A golden tiara floated up from its place on a dresser and onto Celestia's head. She looked into a mirror, adjusting it. She looked to a hoofmaiden standing by her side. "What do you think?" she asked, swallowing.
The hoofmaiden, a red unicorn named Featherful, looked over Celestia. "It looks... good?" She bit her lip. "Your majesty, you seem a bit concerned about your appearance today." She took a step forward and held up a hoof. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
Celestia looked down at Featherful. "What? Oh, no!" She pasted a smile onto her face. "Luna and I just have an old friend showing up today." A translucent white dress floated over, settling onto her rear torso and cinching itself tight. She cantered back and forth, looking her body over. She looked to Featherful. "What do you think? Too much?"
Featherful's mouth opened. "It's so... well I mean you don't even wear anything like that to the Grand Galloping Gala!"
Celestia shrugged. "Well, this isn't the Gala. This is actually important!" She looked herself over once more, then glanced to Featherful. "I have two meetings this morning, one with General Steel and one with a subcommittee about... something." She groaned. "So much to do today and so little time!"
Featherful hesitated. "Do you suppose they could get the work done without you?" Her horn glowed and several buttons on the dress snapped shut. "There you are, your majesty." She suddenly swallowed and blushed. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean - "
Celestia chuckled and waved her apologies off. "Don't worry! Thank you for your assistance." She finally nodded at her reflection. "Best I can do." She looked to her hoofmaiden. "My friends coming are very special friends. I haven't seen them in a long time, you see." Her gaze drifted off, settling on a point beyond Canterlot's walls. "They taught me... everything."
Celestia cowered beneath the blankets, shivering with fright as the wind howled outside. Rain lashed against the window and thunder and lightning boomed outside, sending the little filly into paroxysms of fear.
The door suddenly opened and Megan walked in. She flicked on the light and looked at Celestia still under the covers. "Can't sleep," she stated, sitting down on the edge of the bed and pulling back the blanket, revealing the little alicorn. She reached out and stroked her mane. "It's all right to be a bit scared, Celestia. We're all frightened at one point or another." She looked to the window and the rain pouring down. "We just can't let it control us."
Celestia raised her head, but yelped and shrank back down as thunder roared outside. "Why is it so loud?" she asked. "And why are the weather ponies making it rain now?"
Megan shrugged. "They're still trying to work out when to schedule the rain. Cloud Searcher thought it would be better to have the rain during the night, so the days would be sunny." She winced when a particularly loud BANG! echoed through. "Maybe not the best idea," she admitted.
Celestia shivered, the motion almost obscuring her nodding in agreement. "During the day next time?" she half-whispered. "I don't mind some rain if the grass grows. It's tastier green than brown!"
Megan stifled a chuckle. "Would you like me to stay here for a bit?" she asked, leaning forward a bit. "Sometimes, the lightning scares me a bit too. And it'd be nice to be with such a brave filly like you!"
Celestia's mouth opened and her eyes widened. "You?" she exclaimed, hopping up onto all fours. "But you're not scared of anything, Megan! I've seen you face down..." She paused and looked around, shrinking down into herself. "I've seen you stare down Killhoof Red himself!"
Megan snorted. "Oh, him? Once I found out his knitting hobby he was a kitten – not literally," she added. Megan looked up and out the window. "It's like that song Surprise likes to sing. 'You gotta stand up and face your fears..."
"Laugh and they'll just disappear!" Celestia finished. She hopped down off the bed and walked up to the window as the rain fell. She took a breath and, "Hah, hah, hah!" She paused and looked back to Megan. "Like that?"
Megan nodded. "Like that." She patted the bed. "Now come on. Even brave fillies like yourself need some sleep in order to face the day."
Celestia shook her head, but a loud yawn escaped her mouth. Her white coat blushed a deep red and she trotted over to the bed, hopping up onto it. She laid down as Megan tucked her back in. "Megan?"
"Yes?"
"You'll be here when I wake up, right?"
Megan nodded and laid back on the bed, wrapping an arm around Celestia. "Of course, Celestia. I'll be here."
Celestia's head shot up as a gentle tapping startled her reverie. She looked over to the door. "Enter!" she said.
The door opened and Spanish Steel walked in. He bowed his head to her. "Thank you for your time, your majesty. I have here the reports - " He looked up and saw Celestia in her dress and one of his wings curled over his eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, backing up. "I didn't realize the state you were in!"
