The Second Renaissance

While pressing the keys on the typewriter, Twilight Sparkle wondered why she hadn’t become a writer for the Ponyville daily newspaper a long time ago. Over the past months she had been a great contributor; she gave her opinions in columns, interviewed Ponyville’s most notable residents, and covered some of the town’s observances and special events. She stationed herself at her work desk, writing a cover story about Ponyville’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a week-long celebration which happens every April after the first few weeks of spring. Festivities are celebrated across every part of Equestria to commemorate the long friendship between Equestria and the Deer Kingdom. Nearly a millennia ago the Deer Kingdom was attacked by dark forces, bringing destruction and fire to the forests before Celestia and Luna intervened. The Royal Sisters helped the Deer rebuild their society, and in return the Deer gave Celestia and Luna cherry blossom seeds that will bloom every spring, and the trees that grow will bring happiness and joy, as well as beauty wherever they are planted.

While writing the article Twilight remembered the festival in Canterlot from her filly years. Although she loved Ponyville with all her heart, the cherry blossom trees couldn’t compare to those in Canterlot. Every year the trees are planted in every corner of the city. They were absolutely beautiful that ponies would stop for a moment to admire them, coming to the colorful trees like a museum painting come to life.

Spike, her young dragon assistant, was filling the role of librarian while Twilight worked. It was easy, he began to realize. All he had to do was to stamp the due date on the back of the books that were being checked out. Only once in awhile he had to step out of his chair and help some ponies find the books they’re looking for. It was still the easiest job he had to do that day. He couldn’t remember a time where the library was busy. Most of the time it was just he and Twilight, and the occasional visitor on certain days.

Twilight stepped out of her workroom with a smile on her face.

“I’m finally finished with my article,” she announced.

“Wow, that fast?” asked Spike. “Did you started on it like… yesterday ago?”

Twilight giggled. “Of course. I work very fast. I’m going to send it to the editor to have it checked. Would you like to accompany me?”

Spike looked around. There didn’t seem to be anything else to do, so he climbed out of the chair to join Twilight. As they walked to the Ponyville Gazette building, Twilight decided to read to Spike the article she completed. It was mainly about the history of the celebration, from the traditions, customs, all the way to the music and activities involved. The article also included Prince Naveen’s visit to Canterlot to join the celebration. It read more like an essay than an article, although she did managed to add some quotes from the residents she interviewed for her research. All while listening Spike had an idea why Twilight took up writing.

“So what do you think?” asked Twilight.

“It was alright,” answered Spike. “It sounded more like a research paper for school.”

“Well… that’s the whole point of the article. The editor wanted me to do column on the festival, so in some cases it has to sound like an essay. I just hope the editor likes it.”

Twilight and Spike talked some more; about the newspaper, the festival, and other topics that held their interests. They even saw some ponies planting and tended to the cherry blossom trees that were blooming, and began to talk about them.

Spike noticed a pink blur in rapid motion. Twilight wondered what was he looking at, then she noticed it, too. It was Pinkie Pie, one of their good friends. There were moments where she pause in her tracks and glance at the sky. It seemed Pinkie thought something might fall on her head. In an instant her body twitched and shivered, and she hid underneath somewhere. Twilight and Spike exchanged confused glances at each other. Twilight figured it was just Pinkie being Pinkie.

“Do you think we should try to find what’s wrong with her?” asked Spike.

“My answer would be no,” said Twilight. “But we’d be terrible friends if don’t help her, no matter how odd her problems may be.”

They witnessed Pinkie climb out from under a cart. She was still, cautious of making her next step. Was somepony after her, Twilight and Spike wondered. Pinkie looked nervously about her, then up at the sky again. Her poofy tail twitched, and not a moment later her whole self bounced like a spring. She gasped and hid behind a lamp post. The unicorn and the dragon approached Pinkie slowly, as to not frighten her.

“Pinkie, this Twilight and Spike, your friends,” said Twilight. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

Pinkie cast her suspicious eyes side to side. “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “My Pinkie-sense have been going haywire all day.”

“Pinkie-sense?” asked Spike.

“It’s my special ability to sense trouble before it happens. You remember, right Twilight?”

“Don’t remind me,” muttered Twilight. She rolled her eyes.

“Can you tell us what’s going on?” said Spike.

“Let’s see - from the moment I woke up my body was acting all shaky and jumpy. Then when I thought something was going to happen today, so I had to be very careful. I saw so many accidents happen today, but the thing is… that’s not what my Pinkie-sense is warning me about. Crazy, huh?”

Twilight and Spike exchanged confused glances at each other once more. Pinkie’s body shivered again, and a flower pot fell from the sky. It startled Spike.

“Are you sure your Pinkie-sense didn’t warn you about that?” he asked.

“That’s happened several times today,” said Pinkie. “Where do they keep coming from?”

“Whatever it is, do you think it has to be in your head?” said Twilight. “Maybe your Pinkie-sense is giving you a false perception of danger when there isn’t any.”

“I can’t ignore my Pinkie-sense when it’s been going bonkers since this morning. I’m telling you, something big is going to happen… I just don’t know what, or when.”

Her body shivered with a quick, sudden motion. There was a loud crash. They saw that two carts collided with each other; one carried cabbages, the other carried potatoes. Spike turned to Pinkie, silently asking if that had anything to do with her Pinkie-sense. Her tail twitched again, then one of her front hooves tapped rapidly.

“Nope, that’s still not it,” she said.

“Well, in that case, we have to go,” said Twilight. “Um, good luck with figuring out your Pinkie-sense.”

“Where are you going?” asked Pinkie.

“To the Ponyville Gazette. I’m turning in my article for the Cherry Blossom festival.”

Pinkie placed a hoof under her chin. Her eyes widen, believing that whatever is making her Pinkie-sense go out of control has something to do with the Cherry Blossom festival. She hugged Twilight, thanked her and hurried off, promising to reveal to them what it was when the time came.

“What do you think the big reveal will be?” asked Spike.

“It’s better if we don’t try to find out,” said Twilight. “Knowing Pinkie, the answer will probably be something very ridiculous.”

The topic was dropped, and Twilight and Spike continued on their way to the Ponyville Gazette. However, Spike brought his eyes to the blue sky and clouds. He couldn’t help but become curious as to what Pinkie was so worried about.