After Gold and Silver

Chapters

Twilight not for Queen
A Strange Dream
The Starting Point and a Fine Lesson
The Gem of Baltimare

Twilight not for Queen

Spike smiled cheekily as he ran into the room, holding a scroll in his small claws. Twilight, resting on her bed, reading a book, looked up and levitated the scroll to herself while putting the book back on the shelf.

"Thank you Spike." She said with boredom. Once he went she got up and read the scroll.

Dear Princess Twilight,

Recently, me and my sister have come to the decision that it is time we step down as rulers. We have both agreed that you should be our successor. Please be at the castle by night fall.

Best wishes,

Princess Celestia

Twilight gasped and fell off her bed. She rubbed her head. She then reread the letter with dismay. She felt like pulling her mane out, that was for sure. She ran downstairs. She instantly grabbed Spike by his claw and dragged him outside with her. She was breathing heavily, and parts of her mane stuck up. She bit her lip, and sighed. "Spike have you, in any way, tampered with this letter?" He shook his head and Twilight cried out with frustration.

"Err, should we go to one of your friends for help? Maybe Rarity?" He said while attempting to be helpful. Twilight shook her head. She didn't need to go to her friends, well, she couldn't. After such a traumatic blow of being successor to the throne she didn't have the strength.

"Spike, go to them all and ask them to come here. You know who I mean." She gestured in five directions and he was quickly off. She stretched and slumped back into the library. Her horn glowed strongly and six chairs came to the table. She sighed and sat in one of the chairs. She felt sick. How could Celestia not ask her if she wanted to be Queen first? Then again she was always busy. She sighed, putting her head on the chair, and turned over the table top. It revealed a large map of all of Equestria, as well as showing all the train tracks and stations. Six gems resided in the corners which were all different shapes. She touched them and remembered the happenings of years ago. She smiled.

~~~

Finally, there was a knock on the door. Twilight, to not be rude, went over and opened it. Five smiling faces greeted her. She welcomed them and once they all went in she closed the door. Rarity, a fascinating designer with the ideal ideas, noticed the map and gems almost instantaneously.

"Oh my, darling! A recreation of the elements of Harmony! What craftsmanship you must've put into it. Now, I presume we're travelling?" She raised her brow and smiled. Twilight nodded.

"Awesome! Where? Cloudsdale, Rainbow falls -" Rainbow Dash began.

"Canterlot." She prompted to the letter by the door. They all had a look of curiosity but Fluttershy just looked at her hooves. They slowly made their way to it. Rarity grasped it with her magic and they all read it together. Meanwhile Twilight waited for them at the table.

"Successor? Now Twilight, I know your not known for playing tricks but this must be some kind of mistake!" Applejack said, stepping away from the group and over to Twilight. Pinkie Pie was looking mindlessly around the place.

"Pinkie?" Twilight tried to grab her attention. Pinkie looked at her and took a deep breath.

"You're gonna be a Queen! With crowns and -" Suddenly her mouth closed. She went over to Twilight in silence. Twilight stopped her spell to make Pinkie silent. Pinke gave a cheesy grin at Twilight. They all then finished, saying similar things in regards to the letter. Some congratulated while others couldn't, or wouldn't, believe it. Once they were all in chairs around the map Twilight smiled.

"I have recently developed a new spell for long term teleportation." She then pointed to the gems. "Each one is like a conductor for my magic. It will magnify it and make me able to teleport us to Canterlot easily." She then noticed Rainbow Dash poking her gem with her hoof.

"Are these real?" She asked, remembering long ago they had put the Elements of Harmony back in the tree of Harmony. Twilight shook her head and Rainbow Dash shrugged. She didn't mind. They'd survived well enough without them. Pinkie Pie yawned.

"Can we get this party started or what?!" She said energetically and put her hoof on her gem. The others did the same. Twilight gave a sigh of relief as her horn started to glow. She tapped her horn of her gem and they all started to glow a rainbow colour. In a multicoloured flash, they were gone with only specks of dust to show it.

~~~

They arrived on the steps of a most fantastic castle, with shining white pillars with golden brims and large stained windows with light blue outlines. It was a most magnificent place in deed. Despite being there many times before they could only gape at its beauty and fine architecture. They walked up the flawless, snow-white stairs to be welcomed by a large door. Once it opened they saw the halls once again, the floors lined with red carpet and statues of famous ponies at the edges of the halls. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, looking as if they were made of pure diamond. The six friends walked through. They could only try to stop themselves from gasping in awe. They then came to the throne room, where three grinning ponies were there to welcome them.

