Twilight Alone

After levitating one last book onto its proper shelf, Twilight Sparkle released her spell and the soft glow of unicorn magic faded from her horn. She walked back and forth in front of the shelf, surveying the results of her monthly re-shelving. “Hmm. Spike, where is our copy of Trustworthy Transmogrifications?”

Spike shrugged. “Sweetie Belle still has it. Last week she asked for help changing the shape of a tree, and you thought that book would help.”

“... right. That seems like a bad idea in hindsight. She’s so eager to earn her cutie mark that she might try something reckless with some of those spells. Maybe I should have loaned it to Rarity instead; that way Sweetie Belle wouldn’t be able to use it without supervision.” Twilight sighed. “Oh well. Thanks, Spike. Anything left?”

Spike walked over to the nearby table and picked up a large roll of parchment that contained Twilight’s to-do list for the day and scanned it for unchecked items; it took several seconds and nearly three feet of parchment before he answered. “Yes, but Derpy hasn’t arrived with the new books to be catalogued. Everything else is done.”

The unicorn sighed and sat down on the floor. “All right. Let’s take a break.”

“Great!” Spike threw down his quill and the checklist and ran upstairs. Probably going to take a nap, Twilight thought with a smile. Trying think of her plans for the rest of the day but instead found her thoughts drifting back to her brother’s wedding. The second attempt at his wedding had gone perfectly, and from the letters she’d received since then, she knew he and Princess Cadance were happy.

Twilight, however, had not been happy for the last several days. When she’d first started having negative feelings, she had thought it was just the loss of her brother’s attention as he started his new life. Since then she had been able to dismiss that idea, knowing that although she did miss him, she was grateful that he was happy in his new life. The mixed feelings continued to eat at her, causing her to feel more irritable than usual. Her inability to discover the source acted as further aggravation.

Not wanting to leave the situation unresolved, Twilight thought back over the events that led up to the wedding. Everything started off on the wrong hoof when I found out Shining Armor was getting married in a letter from Princess Celestia, instead of directly from him. That wasn’t his fault, though. He had to protect Canterlot from the threat against the city that had been made. Next, there was Princess Cadance and how much she’d changed since she was my foalsitter. She didn’t even remember me! Of course she didn’t, because she was really a changeling and the real Cadance was a prisoner. I didn’t know changelings existed at the time, so I couldn’t have known why she was acting so strangely.

Twilight scratched her ear.

I tried to tell my friends how awful Cadance had become, but they didn’t take me seriously. Instead they thought I was just jealous that my brother was going off to start a new life with her. Not even Princess Celestia believed me when I confronted Cadance at the rehearsal. Twilight frowned. They didn’t know her like I did though, and with all the preparations going on, they were too distracted to see what I saw. It’s not really their fault, I guess. The fake Cadance was good at fooling people. Besides, even I doubted myself after Shining took her side and everyone went to comfort Cadance, leaving me alone.

Twilight sighed, looking out the nearby window. I was right, though! Cadance reappeared while I was still alone and used her magic to imprison me beneath Canterlot. It was down there that I found the real Cadance and learned the truth. The two of us escaped and got back in time to stop the wedding. Fake Cadance revealed that she was really the changeling queen when we did, and a fight broke out. It all worked out in the end, with Canterlot being saved and the wedding going off perfectly on the second attempt. Since everything turned out all right, why is it still bothering me so much?

Her brooding was interrupted by the sound of the library doors being violently flung open, heralding the arrival of Rainbow Dash. “Hey, Twilight!”

Twilight forced a smile, stood up, and turned around. “Oh, hi, Rainbow.”

“Well, today’s the day! The new Daring-Do book! Where is it?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Rainbow. The mail hasn’t arrived today, so I don’t have my new books, that one included.”

Rainbow Dash frowned and her ears laid back. “What? But I’ve been waiting for weeks!”

