To Fulfill My Destiny

Chapter 2: At the Gala

        Anticipation is defined as ‘looking forward to a pleasant expectation’. For Twilight, this meant seeing her friends for the first time in well over two months. Her duties as princess, her time set aside learning about leading the country, and preparation for the Gala had pushed all other priorities aside.

        That would soon change, at least for the duration of the night. A few hours was enough time to hear about her friend’s lives and to tell them all about her own adventures and learnings. First, however, she would take her place at Princess Celestia’s side in the great hall as they greeted distinguished guests from all over Equestria and, in a change from the normality, representatives from several different nations.

        Canterlot elite showed great courtesy and etiquette as they bowed to their rulers. Twilight found it interesting to note that they dressed and acted like today was a normal day. Their dresses and tuxedos, while maybe more pressed and glossy than normal, would have been their daily attire. Twilight saw little to none of the actual royalty at the greeting. Most were probably already skulking throughout the city; not that Twilight minded. She saw enough of them daily.

        In a change from the normality of the Gala, Twilight had taken it upon herself to invite guests from beyond Equestria’s borders. Some she had met before when they visited Canterlot, but others were strangers to her.

        The first foreign guests were King Gwandoya and Queen Abena of Zebrica, flanked on either side by a pair of massive bodyguards. After an exchange of bows from the Zebras and the alicorns, King Gwandoya spoke.

        “Maamkizi, kale Malkia wa ja.” he said, uttering in his native tongue. “It is good to see you, ancient one.”

He spoke this to Celestia, who accepted his complimentary words, before turning to Twilight. “Mpya Salamu, first greetings to you, Malkia Twilight Sparkle. Your face tells of youth and determination.”

        “Thank you, your highness.” Twilight replied with a slight blush. “It is an honor to meet you face-to-face.”

        “We were honored that you would invite us.” Queen Abena said to Twilight. “I look forward to observing Equestria at its best.”

        With another exchange of bows, the two Zebras and their guards headed off toward the rest of the castle.

        Next, an elderly representative from the Griffon Kingdom stepped forward. He bowed, though not as deeply as his predecessors. He was dressed in a ceremonial black military uniform, completely covered in commendations, ribbons, and medals that reflected his dedication and loyalty to his homeland. On is lower neck, he bore a deep red crest that showed the silhouette of a griffon in the background, stretching out his claw over the globe in the foreground.

A set of words below the crest was written in the ancient griffon tongue, which translated read, “Honor in Life. Victory in Death.”

        “Greetings, Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight. I bring tidings from his majesty, Lord Sharpbeak the Third.” the griffon said courteously. “I am High General Swiftfeather, member of Lord Sharpbeak’s court, and head of the Griffon infantry.”

        Princess Celestia nodded, acknowledging his words.

“Is Lord Sharpbeak well?” Twilight asked. “When he replied to my letter I assumed he was coming himself.”

General Swiftfeather did not hesitate to answer, but Twilight noticed a slight scrape of his claws on the stone floor as he shifted around.

“His majesty has been very busy since his coronation three months ago, after his honorable father’s passing. He has... duties he needs to carry out. I’m sure you understand, being fairly recently coronated yourself.” the General stated. He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “And at such a young age...”

“Well, we hope you enjoy your visit to our capital.” Princess Celestia cut in.

“As do I.” he agreed, looking up. “My lord and I hope to eventually grow closer as two great nations in the future.”

General Swiftfeather finished with a quick bow, and moved on. Once he was out of earshot, Twilight opened her mouth to speak to Celestia.

“Not much of a charmer.” she commented.

Princess Celestia chuckled. “No, most griffons aren’t. Especially the ones in high places. I’m honestly surprised King Sharpbeak sent anyone at all. His family tree has a history of completely ignoring our existence.”

“Maybe he wants to become more involved with us and open up relations, like General Swiftfeather mentioned.” Twilight commented.

“Maybe.”

        After a few more greetings and thanks from Equestria’s high class, Twilight craned her neck towards the pair of open doors that lead into the great hall, staring intently.

        “Hmm.” she expressed with a frown.

        “Hmm?” repeated Celestia. “What’s hmm?”

        Twilight stopped staring and returned to her normal posture.

        “I was just thinking. What’s taking everypony so long? I thought they would be here by now.” She said, a hint of worry in her voice.

        “You mean your friends.” Celestia replied with an understanding nod. “I’m sure they’re on their way as we speak. They probably just wanted to be sure they were absolutely ready to see you tonight.”

        Twilight continued to frown, and did not reply.

Its not like them to be late. She thought. I hope nothing happened along the way.

As the night went on, Twilight was pleased to see and meet a few more leaders and dignitaries from lands beyond Equestria’s borders. The tall and dignified representatives from Saddle Arabia presented themselves in an impressive show of color and dance that induced impressed “oohs” and “aahs” from the gathered crowd.

