Chapter 26 - Is it too late?

Chapter 26 - Is it too late?

*Twilight’s P.O.V.*

While Joshua and Nyx were at their Crusaders meeting, I opened up another book to read as usual.  About an hour later though, I heard a rapid knocking at the door.

“I’ll get it Twi,” Spike said.  He hurried over and opened it up.  Suddenly, a chorus of three voices shouted.

“TWILIGHT!!!”

It was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, and they sounded worried.

“Come in girls,” I said to them looking over.  They had really concerned faces as they ran at me.  They all started chattering at once that I couldn’t understand them.

“Girls, girls, calm down.  I can’t understand you three,” I said to them.  They all stopped chattering at once and took a deep breath.  “Now, one at a time, tell me what happened.”

“We were thinkin’ of what to do next for our cutie marks,” Apple Bloom started.

“But then Joshua’s horn suddenly reappeared and it started glowing white,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Then his whole body glowed white and he started floating in the air in the clubhouse,” Scootaloo said, “And when the glowing stopped...”

“...HE TURNED INTO A PONY!!!” they all said in unison.  I gasped loudly at hearing this.

“Spike!  Notify the princess!” I barked at him.  He gave me a salute and quickly started writing.  “Girls, lead me to the clubhouse now!”  They nodded their heads rapidly at me and got to their scooter.  Scootaloo buzzed her wings and sped off with me quickly following in the air.  Soon we arrived at the Crusaders’ clubhouse and I landed in front of the doorway which was open, and there was Nyx hugging a blue-colored, crying unicorn colt with a brown mane and tail.  I could only guess it was Joshua.

“Joshua?” I said softly.  He sharply turned his head toward me; his eyes had tears coming out.  He tried trotting over to me, but stumbled and landed his chin on the floor.

“OUCH!” he exclaimed.  I walked over to him, picked him up, and brought him in for a hug.  He quickly wrapped his forehooves around me returning the hug.

“I’m so sorry this had to happen to you, Joshua,” I said to him.  Joshua didn’t say anything but sobbed softly into my shoulder.  I then turned around to face the other crusaders.  “Girls, I hate to cut your meeting short...”

“It’s okay Twi,” Apple Bloom said sadly, “We understand.”

“I hope you feel better Joshua,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Me too,” Scootaloo added.

“Come on Nyx,” I said, “Let’s get back to the library.”

Nyx nodded and stood next to me as I lit up my horn.  I soon teleported the three of us out of the clubhouse and back to the library.  Spike was still in the library, looking like he had been pacing.  He looked up when he saw us appear in front of him.

“Is that Joshua?” he asked looking at Joshua in my forehooves.

“Yes it is Spike,” I said sadly, “Did you send the letter?”

“Yeah, about five minutes ago.  I’m surprised she hasn’t responded yet,” he replied.

*Third Person P.O.V.*

Five minutes ago in Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were just finishing up breakfast.  Celestia was entering her chambers when she saw a scroll from Twilight materialize in front of her.  She levitated the scroll in front of her and opened it up.  The writing looked rather hurried, but she was still able to read what it said:

Dear Princess Celestia,

Joshua’s friends, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came in this morning after Nyx and Joshua went to their Crusading business.  They informed us that Joshua’s pony transformation is now complete.

Celestia gasped suddenly when she read that part.

Twilight went with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo to check and see if it was true, and has yet to return.  Please respond as soon as possible.

Twilight’s Number One Assistant,

Spike

She rerolled the letter and it disappeared.  She then sighed deeply.

“I’m so sorry Joshua,” she said quietly, “I can only hope we are not too late.”

“Too late for what sister?” said Luna’s voice from the door.

“Spike has just informed me that Joshua’s pony transformation is now complete,” Celestia said.

“It...is?” Luna said gasping.

“I’m afraid so, and I fear we might be too late to change him back, but if we hurry, we might be able to change him back.  We will need to perform this spell first thing tomorrow.” Celestia added.

“But Tia,” Luna said, “The spell might not be ready.”

“We need to try Lulu,” Celestia said, “Please excuse me sister; I need to write a response to Twilight.  You go and get the throne room set up for the spell.”  She then pulled out a new scroll and started writing.

*Twilight’s P.O.V.*

“What do we do now?” Joshua asked sobbing lightly.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what Princess Celestia says,” I said to him.  He was still upset about what had happened, but calmed down a lot from when we left the clubhouse.  We were all waiting for Celestia’s response, while I kept him held in my hooves.  Eventually, a couple minutes later, Spike belched out a letter.  I used my magic and brought it over.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I’m terribly sorry to hear about Joshua’s transformation being complete.  As for the spell that could possibly change him back, we are just about ready, but I fear we might be too late.

Please bring Joshua and your fellow Elements of Harmony to Canterlot first thing tomorrow.  Luna and I will be waiting in the throne room.  Take the Friendship Express, and a guard will be there to escort you to the throne room.

Yours truly,

Princess Celestia

I rolled the letter back up and placed it off to the side.

“Spike, Nyx,” I said to them, “I need you two to keep an eye on Joshua while I go tell everypony else.”

“Okay Twilight,” Spike said.  I then put Joshua back down in front of them.  Nyx pulled him in for another hug while Spike placed one of his claws on Joshua’s back.

“Try and help him learn to walk like we do, okay Nyx?” I asked her.  She just nodded in response.  I trotted outside and off to where my friends were.  As I did I looked back to the library.

Don’t you worry Joshua, I thought to myself.  We’re going to try our best in turning you back to normal.