Princess Celestia rose the sun up and set it all over Equestria. A purple castle stood majestically in the center of the village. A purple alicorn with purple mane and pink highlights stepped outside. She seemed to be in a hurry.
"Spike, hurry!" The alicorn shouted. "We need to be at the train station in fifteen minutes!"
"Coming Twilight!" Spike called from inside. He was a small baby dragon with purple skin and green spikes. Spike carried a book and a quill that he always use for taking dictation notes from Twilight Sparkle. He knows he does not need it. But it is still best to keep the book with the baby dragon in case, the princess needed him to write down something important. When Spike came outside, he closed the door and hopped on Twilight's back. Twilight spread her wings and flew off to the train station.
"Sorry, I took so long, I just almost forgot to bring our note taking book," Spike replied.
"That is okay, Spike!" Twilight assured him. She panted a little as she flapped her wings, faster. "I am just so excited that Shining Armor and Cadance are coming today! I cannot wait to see them!"
Three days ago, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had written to her that they plan to visit her for Siblings Day. Siblings Day was a day you get to exchange gifts with your siblings and spend time with them. When Twilight read the letter, she lit up like a lamp. She and Spike had immediately cleaned the whole castle thus it would look presentable and welcoming. Poor Spike became exhausted from all the cleaning! He had wondered how Twilight managed to still have energy-and he thought Pinkie Pie was the energetic one! Princess Twilight had brought two gifts for Shining Armor and Cadance. She could hardly contain her excitement once they see her gifts!
Eleven minutes later, Twilight Sparle and Spike arrived at the train station. It was very busy because other families were either traveling from or to Ponyville for Siblings Day. Twilight Sparkle and Spike struggled to fight through the crowd to get to the train.
"Ugh, I did not expect the train station to be this crowded!" Twilight Sparkle grumbled.
"Please don't let me fall! Please don't let me fall!" Spike prayed. He knew that he fell, he would be seperated from Twilight Sparkle!
"Relax Spike, just hang on tight!" Twilight yelled over the noisy crowd. They walked through the crowd making sure they do not bump into any pony. Finally, the alicorn and the baby dragon made it to the front of the spot where Princess Cadence and Shining Armor would be arriving.
"Are you sure this is the spot?" Spike asked.
"Do not worry, this is the spot," Twilight answered, confidently. Just then, the train arrived. The doors opened and two guards came out. They gave their salute to Twilight Sparkle and Spike. A stallion with white coat and blue mane, with a shield for a cutie mark appeared. Following behind him was a mare with pink coat. Her mane had was purple with pink and white highlights and she had a crystal heart for a cutie mark. Twilight smiled happily when she saw them.
"Brother! Cadence!" Twilight gasped happily. She ran over to them so fast, that Spike fell off her back.
"Twily!" Shining Armor greeted, happily. He hugged Twilgiht and gave her a noogie, making her giggle. He let her go before he squeezed her too tight.
"Twilight!" Cadence chirped. The two princesses also hugged. After letting go, they performed thier secret handshake.
"Sunshine, sunshine! Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They chanted.
"It is so good to see you, two!" Twilight exclaimed.
"It's good to see you too!" Cadence replied, happily.
"I told you we'd come did we not?" Shining Armor winked. Spike groaned as he stood himself up.
"What, no hello for me?" He asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice. Twilight had almost forgotten about Spike.
"Sorry, Spike I did it know you fell off my back!" Twilight apologized, nervously.
"Hello Spike!" the Crystal Empire rulers greeted.
"It is also honorable to see you, too Spike," Cadence giggled.
"How could we forget the one that saved our kingdom?" Shinging Armor added, smiling.
"That's more like it!" Spike piped proudly as his chest puffed up. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes at him.
"Careful Spike, your ego is showing!" She smirked.
"What, where? Aaahhhh!" Spike yelped, frantically looking over himself. The royals just laughed.
Twilgiht and Spike helped the couple carry their luggage to Twilight's castle. When everyone arrived at Twilight's castle, Cadence and Shining Armor were mesmerized at the palace. It only was it beautiful but also unique in style. Twilight gave her brother and sister-in-law a tour around the castle. Spike struggled carrying the luggage because they were so heavy. He placed them inside Twilight's bedroom. While Twilight was showing the couple the bathroom, Spike laid his head to rest. Before he could slip into dreamland, Owlicious, the owl, cooed at Spike. Spike jumped because Owlicious scared him out of his wits.
"Oh what do you want, now?" Spike grumbled, tiredly. Owlicious made a sound as if to say he was hungry.
"All right,all right, just let me get you some bird seed," Spike replied. He gave Owlicious some bird seed.
Later, The captain, the two princesses, and the baby dragon gathered around in the living room. This was the moment that they all had been waiting for. The time to exchange gifts for Siblings Day!
Shining Armor opened his present from Twilight.
"Wow, Twiliy!" He laughed, holding a brand new book set. "How did you know that I would like Lord of the Rings series?"