Two of this figures were tall and thin, with large wings and beautiful tiaras, slippers and necklaces. The other was slightly taller than a normal pony, also with a tiara, necklace and slippers. Her mane was tied in a beautiful bun and her tail lovely and long. Twilight ran to her, grinning.

"Cadence!" Twilight cried out. They did their normal welcome dance, remembering old times. They then gave each other a big hug. Cadence grinned at her as she went to the other two princesses.

"Princess Twilight. My welcomes." Princess Luna bowed low to look right into Twilights face. She then returned to her normal stance. Princess Celestia did the same.

"Twilight, we welcome you to our castle." Celestia smiled at her and gave her a small pat in the head. She winked at her. Twilight turned to her friends. She bit her lip. She was regretting to say this.

'"Well, I think I need to talk to the princesses in private, please?" She said quietly, but they did as they were told without question. Truthfully, in this place, she was their princess and it was their duty to obey her commands. She then turned to the princesses.

"Twilight, I'm sorry for being so sudden about all of this." Celestia apologised, looking into Twilights eyes with a supporting smile. Twilight shook her head. Twilight didn't want an apology at all. She was fine with it but she didn't know if she could cope alone. Sure, Celestia did it but Celestia was much more experienced than Twilight.

"But princesses, I cannot possibly take such a task on my own. Why, I am hardly as powerful as you! I know I have my friends to help me but..." Twilight said, trying to speak her mind as clearly as possible. Luna and Celestia exchanged glances. They nodded.

"And that is why we are looking for another..." Luna said. Celestia nodded to clarify. Twilight frowned.

"Another what?" Twilight asked, yet reluctant to do so. The two before her smiled, and Luna went down the steps to her.

"One who has similar qualities to you, Twilight. One fit to be..." She looked at Celestia.

"Princess." Celestia continued. Twilight gasped. Out of her saddlebag floated a small white cloth which she wiped her brow with. After all her surprising visits to the castle it was second nature to bring one. It then floated back.

"So, where have you begun?" Twilight asked. Then, in front of Celestia, appeared a vast map of Canterlot. Twilight laughed. She remembered a long time ago when she lived there. She was stuck up back then, completely emerged in her books and always scouring the library for more. She didn't even know about friendship.

"We've found nothing yet, so we ask that you, and if you wish, your friends, to help with the search." Celestia prompted the map, which now showed the whole of Equestria, Canterlot being crossed out. Twilight smiled and nodded.

