The Galloping Stone

"Ahhhhh! Pinkie! What are you doing in my luggage!", a purple alicorn mare screamed as she saw the all too familiar pink earth mare comically explode out from within her suitcase. The alicorn turned around only to witness that the once beautiful scenery and interior design of the train was now ruined by clothing and other various types of cargo. On the wooden framed booths that aligned themselves along the wall, were long sheets of paper that hung loosely and folded itself along the scarlet seats. On the red carpet which split the wooden floors in two, quills and bottles of ink lingered as ink spilled, freshly staining the once red carpet. The drapes that hung loosely along side the windows were now hidden by clothing that depicted the artistry of one certain white unicorn. While the purple mare was still gawking at the mess as a muffled cry sounded from above.

"A little help here!?", a high pitched voice sounded from above.

As the alicorn looked up, she saw the earth pony's head was inside the ceiling where a comically small hole surrounded her neck.She probably got that way from exploding out of my suitcase!,the alicorn thought as she reluctantly grabbed the dangling, flailing body with her magic and yanked the earth pony out of the predicament. With a loud thud the pink one dropped to the floor and jumped to her hooves.

"Hey Twilight! Thanks for saving me!" , the pink mare said to her savior as she tilted her head and banged the side of it with her hoof, causing drywall and...even a toothbrush... to fall from her ear and onto the floor. Twilight starred in disbelief at the display, but after a second dismissed it, knowing her logic... she had bigger things on her mind like...

"Pinkie! How in Celestia's name did you get into my suitcase!? For that matter, why were you in my suitcase?! What did you do to cause this mess!? Whe-"

Twilight was cutoff by Pinkie giggling as she pulled a scroll from her nose...somehow. She pushed the perfectly clean scroll to Twilight before explaining herself.

"Silly! Princess Luna invited me! She said something about 'urgency' and the such, and i .wanted to leave as soon as possible, so when i heard you were boarding the train to Canterlot I decided to join you!", Pinkie explained taking the time to breath after speaking without taking a breath.

Meanwhile Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing.Is there a party going on in Canterlot or something?,she thought . That's when she remembered the reason she was on this train in the first place. Using her magic she took a scroll from a pocket on a dress that draped over the window. It was almost exactly the same as Pinkie's except for the fact that the seal on her's was not yet broken.Twilight hadn't bothered to read it, she knew that when a letter came with Luna's seal, something's going on. Remembering this, she looked back at Pinkie, who had just finished cleaning everything, including the stains on the carpet that seemed un-washable.

"How did you-", Twilight began, but was cutoff by a wave of dismissal from Pinkie.

"Twilight I live with two babies. That...", Pinkie waved her hoof around the room to strengthen her point, "that was NOTHING!".

Twilight giggled. "touché.", she stated before going back to giggling. Pinkie joined her without hesitation. And where the giggles ended, silence began. It was considerably akward and Pinkie was having none of it...

"You too huh?" Pinkie asked, gesturing toward the scroll that laid on the now clean carpet.

"Yeah.", Twilight responded hesitantly, "haven't read it though, I didn't need to in order to understand that it's important."

"Well that's silly!"

"How so?"

"Letters and scrolls are sent to be read!"

"touché...again..."

"Here...", Pinkie picked up the scroll with her teeth and put it at Twilight's feet, "read it. It's imperative that you read it! I just used the word 'imperative' so you know you gotta!".

"Alright, I get it!", Twilight giggled as she broke the seal and began to read...

Dear Twilight Sparkle

You should be made aware that a great threat is coming to Equestria and no amount of royal guards or elements of harmony can help. Only one of your friends can be made a part of this incident. I have already informed Ms.Pie of the trouble, mainly due to the fact that she will prove to be a considerably useful escort on this certain task. Please come to Canterlot A.S.A.P. I shall be awaiting at the gardens, meet me as soon as you're within the city.

yours truly

Princess Luna

     Twilight began to hyperventilate as she reread the note to make sure she wasn't crazy. Twilight wanted to respond somehow, to request confirmation of this information from nopony in particular. But her attempts were proven in vain as her jaw hung agape during a cycle of heavy breathing. "Th- this has to be some kind of joke...", Twilight managed to say.

     Pinkie, hearing the severely panicked voice, lande a hoof upon Twilight's shoulder while forcing eye contact with the alicorn. "Twilight...", Pinkie began in a slow and steady voice, "I know this is drastic, but there is no use in attempting blind optimism, the princess is probably over reacting. I mean, if she only called us two, then all that 'great threat' really needs is a good ol' TwiPie butt whoopin!".

