The Magic of the Flutter Ponies

by ladyarcana

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Adventure, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Zecora, Alternate Universe, Main 6
Length: 12895

Princess Twilight is on a quest in the Everfree Forest. A secret from both Princesses' past...

*Under Construction*
I AM changing the previous chapters instead of doing a full Revoke. I have read others work and feel that I can make it better.
Princess Twilight Sparkle has been tasked with exploring the ruins deep in the Everfree Forest. What she didn't realize, is that there is more to those woods than just scary trees, timber wolves and unpredictable weather. The woods are also the home of a long forgotten race.

Who are they? Why do they live there? And what does it have to do with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?

History hints at their existences, foal stories talk about their magical ways, yet that is all: just stories.
What are they really? Do they even still exist? And what is their connection to Celestia and Luna?

It turns out: There is a Queen of the flutter ponies. She has been secretly hiding in Equestria for well over 2000 years. She is kind, benevolent, wise and imortal, just like Celestia and Luna. So why is she incredibly bitter?
She rules in shadows, in a land without rules.

On the eve of her cornation, Princess Twilight Sparkle will seek answers to unknown mysteries, along with finding a new home. Will she find what hides and bring it into a new age, or will the past remain hidden in the depths of the Everfree.

Published 2013-04-23 00:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-29 02:56:36 UTC

A pony, a pony, my kingdom for a pony. (6-29-15)

Chapter 1

“Knock, knock… Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Rarity sang just as she entered her BPFF’s bedroom. “The beauty of the day will only match the graciousness of your reign, and I simply must’ start work on designing your new wardrobe! One truly worthy of newly crowned princess. Those old rags from last year simply will not do.”

Briefly looking up from her desk, Twilight glanced at Rarity. “But Rarity you made-”

“Nevertheless,” Rarity interrupted while she pushed open the long drapes. “It simply can not be put off for a moment long-“ Rarity trailed off as she realized that not only was Twilight already awake, but had a mountain of books haphazardly piled beside the desk. While the bedside table was overloaded with scrolls covered in an inch of dust. *cough* *cough* “My dear Twilight WHY are you playing around with these dusty old scrolls? After last night’s party I was expecting a sleepy head desperately in need of her morning tea,” she cried out in despair. Rarity gestured wildly at the dusty mess of books and scrolls surrounding the purple pony. “Not this scholarly mess!” Then began to magically swing a feather duster to brush away dust bunnies the size of Angel Bunny.

During the ranting of the distraught white and purple pony, Twilight was trying hard to understand the faded flowing script of ancient Equin of one of said dusty scrolls. After a few moments of trying to decipher the text, she looked up at the exasperated unicorn. Twilight smiled as she got up and hugged Rarity. She asked, “Umm, don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you here? It’s wa-ay too early for you to be up.” Then she looked back at the mess of books and scrolls, sighing, “What can I help you with Rarity?” She tried to fix the mess of paper on her work desk.

“Twilight…” Shaking her head, Rarity nudged Twilight aside. Using her magic to properly clean the mess that Twilight was only making worse. “Really, Twilight. This penchant for studying at all hours of the night… When will you ever get the beauty sleep a princess needs?” After properly stacking the scrolls and books by size, she began looking around, “And where is poor Spike, shouldn’t he be helping you with all this?”

“I’m sorry Rarity. I couldn’t seem to help myself, and since Spike was still tired from the party last night, I couldn’t bring myself to wake him.” Then Twilight pulled back the curtain revealing a purple sleeping dragon tiredly waving his little arms, fighting the rays of sunlight shining on his face.

“No more pony apple berry punch, I’m full…”

“Ahh, poor Spikey Wikey... He really tuckered himself out, didn’t he?” Rarity asked.

“He did. You can understand why I was reluctant to wake him and ask for help.” Twilight replied, as the curtain fell back into place. “Especially after all the chaos of the last few days, and there was the preparations for the coronation ceremony as well.”

“Twilight, I still can’t figure out what in the world drove you to wake up so early in the first place. You usually reserve your studying for the evening hours.”

“But look right here.” Running over to grab one of the scrolls Rarity just stacked, Twilight opened it up to show a pencil drawing of the original palace of the alicorn sisters, ignoring the sound of all the other scrolls falling to the ground. Rarity winced at the mess her friend just created. Then she dutifully began restacking the fallen scrolls, all over again, before looking at the picture Twilight unrolled.

“Why Twilight! This place is absolutely stunning. What ever is it?”

“This-“

Bang! The doors of Twilight’s bedroom slammed open. “Rise and shine! Sleepy head!” Applejack announced, as she entered the room.

Applejack stopped herself, as she noticed that not only was Twilight already up, but that Rarity was there as well. “Huh? Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! What in Equestria is going on here?”

Twilight and Rarity both looked at each other, briefly, before they both began to speak. It came out so garbled that Applejack quickly interrupted them both. “One at a time please. Ya’all are reminding me of Apple Bloom and her friends. Now I know what Twilight’s doing. Ya got some hare brained idea that couldn’t be shaken loose. But Rarity doesn’t usually wake up ‘fore the crack o’noon.”

That got Twilight’s attention. “Yeah, what are you doing up? You never did tell me.” She asked Rarity.

Facehoofing, as a single purple hair popped out of place from Rarity’s perfect mane, “I already told you Twilight, when I came into your room, to wake you up. I wanted to get an early start on your new royal gowns. The ones you need for all your new royal responsibilities. And yes, before you ask, they are Completely necessary. But the fact that you were practically rolling around these dusty old books… Well, anypony could see you didn’t have your mind on anything, but what you’re looking for.”