"Now, I suggest you go back to your friends who will most likely be in their rooms." Princess Luna gestured to the door, smiling kindly as her mane flowed.

~~~

Meanwhile, outside the door, Twilight's friends listened in on them. There was a hushed silence after the conversation finished. Realising Twilight was coming, they ran through the complex of corridors, looking for their rooms. Finally coming across six doors, each with an Element of Harmony symbol above it. They went into the corresponding rooms. They heard a familiar call. Swiftly, they answered and came out to Twilight.

"Hello, everypony, I have some surprising news..." Twilight began, a but reluctant to tell them straight away. It would probably be more of a blow for them than it was for her finding out she was a successor to the throne.

"Ooh! Ooh! Let me guess! You don't want to be Queen alone so Princess Celestia and Luna are going to find another pony to be a princess with you for support!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed and Twilight raised her brow. Pinkie gave a large grin at her.

"Pinkie Pie I don't actually think -" Applejack began but stopped as suddenly as she began.

"Actually, Pinkie is right." Twilight said, remembering another time where the same thing happened. They all dropped their jaws in disbelief, despite already knowing about it. Rainbow fell from her hovering and Flutterhsy crouched with her mane covering her face. Rarity gave a dramatic gasp while Applejack took off her hat. Pinkie Pie merely bounced happily on the spot.

"Um, well darling, I think it's about time we unpack." Rarity said, walking into her room. They all did the same.

Twilight, in her room, said to herself, "Oh what am I going to do?"

A Strange Dream

Twilight walked among floating pieces if earth, each one with beautiful crystals embedded in the rock. Strangely, she bought nothing of it. Mystical stars and swirling shapes filled the skies, as well as circles which were obviously planets. Yet Twilight had never seen this sky before through her telescope. After a few moments of walking she felt blades of grass against her fur and she could no longer hear the sharp beat of her hooves against the rock. Instead she was silent. She then looked into the sky to see the blinding light of the sun and white, puffy clouds around it. She quickly looked away from the strong shine and smiled. In front of her was a beautiful kingdom and a large rainbow resting just above the highest tower. It looked beautiful, majestic. The walls and turrets were made of a pale yellow stone and the roofs were made of a light blue brick. She went to the gates which were promptly raised.

"Welcome, Queen." A familiar, dreamy voice greeted her. She looked up to see a tall figure, with a flowing mane and tail like a clear night sky. She had a relatively long muzzle and beautiful eyes. On top of her head was a sharp horn of which faint sparkles surrounded. At her sides were two long wings.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight frowned, resisting the urge to check if she was real. Twilight had a particularly bad feeling about this and couldn't help but had a slightly unsure look on her face as Princess Luna smiled. She laughed a natural, rolling laugh and looked at Twilight kindly.

"Why, of course, Twilight!" Luna replied, patting Twilight on the head. Twilight found this odd, as normally Luna was with Celestia. They were always close as sisters should be. She couldn't just shrug the feeling off though. She merely looked into Luna's eyes and decided to ask some questions straight.

"Ok, first, what do you mean by 'Queen'? As far as I'm aware I'm not Queen. Also, where's Celestia? Please, tell me." She asked straight it the point. Princess Luna thought for a few moments while her expression of content remained.

She then smiled and, without answering the question, said, "First, come in, I'm sure you'll be wanting to go to your tower." Luna's turned around from the gates, and started to walk through the street complex. Unsure of this whole reality, only due to curiosity Twilight followed. She couldn't help but think that there was soon going to be some twist to this dream, as she finally realised what it was. She followed on the pale blue cobbles of the road. Strangely every pony she passed bowed and smiled at her. It was one of the most strange things that had ever happened to her.

~~~

They finally arrived at the tallest tower, a tower with few and little windows, each with pink stained glass and depicting a different element. Luna opened the door with her magic and calmly stepped to the side. Twilight bit her lip and went inside. A flight of stairs greeted her. They seemed never ending as she looked up. She then realised she had her wings. They flew open and she slowly flapped them, getting faster as she gained altitude. She then finally arrived at the top, where there was a small platform of wood leading to a balcony. She landed gracefully and folded her wings. Nervously, she went to the balcony.

Below her thousands of ponies roared and cheered in triumph and praise, some carrying banners and others flying around and dancing. She wondered why they celebrated there must've been a reason. She then read one of hour banners and her face became pale. The banner read 'we love queen twilight'. She crouched down to hide behind the fence. She hid her face behind her hooves. Once she took them away she saw it was now night. She got up from hiding and went to the telescope by the edge. She looked through to see a constellation. It was a starburst. Her CutieMark. She grinned and looked away.

Throughout this whole dream, she wondered, I haven't seen anything which represents anything. I wonder what'll happen next. Maybe the local library might have some answers. She then made her way to the library. It was a large and majestic place with bronze pillars and hundreds and hundreds of books and shelves. She could only just contain her excitement at the sight. But, in a single second, the library started to tear itself apart into a void Twilight definitely didn't want to explore. She ran from it but it's power was too great. She was sucked in. Her screams faded away.

~~~

Twilight jolted up in her bed, breathing heavily. Sweat trickled down her brow, eventually trailing off her muzzle. She wiped it off. It was clearly day, as sunlight streamed in through the windows and it was a beautiful sight. She looked at her hooves. Her breathing started to become more spaced as she calmed down. She told herself it was just a dream and started to get ready for the day ahead. The start of the search began that moment, a treasurable moment indeed.

The Starting Point and a Fine Lesson

The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting it's golden gaze over the city of Canterlot. But such a beautiful sight was not admired by Princess Twilight. She stood in her room, her horn glowing brightly, with dozens of books floating around her. A map of Equestria hung on the wall in front of her. It was an exact duplicate of Celestia's. She was trying to sort her books into alphabetical order, then order them in importance. She thought it was a grand plan. Though her patience was tempered with because of the snoring which came from behind her. Unable to take anymore, she turned around. In a small basket lay Spike, comic by claw, who had obviously fell asleep while reading.

"Spike? Spike? You need to wake up!" She shook him and his eyes flittered open. He frowned at her. He didn't seem to have wanted to be woken up, that was for sure!

"What did you do that for?" He asked, "I was just dreaming about Manestream and his gang now! I was the hero and I nearly got him but then you woke me up!"

"You have to remember he's a fictional character Spike." Twilight was pleased that the snoring stopped but was quickly back to working. When she finished alphabetising them, she decided to have a break. Swiftly, she opened the door, went through and closed it again. She found all of her friends doors open. She didn't think they'd be up this early. But one door seemed to be wide open. Curious, she decided to go in.

