestia could almost be seen as laid back sometimes. Like a cat basking in the sunlight without a care in the world. Letting the world pass it by while it enjoyed the simple pleasures of comfort.
Luna was so different, ever eager to be doing. Where Celestia would sit back and allow others to shine Luna would be in at the thick of things. Almost fearful that if she didn’t take an active role in events, then a vital opportunity would be missed. She poured her soul into even the simplest action as if the existence of the world depended upon it.
Will I end up like them? Twilight wondered. She wasn’t timeless like the royal sisters, neither was Twilight’s sister in law Cadence. But they would be long lived from what Twilight had researched. Time enough to get terribly set in their ways no doubt. The thought brought Twilight out of her musings with a smile.
Their progress through the castle lead Twilight to the royal meeting chamber and as the gilded doors opened her heart leaped to see Luna and Cadence already present. They sat side by side at a large rounded table covered with plates of food. There indeed was cake Twilight noted and she could almost hear Celestia’s mouth watering.
That was when the suspicion hit Twilight, the smiles were too wide, the eyes too hungry, “Oh no you’re not going to….”
The doors slammed shut in an ominous fashion and Twilight realised she’d been tricked. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all burst from concealment and thunderus cry of, “Surprise!” shook the windows.
“Of course we would Twilight,” Celestia grinned as she hugged her. “We knew you would never find time to step away from things without some help so we pulled a few strings to organise this!”
Celestia waved a hoof to encompass the room which had quickly filled with the sounds of party poppers and clouds of confetti. Twilight looked from one smiling face to another and sighed in defeat before smiling back, “Okay you win.”
“You simply must put more effort into the aesthetics of your work Twilight, I mean do they have to look so…..” Rarity rubbed her hoof on the table as she sought the right word, her brow furrowing.
“Functional?” Twilight suggested with a little smile.
“Well was trying to find a nice word for drab, but that’s as good as any,” Rarity conceded.
“Well as long as they keep all them nasty beasts out of Equestria and don’t get in the way of workin folk they could look like whatever yer like Twi,” Applejack added between mouthfuls.
“It’s not as simple as that Applejack, we have to think of Equestria’s image. If we’re going to be in the spotlight then appearances must be maintained,” Rarity countered.
The surprise celebration of T.C.A.P’s official opening was winding down now. All the ponies present were in that gentle state of contentment: Too full to dance, but not so full as to be able to consider just another mouthful.
The talk had moved from one topic to another, how well the opening ceremony had gone to the latest news from the Crystal Fiefdom. All eased by the best the kitchens had to offer. Twilight leaned back in her comfortable chair closed her eyes and smiled. The day had been a good one overall. She really needed to have breaks like this more often, but then so much work wouldn’t get done.
Forcing her now heavy eyes open Twilight couldn’t help but grin. Here they all were, friends and rulers all enjoying a pleasant evening together. The worries of the world seemed far away. She was glad to see that age still hadn’t caught up with her friends. They hardly looked a few years older than when Twilight had first met them all those years ago. Quite a feat considering that many of them had foals that were adults by now.
How old was Rainbow now for example? Thirty six or seven? Yet she could still out race the best of them on the flight tracks in Cloudsdale. You could look at Fluttershy and would never guess she’d had three foals of her own, Applejack too for that matter. She wouldn’t question such good fortune. Heaven’s knew they’d all had their own shares of hardships too, like the day Rarity found out she couldn’t have foals.
Rarity had taken the news hard, but arose to the occasion with admirable courage and opened her home to orphans of every kind. As Twilight looked to her friend she would never have guessed anything was wrong in her life.
“It’s what we all do Twilight, put on a brave face for those around us. It’s the mark of a great will to know when to do so and when not,” Twilight was pulled from her revery by the gentle voice of Luna.
In all the excitement Twilight hadn’t noticed her approach. Luna was so like Celestia, yet so different. The cool intensity about her left its own kind of mark upon the soul. Whereas Celestia was akin to a warming flame, Luna was the quiet promise of mysteries unbound. Wondrous secrets that could delight and fascinate, but needed to be guarded carefully until the time was right to know them.
Yet there was a simple direct honesty about her, Luna said what she thought and did what seemed right despite what others may think. The ponies of Equestria could easily worship Celestia, her presence practically invited it. While Luna was quietly respected, for her the adoration had never flown as easily, but once earned was solid as stone. Both manners held their own perils as well as their own potential.
“Nice party,“ Twilight replied distantly as Luna’s eyes regarded curiously.
“It is, isn’t it,” Luna replied with a genuine smile, but the look was still there.
Twilight wasn’t new to Luna’s manner, she could tell something was on her mind. They both sat there as the party continued around them until Twilight could bear it no longer, “So it wasn’t just the party that you wanted me to come for is it?”
Luna actually looked surprised, “Am I that easy to read?”
Twilight smiled warmly, “Well I’ve had a few years practice Luna, no doubt you can read me just as easily?”
For the first time that night Luna looked uncertain, “Not one of my best skills, reading ponies. Tia was always better at that.” Silence settled between them; a small island of calm as the others continued to enjoy themselves. “But times are better now, no point dwelling on sad things of the past unless you need to.”
Twilight glanced at Luna critically. It was always a sign that something was wearing on her when she got cryptic, “And you feel that you need to Luna?”
“Paperweight has discovered something, interesting Twilight and I could do with my fellow ruler’s advice as how to deal with such,” Luna said almost in a whisper and Twilight felt her ears prick up in interest.