“Don’t worry! I’ve got other books that I think you’ll like. Here, take a look.” Twilight levitated a book over, holding it in front of Rainbow Dash. “This featu... Before she could complete a single word, Rainbow interrupted her.

“Pass, ” Rainbow said after glancing at the cover, sounding bored.

Twilight frowned, then set the book down and levitated Starlight to Rainbow. “This is one of my personal favorites! It features a young mare trying to befriend an Ursa and I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Next,” Rainbow said dismissively, waving a hoof.

By the fourth book, Twilight was grinding her teeth. Rainbow’s rejections came so quickly that Twilight never had a chance to describe the books or explain why Rainbow might enjoy them. As Twilight started raising another, Rainbow didn’t even look at it. “Never mind, Twilight; I’ll just find something myself.”

As Rainbow walked over to look at the shelves, Twilight’s anger boiled over. She teleported herself in front of the pegasus, who recoiled.“Fine! You never listen to me anyway!”

Rainbow Dash stared at Twilight for a moment, concerned. “Uhh, Twilight? Everything okay?”

Having realized that she had just yelled at her friend, Twilight’s anger faded just as quickly as it had emerged. She took a second to compose herself. “Sorry... it’s just been a long week.”

“Oh, all right. Should I come back another time?” When Twilight nodded, Rainbow turned and walked out. I doubt that Rainbow really believed that, but I’m grateful she didn’t press the matter. Feeling emotionally drained, Twilight simply lay down where she’d been standing and stared at the shelves. “What’s wrong with me?”

Despite being her pride and joy, the collection of books didn’t answer, no matter how long Twilight stared at them.

Three hours passed, and night settled over Ponyville. Realizing that she should eat something, Twilight slowly stretched her legs and stood up. However, after taking a few steps to the kitchen, she realized that she wasn’t hungry, and instead she left the library to go for a walk. Initially she had no destination in mind, but after seeing the stars come out she decided she wanted to sit and think under the night sky. That led her to head towards Sweet Apple Acres. The farm’s hills offered several clear vantage points of the night sky as well as a lovely view of the moonlit apple orchards, and it was remote enough to offer privacy. Upon arriving at the farm, Twilight found the largest hill that had an area without trees. There Twilight sat down and stayed, brooding again. She’d lost track of time again when her thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind her.

“Uhh, Twilight? What are ya doin’ out here this late?”

Twilight turned around to see Applejack and her dog, Winona. Not wanting to company but also not wanting to seem rude, Twilight forced a smile. “Oh, Applejack. Just went for a walk and stopped here. I didn’t know anypony would be awake still.”

“We don’t usually get anypony visiting at night, and Winona must have seen you from the farm. Came to see what’s goin’ on.”

“Sorry... I can leave if you want.” Twilight stood up, looking away from Applejack as she prepared to leave.

“That’s all right, sugar cube, but this isn’t like you. Normally you stay up late in the library. Everything all right?”

Twilight sighed. Applejack’s straightforward honesty made Twilight feel like confiding in her, rather than coming up with another excuse. She sat back down, but continued to face away from Applejack. “No... I’ve been feeling down ever since we left Canterlot, and today I yelled at Rainbow Dash for no reason.”

Applejack sat down on the hill next to Twilight. “You haven’t been yerself lately Twilight. I’ve noticed. What’d Rainbow do?”

“Nothing, really. I ordered a new book she wants that was supposed to arrive today. It didn’t, so I offered her some other ones, but she rejected everything right away without even listening to me. I got angry and yelled at her.” Twilight lowered her head as her ears fell back, looking down in shame. “Oh Applejack... you think she will forgive me?”

Applejack put a foreleg around Twilight’s neck, giving the unicorn a reassuring hug. “Of course she will, Twi. That one doesn’t stay upset. She’ll have forgotten all about it by tomorrow. But what about you?”

Twilight lowered her head further. “What about me? I don’t know why I snapped at her.”