Shamed, Twilight responded. “Oh. Sorry Rarity, it’s just that last night, before I went to sleep. Princess Luna gave me my first responsibility as a Princess!”

A look of understanding crossed both Applejack’s and Rarity’s faces. “Well Goll-ly! You just can’t seem to catch a break can ya? First a spell gone awry, then you turn into an Alicorn, have your coronation, and after all that, before you can even lasso some Z’s, Princess Luna gives you a new quest ta go on.”

“Well, I don’t think I’d put it quite that way Applejack. But, you could possibly say that.” Twilight relented, before using her magic to show both of her friends the picture she found. “Princess Luna talked to me about an old mentor of hers and Celestia’s. This pony lived in the old palace. Then Luna asked me if I could find out what happened. I tried to find out more but then she got this really sad look in her eyes. I couldn’t bring myself to ask for more information.”

“Oh my!” Rarity gasped.

“Wait a sec, ain’t that in the heart of Everfree Forest? Where we all found the Elements of Harmony in the first place?” Applejack asked.

“Yes, but some of these books mentioned, it was the heart of Equestria; long before Princess Celestia moved to Canterlot. Look here,” Twilight pointed to a detailed black and white drawing, “this is an artist’s rendering of what it looked like before it fell into ruin. Before the Elements of Harmony were used to seal away Nightmare Moon.” Twilight tried to explain.

“Okay, okay Twilight I see what you mean. But that still doesn’t explain why you’re so all fired up to haul hoofs get there.” Applejack responded. “After all, we all seen it with our own eyes. It’s just a pile of moldy old rocks now. Forgettin’ ‘bout the scary place around it, tain’t no place to live. No way ya gonna find out what happened.”

“Goo-ood Mor-r-rning Princess Twilight Sparkle!” Rainbow Dash announced as she flew in through an open skylight. Pulling up short when she saw Rarity and Applejack had already arrived. “Huh? Why are you already up? What’s with the big pile of books? And why- how did Rarity wake up before me?”

“Hi Rainbow.” Twilight said as she waved the cyan pony to join her. “I’ve actually been up for a while now. Princess Luna asked me to find somepony from her past, and I’ve been doing research all morning finding out what I can before seeking an audience with Princess Celestia.” Twilight unrolled another scroll atop the others. This is a list of all famous ponies known to exist before the time of ‘The Mare In The Moon.’ I’m sure it has to be one of them.”

“Uh Twi,” Applejack said after glancing at the list. “I think you should Eliminate Puddinghead, Princess Platinum, and General Thunderhead. All of equestria knows what happened to them, and I’m pretty sure they all died before the princesses took the throne.”

“I concur with Applejack, Twilight.” Rarity commented, as she also perused the paper. “They certainly couldn’t be the pony Princess Luna is looking for, you may have to look some place else.”

Smacking her hoof at her forehead, Rainbow Dash’s face went deadpan. “Oh yeah! Twilight, I just remembered, I flew into Princess Celestia this morning during my pre-warm up, warm up flight. She told me to tell you, that she was going to be too busy with press conferences and stuff like that to help out. Just before she flew off.” Rainbow Dash flew around the room trying to copy how Celestia flew away. “So that’s why you know, I’m here. But what the hay are you guys doing?”

Applejack decided at that moment to be very diplomatic. “No offense Rainbow Dash, but we’ve already done the ‘Why’re you here’s’ once before. So’s I’m thinking we just wait all patient like for everyone to get here. We all can discuss what’s going on then.” Pausing to look at everyone, Applejack waited for objections to her idea. “Well what do ya’ll think of the plan?”

Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow all agreed, that the best thing to do was to wait for Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Spike (asleep behind the curtain). Meanwhile Twilight went back to studying, Rarity began holding up special jewel encrusted fabrics, against Twilight’s new wings. Applejack and Rainbow Dash went outside to race, while waiting for the others to arrive.

It didn’t take long for Pinkie to arrive. She parties hard but is always ready for more fun, no matter what. It’s just that she had so many more new friends to greet on her way to congratulate Twilight on her first day of Princess duties. Fluttershy was the last to arrive because her animal friends just couldn’t seem to wake her up. Simply put, she was exhausted from the party last night.

“Hi everyone.” Fluttershy whispered, when she came into Twilight’s room. “Oh my, I didn’t think I’d be interrupting anything, you all look so busy. I’ll just come back later.” Then she started to leave. Rainbow Dash anticipated this when she saw her old friend from Cloudsdale arrive, and quickly moved behind the timid pony to push her inside. Before slamming the door closed with a single hoof.

“I’ve been waiting a whole hour, Fluttershy! No pony would tell me anything about what’s going on until every pony arrived.” Rainbow complained. “Not including Spike, who somehow managed to sleep though all this noise, you are the last to arrive. So now, I want somepony, please, spill, tell me what’s going on.”

Twilight Sparkle continued to pull books on historical ponies out. This time focusing on those known to have lived in Canterlot when it was first built. All the while telling everypony about her first duty as the Princess of Friendship; finding out what happened to an old friend of Princess Luna.

Rainbow Dash was overjoyed about a new adventure, even if it was into the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy tried to find a place to hide, while she declined to go. Pinkie just asked when they leave so she can plan the going away party and the follow up “Hooray We Survived the Everfree Forest Bash”. Spike kept sleeping.

“There’s just a few problems.” Twilight said, after a moment.

Rainbow Dash laughed out loud in hysterical guffaws. “More like a gazillion!” She replied, when she got her laughter under control. “Like the fact ya wanna find clues to this pony in the Everfree Forest! I mean think about that. Everytime we go there somethin’ bad happens, even when we hang out with Zecora, we run into trouble.”

