Hoof steps echoed through the castle halls as Princess Twilight Sparkle made her way to her room, it had been a long day of meetings, and she was ready to retire for the night. Twilight halted, the shimmering of the stained glass windows catching her eye, she let her purple gaze scan each window when she caught sight of one in particular; it was the stain glass window commemorating her and her friend's defeat of Nightmare Moon using the elements of harmony, that had been so long ago, but it still felt like yesterday to Twilight. Her gaze shifted towards another window, the one celebrating her becoming an alicorn. So much has changed since she had first moved to Ponyville, so many challenges and friends. Twilight continued to walk, things were greater than ever in Equestria now, her and her friends had really been making a difference and Twilight was proud to have played such a big role in it all.
'I couldn't have done it alone, though' Thought the princess, it was true that Twilight had accomplished a lot, but her friends had always supported her and she would always be grateful to them. Twilight unfurled her wings, she hadn't been using them much, Twilight had been far more reliant on her magic lately and it felt good to stretch her wings out again. When she reached her bedroom, Twilight lit up her horn and opened the door with her magic as she stepped inside. She closed the door behind her and took a deep breath as she walked over to her bed, Twilight levitated her crown off her head and placed it on her nightstand before getting under her blanket and resting her head on her pillow. tomorrow was the day when her and her friends met in Canterlot.
"Everything is fine." Twilight murmured to herself as she closed her eyes and let sleep envelop her.
Moonlight shone through her window as Princess Twilight slowly opened her eye's, bringing her hoof to her mouth as she let out a yawn. Twilight got out of bed and stepped out onto her balcony. She lit up her horn and grabbed a round amulet from a drawer in her nightstand, half of the artifact had a golden sun while the other side had the moon. This was the amulet that Celestia and Luna had given Twilight when she first took over Equestria so she could raise the sun and moon in their absence. Twilight activated the amulet with her magic, watching as the dark, star-filled sky illuminated with bright sunlight. The alicorn took a deep breath as she took in the new day that the sunrise brought with it. Deep in her mind, Twilight gave a startled yelp as she heard a knock on her bedroom door accompanied by a familiar voice.
“Twi? Are you in there”. Twilight let out a short breath before responding to the newcomer.
“Come in, Spike” Twilight heard her door open as Spike entered, he closed the door behind him before walking up to Twilight, her intent gaze still on the sun as it reached its highest point in the sky. After a few short moments Twilight put the amulet back in her drawer and turned to Spike, her deep purple eyes glowing with welcome as she embraced him.
“It’s so great to see you” Twilight released him and stepped back.
“I thought your letter said that you might be too busy to come today.” Twilight turned towards her room, looking back at the purple dragon. A smile crossed his face.
“I wanted to surprise you” Spike walked over to Twilight and nudged her playfully with his claw.
“Besides, nothing can stop a dragon from visiting his big sis”. Twilight let out a small chuckle.
“I suppose not” she responded with a smile. Twilight levitated her crown onto her head, looking into the mirror as she gently placed her golden tiara on her dark purple mane. She gave a slight nod of satisfaction before turning back to Spike.
"I'm glad you're here, I'm going to need your help today before the girls arrive" Twilight opened the door and walked into the castle hallway.
"I'm happy to help, Twilight. After all, That's what royal advisers are for." Spike puffed out his chest, a hint of pride shining in his green eyes. Twilight started to make her way down the hall with Spike beside her.
"You are a wonderful adviser and note-taker, Spike, but you know that you're much more than my royal adviser". Twilight said as she glanced at Spike. The purple dragon was still smiling as he responded.
"Ya, how would you ever survive without me." The purple alicorn rolled her eyes at the teasing note in his voice. When they reached the big doors to the throne room, Twilight opened them with her magic before going inside, Spike beside her. The two sat at the head of the room on their respective thrones as a griffin entered, his blue feathers extended as he gave a short bow.
"Gallus." Twilight nodded as she acknowledged him. Gallus stood up and folded his wings, he gave a nod of welcome to Spike as he reported to Twilight.
"Some ponies are here to see you".
"Send them in." Twilight shifted her wings as she waited, she looked over at Spike, he had a knowing glint in his eyes as voices sounded from the door Gallus had disappeared from. Curiosity overwhelmed Twilight as she got up from her throne and walked over to the door, just as she was about to open it, a sudden blur of pink came barreling into the throne room. Twilight barley had time to register what was happening before she was in a tight embrace. Twilight looked down at the pink pony, happiness sparked in her as she recognized the other four ponies at the entrance to the room.
"Pinkie! Girls! I wasn't expecting you until later". Pinkie Pie unwrapped herself from Twilight and bounced in front of her.
"That's what makes it a surprise!" Pinkie exclaimed. Twilight looked as Applejack responded.
"We all arrived in Canterlot last night to surprise you". Joy spread through Twilight as she looked around at all her friends. Spike flew down from his throne and landed beside Pinkie.
