Their dreams were their night received the blessing of the night’s mistress who weaved them together so that they might share a few more hours together. A familiar scene of clouds greeted them in their dreams but unlike their previous adventure they had no weight upon their backs and could freely feel the dew as it coalesced upon their fur and feel the rush of air as it glided over their wings. Naturally their tandem flying quickly gave way to a high speed chase which Dash managed to keep in the lead but the princess had grown much stronger and her wings were much larger due to her magical growth. She began to blot out the sun like a hawk going after its prey and she quickly managed to swoop down and crash with Dash through a huge cloud and into a nice puffy nimbus. Twilight sat on Rainbow’s back panting and with beads of water dripping from her body. Dash slowly turned around to look back at Twilight, herself in much the same condition.
“You finally got me egghead, I bet you have been training for a whole year to try and be as awesome as me. I wasn’t even flying my best anyway.”

Twilight gave a knowing smile before pecking Dash on the cheek making her go a little red, “You just don’t know when you’re outclassed do you Dash. Nor do you know when to shut your big mouth.” Twilight pecked her again. “Now I’m tired so no talking.” Twilight fell onto Dash and Rainbow embraced her as best as she could, being pinned underneath her and all. The dream ended and they both slept soundly next to each other, free from nightmares and other horrors of the night. Twilight awoke to the sound of a softly snoring Dash and light blue primary feathers covering her eyes, the sun’s light was pale and faint from the forge’s central column.

“Dash?...Dash?” Twilight whispered. Rainbow did not budge or even respond in the slightest. Twilight sighed a little and snuggled deeper into Dash before nodding off to sleep once again. When she awoke again the sound of hoofsteps coming down the stairs and the sweet scent of sugars and fruits and this time Dash was stirring as well most likely from Crimson’s heavy hooffalls.

“Good morning you two, it’s been a good days work but I think it’s time you get a breakfast when you wake up, instead of first having to go all the way up those stairs.” Crimson chuckled obviously thinking he was being clever.

Rainbow was quick to call him out even in her half sleeping self “Don’t you think you’re a bit old to be learning comedy?” It was only after she remembered who she was talking too after waking up that she offered a slight apology but Crimson laughed it off all the same.
Crimson left breakfast for them before pulling out armor pieces and setting them down on a large table, arranged like a violet skeleton with an armored circlet as the skull, he moved with solemn purpose but Twilight and Rainbow were too distracted by their morning rituals to notice. Crimson got their attention when he was done and motioned for Twilight to come over. Crimson like a devout squire quickly and firmly placed the armor on Twilight and in between the ribs were a new addition, plates made out of the same material took hold in the empty space completing the shape, the armor now looked as if a beetle had grabbed onto Twilight and was protecting her body. Crimson did not put the circlet on her head; he said it was the going to be a surprise.

Rainbow gave a low whistle as Twilight emerged fully armored, “You know they say mares love a stallion in uniform but I think you’ll make believers out of anypony.”

“Rainbow! Don’t talk like that…Although I must admit I feel so much…more” Twilight began looking over her body unable to find the word.
“Well you should feel attuned to yourself, a shard of the alicorn amulet is in that armor and the other materials naturally resonate with your power, it’s no coincidence that it’s such a deep violet. That armor is meant for you.” Crimson chimed in. Twilight flexed her wings which had their leading edge armored as well, and all of her limbs. She felt so limber and full of energy. She tried her magic by levitating an object, she didn’t feel much different there but she remembered she didn’t have the helmet on. “Now come on, it’s time for you to address your friends and subjects.”

“Yeah Twilight, let’s go address your subjects you can be a real princess now.” Rainbow joked. Twilight shot her a glance before making her way up the forge steps through the castle past the kitchen and finally onto the pavilion where the mid-morning sun awaited their arrival, its brilliant rays reflecting the field of green that surrounded the castle as the forest canopy extended in all directions except for along the banks of the clear and babbling river that ran down toward Ponyville. The sunlight seemed to be swallowed by the armor which glowed its own light after a while. Rainbow Dash joined here soon breaking Twilight out of her infatuation with the morning light in the forest as she scanned across the sky.

“You ready Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked as she put on her new pair of goggles and the wings on her ears.
Twilight stretched out again just for good measure, she felt more alive than she had in a while, “I’m more than ready leadwings.” Twilight didn’t know why but she felt like teasing Rainbow.

“Leadwings? That’s new for you egghead, you’re on!” Rainbow announced as her visor extended from her earpieces and she took off with a violent beat. Twilight was in pursuit immediately the smooth and oiled metal gliding effortlessly over each other as she unfurled her wings. She felt a power flow through her wings as she beat them compensating for the weight of the armor, which wasn’t overly heavy in the first place. In a matter of seconds she had reached Dash and with a head of steam. Rainbow Dash was surprised by Twilight’s agility but she was determined to not lose this race. She pushed herself and managed to stop Twilight’s advance and even managed to gain something of a lead. The joy was short lived as a shadow fell over Dash and she knew exactly what was going to happen next. Like a hawk out of the sky Twilight zoomed right in front of Dash, her tail lightly brushing up against Dash’s nose. Dash instinctively braked herself as her blood froze for a second before she continued and caught up with a beaming and cruising Twilight. Twilight, usually good at repressing any signs of smugness, had a sly grin on her face and circled around Dash once when she caught up.