Celestia looked herself over, lifting a leg and glancing at it. "State I'm in? What the hay are you talking about?" She stared at Steel, narrowing her eyes. "I wear far less in the Senate than what you're seeing me wearing now, Spanish Steel!"
Spanish Steel swallowed. "I... I know, but it's the situation and I just – well - you see - " He sighed and lifted his head. "Shall I report on the redistribution of units along the Dragon border?"
Celestia nodded and two chairs floated over, along with a table and tea set. She sat down as the kettle lifted up and poured both herself and Spanish Steel some warm earl gray. "All right, be thorough but brief, General. The only thing I want interrupting Luna and I meeting our guest is Tirac coming back to life, Discord regaining movement and the two teaming up. Am I clear on this?"
Spanish Steel straightened to attention in his chair. "Crystal!"
The princess leaned forward, smiling. "Good! Let's begin, then."
Twilight paced about the library's first floor, feather duster jabbing at the shelves, desks and statues. A roll of parchment and quill floated in front of her. "Let's see, books are sorted. Check. Owlowiscious is napping. Check. Space is cleared for six humans and several ponies and two princesses. Check." She looked around and smiled. "It's all set!"
There was a sudden pounding on the door, rattling statues and sending Twilight bouncing up and down. She managed to hop and skip to the door, opening it to find Rarity there. "Rarity, what in Equestria -"
Rarity launched herself at Twilight, draping her forelegs around Twilight's neck. "Twilight, you have to help me!" she bawled, shaking Twilight. "This is awful! It's horrible! I can't believe it!" She let go and toddled back on her hind hooves as a fainting couch slid through the door, allowing herself to fall back onto it.
Twilight stared at her as she lay there. "Lemme guess," she deadpanned. "Can't find anything to wear for the party?"
Rarity sat up on the couch, eyes wide and watery. "It's horrible!" she wailed, causing Twilight to flinch. "The only dress I could possibly wear is my Gala dress in full regalia, but if I wear that now I can't wear it next week!" She held a foreleg to her head and swooned back, falling back onto the cushions.
Twilight's right eye twitched. "You wore the darned thing for Celestia's party two weeks ago!" She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Come on, Rarity. You and I both know Megan won't care about your appearance. She'll want to get to know the real you, the real Rarity." She reached over and patted her friend on a foreleg. "You'll see."
Rarity sat up and hopped off the couch. "Well, I suppose you're right. Her outfit of choice definitely lent itself more to function than fashion." She turned and the couch slid out of the library. "Twilight?"
"Yes, Rarity?"
Rarity leaned over and looked down Twilight's back to her twitching tail. "Why do you have a ribbon tied there?" She rubbed her chin with a hoof. "It's a bit plain, but matches your coat wonderfully."
Twilight's head whipped around, eyes widening. "Oh, horsefeathers," she muttered. She looked back to Rarity, a nervous grin on her face. "Well, one of Megan's fillies, Michelle, tied it around there and I just felt it'd be a bit... rude not to be wearing it when I teleport over there." She suddenly stamped a hoof on the floor. "Oh, right!" Several books stacked themselves in a neat pile next to a shelf. "Almost forgot the ones Megan lent me for... research." She looked up a set of stairs. "Spike, I'm heading out! Watch the library!" she shouted before walking out, Rarity in tow.
Spike ran down the stairs a minute later. "Twilight, wait!" he yelled, waving a claw. He stopped at the foot of the stairs, sighing. "Darn, I wanted to go too," he said, hanging his head.
There was a sudden knocking on the door. Spike ran over and opened it up. "Good!" he said, backing up. "Glad you could –" He stopped talking at the sight of Pinkie Pie, Mister and Missus Cake standing there. "What?"
Pinkie Pie entered the library, two overloaded food carts hitched to her. The Cakes' trailed behind her, each one with three carts that they pulled inside. Pinkie Pie tugged on a strap and unhitched herself from the cart, spinning around. "Ah, Spike!" she exclaimed, eyes gleaming. She stalked forward, crouching low. "Do you know what's the best time of day?"
Spike backed up as the Cake's began pulling off trays of cupcakes, muffins and other assorted baked goods. "No... and please stop, you're freaking me out."
Pinkie stopped and bounced up onto her feet. "Oh, sorry Spike. I guess I got a bit too much in – character." She bounced about the room. "We're throwing a party for Megan! And everypony's invited! It'll be super cool and awesome and fun for all!"