~~~

She walked in to find her friends crowded around something. They were all in silence, but not a cold silence. It was a silence of amazement. Wondering what this was all about, she tried to see what they were looking at. She could just see over their heads. On a mannequin, next to Rarity, was a dazzling dress. It was made of a golden fine fabric, with a silver, sparkly strap at the waist. There were several lines through the back of the dress, which was darker and shinier than the rest.

Rarity, believing they had all had enough time to gaze in its beauty, spoke, "As a dedication to us being in the royal sisters palace, I decided that I would do a dress to show the beauty of both day and night." She smiled as the mannequin glowed a bright blue and moved to the back of the room.

"I believe it's now time for breakfast." A voice from behind them spoke. They all turned around to see Princess Luna, wearing a straight and smart face. They gasped, quite surprised at the sight.

"How did y - you get here?" Fluttershy asked.

"A Princess must have a quick way of getting around her castle." She smiled and winked. She then turned around and walked slowly off. They couldn't help but have the feeling they were meant to follow her. They did so. As they walked they became more enthusiastic about being there. Who knew the possibilities in such a fascinating place. Occasionally Twilight would point to certain places and quote books about the castle and it's history. After about ten minutes of walking they stopped. In front of them was a grand hall. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the floor carpeted with red down the middle. A long, sturdy table was in the middle of the room. It was covered in a soft, white silk with golden patterns along the edge. Candles ran down the middle of the table, accompanied by cutlery and plates and bowls. The whole magnificence of the sight was lovely.

"Why, this sure is a lovely hall you have here, Princess Luna!" Applejack complimented.

"I completely agree with Applejack. The banners are to die for!" Rarity exaggerated, admiring the colourful banners at the sides of the walls. They all depicted certain stories which you could find in pony history, the return of Luna, the beginning of Nightmare Moon, the defeat of Discord were only a few.

"Now, I shall eat with you. But please, do not be unnerved by my presence." Princess Luna said, taking a seat at the end if the table. They then filled the chairs nearest to that end. After they had seated themselves and gotten comfortable many servants brung in several dishes. They placed them on the table in front of each of them. Princess Luna's horn shone and the silver lids of the plates lifted off. This revealed a combination of eggs, soup, bread and jam and an assortment of other things. Each one of them had different things to suit their taste. Hungrily, they started to eat.

~~~

It was nearly a hour later they finished their meal, all their appetites satisfied from their large meal. Princess Luna suggested they get together in the grand hall to discuss their strategies on finding this new princess. They had all agreed that this suggestion was a good one. Princess Luna then led them to the grand hall. The gathered behind the pedestal where Luna stood.

"Are we ready to begin, Princess?" Twilight asked. She wanted to begin as soon as possible. Luna nodded. Twilight smiled. She turned to her friends, "First, do any of you have any ideas? They might help even more than my own." Rarity raised her hoof. Twiligt and Luna simultaneously nodded at her.

"Well, I believe, despite it not being the most logical solution, that we wouldn't find our Princess in big cities. Places like Manehattan for example. What I'm trying to say is you found Twilight in Canterlot initially, so maybe smaller towns of villages may be the home of our Princess?" Rarity suggested. Everyone was silent for a few moments. Luna started to gently nod.

"That... Makes sense." Luna said. She stepped down from her pedestal sleekly. She then turned to Twilight, smiling, "Your own ideas?" She asked.

"Well, first, generally what Rarity said. Though my research disagrees as second of all, I believe that there are two possible cities, or towns, that the Princess could be in. I know this from extended research last night. Also by using a diverse tracking spell. These two are Baltimare and Yanhoover. I have made an educated guess that Baltimare will take five days for a full search across the streets while Yanhoover will take four. If we make any private searches I guess we can fit three into one day." Twilight said. Her friends nodded mostly. They understood it all and believed that Twilights words were educated and most likely correct.

"If what you say is found to be untrue, Twilight, we will continue our search elsewhere. You understand and accept that, yes?" Luna said in a proud and authority-like tone.

Twilight nodded, "Of course."

"Then our journey begins." Luna replied and smiled with a small, yet genuine smile.

