The train seems to drag on forever. It had been quite a while since she last rode, but today it seems much slower than it ever has been before. Twilight looks out the window and sighs. Trees blur by outside as the train slowly twists its way around the mountain. Outside of a few small bumps, the ride is quiet and uneasy. Few ponies are on the train today. Twilight's car is empty. The car next to her has a family of three, a mother and father, and a filly without her flank. The energetic way the filly hops around reminds her of Apple Bloom. Twilight's thoughts drift to Applejack. Images play in Twilight's mind, images of the Apple family trying to harvest their crops without Applejack. Images of Applebloom crying after being teased at school and nobody there to comfort her.

Twilight takes out a couple of books that she brought to distract herself during the trip. She pulls out an old favorite, "Creatures from Equestrian Mythology" and looks over a few of the entries. A few minutes later she sighs and closes the book.
"It's hopeless," she says aloud.

Fluttershy's animals, Sweetie Bell, The Cakes, Scootaloo. It seems like everybody misses Twilight's friends. Everyone is worried. Everyone depends on them. Even Spike is busy watching the pets until Twilight returns. That's a ton of responsibility on him for a long time. Her brows clench up again, although she attempts to restrain her features, to look wooden so no one knows anything is wrong. Without Rainbow, there's very few ponies to help with the weather. Without Pinkie Pie, there's little joy in town. Without-

She pushes the thoughts out of her mind. She takes a deep meditative breath, then looks back out the window. More trees. More memories. More reminders that something is missing, has been taken from her. Why is the train so slow today? Of all days, why today? How far away are we any-

"Now arriving! Canterlot!"

It is clear to Twilight that the conductor is well practiced in his announcing, undoubtedly from years of shouting over the roar of the engine, the squeal of the brakes and the rumbling murmur of the talkative crowds, yet today it seems like overkill given the few ponies riding. The older stallion booms again.

"Now arriving! Canterlot!"

"Um, yes, thank you."

The sound of his voice stirs Twilight out of her thoughts just enough to make her amble out of the car, half confused. Once in Canterlot, she makes a beeline straight for the castle. Her stomach rumbles, but she ignores it. The usual business of Canterlot attempts to pull her focus away. On one corner a street vendor sells flowers with an enthusiastic smile. She continues on her way. Further along, a white Stallion with a black mustache and monocle in a nice black hat and matching coat lifts his hat up to her and greets her. He looks familiar, but Twilight presses on.

"Hello there," he says.

"Hi. Sorry I don't have time to talk, but I'm in a bit of a hurry now. I need to speak with Princess Celestia."

"Would you like a lift?" The unicorn gestures to his carriage.

Twilight's ears perk up.

"Um...sure. I...uh thank you."

"The pleasure is all mine, your highness."

"Oh. You don't need to address me that way, Mr.?"

The unicorn lifts up his hat with his magic and lightly bows.

"Fancy Pants. We've met before."

"Oh," Twilight places both hooves to her face. "I am so sorry. That's right. You're Rarity's friend, right? I remember now. I guess I am a bit distracted."

"It's quite alright," He smiles a casual smile. "So how is she lately?"

"Actually, that's why I'm heading to see Celestia. She's gone missing. All of my friends have."

"Missing, you say? But how?"

"Well..." Twilight begins with a waver of her voice. "Have you ever heard of Discord?"

"YOU BET I HAVE!"

The sound of that raspy voice shouting out from the body of Fancy Pants is all it takes for Twilight to tumble backward off the carriage. The transformation occurs in less than half a second, and there Discord stands, his tail curled and laughing like he's never laughed in his life.

"Oh, Twilight! I don't think I'll ever tire of this!"

Twilight slowly pulls herself off the ground. The carriage itself scoops her up and places her back inside. "Discord! Why are you doing this?"

"Well to be perfectly honest with you, it's kind of boring around here, what with your friends all gone and everything."

"Did you forget? You sent them away!"

"I know, I know...and I have to pay the consequences for my little chaotic decisions, but gee, some days being chaos incarnate gets so boring. Do me a favor when you talk to the Princess. Ask Celestia how she entertains herself as an immortal. After a time, it's as though nothing entertains you anymore." Discord sighs a deep sigh. "In either case, we're here. Enjoy your little chat."

"I'll be sure to do that," Twilight says through gritted teeth. She takes a few steps in the direction of the castle.

"Oh, Twilight?"

"What is it now?"

Discord casually looks over his claws as though they were the most interesting thing in the world. "Just thought you might like to know, your memory spell won't work this time around."

"What? Why not?"

"Because it's cheating, Twilight. It's a shortcut."

"Oh that's rich, coming from the likes of you."

Discord's grin stretches across his face like a yawning cat. "Oh, now I'm quite the fan of cheating myself, but I think it's a bit uncharacteristic of you. You wouldn't cheat on a test, so think of this as a test. Why cheat now and rob yourself of the value that comes from the whole experience? No. To succeed in this mission, you'll need to get down and dirty."

