Moondancer read the letter, then started from the top. "Princess Celestia is giving me a test."

Twilight shook her head. "Did she explain how she arrived at this conclusion? What gave her that idea?" She leaned over to Moondancer. "Want me to talk to her about it?"

Moon gently nudged her girlfriend away with a faint smile. "I am happy. It has been some time since I was tested on my practical knowledge." She perked an ear. "Or do you imagine she will perform the test on friendship-related fields? A friendship test, so to speak?"

"I don't think Princess Celestia would make a friendship test." Twilight idly brought up her telekinesis and played with a feather in front of her. "At least, not intentionally." She bit her lip, suddenly coming up with a less fun thought. "Do you need my help? I'm available, of course."

Moon thumped her head against Twilight's, though not meeting her gaze. "You will continue your position here. I can perform a simple test. I will return with good news." She flicked an ear back. "If it was something other than a test, perhaps. But I'm not scared of a quiz. I'll show you a transcript, if you like."

Twilight shrugged lightly. "Sure." She tried to figure out how Moon was so calm about this. "What do you think you're being tested on?"

"Oh, various things." Moondancer looked up at the ceiling. "Magic perhaps? Friendship remains a high possibility. I have my notes on either topic ready." She touched noses with Twilight in a gentle moment before she turned away. "Spike?"

Spike came rushing down the steps. "What's up? That sounded like a 'we're about to do something' call."

"Yes, and no." Moon inclined her head. "Your presence is optional, but appreciated."

Spike closed the distance with curiosity on his face. "Presence for what, exactly?"

Twilight looped back around towards her counter. "She's being tested, by Princess Celestia!"

Moon nodded at this. "You are not strictly required. If you'd prefer to stay here and continue your studies and romantic explorations, I would not begrudge you."

Spike gestured towards Moondancer as he hopped onto Twilight's counter. "Let's go."

Twilight stamped a hoof, giddy with excitement. "I knew you'd want to help Moon!" She walked over to press her head against Spike's, bringing a faint blush to his face. "You're so thoughtful."

Spike poked her forehead. "Of course. She is my sister!"

Moon was quiet a moment before hugging Spike with one arm. "I appreciate it. We should go as soon as we're prepared."

Spike blinked up at her in surprise. "Um. Wow." He nuzzled back into the hug. "It'll be fun! What are you being tested on?"

"Various subjects." Moon headed for the door leading out of the library. "I am uncertain. Princess Celestia will inform us on arrival."

Spike followed, waving goodbye to Twilight. "Bye!"

Twilight returned it. "See you soon!"

Moon left the library and walked briskly towards the train station. "We shall make good time. My evaluation will not take long, I expect."

A train trip later, they made their way through Canterlot to the castle. The guards waved them in without opposition and they arrived before both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

"Good day, princesses." Moon sat down in front of the two princesses. "I am honored by this invitation. Your hospitality is always appreciated."

Celestia tilted her head with a gentle smile. "And good to see you two. Moondancer, is that a quill?"

Moon glanced at the floating quill just before her. "I am prepared for the examination you mentioned in your letter?"

Celestia raised a hoof, though smiling gently. "I did mention that, but this is not a test you can complete with a quill. The Crystal Empire has returned."

Moondancer brought her bushy brows together. "Crystal Empire. I do not recall that name in my studies."

"There wouldn't be." Celestia beckoned Moon closer. "Few remember it existing at all. Even my knowledge on the Empire is limited. But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire."

Spike tapped his chin. "That sounds bad. I guess we're going there to deal with him?"

"No." Celestia gently shook her head. "King Sombra was vanquished one thousand years ago, and the Empire went missing. He's the reason why. As he was banished, he unleashed a terrible curse, sending the entire Empire away. It has returned." She paused. "I may have misspoken. He may have returned with it. You may have to deal with him, but we can't be certain until you're there."

Moondancer was quiet a few long moments. "My test is to, hm, what is my test exactly?"

Celestia responded smoothly. "We need you to go to the Crystal Empire and help Cadance break King Sombra's curse. You'll also help as you can for the Empire to get its hooves beneath it. They've been gone for quite a while, and will need the assistance." She rose to her full considerable height. "Before you go, I want to show you something." Her smile returned. "It's magic."

Celestia backed away. "Sombra was a pony of dark magic. You may need some of it, to counter him, and to deal with his magic. We ponies are creatures of light. Darkness does not come naturally." She displayed control of shadows before her student in a riot of dark greys and purples. "I hope you do not need it, but better to have it."

Moondancer mumbled assent to this statement. "May I please record this?" She pointed at the shadows. "With my quill?"

Celestia beamed softly. "Go ahead. Do what you must, so you are prepared. This will be your next test, one I feel confident you can and will pass."

Spike raised a hand. "Question! Can we take our friends with us, or is this a solo kind of thing?"

"Please do. I want all of you to see the Crystal Empire." Celestia waved them off. "Now go. Be on your way."