“Twilight... you got upset because Rainbow turned her nose up at your suggestions. She was too stubborn to listen to you?”

Twilight nodded.

“And you’ve been feelin’ blue since Canterlot, where...”

“Nopony listened to me!” Finding the cause of her mood boosted Twilight’s spirits, causing her ears to perk up as she raised her head to look at Applejack. The satisfaction of problem solving wore off quickly however, and she looked away once more. “Why didn’t you, Applejack? We’ve been through so much, how could you doubt me?”

Applejack got up and moved so Twilight was facing her again. “I don’t have a good answer Twilight. We know that it was wrong now, and we’re all sorry. But...”

“But? But what?”

“It’s just...” Applejack sighed, then continued. “You weren’t happy right from the start. We thought you were just jealous over your brother. That ya just didn’t wanna lose him. That dang changeling queen fooled us, and because of that we didn’t see what you saw. We’re sorry, Twilight... really.”

Twilight turned away from Applejack once more, not wanting to face her friend directly. “I know you are. But I was alone, Applejack. When I needed my friends most, not one of you was there. I’ve never been let down by my friends like this before. Even when Discord tried to split us apart, that was with magic. I’ve been upset and can’t seem to let it go. I don’t know what to do.”

“Why don’t you come to the farm with me, and we’ll get something to drink and talk? It helps to let it out.” Applejack put her forelegs around Twilight’s neck and gave the unicorn a hug.

“Thanks... but I think I’d rather just be alone right now.”

“Oh.” Applejack released Twilight before standing up. “Umm, all right. If you change your mind, come by anytime Twilight.” After one last glance, Applejack reluctantly turned and walked away, with Winona following her lead. Twilight didn’t move. Instead, she watched the moon creep across the sky. As the night wore on she tried to determine if there was a friendship lesson to be learned from the past few weeks.

“‘Dear Princess Celestia, I’ve learned today that you can’t count on your friends and need to be ready to do everything alone.’ Not much of a letter, and it is not fair to my friends. I wonder what the lesson to learn from this situation is?” Much like her books, the night sky failed to reply.

At some point during the night, Twilight fell into a fitful, restless sleep, but when the light of dawn caused her to awaken she felt exhausted and had no recollection of what she’d dreamed about. Wearily, she started back towards the library. Still wishing to be left alone, she carefully picked a route that kept her out of sight of the farmhouse and barn. With her attention focused in the direction of the buildings, she failed to notice Applejack in a nearby orchard watching Twilight with a worried expression.

Walking home, Twilight saw few other ponies out of their homes at this early hour. In Ponyville the day was just starting. Those who were awake greeted her with a smile or a cheery “hello,” but none seemed particularly interested in chatting. Walking past Carousel Boutique, Twilight turned slightly to give the boutique a wide berth. She had gone past it when she heard Rarity’s voice calling out from behind her. “Oh darling, you’re early! I’m not quite ready yet, but come in and make yourself at home! Fluttershy will meet us there.” Turning around, Twilight saw Rarity’s head sticking out a window. After a quick wave, Rarity’s head disappeared back into the boutique before Twilight could reply.

“Huh?” Twilight looked back at the boutique window where Rarity had been. “Why would Rarity expect me tod— oh, that’s right. She invited me to the spa today.” Twilight sighed. I’d rather be alone, but don’t want to let another friend down after yesterday. With that thought, she went inside.

The showroom of Carousel Boutique was immaculate, as always. What drew Twilight’s eye were the hats. There were far more hats than usual, of varying shapes and sizes, but a surprising number were wide-brimmed with accessories like feathers or flowers in them. Must be the new style, she surmised.

She had a minute to look at them before Rarity appeared. “Oh darling, not that one. This one over here is definitely you, and you simply must try i—” Rarity’s lips scrunched up as if she had swallowed something sour. “Twilight dear, did you roll around in the grass on your way here?”

