Ponyville Empire

Twilight stood at the edge of the Everfree forest, staring in to the darkness, she took a deep breath, hesitating as she put a hoof forward. “I’m powerful, why am I scared?” She questioned herself as she edged slightly closer. “I can do this!” She stepped forward several paces, before a sudden flock of birds flew from within the forest up in to the sky startling her.

She jumped back in a panic, gasping as she did so.

“Why am I so scared?” She stepped back in annoyance. “Maybe I need help after all…” She sighed as she turned her back to the eerily forest. “I need to go home.” She swiftly walked away, wiping a drip of sweat from her head as she did so. Suddenly as if a sudden realization hit her, she stopped in her tracks. Twilight’s ears dropped, as did her head. “Home…” Her voice was empty and broken.

It was late evening in Ponyville, just like any other, the sun was slowly beginning to set, the remaning light shone off Twilights castle, creating a beautiful shine and gleam around her new home. Twilight stepped inside, the cold atmosphere of the castle immediately greeted her. “Castle sweet castle.” She grumbled to herself. “Stupid castle…” She added, a bitter tone, she had thought about her old oak library all the time. Twilight stood alone for a while, gazing around the place she now had to call home, a solemn silence loomed for several seconds, before the knock of the door startled her.

Twilight shook her head snapping out of her thoughts, puzzled as to who was knocking, mere minutes after she herself had gotten back, she composed herself before opening the door with a forced grin. “Oh, hey Fluttershy, how’s it going?” Twilight was happy to see her friend.

“Oh not bad thank you, I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.” Fluttershy’s calm voice was rather soothing.  “I came around earlier but Spike said you were out.” Fluttershy flicked her long pink hair out of her eye.

“Well I’m back now, come on in.” Twilight warmly invited her friend inside, stepping aside to let her pass. “So what’s up?” Twilight asked the joyful Pegasus.

“Oh I just came earlier to drop off a new house warming gift.” Fluttershy beamed. “Well I suppose it’s a castle warming gift.” She giggled, correcting herself.

Twilight shook her head. “Oh Fluttershy you didn’t have to.”

“I gave it to Spike to give to you when I came by earlier, I thought I’d just come around to see if you liked it.” Fluttershy interrupted, insistent her friend accepted the gift.

“Thank you Fluttershy that means a lot, I've only just gotten back.” Twilight smiled, she averted her gaze and took a deep breath.  “Spike!” She called, her voice echoing around the huge room.

The small purple dragon ran swiftly down the stairs and in to the main room. “Hey Twilight! Fluttershy.” He greeted the two ponies politely.

“Fluttershy said she gave you a gift to give to me.”

“Oh sure thing! I already put it out on that shelf by the window.” Spike pointed to the nearby window where the last remaining sunlight of the day shone through.

Twilight glanced over towards the window, looking around for a moment before noticing a sunflower. “Oh, a flower!” Twilight stared for a moment at the bright sunflower, its petals were an unusual assortment of colors, a change from the usual yellow, a mix of blue, purple and several others.

“Oh it’s not just any flower Twilight, it’s an enchanted flower from the forest and they’re rare to come by. Just look at the multicolored petals!” Fluttershy was in awe of the beauty of nature.

“Enchanted how?”

“It’s really rather amazing, when it’s exposed to enough sunlight it becomes happy and starts to sway slightly, like doing a dance!”  Fluttershy became increasingly excited. “These flowers are simply beautiful and some ponies say they have feelings!”

“Wait so, they’re conscious?” Twilight asked.

“Apaprently so, they can sense joy and sadness, they can even become fearful and shake! Oh the poor things!” Fluttershy put her hoof to her mouth, shaking her head slightly. “Just ensure you water it daily and be gentle, it’ll blossom in to something amazing one day, these flowers are truly beautiful, legend says it will grow in to – “

“That’s beautiful, thank you Fluttershy.” Twilight interrupted, uninterested by the flower, still appreciating the thought. “It really… means a lot.” Twilight spoke, her voice broke slightly, a stray tear rolled down her face, she quickly turned to face away from Fluttershy. "The hell is wrong with me?" She spoke under her breath, subtly wiping the tear away.

“Oh sweetie! What’s wrong? Oh Twilight, please don’t cry!” Fluttershy quickly ran over to her friend, putting a comforting hoof around her.