“Dash I feel so fast in this armor you wouldn’t believe it. When I was the center of all alicorn magic I felt stronger, but this is still amazing.” Twilight was buzzing with energy some from the nerve ripping stress and trepidations she was having but she was also done waiting, she was finally going on a grand adventure again. She felt relieved to not have Equestria resting on her shoulders this time as well. Even though they had both slowed down they were still flying through the sky at a fast pace and the castle came into view quickly. Twilight took this opportunity to land as a Wonderbolt, landing with her one fore hoof hitting as her rear hooves hit, the Hero Landing. The crystals underneath her vibrated in response to her weight but did not crack. Rainbow landed next to her although she ate a little humble pie and decided to just land normally. Twilight and Rainbow made their way to the map room, Twilight’s shimmering armored hooves making a sharp click as she walked down the crystal halls. Twilight and Rainbow decided to take a long route through the castle; they reasoned that they should give Crimson some time to get to the castle and even more time to get ready for whatever announcement he had planned. They took a walk through the crystal greenhouse, Rainbow who had been unprepared gulped down the humid and thick air, Twilight pushed against Dash when she saw her drinking in the air teasing her.

“Are you really that worn out, Rainbow?”

Rainbow was indignant as usual “No, it’s just that…uh it smells bad so I had to breathe through my mouth. Yeah!”
All this excuse did was give Twilight a chuckle and make her shake her head. “Whatever you say Rainbow, now let’s get you out of here.” Rainbow and Twilight continue with the grand tour of the castle, up and down the dazzling crystal halls they walked. Neither one wanted to end the conversation nor did they really want the day to end. Unfortunately for them their time together was not decided by them but by Crimson, as he knocked on the door and his arrival announced, Twilight knew she needed to go and this would be the time for farewells. She sighed deeply, her expression melting into a face full of sorrow cut by the pain of going away. Rainbow Dash just stood not really sure what to do, finally she decided to put her wing on Twilight and walk with her to meet her guard. Assuming correctly they made their way to the map room, and there they found Crimson dressed in what appeared to be his old armor, but on closer inspecting the mares noticed that it was trimmed in black and gold and his scaled armor was shone brightly and glistened in the light with gemstones dotted throughout the whole plate. On his breast lay very large and very important looking metals but they were all off center and surrounding a small and immaculately maintained gold star shaped like Twilight’s own cutie mark. At its center was a dark piece of amethyst. It seemed old but Twilight guessed Celestia had gifted it to him and had made in preparation long ago. His large bag that swung across his back was missing, likely far from the formal attire and in its stead Crimson had two large holster toting equally large weapons. The holsters were decorated like his duster but the weapons had been given more embellishing, the handles were dark wood and on each there was a carving in gold the faces of each royal princess, Twilight included. On the body of black steel Twilight could see, there were more gilded etchings and these seem to match the one on Twilight’s circlet. Crimson’s face was also exposed; no helmet or cap, his long deep red mane draped over his shoulders with a few grey hairs breaking up the pattern. He was smiling and Twilight could see the long jagged scar that covered the bridge of his nose starting from the center of his forehead and the scar he had across his muzzle, Crimson seemed oblivious of it. He carried a the armored circlet of his holster belt, it was covered by a cloth but Twilight could see the engraving very slightly.

“Twilight, it is good to see that you made it her and without crashing or hurting yourself…it seems.” Crimson let the hint of doubt come out intentionally. “But in any case I think it’s time you give a decree from your castle and announce your Grand Adventure. I think you’ll find it empowering and you will be more confident yourself for the trials to come. From this adventure or whatever adventure you must take to save Equestria.” Crimson turned to Rainbow at this point, “I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know you will be joining Twilight on the balcony as well, but you will have to wear something, Rarity has something prepared in your room.”
“You should know that I hate having to dress up, but I’m doing it for Twilight’s sake. But still yuck!” Rainbow Dash half heartily flied off to her room a short distance away.

“Twilight I think would be a good time to write a speech, while everypony arrives and your friends all make it here.” Crimson suggested.
“Huh…oh yes,” Twilight snapped out of her gaze and accidently clicked her heels together like she used to do as a student of Celestia, “I should be making use of this time. What will you be doing though?”

Crimson took a formal bow before responding, “I will be serving your Majesty in the fullest to my ability” Crimson’s smile was still there when he looked up at her.

