Celestia sat in her golden throne in the far corner of the room. Blue banners hung on the wall behind her and two waterfalls flowed into their own ponds from the second step of her throne. Huge pillars held up the ceiling; spaced at intervals along the walls of the room. A long red carpet ran the length of the room from the door to her throne. Luna walked along the red carpet towards Celestia. The room was empty besides the two sisters.
“Sister, how art thou feeling?” Luna said, stopping in front of the throne.
“I am doing fine, Luna, thank you for asking. Though I do fell my power weakening, day by day I struggle more and more to move the heavens. I fear as to what will happen if I am not cured. I do not have much time left, my dear sister; I fear I might have a year and a half at most.”
A look of uneasiness and shock flooded Luna’s face at the sound of her sister soon departing this world. “Hast Twilight Sparkle found a cure for you yet?” she said, nervously.
“I am afraid she has not, my dear sister, and I am afraid that she might not find one either. As you know it is a rather rare sickness; there are no records of it ever existing, at least not here in Equestria.” Celestia said looking over at her blue stained glass window of the heavens and the planet below them.
“Should I help Twilight Sparkle search for a cure?
“I must ask you not to tell Twilight Sparkle this. She is under enough stress working night and day trying to find a cure. I would not want her to worry any more than she already is.” Celestia paused for a moment and continued. “Though, I do have another task to ask of you.”
“Anything you wish, my sister.” Luna said, bowing.
“I want you to start searching for anypony that can handle a sword and shield. If Twilight Sparkle does find a cure, I feel that it will not be an easy task to obtain the ingredients. Though if she does not, I am certain we will still need to obtain a force to protect Equestria.”
“A force? But sister, what about the Royal guard? They can protect Canterlot and have thou forgotten Shining Armors protection spell?”
“Yes, I know Luna, they can protect Canterlot. But we need to protect Equestria as a whole, and not just the capital city. I can sense something out there, lurking at the edge of our kingdom; waiting for my power to grow weaker. I’m sure you have felt it too.” Celestia said, turning towards the open window. “Now, there isn’t much time. Being immortal, a year and a half is not a lot of time to us. You have your task.”
“As you wish, my sister” Luna said, bowing to her sister.
Celestia got up and walked down the two large steps on her thrown towards Luna. Celestia wrapped her hoof around Luna, pulling Luna into her. Luna hugged Celestia back and then turned around and started towards the door, hiding the mixture of emotions on her face. Once Luna was out of the room Celestia walked over to the open window. Looking out over the vast valley below; she could see Ponyville and far past that she could see the faint outline of Appleloosa. She could also see mountains towering in the vast beyond and the sun rising even beyond them. She smiled as she stared out over her kingdom then worry washed over her face.
* * *
Twilight Sparkle hovered a book in front of her face, reading each page as fast as she could, books towered high around the room. She finished her book and levitated it to the nearest tower of books and set it atop. The tower of books swayed back and forth and crumbled to the ground on top of her. She signed, shook the books off of her then stacked them into a couple of towers to prevent a second collapse. “I wish spike was here.” She said looking around the book filled room.
Spike was back in Ponyville running the library. Twilight had wanted him to come with her, but he had to stay since he was the only one willing to run the library while she was away. As far as she knew, he was the only one that was able to run it besides her; he knew the place forwards and backwards. Spike was smart in his own right; he had offered to search the library back in Ponyville while Twilight searched the Canterlot library while sending reports every other day telling of his finding. So far his reports had nothing of value.
Twilight turned to get another book from the shelf and hit another tower of books; sending it to the floor. Twilight took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled; bursting into flames was not a good idea in a library. She was getting restless, she need to recharge her batteries. Then a brilliant idea hit her. She could kill two cockatrice with one stone; see Zecora in the Everfree forest and see Spike while she was visiting Ponyville.
An hour later Twilight appeared on the train platform, saddle pack in tow. She had received permission from Princess Celestia herself, who thought that Twilight paying Zacora a visit was “A wonderful idea”, to go to Ponyville. Twilight could hear the train’s horn as she looked down the track. When the toot of the horn subsided Twiight heard hoof steps coming up behind her. She turned around and was surprised at the sight of the pony that towered over her, it was Luna. “Hello Princess Luna.” She said, bowing.
“Greetings Twilight Sparkle.” She noticed the saddle pack that Twilight had. “Where art thou going to? Shouldn’th you be in the Library partaking in research for a cure?”
“Well, you see, I am going to pay Zecora a visit. Since none of the books so far have had nothing on cures or illnesses that affect immortal being. I thought that paying her a visit would possible give us a new lead to follow.” she said. “What are you doing out here on the platform, Princess?”
“Ah, can you giveth Zecora my regards and I am on my way to Cloudsdale. I have business I need to attend to. After that I will be visiting Ponyville.” The train had pulled into the station and was restocking the coal for the journey to Ponville. “I shouldn’t keep thee waiting, Twilight Sparkle. May our paths meet in Ponyville” Luna gave a little bow, as did Twilight.
“Goodbye Luna.”
“Farewell Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Luna said, spreading her wings. She took off and flew into the afternoon sky. Twilight watched her fly off; once Luna was out of sight Twilight turned towards the train. She entered the passenger car and sat down, and began to stare out the window as the train rolled out of the station; watching Canterlot slowly shrink into the distance.