Twilight blinked in surprise, then looked at herself. Sure enough, there were bits of grass and dirt stuck to her coat, and what appeared to be a twig caught in her tail. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment when she realized that she’d walked through town in such a state. “Oh, umm, sorry. I kind of fell asleep while watching the moon and haven’t been home yet.”

Rarity shook her head. “But that means you haven’t eaten either! You can’t relax when you’re dirty and hungry. This won’t do at all!” Before Twilight knew what was happening, Rarity’s magic surrounded her and she was thrown into a bath tub. “Now you just fix yourself up, and I’ll be in the kitchen!”

“But Rarity, I... oh never mind.” Twilight frowned, as Rarity had already left. Rarity would probably insist if I had said no, and a bath does sound nice. Knowing her, she’ll also try to give me one of those hats if she thinks I need cheering up. As good a friend as she is, I don’t want a gift like that right now. I need to sort my feelings out first. Hoping that feeling clean would improve her mood, Twilight washed herself with fervor.

When Twilight finished washing up and emerged clean and dry from the bathroom, Rarity was already magically moving bowls of food onto the table. Twilight’s mouth began to water just from seeing the food that had been prepared. The food itself was simple fare: daisies, bread, several kinds of jams, and fresh fruit. But everything was cut and laid out so delicately and with such precision that Twilight felt like she was about to eat a work of art. “Rarity, this looks amazing. How did you prepare all this so fast?”

“Oh, this? It’s nothing, just simple things. Unfortunately I don’t have the ingredients to make you something proper...”

Fearful that Rarity might become overly apologetic, Twilight cut the fashionista off. “It’s my fault you didn’t have any time to prepare; I came early, Rarity. I love it. Thank you so much.” Twilight smiled.

“Oh... well if you’re happy, then I’m happy.” Rarity smiled. “Everything’s ready if you are.” Rarity waited for Twilight to sit at the table before doing so herself.

After sitting down, Twilight filled a plate with several of the offered items. Before long both unicorns were eating, though Rarity was slower about it, with the grace and manners she exhibited. Even in this informal setting, the white unicorn took the time to dab at the corners of her mouth with a napkin after every bite. It’s funny that I was the one raised in Canterlot, and yet Rarity has far better table manners then I do.

Although Twilight found the meal comforting, the silence between the two ponies soon grew uncomfortable. Fearing that Rarity might ask what Twilight had been doing out last night, she decided to start out the impending conversation on a safer topic. “So... I noticed you have a lot of new hats.”

“Oh, I’m delighted you noticed!” Rarity squealed. “Why yes, large hats are the newest thing in Canterlot fashion, and I just...“ Twilight listened intently, secretly grateful to have something new to focus her thoughts on. Given the chance to talk about her work with an interested pony, Rarity would always leap at it. By time Rarity was winding down talking about the proper hat fabric to use with red flowers, the food was gone and it was nearly time to go.

“Thank you, Rarity. That was wonderful. Here, I’ll help you clean this up before we go to the spa.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that Twilight. It’s no trouble at all.” Rarity waved a hoof dismissively.

Twilight shook her head. “I insist. You made this wonderful meal for me, and I want to help you clean up.”

Rarity smiled. “Thank you, Twilight.”

The two unicorns rose and set to cleaning up, using their magic to lift the dishes away and wash them. Twilight found she had nothing to say, working quietly washing the dishes while Rarity dried them with a magically lifted towel and put them away.

Before long they were off to the spa. During the walk, Rarity turned her head to look at Twilight. “You’ve been quiet this morning, Twilight. Is everything all right?”

Twilight laughed nervously. “Oh, fine! Everything’s fine! Nothing to worry about here.” Twilight moved her eyes around, avoiding eye contact without moving her head.

“Hmm, I see.” Rarity frowned, but didn’t press the matter further.