Mister Cake walked up to Pinkie. "Pinkie, I'm heading back for the second load. Please stay here and set up with honey bun."
Pinkie spun around and jumped onto her hind legs, holding up a foreleg in salute. "You can count on me!" She leaned forward back onto all fours. "Spike, it's time."
Spike swallowed. "Time? Time for what?"
Pinkie spun around on one hoof, staring right at Spike. "It is time for the air to echo with the sound of our hooves on the dance floor. It is time for the party of parties to echo across Equestria!"
Misses Cake appeared by her side. "It's time for a little bit of help, Pinkie!"
Pinkie backed up. "Right!" She looked askance to Spike. "Coming?"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I," Spike responded.
Pinkie Pie reached behind her and pulled a party hat out of... somewhere with her teeth. She reached over and slid it onto Spike's head. "That's the spirit!" She wrapped a foreleg around his neck and pulled him in tight, ignoring his spinal crest. "These are the moments that define fun, Spike."
Rarity and Twilight trotted out of Ponyville, up to the hole and the edge of the Everfree. Rarity craned her neck up at the sky. "Twilight, there seems to be a worrisome amount of smoke hanging over the trees," she said, pointing at rising fumes gathering overhead. She fluffed at her mane. "I hope it doesn't ruin my style, here."
Twilight breathed out. "Princess Luna told us King Spykoran the Old would be here to help us out with the rogue dragon." She pawed at the ground. "I hope it doesn't ruin the party... or end up with a Ponyville burned to the ground."
Rarity blinked at Twilight and tilted her head to the side. "Beg pardon?" She waved a hoof at Twilight. "Not about the rogue dragon, but about King Spykoran? King Spykoran the Old, King of the Dragon Clans? He's going to be here?"
Twilight eyed her friend and took a few steps back. "Well, he'll be dealing with the dragon and..." Her words trailed off as Rarity galloped off. "See you at the party!" she shouted acerbically, waving a hoof.
She looked up at the hole. "Okay, Twilight. Three trips with the humans. Shouldn't be too hard." She canted her head to the side. "Maybe one trip? One big trip that'll tire me out." She groaned and her head dropped. "Come on, Twilight! Think, think!" She suddenly shook her head. "NO, no thinking!" Her horn flared and she disappeared.
Megan glanced over her shoulder. "Come on!" she half-shouted, waving her hand as her family exited the house. She looked up at the hole and gripped the strap of her backpack.
Mike walked up to her and grabbed her free hand, squeezing it. "You all right?"
Danny rolled up beside him, swatting him on the arm. "Don't worry, Mike. Megan's just lost in nostalgia. It'll clear up when the first ungodly beast lumbers out of that Everfree Forest you told us about and tries to make a meal of us or simply goes for straight mauling." He motioned to Megan's back and the rifle slung over it. "Fortunately, Megan thinks of everything!"
Mike leaned back, looking at the rifle, then at the red dress she wore. "It's an interesting contrast," he quipped. He looked to Danny, concern on his face. "Danielle and Michelle, they'll be all right?"
Molly's voice from behind caught their attention. "Hopefully over twenty years things improved for the Equestrian Alliance," she said as she, Danielle and Michelle exited the house. She walked up to her older siblings and held her hands out to the side. "So, should I go get some pistols from your gun safe, or are you packing enough for all of us?"
Megan turned and glared at her, then focused on Michelle with a brush in hand and Danielle with a set of notebook and a pen. "You girls stick with the adults," she said, an edge to her voice. "Don't wander off for any reason!"
Danielle glanced up. "Is it still that bad, Mom? It's been twenty years since you've been there, and Ponyville sounds like a nice town."
Megan walked up to her daughter. "And there's an evil forest filled with poisonous plants and a dragon that almost killed three of them." She pointed to her rifle. "There's a reason I have my rifle with me, Danielle. Things can be all nice and sweet and then-"
Danny spoke up. "Megan, Megan!" He rolled over and tugged on her arm. "Megan, calm down. Nothing bad's happened so far, all right? Danielle and Michelle are smart girls and nothing is going to happen, all right?"
Megan looked down and swallowed. "Right, right," she croaked out. She looked around as Mike and Molly gathered around her. "No problems!" She cleared her throat and checked her watch. "Twilight should be arriving soon." She placed a hand on her daughters' shoulders and squeezed. "Just be careful!"