~~~

It was nearing dusk, and the four Princesses gathered on the watch tower. Their heads hung low over a map of Equestria, their horns interlocked. A few sparkles sorrounded all of their horns, but it was not yet true magic. The two eldest ponies had given up a mere ten minutes of their Celestial guiding to do such a spell. With lots of concentration and energy, their horns glowed together. Strangely, the horn colours were not distinguishable as they moulded together, before turning into a rainbow coloured aura. This aura shot right down to spread itself across a map. It thinned out as it did so, ultimately fading away. Two circles remained around Baltimare and Yanhoover. They were both suspended in the air. Twilight smiled.

"I see that I have also correctly done the spell." She grinned triumphantly. Celestia looked at her solemnly. She shook her head and Twilight looked back curiously. What could she have done which was wrong?

"Twilight, you have familiar confidence in your spells. Though do not have such faith in its rightness. Magic is as complex for anypony but it is of normal circumstances that some find learning easier. A certain case is yours. Please remember Twilight that magic can only be considered as a hint, nothing more." Celestia advised. Twilights ears flopped down and she looked at her hooves. It was strangely embarrassing to be advised by your old mentor. Luna went to Twilight.

"Twilight, do not be so shy of my Sisters warning and advice. Only take heed of it and do not be ashamed of mistakes. It is mistakes that mould us into better ponies." Luna said. She had a look of remembrance on her face. It was not the happiest look though. Twilight nodded.

"Now, we finally start our search." Cadence grinned at Twilight, "And Shining is coming along for it."

~~~

Shining looked at Twilight with his charming grin. His attire merely consisted of his best suit. He had dressed up for such an occasion, meeting the royal Sisters yet again, it was an occasion to dress up for. Twilight and him both walked up to each other, and once they were face to face they gave each other a big hug. Shining looked into her face.

"Remember that I'll only be here for the trip to Baltimare. Then Cadence will continue on your journey and I will go back to the Crystal Empire." He told her. She nodded and gave him another hug. They had hardly seen each other for a few years.

"So how's the Crystal Empire been? I haven't been there since... Well, you know..." She laughed nervously and looked to the side. He nodded with the same look of nervousness. It was quite an incident they talked about but it's gruesome details were too much for both of them to mention.

"Well, the first crystal foals were born. The first three were born in the royal hospital and to celebrate the occasion we held a festival. Also, Cadence has been the best. She's been very generous of late yet I don't know why. Probably something to do with the recent Crystal Fair which was held." He said, biting his lip as he thought about recent events.

"Well, I think it's about time to get to the station." She said and looked to her friends who were talking in the distance. She beckoned them to come. They did as they were told and came as soon as they saw her notion to do so. Once they came her horn horn glowed. The aura increased in brightness and it started to surround them all. They then vanished and left no trace what so ever.

~~~

They then reappeared at the train station. Their vision was slightly disoriented from the teleport. Shining Armour raised his brow at Twilight and she merely gave him a cheesy grin.

"So, y'all, I think our trains comin'." Applejack commented as she leant on one of the support pillars and tipped her head in the direction of the tracks. They rumbled gently, the vibration increasing and sound of a steam engine roaring as the moments went by. Within moments a beautiful, elegant train stopped before them. It was white with golden rims and window frames. The windows were ever so beautiful, with an elegant, light blue tint. Some also depicted certain scenes of royal history. Some were of joyous times and triumphs while others of the worst. Three others appeared beside them. They finally had everypony there.

"I'm so nervecited!" Commented Pinkie as she went through the train door.

"This is gonna be totally awesome!" Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

"I agree, the splendour and architecture of some buildings... I also heard they had quite a fashion sense there!" Rarity agreed.

"Well, a - as long as it's not too busy..." Fluttershy said. Applejack and Twilight then followed but they made no comment on what they thought of the trip. They felt they had a mixture of all these feelings. They then sat at the seats. The journey had now properly began.

"Baltimare, here we come." Smiled Celestia, as she joined in on their fun. The rest of the ride was uneventful but when they came to Baltimare they suddenly knew that it was going to become a lot more eventful than the trip.

