Winter raged outside the windows of the library. The scheduled snowstorm took many of Ponyville’s residents by surprise with its intensity. Twilight had just finished making Rainbow Dash hot chocolate when Spike stammered into the kitchen, clutching his stomach in pain.
“Spike, are you alright?” Twilight asked, setting the warm cup down in front of Rainbow Dash.
Spike burped and smoke steamed out his nostrils. “Yeah…” He hit his chest a bit with his fist. He grimaced in pain and burped again.
“You don’t look okay.” Twilight walked up to him with worry. Spike clutched his stomach and burped up a large scroll.
“Oh that feels better.” He muttered as Twilight picked up the scroll with her magic. Her violet eyes scanned the letter from the princess as fast as she could and with each word she was filled with dread. “What is it?” Spike asked, trying to peer over her shoulder.
“Princess Celestia has requested an audience with you and I.” Twilight muttered in disbelief. “She says that she would like for you, Cadence, my brother, and I to meet with her and Princess Luna as soon as possible.” The color drained from Twilight’s face.
“What could it be about?” Spike asked, just as baffled as Twilight was.
“It doesn’t say.” Twilight muttered, her mind running a thousand miles a minute trying to understand the letter.
“Mommy what’s that?” Rainbow Dash had gotten up from her chair to try and look at the letter. It had no pictures so she didn’t understand it.
“Mommy and Spike have to go see the Princess.” Twilight explained as simply as she could to Rainbow Dash.
“Auntie Celestia!” Rainbow Dash cheered, buzzing her wings and hovering in the air in excitement. Twilight bit her bottom lip, remembering what it said in the letter.
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, you have to stay here.” Twilight stated sadly. Rainbow Dash whimpered at the thought of that and lowered her hooves to the ground where she fell on her hind.
“Why?” She asked, tilting her head to the side, not quite understanding why Auntie Celesita wouldn’t want to see her, she had the best pancakes after all.
“It’s important business dear.” Twilight responded curtly as she walked up to her room to get her things packed. “Spike, get your things there should be a train leaving for Canterlot in an hour.” She called back.
Spike looked sympathetically at Rainbow Dash, who herself looked dejected. “Let’s go talk to Twilight.” He said, patting her head and walking up the stairs with the filly behind him. They stood in the doorway of Twilight’s room where she was frantically packing her saddlebags, her mind a whirr of questions as to why Celestia would summon her on such short notice.
Spike cleared his throat, stopping Twilight short and she looked to the doorway. “I think you’re forgetting something.” Spike stated, nodding his head to Rainbow Dash slightly. Twilight looked between the two and realization hit her.
“We’ll need to find a babysitter.” She mentally scolded herself, unsure of what to do. She looked out the window to the raging storm. It was too dangerous to go all the way to Fluttershy’s cottage or Applejack’s farm. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone.” Twilight muttered as she finished putting her books and quills into her pack. She walked up to Rainbow Dash who still looked dismal. “Let’s get your things packed and see if Auntie Pinkie Pie will watch you while I’m gone.” She said to the filly
Rainbow’s face lit up. She and Auntie Pinkie always had the most fun. “Okay!” She buzzed her wings in excitement as she raced to her room.
Spike looked to Twilight who had a glazed look on her face. “You alright?” He asked, knowing that look meant that a lot was on the mare’s mind. Twilight shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
“Yeah…” She muttered, putting on a fake smile that Spike saw right through.
“I know you’re not.” He stated as he started getting his things together. “I’m sure Celestia has a good reason to call you up to Canterlot on such short notice.” He said as he packed a few comic books for the trip there.
Twilight sighed and stared out the bedroom door. “This is the first time since the accident that Rainbow Dash and I will be apart.” She stated, her voice sounding hollow. Spike stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
“It won’t be for very long I’m sure. And besides, the girls will surely look after her.” He tried to comfort her.
It was then that Rainbow Dash appeared in the doorway, dragging her blanket behind her with a few toys and books on top of it. “Ready!” She squeaked happily. Twilight couldn’t help but smile. She picked up Rainbow Dash’s things and packed them in her saddlebags.
The one thing Twilight would never consider herself to be was late. She hated being late to anything so it was only a few minutes (and an argument with Rainbow Dash about wearing winter clothes outside) later that the three were out in the snowstorm heading to Sugarcube Corner.
Twilight knocked on the door and in only a few moments Mrs. Cake answered. “Oh hello! Please come in!” The older mare ushered the three of them inside into the warmth of the confectionery. “What brings you out here in this weather?” She asked as they dried off and warmed up.
“Well we’re here for Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said. “I was called away to Canterlot and I need a babysitter to look after Rainbow Dash while I’m gone.” No sooner had Twilight finished her sentence Pinkie Pie appeared from behind Mrs. Cake, startling all of the ponies (Especially Mrs. Cake) in the room as to how she did that. Rainbow Dash giggled and Mrs. Cake rolled her eyes as she went to the back room to help her husband with making their daily batch of pastries.
“Hi there Dashie!” She bounced around and knelt down to Rainbow Dash to pat her on the head. She then looked up to Twilight, “You need good ‘ol Auntie Pinkie Pie to look after her for a few days?” Pinkie Pie stood at attention like a solider and saluted Twilight. “I would be honored!” Rainbow Dash giggled again at Pinkie’s antics.
“Yes.” Twilight stated. “It will only be for a few days I hope.” She informed the pink mare.