Mike knelt down and leaned in close to Danny. "Danny, what the hell was that?"
Danny shook his head. "One of the reasons why we left for good, or so we thought." He smiled at Mike. "Don't worry, old buddy. She'll be fine."
Mike nodded and stood up. He looked up to the hole, but a flash of light in the yard snatched his attention. He looked down as Twilight appeared. "Here she is!"
The humans gathered around Twilight as she wobbled slightly on her feet. She blinked and smiled. "Well, good to see everyone again." She chuckled nervously. "Yes, very good to see... all six humans... here." She cleared her throat. "All right, everyone please gather as close as you can to me and kneel down. This is gonna take a bit of effort from me."
Michelle gasped and pointed at the unicorn. "Twilight, you're wearing my ribbon!" She held up her brush. "Maybe later?"
Twilight blinked. "Maybe later." She half-closed her eyes as everyone gathered around. "Everyone ready?" At their nods, her horn glowed, the light brightening. It suddenly flared, encompassing everyone in light. A half-second later, all seven vanished from Earth.
"What do you think? We got it?"
"It's erratic, but yeah. Mark it on the map. Man, what sort of equipment do they have?"
Agent Kevin Lark of the FCC reached over and tapped a touch-sensitive screen mounted in the back of the van he and several other agents rode in. "Unidirectional signal and tight-beam, with no signal at all in certain spots." He looked over to his partner. "No wonder Kansas City dispatched us so quickly. I doubt the gear they have is civilian in nature." He paused. "Or even from this planet."
The other occupant of the back of the van, Melissa Douglas, shrugged. "But why risk it?" She paused as everyone turned to look at her. "Well, who wants to mess with them over this?"
Kevin shook his head. "Whatever they have, we'll find it." He looked to the driver's seat. "Okay, Jack! Let's get to the next spot. Maybe we'll have better luck with the radio-direction finding there."
There was a flash of light at the edge of the Everfree as Twilight and her passengers appeared. Twilight wobbled before keeling over. "I do' wanna study," she slurred out, tongue hanging from her mouth. "Five mor' minutes, Mom? Almost... end of chapter."
Megan stepped over. "Twilight?" she asked, gently rocking her back and forth. "Twilight!" She stood up – and dropped back to her knees. "Oh... that was not smart." She rubbed her forehead. "Anyone else feeling dizzy?"
The other five raised their hands. "It's not bad close to the ground," Mike said. He slowly straightened up, but quickly went back down to his knees. "And I think that's where I'll stay." He looked to Danielle and Michelle. "Girls?"
"I'm all right," Danielle said. She opened her notebook and began writing. "Effects of mass teleportation on equilibrium," she muttered.
Molly blinked. "Isn't your major something about cultural studies, kid?" she asked, eyebrow quirking up.
Danielle nodded. "Yeah, but this is what a unicorn does here. So it's part of their culture."
Michelle crawled over to Twilight. "Mom, is Twilight okay?"
Megan shook her head. "Well, she's still breathing." She looked up to Danny. "Danny, a little help please?" At his nod she grabbed his chair's armrest and hefted herself to her feet. Megan groaned, but remained vertical. "I think we should be all right, everyone. Mike, Molly, I'm heading into town to get help for Twilight. Stay here with the kids."
Twilight groaned. "No, no! I'm all right." She raised her head and shuffled into a sitting position. "Sorry, everypony – I mean everyone." She planted her hooves beneath her and pushed off, stumbling about before Mike and Megan caught her. "Whoa, thanks!"
Danny coughed into his hand. "Ahem, there's a bit of a problem with the air, here."
Mike's brow furrowed at his old friend's statement. "Problem?" He breathed deeply. "Sweetest-tasting air I've ever breathed!"
Danny coughed again. "Yeah, for now." He pointed up at the sky and a cloud of black smoke wafting up from the forest. "This from that dragon you mentioned, Megan? Because normally where there's smoke, there's the end of that cliche."
Michelle looked up and gasped. "Oh, wow!" She hopped up and down, jabbing a finger into the air. "Is that from a dragon? That's from a dragon! Uncle Danny, that's from a dragon, right? Is Mom gonna slay it like Tirac or the Smooze?"
Molly rolled her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "Okay, Michelle, calm down."
