Spike eventually decided to find Twilight and headed back to the library. As he came through the door he found Twilight once again bounding around, pulling out and looking over various books, but this time there was a look of joy and anticipation on her face. “Ah, Spike, you have perfect timing. I need as much information about Lemurs as possible. I’ve never done any research on them before and don’t know where to start. Their history, their culture, what they like to eat. I’m working with no data!”
Spike raised his eyebrow as she dashed this way and that. “Why don’t you just ask the lemurs about themselves?”
“Spiiike, we’re the lemur’s hosts. It’s imperative we anticipate their needs. Making sure foreign dignitaries get flawless treatment is part of that.” Twilight flipped through another book and flung it to the side. “Aaarrgh. There’s nothing here. No history of Lemuria or the lemur people at all!” Spike wandered over and put a hand on Twilight’s back, hoping to get her resettled.
“There’s no need to panic, Twilight. I’m sure Princess Celestia has some books at Canterlot you can check up on.”
Twilight perked up with that familiar look of a book quest. “Or even better, there’s probably a book about them at Celestia and Luna’s old castle!” She did a little hop in glee. “Oh Spike that’s perfect. We should head out there immediately!”
Just then, however, a familiar voice came from the door. “Princess Twilight, we require you at the mayor’s office to discuss things with the lemur delegation in an official capacity.” Princess Luna walked in slowly with the same smile everyone else in Ponyville had after the flash of light and Twilight stopped immediately in her tracks.
“Oh that’s terrible timing. Spike, I have to go. But those books are still very important. I want you to go to the library and see if you can find anything.” Twilight dashed over and grabbed the crown that had been fashioned for her after surrendering the element of harmony crown.
“You want me to go on my own?” Spike looked at Twilight incredulously, both because it was unprecedented to send him to a distant library to fetch books, and how rare it was for Twilight to let go of the chance to do it herself. It seemed much more likely she’d ask Spike to head to the mayor’s office.
“I’m sorry Spike but I can’t speak with the lemurs and be with you at the same time. I trust you, come on back with any books you find and we’ll update there.”
“Well, if you think so, Twilight.” Spike shrugged and went to gather a pack for the trip. “Is there anything else I should look for while I'm at the castle?”
“There’s no time Spike, I have to go, you can figure it out on your own.” With that she sped off with Princess Luna, leaving Spike alone.
Something about the whole situation felt peculiar, but Spike couldn’t put his claw on it and his vague uncertainty wasn’t enough to make him contradict Twilight’s request. He decided to bring a book cart along with him in case he found a lot of books that needed to be transported back and he began a solitary trek into the Everfree forest, grumbling.
“Sure, just go all by yourself, bring me all the books, I don’t have any time to go. I swear I don’t know what her problem is. First she’s obsessed with green glows and then with dumb lemurs.” The whole day had been odd. It wasn’t just Twilight acting peculiarly. It seemed like all of Ponyville had been acting a little odd after the meetup with the lemurs, but if Princess Celestia was happy it couldn’t be anything dangerous. Unless she had been Chrysalis in disguise, but that didn’t make sense either. Chrysalis wouldn’t know how to transmit messages through Spike, would she? Besides there hadn’t been a changeling sighting in ages.
These were minor thoughts that passed as his mind kept returning to his concerns over Twilight. She always worked herself so hard and over analyzed everything. He felt good being around to help give her some perspective and keep her grounded, though often she got so worked up she wouldn't listen to anyone, even him. And that’s was where she was again, obsessing over diplomatic minutiae. He expected she’d be a wreck by the end of the lemur’s visit and he’d come back just in time to hand her a book showing the lemurs were boring ordinary creatures.
His thoughts concerning Twilight were pushed away when Spike got the sense he was being followed. He realized during his grumbling, he’d already made it out of Ponyville and into the Everfree forest. A fluttering of leaves made him pause in his tracks and try to glance through the dark forest canopy. “Uhhh, hello?” He looked around but didn’t see anything, but there was no telling what the Everfree forest could throw at you. “It’s not smart to mess with a dragon you know!” He shouted with the best fake bravado he could muster. “Do you know who you’re messing with?”
“Who?” The voice came from right behind him and Spike jumped up in mid air with a yelp and then whipped around, crouching low to find his pursuer sitting on a small sapling with a curious look.
“Owlowiscious? What are you doing here?”
“Who.” The owl replied firmly.
“Are you coming with me to the library?”
“Whoo whoo.”
“Yeah, Twilight was acting kind of strange. I mean, I’ve seen stranger but not as much recently.”
“Who?”
“I know, I’m worried about her too. Thank you Owlowiscious. You know, maybe this will be kind of fun. I’ve never gone on a research trip with just you. You can be my Spike for this one!” Spike finished his one way conversation and continued along his path. Owlowiscious shrugged and flew over to the cart, perched on the side. They continued on their way, hoping the castle would soon come into view.
*******************************************************************************************************
As she left with Luna from the library, Twilight felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation. “How have the talks been proceeding with the lemurs?” She asked Luna as they trotted towards the mayor’s building.
“They have been going very well! Admittedly we have not been present for all the discussions but Princess Celestia has kept us informed. There have been many breakthroughs and the future course of Equestria may be decided. This is why your presence is needed as well. We would send for Cadence too, but it is too far to the Crystal Empire to send for her as yet.” Twilight smiled, even more excited at the prospect. The closer they could become to the lemurs, the better. The thought their diplomatic mission would one day come to an end made her feel sad and she buried the thought away. In its place was a hope they would stay forever.
Luna’s horn glowed to push open the doors of the mayor’s office. They walked in to see Mayor Mare off to the side with the three lemurs sitting on her desk talking with Celestia. The one with the crown, prince Lemma sat in the middle and was holding out a parchment that Celestia was in the process of signing. Once she finished her signature, Celestia’s crown glimmered in time with her horn and she laid it in Prince Lemma’s lap and then gave a long, low bow.
Twilight paused in her tracks in surprise of the action. “Princess Celestia, what’s going on?” She felt more curious than concerned, but she had never seen Celestia without her crown in public.
Celestia looked up and smiled. “Ah Twilight, you’re just in time. The lemurs have been enchanted by Equestria and believe there is great potential for this land. Prince Lemma has graciously offered us the opportunity to be formally annexed. I have just accepted their gracious offer to become a province of Lemuria.”
Twilight gasped, “That….that’s…..so wonderful! Does this mean the lemurs will stay?”
“Yes Twilight.” Celestia smiled back at her. “Sir Lemma informs me once the good news reaches the Emperor, another ten thousand lemurs will arrive to help us with our transition on top of the thousand planned for their diplomatic mission. Also as Lemma is the Prince of Lemuria, he will be able to assume control of Equestria right away. Once you and Princess Luna sign the treaty it will be official.”
Luna and Twilight quickly added their signatures to the contract. Celestia resumed her low bow to the lemur’s leader. “I, Celestia hereby abdicate the title of Princess and all powers and privileges associated therein. I surrender my crown and throne to the new ruler of Equestria, province of Lemuria. Hail Prince Lemma.”
Luna stepped forward and placed her crown next to Celestia’s and bowed, giving the same pledge. “Hail Prince Lemma.”
Twilight placed her crown next to the others and abdicated her role as princess with the same pledge. “Hail Prince Lemma!”
“Hail Prince Lemma.” They all said in unison.