Reach for the Stars

Spike hummed a cheerful tune as he dusted off the mantelpiece of the fireplace. Yellow rays of light became visible as they passed through the dust cloud he created. The light came from the outside, where the ponies of Ponyville had just finished wrapping up the past winter, and passed through shimmering crystal panes. The revealed beams of light enticed Spike to open the windows and ventilate the dusty room. After he opened them, he breathed in the brisk air of spring.

He looked at the blossoming flowers decorating the grass below. Spring was a time of rebirth, novelty and dreams, such as the one Spike had right now: After he was done cleaning the castle, he'd go to the post office, get the latest issue of Spider-Mare and sit on the castle's balcony, reading the magazine as well as eating copious amounts of ice cream. For him, happiness could be achieved with such little things.

But he sighed. There was still some work to do, for he'd have to clean the insides of the fireplace. Charred logs were covered in a thick layer of ash and the ash pit was full. The old wood of the yesteryear had been burned, and now it was time to clear its remains.

Spike grabbed the black logs and placed them inside a bag he carried. But when he moved the last log in the fireplace, he noticed something hidden in the ash behind it. He frowned, wiped off the grey dust and revealed a partially burned envelope. He grabbed and examined it. The names of the sender and the receiver had survived intact:

From: Twilight Sparkle,

Princess of Friendship

Friendship Rainbow Castle

Ponyville

Central Equestria

To: TV & NL

Porcelain Street 7

Canterlot

Central Equestria

He opened the unsealed envelope and took out a letter. He read what was written on it:

Hi mum & dad,

I'm well aware of the fact that I haven't sent a letter to you in ages, and I am deeply sorry about it. I've tried writing one before, but I just didn't know what to write. Now, I'm finally doing it.

Life as a Princess of Friendship has been pleasant and not as arduous as I had feared. I still have plenty of free time that I can spend with my friends. When I have to work, I get to help ponies (and other creatures as well) and solve their problems in life. Seeing their grateful smiles fills my heart with joy and my soul with purpose. I wouldn't trade this duty for anything else in the world.

admit

I actually want to tell you something. I was in Canterlot last summer, but I didn't visit you. I am very sorry, I just

Please forgive me for that mess above, this is the fifth time I'm writing this and I've thoroughly planned it yet

Sorry for any grammatical errors in this

I'm not going to Canterlot this Hearth's Warming Eve, I'm sorry but

I am so so so sorry

I don't

The rest was incomprehensible scribble.

"Hi, Spike! Isn't it a wonderful day today?"

Spike gasped and almost dropped the letter. "Oh, hey, Twilight," he said, "it sure is."

Twilight frowned. "What's that?"

"Oh, this?" he said and looked at it. "It's a letter I found in the fireplace."

Twiligh blinked a few times. "And you... read it?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry, I just-"

She scowled. "Spike! It's very impolite to read somepony else's letter without their permission!"

He looked at his feet. "Sorry."

Twilight's glower vanished when she saw Spike's shame. "Oh, I didn't mean to upset you! It's just... that letter is really personal, Spike."

A shimmering purple cloud formed around the letter as Twilight's horn glowed. It floated from Spike's grasp into the fireplace and was set ablaze by a spell.

They stared at the flames for a while. Spike broke the silence. "Yeah, I noticed that, Twilight. I'm really sorry."

She sighed. "It's fine, don't worry. Let's not talk about it, shall we? This day is too beautiful to be ruined."

"Ruined?" Spike mumbled and looked at Twilight. "Okay, sure," he said.

She smiled again. "So, how's the spring cleaning coming along?"

When Spike saw Twilight's smile, he smiled as well. "Almost done, ma'am!" he said with a playful salute.

Twilight chuckled. "Good! You can do whatever you want after you're done. I have no other chores for you today."

"Yes!" Spike said and pumped his fist.

Twilight looked at him with a motherly smile. She approached and hugged him. "Oh Spike, I'm sorry if I offended you. You don't even know how much I love you."

Spike frowned. "...Uh, okay, love you too, Twilight!"

She let him go and turned towards the door. "I'll leave you alone so you can finish your job. See you later, Spike!"

Spike nodded and smiled. "Yup, see ya!"