When the two unicorns reached the spa, Fluttershy was waiting for them in front of the entrance. Her pink mane covered one of her eyes and part of her face, but her smile was easy to see. “Fluttershy, darling!” Rarity greeted the pegasus.

“Oh, umm... hi Rarity, hi Twilight.” Sweet, gentle Fluttershy... Twilight almost felt guilty for even thinking about being unhappy with her, knowing how hard Fluttershy would take it if she found out.

Not wanting to ruin a day at the spa, Twilight forced those thoughts away. “Hi Fluttershy. I’m glad you could make it. You ready to go inside?”

“Oh, of course.” Fluttershy looked at Twilight, the concern obvious on her face. “Umm, are you all right Twilight? You look tired.”

Twilight’s voice rose in annoyance. “I’m fine!” Twilight answered, regretting raising her voice immediately after seeing Fluttershy flinch from her overreaction. “Sorry, Fluttershy. I had a long night, that’s all.”

Rarity eyed Twilight questioningly, then turned to give Fluttershy a cheerful smile. “I for one can hardly wait. A visit to the spa will make us all feel better. Come on Fluttershy.” She then stepped inside, the pegasus in tow, and Twilight brought up the rear. As always, Rarity chatted up Aloe and Lotus, who were laying out towels and preparing for the three customers. Twilight, however, was distracted by her thoughts. I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that. Fluttershy just wanted to help. Her thoughts snapped back to the present when she was whisked off to the hot tub by Aloe and Lotus.

Rarity and Fluttershy spent much of the spa visit talking to each other, but Twilight found it difficult to join in the conversation. The relaxing spa treatments combined with her lack of sleep made her want to doze off, and her thoughts kept drifting to her recent unstable behavior towards her friends.

Fluttershy noticed how unusually quiet and unfocused Twilight was being during the mud mask, and after removing the cucumbers off her eyes she leaned towards Rarity to whisper in her ear. “Is something wrong with Twilight? She’s not herself.”

Rarity didn’t move while whispering a reply to Fluttershy. “She was up all night, I don’t know why. This spa visit will help, I think. We should let her relax for now.” Twilight heard the sound of whispering, but couldn’t make out what was being said. She decided against trying to eavesdrop.

“Oh, okay. I hope she’s all right.” Fluttershy sighed, then lay back down and returned the cucumbers over her eyes.

Twilight remained quiet for the remainder of the spa visit. After leaving the spa, the three ponies stood outside the door looking at each other. Fluttershy broke the silence. “Umm, Twilight? Are you feeling bett—” Fluttershy’s question was cut off as she gasped in surprise.

Twilight registered Fluttershy’s shriek at the same time as she realized that something had hit her and knocked her off her hooves. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the ground with another pony on top of her. “Hi Twilight!”

Twilight sighed in exasperation as she looked up. “Pinkie Pie.”

“Of course! Who else would run into you and give you a party invitation!”

“What?”

“It’s the six monthiversary of Rainbow getting a pet party tonight!” Pinkie had started bouncing up and down in place as she usually did, landing so that her hooves surrounded Twilight.

Twilight frowned. “Oh Pinkie...” Twilight coughed, still trying to catch her breath from being knocked down. “I’m sorry, I can’t make it.”

Pinkie stopped bouncing. “But it’s a party. You have to come!”

“No, Pinkie. I can’t come. Could you get off of me?” Twilight started trying to move, but found there was nowhere to go with Pinkie’s legs effectively blocking her.

Pinkie started fidgeting nervously, completely ignoring Twilight’s request to move aside. “But... don’t you like my parties?”

Oh, not this again. Twilight felt her anger rising once more, and her tail started swishing. She managed to keep her voice from rising. “Listen Pinkie, your parties are great. I’m just not in the mood right now.”

“Oh... but how can you not be in the mood to party? We haven’t celebrated since we got back from Canterlot!” Pinkie started bouncing again.