Applejack nodded in agreement. “I have to agree with Dash on this one. Other than us, and Zecora, no pony really goes into those woods. Well, Apple Bloom goes in there too, but jus to go visit Zecora. And Zecora always walks ma’ sister back out of there. It’s not only a scary place, but that forest has got tons o’ dangers we don’t even know about. Probably never know.”

“Rainbow Dash, Applejack, I know there are many dangers in that forest, but one of the scrolls I found made an odd reference. Well, not really odd, but simply more obscure than the origin of Nightmare Moon. In fact it might be said it’s a non reference about a tribe of flying ponies. There’s even a picture.” Twilight responded, just before running over to get that particular scroll.

Fluttershy peered at the image. “Twilight, that’s a beezy.”

“Here, see. ‘The castle’s sparkling stone was gifted to the young Princesses, not by their loving subjects; but by a crownless Queen of Fluttering Whispers.’ This passage is obviously referring to who or what helped Princess Celestia and Luna build the palace.. but it doesn’t appear in any other book or scroll. But as we know there’s no other Queen in Equestria except for Crystalis. It’s possible there could have been a pony called Fluttering Whispers, but I’m pretty sure there’s never been a Queen Fluttering Whispers. Hmm... not a pony, it could be referring to a Gryphonian ambassador, a Zebrican, or perhaps a dragon. Other than the Breezies, which haven’t been studied that much. There is no subspecies of flutter pegasi.”

“Hmm, unless that was the ruler of the crystal ponies? It’s possible, I’ll have to ask Cadence and Shining Armor.”

“Um, I really dislike to point this out..” Fluttershy began only to cringe when everyone turned to look right at her.

Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Well- um, Twilight, it’s just that, it says here, the ‘Queen of Fluttering Whispers’ gave the princesses the stone.” Then backed up away in case any one got upset about what she said. “The- um, the passage, doesn’t really say anything about breezies. And um, I’m not sure how to um, but well breezies don’t build things out of stone, not even with pebbles, they just too fragile to use them. So umm maybe, perhaps Fluttering Whispers isn’t all, um maybe you should stop… that is, you could be looking too far into that.”

Twilight re-examined the scroll. “You’re right Fluttershy. It doesn’t say anything about where the stone came from. In any case this has to be a pony that knew Celestia and Luna, wasn’t documented too well.” She then face hoofed. “What am I thinking. If she was from the Crystal Kingdom, then Cadence would do far better than I. Luna wouldn’t need me.”

Twilight Sparkle then began to pace. “The best thing to do is to search the old castle. Who knows maybe some books still survived.”

“Right! All we have to do is find the current Queen of Flutters. Simple.” Rainbow Dash interrupted with bright enthusiasm, hoof bumping the air and flying off to pack for the trip home.

Shaking her head, Applejack smiled self-consciously. “Well I reckon that is just about that. Rainbow Dash may be a little quick on the draw, but she’s right we need to hoof it on outta here and get home. So I’ll just meet ya’ll at the library in Ponyville.”

“I can see no way out of this.” Rarity sighed. “I can’t believe we’re making another trip into that damp, dreary, dirty forest. Well, I’ll just have to console myself with designing the new banners, flags, tapestries and carpets you’re going to need, after all there’s no reason to stop that.”

“Well I’m just excited to go on another adventure. Hehe! It’s gonna be another fun time in the Everfree forest! Looking for clues in the case of ‘the missing friend!’ Yay!” Pinkie yelled out, while backflipping and twirling on one hoof, before falling in a dizzy heap on the floor.

The others left with little fanfare. Each planning for the trip home, while Twilight Sparkle kept trying to find blueprints of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s old home. As well as trying to find more references about the Queen of Flutters.

============================================
Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna,

I am happy to report that I have made progress into the latest assignment you have placed in my hooves. I hope to send you my next report when I reach the Palace in the Everfree Forest.
In the process of my investigation of the history of the old palace, a reference to somepony or something called “Queen of Fluttering Whispers”. If you could find the time, please try and remember who or what that is, I’d be very grateful. If this is a pony, then I plan to locate her descendants and find any records that will help me and my friends to explore the ruins. I anticipate this will take some time to accomplish, but I feel confident that I will find something aide me in this endeavor.

I know you both have a lot to do, so anything you can remember would be of tremendous help.

Your devoted student,

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Author's Note

Thank you all for your patience. Hope everyone is enjoying the improvements and change.

Family, gotta love em. Really? (Updated 9/28/15)

Family, gotta love em. Really? (Updated 9/28/15)

“Spike. Spike? Spike!” Twilight said, as she tried to wake the dragon up.

Half asleep, Spike waved his arms sleepily over his head. “Ahh no more cake, I’ve had- wha- what? Oh,” disappointment flashed across his face, “Twilight it’s just you. I’m going back to sleep.” Then he pulled a blanket over his head; in order to stop the noon sun from waking him.

“No Spike.” She responded, carelessly levitating his blanket off and gently placing Spike in front of a bowl of water to wash with. Spike yawned and slumped his shoulders while dutifully washing his claws. “Now, I let you sleep in all morning, but we have a lot to do today.”

Fully awake now Spike pouted. “No you don’t. You’re a princess, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, that’s what makes a princess a princess.” He tried to argue.

Twilight began packing up her clothes. “Spike... Did you drink too much of Pinkie Pie’s ‘Special Pony-tastic Punch’ last night?” No response from the still drowsy dragon. “Spike... Princess Celestia never sits on her rump all day. It’s a lot of work running Canterlot everyday. And she’s been doing it for over 2000 years. Luna sleeps during the day, but you know that she takes her role, as Princess of the Night, very seriously. Then there is the little matter of raising the Sun and the Moon every day. Can you still call them lazy princesses?”