Moondancer inclined her head as she backed up towards the door. "We will return with a full report on the experience." In a moment, Moon and Spike were gone, fled back the way they came.

Luna inclined her head. "Do you think she can do it?"

"With her friends at her side? Yes. I have complete faith." Celestia leaned against Luna gently. "We must have some faith and let her show how much she has grown."

"Yes." Luna settled in to wait. "She will grow with our support."

On the trip back, Moondancer read her notes over. "I have everything." She tapped a spot in the book. "That shadow magic used some methods I had not tried before, but they were not complex. I feel ready, should that come up. We must inform the girls of this impending trip."

Spike leaned into her side. "Sure. That sounds good." He took a deep breath. "This is going to be a long trip, huh?"

"It will be. But I'm not terribly worried. We are ready." She inclined her head. "Besides, we'll be on a train. There isn't much difference between a long train ride and a short one." She went still suddenly. "I am being rude. I apologize. Do you wish to bring your girlfriend along?"

Spike's eyes shot wide. "What? Oh, no. No no. Um." He licked his lips. "I wouldn't mind seeing her at all, but I don't think she'd do well on a trip like this."

Moon brought a hoof to her chin. "Are you certain? I would, if they were my girlfriend, ask."

"I don't think we're there yet." Spike tapped his knees. "I don't know. She's awesome and all, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that."

Moondancer twirled her quill slowly as she thought it over. "You seem nervous. Why? You've gone on trips with her before."

"We have!" Spike swallowed hard. "I guess... It feels like I could really hurt her feelings, by leaving her behind for something important like this."

Moon didn't disagree with this assessment. "Then why wouldn't you invite her? If she comes along, you avoid that unfortunate possibility of her being hurt by being left behind."

"No. I'd hate to ask her to come and then it turns out to be a total bore. She's tough, but she needs breaks too. It's a big change from Ponyville." Spike curled up on his seat, not looking very confident in his own words.

Moondancer put an arm around him. "Show her a little faith. Ask. If she doesn't want to, she seems, um. I think she'd just say no."

Spike rubbed his neck with one hand. "Yeah. You're probably right." He leaned into her side, enjoying the close contact for now. "Are you nervous?"

"No. The Crystal Empire can't be worse than any other land." Moon brightened with the thought. "Besides, I will have quality assistants. Twilight, Applejack, you. Not to mention the other girls, and even your girlfriend, likely. Diamond Tiara, I wonder what she will think of the Crystal Empire. They likely have diamond tiaras for her to browse."

Spike snorted with a weak laugh. "Yeah, and fancier stuff too. You know she likes the expensive stuff."

"I hope we are able to find some kind of treasure for her." Moon held her brother fondly as they descended the mountain.

The train arrived in Ponyville and they jogged off it, headed for the library. Moondancer got the door and did a little canter in place. "Twilight! There's news!"

Spike threw open the door, tumbling inside with a cackle. "We're going on a trip!"

Twilight perked up, just handing a book over to a pony. "We are? How did the test go?"

Moondancer talked quickly, making a line for Twilight, "I will tell you all about it! I've already prepared a transcript for your future use."

Spike and Moon continued towards Twilight with matching grins.

Twilight burst into nervous laughter at the both of them. "Calm down. Tell me where you're foalnapping me away to."

Moondancer slowed as she arrived at Twilight's side. "The Crystal Empire has returned."

"Guess what that means!" Spike held up his hands and counted off on his claws. "First, we get to see this super cool empire thing. Then we get to go save it! Twice at least, from the sound of it! We have to go get all the girls for this."

Twilight gestured in a vague direction. "Rarity and Fluttershy are at Rarity's boutique. Rainbow Dash and Applejack should be easy enough to find." She lifted a brow. "But is this trip really something to be this excited about?"

Moon put a hoof at her chest. "This is my test. I would like to pass it. It involves far less paperwork than I would have preferred, but I don't want to fail it. Please."

Twilight rubbed the side of her face. "Um. Well, of course we're going. Just, you two are really over-the-top."

Spike swished his tail from side to side with an innocent grin. "We're just excited."

Moon put a hoof on Spike's head. "Take that excitement and go speak with your girlfriend. I would like to know if Diamond Tiara is coming or not."

Spike rubbed his forehead and jogged away, a little flushed. "Right. Good idea. Thanks."

Moondancer waited until he was gone before putting a hoof on Twilight's side. "Are you alright? I apologize if this was too sudden a request."

Twilight nuzzled her, though she stayed a little stiff. "No, no. I just. Hm. Are you really ready for this? The Crystal Empire sounds important. Big. What if you fail?"

Moon closed to hug Twilight. "Then we will fail together. I think this is unlikely. Princess Celestia seems to believe in me, and I want to believe in myself. For her."

Twilight hugged her back with a little sigh. "You're going to make me feel like a bad friend for doubting you."

Moon rubbed her cheek against Twilight's. "You are not a bad friend. You're a far better friend than I am. That is one of several reasons I would like you there."

Author's Note

It's time for a trip! All aboard! Is Diamond Tiara coming along?

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