Twilight used her magic to hold Pinkie in the air long enough for Twilight to quickly stand up next to her. “Celebrate what? How you were so distracted by parties that you weren’t there when I needed your help at the wedding?”

Much like yesterday’s outburst, Twilight’s anger faded after lashing out. However, this time the victim was not the brash and confident Rainbow Dash, who would simply shrug it off. Twilight realized the damage she’d done when she saw the reactions of her friends. Pinkie Pie had stopped bouncing. She stood perfectly still except for her mouth, which quivered as if she were trying to speak, only no words came. Fluttershy cowered behind Rarity, who looked at Twilight with a mix of concern and her own anger.

Twilight recognized Rarity’s reaction as a protective instinct: all of her friends were protective of Fluttershy. For her part, Twilight lowered her head and looked at the ground. “I’m sorry Pinkie...”

Pinkie found her voice quickly after the apology. “Aaw that’s okay Twilight. A party is still a party even if not everyone can make it. Maybe we can have one on another day to cheer you up?”

Rarity was not going to drop the subject so easily. “You haven’t been yourself at all today, darling. What’s going on?”

Twilight didn’t look up. “I just... I’m sorry, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Oh no, we know something’s up!” The extra voice surprised Twilight. Turning around, Twilight saw Rainbow Dash hovering behind her, with Applejack standing just behind the pegasus. “I heard you yelling again, Twilight. What’s going on?” Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy’s voice could barely be heard over the background noise of Ponyville’s residents going about their daily business, but Twilight was able to make it out. “Did we do something to upset you?”

“Was breakfast not to your liking?”

“Do you want to have a different party?”

Surrounded by her friends and inundated with questions, Twilight felt trapped and afraid. She didn’t want to face them, not like this in the streets of Ponyville. Looking around frantically, she saw no way to escape. She began to sweat as she looked for a way out and didn’t see one. Her horn responded to her desperation on its own, and she involuntarily teleported away.

“What the! Oh no, she’s not gonna get away that easily!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she started flying off to search for Twilight. She was stopped by Applejack’s teeth biting into her tail. Rainbow looked back at Applejack, waving her legs in frustration. “Hey!”

“Simmer down, Rainbow! Let her go. You’ll just chase her farther away from us.”

“We have to do something to help her!”

Applejack mumbled, finding speaking while biting Rainbow’s tail difficult. “Loyal as always... but charging over there won’t help her.” Applejack released Rainbow’s tail.

“What do you mean, Applejack?” Rarity asked.

“She was at the farm last night, y’all. She barely slept, and we talked a spell. I can explain everything, but we should leave her alone for now. She’s upset and doesn’t know how to handle it. She feels like we let her down at the weddin’, and she’s pullin’ away now. I’ll tell y’all everything once we get someplace private.”

***

Day turned to night, and locked inside the library, Twilight was barely aware of it. After teleporting back and casting a shield around the building, she’d become distraught. Even Spike couldn’t get in when he had tried, though she knew that he wasn’t involved. She just couldn’t face anypony right now. He’d called out to her and asking if she was all right, but she didn’t respond. Another voice she couldn’t make out from inside her home had come to speak to him, and she hadn’t heard him since. Somepony must have talked to him and given him a place to stay. I’ll apologize to him later, along with my friends... again.

Her thoughts were a chaotic swirl, as she tried to make sense of her feelings. She alternated between disgust at her own behavior, despair at how she could act like that, and anger that her friends had abandoned her at the wedding. Her time in Ponyville had given her so many wonderful lessons about friendship, but none of her those helped her resolve the anger she was feeling. The only other time things had gone this wrong was due to Discord’s magic. There was no one else to blame this time.

Twilight found herself at the window in her bedroom, looking out at the moon again. “I wish I had another friend,” she said, though no one was there to listen. “Somepony who could help with this... whatever this is.” She sighed, closed her eyes, sat down on her bed, and started crying into her pillow. That distracted her from noticing that once again her horn was aglow, answering her plea on its own volition. As the night wore on, her shield spell faltered, then collapsed as the magic dissipated. It was too late for visitors from Ponyville, but within the hour Twilight was not alone.

