Chapter II ~ Under Control
Twilight Sparkle wasn’t nervous.
No, “nervous” was a nice word, but it was far too reserved for her purposes. It didn’t properly encapsulate the simultaneous waves of anxiety, curiosity, excitement, and trepidation that were currently rushing through what little coherence her frazzled mind could maintain.
As much as she cared for and respected Princess Celestia, this was, bar none, the last thing that she needed to hear. Granted, this letter didn’t seem to imply that the fate of Equestria hung in the balance, but, knowing her luck, she spared no possibilities. She was supposed to be dedicating her time to teaching Starlight Glimmer about friendship, and now all of a sudden she gets called to Canterlot? She trusted Princess Celestia’s judgement, and she knew that whatever Celestia’s ulterior motive was, it was probably important, but she couldn’t deny that the timing stung a little. Nor was it helping that with each breath she drew from the paper bag, all of the uncertainties and possibilities seemed to flow quicker through her mind.
“Okay,” She thought to herself, “Let’s think this through rationally. First, I’ll need to bring Starlight Glimmer up to speed. Wait, before that, I should have Spike write up a list of precautions and duties to uphold while I’m away. Oh, but what if all this overwhelms her? She’s never had to take charge of the castle like this. Maybe I should give her some time to process the news first. But what time do I have to spare? Celestia wants me in Canterlot as soon as possible, and I’m sitting here arguing with myself in my own head!”
First and foremost, she needed a list. No, scratch that, she needed a list about what to include in her list. Oh, but how she know what to prioritize in her second list? She needed the list for that, too!
“Spiiiiiiiiiike! Where’s my list list-writing checklist?!”
Like clockwork, the small dragon jogged into Twilight’s room, brandishing a weathered scroll. Twilight’s horn alit, untying the ribbon from the parchment, causing the paper to unravel a good fifteen-odd feet.
“Phew, thanks, Spike.”
Spike nodded, understandingly, before trotting back to the door, careful not to step on the list. Twilight turned to face him, sheepishly.
“Hey, Spike? I’m sorry, but… can you help me run through this checklist? Just once, I promise.”
Spike smirked, pulled out a quill from seemingly nowhere, and ran the tip against one of the sharper scales on his back. He plodded over to Twilight, patting her reassuringly on the back. “C’mon, Twilight. We both know that you’re not gonna put that list down until you’ve read it about five times.”
Twilight pursed her lips, trying not to smile. “Well, I know that you’re tired, so let’s just try for three.”
Before the small dragon could nod his head, however, a familiar pastel-lavender unicorn came trotting into the room.
“Sorry I couldn’t get here quicker, Twilight. I swear, I’m never gonna learn my way around this stupid castle. I mean, but enough about that, I heard you yelling, is something wrong?”
The alicorn's head shifted from left to right, trying to find the right way to word that answer. “Uh, well, maybe, I guess. I don’t know! But Princess Celestia just summoned me like right now and she says that it’s not urgent but I just don’t know what’s happening but it can’t be good-”
Before Twilight could relapse into a nervous breakdown, she felt a tender hoof press against her lips.
“Twilight, I get it.” Starlight Glimmer said, smiling. “Tell me what I can do to help.”
Spike bit back another toothy grin, knowing that there was no way Twilight would settle for three times.
~~~
The violet dragon set his quill down beside him, and collapsed against the stone wall. He cupped his small hands together, turned them inwards, and gave both of his wrists a satisfactory crack. With a gleam of Twilight’s horn, the several scrolls ravelled themselves back up, and ribbons found themselves elegantly binding paper once more. With a similar cyan glimmer, Starlight’s horn glowed brighter as she scrutinized the suitcase. It was packed fairly-beyond normal capacity, but, as evidenced with a loud clicking of the lock, nothing a little magic couldn’t handle.
“Sorry, you guys,” Twilight began, shifting from hoof to hoof. “I guess I went a little overboard with packing.”
Spike gave her a weary smile. “Nah, it wasn’t that bad. Trust me, I’ve hauled around Rarity’s luggage before, I know when somepony’s overdoing it.”
Starlight nodded, concordantly, brushing away a wayward strand of hair from her slightly-frazzle mane. “It was nothing, Twilight. Besides, we both know adept I am at organizing.”
Twilight returned her student’s smile, and, for the first time that night, felt an iota of confidence brewing within her.
“You’re right. Both of you. I should stop worrying so much. Whatever the Princess needs, it’s nothing that we can’t solve - together.”
Spike fist-pumped, appropriately. Starlight more-reservedly nodded in agreement. Within moments, the alicorn was pulling the both of them into a comfortable hug, only letting go when she felt like she was making a scene.
“So, now that I’m packed, I guess I’ll be on my way. I wanted to sit here with you two and review the list of chores to maintain whilst I’m away, but I’ve filly-dallied enough as-is. Spike, I’ve been over the rules with you a million times before, I trust that there won’t be any mishaps.” Twilight said, more a weary request than a statement, trying to ignore all of the previous times she’d left her number-one assistant to hold down the fort.
“Please. Twilight,” Spike said, playfully rolling his eyes. I’m a big dragon now, I’m sure I can protect Starlight Glimmer if worst comes to worst. I’ve got everything under control!” He replied, flexing a scrawny purple arm, unironically.
The unicorn merely rolled her own eyes, before fixing them back upon Twilight. “Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now.” Stepping up slowly to Twilight, she pulled her mentor into a quick hug, with only the request of “Be safe" escaping from the unicorn's lips.
The alicorn smiled at her, sadly. "I will. I'm really sorry that we didn't get to have more friendship lessons. As soon as I get back, we'll start right back where we left off, I promise."
Starlight Glimmer just smiled earnestly in return. "I'll be holding you to that."
With that, the unicorn trotted out of the room. Spike was soon to follow, but not before clinging to Twilight’s leg and pulling her into an embrace of their own.
“Promise me you’ll keep each-other safe, too?” She whispered.
“I promise, but you have to promise me the same thing. Not just for me, but the others.”
"Oh my gosh, the others! I completely forgot to tell them! Spike, we need to-"
"Don't worry, I'll tell them first thing in the morning. You should probably get that head start while you still can, before Pinkie Pie finds out."
A grateful smile slowly crawled up Twilight's face. "Thanks, Spike."
With that, they soon parted, and Twilight was quickly on her way to the train station. With newfound invigoration glistening in her eyes, she was determined to solve whatever was ailing Princess Celestia.
~~~
Celestia stared out of her window, silently; too lost in thought to hear the cautious trotting of her sister walking up behind her.
“My sister,” Luna began, “I hath seen thy servants readying a guest room for accommodation. Hast thou invited thy pupil?”
Celestia offered only a tired chuckle, before turning to face her sister. “Luna, I never could pull anything past you.”
Luna’s stance remained unfettered. “Truly, sister, thou wouldst go behind my back like this?” She said, more disappointed than accusingly.
“She’s just as much your friend as she is mine, Luna. I wasn’t dishonest with her, I am looking forward to seeing her, but more importantly, if anypony is capable of helping you overcome your self-doubt, it’s her.
Luna sighed. “I shall not object to her presence, nor shall I unreasonably distance myself from her, but I believe that she should only suffer what she finds expedient. Allow her, therefore, to follow in her own way, I beseech.”
Celestia just smiled, and turned back to the window.
“I always do, sister.”