Twilight paused in her speech to re-examine the picture of the Ancient Palace. “But that’s not why I woke you. Princess Luna wants my help, so I’m going to need my best dragon on the job.”

Spike rubbed his eyes. Then yawned as he rolled out of bed. “I-I’m your dragon, *yawn* but do we really need to do this now?”

“Oh Spike…” Twilight Sparkle chided, as she shook her head. “Last night the Princesses and I had a long talk about my new responsibilities. The transformation of unicorn to alicorn is fully complete and irreversible. Not to mention rare. Equestria already has two rulers, with Cadence looking after the crystal ponies in the north, as a territory guardian. There really doesn’t seem to be a place for another princess.

“Sigh, as an alicorn, I could possibly still be around, for maybe the next millennium, or just the next hundred years. I can’t just hang around the palace, as a useless symbol. I need something to do. A reason, Spike. Before all this happened, I was happy studying magic all day. After that I pursued the meaning of friendship. Now…

“All ponies have a purpose. Now… What is the purpose of a Princess of Friendship?” Twilight continued as she began to neatly arrange suitcases by color and size, trying to calm herself. “Even Princess Celestia and Luna, can’t figure it out yet.” Stomping her hoof down on one of the cases, she yelled out. “The only thing I can do now, is go into the Everfree Forest.”

Spike barely heard Twilight as he went on his knees to crawl back into bed. *Ahh pony punch, Pinkie’s Pony-tastic pony punch, the greatest invention ever. Yawn...* His poor tired mind was about to send Spike back to dream land, until he heard, “Ev- Everfree f-f-forest?”

“Yep,” Twilight confirmed absently, pausing to stare at some scrolls containing references to the ancient palace. “Princess Luna asked me to look for a friend of hers, from long ago.” Then she shrugged, “It’s the first place I thought of to look for clues.” Magically picking up the scrolls, Twilight Sparkle began carefully placing them into her saddlebags with her cutie embossed on the flaps.

Spike had gone quickly from tense- to a sickly shade of purple. “But the Everfree Forest? Why do we have to go there? I’m sure you haven’t even searched half the books. Wait for me and we can really-” Then he passed out, luckily he made it to the bed.

Startled by a light thumping noise, Twilight quickly ran to Spike. “Spike? Spike…” Looking sadly down at her long-time friend and assistant, Twilight gently tucked him back into bed. “It’s alright Spike, we can leave later.” She whispered. “You obviously had too much fun last night. *giggle* Then again it could’ve also been Pinkie Pie’s Pony-tastic Punch. A little of it goes a very long way, and I’m sure you had at least four servings.”

Looking around Twilight Sparkle came to a few decisions.

Gently putting the unconscious dragon in her bed, Twilight wrote a note and left it for Spike. Then she quietly left the room. Deciding to visit Cadence, Shining Armor and her parents before they all left for home.

A few hours later, Spike found Twilight laughing and joking with the rest of her family. Talking about Twilight’s early foal-hood, “-and then, HA HA he levitated the whole cake right *giggle* onto her horn.” Crescent said, as Shining Armor blushed. “It was the cutest way I’ve ever seen to feed a stubborn foal. *laugh* Of course that was just before we hired Cadence here, to foal sit for us. I mean, the mischief those two could get into… and that was when we watching them! There was no way we could leave them home alone. Celestia only knows what kinds of messes we’d find later,” he joked.

“Da-ad,” Shinning Armor blushed looking away from Cadence. “That was a long time ago. I’m a grown up stallion, former leader of the Princess' Guard. Can we not talk about what happened when I was still a foal.”

“Nonsense, my boy, you’re still my foal and I’ve got tons of cute pictures in this album.” Crescent Moon replied. Then he picked up a photo album titled Shining’s first birthday. “Now if you wanna see the proof- Oh hey Spike. Come on in. Twilight told us you were sound asleep. Can’t blame you much, can we, I didn’t wake up myself until the ‘Mrs.’ here, hoof kicked me out of the bed. That party will go down in history. Why I’m sure that crazy Pinkameina is still having a blast.”

“Dad…” Twilight protested.

“Now, now, dear.” Twilight Velvet went to her youngest foal, and then shared a smile with her husband. “He didn’t mean any offense. Your father loves that sweet pony just as much as anypony. She just seems to enjoy a party more than anypony in Canterlot.” When Twilight calmed a little, Velvet walked over to Spike and gently ushered him into the room.

Spike nodded politely at Twilight’s mom, his attention mostly focused on Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight? I had a terrible nightmare. I dreamt you said we have to go back into the Everfree Forest,” he asked, not really wanting her to confirm his suspicions.

Seeing the fear on his face, Twilight jumped up from the couch and hugged him tight. “Spike? Weren’t you paying attention to me when I talked about it? I know you were sleepy at the time, but it was a very important conversation. Princess Luna needs my help.”

“No-o-o-o,” Spike cried. “I don’t wanna go back into that scary place.”

“Wait, Twily,” Shining Armor interjected. “You didn’t say anything about going into the Everfree Forest. When did this happen? Why did this happen.”

“Ever- Everfree Forest?” Cadence shuddered and nuzzled Shining’s mane. “Isn’t that the most haunted place of all Equestria? Twilight. Why ever would you want to go there?”

Still hugging Spike, Twilight began, “Princess Luna really needs my help.” Twilight let go of Spike and began to smile, remembering the small amount of research material found that morning. “I’ve, already tried to find information I need here. But I honestly feel that what I need is back at the original castle. It’s there, locked away waiting for me to find it… Imagine, a lost piece of history.”