Twilight rolled her eyes jokingly, “I guess I don’t need your help for the speech, you can go as you please then.”

“My oh my what did I do to deserve such a kind and benevolent princess as my liege? If that is your orders I will take my leave for the next hour until such time I will accompany you to the balcony.” Crimson gave an exaggerated bow and went off to find somepony.

Twilight shook her head a little at the disappearing stallion and then set her sights on the speech, she know a lot about speechcraft but she rarely had to give a decree, a lecture she could do, but a decree, she was understandably coming up with blanks until her eyes caught the collage of the friendship lessons she had wrote to Celestia and wrote in her journal, she began to think of all the lessons Celestia had taught her. Celestia had more experience than anypony Twilight could think of in making a decree; after all she had at least a thousand years of experience in that department. Twilight got to work trying to emulate Celestia’s speeches, at least in tone she was well aware that this speech needed to be personal otherwise no pony would remember it or pay attention and considering this was a declaration of absence that was the last thing she wanted. Twilight didn’t finish a line until she had made sure it flowed and was meaningful to her and she hoped to the audience.

Twilight became so engrossed in this task that the hour quickly passed and Crimson’s knock almost made her jump out of her skin.

“Twilight, your ponies are waiting for your word.”

“Oh yes of course I’m coming,” Twilight jumped out of her desk grabbing the mostly memorized draft. Twilight caught Crimson on the grand staircase and walked with him to the grand balcony which now had a decorated and grandiose entrance to it. Crimson motioned for Twilight to proceed ahead of him. Twilight went through the blue curtains and was shocked to see Celestia and Luna on either side of her and as she walked by she was even more surprised because they bowed before her. Past the royal sisters were Cadence and Shining Armor, Shining had a proud smile on his face and was on the verge of tears, they too bowed. Even further down Twilight’s friends were lined up with one spot missing on the right at the end, they bowed covered in sparkling crystals courtesy of Rarity and it was then that Twilight saw the mass of ponies, who from far and wide as she would later find had come to see their princess. Before she could begin Crimson came up to her and delicately placed the circlet on her head before moving into the empty spot. As soon as the circlet was placed on her head Twilight felt a great surge of clarity and focus and the familiar feeling of power within, see felt she could be heard for miles and that she could cast the most masterful of magic without channeling at all. The ponies below here bowed as it place on her head and it was followed by a throng on cheers.

Twilight cast an amplification spell on her voice before she spoke “My Friends! The ponies that welcomed me when I was but a simple unicorn, alone and without a single friend, you invited me to join in your festivals and your homes even when I showed utter failings to keep this city safe in my paranoia. I cannot thank you enough for helping me get where I am today. I know most of you just think that my closest friends are the source of my success and they are my support, but I am indebted to all of you for showing me what was so important to you, to show me the error of my sheltered ways. I thank you all.” The crowd cheered another time, there were some ponies sobbing out of the kind words and others were chanting Twilight’s name.

Twilight used her magic to get everypony’s attention “Now I know that you probably are questioning why I am talking to you like this, some of you are probably wondering why I’m wearing this armor, and others might be wondering why this stallion that has been following me the last few days,” Twilight pointed to Crimson who approached and took a bow. “The answer lies in the news I have for you all…I am leaving for an adventure not like the ones I’ve had to take as an element of harmony but one much more dangerous. I know this comes at a surprise but rest easy knowing that my guard will be going with me and he is one of the best in the land. I ask you to wish me luck and I wanted to everypony to know that they can ask any of my friends if they have trouble. Thank you all so much, good night.” Twilight turned away as the crowd underneath roared for the third time and the sound of conversations and surprise folded into the noise. Twilight was sweating from the speech; she had never made anything like it to so many especially about this subject matter. Spike met her at the doorway back from his journey to the dragon lands; he had heard the whole speech and provided a much appreciated vote of confidence calming Twilight’s nerves. The other princess, Shining Armor, and her friends did the same and so it came that the excitement of the day passed and Twilight was alone with Crimson as they prepared to go in the morning.

The sounds of hoof steps alerted the two to the arrival of Celestia, “Twilight, It brings back old memories to see an alicorn in such armor, and I see that Crimson has done some of his best work” Celestia sighed her face troubled before recomposing into her usually royal smile, “I just needed to come down and say…Good luck Twilight Sparkle I know you will succeed and that you two will make a great team. Good night”
“Good night Princess” Twilight and Crimson responded. Celestia walked back into the shadow of the hallway but not before looking back one more time.

Morning came and all their friends were lining the path to the train and some bowed as they walked past, some cheered, and most wished her good luck at the very least. Twilight looked back from the train as she was getting on, her journey had begun.

Author's Note

Okay it's finally done...with Act 1. Who knows I might get an editor this time and maybe I'll come back and edit this, but I upload this stuff at like 4 AM so I don't have the mental fortitude to do it now. thank you all for reading and staying with it through my massive procrastination spirit.