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“Spike, would you please get me the guide on ‘Advanced Equestrian Political History’ please?”

“Twilight, don’t you think it is a little early to be up working at only 6:00 AM?” Spike grumbled, still groggy from being awoken so early by Twilight’s early morning studies.

“Maybe for a dragon like you, Spike, but if I don’t study the history of the Changelings and how they interacted with Equestria in the past, an invasion like what happened at my brother’s wedding could occur again and this time, we might not be able to stop it.” The purple unicorn said, the anxiety clear in her voice as she quickly flipped through the pages of the many books she had at her desk.

Spike grabbed the step-ladder and began searching for the book. After retrieving the 9000 page tome, he lugged it over to Twilight only to slip and drop it loudly on her desk with a loud boom. Twilight jumped in her seat, for she had been so engrossed in her studies, she didn’t even notice that Spike had come down from his bed yet, and she shot Spike an annoyed look. Twilight began to re-organize the clutter on her desk and again became completely lost in her work.

Spike looked on with worry. Twilight didn’t even notice he was still standing there before he remarked, “Twilight, you worry too much. What are the odds that Chrysalis didn’t learn her lesson the first time? Leave this up to Celestia and Luna. I am sure they can handle it”. Twilight was too involved in her book to even look up but shook her head in a dismissive fashion. The purple dragon starred for a while at the pony who had raised him and been there for him all his life and realized ever sense Princess Celestia had moved Twilight to Ponyville, she was becoming more and more concerned with the fate of Equestria. This was especially true after his friend returned from a mission from the Princess. Spike pondered this for a minute more before dismissing it as another of Twilight’s tasks she gave herself to impress the Princess and he decided to focus on making a delicious breakfast.

Twilight was staring at each page of the book with eyes focused on each character, her mind thinking a mile a minute about what she was reading. Her thoughts ran from one idea to the next, contemplating the past and how it could be applied today. She began to think of the Princess, her teacher and mentor, and what the great allicorn would think of her proposals that she drew up in her head. The student thought first that Celestia would be greatly interested in what her star pupil had to say. Then, immediately after this, she began to worry that Celestia would think Twilight was criticizing her actions as princess, possibly even taking offence. This made Twilight visibly become worried and this only brought back the headache that surfaced whenever the librarian studied too hard.

Spike, having returned from his quick meal of a bagel with sapphires on top and a glass of apple cider, saw Twilight still studying and noticed the bags under her eyes. “Twilight,” he inquired, “Did you get any sleep last night?”

The unicorn looked up at Spike, her eyes showing the worry she felt as well as a longing to rest behind the shades of her eyelids. She noticed that he looked concerned but replied dismissively, “No, I didn’t but sleep isn’t a concern of mine right now. All I can think about is what the Princess would think if I didn’t tell her that the kingdom might be in danger and then Chrysalis attacked again. What if she got angry and exiled me from Equestria or what if she took me to the Canterlot dungeon and never let me leave, or even what if…”

Twilight was suddenly cut off as Spike blasted a shot of fire out of his mouth and revealed a peace of parchment that immediately was grasped by a purple field of magic. Twilight levitated the scroll in front of her and stopped reading immediately knowing that this was a letter from the Princess by the royal seal that clasped the note closed. Twilight broke the seal instantly and read the contents of the correspondence aloud:

My most faithful pupil Twilight Sparkle,

I will skip the formalities as I have uncovered something important in my studies. It is imperative that you and your friends come to the palace as soon as possible. Bring the Elements of Harmony as they may be necessary in the challenges ahead. I wish I could tell you more but I feel that if we do not act quickly on this. The fate of billions is at stake. Please inform your friends to pack lightly and tell Spike to come as well, for we will need his skills.

Please be sure that everything in this letter is carried out for I do not know how long we can wait before the opportunity is lost. I trust that you will be here by sundown and then I will be able to explain everything to you. Your brother Shining Armor will also be here when you arrive. I am counting on you Twilight.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia,

Twilight looked up with a face full of panic. What could be so important that she would need Twilight and her friends to pack light and go to the castle? Also, why did she call her brother, Shining Armor, away from leading the Chrystal Empire and have him come to Canterlot. Finally, what did she mean that there were BILLIONS of lives at stake? There are not even more than 100 million ponies in all of Equestria. Something was seriously wrong here.

