Seeds of Doubt

“Morning, Twilight!” Spike greeted the sleepy pony as she made her way down the staircase; still yawning. “Breakfasts on the table” he pointed to a bowl of warm oatmeal.
Nodding her head and smiling, Twilight greeted him. “Did you finish that report last night?”
“Done and dusted!” Spike replied.
“Sorry I had to keep you up all night. I know the wedding celebrations last night must’ve really made you tired.”
“No problem. I sent it off this morning.” He proceeded to pick up a cloth and begin dusting down the bookshelves.

“Any news this morning?” Twilight enquired. “Has the mail been delivered yet?”
The lavender dragon paused for a moment. “Uh…” he’d become uneasy in a matter of seconds. “Spike? What is it?” she asked, concern building.
“There’s something you need to see, Twilight…” Spike discarded the cloth and made his way to the table, a piece of paper in hand. “These… fell out of the sky this morning. The Princess ordered the pegasi to drop them…”
Twilight snatched the document from his hands with a levitation spell and began reading.

My loyal subjects,
It has become increasingly apparent that we are under threat from the Changeling army.
“Changelings?” the unicorn exclaimed. “But… But I saw her defeated!”
I have reached the conclusion that we have no choice but to protect our borders with a barrier to prevent invasion. As your Princess and leader, I have declared that each day, unicorns who have had at least three years magical ability are to donate five percent of their daily magic at the nearest medical facility. This will power our borders. Unicorns are to strictly observe these conditions each day.
Twilight became panicked. “I… I don’t understand. Why hasn’t Princess Celestia discussed this with me!?”
If we are to have a bright future, all unicorns are to contribute. I have issued that all pegasi are to return to Cloudsdale to await further instruction. Earth ponies are to remain where they are.
Your loyal Princess,
Princess Celestia of Equestria

“Uhh… Twilight? Are you ok?” Spike went to place a hand on the unicorn’s shoulder but she rushed up the staircase towards the bedroom; cursing and distraught.
“Do you know what this means Spike?” she said, packing her saddlebag.
“Oh, I’m sure that The Princess is just doing what she thinks is best to keep us safe. And it’s only five percent. You have loads of magic. You could really help build this barrier” he tried to calm her to no avail.
“I have to go. This is a serious claim!” she levitated her saddlebag and put it over her back; trotting towards the door in a frenzy.
“I’m sure it’ll all be over in a week or two” the dragon shrugged. “Wait. Aren’t you going to finish breakfast?”
“No time” Twilight stuttered.
“At least tell me where you’re going.”
“To see Rarity!” she called. She dashed from the door; the sound of her hooves quickly fading into the distance.