Ready as I'll Ever Be

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"A long time ago, approximately ten or so years ago, there was a storm. Nopony remembers exactly when it took place, but it wasn't particularly anything noteworthy. Here in the Frozen North, we're used to getting more than our fair share of snow and cold. That's why we've adapted by growing a thicker coat than that of a normal pony's. Ever wondered why most of us don't wear much winter gear?"

Amethyst Rose chuckled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear from where it fell out. Her expression once again became grim as her violet - colored magic aura enveloped a series of papers and books, which she diligently flipped through. "But that's not the entire story, obviously. I asked around...

"According to the older ponies of this town, there was a filly. Nopony remembers her name but they describe that she'd likely be around my age now, meaning she'd have to have been about eight or so then. They described it as the biggest snowstorm the Frost Village has seen in over a hundred moons; so dangerous, in fact, that everypony had to hole themselves indoors to assure that they stayed safe. It was mandatory I'd think, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. So imagine this little girl just running across the snow, the white flying so fast and so angry you wouldn't be able to see your hooves in front of your face.

"Only a few even remember what happened next - she vanished. That's what they said. After the storm was over and done with, a lot of the town was destroyed or really badly damaged. Mayor made an announcement sometime later claiming that the princesses refused to help us. The weird thing is that nopony remembered that, not even me! I had to get Mayor to give me a recording of his short li'l speech, and I'm still on the fence. But rumors went around saying that the princesses did this and the princesses did that. Some of 'em are so outlandish I can't believe it, like Princess Cadence having an alicorn baby, when everypony, no matter where they are, knows that you can't birth an alicorn."

While Rainbow Dash started a rather unnecessary argument about alicorn conception, Twilight started to zone out, thinking about and processing all the information she recently received. There were so many holes, so many missing pieces of the puzzle. It was obvious that the ponies of this town weren't even completely sure where they stood as far as the alicorn royals of Equestria. One thing was for certain though: this "Mayor" had to be the source of this information.

"Amethyst, who is this 'Mayor' you were mentioning?" Twilight asked, instantly silencing her friend.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Um... n - nopony knows his real name, so we call him Mayor. He practically runs this place. If you'd like, I - I can-"

"That won't be necessary!"

All eyes turned to the door, which now stood wide open, much to Amethyst Rose's combined horror and confusion.

"Olive Glow?" Twilight practically whispered. "How did you find us?"

The ditzy earth pony flushed red, tugging on her scarf as if it'd help her out of this situation. "Well um, I might've followed Amethyst back here a few times before, so I knew where to find you guys..."

"You did what?!" Amethyst screamed in reply, nearly charging at the young mare.

"...But that's not the point! I heard you say you were looking to find Mayor, am I wrong Princess Twilight? I could take you to him!"

"Were you eavesdropping on us?!" Amethyst shouted further, seemingly forgetting the presence of the other ponies in the room. "Olive, I told you about doing that-!" The unicorn was silenced by a yellow hoof muzzling her mouth, resulting in a low growl on her end.

"Anyway, if y'all follow me, I'll take you right to 'im! I should warn ya though, he can be a bit of a grump."

The five ponies behind Twilight exchanged worried and confused glances, Fluttershy more so than the rest. The alicorn herself, however, was more than eager. When she noticed the hesitation in her friends, she realized Olive Glow couldn't have been anything more than a stranger to them.

"It's alright, girls. Olive is a friend. She came by the inn earlier, remember?"

Applejack stepped forward. "I don't know just what kind of 'friend' would be eavesdroppin' on somepony's conversations and followin' ponies around... but if you trust her, Twi, we will too."

The others nodded in unison, and Olive Glow gave a small, nearly sheepish smile. "Well alright then! If y'all just come with me..."

The sky outside was darkening drastically, casting every unlit corner in shadows and darkness. The only light coming from the sky at all came in the form of bright aqua and pink lights, dancing through the sky like spirits at some sort of party. The six ponies all stopped once they noticed, twelve eyes turned up to the sky to witness the incredible natural feat. Olive noticed her party had stopped when she ceased to hear the extra hoofsteps behind her, and doubled back to see what had caught their eye.

"Ah yes." The young mare said, directing her vision up to the beautiful scene above. "The aurora borealis. It isn't too uncommon up north where we are. It's beautiful, isn't it?" She chuckled, "Well, come on, y'all wanna meet Mayor don't'cha?"

With much reluctance, the six ponies hustled along through the cold to a rather stout little hut hidden between two equally small shops, although their outer appearances were far more inviting. Olive grinned and landed a few hard knocks on the dark wooden door. There came no response. Frowning deeply, she knocked again, harder this time. Still no response. She pressed her face against one of the frozen windows, once again shockingly unfazed by the cold. Olive stepped back, suddenly slapping a hoof against her forehead.

"Oh gosh! I can't believe I forgot, he's away on a trip to the forest just out of town."

"Away?" Twilight, who was once again taking on the appearance of Roseluck, asked. "What do you mean he's away?"

"I mean he's away." Olive shrugged. "The forest is where we get most of our resources, so of course a trip to and from there is mandatory."