Spike awkwardly stared between the two ponies, exchanging a confusing worried look with Fluttershy.

Twilight wiped her eyes and shook her head. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, I’ve just not been myself lately.”

“Well what’s wrong Twilight? Is there anything I can help with?” Fluttershy broke from the embrace and looked at her friend, concerned.

“It’s Owlowiscious.” Twilight sighed. “He’s not back yet.”

“Oh my, he’s still missing?”

“Ever since Tirek destroy my old library, he flew off scared. He’s nowhere to be found. And this castle… its just so, cold.” She had no idea how to describe this new home it felt empty, lonely. “I keep trying to settle in, but I’ve lost him and this place is just… not home.”

Fluttershy looked around the place for several moments, before looking back to her friend. “Oh sweetie it’ll be okay, I’m sure he’ll come back, and well I thought you liked this place now, we all tried to help decorate it for you.” Fluttershy forced a smile. “It’ll just take some getting used to.”

“I guess I just need to get used to this new life too.” Twilight laughed faintly in order to stop more tears from falling. “This whole being a princess thing is still new to me, I suppose I miss the easier days.”

“I know you will feel better soon, and Owlowiscious will come back, I just know it.” Fluttershy tried to lift Twilights spirits. “You’re a princess but you’re still the same Twilight we all love.”

“Thanks Fluttershy.” Twilight sighed, walking towards the window, gazing at the small flower that was slowly wilting. “I keep going to the Everfree forest, standing outside wanting to go in and search for him, if he’s anywhere… well he’ll be there... But I keep feeling so scared to go in there! I know I shouldn't because I could just fly through there and use some magic or something but I...” Twilight stopped to gasp for breath.

"Oh Twilight you don't have to explain yourself, no matter how fast or powerful you are, we're all scared of that place, we don't even know half the dangers that lurk around in that big meanie forest." Fluttershy shuddered, before realising she wasn't helping. “But I do know that owls love forests, his old home was destroyed, it’s natural he’d be scared, he’s probably made a new nest in there, eventually though I just know he’ll come back to you, he knows you love him.”

“I suppose so." Twilight smiled, wiping the tears away once more, suddenly she noticed something move from the corner of her eye. "Hey Fluttershy? This flower is wilting, it can’t be dying already?” Twilight gazed at the flower as it gently fell lower, the stem wilting further.

Fluttershy gazed sadly at the flower. “The flower is sad because you are Twilight, it can sense how you feel.” Fluttershy walked over to the window, placing a hoof under the flower, lifting it slightly.

“That’s remarkable…” Twilight stared for a few moments, before shaking her head. “I’m not going to be sad about this, like you said Owlowiscious will be back.” She smiled confidently. “Thank you so much Fluttershy.” Twilight was thankful for her friends’ kind words.

The flower gently lifted itself up slightly reflecting Twilight’s optimism.

“Don’t mention it.” Fluttershy smiled happily, her voice full of gentle delight. “Well I suppose I should go and feed the animals, it is getting darker, stay strong princess, you have a beautiful little empire now, I’m sure everypony will be willing to help you search the forest if you just ask and you'll find him in no time.”

Twilight stopped for a moment, Fluttershy’s words slowly sinking in. “It means a lot for you to say that Fluttershy. You’re honestly the best.” She smiled.

“I’ll see you later Twilight.” Fluttershy’s calming voice spoke as she left the castle.

“See you around.” Twilight watched her friend slowly walk off, she gently closed the door behind her, before turning to Spike. “Spike, I need some study time.” Twilight spoke sternly, ushering the small dragon to head upstairs to leave her in peace.

“Again?” He groaned in response. “And Twilight are you feeling okay? I know lately you’ve been – “

“Bed time mister!” She replied.

Spike was taken by surprise, glancing out the window to where the sun was barely setting. “But it’s only – “

Twilight merely stared in response, Spike groaned and admitted defeat, heading upstairs.

Twilight swiftly and eagerly scanned the bookshelves, taking out various books with her magic, placing them on the glass table set in the corner of the room near the window. “This one… and that one. So many books about wildlife…” before long a messy assortment of books were scattered across the table. “This is good, you’re doing good!” Twilight spoke to herself confidently.