"I thought you said this was a lesson."

"Lesson, test, mission whatever. The important thing is that you experience personal growth...or some other such nonsense."

"I've had enough of your nonsense. I'm going now."

"Never let it be said that I stalled a long deserved talk between two princesses. I'm sure together you'll work something out. Tata, my dear!"

In a moment he disappears. The guards all bow as Twilight approaches. She bows back politely and awkwardly. She shudders at the attention.

The castle has always had an air of both formality and familiarity to it. Twilight had always liked the choice of stain glass windows, even as a filly. She likes how suiting it is for a sun god. If Rarity were here, she'd agree. If only she were still here. Once again, Twilight brushes the thoughts from her mind. She stands outside the door to the throne room, waiting for the Princess to call on her. A castle attendant runs ahead to inform Celestia of her guest. Twilight does not hear much, but it sounds like a muffled conversation between the two.

"Un Hunh, Oh I see! Well what are you waiting for? Bring her in," The doors open. "Princess Twilight Sparkle! Although I appreciate your polite attitude, it is unnecessary. Mi castle is su castle and you are welcome to come and go as you please."
Twilight bows, "Of course, thank you Princess."

"Speaking of which, would you care for some tea?"

"Oh, no thank you, princess."

"Water, cider?"

"Oh, uh...no thanks."

Celestia pauses for a moment in thoughtful reflection.

"...Ovaltine?"

"No. Thank you."

"Suit yourself. Well, what brings you to my castle today, Twilight? Is it business or pleasure?"

"Well, as much as I greatly wish it to be pleasure, I'm afraid it's the former."

"I see, I was afraid as much. How are things in Ponyville?"

"Not well, Princess. It's about Discord."

Celestia straightens herself at the mention of her old enemy. "I'm listening."

"My friends, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, all of them...he changed all of their personalities again and transported them to far away places. We're powerless against him! Not only do we no longer have the Elements of Harmony, but even if we did, all of my friends are nowhere to be found. I don't even know if I'd recognize them now if I saw them. Who knows what they're like! I'm...I'm afraid to find out."

Celestia takes a sip of her ovaltine. "I see. You're correct, Twilight, that is a dreadful situation we find ourselves in. What do you plan to do?"

"I'm not sure what to do. Even if I find my friends, my memory spell won't work this time! I'm coming to you, because for once I don't have a plan and I don't know what to do."

Celestia sets the cup down. "I understand..."

Twilight hesitates. "L...listen Celestia, I know you taught me to be independent and to fight my own battles...and there is nothing more in the world I want then to make you proud, but I ... I just can't save them alone, not this time. I don't even know how to find them."

Celestia takes a deep breath and retreats to the back of her mind. "It is true, Twilight, that I have encouraged you time and again to fight your own battles, even to the extent of putting you in direct danger, because I believed in you and your abilities, which in many ways surpass even mine. Perhaps you think it is wrong of me to have done so?"

"Oh no, I'm not saying that at all it's just that-"

"It's alright Twilight. To some extent I agree with you. When everyone is looking to you for answers, sometimes finding the right decision isn't easy. I know I come off as cold sometimes, tasking you and your friends with fixing everything, but you together are more powerful than I could ever be."

"But this time, We're not together. I have to do this by myself, and who knows what else will happen in the meantime? I mean, we're talking about Discord here. Can't you or Luna help me out this one time?"

Celestia takes another deep breath. She looks directly at Twilight with gentle eyes. "Twilight, the fact is, even though I do want to help, I can't."

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Do you remember when Luna and I were taken by Discord's plants in the Everfree forest?"

"Yes."

"What was it like while you were here in Canterlot?"

Twilight thinks back at the pandemonium during the time. "It was chaos. Ponies were acting up, arguing, fighting, blaming each other. If we didn't find you as soon as we did, who knows what would have happened?"

Celestia nods. "All of the responsibility for running Equestria and controlling the sun and moon would have fallen on you, and were that to happen, you wouldn't have any time to go on a quest. You would be here, signing documents, meeting with heads of state, and generally speaking living your life in boring meetings. Frankly, there's nothing I would crave more than joining you on an adventure, but Equestria cannot run itself, at least not for long. Since Discord only seems to be targeting you and your friends, it's best to play his little game for now. If I join, he may make things worse."

"I understand Princess. So, what are we going to do?"

"All is not lost as of yet, Twilight. I have an idea."

"Okay, what do you have in mind?"

"A former student of mine, has a bone to pick with Discord. Have you ever heard the legend of the Wandering Stallion?"

"The Wandering Stallion, but I thought that was just an old mare's tale!"

"You mean like the story of the mare on the moon?"

Author's Note

In unrelated news, I'm a terrible artist. If anyone wants to make a cover for this, I would be a very happy soul. No pressure though.