All At Once

The whole world went dark and silent.  The only thing that could be heard was the speeding train's chugs and squealing of the wheels on the metal rails.  But Twilight Sparkle knew that the darkness was only temporary.

The new alicorn princess was on her way to visit her beloved mentor, Princess Celestia.  This time, however, the young mare was alone in her journey.  Spike wholeheartedly agreed to spend the weekend at Rarity's Carousel Boutique, allowing Twilight to have some alone time with the leader of Equestria.  Celestia meant so much to Twilight.  The sun princess, after all, helped the former unicorn to become the mare she was today.  Celestia was almost like a second mother to Twilight.

It had been a while since Twilight Sparkle saw Princess Celestia last.  The last time they were together was when Twilight and her five friends gave their elements back to the Tree of Harmony, saving Princess Celestia and Princess Luna from the dreaded vines that Discord had planted.  Since then, the young mare had spent her new time as a princess still living her busy life in Ponyville.

This weekend was not only a time for Twilight to visit her mentor, it was a time that the two of them agreed on so that Celestia could start training Twilight more for her royal duties.  Twilight knew that there was a lot that she would have to do as princess, but so far nothing was too much to ask.  Even so, Celestia's last letter to Twilight showed that there was still a lot to learn, and the new princess' journey had just begun.

What new things would come her way?  Twilight didn't know.  Yet, she was eager to find out.

The light from the end of the tunnel became brighter as the train made its way from inside the tunnel, until eventually they were outside and in the home stretch to the capital city.

Twilight watched from her window as the city on the side of the mountain shined, reflecting the sun's light.  The city of Canterlot was always a stunning sight.  It was Twilight's hometown, and she always had the memories of her foalhood rush back to her mind every time she saw the beautiful architecture.

The train came to a stop in the station.  The young princess was given her bags and she was on her way to visit her mentor.

"Careful, my sister.  Any false move and the entire castle can come crashing down on us," Luna called out.

"I know Luna.  I'm trying," Celestia replied as she held up the final piece with her telekinesis.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight Sparkle shouted out as she whipped open the door to the princesses' lounge, causing the house of cards that the other two alicorns were building to fall down.

"Darn it," Luna said as their Saturday afternoon's work had been wrecked.

"Twilight Sparkle, my dearest student," Celestia said as she reached her left hoof out, receiving Twilight for a hug.

"It's been too long," Twilight said while in her mentor's grasp.

"It really has.  We have a lot to catch up on and a lot of learning to do this weekend," Celestia replied as she let go of Twilight.

"Good afternoon, Luna," Twilight said while approaching the moon princess.  "I didn't expect to see you up this late."

"Yes, yes it is late," Luna said as she let out a huge yawn.  "We just wanted to finish up this project," she continued saying as she pointed to the pile of cards on the ground.

"Oh, sorry about that," Twilight said, realising her loud entrance was what caused the catastrophic collapse of the card castle.

"It's all right, Twilight.  Don't get me wrong, I am pleased to see you.  But I really must go to bed," Luna replied while yawning once again.

"Not to worry, Princess Luna.  I have some catching up to do with your sister."

"Good night, Twilight.  Good night, my sister," Luna said as she slowly trotted her way out.

"Good night, dear sister," Celestia said while patting her younger sister on the head.  Turning to the much shorter princess, Celestia continued, "We have a lot to catch up on, and a full weekend ahead of us."

"We sure do!" Twilight said excitedly.  "When do we start?"

"Patience, my dear," Celestia said while sticking out her hoof to calm the young alicorn down.  "First you have to tell me how things are going.  How has Discord been?  Has he been creating much trouble in Ponyville?"

"Um, yeah, a little," Twilight said while looking away and kicking her front hoof along the ground awkwardly.

"'A little'?  What does that mean?"

"Well, he tried to distract me when Cadence came to visit, but we still had a good time in the end.  I don't know.  I sort of feel bad for him, I guess.  He doesn't have many friends.  He's not evil anymore, but he's still sort of a nuisance sometimes.  He started singing out of nowhere and forced me to dance with him and he always wants to spend time with me lately.  If I didn't know any better I'd almost think he was interested in me."

"That actually sounds just like him," Celestia replied.  "He's never really changed, actually.  Sure, maybe he's not creating chaos as much, but he's still his quirky self.  So, you think he likes you?"

"Well, I don't know," Twilight responded after pondering for a second.  "He likes teasing and frustrating me, but he also always seems to want to spend time with me more as of late."

"Interesting," Celestia said while turning away, thinking to herself.  "You know, this wouldn't be the first time he fell for a princess."

"Really?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

"Yes.  In fact, he was my first crush."

Twilight's straight face then turned to a more peculiar look.  "Um, why is it that you've never told me this before, Princess Celestia?"

"Well, it was during a very hard time in my life.  I try not to remember it much."

"Oh," Twilight responded with a quiet voice.  "I'm sorry I reminded you of it, then."

"That's okay, Twilight," Celestia said as she turned around and smiled.  "You didn't know.  In fact, Luna is the only other pony still alive that knows."

"Well, I think that's an honour that I know, then."

"I think it's good for me to talk about.  After all, you will go through the same things too one day."

"What?  Dating Discord?"

"Not quite.  You'll love somepony one day, and you'll also have to go through loss.  That's one of the problems with living longer than most ponies."  Celestia trotted over to one of the bookcases in the room as Twilight watched.  She picked up a picture frame from on the top of the bookcase, looking at it intently.  While holding it, she continued, "There's a lot for me to explain for you, but I think I should tell you the story of my past first.  Things will make more sense to you in the end."