“Twilight Sparkle. What troubles you?”

At first, Twilight froze. That voice? But how? I have a shield up! It can’t be... She turned, and her eyes confirmed the visitor’s identity. “Princess Luna! What are you doing here?”

Luna blinked, surprised at the question. “I do not understand, Twilight Sparkle. I felt your spell. Your plea. You called me here, did you not?”

“But... oh. Maybe I did.” Twilight stood up. “I’m sorry, Princess. I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

“You appear to have been crying, Twilight Sparkle. It is the responsibility of a friend to provide comfort, is it not?” Luna moved beside Twilight and extended a wing over and around the unicorn. Twilight leaned against Luna with a small smile on her face.

“Thank you, Princess. I’m really grateful you came to visit. Could we sit down, please?”

“Of course.” Luna unfurled her wing from around Twilight. Twilight tucked her legs underneath herself and lay down on her stomach. Luna followed, then gently extended her wing around Twilight again. Luna watched Twilight intently, waiting for her to speak about what was troubling her.

Twilight only waited a few seconds. “Things started going wrong at the wedding. Princess Cadance was acting oddly. You know about that, I’m sure.” Luna nodded. “I knew something was wrong almost right away, but when I tried to get my friends to help, they wouldn’t listen to me. They thought I was just jealous of Cadance. I had to confront her alone, and you know what happened after that.”

Luna nodded. “Yes. I regret not being there to aid my sister against the changeling queen.”

Twilight looked up at Luna. “That wasn’t your fault, princess. You need to rest during the day so you can guard Canterlot at night.”

“Yes, that’s true. It doesn’t make it any easier to hear that my sister was hurt. I did not come to talk about myself, however. Please continue.” Luna’s wing tightened around Twilight briefly, emulating a hug.

Twilight turned her head to smile at Luna. “I feel like my friends let me down, and I’ve been getting more and more upset about it. Yesterday afternoon, and again today, I lost control of those feelings. I get mad at my friends over little things because I’m still upset about that big thing. I know they’re sorry, but it’s not enough. I can’t seem to forgive them, even though I want to!”

Luna watched Twilight, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. “You have been my teacher about friendship, Twilight Sparkle. I am not sure how I may assist you. But perhaps...”

“Yes, Princess?”

“Back in my time, before the troubles... There was something of a tradition where colts and fillies around your age would leave home and go alone into the world. It was meant to be a great quest for insight and self-discovery. Though truthfully, as I descended into jealousy the practice was beginning to fade as well. Too many young ponies went for foolish reasons, such as to impress a special somepony. Today I’m told that it has died out entirely . But you are not so foolish, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Princess, are you saying that I should leave?”

Luna nodded. “You came to Ponyville to learn about friendship, did you not? Perhaps your next lesson is not in Ponyville. Perhaps to forgive and appreciate your friends, you need to be away from them for a time. That is what I am saying, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna’s wing squeezed Twilight gently.

Twilight frowned. Leave? How am I going to forgive them if I’m too far away to talk to them? Although, there won’t be any risk of snapping at them again if I’m far away. I don’t want to risk our friendship by acting like I have been. Can I really learn a friendship lesson on forgiveness by going somewhere that I have no friends? Princess Luna said that ponies did it all the time in the past, so maybe it will work for me today. It’s a better idea than being grumpy in Ponyville, that’s for sure!

Twilight nodded to Luna once her decision was made. “I see. Thank you, Princess. I think you’re right. I’ll do it!”

Luna smiled. “You have done so much for me, Twilight Sparkle. It pleases me to be able to reciprocate. If there is nothing else, I must return to Canterlot.”