“No problemo!” Pinkie Pie smiled. “We’ll have plenty of fun!” She nuzzled Rainbow Dash gently.
“I’m sure you will.” Twilight stated deadpanned. “Just a few things…” Twilight took out Rainbow’s blanket and her things she packed, including a few Twilight packed for her, like a toothbrush and comb. “Her bedtime is at 8pm.” Twilight instructed. “No snacks before bed, period.” She emphasized this point to the bubbly mare.
“Okey dokey lokey!” Pinkie Pie saluted again. “This is Auntie Pinkie you’re talking to Twilight.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m like the expert on babysitting!”
“I know.” Twilight sighed, while she was comfortable with Pinkie Pie looking after Rainbow Dash, she was just nervous about leaving her. “We should get going.” She stated, looking at the clock. She knelt down to Rainbow Dash’s level and nuzzled her. “Rainbow, Mommy and Spike have to leave now.” She said.
Rainbow Dash furrowed her eyebrows. In all of the excitement she had forgotten why they were here in the first place and as Twilight and Spike headed towards the door Rainbow Dash burst after them in a panic. “No!” She yelled and latched onto Twilight’s leg. “No Mommy no!” She cried.
Twilight bit her lip to try and keep her own emotions in check. “I’m sorry Rainbow, I’ll be back soon.” She kissed the filly on the forehead and shook her off of her leg.
Pinkie Pie stepped in and put a hoof around the sobbing filly. “Don’t worry Dashie! Your mommy will be back before you can say… Road trip!” She giggled as the door closed as Twilight took the moment Rainbow Dash was distracted to leave Sugarcube Corner.
Rainbow Dash, with tears in her eyes raced to the window, “No! Mommy!” She sobbed, seeing Twilight disappear in the snowstorm. What she didn’t see was that Twilight had tears in her eyes as she braved the storm, it hurt her heart to be away from Rainbow Dash but she knew she had to make it to Canterlot.
--
The train lurched into the station in Canterlot. Twilight and Spike got their things and got off just like every other pony. Unlike other ponies however, there was a member of the Royal Guard standing on the platform waiting for them.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The Royal Guard Pony stated her name bluntly. “If you will follow me please.” He turned curtly on his hooves and trotted through the bustling city. Twilight and Spike followed him directly to the castle doors where her brother was waiting for her.
“Twily!” He broke out into a huge grin as he raced up and hugged her. “So it’s true?” He asked, as he pulled away from the hug.
“What is?” Twilight asked.
“That I’m an uncle!” His wide-eyed expression was perplexing with the grin he wore. It seemed he didn’t even know how to feel about it.
“Uhhhh I guess?” Twilight blushed; she hadn’t really had time to inform her brother or her parents about what happened. It was a small detail she felt like she will regret later.
“Well, we’ll need to catch up later.” He said, wrapping a hoof around his little sister and leading her into the castle. “Cadence, Celestia and Luna are already inside.” He informed her as they walked the giant halls and passing the stained glass windows that depicted her and her friends, she tried not to look at them and remember what her life used to be.
“Do you know why they called this meeting?” She asked and Shining Armor shook his head.
“No clue, we just received a letter from Celestia requesting our presence immediately.” He shrugged as they entered the throne room where Celestia sat on her large throne with Luna and Cadence on either side.
“Twilight!” Cadence smiled and got up and nuzzled her old friend. Twilight couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes, it is good to see you again Princess Twilight.” Luna added, still a bit reserved as she usually is. Celestia, who didn’t greet the youngest princess, instead delved into business.
“I’ve called you here today because of matters of national security.” Celestia stated and she nodded to the Royal Guard who shut the doors and closed off the throne room. Cadence, Shining Armor and Twilight all looked at each other nervously.
“National security? Princess, what’s going on?” Twilight asked, butterflies flying in her stomach.
Celestia sighed and lit up her horn. Between them appeared a map showing the land of Equestria and its neighboring countries. “A regiment of Royal Guard were doing patrols up north between the border of Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom when they were attacked by a group of Griffons in an organized ambush.” She explained as her magic formed a line where the flight path was and a red X well into Equestria where they were attacked. “Three Royal Guard were injured and two were killed in the attack.” She informed them. Cadence gasped and Shining Armor’s face hardened in anger, Twilight just stared in disbelief.
Celestia continued, ignoring their reactions. “This could be considered an act of war, considering the guard were flying within the Equestrian airspace.” She stated flatly. “Captain Silver Feather, leader of the regiment that was attacked survived. He told me that the griffons claimed they worked for the rebel leader of the nation.” Celestia turned to Twilight with her face as cold as stone. “Her name is Gilda.”
Twilight stumbled on her hooves. “What?” She asked in disbelief, her mouth was dry.
“We have sources confirming that there’s been a growing insurgency in the Griffon Kingdom and a rebel leader has risen up, rallying support for an attack against Equestria.” Celestia filled in for Twilight, who was near fainting if it wasn’t for Spike helping her stand up straight.
“Are you sure it’s her?” Twilight asked, shaking a bit in nervousness. Celestia nodded sadly.
“Certain intelligence has proved it.” Princess Celestia stated. “My sister and I wanted you three to be present as we brief the Royal Advisory Council and Royal Guard of the growing insurrection in the north.” Twilight felt like she was going to vomit as her world was crashing down around her. Shining Armor broke the silence.
“Princess, are we looking at war here?” He asked the burning question on everyone’s mind. Celestia sighed.
“I don’t know, but it’s possible.”