Twilight, Equestria's greatest secret

"Spike!" Twilight Sparkle called, "have you completed organising the eastern wing".

"Yes Twilight," Spike spoke back casually, holding a list he looked up at Twilight "By the way you're forgetting something... Ditzys birthday party".

With her eyes widening Twilight swung towards Spike, who began backing carefully away.

Twilight shrieked, "OH NO, THE PARTY!," In less than 10 seconds twilight ran out the door while magically levitating the tray of fresh delicious berry muffins Spike had baked earlier. Then she ran back in with a panicked expression on her face.

"Twilight you better get going," said Spike quickly, "I'll finish the books in the Upper North Wing and come to the party later".

Twilight turned and ran back out yelling, "thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you," the door slammed shut behind her, leaving Spike to his work.

" MUFFIN PARTY!" Yelled the party pony Pinkie Pie in her regular excited demeanor.

Twilight was dancing with her friends Pinkie, Fluttershy and Applejack. Rainbow Dash was taking a nap on Ditzys couch and Rarity was speaking to a potential customer of her boutique.

"Hey Twilight," called Ditzy waving, "thanks for the muffins".

Twilight yelled back over the music, "thank Spike, he'll be here in a short while".

A stallion walked out of Ditzys kitchen, with his muzzle covered in something. "Uh Derpy...you're out of butter," said an odd looking blue eyed, brown stallion wearing a green tie and an hourglass cutiemark.

Twilight chose to ignore the pair heading to the kitchen and resumed dancing with her friends. Then all of a sudden Spike burst through the door and ran towards Twilight and her friends. Even though he frightened Fluttershy and woke Rainbow dash, he didn't say anything, he simply stood there gasping for air for a brief moment.

"Twilight, Princess (gasp) Celestia sent a (gasp) note, we need (gasp) to go," Spike quickly said still gasping for air. He turned around ready to run for the door, when a purple aura of magic gripped his tail and held him in place.

Twilight firmly stood there, horn glowing and a curious expression on her, "Spike calm down let me see the letter".

"It's not a letter, it's a note," stated Spike in a calmer voice, while handing it over. He then remembered that he had unintentionally frightened one of his friends. "Oh uh sorry Fluttershy," he apologized to the kind Pegasus, he was still breathing heavily.

"Oh don't worry about it Spike, you only startled me," Fluttershy said in her calm, soothing whisper.

"Hey what's the big idea!" yelled a cyan Pegasus, Rainbow Dash was never in a good mood after a rude awakening. She was searching for a reason from Spike and unexpectedly got it from Twilight.

"Everypony we need to get to Canterlot Palace A.S.A.P. The Princesses are in need of us," Announced Twilight after read the message.

"Oh another Canterlot trip with royalty how delightful," Rarity was obviously excited. She turned to the door, "let me wear something nice, after all we...", her sentence was cut short as she was enveloped in Twilights Aura and was teleported to the side of the purple pony. " I require an explanation Twilight", demanded Rarity, surprised by the actions of her friend.

Twilight looked at all her friends with a serious, determined look. They all fell silent, once she spoke over the party music. "Alright the Princesses want us to get to Canterlot as fast as possible with the elements of harmony."

"Is there any reason? It sounds mighty important," asked Applejack.

"It only says "secret", nothing else is mentioned," responded Twilight. "Ok we need to go to the library, get the elements of harmony and then I'll teleport us to Canterlot".

"No need young Princess of books," said a squeaky small voice, "I brought them for you, as ordered by the princess".

The group looked around, searching for the voice. Suddenly, in a magical flash of light, the reformed lord of Chaos, Discord, appeared casually sitting on Applejack, wearing all the elements.

"What in tarnation!," Applejack yelled before collapsing into a pile with Discord on top.

Getting back up Discord instantly grew a long blonde Mane, showing off his new pieces of jewelry. "Surprise everypony, don't I look just fabulous, the elements suit me so well," he claimed in a feminine comedic voice, giggling.

After everypony regained their composure, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and some party guests started laughing at Discords appearance and jokes. Applejack, Twilight, Rarity and a few other ponies didn't laugh for various reasons. Applejack wasn't happy that she got sat on, Twilight was suspicious about Discord and Rarity wasn't happy that a  Draconequus was wearing her precious element of generosity. All the other ponies weren't sure whether to trust him or not, after all even if Celestia did announce that he was reformed, many knew that he was the one responsible for a chaotic Equestria in the past.

"Discord you've had your fun, now give back the elements of harmony," Twilight insisted.

"Hey calm down Princess, I only wanted a little fun," poked Discord playfully.

"You mean like that flying princess coronation card?" Twilight reminded him coldly of the enchanted coronation card sent by Discord in the mail; it was made of candy. It grew wings and flew around the library playing an annoying song two months ago, until Pinkie Pie ate it.

"Eyup, did you like it," smiled Discord playfully as he snapped his fingers and teleported the elements to their respective ponies.

