Twilight's POV.
I wonder what the Princess wants to see me about. I hope I haven't done anything wrong. The letter sounded very urgent. It read:
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I must have you and your friends come to Canterlot at once. We very important matters to discuss.
From your mentor, Princess Celestia
I called my friends and we set off straight away. On the train, we were talking about the different possibilities that the Princess wanted to discuss. "Oh darling, it might be your friends back in the other world" Rarity said. "Maybe they need your help again. Are you sure that Sunset Shimmer is OK? She did steal your crown".
"Oh, oh what if she needs us to throw a party? Is it her birthday? How old is she?" Pinkie Pie said, jumping in her seat.
"I don't think it's that Pinkie. Maybe its something about the tree of Harmony again" Rainbow Dash said whilst hovering above us. I looked down thinking.
"But didn't we give the tree our elements?" Applejack said. They we all very good suggestions, but we didn't know for shore, so I was relieved when the train pulled up at the station in Canterlot.
"Come on girls. We have to find out whats going on" I said as we trotted out of the station.
Ponies kept on saying 'good morning Princess' or 'hows your day Princess'. I still wasn't used to being called Princess Twilight Sparkle. The guards bowed as we came into the castle. Sitting on her throne, was Princess Celestia. She looked like she hadn't slept in ages, but I didn't say anything. "Princess. What seems to be the problem?" I asked, whilst bowing.
"I have some interesting news for you all" she said trotting of to a table with a map of Equestria. "A new Kingdom has appeared in the south of Equestria".
"A new Kingdom? You mean like the Crystal Empire?" Spike asked. The Princess shook her head.
"We knew about the Crystal Empire and it reappeared. This city, I have never seen before. I sensed the magic a while ago but thought nothing of it. We then sent a few guards to take a look around, but they haven't returned" she said with a sad look in her eyes.
"So um you want us to go" Fluttershy said slowly.
"You are the perfect ponies and dragon to go and search there. I know you can do it" she said walking to a cupboard. She opened it and got a few bags and put them on our backs. "Here is a map and a few supplies. The is also a telepathy spell to communicate with me".
"Sister?" Luna said as she came in. "Are you sending Twilight and her friends instead of me?".
"I just want to protect you. You know that" Celestia said. Luna huffed and walked out. "She wanted to go and investigate, but I can't lose her for a second time. I still have nightmares about that dreadful day".
"How in the hay are we gonna get there?" Applejack said. We exchanged looks, and then looked at the Princess.
"Well, if you take the train to Appleloosa, then you will have to walked the rest of the way" she said pointing too the train station.
"We'll go straight away" I said. We turned and galloped out of the castle. Just as I came out of the door, I saw Luna on her balcony. She was looking at a map, but then went inside. I couldn't think about what Luna was doing. I need to get to Appleloosa. We got our tickets from the station and got onto the train.
1Hour later
"What if it's filled with dangerous ghosts?" Pinkie said, waving her hooves in the air. Fluttershy screamed and hid behind Applejack.
"Please don't let there be anything scary" she said.
"What if there ponies like us? Remember the Crystal Empire" Rarity said sipping a cup of tea.
"Wait. Cadence became ruler of the Crystal Empire because the was no King or Queen. What if this place has no ruler? Will I become the Princess there?" I said panicking. I can't rule a kingdom! I have no experience!
"Twilight. If you do, then you will be a brilliant Princess. No joke" Rainbow said. They all nodded at the same time.
"I hope your right" I said, under my breath.
"We will be pulling into Appleloosa station in a few minutes" the conductor said.
"Come on. Were here".
Rainbow Dash's POV.
Appleloosa. It's a cool town. Especially after the last time we were here. Braeburn met us at the station and lead us down south. There was a lot of 'how ya bins' and 'how's the family' so we were covered for conversation.
"How's Granny Smith?" Braeburn asked.
"Oh, she's never better. Been as lively as ever lately. Don't know what's gotten into her" AJ said. Getting a bit bored of the conversation, I flew over to talk to Rarity.
"Oh Rainbow. There is so much dirt around here" she complained. Oh for Celestia's sake!
"Well we are walking on a dirt road" I said pointing at the ground. Suddenly we stopped. "Er, why have we stopped?" I asked.
"This is as far as I go, cous" Braeburn said. He turned to face us. "Sorry but I've been warned to go only as far as the orchard. Strange things have been happening round these parts lately". He looked really worried.
"Like what Braeburn?" Twilight asked, curious.
"Well, there have been strange lights at night once a week. And a few ponies have been going missing" he said, walking backwards.
"Um, well thanks for the help Braeburn" Applejack said. He nodded turned and ran all the way through the orchard.
"This is very serious. We need to find out what is going on. Now!" Twilight said. We looked at her and started to gallop further in the direction Braeburn pointed us in. We ran, and ran.
There was no stopping us. The wind was in my hair as I galloped by my friends side. It was brilliant. The dust gathered around our feet like a swarm of bees around a flower. there were only a few clouds in the sea blue sky. I could hear the others breathing heavily and they started to slow down. So did I. I was feeling pretty tired.
"I don't..........think..........that I...........can run............much further" Fluttershy said, in between breathes. The others nodded in agreement.
"I know" Twilight said, grabbing a book out of her saddle bag. She opened it onto a page of spells. "This spell should help us run further for longer periods of time". Her horn started to glow and we gathered around her. We were encased in a purple glow. As it disappeared, I felt as though my whole body had been made 20 times lighter.
"Let's go. Do I have to run?" Spike asked. Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Yes you do. cause you have the spell on you. No being lazy now" Rarity said. Spike does anything she says and she noes that.
"Okay Rarity" he said. Sucker. He started to run so we joined him.
Rarity's POV.
We ran for about an hour before we came to a cliff. I dusted my self off and looked at what the others stood in awe at. It was marvelous! Spectacular! There stood a city of ice! A castle of ice stood at the center. The base had pillars spiraling upwards to a dome atop the castle and many windows of what looked like clear ice. A balcony was on the side of the castle and there stood three figures that I couldn't Quite make out. The roads of the city were made of stone and more figures walked around. I'm surprised that they weren't slipping around every where. The houses looked like mini versions of the castle. Orchards of apple, orange, lemon trees and more surrounded the city. A market stood by the base of the castle with more figures there. "I think we should set up camp here for the night" Applejack said, pulling a few sticks together. "Twilight, if ya don't mind?". Twilight's horn glowed and sparks hit the wood and it set alight. "Thank you sugar cube".
"This city is amazing I need to tell the princess about this" Twilight said as she picked up a piece of paper and wondered out to perform the spell.
"What kind of creatures do you think live there, Rarity?" Pinkie asked. I thought for a while but nothing came to mind.
"I don't no but I saw three figures standing on the balcony of the castle. Maybe they rule this place" I said.
"Maybe. I wonder what kind of animals they have" Fluttershy asked quietly. Suddenly Twilight came running into the light from the fire.
"Girls! Princess Luna is missing!" she shouted in panic! We all gasped in disbelief.