The Gem of Baltimare

Twilight walked along the dusty roads, a book stuffed right against her muzzle. It was a tourist handbook, a book which Twilight insisted was needed to find the most important areas in their search. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash saw no point in it.

"Why can't I just fly over and check it out?" She complained. Twilight slowly lowered her book and turned her head. Tilting it slightly, she blinked in disbelief. Silently, she thought for a few moments. She wasn't quite sure how to explain it to Rainbow Dash. Finally she found the right words.

"Well, Rainbow Dash, you like your Daring Doo books, right?" Rainbow Dash nodded, "Well, I like finding more information about important things. It's just who I am." She explained. Rainbow frowned but dismissed it as nothing. They then continued to walk. After a few minutes of walking, a large building came into sight. It had magnificent architecture and it could be seen it was an important building. A crowd of ponies were seen around it.

"Is that," Pinkie gasped. "The Baltimare Museum? It's said that the gift shop has rare party supplies..." She gazed into the distance. Applejack clapped her hooves together and Pinkie looked at her with a clueless expression.

"Sugarcube, I think you ought to try and stop starin' into the distance." Applejack laughed. Pinkie nodded slowly. Twilight then opened her large wings and sudden they all looked at her. She didn't know why that always caught everypony's attention. She then tilted her head in direction of the museum. Once again they walked.

~~~

The museum was a grand place inside, with bustling ponies all around, pedestals with fantastic artifacts on and beautiful pictures depicting Baltimares individual history. Fluttershy quickly went off in the direction of an ancient painting which showed a pony dancing with animals. Rainbow Dash looked over the Baltimare flying teams old uniforms while Rarity admired a extraordinarily beautiful vase. Pinkie cantered to the gift shop to see if the rumours were true. The two who were left both exchanged glances. They were at least on task.

"Sugarcube, what's that?" Applejack pointed to a large pedestal in the circular room next to them. Twilight walked closer towards it. She quickly got out her guide and skipped through the pages. She finally came across a paragraph talking of a important gem with magical properties. Twilight turned to Applejack with a impressed look.

"Well, it's called the Gem of Baltimare," Twilight began. "And it posses magical harnessing and magnifying properties. It used to be used for magnifying the magic in us all, wether we be Pegasi or Earth Ponies. It was mostly used for farmers when food was scarce so they could -"

"Did someone say gem?" Rarity walked up to them. Twilight looked at her with a scolding look. Rarity made a sad face at her. Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Yes, the Gem of Baltimare." She continued to explain yet again. After finishing her explanation she looked to the Gem. She looked at towards the gem and tilted her head in deep thought. She then said, "It is said to attract those with pure hearts."

"Ooo, it can't be that easy, can it?" Pinkie Pie said unexpectedly. They all jumped in surprise. Pinkie smiled mischievously, "I bet they think this is normal, right?"

"Don't you mean 'you'?" Twilight corrected. Pinkie continued to smile with no reply. Twilight dismissed her immense feeling of nervousness. She couldn't help but feel it. Twilight occasionally heard things like this from Pinkie Pie. Always subtle. Always with the same affect. She scraped her hoof against the ground and finally went towards the gem.

"Twilight, though, do you really think it'll be that easy?" She asked. Twilight shook her head. She had learnt from all he rheas of learning and adventures that it was never too easy. Sometimes it was easy but not as easy as picking somepony from the crowd and putting them on the throne. Twilight rubbed her eyes. She then looked to her side. Fluttershy had silently joined them.

"Hello everypony..." She whispered. Twilight smiled. Fluttershy's shyness was cute and it fit her. It was such a big factor of her personality it had even made her name. She then looked in front of her. She had been so immersed in their conversation that she hadn't realised they had made it to the gem. Finally, she was able to observe the crowd a little more. Her horn glowed brightly and many ponies looked around. It stopped but instead her eyes glowed. She sensed a large magical aura around the gem, it made her head bang like crazy. She quickly stopped the spell.

"Twilight, darling, you look so stressed!" Rarity commented as a pale gold cloth levitated from her bag and dabbed Twilights head. It then proceeded to go back into the bag. Twilight wiped her brow and smiled at Rarity.

"That was... Refreshing... How did you know to do that?" Twilight asked. Rarity blushed at the compliment. Rarity then stretched her leg out to pat Twilight on the shoulder.

"Well, darling, making dresses is a fine but stressing work. You just learn these things!" She exclaimed with a fresh, natural laugh. Twilight gave Rarity an appreciative grin. She then turned back to the gem. From nearby a museum worker came to them.

"Excuse me, but I really don't think you should be so near the -" He said before his jaw dropped at the sight of Twilight. He bowed as much as he could before getting pushed by one of the tourists. He got to his feet and smiled at them all, giving a specially large grin to her. Twilight sighed.

"Someone's famous, huh?" The familiar voice of Rainbow Dash snickered. They looked at her scoldingly. Rainbow Dash frowned and her ears went back. "What did I say?" Twilight shook her head and face hoofed.

"I think we should go." Twilight advised. They all nodded. They didn't really think that they could find their princess here. It was all tourists, bustling, impolite tourists. They followed Twilights lead to go outside.

"Darling, we have to meet Cadence, Princess Luna and Celestia now don't we?" Rarity said. Twilight gasped. Her horn glowed strongly and the six of them quickly disappeared without a trace or anyone noticing.