   "'TwiPie butt whoopin' huh?", Twilight responded reluctantly. Twilight's breath slowed as she found herself oddly comforted by the earth pony's words.Pinkie Pie, never breaking eye contact smiled, but was disappointed to see a straight faced Twilight. Still smiling  and still maintaining eye contact, Pinkie gradually drew her face closer to Twilight's. Twilight fought the urge to return the smile. The corners of her mouth were unwillingly drawn upwards as she struggled to keep a staight face. Eventually, she gave in and a big smile appeared on her face as she let out a small giggle.

      "I win!" proclaimed Pinkie as she hopped up and down, satisfied that she got Twilight to finally smile.

       "Darn that infectious smile of yours Pinkie", Twilight playfully cursed as she shook a hoof in the air.

       "What can I say? It's a gift."

       "But, don't forget, with great power comes great responsibility..."

Pinkie playfully soluted as both of them wore the most serious faces they could muster. Both of them let out an uproar of laughter for their little display. As the laughter died out, Twilight levitated a book from her re-pact suitcase over to her. Pinkie tiled her head in confusion. Twilight rolled her eyes and began to explain.

      "Well, I might as well study, I mean, I have no idea what this threat is, so..."

"Oh Twilight, you can be such a silly filly sometimes!", Pinkie replied cheerfully, " The princess never told us to study, If she wanted you to study, she would of told you to."  Twilight shot Pinkie a confused look and was met with a look of pure confidence. "Plus, she'll tell us everything we need to know as soon as we get there. Trust me, this is the last thing you need  on your mind right now. Oh, that and  steamroller! I man, who would want to put a steamroller on there head?"

      "Pinkie Pie, I don't think..."

      "Exactly! Don't think! Just follow me to the nearest cupcake cart!"

      "Pinkie, we're on a private train to canterlot, there aren't going to be any cupcake carts."

      "That's what you THINK! Now c'mon, we've gotta get your mind off this whole incident until we reach canterlot! We don't want you breaking down again!"

      Twilight blushed in embarrassment as she was dragged away by Pinkie. She continued to look back at the book, still worrying about what is to come. I sure this isn't as bad as it seems!

                                                                   ~=~

     As the train came to a stop, the doors opened to reveal two young mares. The earth mare, Pnkie Pie, bounced out the door with a satisfied expression on her face and a cupcake in her hoof. The alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, appearing astonished, followed. I still can't believe Pinkie was right about the cupcakes, She thought as she continued forward. She turned her head to observe the scenery when her view was obstructed a dozen of surrounding royal guards. Twilight jumped in surprise as she heard and extremely low voice from behind her.

     "Ms. Sparkle, please pardon the intrusion,", the voice said, "But i'm afraid that we must personally escort you to the canterlot gardens immediately."

     Twilight turned toward the source of the voice, only to be met with an overwhelmingly tall member of the royal guard. He was immensely bigger than the other guards that surrounded her, and atop his white coat, silver armor showed the reflection of the contrasting, golden armored peers.

     "May I ask who is escorting me? And why?", She said as coolly as possible. Twilight was aware that Luna had sent the guards, that much was obvious. It was the fact that she had sent them in the first place, and so many of them.

     "Pleasantry can be exchanged under less dire circumstances, as for our reasoning, it is simply an extra precautionary method. It may seem extreme now, but, when you see what the Princess has called you here for, you may reconsider  your original hesitant thoughts."

Wow, thought Twilight, What an incredibly detailed yet incredibly vague answer. Twilight looked forward at Pinkie, who happily bounced in place. She looked at Twilight, beaming and full of energy. Twilight smiled back. Pinkie's smile was infectious, and unwavering, despite any trouble she might experience. It always seemed to bring comfort and peace to those who look upon it.

     "Very well, lead on."

                                    ~=~

     Pinkie and Twilight arrived at the gardens as the guards began to disperse from around them. Hedges surrounded the paths they walked on, which led to various types of statues and plants. They soon arrived at a Nightmare Moon statue. The icon of terror stood on its hind legs, an accusing hoof pointing downwards to nopony in particular. Underneath the large statue sat Luna, whose gaze was  focused on the daytime sky above them.

"Princess Luna?", the large silver armored guard called. Snapped out of a trance, Luna looked up at the guard.

     "Ah, Yes. You brought them, thank you Silver Sword."

SO THAT WAS HIS NAME! Twilight thought as he nodded his head to show appreciation towards the praise.

     "Do you require anymore assistance?"

     "No. I simply need a few moments alone with these two," she turned her gaze to Pinkie and Twilight," You and the rest of your squadron may go to the barracks for food and rest."

     Silver Sword only starred. His eyes were wide and filled with fear. "But Princess, what about the-"

"Do not worry about me. It will only be for a couple of minutes. Plus, I will not accept being guarded by a squadron of malnourished guards."

Luna waved him off and Silver Sword reluctantly left, the rest of his squadron behind him. Pinkie and Twilight looked up at Luna expecting the explanation promised in the letter, and Luna was more than happy to oblige.

"Now,

Allow me to explain why I called you here"