The day after Sparkler contacted Cadence about her jitters about getting more intimate with Twilight, They were sitting on a couch in the castle library, reading the latest Daring Do book together. “This is nice.” Twilight commented. “No monsters, no royal duties, just us, together, reading a good book.” She said.

“Yeah. This is just what we need every now and then.” Sparkler responded. Her mind went back to the talks she had with both Cadence and Luna. She took a deep breath, before turning to Twilight. She didn’t get to say a word before they heard a knock on the front door. Sparkler, having a good idea of why there was a knock, got up from the couch and headed to the front door. She knew that Flash was out on a date while Starlight was out with Trixie and Flappy was having flight class with his kids, which left either Spike forgetting his key, one of their friends, or somepony who was there for Sparkling Harmony Records. I’ll talk to her later. She thought as she opened the door…to see a mare she didn’t recognize smiling at her.

“Hello, are you Sparkling Medley?” The mare asked.

“I am. Who might you be?” Sparkler asked curiously

“My name is Night Shine. I was wondering if you and Princess Twilight were available?” Night Shine asked.

Sparkler couldn’t place it, but she suddenly got the feeling that this Night Shine mare wasn’t there for something ordinary. She turned to one of the newly installed intercom boxes and paged the library. “Hey Twilight? Were you expecting a mare named Night Shine today?” She asked.

“No?” Twilight responded. “What does she want?”

Sparkler was about to ask Night Shine, before Night Shine spoke up before her. “I would prefer if we could discuss my reason for being here inside, to allow for more privacy.” She said.

“Bring her to the Throne room.” Twilight responded. “Let’s hear what she has to say.”

“Alright.” Sparkler responded. She cut the connection and returned her attention back to Night Shine. “Come on in. I’ll take you to the Throne Room.” She said as she let Night Shine in.

Night Shine nodded and followed Sparkler to the throne room. “Ahem, Before we get there. I’ll just get it out of the way now. I’m a huge fan of your work.” Night-Shine told Sparkler. “I listen to Gloria every day.”

Sparkler blushed. “Thanks.” She said.

“Really, It’s just such an honor to be here. I was thrilled when I was told to come extend our invitation to you.” Night Shine responded.

“Our invitation?” Sparkler asked. “Invitation to what?”

“I’ll elaborate once Princess Twilight is with us. Better to explain it once than twice.” Night Shine responded.

Sparkler nodded, a few moments later, they entered the throne room to find Twilight already there. Twilight heard the doors opening and saw Sparkler and who she guessed was Night Shine enter. “Hey Sparkler. This Night Shine?” She asked.

“Yes she is…Or so she claims.” Sparkler responded.

“Your Majesty.” Night Shine addressed Twilight while bowing in respect.

Twilight had long ago accepted that ponies were going to address her like that, so she let it slide. “So. What brings you here Night Shine?” She asked.

Night Shine got back up from her bow and reached into her saddle bag to pull out a card. “I’m here on behalf of my organization. And we’d like to extend an invitation to the both of you to join us.” She said, holding out the card in her teeth for one of the magically inclined ponies in the room to take.

Twilight lit her horn and took the card in her magic. Both she and Sparkler only saw two bold golden words on it. ‘Clocktower Society.’ Sparkler glanced at Twilight, who looked equally as confused as she was. What was this, Clocktower Society? “Uhm…I’m sorry I don’t think either of us have ever heard of this…Clocktower Society before.” Sparkler said.

Night Shine smiled as she reached into her Saddlebag again. “I suspected as much. We prefer total secrecy, only members, and reigning monarchs are allowed to know about it. For example, had your temporary reign become long-term Sparkler, you would have been informed of our existence.” She explained. As she pulled out a document and placed it on the map table.

“So Luna and Celestia know about this…Clocktower Society?” Twilight asked.

“Indeed.” Night Shine said. “In fact, Princess Luna is actually the one to recommend you two for membership.” She said.

Sparkler’s and Twilight’s eyes widened as they glanced at each other again. Princess Luna recommended them? “Princess Luna recommended us?”

“Why did she not say anything?” Sparkler and Twilight asked.

“She couldn’t. No creature is able to speak of it after they’ve signed this contract.” Night Shine said.

Sparkler and Twilight both looked at the document, and it was pretty simple to understand. If they were to sign it, both would be unable to speak of what the Clocktower Society was to outsiders. “There’s really no harm in signing this.” Night Shine said. “It’s literally just like a key to a locked diary. You sign it, I am able to go into greater detail about our organization, and if you decide it’s not for you then the magic bound to this contract makes it like this visit never happened.” She explained.

Sparkler and Twilight glanced at each other, before Twilight glanced at Night Shine. “Anything you can tell us before we sign this?” She asked. “Anything at all?”

“Just that our society allows ponies to indulge themselves without public persecution. A safe place as it were.” Night Shine said.

Twilight glanced at Sparkler, who shrugged and lit her horn, summoning a pen. Both she and Twilight signed the contract, And the contract glowed green, and a zipper appeared in front of Night Shine, unzipping before disappearing. Night Shine smiled as she tucked the contract back into her saddle bag. “Excellent.” She said.

“So, What more can you tell us about this Clocktower Society?” Sparkler asked.

“If neither of you are busy. One of the Society’s many entrances is not far from here. In the Ponyville Clocktower.” Night Shine responded. “I can show you around, tell you more about it, and if all goes well, you two could be a part of something fun in the next couple hours.” She said.

Sparkler and Twilight blinked. The Clocktower? Both of them had been inside that building in the past, to get Pecker out of a pickle he got himself into, and all they saw was a box with floors inside. Nothing to indicate a secret Society…Which might have been the point. “There’s a secret portal in there isn’t there.” Twilight deduced.

“Correct.” Night Shine responded. “So, Do you want to see what’s REALLY inside the Clocktower?” She asked.

Sparkler and Twilight glanced at each other, before smiling towards Night Shine. “Lead the way.” They said. Curious and excited to see something new.

To be continued…

Author's Note

Ok. I will admit that maybe these first two chapters could have been merged into one. I'll try to use better judgement in the future.

THX FOR READING!