Music and Magic

"... and you're positive you want to do this, Twilight?"

Celestia had known Twilight for virtually her entire life. She had just under two decades to decipher the complex mental code that was Twilight's psyche, and every time she thought she had her figured out, Twilight did something that completely contradicted her. It was probably for this reason that Twilight was Celestia's favorite student. However, the fact Twilight was usually rather cautious with her decisions (and rarely ventured out of her small bubble of sociality) made what she was about to do more surprising than anything she had ever done before.

"For the 5th time, Celestia, I'm sure." Twilight said, a bit annoyed with her mentor's concern. "This experiment is what I've needed for some time now; it will get me away for a while to a place I've never been to extensively, and will give me something to occupy my mind other than the research I've been doing since I came to Ponyville!"

"It just seems a bit sudden to make such a decision, Twilight." Celestia said, trying to dispel any air of tension that had accumulated between the two. "I just told you about it yesterday, and you're already ready to jump into it head-first? Wouldn't your friends be more than a bit disheartened if their best friend were to leave for a year out of nowhere like this?"

"I understand that they would," Twilight said, having though about it extensively prior to this discussion, "but I'm sure they'd understand; they're the type of friends who would!"

There was an awkward silence between the two as the clock in the Ponyville library ticked on. It was midnight in Ponyville, but it was anything but a clear and starry night; Sheets of rain were attacking the ground outside, and lightning broke across the cloudy night sky as brightly as Celestia's sun.

The library, warm and cozy, was where the two alicorns sat, calmly discussing Twilight's plans over piping hot mugs of tea and a warm, crackling fire. Despite all of the regal perks Celestia received as princess, there was nothing quite like sitting in front of a fire with hot tea on a stormy night.

Twilight sipped her tea quietly before speaking up. "Is that you don't think I could do it?"

Celestia was taken back by Twilight's accusation. "Twilight, you know as well as I do that there is NOTHING I consider you unprepared for or unable to do! I have observed you since you were a little filly, and your potential is virtually limitless in whatever you choose to do!"

"Then let me do this, Celestia." Twilight said, standing up and refilling her tea. "This isn't an excuse to shirk work or to play around in a place I've never been; I believe that this can be a truly enlightening experience for me if you will simply give your approval!"

Celestia had never heard Twilight be this sure about something; Twilight's decision to take part in the experiment certainly took Celestia by surprise, but this insistence she was demonstrating was something new altogether...

"... do you promise not to neglect your duties as princess?" Celestia said, smiling at her student-turned-colleague. Twilight smiled back, glad to have the princess on her side. "I swear on my life."

"And why am I staying behind with Fluttershy, Twilight?" Spike said, obviously a bit peeved at not being able to go with Twilight to Manehattan. Spike had never seen Twilight display independence this proudly before, but the fact that she was embarking on this journey alone wasn't necessary a confidence boost to her young dragon assistant.

"Because who knows what you'd do if I left you with Rarity, Spike?" Twilight said playfully, receiving a red faced look of embarrassment from Spike. "I'm serious, Twilight."

"Well, Spike..." Twilight said in a soft, caring voice. "As much as I love you, this is something I don't feel I can bring you along on. For one, because this experiment will take up virtually all of my time, you'll be alone all day. Manehattan is also a notoriously ... 'sketchy' area, and I don't want to put you in the middle of that, especially not alone."

Spike sighed. Twilight was making more sense than he cared to admit. "... alright, Twilight. Enjoy your time."

Twilight gave him a hug goodbye. "I'll write you every week, okay? I'll keep you in the loop."

"How are you going to do that without your assistant being there to write what you say?" Spike said. Twilight wasn't sure if this was a remark of good humor or one of despondency, but she decided quickly enough that she would rather that stay undecided. "I'll find a way." She responded, attempting a chuckle but failing.

"I love you, Spike.  Stay strong for me."

Twilight left the library, tearing up. One down, five to go.

"I love all of you guys, okay?" Twilight said to her five friends at the train station. Naturally, none of them wanted to see her leave. But, just as Twilight had predicted, they were understanding and happy for her. "I want you to live life like nothing's changed. I won't be gone but a year, after all."

"Yeah, Twilight." Applejack said, tearing up a bit at the finality of the situation. "Of course. We'll wait for you."

"Yeah!" Pinkie said, somehow maintaining a cheery demeanor, despite everything. "I'll throw a party every month, to celebrate a month closer to when you get back!"

Twilight smiled. Her friends were still there for her, just like they'd always been.

"I'm truly jealous of you, Twilight." Rarity said, a weak smile crossing her face. "An all expenses paid trip to Manehattan for a year? That sounds absolutely perfect!"

"I'll bring you back anything you want, Rarity." Twilight said, giving her a hug. "Don't let me forget. Send me a list, okay?"

Rarity smiled, tears welling up in her eyes all the while. "Of course, Twilight."

Twilight walked up to Dash, hugging her as well. "If anything happens over here, make sure someone gets to me on it, okay?"

Dash teared up (quite ironically considering her tough demeanor), but managed a sincere smile. "You got it, Twi. Enjoy Manehattan, okay? Make some discoveries, become famous, do other egghead stuff."

Twilight smiled. "You got it, Dash."

Finally, Twilight walked up to Fluttershy. "Again, I can't thank you enough for watching over Spike for me while I'm gone. It means a lot that you'd do that."

"Oh, it's no problem, Twilight." Fluttershy said softly. "It wouldn't be friendly of me not to offer."

"Still, Fluttershy." Twilight said, hugging her friend. "It means the world that you did."

With her goodbyes in order, she finally felt prepared for the train ride. After bidding her friend a final "goodbye" and a final "I love you," she hopped on the locomotive and took a seat near the front. As the train started moving and gaining speed, she looked forward at the green horizon and bright blue sky.

It would be hard without her friends, she knew that much. They probably resented her a bit for her decision, and it would probably be a small source of tension among the group upon her return.

But for the next year, she would not be "Princess Twilight Sparkle from Ponyville."

That was not a title she abhorred, but rather one that had become stale. It was not her friends that were getting old, nor was it the people in Ponyville; it was the lifestyle. Ponyville had a small town charm, but that small town charm only lasts so long before it gives way to monotony. There was nothing to do that hadn't already been done, nobody to meet that hadn't already been met.

Manehattan would be a fresh start! She knew nothing about the place other than what she had learned during her trip during Fashion Week with Rarity. There was so much new, so much to do, so much to see, so much to experience. The experiment would be nice and all, and it may teach her a couple of things, but that would not be the highlight of her stay.

At least, that's what she was trying to convince herself of.