"I loved it, can you make another, it was so sweet and delicious and tangy, like a Chimmy-Cherry Changa!" Pinkie spun a full 360 degrees summoning a muffin from seemingly nowhere, "wanna try Spikes muffins they're great!"

Thanking Pinkie Pie, Discord shrunk himself down to pony size, took the muffin and began casually consuming it with a smile. Meanwhile Twilight gathered her friends around her and began charging her magical teleportation spell. Teleporting more than 4 ponies at any one time required twilight to charge the spell before activating it, after all it takes a lot of concentration.

"Hey Spike thanks for the muffins," called out Ditzy, walking out of the kitchen with her brown friend.

"It's fantastic with butter," said the brown stallion from earlier walking out of the kitchen, next to Ditzy.

"Sorry I can't stay Ditzy, we need to go," Twilight called out towards Ditzy Doo. She then turned to the others, "the spell is ready lets go".

Once Discord, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie surrounded Twilight, a magical purple aura instantly engulfed them, transporting all of them across Equestria to the capital Canterlot. Leaving an empty smoking spot in the house that was shortly filled by other ponies.

Ditzy turned to her friend, the brown stallion, "uh...Doctor...maybe we...".

The stallion replied, he already knew what she was going to ask, "Sorry Derpy, we can't interfere, fixed points in time and all that". He then bit into his muffin with a stick of butter, "Spike isn't as good a cook as you Derpy, but i can't resist the butter!"

Meanwhile at Canterlot Royal Palace, the Royal guard stood in front of the princesses grand throne room with a regiment of 10 Guards. All the guards tensed a little as they saw a young stallion guard gallop around the corner and head towards the throne room in obvious haste. When the leader Shining Armour saw the guard closer up he turned to his troops and ordered them to stand down.

"Slow and salute soldier," demanded Shining Armour before saluting to the approaching guard, "rank, sector leader and the reason why you are here please?" After he stopped for a salute Shining Armour could see that the guard was a blue maned, orange Pegasus stallion.

The stallion replied with a surprisingly tough attitude, "Captain Shining Armour, I'm the new guard sent by Commander Stardust, I'm at rank Private sir".

Shining Armour Smiled, he could clearly see this rookie had potential and Shining already knew Stardust well enough as a friend. This rookie was likely the highest in his class and seemed to be an honest soldier, but he seemed too serious for some reason. Shining Armour turned around to his guards, "Bumblebee your on report duty, check on all the palace patrols and report to me every 2 hours, or if anything out of the ordinary occurs. Remember my recommendation, trot don't gallop and don't be too wary". Moving aside Shining let a well built yellow unicorn mare trot past and head to her first checkpoint.

As the orange Pegasus walked into his place among the guards he asked, "Captain, may I please be updated regarding my orders"?

Shining began repeating the orders that was given to him 3 hours previously, "The Princesses are inside the grand throne room for some unknown reason, we have been given 5 orders, protect the grand throne room, protect Canterlot, keep watch over Equestria, no one is allowed to enter the throne room except a select few and the final order is to escort the elements of harmony and Discord the lord of chaos to the grand throne room if they are seen anywhere in Canterlot".

The Pegasus snapped into salute. "Thank you, captain, is there anything else I should be aware of," he then stepped into his position among the regiment.

"I'm to leave my post every hour then return again. Respect is expected when the princesses guests arrive."  Shining Armour smiled as before stating, "and don't be surprised if me and Twily greet each other with a hug".

The new Pegasus held back a burst of laughter before asking his neighbor, a white unicorn stallion, "who in the hay is Twily, it sounds like a little filly name".

The soldier chuckled a little before answering, "Princess Twilight Sparkle is the captains younger sister, Twily is the nickname he called her by since she was a filly".

Standing post at the Canterlot Critter Park, an orange unicorn stallion guard yawned with boredom as he looked at his watch.

"Still two more hours of guarding this place," he stated flatly. Looking around the park he saw nothing but fillies playing with a puppy off in the distance.

The bored orange unicorn was caught of guard and fell to his side, when a teleportation spell sprung next to him. Looking up he was shocked to see 5 ponies, a baby dragon, an Alicorn princess and a Draconequus.

Rainbow Dash was the first to speak with a sarcastic smile, before taking to the sky, "Oh great, Twilight you teleported us into the Canterlot Critter Park, this is totally the Canterlot sculptor gardens".

Ignoring Dash's sarcasm, Twilight smiled happily, "why yes I did and that means were aren't too far from the royal palace, we should go".

The Orange unicorn guard from earlier stood back on all fours, he realized who these were and decided to clean himself a little before speaking to royalty. Using his magic the stallion took off his guard uniform and helmet and began beating the dirt out of them.