“But my darling,” Her mom argued. “There are reasons no pony goes there. You wrote your father and me a letter describing how scary it was, remember it was just after Princess Luna returned to the throne? I still have that letter. And there’s only a hoof-ful of ponies to have ever traveled so deeply, as you, into that forest, most of them your dearest friends.” As Twilight took a breath to argue, she held up her hoof. “I know you’re no longer a foal that you’ve become a hero of Equestria and now an alicorn. But, but I’m still your mother and, we all care deeply, for you.”

“But mom…” Twilight moaned, not understanding what the big deal was. “The forest, is nothing like what ponies say it is.”

“You’re mother’s right, my little star,” said Twilight’s dad. “You’ve moved away from Canterlot, our home, to a small town called Ponyville. We didn’t say anything. Risked your life defeating Discord, we didn’t say anything. You helped your brother to restore young Cadence to her throne. And still we never said a word. You did everything at Princess Celestia’s request and we never argued. This time, this time I am going to say something!” Angry, Crescent took a deep breath. “Before-- you go risking your life! And this time! I get to have a say, you’re not going into that blasted cursed forest to explore a moldy old pile of rubble.”

“But dad, it’s nothing like that.”

“My little Sparkle, are you trying to tell me those woods are completely safe.”

“Well, no… The Princesses-”

“The Princesses sent you on a new quest.” He interrupted stomping a hoof on the floor.

Twilight slumped in her seat, giving Spike another hug. Cadence and Shining Armor took to defending her, by arguing with Twilight Velvet and Crescent Moon. It took a while to calm them down. The arguing lasted so long Spike fell asleep again. It took a few hours but Crescent finally agreed Twilight would go into the Everfree Forest, to explore the ancient palace, as long as she sent a letter to her parents every week and to summon her BBBFF for ANY problems that she and her friends couldn’t handle.

Spike, when he woke up, argued his own case for going along. He argued about his recurring nightmares about Nightmare Moon, and Twilight dying for Princess Celestia. “You can’t leave me, alone, in that stuffy old library, by myself. I’m still just a poor little baby dragon. It’s not right to abandon me, while you go off on another adventure.”

Twilight held up a hoof, “Poor little dragon?”

Spike got down on his knees. “Come on Twilight, you’re just going to rebuild a castle. How much trouble can happen? Anyway you need me to make all those lists you’re going to triple check. Plus I can send all your progress reports to Celestia, as soon as you write them. Then you can leave Archimedes in charge. I’m sure he’d be great at looking after Golden Oaks.”

Smiling Twilight Sparkle hugged the little dragon. “Spike, are you really sure you want to come along with us?”

“Us? You mean Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie are coming with you? Then that settles it, you have to take me, please! Don’t leave me alone again. I’ll worry too much about you! Besides you said it’s perfectly safe.“

“Spike...” Twilight replied skeptically.

“Please Twilight…”

“Sigh, Let me think about it. Right now, I’d really like to visit with mom, dad, Shining Armor and Cadence. Who knows when I’ll get to see them all together again?”

“Yes Princess…” Spike said sullenly, then he *humphed* as he crossed his arms pouting, “whatever, I’ll be in our rooms, packing.”

“I still don’t think, that you should go there without me.” Spike grumbled to himself as he walked out the room.

sigh “Spike, Spike…” Twilight called out after him. Just as she began to run after him, she stopped to looking back at her parents. “I- I-“

“It’s okay dear.”

“But. Mom” Twilight said as looked on with worry filling her eyes.

“He’s been through just as much as you dear.” Velvet reminded her daughter. “And he’s still just a baby, not a young mare like you.” She then turned Twilight’s face to her so mother and daughter could look each other in the eyes. “But, perhaps he shouldn’t go with you. At least not until it’s safe.” She waited until Twilight nodded in understanding. “I know you want him close, but let him know that he can come back and visit us in Canterlot. No matter what friends surround you, family is what can really help.”

Hugging her mom, “thanks. I don’t know what I’d you without you, mom.”

Shining Armor nudged Twilight’s shoulder with his hoof. “Hey! Don’t forget get about me lil’ sis. I’m there for ya too.” Then joined his mom in giving Twilight a hug.

“Me as well.” Cadence reminded them, also joining in the hug.

Lastly, Crescent joined the hug, encompassing the whole group. “I still can’t believe how grown-up my foals have gotten.”

Dear, Princess Twilight Sparkle

I am both pleased and worried for you.

I understand you are eager to start out on your journey. I remember well the first years Luna and I became princesses. All the strides we made in a fledgling country, all the mistakes as well.

It’s the memory of the last mistake we made together, that I caution you. You may think the greatest secret of Equestria, is the identity of NightMare Moon. There is a greater secret that I keep from Luna. So I beg you not to go into the Everfree Forest.

Please deny Luna, as I have been since her return.

I love all my little ponies, my sister most of all. So it is that love that guides me now.
Knowing your love of knowledge and friendship with my sister; I will not stand in your way. So I will help you, by telling you that there was a reason Luna and I lived there.

One time Everfree Forest was once a lovely garden, unrivaled in all of history, and our palace was the crowning jewel. Ponies and creatures from miles around made pilgrimages, just to visit us. It was considered the most magical place on the planet, filled exotic flowers and perfect weather all year round.

In my memories it still is. I will never forget all the fond memories Luna and I made.

Hopefully, you will never come across the queen you found a reference to in your research. She is real. Do not seek her.

That said, she and her kind were always quite reclusive.