Spike saw Twilight’s reaction to the Princesses letter and he only could wonder himself. Why did the Princess call on him? She almost never before needed Spike on the adventures that Twilight had partaken in and now he was being requested by name. “What does this mean Twilight? Why does she need me? I don’t even know how to go on something like this. And what should I pack? Is it cold or is it hot because you know…” Spike was cut off as Twilight stuck her hoof over his mouth to silence him.

“I don’t know Spike,” responded Twilight, “but I know that whatever the Princess needs us to do is important. You pack some clothes for if it gets cold and here is a general list of books I may need.” Twilight said as she handed some paper to Spike. “Don’t worry about cleaning up the library, just get ready and I will go and tell the girls about what the Princess needs. We will be leaving to catch the train leaving for Canterlot in 4 hours so be ready to leave by then.” Twilight said all of this and Spike, still stunned, snapped right back to the task at hand and began to get to work right away.

Twilight immediately left leaving Spike to his duties as she traveled to Sugar Cube Corner, as it was closest to the library. She galloped through town, passing many startled ponies who wondered what was had gotten into the normally level headed unicorn. When she arrived at the eatery, the nervous pony walked up to the counter and rang the customer bell. Immediately a familiar pink-haired pony appeared out of nowhere and the giant, toothy grin on her face showed how happy she was to see her friend.

“Hey Twilight! It is nice to see you here! Oh boy do you look stressed. I know just the thing for that. How about a cupcake, or some chocolate cookies, or even our vanilla pudding cake as it is soooo goo…” the pony was cut off as Twilight literally put her hoof in the mouth of Pinkie Pie to get a chance to speak.

“Pinkie, this is important so I need you to calm down ok?” Twilight asked taking her hoof out of Pinkie’s mouth.

“Okie dokie lokie Twilight!” Pinkie replied, still showing her characteristic toothy grin.

“Princess Celestia sent me an urgent letter today requesting that all of us come to Canterlot by sundown. She said there was something important she uncovered and we need to arrive quickly.” Twilight explained.

“Oh,” Pinkie said, looking slightly concerned, “That does sound serious. Do you think it is an invasion, or could it be a surprise guest, or maybe she needs to throw a party for her sister!” the pink pony gasped.

“I don’t know but the princess said to pack light. If you could help me, I am going to let Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash know about this next. If you could get Rarity and Apple Jack and tell them what I told you that would be a big help to me. Make sure you also let them know to pack light and that we need to be at the train station by noon so make sure to tell the as quick as possible.” Twilight asked the pink pony who was now listening intently.

Pinkie stood on her hind hooves and made a serious face. She saluted Twilight saying, “Affirmative, commander! Everyone will know ASAP!”

This helped to lighten the mood a little but Twilight couldn’t help but wonder what the princess could have that is so very urgent. Twilight responded quickly as she walked out the door, “Make sure you pack as well and are at the train on time. I am counting on you Pinkie.”

Twilight then proceeded to gallop again out of town toward Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight knew she could count on Pinkie and was glad to see her friend so willing to help. What normally was a good walk seemed like an instant as Twilight ran so many things through her mind. Her headache was really starting to intensify as she thought about everything that had occurred today. Suddenly she smacked her muzzle straight into the door of Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight was dazed as she lay on the ground; the world around her seemed to spin.

Inside the cottage a commotion was heard, as what sounded like two ponies jumped at the loud bang on the door. The door flew open and a cyan pegasus peered around with an agitated look on her face only to finally look down and see Twilight on the ground, bleeding slightly from her nose. Instantly the appearance of Rainbow Dash softened and she rushed to the side of her friend, allowing Fluttershy to see the scene from back behind the door.

“Are you ok? What was that loud bang?” Rainbow dash asked as she helped Twilight to feet. The purple unicorn’s head was still spinning and she wondered why her nose felt warm.