She sat by the table, brining the first book forward, entitled ‘Forest creatures: Creatures of forest habitats’ carefully opening the book, blowing off the dust as she did so she examined the contents page. “Owls, owls… Owls! There we go.” She found the page she had been searching for.

Muttering to herself she read the words down the page, nothing of interest caught her attention. She growled in frustration. “There needs to be some way to find where he could be, the forest is huge, maybe there is someway to attract him back here! The forest is too dangerous for any pony to go looking around.” Twilight was in deep conversation with herself as she scanned the books eagerly. “I’ll find a way to bring him back to me.” She grinned eagerly as her mind raced with ideas.

The ecstatic study session was soon interrupted as Twilight heard a distant voice.

“It just looks so amazing, doesn’t it!” The voice sounded rather excited and familiar.

“What the?” Twilight knew instantly the voice was coming from just outside.

“I’ll take just a few more!” The voice came again.

Twilight stood up from her glass desk, the books remained scattered, she swiftly headed to the door opening it in one quick motion. A large white flash instantly obstructed her vision, blinding her momentarily. “Ouch!” She put her hoof to her eyes, unsure as to what had happened. "What the hell is - " Her vision suddenly came back.

“Oh! Sorry Princess Twilight.” Lyra pulled down the large camera she was carrying in embarrassment. “I was just showing my friend here around Ponyville, he came all the way from Phillydelphia, I just thought we should come and visit your amazing castle.”

Twilight stared confused for a moment, glancing between Lyra and the stallion she’d never seen before. “So you came here to just take photos?”

“Well yes, only if that’s okay with you Princess!” Lyra grinned nervously.

“This is a remarkable castle Princess Twilight.” The stallion beamed. “It’s amazing, the way it sparkles, it looks so rich and classy, I really just want to have one peak inside Princess!” He slowly peaked behind Twilight.

Twilight frowned and moved forward to obscure his view. “This isn’t a tourist destination, can you please just...!” Twilight began to raise her voice, before calming down. “Look, just call me Twilight okay? Enough of the princess, could you maybe just come back another time? I’ve got a lot of important work going on right now.”

“Oh of course Twilight, we know you must be busy!” Lyra gestured for her friend to follow. “Oh I must bring Bon Bon here too!” she beamed to her friend as they walked away. "She would really love it, I mean who wouldn't?" she turned to look at the giant castle once more, noticing Twilights rather annoyed face lingering in the doorway.

Twilight sighed and turned around to enter her home once more.

“Enjoy being the most famous pony in Equestria right now!” Lyra called back to her.

Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath, calmly closing the door behind her, resisting the urge to slam it. She stared once more at the now messy castle; books sprawled over the study area desk, the warmth of the outside was soon forgotten, replaced by the crystal cold atmosphere of the castle.

“Stupid! Castle! Stupid being a princess!” She yelled. “Why do things have to change?”  She breathed heavily, rolling her eyes at the large amount of books that needed to be rearranged. She sighed and sat down on the floor, casting a glow around the books on the desk. “Erm, alphabetical order… A goes here, D that goes there… where’s the other A book?” She cast a glow around several books at once, attempting to place them in the correct place on the shelf.  “B after C? Geez Twilight have you forgotten the alphabet now?” She stamped her hoof in annoyance.

She dropped the books, as she noticed a problem with the books already neatly placed in the bookcase. “A B C… E...D?” She frowned, casting one more intense glow around the entirety of the bookcase, with a jerk of her head every book flew from the shelf on to the floor.  “There needs to be more order here!” She sat down, picking up several books; the entire floor was now covered in various pieces of literature. "How the hell did I not realise my entire collection of books were in the wrong damn order?" She sat herself down, frantically looking around the books.

“A B C D” She made several piles, searching desperately through the pile. “E F G!” She giggled to herself. “Of course I wouldn’t forget the alphabet. This place will soon be neat and tidy, then Owlowiscious will have a perfect home to come back to!” Twilight stood up, analyzing the several hundred books all around the once flawlessly neat castle. “This is going to take forever! Why the hell did I do this?” She took a few steps back. “This stupid castle… stupid… bookshelf! See how stressed you’re making me!” she cursed herself for the mess she had made in her moment of madness. “Why can’t things be simple?” She yelled slamming her hooves down on the glass desk she had been studying on.