Your beloved teacher,

Princess Celestia

P.S. You may also wonder why I flew by Rainbow Dash alone this morning. It’s a secret you will learn after 100 years or so. Good exercise can only clear the mind when others are not around. Being a ruler is hard work and sometimes even I need to be away from my beloved subjects. It was just coincidence that Rainbow Dash encountered me.

Author's Note

I did alot of research to find Twilight's and Shining Armor's parents names.
The most popular consensus I found as Twilight Velvet=mom and Crescent=dad

There is a reason for the problem that Twilight is having in finding information about the origin of the palace in the Everfree Forest. If anyone knows if it was givin an official name let me, other wise I'm going to give it my own.

Also Special thanks to The Forgotten Comrade, who worked very hard to find time to proof/pre read my work.

Into the woods, into the woods, into the woods we go? (11/10/2015)

Despite the arguments over what should happen next in her life, Twilight wanted to spend the rest of the day with her parents. When she finally got back to her rooms, Spike had had a full on temper tantrum. Books were scattered, clothes unpacked, and fresh bowl of Pinkie-tastic Punch had been delivered, then half drunk. In the middle of the mini-mess was the sleeping dragon.

Twilight looked around and sighed. Thinking that Spike could have done much worse in the mood he was in. So she simply used her magic to repack the clothes, re-shelve the books, and pour the punch down the drain. Then she gently placed Spike on her back, cradled by her new wings.

“Guess you really wanna go into that forest, huh,” Twilight whispered to him.
She then made arrangements for her large collection of books to be sent into storage at the Ponyville Train Station. After some long goodbyes, Twilight took the late night train back to Ponyville.

Spike still wouldn’t budge about being left behind, Twilight and the others went into the forest; so she promised him if he stayed behind she’d ask Celestia to send him some extra large gems.

It was nearly 10 o’clock at night, when the train finally stopped in Ponyville.

The good news is that very few ponies were on the train, even fewer still awake. Ponyville was not a popular destination, so except for Princess Twilight and Spike, no one got off at the small town. There was no one to notice the new alicorn princess returning home to her small library, in the quiet hamlet. No one to crowd her pepper her with questions about being an alicorn. No one to look down their muzzles at her newly crowned status, for whatever personal reasons they had; Twilight didn’t care, she just wanted to get back home, do a little (a lot) more research, then continue on her new mission.

Twilight still wasn’t used to being called “Princess” yet, so she was more than willing to put up with the extra work. All the bowing and the “My Lady Princess” was getting on her nerves. She wasn’t any different from before, she just had alicorn wings and power. A few days did not really make a difference, but every other pony she met seemed to think it was some big deal.

On the other hoof… there was no one there to help Twilight carry all the luggage, plus one sleeping dragon. No one was there to help her pull the wagon full of research, gifts, and old mementos from her foalhood. None of her friends were there, to tell her that being an alicorn wouldn’t change their friendship.

So it was, a few minutes later an exhausted Princess Twilight Sparkle arrived at the Ponyville Library. Walking up to the old building, Twilight was struck by a sense of deja-vu. Only 3 short years ago, she had arrived in Ponyville on behalf of Princess Celestia. That event led her into the heart of the Everfree Forest. It was then that she first began her journey, unknowingly, to become a princess. Now she returned as a princess, on behalf of Princess Luna, to go back into the heart of the Everfree Forest once again.

“Wake up Spike. We’re home.” Twilight told her sleeping companion.

Spike rolled over on Twilight’s back, unknowingly wrapping one of her wings around his body. “Wh-what already?” Then panicked when he saw what he did, quickly un-entangling himself and jumping off the alicorn’s back.

Opening the library door for him, *giggle* “Don’t worry about that Spike, you were tired and we got here safe and sound. But now it’s time to get inside before someone sees us.” Twilight motioned for him to go in before she did, leaving the cart outside.

Spike yawned and dragged his tail on the ground, stumbling over a sleeping Pinkie Pie. “Yikes!” He screeched, nearly instantly awake.

*Yawn* The pink, party hat wearing, pony slowly blinked her eyes, then quickly jumped up and tightly hugged Spike. “You’re back! You’re back! I thought you were gonna get her much, much sooner, you said you were getting back today, so I decided to throw you a “welcome back Princess Twilight Sparkle the Alicorn” party but then I got tired and fell asleep,” Pinkie took a tiny breath so she could check the clock on the mantle. “But now it’s nearly too late! Because today is almost tomorrow, so now we can throw a “welcome home 2 day party” which is almost better than a silly old regular “welcome back Princess Twilight Sparkle the Alicorn” party, don’t ‘cha think?”

Twilight yawned as she gaped at the enthusiastic greeting of her dear friend, “I really do appreciate what you’ve done Pinkie.” She began not wanting to hurt her feelings. “But Spike and I had a really long day, and any other time I’d certainly like to join you…” Pinkie’s face began to get sad so Twilight quickly added, ”but don’t you think this party would be even better if the others were here with us?”

Pinkie’s face nearly split from the grin slowly spreading across it. “That’s – a – great! Idea! Oh! Twilight you’re still the most brilliant-est pony I know! Well maybe that should be most Brilliant-est Alicorn Princess Pony, I know! Ooh this party will be great! Better than great! I’ll get started on it right away!”

Enjoying her friend’s unending enthusiasm, Twilight escorted the pink jumping party hat wearing pony out the door. Then she picked up Spike, whom quickly fell asleep soon after waking Pinkie. Then she got into her own bed and fell asleep.

Knock, knock, Spike woke up first to the sound of somepony knocking on the door. So he got up to answer it. Before he even got there though… “Urr-rp,” out came some green smoke quickly followed by a letter and brown paper wrapped packaged from Celestia.