"You all have great timing, we got her good". Spike gave the pink earth pony a hoof bump as Rainbow dash flew a loop around them, her teasing glance on Twilight.
"Ya we did, you should have seen her face". Twilight rolled her eyes. A long time ago, this kind of thing would have annoyed her, but now these are the ponies that she trusted more than anypony in Equestria. Fluttershy spoke up from where she was standing beside Rarity.
"I hope we didn't interrupt anything". Twilight spread her wings, placing one across the yellow Pegasus's back.
"You didn't interrupt anything, even if you had, nothing would stop me from spending time with you." Twilight walked away from Fluttershy and faced all six of her friends again.
"How are things going?'' She asked as they all walked to the center of the room. Pinkie piped up from beside Twilight.
"Things are great in Ponyville! Last week Cheese and I threw Lyra a birthday party! It was super fun and Lil' Cheese is turning out to be quite the party pony!" Pinkie had a glimmer of pride in her light blue eyes as she finished. Fluttershy's soft voice echoed in the throne room.
"The School is doing wonderful, Starlight is a great headmare. Things are also great at the sanctuary, It's nice to have a bit of peace once in a while." Rarity walked into the center of the group.
"Things are simply grand in Equestria. It is more harmonious than it has ever been, and a lot of it is because of you Twilight." Twilight gave a smile at Rarity's comment.
"We did it together, Rarity" The princess stated. Rarity scoffed.
"Don't be modest, darling. We may have been fabulous support but you've shone on your own many times". Twilight turned to the unicorn.
"Thanks Rare, I know I've done a lot but it never would have been possible without all of you. I know that we can face any challenge. Together".
Magenta aura released the long blue banner, tying them to either side of the stage in the front of the large room. Twilight looked at her work with a satisfied nod, the banner was perfectly centered.
"How's it going over there, Rainbow?" Twilight turned her head to look at the cyan blue pony, she was hanging rows of golden streamers on the walls.
"I just finished the last one!" Rainbow exclaimed as she landed beside Twilight. The Pegasus flicked her tail.
"I never thought we would finish. This is a lot, even for Pinkie." Dash folded in her wings; her magenta eyes were cheerful.
"She said that she wanted to make this the best gala ever, and you know how Pinkie Pie can get." Twilight responded as a vase on the table next to her caught her eye, it was slightly away from the center. She took the vase in her magic and moved it three centimeters until it was perfectly placed before she stood up straight.
"Now it's done." The alicorn walked over and sat at one of the tables before using her magic to teleport a teapot and two teacups. Rainbow Dash trotted over.
"What are you doing, Twi?" She asked as the princess poured some steaming tea into one cup and placed it in front of her before pouring another and putting it on the other side of the table. Twilight giggled.
"Has it really been that long since we last had tea, Dash?" The Pegasus walked over to the teacup sitting opposite of Twilight, looking at it, then looking at her friend.
"I just thought that with the Gala coming up, you would be really busy." Rainbow sat down, taking her cup in her hooves as she lightly blew on it. Twilight grinned as a small blush worked its way onto her cheeks.
"I did actually have a bit of preparation to do today for the Grand Galloping Gala, but I decided to delegate some of those meetings to Spike. Mostly because if I'm being completely honest, I am a little wiped. Celestia and Luna made being rulers look so easy." Twilight took a small sip of tea. Rainbow put her cup down.
"What do we do now?" She asked. Twilight took another sip.
"Pinkie should be here any minute now to tell us how we did, she's the expert." They were silent for a moment before a voice echoed through the room.
"Wow! You girls did great, this place looks super fun!" Twilight looked over at the pink pony close the big doors behind her before entering the room, her mane lightly bouncing as she trotted over to them.
"I'm glad you like it, Pinkie!" Twilight happily greeted her friend. Pinkie walked over to them and trotted around the two other ponies.
"It's great! It's even more amazing because we have two parties to throw! The Grand Galloping Gala and Rainbow's fifteen-year anniversary since Spitfire named her Captain of the Wonderbolts!" Pinkie finished with a squeal, rummaging in her mane for a moment before she took out a bit of confetti with a giggle and sprinkled it over Rainbow. Twilight gave a light laugh before she went back to regarding Rainbow Dash.
"I had nearly forgotten. Speaking of which Dash, is there any new talent sprouting in the Wonderbolts recently?" Rainbow nodded.
"Sure, there are lots of creatures in the 'Bolts now and some of them have potential." Rainbow must have seen the glimmer in Twilight's purple eyes because she gave a wide smirk and spread her wings as she continued.
"No newbie is going to outfly me yet! It will take more than a little bit of time to slow this pony down!" Rainbow settled again and turned to Pinkie, but before she could open her mouth, a familiar purple unicorn teleported in front of the table. Twilight forgot about the conversation and stood up when she saw the urgency in the other pony's gaze.