"This seems a little too coincidental." Rainbow Dash stated, magenta eyes narrowing. "You offer to take us to visit the mayor and he just happens to be away?"

Rarity nodded. "How come Amethyst Rose didn't seem to know he was gone? She was going to offer to bring us before you-"

"Girls!" Twilight practically shouted in Roseluck's voice, making her sudden outburst all the more alerting to her friends. "I can't believe you, all of you! Olive was nice enough to offer her help to us since we got here."

The five other mares responded with a mixture of fearful, annoyed, and just plain upset expressions before Olive sighed and stepped forward herself. "No, Princess Twilight, they're right. I led you all out here with empty hopes. I just wanted to help you all. And since you know about the town's hatred for alicorns now, I want to help even more. One could only imagine the strange and uncomfortable transition, and now you can't even leave!"

Somehow that short speech didn't end up making the situation any better, resulting in an awkward silence from the group of newcomers that attracted the attention of a few passersby, unsure whether they were frozen from the cold or engaging in an extremely intense statue contest.

Olive Glow cleared her throat, silently urging the townsponies to keep it moving, before once again addressing the group before her. "Why don't you all go back to the inn for the night? It's getting late, and you all have had a pretty long day."

Nodding, Rarity led the group back to Merry's inn, Pinkie Pie bouncing jovially at the thought of seeing her "friend" again. Twilight, still in Roseluck's body, hesitated. The spell would wear off soon and it was doubtful she'd be able to keep casting it, or even remember to once it wore off. Noticing her hesitation, Olive placed a hoof on the alicorn - turned - earth pony's shoulder, sending a chill down her spine.

"You don't have to go if you don't to, Princess, you can stay at my place again, and until y'all are able to go home."

Twilight let out a sigh of relief, her breath coming out in a visible white puff of oxygen. "Thanks, Olive. And I told you, just Twilight is fine."

The young mare nodded, "Of course... Twilight."

The cottage was warm and quiet, reminding Twilight again of the treehouse library she had once run and lived in when she first met her friends. So many adventures had been had in the Golden Oak Library. They tamed a dragon, had sleepovers, found the Elements of Harmony... and the building containing those memories had been destroyed by Tirek, simply because she was an alicorn. So many things had happened as a cause of her becoming an alicorn. A princess. For a moment, Twilight found herself missing the days when she was just Twilight Sparkle, the resident librarian and part - time Element of Harmony. She missed the days when she didn't need to worry about settling kingdom - wide friendship disputes or stopping a multi - species war. She missed the days when it was just her and Spike, studying under Celestia in Canterlot.

Spike...

She missed him terribly, hoping he was alright back in Ponyville, spending his holiday with Starlight Glimmer. But... Cadence and Shining Armor... they were supposed to have arrived at the Crystal Empire over twenty - four hours ago. What were they going to-

"Are you okay, Twilight?" a soft voice asked, and Twilight jumped when she realized the small form of Olive Glow was lingering in front of her.

"I... I'm fine." The alicorn replied, giving a soft smile. "I was just thinking."

"What were you thinking about?"

What could she say? "My family..."

Sensing the subject may have made her feel a bit down, Olive wrapped her in a sudden, disarmingly warm hug, squeezing as tight as possible. "You were off to see them, weren't you? I'll bet you miss 'em don't you?" Olive practically whispered in a knowing tone. "It's alright, I miss mine too."

Before Twilight could ask what she meant, the hug ended, and Olive was standing before her like nothing happened, bright and chipper as ever. "I wanted to ask a tiny favor of you by the way, if you don't mind."

Twilight nodded, willing to do almost anything for the mare who had helped her out so much. "Of course, Olive, what do you need?"

"I need you to write a list of the types of pastries your friends like! I want to make them some things to make up for today. You can include yours as well if you'd like!"

Thinking back to the pancake incident that morning, Twilight found herself doubting how good of a gift baked goods from Olive would be, but the thought was sweet, and she said so.

"I just want you guys to feel safe while you're here!" Olive chirped, handing over a quill and parchment and then making her way back to her small kitchen, where a whistle had gone off. "I was boiling water for tea, by the way! I'll bring you some!"

Twilight nodded, turning to the paper and scribbling out the list of treats she knew her friends liked.

Applejack likes any apple - related pastry, pies especially... Fluttershy has a sweet spot for honey rolls... Pinkie Pie loves chocolate cake and rainbow sprinkles.....

Olive placed a small cup of tea on the table beside where Twilight was seated, and the alicorn smiled in thanks, finishing off the list and hoofing it over to the earth pony. Olive grinned a wide, Cheshire Cat smile before scurrying back into the kitchen, and Twilight sipped at her tea. It was light and sweet, and the calming scent of lavender wafted from the gaping mouth of the cup and into her nostrils, soothing the anxieties that had previously raced through her head. There was another scent as well, accompanied by an equally unfamiliar flavor, like what you would get if you mixed apple cider with cinnamon and strawberries. Finishing off the uniquely brewed tea, Twilight found her eyes getting much heavier than they had been mere seconds ago. Brushing it off as mere exhaustion, she stood and made her way to the staircase. However, she didn't make it up one step before she collapsed, nearly comatose in her resting position.