Knock, knock, knock. “I’m coming! I’m coming!” Spike called out before setting the letter and package absently on the nearest table.

“Oh, hello Mayor Mare,” Spike greeted. “Lovely morning isn’t it?”

Telling her advisors to stay outside, Mayor Mare invited herself in and then sat down on a pillow. It was left by Pinkie last night, the mayor ignored the high pitched fart that escaped said pillow. “Good morning Spike. How are you?”

“Fine thank you.” Spike responded automatically, taking mental note that Twilight left the cart, filled with stuff from Canterlot, still outside. Silently making plans to bring it in and put everything away later. “So. How can I help you today Mayor?”

“Oh Spike, you’re such a sweet dragon. Actually I wanted to speak with the Princess this fine morning. Is she awake yet?” Mayor Mare inquired.

Spike wanted to be helpful, but Twilight didn’t mention to him about an early morning meeting today, with the mayor. So he tried to answer carefully, not wanting to be wrong and disappoint both very important ponies. “Not yet, but she should in an hour or so. The train was very late arriving at Ponyville last night and then we found Pinkie in the Library-“

Mayor Mare waved her hoof to stop Spike. “Spike, I understand that the last few days have been quite stressful, on our dear Princess Twilight Sparkle is tired. Why with all the festivities and her unique transformation… Why I’m nearly breathless myself, just thinking about all of it. However there are many new responsibilities Twilight Sparkle has to attend to as our newest Princess, and of course as Ponyville’s most famous resident.” Mayor Mare paused, her patient politician’s smile gracing her face, signaling her willingness to wait.

Thirty minutes later, one of the mayor’s advisors cleared his throat while poking his head inside the library. The scowl on his face directed at the mare, when she looked at him he pointed to the clock tower. “Hmm? Oh right, yes,” She nodded at him, just before turning her attention back to Spike. “I’m sorry, Spike I guess my other duties cannot wait for the Princess to wake up. I must be off now, but please be sure to let her know to come and talk to me.” Then let herself out, as unexpectedly as she came in.

As soon as the Mayor left, Twilight poked her head over the balcony overlooking the main floor of the library. “Is she gone yet, Spike?”

“Huh?” Spike looked around for a moment, before slapping his paw to his head, as he looked up. “Twilight, what are doing? The Mayor was just here, and she really seemed to want to talk to you.”

Twilight hopped onto the railing before extending her wings and gliding awkwardly down to the floor below. “I know. And I’m really, really sorry for putting you into such a position.” Then she tried to fold her wings, but they were still stiff from the way she slept, so she settled for using one to wrap around the young dragon. “You’re such a good friend to keep the Mayor occupied for me. It’s just all this fuss over me becoming an alicorn and everything… I never expected any of this.”

Spike sighed. “I know Twilight. I know, but you’re going to have to face this sort of stuff eventually.”

*Giggle* “Hey! Where did my baby dragon go? Since when did you get so wise?” Twilight teased.

“Since I came with you to Ponyville three years ago, that’s when. The whole ‘the world is going to end’ thing, kind’a changes a dragon ya’ know?”

“Right.” Twilight responded. She turned her focus the shelves, “enough talk about the mayor. It’s time to get to some serious research.” Levitating the ladder over to the legends, “Alright Spike, climb on up there and find everything we have here about the Everfree Forest.”

“Right, my ‘favorite part’, the research.” Spike automatically began to climb the ladder, “you know since the ledgend of Night Mare Moon was in a foals’ story book, we might want to add those to the list as well.”

“Wait I just remembered something. The princesses sent you a letter and a package this morning.” Spike commented as he grabbed a copy of Little Red Hood.

“What?!” Panicking Twilight looked around, checking the fireplace mantle, the kitchen table, the side table by the base of the stairs. She ran around looking everywhere but the library work table in the center of the room. “Oh no, oh no, where is it? Where is it?”

“Twilight, Twilight, Twilight!” Spike kept calling out to the panicked pony until she finally looked up. When she paused in her search and looked up, he calmly pointed down to the scroll and package in the center of the room.

“Oh.” Smiling she gave Spike a sheepish smile, before turning her full attention to the princesses delivery.

*ahem* “Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, although I am pleased to receive word of your successful return to Ponyville. I still disapprove of Luna’s quest for answers of what happened back then. The ancient palace holds many happy memories for both of us, but it is what happened after Luna became NightMare Moon -”

“If you discover any secrets within those walls, then do not judge me too harshly. A thousand years is a lot of time. I will not stop you from seeking answers, and you are the best choice to find and guard the past. Perhaps you might be able to welcome this forgotten part into the modern age of Equestria, though I gravely doubt even you will succeed.

“So I have enclosed 2 things to aide you. One of them is a fireproof, waterproof, and magic proof blank journal for you to record this latest adventure. The second is an old story book I commissioned 977 years ago. Due to lack of interest, the book never caught on, so only a few copies remain. This one is from my personal collection. (Please take good care of it.)"

“Princess Celestia.” Twilight finished reading the letter then re-read it to herself twice more. “Okay, so there are no hidden meanings, that still doesn’t tell me anything more than I knew before, but maybe the storybook she sent can help. And in any case having a practically indestructible journal for this trip will most assuredly come in handy.”

Just then, Fluttershy gently trotted inside, carrying her travel bag over her hindquarters, “hello princess Twilight. I hope I’m not too early.”

Smiling, Twilight Sparkle moved aside to allow Fluttershy to view the story book Princess Celestia sent. “Not at all, actually I’m pretty sure I still have a bag packed, but I just got this letter and package from the Princess. Come and look at it. Apparently the Princess had this book published nine hundred and seventy seven years ago.”