~~~

They reappeared in the lobby of the hotel they were staying in. It was a fine hotel, clean and made of a white and quartz-like material. It was so shiny and clear you could look into it and see yourself. The lobby was full of important, busy ponies. Some were rich and famous designers, others authors, and some even members of royalty. There was a clearing in the room where the three other princesses stood.

"Ah, my favourite sister-in-law arrives!" Cadence grinned and trotted over to her. She gave Twilight another hug. She then turned to the others who have her smiles of greeting. Celestia tilted her head to the stairs. Twilight nodded with respect and went to the stairs. Her other friends followed. They came to the top, and were greeted by the tall and mysterious figure of Princess Luna. She had a childish smile on her face, before she turned to the door.

"These apartments, I believe, will suit you and your needs." Celestia said from behind them. Fluttershy gave out a whimper of surprise. Rainbow Dash, though reluctantly, comforted her. Cadence went beside Twilight. They were both very close, being family and all.

"Well, y'all, I think I have an idea! If we can use the gem to amplify your magic, Twilight, then maybe we can find that pony quicker!" Applejack suggested with optimism. Twilight looked at Applejack and a large smile started to appear on her face.

"Applejack, your a genius! Let's go!" Twilight turned to the stairs and cantered down. She once again led the way, on hoof of course, to the museum.

~~~

By the time they arrived, most exhibits were being carted away, others cloths on and the rest were left secured in their glass cases. They, of course, had only been allowed so late because they were special visitors. They walked through the large rooms before once again coming to the gem. They saw it being loaded by two unicorns onto a cart.

"E - Excuse me good sirs, but, only if you are ok with it, could we please use this gem? It's for... Well... Very good causes!" Fluttershy said. The two finished their work and the older one turned to them. He had a light grey coat, white hair with faint brown mixed in and misty green eyes. He had a curly moustache.

"Well, what do we have here?" He said in a slight Trottingham accent. He grinned at them all, showing off a couple of missing teeth. He spotted Twilights wings and horn and his mouth seemed to drop. "A Princess, eh? Well, 'tis my solemn duty to welcome you to 'ar humble museum. Now, what's this about using the Gem of Baltimare?"

"Well, we're on a very important mission. We must use the gem for purposes relating to this mission." Twilight confidently said. He looked at them, then looked at his colleague who was still staring at Twilight. He clicked his tongue and the other quickly trotted away. He then turned back to the others.

"A mission, eh?" He said with a slight unbelieving tone. Twilight nodded. "Well, ok. But if you mess somethin' up your gonna 'ave to take the blame." He shrugged and went off, leaving the cart to them. Twilights horn grew bright and a map appeared beside her in the air. It was a map of Baltimare. It swept past her to lay on the gem.

"Everypony must touch the gem. It will give a balance to finding the next alicorn." She pressed her horn and front hooves on the gem. Everyone did the same, everyone with hooves, Pegasi with wings and Unicorns with horns as well. Everyone started to have a slight sparkle around them. Rainbow rippled on the map, as it had done before, and many small dots appeared. Some slowly faded away while others instantly disappeared. Finally two were left. One was near the Baltimare train station while the other was at a cafe nearby.

"I've made it so it will refresh every six hours. In the morning we will go after these two dots. Let's just hope that this will work." Twilight explained and they saw the