After she left the room Spike turned to look at the smouldering remains of the burned letter.

"I think she needs help," he mumbled.

"So, we're all here," Applejack said, sitting on her crystal throne. "But where's Twilight?"

"She's not coming yet," Spike said.

Fluttershy gasped. "Why? Did something happen to her?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "No, she'll come here soon. But first, I wanna talk to you guys about something."

"Very well, go ahead," Rarity said with a raised eyebrow.

Spike sighed. "You see, I found an unburned letter in the fireplace. Twilight had written it to her parents, but had decided to burn it for some weird reason."

"Why the hay did she do that?" Rainbow asked with a frown.

"I dunno," Spike said. "The letter started out fine and then it kinda devolved into a mess. It was sad to read, really."

"Why was it sad?" Rarity asked.

"Well, she just started apologizing for a lot of stuff, like even some really minor ones like grammar mistakes, and then she said she won't come visit them during Hearth's Warming Eve."

"She did stay in Ponyville last winter," Applejack said.

"Yeah," Pinkie said, "While me and AJ had a really sad but also really fun celebration with both of our families!"

"Can we see the letter, Spike?" Rarity asked.

"No, she burned it when she saw I had found it."

"Oh dear!" Fluttershy said.

"Why didn't she tell us about this?" Rainbow asked.

Spike shrugged. "I guess she wanted it to remain secret. She wasn't happy at all when she saw the letter in my hands."

"So she doesn't want others to know 'bout this," Applejack said and rubbed her chin. "That's odd."

"Yeah," Spike said, "But now that you know what's going on I can ask Twilight to come here. I think she needs help. I'm really worried about her."

"So are we!" Pinkie said. "We're really, really worried, aren't we girls?"

They nodded.

Pinkie wiped her forehead. "Phew, good! Can you imagine if it had been just me and Spike worrying about it? Sheesh, I don't want to even think about it!"

"Alright, I'll go get Twilight," Spike said and jumped down from his crystal seat.

Twilight arrived in the room, following Spike.

"So, why are you all here?" she asked. "Nopony's cutie marks are shining."

"Yeah, it ain't about that," Rainbow said.

"We have to talk, darling," Rarity said.

Twilight frowned. "Hold on. Talk about what?"

"About that letter to yer parents ya wanted to burn," Applejack said.

Twilight's eyes widened. "Spike!" she said with a scowl. "Did you tell them about that letter?"

He nodded. "Of course, Twilight! Don't you remember that lesson you learned ages ago? That you don't keep problems to yourself, but always tell your friends about them?"

Her fierce stare slowly dissipated and she sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry, everypony."

"It's alright," Rainbow said, leaped next to her and placed a hoof on her back. "And we certainly haven't forgotten that you should take your friends' worries seriously."

"Wow!" Pinkie said. "That's exactly what Fluttershy said over a year ago! Word for word!"

Applejack frowned. "How did ya... oh never mind, I forgot who I was talking to."

Twilight smiled faintly. "Thanks, girls. It's just... this problem is between me and my family, and I didn't want to burden you with it."

"Oh c'mon, pal!" Rainbow said and punched her lightly. "Your problem is our problem, no matter how big it is!"

"But it's not just that," Twilight said. "You see, each of us has a different relationship with their parents. I'm afraid that you'll try to make my relationship with my parents similar to yours. And I'm sorry if all this talk about parents opens old wounds, Applejack."

She shrugged. "Nah, it's fine, sugarcube."

Pinkie gasped and said "Oh no! She's crying on the inside!"

Applejack frowned and lowered her stetson hat. "No I ain't," she mumbled.

"We will not do that, Twilight," Rarity said and placed a hoof on her own chest. "We promise."

"So, uh, what's the problem?" Fluttershy asked. "Why are you afraid of writing letters to them?"

Twilight looked at the floor. "I'm not sure I'll be able to talk about it," she mumbled.

"Did you have an argument?" Rarity asked.

"No."

"Did they insult you in some way?" Fluttershy asked.

She shook her head.

"C'mon!" Rainbow said with an encouraging smile. "We're here for you! You can tell us!"

"I'm sorry, I just... can't."

Rainbow sighed.