"Twilight! There's trouble!" The unicorn burst out. Panic spread into Twilight's chest; any number of things could have happened. Possibilities raced through her mind before she had to calm herself with an old trick Cadence had taught her. Twilight collected her thoughts and addressed the other pony.
"Starlight, what happened?" Starlight took a breath.
"I was walking through the middle of town when an argument broke out, I tried to interfere, but nopony was listening!" Starlight let out a frustrated sigh.
"I thought if they wouldn't listen to me than surely, they will listen to you!" Twilight cocked her head.
"An argument? I'll help but I'm not sure what the emergency is, friends can argue sometimes." Starlight looked at her former mentor, her purple eyes as dark as night when she spoke.
"This is no normal friendship quarrel, Twi." Twilight nodded, ignoring the ominous feeling creeping its way up her hooves.
"Lead the way." Twilight motioned with her left hoof, Starlight nodded and started to run out of the doors with Twilight on her heels. Twilight noticed that Pinkie and Rainbow were running on either side of her, they noticed her gaze and each nodded at her in their turn with determined eyes as Dash sped ahead. They spent two minutes running before they reached their destination. I was a hard to miss scene since a crowd had formed and shouts could be heard above the chattering of the surrounding creatures. Twilight moved herself to the front and walked in front of the quarreling ponies. The one on the left was a pony that Twilight knew. She was a lime green Pegasus mare with a dark pink mane, she had her hooves spread wide and a snarl plastered on her muzzle as she looked at the other pony. Twilight looked at the other pony, she didn't know this pony, he was a gray stallion. The gray pony was scowling at the Pegasus, his green eyes piercing with anger. Twilight turned to the lime-colored pony as she addressed her.
"Lime Wing? What is going on here?" Lime Wing pointed an accusing hoof at the stallion, but before she could speak, the gray pony interrupted her.
"This reckless Pegasus crashed right into me!" He drew is ears back in anger. Twilight opened her mouth to speak before she was cut off by Lime Wing.
"I lost my balance! I said I was sorry, and you started to yell like a mad pony!" Before Twilight Sparkle could collect her thoughts, the two ponies had begun to yell over each other until Twilight couldn't make out a word. The purple pony closed her eyes, frustration starting to creep its way into her mind. It had been years since Twilight had to stop a fight like this, not since the other kingdoms had started to mingle in Equestria. She spread her wings wide and opened her eyes.
"Enough!!" The alicorn asserted, her voice carrying across the crowd as she eyed the two ponies who were now looking down at their own hooves. Lime Wing opened her mouth, but Twilight raised her hoof to stop her.
"No excuses, either of you. If you two want to have a difference of opinion than that's okay, but for Equestria sake try to refrain from causing a fight in the middle of town." She took a deep breath, closing her wings as she continued.
"Look, I'm not upset but I am disappointed, we are all stronger together and petty arguments get us nowhere." The two ponies looked ashamed. Twilight turned to the gray stallion.
"Lime said she was sorry; I understand why you would be upset but can you please not let it escalate into a fight and try to settle things reasonably." The stallion looked up at her.
"I'm sorry, Princess Twilight." Twilight turned to the Pegasus.
"Is there something you both would like to say to each other?"
Lime Wing looked over to the stallion, her ear twitched.
"Sorry I landed on you; I really didn't mean it." The gray pony rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm sorry too, I should have accepted your apology instead of losing it like that." Twilight nodded.
"I'm glad you both admitted where you went wrong, I am proud of you two." She turned to the crowd as the two ponies walked away.
"You can all go back to enjoying this beautiful day!" The crowd dispersed, but some creatures were still whispering to each other. Twilight was left standing there with the three ponies that she had arrived with, she took a deep exhale as Rainbow Dash landed next to her.
"Well, that was. Something." The rainbow maned pony said simply. Pinkie walked up to them.
"I'm glad you were able to turn their frowns upside down, Twilight!" Twilight gave her a small smile.
''Thanks, Pinkie." She looked at Starlight, the purple unicorn looked relieved.
"Thank you, Twilight. I was worried things were going to get worse and I knew that they would listen to you." The princess nodded.
''I'm glad you brought me here Starlight, that needed to be resolved in a civil manor." Twilight started to walk back to her castle, turning back for a moment.
"See you all at the Gala." She said before she continued to walk, her thoughts were worrying. The argument seemed like a small escalation, but Twilight couldn't shake the feeling that something or someone had caused the friction between the ponies. Her thoughts drifted back to when Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis tried to take over, they had caused so much distrust and unease in the land. Twilight needed to make sure that never happened again, Equestria and the lands beyond had to stay united, that's when they were strongest. Twilight tried to turn her thoughts more positive, but the thought that didn't leave her mind was that the argument between Lime and the gray stallion-it was only the beginning.
