The sun gnawed at the tips of Twilight's hooves where they hung out at the end of the bed, unshielded from the blanket. She had already planned to wake up early, but she wasn’t as excited about it now. The alicorn moved to the other side and nuzzled her pillow, feeling cold even under the blankets, the morning air coming in through all the cracks and creases of her castle. Her eyes opened for only a moment, slowly coming out of her sleep to observe the shimmering crystal wall. No matter how much she tried to feel at home in her castle, it always feel cold and empty. Or at least, her bed felt more empty, and her room, like a part of it was missing. Twilight closed her eyes again and drew a shaky breath, trying to daydream before she would have to get up and begin her slow day.
Memories and thoughts flashed across her purple eyes, like clips in an old film being manually run by the gears of her mind. She thought of her adventures, the times she had with her friends, even the ones from a different world. With that, she hopped from the bed and walking out of her room with a frustrated snort, her shoulders tensing as she made her way to the door of her bed chambers. The alicorn made her way through the halls of crystal, her head hung, and her eyes staring at the different angles and reflections of the gem floors.
So quiet.She thought gloomily, soon passing by Spikes room with a casual turn of her head to peek inside.
Spike slept peacefully in the covers, snoring loudly with little drops of drool dangling from his scaly lip, his claw sloppily falling over the edge of the mattress. He had grown such an incredible size compared to how he had been many years ago. His scales much wider, his spines longer and proudly protruding out of his back, and his lengthy tail curled up and comfortably cuddled up against the dragon's side whilst he serenely slept. Twilight smiled tenderly, taking another peek before she began closing the door once more, then her smile faded. She wondered what this feeling had become, as it had developed since the last of her adventures ended. The mare's head shook softly, shooing the negative thoughts from her tired mind.
Too early for deductive reasoning. She reasoned with herself, sniffing the air and scrunching her nose in disappointment.
The air smelled of nothing but dust, and she intended to change the atmosphere before her day began. The alicorn set hoof through the kitchen door and over to the counter. She struggled to reach the bag of beans in the cabinet, and with much resistance to the desire to be lazy, she finally used her magic to get the sack of glory. Twilight leaned in and took a whiff of the bitter sweet scent of coffee beans, delivered just yesterday by her friend Applejack. It was one of Twilight’s favorite things and it always gave her the sense of peace and completeness she desired most when the dreadful morning affected her mood.
The lavender alicorn carried on the sacred task of brewing her most beloved drink. It replaced the castle’s dusty smell with that of an awakening pleasure for the morning. The day finally seemed to be kicking off as Twilight finished her making of the magical bean drink and proceeded to the table with her mug in levitation. The table was cold and sent a shiver through the Princess as she sat on the cold wooden chair of the kitchen dining table. Utter bliss enveloped her soul as she took the first sip of black coffee, the rim of the mug warming her bottom lip as the reviving substance strengthened her body, her energy coming to her once again. Twilight let a peaceful moan escape her as she relaxed further in her seat. It was a quiet moment, had it not been for the lonely creaking sound from her chair as she sat back up and stared across from her. An empty chair.
It’d be nice. She thought for an instant, then sighed. Perhaps I could conduct probabilities and solutions for a sufficient way to handle these restless feelings. Or maybe I could read a book...or-
“A little too early to be thinking out loud isn’t it?” A lilac colored unicorn walked in with her purple hair locks tangled and blue streaks in knots.
“Had I said all that out loud?” Twilight gave a sheepish laugh and smile, not realizing her thoughts had carried down the hallways. “Sorry Starlight, I was just caught up in some things and-”
“Don’t worry...I was awake anyway, I wasn’t able to sleep hardly at all last night.” Twilight played with her mugs edges, twisting it around and around, watching the liquid make waves from the center and then splash back. She hadn’t slept much either, being princess had many issues. Twilight had a student now, and a council of her own with her and her friends, and all the responsibilities of being royalty out ran her dreams, but then most of the time it felt like she had nothing to do but make lists and write letters. She hadn’t asked to be a princess, and certainly didn’t ask to have a Friendship Council. She was grateful for all that she had received, and was happy to be fulfilling her destiny, but she didn’t feel like she was living her true purpose.
Maybe I should just create a map of the stars, better than worrying about how lost I feel.She let out a small groan that wasn’t heard by Glimmer as the pupil carried on with her own task of retrieving some coffee. Twilight watched as Starlight pored creamer into the brewery, then remembered.
“Did you not sleep because you have somewhere to be today?”
Starlight froze for a second then giggled innocently, the turned over to meet her teacher's gaze with a small sheepish blush.
“Well, yes...I guess I am a bit nervous. It’s all so exciting…but...also pretty terrifying.”
“Yes…?” Twilight smirked, awaiting for her student to submit to her innocent game of teasing. The alicorn did have a way of seeing through ponies. It was one of the many things she had learned to do, and possibly her sister-in-law’s influence.
“I-well, I do have to admit that, now that we’re adults...I’m not sure if I see Sunburst as just a friend anymore…”
“Well, that's a reasonable feeling. I mean, you guys are perfect together, and you really blush brightly whenever he send you letters.”
“How do you know this stuff?” Starlight laughed at her silliness, her cheeks glowing a pinkish hue. Twilight giggled at the blush Starlight had, it was adorable, and she could see now just how much Celestia and Cadence enjoyed teasing her about Flash. The alicorn’s face paled a bit, but she still smiled tenderly towards her friend. The thought of her friends finding love without her was both a happy feeling, and as well a little depressing. But she would not accept her friends pushing away their chances as she did.
