Across The Pond

Once Strillian was in the Imperial Palace he made his way right to the Emperor's chambers. Being head of the Blades gave him unlimited access to pretty much anywhere he wanted. Once he was inside put his hand next to the torch by the door and used his magic to light it, then lighting every torch in the room until the entirety of the room was illuminated. Emperor Mede had yet to fallen asleep and simple watched as Strillian got rid of any shadows.

"Are you finished Strillian?" asked the Emperor. "What is this about anyway?"

"It's a bit to early for bed don't you think?" Strillian said nervously.

"I have an address to give early tomorrow morning. You know, the one where I announce the fact we are not at war. So you'd better have a good reason for barging into my private quarters" Emperor Mede said, keeping his voice soft.

"Well actual sir, there is something I wanted to talk about" Strillian confessed.

"Well I would hope you had a reason for coming here. Now, tell me what it is that's bothering you my boy" Emperor Mede told Strillian.

"I overheard your guard captain, Captain Scelian, talking with someone I did not recognize" Strillian began.

"Well I'm glad you barged in to tell me that. Goodnight Strillian" Emperor Mede said, waving for Strillian to leave.

"Well there is more to it than that sire, I'm sure you knew that. May I continue?" Strillian asked.

"Very well Strillian" Emperor Mede said.

Strillian then began to recount what had happened, remembering word for word everything that was said. Once Strillian had finished saying what he came to say he sat in silence. Emperor Mede allowed the information to sink in before speaking.

"Are you sure that is the name you heard?" Emperor Mede asked.

"Yes sire, and the voice matched it as well" Strillian answered.

"Well then we have an issue, an issue I will deal with in the morning. In the meantime stay here in the castle, we can't be sure they didn't see you and are waiting for you somewhere" Emperor Mede said.

Strillian gave a short bow and said "Thank you sire" before exiting Emperor Mede's private quarters, putting out all the torches on his way out.

Emperor Mede sighed, then he laid his head on his pillow stayed awake for the next hour in complete silence.

The training in Cloud Ruler Temple had slowly become more and more intense with each passing day. The five friends had taken a day off and spent it together. It was dark now and they were in the courtyard drinking when a large, fiery object came flying in their general direction. They were about to run when they realized it wasn't an attack.

"Is that ..." Applejack trailed off, in awe at the majestic sight.

"Philomena" Fluttershy said, completing what Applejack had not.

Philomena landed next to Rainbow Dash, who was still in shock at such an unexpected sight. Certainly Philomena was the furthest thing from her mind right now, and yet, here she was.

"What is that in her talons?" asked Rarity.

Rainbow Dash took the letter and unrolled it. She looked over it quickly and said "It's a letter from Twilight."

"Well don't be stingy, what does it say" Applejack said, trying to look around to see the letter.

"Not much" Rainbow Dash said before starting to read it aloud.

"Dearest friends,

I have been away from you for so long. I was told you were only a few hours north of where I am so I am having Philomena take this letter to you to make you aware I am currently staying in the Imperial City. There is so much I want to talk about but wouldn't know where to begin to start writing.

Please make your way to this city, I miss you all very much.

Twilight Sparkle"

There was a moment of silence that Pinkie Pie broke almost instantly.

"Well that's only a few hours away, lets go" Pinkie said happily.

"Now hold on Pinkie Pie, maybe we should wait till morning" Applejack said.

"I just can't believe I learned all the medical stuff for nothing" Rarity muttered.

"Well we still need a way home so it might not have been for nothing" Rainbow Dash told her.

"Can't we just leave now and surprise her when she wakes up?" Pinkie Pie asked Applejack.

"We can just put it to a vote, all in favor of waiting till morning once we've all rested raise yer hoofs" Applejack said, raising her hoof. Rarity raised her hoof too but she was the only one.

"Well that settles it" Pinkie Pie said excitedly. "Everypony grab your stuff we are going to see Twilight!"

Applejack sighed "Ah reckon fair is fair, come on Rarity lets get ready."

Twilight had barely gotten any sleep at all. The same scene replaying in her memory like a broken record. By the time Twilight had gotten to sleep it was only about two hours until sunrise.

Twilight's eyes slowly began to open when she was awoken by the sound of birds chirping. When Twilight's eyes had fully opened and she looked around she didn't see the familiar castle room she was in last night. Now all she were two, big blue eyes.

Twilight cried out in a mixture of confusion and fear and fell off the bed. When she popped her head back up on the other side she was greeted with a sight she was starting to worry she'd never see again, her friends.

Since Twilight was still frozen in shock at the unexpected sight. She did send a letter to them last night but for them to be here already. It was light she was dreaming. Twilight was tackled to ground in a mighty embrace administered by hug master Pinkie Pie. The rest of her friends followed suit and they were having one big group hug.

"I've missed you all, so much" Twilight said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Come on egghead, did you really think we wouldn't go out looking for you? Now stop crying you're gonna bum me out" Rainbow Dash said playfully.

"I love all of you" Twilight said, allowing herself to feel the warm comfort of having her five closet friends around her for the first time in what feels like an eternity.