Fluttershy upon seeing her friend bleeding let out a screech and jumped to the side of the magical pony. “Oh no… are you ok Twilight? We should get her inside.” Fluttershy said as she helped up Twilight inside and set her down on her couch.

“It is ok girls”, Twilight said as she regained her senses and realized what had happened, “I just bumped my nose.”

“Oh… I’m sorry Twilight.” Fluttershy peeped out.

“Well you know you need to open doors before you can go inside right?” Rainbow Dash jested as she watched on from a chair.

“Never mind that, I have more important news from the Princess.” Twilight stated as the two pegasi in the room looked up as Celestia was mentioned. “Princess Celestia sent me a letter earlier today informing me she needed us at the palace as soon as possible. She said it is important that we pack light and arrive there by sundown. The next train to Canterlot leaves at noon today so by the current time,” Twilight said as she peered at the grandfather clock in Fluttershy’s living room, “we have about 3 and a half hours left before the train arrives. Any questions?”

Both of the pegasi stared at each other before Rainbow Dash spoke up, “Wow, and I thought all I would do today is visit Fluttershy for breakfast. Why does the Princess need us so urgently?”

“The letter doesn’t say but all I know is it says we need to arrive as soon as possible. I am really worried about what could be happening.” Twilight said as her worrying brought her headache back to full force, only compounding her problems.

“Well let me fix up your nose… I mean if it isn’t too much of a problem.” Fluttershy remarked as she grabbed a washcloth out of her kitchen and cleaned the blood off of Twilight. “After I help you, I will get ready to go in no time.”

“I wonder how much Rarity would call ‘light’”. Rainbow stated, remembering when they were called to Canterlot before to plan the Grand Galloping Gala. Rainbow immediately got serious when she looked down at Twilight and saw how concerned the young mare was. “Ok, well I’ll be ready in about 45 minutes. I don’t need to pack much.”

“Thanks girls.” Twilight said as she got up from the couch and walked to the door. “I don’t know what is needed of us but if the princess needs us to bring the Elements, it must be serious.”

At the mention of the most powerful magical devices known to ponykind, both Rainbow and Fluttershy gulped and a look of pure panic spread across their faces. Twilight left them to their duties and as she left, the rainbow-maned pegasus flew past her to the cloud-house she called home. At the same time, Fluttershy began to pack her saddle-bag quickly and did just as she was asked by Twilight.

Twilight then returned to her home at a fast trot for she was still a little dizzy and didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of the whole town by galloping into another door. She couldn’t quite clear her head and many different ideas and thoughts ran around inside her brain. Twilight arrived finally at Sugar Cube Corner to see Pinkie Pie return home, presumably from talking to the other 2 of Twilight’s friends.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie responded as if today was just another average day. “I let Apple Jack and Rarity know all that you told me. They said they would be there but they looked really worried.”

“I’m concerned too Pinkie, but right now we need to make sure we are in Canterlot before sundown. It is about 10:00 now so I will be going back to the library to make sure Spike packed everything and then I will get the Elements of Harmony and then…” Twilight was suddenly cut off as Pinkie Pie began to grow ecstatic at the new news.

“Oh my gosh Twilight! You didn’t say anything about the Elements! What if Discord broke out again or Princess Luna turned back into Nightmare Moon or even if the changelings are attacking again!” As Pinkie stated the last possibility, the color from Twilight’s face was drained instantly as if she had seen a ghost. Twilight wondered if the changelings were attacking again, what would Princess Celestia say, knowing Twilight didn’t predict the attack in her studies that were occurring just a few hours earlier.

Suddenly Twilight turned around without warning and bolted away from Sugar Cube Corner leaving Pinkie looking even more confused and worried than she was earlier. Twilight had tears in her eyes as she was running at a full gallop back to her home in the library. She enveloped the door of the tree house in an envelope of magic and threw it open. The unicorn bolted inside her house, slamming the door behind her and she ran up to her bed, passing a startled Spike. She collapsed on her bed and sobbed into her pillow thinking of all the bad things that could be occurring and what the Princess would think of her. Something inside her knew that whatever was going on would only end badly for her and her friends.