The next day, Twilight Sparkle and Spike trotted across the streets of Canterlot on the way to the royal castle. On the way, Twilight bumped over a fellow pony. They were both fell over. When Twilight got back up, she recognized the unicorn she bumped into.
"Moondancer! Hey, how are you doing?"
"Just peachy." Moondancer said sarcastically whilst picking up her papers. "Not like you'd care."
"What?" Twilight asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Twilight, for the past few months, you've been a distant from me and the others. It's like you were trying to hide something. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were the Masked Matterhorn."
"Whaaaaat?" Twilight asked nervously. "Well, it's a good thing you do know better."
"The point is, with your extra studies for this next level of Celestia's teachings, you've rarely had time for the rest of us to hang out together."
"Look, Moondancer, I'm sorry I wasn't around all the time. I'll make it up to you somehow. When's your birthday?"
In an instant, Moondancer's face grew red with rage and she stormed away. Twilight was both scared and confused. Spike just smacked his forehead.
"What?" Twilight asked.
"Twilight, Moondancer's birthday was yesterday. I told you about it, but you were busy looking up on possible scenarios for your test. I had to go alone."
"Ooh." Twilight said nervously. "Spike, am I really that bad with my friends?"
"Not as bad as the Purifier, I bet." Spike said. "If that anonymous mare manages to convince Princess Celestia to sign her Super Purification Act into law, superheroes like us will be chased out of town. What's her problem anyway?"
"She's just one of those ponies." Twilight explained. "Remember, superheroes have powers that rival even an alicorn's. If something goes wrong, ponies like that know exactly who to blame. Come on, we've got a test to take."
Twilight and Spike continued their trail toward the castle. As soon as they arrived, Twilight witnessed her brother, Shining Armor, leading the knights as their captain.
"Together, we strive
From here to eternity
As long as we're united, we ride
Always alive
Village to city
No one shall ever have to hide
Together, we strive
From here to eternity
As long as we're united, we ride
Always alive
Village to city
No one shall ever have to hide"
Just afterwards, Princess Celestia presented herself to the entire city of Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle was amazed at her presence as the princess joined in.
"We live in a changing place
New shapes, familiar face
But one thing that can ever be the same
The bond we share can't sever
For we're all connected forever
We have our differences, but we can't be ashaaaaamed"
The guards cleared a way for Twilight and Spike to join in just in time for them to march their way back into the castle. Princess Celestia grinned at her and welcomed her into the castle.
"TOGETHER, WE STRIVE," the guards sang,
"FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
AS LONG AS WE'RE UNITED, WE RIDE
ALWAYS ALIVE
VILLAGE TO CITY
NO ONE SHALL EVER HAVE TO HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
NO ONE HAS TO HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
NO ONE HAS TO HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
NO ONE HAS TO HIDE"
Meanwhile, in the far-off city of Maretropolis, there was a shampoo factory for the Glimmering Mane corporation. Inside, the workers were debating to each other, especially that dark-purple Earth pony with the green mane, Green Locks.
"You tell her." a worker told Green Locks.
"I'm not going to tell her!" Green Locks refused. "What do you think I am, crazy?
"Look, you started working here to earn the money to get your sister to college, right?" the worker asked. "Well, she's already on her second semester at Manehattan University. And it was your idea that we should ask for some advances. So you tell her."
"But I..." Green Locks tried to say something. She was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. A light-purple unicorn with dark-purple hair walked in with a disappointed face.
"Uh, oh." Green Locks whispered. "She doesn't look happy."
"I don't care." the worker said. "I need a vacation. You're up." He shoved Green Locks towards the unicorn. She stopped just in time for her boss to see her.
"Oh, Green Locks. Is there something you want?"
"Well, Ms. Sunset Glimmer..." she said nervously. "Well... A few of the workers and I were working here a very long time. It's just that... well... we noticed you kept us with the same standards as all the other workers. It's just that..." She breathed in. "Okay. Cloverleaf needs a raise. West Vibe needs a vacation. And I think I need a new direction."
"Green Locks, I hope you're not talking about resignation." Starlight Glimmer said. "I do want to help you. I really do. But how will that look for the other employees? The sad truth is, this company is run on equality. That means no one must be better or worse than the other. It's my job as company president to enforce it. Tell the others I won't be granting their requests."
"But Ms. Glimmer, I don't even like it here." Green Locks begged. "It's noisy and smelly and the chemicals can be deadly."
"Stop groveling, Green Locks." Starlight snapped turning her back. "It makes you look desperate. Trust me, this is for your own health. Now, don't bother me." She stepped into the elevator in front of her and the door closed between the two. Green Locks sullenly approached the other workers and told them the bad news.
"Sorry, Green." a worker said.
"It's all right." Green Locks replied. "At least, for once, she acknowledged me. Story of my life." She looked up and saw her boss enter her office above. She was thinking to herself. "I wonder what she does in her office."
Twilight Sparkle was astonished by the beauty of the throne room while her teacher sat in her throne. There was always an empty chair next to her, but Twilight never thought to wonder what it was for.
"All right, Twilight." Princess Celestia said. "Are you ready for your test?"
"Yes, mam." Twilight replied. "So what do I need to do?"
"As you recall, I had another student before you."
"Oh, yeah." Twilight said. "Sunset Shimmer. You told me she quit before she could start on her test."
"Apparently, she couldn't understand what I was trying to teach her and went her own, misguided path." Princess Celestia explained. "Anyway, I thought we could give you the test I had for a Cutie Mark."
"Might I recommend something?" Twilight and Celestia turned their heads toward the source of the new voice and found an Earth pony there. It was an elder pony with an orange hide and yellow mane. His Cutie Mark was a glowing eye.
"Oracle!" Princess Celestia gasped. "It's been a long time."
"Oracle?" Twilight asked. "As in THE Oracle! You can see the future and you're not even a unicorn!"
"Indeed." the Oracle said. "Princess, I know of a test more worthy of her."
"Well, don't leave us in suspense, Oracle." Princess Celestia said. "Tell us what my student has to do."
"Not just her." the Oracle said. "Her alter ego as well."
Twilight didn't see that coming. She got nervous. She started to sweat.
"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked nervously.
"Twilight, all of Equestria is about to reach dark days." the Oracle said. "In order to save it, you have to embrace who you are. We need you as well as your superhero self... the Masked Matterhorn!"