"You should try writing a letter to them again, Twilight," Fluttershy said. "This time we'll help!"

"I think we should respect her privacy," Rarity said. "Besides, actually meeting them face-to-face would be a superior option."

"Yeah! Twilight, you should visit them!" Pinkie said.

"I know I should, but... I'd rather not."

"C'mon, Twilight!" Applejack said. "Ya got to spend time with yer parents before it's too late! Before you know it, they'll be gone with the wind!"

Twilight looked at her in the eyes. She didn't say anything for a moment. "I... you're right," she finally said and sighed. "But I'm not sure if it will work."

"We'll be there with you!" Pinkie said. "Oh, I know! We can all have dinner together! A tummy filled with good food always lightens the mood! Then after the meal you three can sort things out!"

"Uhh... so I'd have to introduce you to my parents?"

Pinkie chuckled. "Not me! I already know them and they know me!"

"Wait, what? How? First Minuette, now them? Do you know everypony in Canterlot as well?"

"Well, not really. I first met your parents at your brother's wedding, then at your coronation! They're really nice!"

"I know."

"So, what's the problem then? I'd like to meet them as well. I'm warming up to this dinner idea! Maybe I can bring some apple pastries..."

"It's just... I'm not sure if they'll like all of you."

"They don't have to like us, Twilight! We'll be there to support you and help mending your relationship with your parents. As long as things are sorted out between you three, everything will be fine."

()

"It will work, Twilight!" Rainbow said. "This problem will be solved like all the other ones!"

She stared at the floor for a while before raising her head and saying "Fine, let's do it!", her voice filled with determination.

Pinkie cheered.

"But I'll have to write a letter first and tell them I'm coming to visit," Twilight said with a frown.

"Don't worry, we'll help you, Twilight!" Spike said.

Twilight sat before a desk, levitating an ink-covered quill with her horn. "So, I'll start like I usually do. 'Hi mum and dad'."

"That's surprisingly informal of you, egghead," Rainbow said with a wry smile.

Twilight rolled her eyes and continued writing. "Then I apologize for not having written anything before."

"So far so good," Applejack mumbled.

"Very kind of you, Twilight!" Fluttershy said.

"Then I tell about my life as the princess of friendship-"

"No need, dear," Rarity said. "You can tell about it during the banquet."

"Right. So, uh, I'll tell them that I'm coming to Canterlot-"

"With your best friends!" Pinkie said.

"-With my best friends. I'll ask them to prepare food and drink for six visitors."

Spike frowned. "But what about-"

"I doubt they can afford to buy enough gems for you, Spike," she said. "We'll bring our own supply."

Her friends exchanged glances.

"Then I... oh no, I misspelled 'visitors'! Uh, hold on-"

"It's fine," Rainbow said. "You just got one letter wrong. Don't start panicking about it."

Twilight breathed in, and she breathed out. "Phew, right. Thanks for that."

She rolled her eyes. "No problem."

"Finally, I'll tell them that I'm looking forward to the occasion and that I miss them. And then sign it with 'Your loving daughter, Twilight Sparkle.'"

"There we go!" Pinkie said. "That wasn't so hard! It wasn't hard at all! It was like the least hard thing in the whole world! It was like the opposite of diamonds!"

Twilight turned around and said "Thank you for your help, everypony. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"Aww, you're welcome!" Fluttershy said.

"Can I send it?" Spike asked.

Twilight frowned. "But then Princess Celestia would receive it. I don't want her to ferry my mail."

"Aha," Spike said. "Well can I take it to the post office then? I'll grab the latest issue of Spider-Mare while I'm there."

"Spider-what?" Rainbow asked.

"Spider-Mare, heroine of Manehattan!" Spike said. "Do you want me to show some comics about her? She's really cool!"

"Really? Sure thing. But I doubt she'll be as cool as Daring Do."

He chuckled. "Trust me, you're gonna be amazed."

Twilight placed the letter inside an envelope and sealed it. "Alright, take it there, Spike," she said and gave it to him.

He saluted and said "Yes, ma'am!" before sprinting out of the room.

"Spider-Mare, Spider-Mare, does whatever a Spider-mare does!" Pinkie sang and giggled.