“Of course, Princess. I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for coming to see me!” After bowing her head to Luna respectfully, Twilight walked downstairs and opened the door for the princess. Luna walked out into the night... and into Ponyville. Twilight found it odd that she didn’t just start flying away, but she wasn’t in a mood to wonder about it. She had packing to do.

***
Dawn was just breaking when Twilight left the library and started walking out of Ponyville. She had no particular plan on where she was going, but she had packed her saddlebags with books and other essentials and was going to follow the road. She’d left deliberately early to try to avoid running into anyone, preferring not to exert the energy teleporting a long distance with a full day of walking ahead of her. She regretted that decision when she reached the edge of Ponyville and saw her five friends on the road waiting for her.

Twilight looked away, feeling ashamed of her earlier behavior and unwilling to face them. “Hi...”

“Hi Twilight.” Rainbow Dash answered first, looking at Twilight with a smug expression. “Going somewhere?”

“Yeah... Look, I’m sorry. I just need to get away for a while to think things out.”

Rarity nodded. “We know.”

“You do? But how could you possibly know?” Twilight looked at Rarity, her eyes wide in a perplexed expression.

“Princess Luna, of all ponies, came by and talked to us last night. It was quite an honor to have the Princess in my shop, you know! Sadly she didn’t stay to look at my hats.” Rarity maintained her composure perfectly, except for a slight frown.

That must have been very disappointing for her, Twilight thought, feeling a bit of pity. “Princess Luna told you?”

Applejack spoke next. “Listen, sugar cube, we understand. Kind of. We’re not here to try and talk you out of it. If you need to do this, then we’re here to support you.”

They’re doing this so smoothly. I wonder if they planned who was going to say what? Twilight thought while listening to Applejack.

Pinkie Pie took over speaking immediately after Applejack’s last word. “We got you something for your trip!” She stuck her face deep into Rarity’s saddlebag to grab something at the bottom, drawing an annoyed rebuke from the white unicorn.

“Pinkie! Honestly.” Pinkie then came out with a quick flick of her head, tossing something in Twilight’s direction. As it dropped perfectly around her neck, Twilight saw that it was a necklace with a closed locket.

As Pinkie bounced and grinned to celebrate her perfect throw, Rarity looked back at Twilight and spoke. “A little something to remind you of home and friends, darling.”

This time, there was a pause. Twilight looked down at the locket and saw the fine craftsmanship. Seeing the many small gems covering it, she knew Rarity had put a lot of effort into it. She looked up and gave her friends the first heartfelt smile she’d had in days. “Thank you. I’ll be back, I promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Twilight acted out the promise with her hoof, carefully avoiding actually poking herself in the eye.

Pinkie nodded in approval at the promise, which was followed by another pause. Twilight looked around, waiting for the next speaker. She realized that Fluttershy hadn’t said anything yet, and turned her focus to the pegasus. Fluttershy quickly spoke up. “Spike wanted to be here, but he wore himself out worrying last night and is sleeping right now. We’re going to keep an eye on him for you, and on your library.”

“Thanks, you guys. I mean it. Here.” Twilight levitated a rolled-up letter out of her saddlebag and moved it in front of the five ponies, where Rarity used her magic to take hold of it. “I was going to mail this when I got out of town, but you might as well have it now. I’ll write when I get the chance, so you don’t worry. But for now, goodbye...”

Twilight gave each of them a hug, then without a word walked quickly past them down the road.

On the hill, the five ponies watched the road until she was out of sight before gathering around the letter.

Dear Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, & Rarity,

I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting. But I’m still upset about what you did, or didn’t do at the wedding. I want to forgive you, but I can’t right now. I need time away to clear my mind and get past this, because despite what happened, I don’t want to risk our friendship by continuing to act as I have been. I’ll be back once I’ve sorted this out. Please look out for Spike. I left him his own letter, but he may not understand why I have to leave.

Your faithful friend,
Twilight Sparkle.