A loud smash echoed around the castle, the table smashed, several shards of glass fell to the floor. “Damn it!” Twilight felt a sting of pain; her right hoof had been cut fairly deep by a piece of the destroyed glass desk.

“Twilight… are you okay?” Spike had heard the noise and headed down the stairs to investigate.

“Got to arrange these bookshelves!” Twilight smiled. “Just stay upstairs Spike.” Twilgiht spoke through gritted teeth as her hoof began to bleed more intensely. "Can you believe I almost forgot the alphabet?" Twilight laughed trying to lighten the mood.

“Twilight please calm down, you’re really tired and you’re having trouble settling in here.”  Spike couldn’t contain the concern anymore.  “Please Twilight, just go and sleep for a few hours, I’ll tidy everything up here.”

“No no, I was just looking for a book on owls, that’s all, it's important study time."

Spike edged down the stairs some more, his eyes widening at the entire bookcase which contents now lay on the floor. “Twilight if this is about Owlowiscious – “

“He’ll come back right? I’m a good friend to him… and to you right?” Twilight interrupted him, wincing slightly as her hoof stinged.

“You’re the best Twilight, but even the best need to sleep sometimes.” Spike attempted to calm his best friend down.  “Wait, you’re bleeding!”

“It’s nothing honestly.” Twilight tried to hide her hoof.

“Don’t we have any bandages around here? What about some healing spell or something, or – “

“Spike! I… I’m fine, thank you for the concern.” Twilight smiled warmly, attempting to convince the worried dragon.

“Look Twilight, maybe what Fluttershy said earlier was right maybe he’s found a new nest in the Everfree Forest, we can go looking for him and – “

Twilight shook her head, raising her hoof to stop Spike from speaking. “It’s too dangerous for you in there, I’m going to do some more research, if he doesn’t come back I’ll go myself.”

Spike hesitated for a moment; the look of worry crossed his face. “Look we’ll sort this out when you’ve rested for a while.” He spoke somewhat confidently, before noticing Twilight’s annoyed expression. “Please?”

Twilight sighed. “Fine, I’ll be up in a few minutes, okay? I’ll clean the glass up and the books… they can wait, we’ll put them back tomorrow.”

Spike nodded sadly in response. “I love you Twilight.”

“I love you too Spike.” Twilight watched her loyal friend walk up the stairs, waiting a few moments until he was out of earshot. “I need to get my head together now… come on Twilight.” She sat down, closing her eyes attempting to calm down.

She thought back to Fluttershy’s earlier comment, she had called Twilight a princess with a 'beautiful little empire.'

“Empire…” Twilight scoffed. “Since I moved here there’s been nothing but trouble, I wish I never came to this stupid town." She quickly opened her eyes and gasped. “How could I think that? Since I moved here I’ve made the best friends I could ever ask for.” She stamped her front hooves and stood up quickly, she needed to escape her current mindset.  “I just need to get some rest, and maybe tomorrow I can start fresh.” She nodded to herself, turning around to face away from the messy chaos she had created.

“Ouch!” Twilight cried in pain, upon turning around she had stepped her right hoof on another shard of glass from the table she had broken. “Again? For real? Damn it! Same hoof as well, oh great!” She cursed under her breath; the wound began to bleed more, dripping on to the floor. She stared for a while at the reflection in the glass, the faint reflection of her own face visible as she towered over the tiny shard, a drop of blood remained on the edge of the glass.

She stared for what felt like several minutes, gazing at the shard, the occasional drip of blood fell from the tip, she lifted her  hoof, the deep cut would usually make her feel faint. Instead she smiled to herself rather menacingly and smug. Purposely stepping on the shard with force the wound opened and bled further, intense pain surged through her, yet she remained calm.  The glass cracked before it shattered in to several more pieces.

“I am more powerful than you.” She hissed, her expression changing to one of hatred, glaring down at the tiny shards. Twilight gazed once more at her injury, gritting her teeth as she proceeded to walk, each step causing a sharp pain, leaving several faint bloody hoof prints, although the smile remained over her face. “Castle sweet castle.” She smirked.

From the corner of her eye she noticed a faint movement, the small enchanted flower resting on the shelf by the window was shaking, increasing in speed, swaying from side to side until it became rapid, shaking more and more, as if as Fluttershy had described, it was fearful.