Twilight spoke up. "Don't worry. Princess Luna-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Danny blurted out. "Princess Luna!" He wheeled around to face Twilight and leaned forward. "Princess Luna? Princess Luna, as in a dark-blue alicorn with a moon for her cutie mark? That Luna?"
Megan looked over. "Wait, if Luna's a princess, what about Celestia?" She walked over to Danny's side. "Is she a queen?"
Twilight looked back and forth at the two, mouth open. "I-I I'm not..." She sighed. "No, Celestia isn't a 'queen'. She has the title of princess, too. And it's long and complicated and can we please get back to Ponyville? I'm still a little woozy."
Megan and Danny exchanged a glance before nodding to her. Twilight turned and began trotting off, leading them all into Ponyville. Megan leaned down next to Twilight as they approached downtown. "I'm sorry," she said. "We're a bit... excited. And I've got so many questions right now about what's going on." She looked to the sky and a rainbow-colored blur above. "Even though I think I have some of the answers."
Twilight nodded. "I figured you would, and I'd love to tell you what I know." Her head drooped and she looked away, shoulders also lowering. "But I don't know all of it. And if I give you some answers, they might lead to wrong conclusions."
Megan nodded as they turned a corner and the Ponyville Public Library came into full view – complete with newly-hung banner stretched between two poles in front reading 'Welcome back, Megan, Molly and Danny!'. Several tables laden with food were arrayed around the building, attracting curious ponies. She looked to Michelle and Danielle. "Ah... give us a second to figure out what's going on." She looked back at the banner and shook her head, chuckling slightly.
Pinkie Pie suddenly burst into view, bounding up into Megan's arms. "Do you like it? Do you like it? She likes it! I know she likes it!" She hopped out of Megan's embrace, landing in Mike's arms. "And he likes it, too!" She leaned forward, kissing him on the nose before leaping out and landing on the grass. "There's just one teeny problem, here."
Mike blinked and rubbed his nose. "And... that would be?" he asked, staring down at the pink pony and inching back, towards the hole and his house.
Pinkie Pie cocked her head to the side and her ears flapped down. "Just who are you?" She suddenly bounded to her feet. "Oh, of course! You must be Megan's family! That means you're all here for the party!" She waved a foreleg at the tables and banner. "I hope you like it! Princess Celestia told us what kinds of food you like, since she knew you way back-"
Twilight raced over, tackling Pinkie and jamming a hoof into her mouth. She looked up at Megan and grinned maniacally. "Hehe, now Pinkie! No need for that!" She leaned in, eyes turning into slits. "Right?" she gritted out.
Pinkie nodded and bounded off while Mister Cake trotted over with a piece of folded paper in his mouth. "Here'th the gueth lith, Mith Twilight," he said, pushing his head forward slightly.
Twilight floated the paper out of his mouth and unfolded it, looking it over. She swallowed and panted slightly. "The Princess Ponies? Okay, King Spykoran I knew about. But... Morning Glory and family from Flutter Province? And possibly Queen Rosedust as well?" The paper dropped to the ground and Twilight stared off into space, the occasional chuckle coming from her mouth.
Mike looked to Megan. "Any of those names sound familiar?"
Megan nodded and smiled, clapping her hands together. "Morning Glory and Queen Rosedust are from-wait, Flutter Province?" She knelt down and picked the paper up, looking it over. "Yeah, Flutter Province." She stood back up and held it out so Mike could read it too. "They're old friends. I delivered Morning Glory's son, Blazing Day." She sighed. "This Spykoran, no clue. But the Princess Ponies are old friends, too."
Danny wheeled forward to Twilight, still standing there. He waved a hand in front of her face, then snapped his fingers. "Okay, she's broken." He looked back. "I think we're on our own for the moment."
Spike suddenly burst from the library and ran up to Twilight, throwing his arms around her neck and hugging her. "Twilight, help!" he shouted. "Pinkie Pie's gone crazy with her party planning and the library's been invaded by pastries and I don't know what to do!"
Twilight slowly blinked before her entire body shuddered. "Wait, what?" She looked around and focused on Mister Cake. "Mister Cake!" she called out, getting the baker's attention. "Is everything ready for the party? Oh, and thank you for the preparations!" She looked around. "I had... no idea it would be this big."
Mister Cake tipped his head forward. "Thanks, Twilight. And don't worry, we've got everything under control here." He looked to Pinkie. "All right, let's make sure the reserves out back are all set, Pinkie. Honey bun should be inside."
