Twilight lay in the soft, comfortable bed of her palace, wrapped in fine blankets that covered her almost entirely, leaving only her head exposed. Slowly, she rose and began to walk across her room, the gentle sound of her hooves on the marble floor leading her to the bathroom. Once there, still sleepy, she turned on the faucet and splashed some water on her face. The cold water ran down her cheeks, finally waking her up. "A new day, Twilight, another day," she murmured to herself.

Using her magic, Twilight carefully picked up a handkerchief, delicately woven with her initials and her cutie mark. She gently patted the damp areas of her face, looking at the handkerchief with a mix of nostalgia and pain.

Centuries ago, Twilight found it a bit excessive that Rarity would give her a handkerchief every time they reunited. Once Twilight became the ruler of Equestria, she focused entirely on governing, leaving very little time to spend with her friends, moments that were priceless to her. For Twilight, seeing her friends was the greatest gift, and she cherished every second she could spend with them. While Twilight had unlimited time, her friends did not, and one by one, they passed away. Twilight made sure to be present at each of their final moments. Now, she deeply regretted telling Rarity that such gifts were unnecessary.

Twilight gently folded and placed the handkerchief back where she had taken it from. She then returned to her bedroom, putting on her hoof guards and crown before calmly leaving her quarters. As she passed through the door, dozens of guards bowed to her before returning to their posts. Twilight smiled maternally and, seeing a young adult dragon standing outside her door with a list, couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"Good morning, Twilight! Are you ready to raise the sun, or should I add it to the list of duties?" Spike said, holding a list with a quill.

"Trying to be funny as always, Spike, but remember, before being the ruler of Equestria, I was the princess of lists," Twilight replied with a small laugh, noticing Spike's slightly old but well-kept scarf.

Twilight began her walk towards the balcony, and with each step, pairs of guards would bow and then rise to follow her. Spike walked beside her on her right. When they finally reached the balcony and opened the doors, the gentle morning breeze was already present, though the moon still hung in the starry sky. Twilight slowly accumulated her magic in her horn and spread her wings, lowering the moon to bring forth the day and reveal the bright star that once belonged to her mentor. Once she had raised the sun, Twilight kindly dismissed the guards, who returned to their posts, and then she and Spike walked towards the royal dining room for breakfast.

"Hey Spike... Wouldn't you like to take your scarf to a royal tailor? It looks like you've taken good care of it, but it wouldn't hurt to have it looked at by skilled hooves."

Spike slowly took his scarf and made a face of discomfort."I don't think that's necessary, Twilight... You know this scarf was a gift from Rarity. I appreciate your offer, but I'd really like to keep it... You know, just between me and her."

Twilight looked at Spike with a bit of sadness, fully understanding him. Spike still hadn't gotten over Rarity's absence, although Twilight quickly hid her emotions behind the well-practiced mask of the caring and maternal regent she had to be.

When they arrived at the dining room, breakfast proceeded normally. Twilight ordered the same thing she had for the past few years: some cupcakes as a starter, followed by a flower sandwich, and apple pie for dessert. Twilight mainly enjoyed the starter and dessert, even though they weren't as delicious as those made by her dear old friends. But just eating them brought a warmth to her heart that she always treasured along with her bittersweet memories.

Finally, the most tedious and long part of the day arrived: Twilight's court, which she attended almost every day, making her life monotonous and frustrating. Fortunately, Twilight could say that she, her friends, and her former School of Friendship bore fruit, as she only received simple, if not trivial, problems from nobles and high-status ponies who were whiny and demanding. So, Twilight sat on her throne with Spike by her side.

The court proceeded normally for Twilight, who was definitely tired of looking at the same paintings, columns, and guards while noble after noble came in to complain and demand nonsensical things. Twilight would simply affirm that their requests would be reviewed, hoping they would forget their absurd demands. In some cases, Twilight felt a bit uncomfortable and sad, as several nobles tried to flatter her and suck up to her, which she did not enjoy. Twilight never liked being treated like a deity by other ponies, as she considered herself just another pony.

Unexpectedly, a visit arrived that put Twilight on alert and made Spike excited, though he tried to hide it, unsuccessfully, as his tail wouldn't stop wagging.

"Good morning, Princess Twilight. It's a pleasure to see you. I've spent quite a few years waiting in your court line," Discord said, teleporting to the center of the room while lifting the confused noble who was about to speak with Twilight, suddenly elevating him with his magic and ejecting him from the throne room, closing the doors behind him.

"Discord, what brings you here unexpectedly? Are you here to prank my guards again or to take my mirror for your annoying games and tricks?" Twilight said, trying to appear as tall and firm as possible while the guards shook a bit in fear and trauma from the chaotic events Discord had previously caused.

"Calm down, princess. Aren't you happy to see your old friend? It really saddens me to be treated with such caution by my oldest and dearest friend!" Discord said, dramatically falling backward onto a copy of himself, crying on his shoulder.

"Enough games, Discord. We both know you only come around when you plan to cause trouble," Twilight said, bringing a hoof to her forehead and sighing lightly. "I'm listening, Discord. What does my 'old friend' need?"

Discord looked cheerfully at Twilight and quickly teleported behind her, wrapping an arm around her neck and playing with her flowing mane. "That's the spirit of my favorite princess! I'm here to propose a deal, something you and I truly desire."

"What we desire sounds like trouble, Discord. If it's a joke, save it. I have things to attend to," Twilight said, using her magic to separate herself from Discord.

"What a shame, Twilight. I thought you would enjoy spending another day with your friends, your parents, your brother, and all your loved ones without altering the past and with no consequences," Discord said, teleporting to the grand doors of the throne room, dressed in a suit, bowing, and tipping his hat while holding a briefcase.

"Wait!... Are you serious? Is that really possible?" Twilight said, pensively, wondering if this was another prank.

"I could see Rarity again!... I mean, we could hang out with Big Mac again, you know, for our guys' night," the dragon said, blushing a little, trying to hide it.

"Of course! I swear on my friendship with Fluttershy!," Discord said, placing a hand on his chest.

"What's the catch, Discord? You usually tend to omit small details in your deals," Twilight said, annoyed. If this was a joke, she would have to restrain herself from turning him to stone again.

"You're as sharp as ever, Princess. I expected nothing less from Celestia's star pupil. Time has certainly paid off. What I need to bring back all our friends is... I need you to lend me your magic, Princess."

"That's not something to joke about, Discord!" Twilight said in her Royal Canterlot Voice. "You're taking this too far; it's not funny to joke about taking my magic and especially about the death and false resurrection of our friends!"

"It seems the wound is still fresh for you, Twilight," Discord said, a bit melancholic. "I understand, my dear friend. I still haven't gotten over... My best and first friend. I truly speak the truth. I've studied for the past 200 years, finding a way to bring them back, even if just for a day, without any consequences! And I found the way, but I need you to lend me your magic."

"How do you plan to do it, and why do you need my magic?" Twilight said, doubtful. Despite knowing Discord for years, she knew he was unpredictable, but his sadness felt as deep as hers.

"You see, Twilight, I..."

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Honestly, it took me quite some time to come up with the concept and story for this fic, which is heavily inspired by Five Score. What really took time, though, was gathering the courage to publish it. This story serves as an introduction and provides some context for what I truly plan to do, and I intend to divide this introduction into three parts. The next two parts are currently under edit and being translated.

I would be delighted to read your comments and suggestions. Thank you for reading the beginning of my first attempt at a fic!.