Cannerlands

Twilight Sparkle grumbled as she stepped off the train. She was given explicit instruction to not go to the edge of the Zebra Highlands. It has been three days and the purple fog on her map has not shrunk, nor has it grown in all honesty. It seemed to be content just remaining the same size as Twilight watched it for the past 72 hours. Nothing she did could distract her from it. She was a Princess of Friendship. If something were to happen and she could have taken steps to stop it... no. Princess Celestia may think she knows what she's doing, but she wouldn't have the guilt hanging over her shoulder.

But before she could directly disobey her mentor, she needed advice. She took a slight detour to the Crystal Kingdom where her older brother and sister in law ruled with a loving heart. Twilight covered her eyes with her hoof, trying to block out the sun that was almost mocking Twilight. She grumbled further as she traveled to the Crystal Castle, a large blue crystal tower in the middle of town. Twilight was dressed in purple robes, covering her face in shadow. She didn't need distractions from crystal ponies recognizing her, she needed guidance from somepony who could understand.

She knew the castle like the back of her hoof. She has only visited on days of utmost importance, yet each day she visited, it was of utmost importance to know the layout lest she get lost while the city was being terrorized. She looked outside a window and looked at the positioning of the sun. It was mid day, where Cadence would probably be was obvious. Her morning meeting just broke out, so Twilight headed to the lower sections of castle where the showers and hot springs lay in wait. Twilight opened the double crystal doors and was immediately greeted by two ponies that looked a lot like Aloe and Voe from Ponyville.

"Welcome to Crystal Castle Spa. Do you have a reservation?" The both asked in unison. Twilight simply lowered her hood in response and watched the two crystal ponies eyes widen in the same practiced unison. Twilight brought a hoof up to her mouth, signaling them to keep her presence less known. The two crystal ponies nodded and silently closed the doors behind Twilight as she trotted towards Princess Cadence's private spa.

"And then he said no! Do you believe the audacity! The gall! The nerve! How?! How does a stallion just say no like that? No to me? His wife?! He needs to treat me with a lot more respect! Or by my aunt's name, his needs will never be sated he will find himself on the streets!!!..."

"Cadence? Are you there?"

Cadence's eyes widened as wide as the moon. "Twilight?" She raised her head, raising a hoof to the massage pony to stop her work. Twilight pushed a curtain open and peeked her head in.

"Am I interrupting something? Should I just go?" Twilight asked, her face as crimson as an apple.

"No, no, I'm simply venting to my massage pony," Princess Cadence then turned her head to said massage pony and signaled him to take five. He graciously nodded and trotted off to do other spa like duties.

"Is everything going okay with Shining?" Twilight asked, a little more concerned about her big sister's marriage.

"Huh? Oh, yeah yeah. He just denied me the last slice of cake last night. It was a long day yesterday and I really wanted it," Cadence made a dismissive motion with her hoof and Twilight giggled a little. "Nothing but me being a little filly. Now Twilight, I assume it is very important for you to travel all the way to the Crystal Kingdom for a direct audience with me, what can I assist you with?" Her manner was regal and elegant, but her eyes were caring like an older sister always will be to her younger.

It was then Twilight explained the situation. The table, Celestia's stance, Luna's outrage to want to take action and mount a war, and Celestia's reasoning that they are in no real danger. Twilight was on the fence of both, naturally. They shouldn't do nothing, but they shouldn't cause panic in Equestria. Twilight's plan was to check the situation out and see if everything was okay before taking any further action.

Cadence nodded at several points and only offered rebuttals or quips when necessary. When Twilight was all said and done, Cadence sighed. "Do you not trust Princess Celestia?"

Twilight bit her lip, not responding right away which surprised Cadence. "I... I... don't know. I love Princess Celestia. She has been a second mother to me." Twilight concluded, not wishing to say anymore on the subject. But Cadence let the unfinished thought hang, inclining her head, implying that Twilight to finish the thought. Twilight looked at Cadence for a full moment and then conceded. "But, no. I do not trust her. Anytime we sat and waited, nothing was accomplished,"

"But Twilight, Princess Celestia is an experienced ruler. Surely..."

"We defeated Nightmare Moon by going to the Everfree Forest,"

"True, but Celestia planned..."

"I had to outright accuse Chrysalis in front of everypony and convince everyone to be more objective in the situation,"

"That's hardly fair Twilight..."

"Sombra was not somepony we could just ignore and hope the curse was gone, was he?" Cadence could say nothing in response, "What about Tirek? Hiding got us nowhere. Celestia is wise, but not..." Twilight tapped her chin and sighed, halting the thought before it ever came to fruition. "I did not come here to insult Celestia behind her back. I love her and it pains me to betray her, because I know that is what I'm doing," Twilight stood up with tears in her eyes and Cadence could only watch her pace around the room. "I came because I have limited knowledge of the outside world. I've been to Saddle Arabia once under heavy guard. I plan on going alone and I'm not sure what to expect," She turned back to Cadence who simply listened intently. "I will go no matter what you say, but I'd like it if my sister could support me in this situation?"

"What do your friends think?"

"They support me one hundred percent. We have a fail safe if I don't return in a week or I don't contact them. Trust me Cadence, this was planned out,"

Cadence gave Twilight a hard look, as if trying to waver her decision. Twilight remained steadfast and if anything, the hard look just cemented Twilight's decision. Cadence grimaced and sighed. "Twilight, just answer me this," Twilight tilted her head and Cadence sighed once more, "Is your entire family hard headed?" Cadence giggled and Twilight give her a smirk.

They discussed what Twilight needed to know when it came to the Cannerlands. Twilight was given a weapon and its name. Guns were a powerful tool that could erase a pony's life from this world. When you use it, make sure you know who you're aiming at, Cadence warned.

Twilight hugged Cadence and Cadence squeezed her as tight as she could back. "You are going to a very dangerous place Twilight. I know you can take care of yourself, just don't be too long and make all your friends worry,"

"Don't worry. I won't,"