The Journey

Twilight was now an Alicorn, a complete shock to all of her friends. Pinkie Pie had planned an Alicorn party to celebrate such a momentous occasion in her best friends life. For Pinkie, everything called for a party, but this time especially. She had planned her After-Coronation-Party to begin as soon as they had gotten off the train from Canterlot. Starting at the station, they were to have some cider from Sweet Apple Acres, even though it was out of season, the Apple family had made an exception this time around.

"Are you ponies ready to party?" Pinkie hollered as she burst out of their train car. "What am I saying? Of course you are!" She giggled loudly. Pinkie, the current barer of the Element of Laughter, had always been this way, so full of happiness and energy.

"Hey yea, Pinkie!" A scratchy, shrill voice called out from behind her. Rainbow Dash sped out from behind Pinkie, a streak of rainbow in her wake. "I'm always ready for a Pinkie Party." The blue mare was always down for anything to get the adrenaline flowing. She may be a loose cannon, a hot head and quick to act on raw emotion, but when it came down to it, she would always be loyal to her friends.

"Yay." A timid voice was barely audible over the sound of the steam engine. Fluttershy trotted out of the sliding doors, eager to get home to tend to her animal friends before the main event. She had always loved tending for animals, even living in Cloudsdalle, she had befriended many species of birds. Rainbow Dash's first big race had given her a chance to explore her true self, and when the Rainboom echoed across the valley, and scared all the critters into hiding, her kindness had calmed them all dawn and brought them back out.

"There certainly is no party like a Pinkie Pie Party," even being born in Ponyville, Rarity had a natural cut-glass tone in her voice, so graceful and elegant. "How fortunate I just so happen to have the perfect ensemble for such a marvelous occasion."

"You always seem to have a git-up for just 'bout any get-together, sugercube." Applejack spoke in a sweet southern-bell country drawl.

"Why of course, darling," Rarity glanced back at her apple bucking friend. "It never does one harm to be prepared."

The train station had been the easy part, a couple of blasts from the renowned Party Cannon and a few mugs at a round table with a barrel of cider. Cup cakes sat beside each of the mugs, reflection the six ponies personalities.

In the distance, the sound of trumpets echoed forth, silencing everypony in Ponyville. Shining Armor arrived first, announcing his little sister's appearance, "Ponyville! I give you the newly crowned Princess of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle." Tears formed in his eyes, liquid pride as he like to call it. "My little sister." he had said, mostly to himself.

They all had a great party, but soon needed to split and go home so they could start work and open their shops on time. Twilight had finally settled into bed, when Spike Belched out a letter from Princess Celestia reading,

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
It is time for you to learn the history of the Alicorns and the true origins of the Elements of Harmony. Come back to the castle tomorrow morning and we will start your lesson.

"I wonder what she means, Spike." Twilight wondered aloud. "I thought Celestia and Luna were the first and only Alicorns before Cadence and I."

"I don't know," Spike replied, trying to sound as reassuring as possible, "But if Celestia wants you to learn something. She hasn't steered you wrong yet, has she?"

"You're right Spike," she said in response, obviously calmer after listening to his words, "Send a letter telling Celestia I will meet her in the castle in the morning."

Just before dawn, Twilight had packed her saddle bags with extra quills, paper and more books for the train ride to Canterlot. She was prepared for anything the princess could possibly throw her way. There was no challenge that she, Twilight Sparkle, could not overcome. A cocky grin worked its was onto her face. As she had indulged in her confidence, a sleepy voice pulled her back to awareness.

"Leaving so early," Spike was rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "And without me?"

Giving a smirk to her faithful partner, "Of course not," with her magic, she levitated a packed satchel over to Spike. Shocked fully awake, he eagerly grabbed the bag from the air. "I would never go anywhere without my best friend." She shot him a wink and laughed.

"Alright!" Spike stated dancing and humming like he usually did when he got excited, but stopped abruptly when he cough a glimpse of Twilight stifling more laughter. She rolled her eyes playfully, causing pink to shine through the purple scales of the baby dragon.

"Come on," she gestured for Spike to follow before turning towards the doors to the Golden Oaks Library, "We have a train to catch."

The train ride was rather uneventful without her friends, besides a few mares squealing like little school fillies when they caught sight of the new princess. She and Spike had a nice chat with Lyra and Bon-Bon, on their way to visit Lyra's parents.

As the train came to a stop, the four of them departed. They said their goodbyes, and went their respective ways. "Bye Girls," Twilight shouted over her shoulder, waving a hoof.

"See you later, Twi!" Lyra called in response. " Maybe I can stop by the library next week and talk to you about my theories."

"Lyra," Bon-Bon had begun scolding her marefriend under her breath, "you're not going on about humans again, are you?"

This was a common argument between the two, the mint-green unicorn stammered, shaking her head blushing, "No no no, nothing like that!" The two mares had disappeared into the crowd, still bickering.

"There they go again," Spike laughed, "I don't think she'll ever let go of those old stories."

And with that said, the pair made their way through the city towards the castle.

Canterlot Castle was truly a majestic sight, so different from the rest of the metropolis. towering over the other homes and businesses. A shinning white building, not unlike the others, however it always gave off a faint aura. It's spires threatened the clouds themselves as if to tear them from the sky if they drifted too close. The spires themselves were capped with violet peaks of tile, rimed with a golden trim. Truly, truly magnificent.

As the new alicorn approached the gates to the architectural masterpiece, the royal guard saluted her and Spike before standing aside and letting them through. Their gold plated armor shone in the dawning light, in great contrast to the night watch Spike Pinkie Pie and herself ran into not long ago. That little mishap seemed to blow over however, which Twilight was thankful for.

The grand hall was massive and serene, the vaulted ceiling seemed to kiss the stars themselves as they faded away from the night sky to rest and return in the evening. A solid slab of blue marble is what graced ponies hoof steps, gleaming as if just laid yesterday. White stone pillars lined the walls every ten of so paces. The hall was almost as beautiful as the building which it was encased in.

Worker ponies bowed as she past them, which made her felt uncomfortable, Spike seemed to be enjoying himself, perhaps a bit too much it would seem. Twilight had always been a humble mare it was strange to be getting so much praise after just one day. After all, she was just a hoof taller and had wings not. Nothing too special, however she forced those thoughts to the back of her mind and made her way to the throne room. Trotting along for a few more meters, she felt like she was missing something. She stopped and looked behind her only to see Spike, still engulfed in the attention. Sparking her horn, she zapped him to her side. Giving him a weathering look, she simply cantered along with Spike at her side once again.

Twilight entered the throne room, greeted by the royal sisters, and a mysterious cloaked figure. She could not make out much of this pony, But it was taller than either Celestia or Luna.

"Welcome, Twilight," Celestia was the first to speak, "right on time. There is somepony I would like you to meet."

"Yes, sister," Luna continued, "perhaps we should be off to a more, private room?" Celestia nodded in agreement. "Then let us be off."

"But I just got here." Twilight protested.

" Trust me, Twilight Sparkle," Luna retorted, "this is of the highest importance. Spike must stay here, I'm afraid."

Shocked, Spike turned to his friend, believing she would stand for him. But she could not think of a reason to sway the princess' decision. She looked back at him, "It's okay, Spike. When I come back, we'll go see Doughnut Joe. How's that sound?"

Spike nodded in compliance, and gave her a big hug before seeing the four ponies exit the room, leaving him alone.