As the two entered the library, Twilight looked up to Megan and Mike. "Princess Celestia has an invitation for you two to come to Canterlot with me for a little get-together before the main party." Her gaze drifted to Danny and Molly. "But... I'm wondering if Danny or Molly should go, too"
Mike looked over as Danny wheeled around to face the group. "I don't think it'd be good to leave the kids alone here-no offense, Twilight."
Twilight waved him off with a hoof. "None taken, Mike."
Mike smiled down at her. "Thanks, but anyway, maybe I should stay and Danny and Molly go with Megan." He placed a hand on his chest. "I have a feeling you two have more pressing issues than I do."
Danny nodded and tossed Mike a salute. "Thanks, bud." He looked over to Danielle and Michelle standing off to the side. "Ready for Ponies, kids?"
Michelle squeaked and wrung her hands. She walked over to Spike and knelt down. "Are you a... baby dragon?" She held her arms out. "Can I hug you, please?"
Megan shook her head. "Michelle, please. Spike's not a plush doll to-"
Spike strode forward holding up a paw. "Don't worry, Megan. I'm used to it from Fluttershy. Turns out mares just can't help it when it comes to Spike." He rubbed his fingers on his scales.
Michelle raced forward and wrapped her arms around Spike, pulling him up in a hug. "Oh, you're so adorable! And so smooth, too!" She set him back down on the ground and petted his spines. "So cute!"
Danielle looked over at the sign in front of the library. She knelt in front of Twilight. "Twilight, would it be possible for me to go inside and read some books, please?" She paused. "I'm going to the University of Kentucky and my major is in Anthropology, with a minor in Folklore and Mythology. So I am itching to just read everything in there!"
Twilight gasped. "Really? That's great!" She hopped up and down around Danielle, leading her over and opening the door. "My home is your home, Danielle." She peeked inside and leaned back out. "Just... watch the tables of food and drink."
Danielle ducked inside as Twilight turned back, trotting over to Megan and Mike. "Okay, Spike?" She looked over as Spike was still being cuddled by Michelle. "Spike!" She waited for him to look over before continuing. "Take a letter, please."
Spike grumbled as a quill and scroll floated over to him. "Sorry, Michelle," he said as he plucked them out of the air. "Duty calls." He looked over to Twilight. "Fire away, boss!"
Twilight chuckled. "I'm not your boss." She coughed into a hoof before speaking. "Dear Princess Celestia. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Megan requests that her husband Mike remain behind to watch over their children while Molly and Danny accompany Megan and myself to Canterlot for your meeting. Signed, Twilight Sparkle."
Spike rolled the scroll up and breathed deeply, letting loose with a snort of green flame. It incinerated the scroll, sending the smoke winding to Canterlot. He looked up at the humans and sighed. "Makes me wish we had their phone number up in Canterlot."
Mike snapped his fingers and leaned forward a bit. "That... sent the scroll up to the Princess?" He looked to Molly. "Did dragons do that when you were here?"
Molly shook her head. "Nope. Then again there was only one dragon we knew back then." She crossed her arms and looked to the sky. "His name was Spike, too. A bit of a goof, but a great friend. I wonder what happened to him..."
Megan shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Yeah. Spike was a great guy. A baby dragon and only a little larger than you, Spike. He really grew on me, even when he hit his first growth spurt." She blinked. "He's probably in some cave now with a hoard of gemstones and gold coins."
Mister Cake walked out of the library and cleared his throat. "Well, the food's all set, if anyone wants to dig in." He looked to the sky. "Hopefully the others will begins showing up soon."
Spike opened his mouth, but he grunted and burped, letting loose another gout of green fire. The flame spiraled out, forming into a scroll. It floated in front of him and unfurled itself, letting him grab hold of it. "Dear Twilight. I commend Megan and Mike for thinking of their children, and apologize for not taking them into account. Of course he may stay behind while Molly and Danny come to Canterlot. I look forward to seeing them within a half hour. Signed, Princess Celestia."
Twilight clapped her hooves together, grinning. "Oh, I can't wait to see the Princess again!" She looked up at Megan and her expression fell. "Megan, you all right?"
Megan looked down and shivered slightly. "What? Oh, yeah." She waved Twilight off. "I'm fine, thanks." She turned around, finally spotting Canterlot in the distance. A faint smile crossed her lips. "It'll be good to see her again."