"Hi there, my name is Pinkie Pie!"  Pinkie Pie saw the orange unicorn beating the dirt out of his uniform and introduced herself as fast as she could. The unicorn put his clean uniform back on with a clang, but not before everypony noticed his cutie mark, two yellow lightning bolts, and his blue and yellow hair. Pinkie Pie often played a game when she met new ponies, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Applejack sighed heavily. Discord on the other hand realized this. He magically summoned a couch and simply sat back with a bucket of popcorn in his paw ready for the show to begin.

Pinkie Pie appeared behind the guard and began hysterically talking, "oh, oh, oh wait let me guess your name...Twin Bolt".

The guard looked at her with a confused look before replying nervously, "um no".

"Flashlight!"

"No"

"Lightning Bolt!"

"Again, no."

"Flash Dash," Rainbow Dash couldn't help but face-hoof in the sky of the background.

"Nope"

"Lightning Eyes"

The guard looked at Pinkie Pie with a shocked expression, he replied stuttering, "wha...but...how did you know?"

Pinkie couldn't help but shrug with a huge smile, "just a hunch".

Pinkie Pies grin grew wider. She knew that she guessed his name correctly from Lightning Eyes reaction. Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity stared in shock, Pinkie Pie actually for once guessed a pony name correctly. Twilight couldn't help but feel deja vu at seeing this. She knew she would need an anti-headache spell later. Discord watched the comedy unfold from his couch and couldn't help laughing hysterically, "that's priceless!" He chuckled as he wiped away a tear.

Rainbow Dash had gotten used to Pinkies odd antics, she ignored her and gave a recommendation to the guard. "Get used to it, it's just how Pinkie the party pony is".

Taking Dash's advice he ignored the odd Party Pony. Lightning Eyes looked at Twilight, bowing respectfully to royalty he spoke, "Princess Twilight Sparkle, the honor is all mine, I am Private Lightning".

Rarity couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, she wanted to be as respected as Twilight, but she was still happy for and proud of her friend.

Resuming his full stance Lightning continued, "the Royal Princesses have ordered that if you and your friends are seen anywhere in Canterlot, you are to be led to them immediately." He turned to the direction of the castle, "follow me please".

Twilight blushed slightly as she started to follow Lightning. She still wasn't used to her status as princess. Rainbow Dash began flying, following the guard in the air, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack began following Lightning behind Twilight. Pinkie Pie however was skipping along playfully singing behind Applejack, as she was doing so Spike began running up to Applejack and jumped onto her back. Applejack didn't mind, spike didn't weigh much and he couldn't get on twilight because of her new wings.

Smiling Discord snapped his fingers, turning the couch he was sitting on earlier into a pink candy bike. Putting on some dark sunglasses he sat on the funny vehicle saying; "lets ride", before driving after everypony else leaving behind a trail of strawberry scented smoke.

Meanwhile back at the castle, a table was covered with sheets of parchment and books, some of which looked over a hundred years old. The windows of the grand throne room were normally left open revealing the lovely stained glass windows,  but they were now covered by dark curtains blocking the outside sunlight. However the room was still bright inside. High upon the roof in the center of the room a brightly glowing miniature star the size of a grape. It illuminated the room like a sun, only one pair of beings were capable of this feat. Sitting at the table the two regal alicorn princesses of the night and day sat, both were normally very calm and relaxed, even in times of great danger. This day was an exception, both princesses looked stressed, worried and even afraid, they were quickly looking through ancient scrolls, notes, parchments and books, any piece of paper they could find, really.

Princess Luna looked different to her regular self, normally she was a dark night blue color with light blue eyes and her hair, with its beautiful night looking aura, flowing as if in a breeze. She now looked more like an average pony with light blue non aura hair flowing down her chest, she's now a light blue color and her eyes were slightly grey from stress. Her older sister also looked different to her regular self, normally Celestia had a lovely flowing rainbow aura for her hair, light purple eyes and a pure white coat. At the moment Celestia still had her pure white coat, but her eyes were a deep purple color and her hair was now regular pink hair instead of her previous mane. The princesses were also a little shorter then they were only a few days ago.

"Sister are you certain now is the time?" The princess of the night was worried and uncertain, she paused reading her book,  The Alchemist Guide.

"Believe me Luna, I wish we had more time, but she needs to know the truth now," replied Princess Celestia. She was nervous, the spell they needed was hidden away centuries ago and she knew it was going to be difficult to find. She attempted to give her sister a comforting smile.

Luna couldn't help but be worried, she put down the ancient book she was reading and reached for another parchment that read, Alchemy magic with matter. Before reading the fragile paper Princess Luna looked at her sister, "what if we don't find it, we both know it is essential for her".

Celestia looked at her worried sister, "that isn't what you are worried about, is it Luna? You are worried about our past and the present".

Princess Luna didn't reply, she did truly fear the past, it haunted her to this day and she was worried for what she had now.

Reading the parchment in hoof Luna called to Celestia with a mixture of fear, and pride, "I found it, it's incredibly complex, more than anything we did before".

Only two things were similar about the papers, all were written by the legendary Starswirl the Bearded and all of them held his secrets.