“Starlight, just know that I support you and am happy for you for building a relationship with him. Not only have you rekindled your friendship, but you have also grown quite fond of one another. I hope that it ends well for the both of you.” Starlight looked to Twilight and grinned excitedly, then proceeded further with a hug as a gesture of appreciation toward her teacher’s advice.
A small step on the crystal floor broke them apart, and they both turned to see the large sleepy dragon walking through the kitchen. He looked at the two of them and smiled sleepily.
“Did I miss something?”
“Hehe...no, just mare talk. Spike do you mind giving me my day planner?” Twilight said kindly, then pointed her hoof to the counter where a basket of fruit and paper pad sat.
“Sure thing…” The dragon hoofed her the pad and then continued on with his morning, getting his own coffee, and gems.
“Let’s see, to name off the chores, we have... getting more coffee beans from Apple Jack, but since she came a day early we won’t need to worry about that-” Twilight levitated a pen and marked off the chore with red ink. “Then we have to make a chores list for tomorrow, and plan a council meeting for Wednesday afternoon, and to keep in mind that Fluttershy was supposed to have tea with Discord that day so he’ll be joining us then. That also means I have to check Discord's list of chimera that have been causing trouble, and send it to Celestia ASAP. I'm hoping he actually got around to it...”
“He probably did, Fluttershy had been on his back about getting things done, not that specifically, but he’s been listening to her more often than not.” Starlight said taking a sip of coffee. Twilight nodded, then went back to reading off her checklist.
“I see, well I won’t worry too much about it then. Next we have to check on the reconstruction for the gazebo at Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity is planning for the next Ponyville Founding Day festival, and asked me to check up on some of the preparations and keep track. However, I think the first thing we should do is get Star to the train station.”
Starlight pulled her suitcase with her magic as she walked alongside Twilight and smiled nervously.
“You should stop worrying so much, it will be a fun trip and you’ll be able to catch up.” Twilight said to her pupil, nudging her in the side. The purple haired unicorn smiled back and took a deep breath. It felt like forever before they got to the train station. The smoke grazed the wood of the platform when the crystal train speedily made it’s way through to the station. Starlight looked out at the train as more ponies pulled out and rushed into Ponyville. She then took another breath and smiled, turning back to her friends.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you all in a week or so. I can’t wait to tell you both about it...and don’t worry Spike, I’ll be sure to bring back something for you.” She looked at the tall dragon, and at Twilight.
“We can’t wait either.” Twilight went in and hugged her friend, already missing the company. “Be safe.” She whispered. Starlight hugged her tighter before releasing the alicorn and stepping toward the train.
“Thanks guys, I’ll see you both soon!” Star pulled at her suitcase and walked out from underneath the shaded railway station and onto the train. It looked like she bumped into somepony by accident as she turned the corner, but then she continued on after a small apology.
“Think she’ll be okay?” Spike asked as they watched her take her seat and wave out the window to them.
“Yeah.” Twilight waved back with a tender smile.
“Will you?” Spike said in a knowing tone since taking notice to Twilight's sluggish attitude, she ignored him, but she was wondering that herself too.
Twilight began to turn slightly, ready to leave, until she saw a familiar guard come out. A pegasus dressed, in what looked like, and what could only be crystal armor. He walked out of the train a little nervous as he moved his head from side to side, as if trying to decide which way he should go. The alicorn stood and watched horrified as the train sped off once it had it’s passengers aboard safely. Twilight made no movement. None. She couldn’t. The blood was rushing to her ears and her heart was thumping rapidly. What was he doing here in Ponyville of all places? The pegasus stallion kept getting bumped into by others, apologizing each time. He looked to have a pack and a guitar on his back, almost like he was on a trip.
“Ah, sorry, heh...oh excuse me,...hi, uh, do you know where I can find-oh, n-nevermind...oh sorry-my bad, um, can you tell me where-oof!” The stallion, after running into a myriad of ponies, now hit his chin on the wood of the train station’s platform. He groaned, then opened his eyes. Lavender. He shot his head up and saw the Princess of Friendship staring at him.
“My apologies-” He scrambled to sit up once again, never leaving her eyes.
Twilight was stunned, her heart was racing and ached. This wasn’t the pony she had known, no-he wasn’t even a pony! This was wrong on so many levels.
Twilight tried to speak, but her tongue was tied. Instead all that came out was a sputtering mess of thoughts all trying to fall out at once.
“Wh-why...but-you, not-wha huh?” She looked at him with a scrunched muzzle and cute purple eyes.
Oh sweet Cadence, this mare is adorable. He looked at her, trying to hold back his goofy smile. She really was quite cute.
“Um, good morning Princess Sparkle." He greeted, more like a question to confirm he had the right mare. But of course he did, she was the alicorn in town, he mentally argued.
"I have come by order of Princess Cadence to accompany you and be your royal guard for the time being.”
“Wha-huh?!” Twilight looked at the pegasus with a shocked face.
What in the hay is he talking about?! Twilight consciously exclaimed, her brain hurting from the overwhelming anxiety from such an unprecedented situation. They both looked at one another and gulped in unison, all three individuals confused of the whole situation.