"Sister Intuition?" Twilight smirked.
"Thanks, Twily!" Shining Armor hugged Twilight. Next, Cadence opened her gift from Twilight.
"Oh Shining Armor, look!" Cadence gasped, as she unwrapped her gift. It was a pink and white beaded necklace and a pair of matching earrings.
"Thank you Twilight!" Cadance squealed, hugging Twilight. "I'll wear these to our next gala!"
"Which reminds me of something!" said Shining Armor as he handed his gift to Twilight. Twilight got the same exact jewelry set only except the colors were purple and blue.
"Thank you Shining Armor!" Twilight exclaimed, hugging her brother.
"No problem!" He said.
"Hey, we'll wear our new jewelry to the next gala," Cadence said, excitedly.
"Yeah, that'd be awesome!" Twilight squealed.
"Um, I have a present for you three!" Spike announced, abruptly. He had to say something before they become carried away with the talk of jewelry and dances. "I know we are not siblings, but I have known you guys for so long at I felt as if you were my brother and sisters. Which is why I am dedicating a poem to you!"
"Wow, I like poetry!" Twilight whispered excitedly. Spike cleared his throat.
"The name of the poem is Brother and Sister.
They are such a special pair
They laugh and play, they have fun all day
With energy to spare
Oftentimes they disagree
But before the daylight ends
They are sitting side by side
the very best of friends
So we will hang all these pictures
on the wall for all to see
A cool brother, a sweet sister
Who are as special as can be!
The royal horses clapped, enthusiastically.
"Oh Spike!" Twilight gushed. She was touched that Spike's poem.
"That was so sweet!" Cadence cheered.
"Well said, bro!" Shining commented, giving Spike a playful hit on he back. Spike almost fell over but regained his balance.
"Thanks," he said, putting his claw at he back of his neck.
"Last but not least, my turn to give a gift to Twilight Sparkle!" Cadence announced. She handed Twilight Sparkle a present with pink paper and a purple bow. Twilight Sparkle untied the ribbon and ripped the wrapper. It was a red thick book with a fancy cursive writing. The title read "The Singing Heart."
"A brand new book!?" Twilight squealed. "This is terrific!"
"A brand new book!?" Spike said exasperatedly. "I hope we can find room in the library for this book because our bookshelves are stacked!"
The royal couple laughed, thinking Spike was joking. Twilight gave him a glare before opening the book. "I wonder what the story's about!"
"Looks like a romance novel, if you ask me," Spike observed. "Is it a romance novel?"
"Oh yes!" Cadence sighed, happily. Before she could tell the synopsis, she noticed Twilight's smile fading away. Shining Armor noticed it, too.
"Twilight, what's wrong?" They both asked, worriedly.
"Nothing!" Twilight said, quickly. "I love the book! Really! It's just that...,"
The royal couple encouraged her to continue. Twilight Sparkle sighed.
"Last time, I read a romance novel it was a disaster!" She finished."Yeah!" Spike exclaimed. "The book made her so crazy, that I had to call Fluttershy to calm her down!"
"Oh my, what book was it?" Cadence gasped. Spike was about to speak, when the captain lifted his hoof to silence him.
"Wait, let me guess!" Shining Armor stated. "The one where some moody mare, Belly, falls for some boring vampire, Dumbward, and some annoying werewolf, Loony?"
"No, it's the one where some college mare, Banana, has a very creepy relationship with her boss, Mr. Greyhooves!" Twilight shuddered.
"How did you get access to that book?" Shining Armor wondered, shuddering.
"Trixie gave it to me as a gift. Boy was I fool to read it! I had to burn that book after I read it!" Twilight explained. Cadence gave her a sympathetic hug.
"You poor thing!" She murmured.
"Seems to me Trixie has bad taste in books!" Shining analyzed.
"Aye, I think so too!" Spike agreed.
"You two do not have to worry," Cadence smiled assuredly at Twilight and Spike. "The Singing Heart is nothing like those two books. I had read the book and it has a positive portrayal of romance."
"What is the story about?" Twilight inquired, hesitantly.
"It is about a young Pegasus who is hired by the King of Draconia to become a governess to his five naughty daughters." Cadence explained.
"No sex and violence?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"No sex and violence!" Cadence smiled, confidently.
Twilight's fears were washed away as she looked at Cadence. Although she was still skeptical at the book, Twilight did not want to hurt her sister-in-law's feelings by not reading it.
"Well, I suppose it won't hurt to read it," Twilight said hesitantly. Then an idea hit her. "Hey, why don't I read it to you all out loud?"
"Sure!" Cadence chirped.
"Great idea, sis!" Shining Armor added.
"Why not?" Spike shrugged. After fetching blankets and pillows, everyone gathered around in a circle. The three ponies and the baby dragon each had a cup of tea in their hoofs/claws. Twilight Sparkle opened the book to the first chapter and began to read.
"Chapter one. Once upon a time...,"