* * *
Ponyville seem like any other normal town in Equestria; ponies hurried a long doing their daily chores without a care in the world. Twilight loved this peaceful little town; it had brought so much joy into her life. “Home sweet home.” Twilight said as she stepped off the train and onto the platform. She made her way onto the path that lead into town and made her way to the library, she had decided to stop by and surprise spike, then head to Zecoras.
A few minutes later she had arrived at the library. She knocked on the door a few times, not wanting to let herself in even though she lived there; she wanted to surprise Spike after all. A minute went by and no answer. “Hmmm, that’s strange. Spike should have come to see who it is by now. Well maybe he is just asleep. That little dragon loves his sleep.” She giggled and unlocked the door and let herself in.
“Spiiikkkeee.” She called. No answer. She called his name again and again only silence answered her back. She went upstairs and checked the bedroom; Spike was nowhere to be found. “hmm, Spike is probably out at Rarity’s again helping her out. That silly dragon, he doesn’t give up.” She laughed and made her way out of the library, locking the door behind her.
Twilight had made her way to Rarity’s boutique when she noticed Lyra trotting towards her from the boutique. “Hey Lyra,” she said. “What’s the rush?”
“Oh, hello Twilight it’s nice to see you again. Um, well, you see I need a dress made for a special occasion and I was going to see if rarity could do it for me. But she isn’t there, strange thing on a work day like today. So now I have to either-“
“Hold on a second, she isn’t there?”
“Uh, oh yes, that’s what I said. She isn’t there. Throws such a wrench into my plans, you know. Now I need to either come back later or travel to Canterlot to find someone who can make me a dress; you of all people know how much time that would take. If you are looking for her, maybe you can tell her I have some things I want her to do for me?”
“I see.” Twilight said, rubbing her hoof against her chin. “Well, I am looking for her. If I find her I’ll let her know that you have work for her.”
“Oh thank you, thank you Twilight. You’re such a big help. Well I shouldn’t keep you anymore. It would only be hurting both of us. Goodbye and nice seeing you again.”
Twilight nodded and Lyra trotted off into town. Twilight started back into town thinking to herself where Spike and Rarity could be. Maybe Pinkie Pie threw a party and invited her friends? That would make sense. Then I should go and see Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Brilliant idea she thought and made her way to Sugarcube Coner.
“Oh hello Twilight, so nice of you to drop by,” Mrs. Cake greeted Twilight. “Would you like to try some new caramel cookies that we just made? They’re so chewy and delicious and on the hoouussee. Go ahead and try one.”
“Oh, thank you Mrs. Cake.” Twilight reached out her hoof, took a cookie and ate it. “Delicious.”
“So Hun, what can I do for you? Aren’t you supposed to be doing something in Canterlot for Princess Celestia?”
“Uh, yeah, I came to Ponyville to see Zecora and ask her a few questions for my research. But that’s not why I am here. I came to see Pinkie Pie. Would you happen to know where she is?”
“Oh, sorry Hun, I don’t know where she is. She didn’t come into work today. Maybe she’s hosting a party at Applejacks since I haven’t heard anything party related in town. You know how she is dear.”
“Oh yes Mrs. Cake, I do. Well thank you for the cookie, it was delicious.” Twilight smiled. “I better go check with Applejack if she has seen Pinkie pie. Have a good day.”
“Have a good day Hun, and if you do see Pinkie Pie tell her to warn me next time she throws a party, will you? I hate worry about that pink pony” she said, smiling.
“Yes Mrs. Cake, I’ll tell her.” Twilight turned and walked out the door and into the town.
Twilight walked through the town and made her way to Sweet apple Acres, thoughts races through her head. This is weird, first Spike is missing, Rarity isn’t at her boutique, and now Pinkie pie is, well Pinkie Pie. Whatpony knows what she could be doing. I just hope Applejack knows what’s going on, and I sure hope she’s not missing either. After a while Twilight had made it to the road that lead out of town and to the farm. She made a left around a building and onto the road. In that instance she was struck by a creature with enough force to knock her and the saddle pack he carried to the ground, items flew through the air and landed around Twilight.
“ahh, Crap. SORRY! I mean…” yelled the creature as it rolled on the ground and back to its feet. The creature held its chest and sprinted away from five other ponies and a green and purple dragon.
“Heyya Twilight, You okay?” said an orange pony, helping twilight to her feet.
“Boy am I glad to see you AJ. What just ran into me and where are Rarity, Spike, and Pinkie Pie?” Before AJ could answer her question she heard a voice behind her.
“We’re right here, silly goosy woosy.” Pinkie Pie said, with her while Rarity and Spike were picking up Twilgiht’s saddle pack and stuffing the items back inside.
“Oh goodness, I have been looking all over for you guys, thought something might have happened you to.”
“Well sweetie, something did happen to us.” Said Rarity.
“Yeah, some big, strange creature that AJ caught happened.” Concurred Spike.
“Yeah, Yeah, this is nice and all, but he’s getting awaaaayy” interrupted a rainbow named mare, throwing her legs ups in the direction of the creature in the distance.
“I...um… agreed with Rainbow Dash. He seems to be getting way, so we should chase him. Well... If you ponys want to... that is.” Fluttershy said, quietly.
“Don’tcha worry about him. He can’t get far.” Aj said.
“What is going on here?” Questioned Twilight, clearly annoyed.
“Here Sugercube” AJ help twilight get her saddle pack back on. “Well tell you later, first we need to recapture our escaped friend.” The six ponies and a dragon took off running towards the escaped creature.