Still no show from her friends.

Chief Thunderhooves, the leader of the buffalo from out west, was dressed in ceremonial paint and an exotic feathered hat and accompanied by Little Strongheart. Both greeted the princesses cheerfully and reported cooperation and a solid friendship between their proud nation and the settlers of Appleloosa.

The crowd was still void of the five familiar friendly faces.

At this point, worry began to quickly creep up along Twilight’s spine. She constantly glanced about, hoping to see the five familiar faces. The outside world became less and less important, as thoughts of concern and worry raced through her head.

“Excuse me!” a rough voice interrupted her thoughts.

Twilight shook her head into focus and realised that her eyes had been glazing over the large, dog-like figure of King Stor; leader of the Ahuizotl people of Ahuizotlis. He was wearing a particularly annoyed expression on his face, which emanated through his eyes that stared directly at Twilight from their position at the end of his snout.

“My apologies, your majesty.” began Twilight. “I was lost in thought.”

“Hmph!” King Stor breathed out heavily.

His beady eyes spouted contempt as he bored directly into her own.

“I did not know ignoring your guests was customary in Equestria. I was simply congratulating and commending your majesty on being elevated to such a lofty position, but I suppose it can wait until you feel like listening to my lowly voice.” he finished sarcastically.

Without waiting for a reply, King Stor did an about-face and walked out, flanked by two bodyguards. Twilight was left with her mouth hanging open and with wide eyes. The great hall was filled with an awkward silence as the Canterlot elite shared in Twilight’s expression. As soon as the ahuizotl left, however, conversation slowly crept back to its normal volume.

Princess Celestia looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow. Twilight looked back with an awkward smile.

“You seem... distracted.” Celestia commented.

Twilight sighed. “I am. Its been way too long. Where is everypony? They should have been here hours ago.”

Twilight hoped to find either reassurance or explanation in her former mentor’s face, but Celestia only held an emotionless stare. It was not often that Twilight saw Celestia at a loss for words, but something was clearly on her mind as well. Something she was not telling Twilight.

She was about to inquire on Princess Celestia’s thoughts, but did not get the chance.

        “Ten-Hut!” came a sudden voice, echoing across the hall.

        A pair of pegasi clad in shining silver armor had taken positions at each side of the door, wearing serious expressions almost completely identical to Equestria’s Royal Guards. However, their coats and manes shone in a crystalline pattern, filling Twilight with a sudden excitement at whom would be walking through next. With a snappy salute, one of the guards began to speak in a loud voice.

        “Announcing their majesties-”

        “Shining Armor! Cadence!” Twilight said with a smile, leaving her position and trotting over toward the door.

She did not go too fast as to disrupt the professional attitude of the hall, but fast enough to turn a few heads from the clusters of ponies and guests scattered all around.

        “-Rulers of The Crystal Empire.” The guard finished.

Sure enough, a familiar pink alicorn and large white unicorn strolled in a few moments later.

“Cadence!” Twilight exclaimed again. Instinctively, she began their salutatory dance. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs-”

She cut off as she suddenly realised the serious expressions Cadence and her brother were wearing. Her worry flooded back to her. Shining Armor looked like he had just lost a major battle, and Cadence held a concerned face that rivaled Twilight’s own.

“Um... Is everything okay?” Twilight inquired.

The Crystal Empire monarchs seemed as though they had something important to say, but glanced at one another, hoping the other would say it.

“What is the problem?” Celestia asked, trotting up behind Twilight. “What is going on here?”

“Its good to see the two of you.” Shining Armor said, breaking his and Cadence’s silence. “I’m afraid its not under positive circumstances, though.”

“Something’s happened.” added Cadence. “It’s about your friends, Twilight. I’m sure you’ve been waiting for them to show up, but there’s a reason they have not.”

Twilight’s coat suddenly grew damp with a cold sweat. A million worst-case scenarios ran through her head. Maybe they had gotten into an accident. Or ponynapped. They were probably lying in a hospital bed somewhere, unconscious. Maybe a crazed madpony had gone to ponyville and- she stopped herself short. Whatever had happened, panicking would not help now.

“Why?” Twilight asked simply, her voice betraying her distress.

Again, Shining Armor and Cadence hesitated.

Twilight was on the brink of raising her voice to demand answers.

“I will answer this.” A new voice spoke.

Princess Luna, who had been absent the entire evening, slowly approached the crowd. Her expression mirrored the austere attitude that filled the air. Draped over her back were a pair of satchels, one filled with carefully crafted charts of the night sky, and the other with small cartography and astronomical instruments.

“Your friends are gone, Twilight.” Luna stated with an eerie simplicity. “And we have absolutely no idea where or why.”

*        *        *