Fluttershy opened the first page gently with her hoof, carefully turning each yellowed page. “Ohh, the pictures are so pretty. But um, this pony right here.” Fluttershy indicated a drawing of a blue pony with a flowing green mane and tail, the cutie mark was a cluster of Morning Glory booms. “She reminds of the portrait hanging in my great-grandmare’s cloud cottage, back in Cloudsdale. Only that pony had regular pegasus wings, not the transparent ones drawn here.”

Looking closely at the drawing, Twilight realized that all the ponies in that picture had only uncolored outlines for the wings. “Huh? They don’t look like ordinary pegasus ponies, do they? The wings, are all wrong. They kinda resemble the wings Rarity had when we went to Cloudsdale a few years ago.”

“Uh huh, but, that one pony there, really does look like that portrait, except for the wings. I’d almost say it was the same pony.” Fluttershy replied in a moderate tone of voice.

Fascinated Twilight and Fluttershy lay down on the floor to read the book together. Spike wanted to see what they were talking about, so he jumped down off the ladder and sat behind both ponies.

Twilight then began to read out loud. “All my little foals and gather round my hoofs. I’ve come to tell you a tale from not so long ago.” This sentence accompanied a stylized image of Celestia, surrounded by all types of foals, including a few breezies, nestlings and a buffalo calf. “I know a beautiful valley, beside a quiet brook, filled with many flowers of every kind. This valley is the home of a forgotten pony, a flutter pony.” This was the page, Fluttershy pointed at. It was covered in a field with colorful flowers, but above these flowers were water colored ponies hovering above them. The ponies had long legs with manes and tails that flowed well past their hooves. They also had colorless wings with flowers for cutie marks. “They laugh and fly about all day long. These ponies love to tend their flowers. They flitter and flutter about singing old songs.” The next two pages had pictures of these ponies playing in the sky. The page after that had stylized flowers, stars and candy around the edges and a windmill as the center image. “This wonderful gentle pony can do more than fly, sing, and garden. This flutter pony is a magical pony and will grant a wish to any brave enough to find her.” A single flutter pony, with a rainbow halo of six gems, was drawn standing alone. The background showed her standing amidst a forest. “The valley is in the forest, little foals. So never fear the woods. The flutter ponies will find you there and guide the lost home. That is the end of my tale. I love you all, but please don’t forget the flutter ponies. The wonderful ponies whom live in a valley in the woods.” The ending page was another picture of Celestia, this time she was standing in the woods beside a yellow coated flutter pony with pale pink mane and tail. Between them was a rosebush with six blooms each a different color of the rainbow.

“Cool story, guys.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Eeep!” Startled, Fluttershy swiftly hid under the table.

Twilight got up abruptly, her wings knocking Spike in the face. “Rainbow Dash… that wasn’t very nice.”

“Sorry, I saw you guys sitting around the book, and when I realized you were reading it out loud…” Rainbow Dash shrugged apologetically. “I couldn’t help myself. I just sat behind you guys. But it is a cool story. Nothing like ‘Daring Do,’ but for a foal’s tale… eh, it was kinda cool.” Then she went to pick it up where it had fallen to the floor. “Tale of the Flutter Ponies.” Rainbow Dash read aloud.

Twilight levitated the book out of Rainbow’s hooves, before carefully rewrapping it back up with the blank journal. After that she magically transported her pre-packed saddle bags from the upstairs rooms where she’d left them.

“So when do we leave?” Rainbow asked.

“Just as soon as the other’s arrive. Hopefully before Mayor Mare comes back.”

Rainbow smirked at Twilight’s comment. “She’s after ya huh. Well get used to it fast Twi. I can tell you, the life of a celebrity is not easy. I know from first-hoof experience.”

Just then Rarity, AppleJack and Applebloom stepped inside the library.

Rarity dressed herself in tortoiseshell sun glasses, white sunhat, purple silk scarf and her personally designed saddlebags. “But what fun it is darling.” She looked briefly around and spotted Fluttershy still under the table. Then she went to help the nervous pony get out from under it. “Of course our Twilight has never been a pony to actively seek the lime light. Why, I dare say, she’s the most humble pony any of us know.” She said, just before gently removing her hat, scarf and sun glasses for Spike to hold.

“Too right, Rarity! But I’m supposing that the mayor has some really important business to talk ta Twi about. So why aren’t one of the most responsible ponies on the planet I know, sides m’self. Avoiding the mayor?” AppleJack inquired, while keeping an eye on her younger sister.

Applebloom for the most part was trying to keep out of trouble, and help the princess at the same time. So she thought she’d climb the ladder by the dusty old books and see what they interrupted. That was when she began to sneeze and the sneezes propelled the ladder, with her on it, into the books Spike had partially pulled out. This ended up in said books, ladder and pony falling on the mane 6 standing below.

Fortunately Twilight spotted what was happening in time. Her purple colored magic shield covered everyone at the last second, while Twilight simultaneously caught Apple Bloom and saved the young filly from injury.

Shaken Bloom, had an awestruck silent expression, and then…”That! Was, Awesome! Can ya do that again Twilight? Huh? Huh? That was just too awesome, ya got really, really, powerful. Why I bet you could’a caught ten ponies falling out of the sky! Huh-“

As soon as Twilight released the shield on Apple Bloom; AppleJack quickly covered her sister’s mouth, stopping the jumping, skipping pony.

“I know you was just trying ta help and stay outta trouble, Applebloom,” AJ began once she had her sister’s attention. “But maybe you should just go find your friends and play elsewhere, okay?” She waited for the nod of agreement, before releasing Applebloom.

Tears beginning to well in Applebloom’s eyes, “but I wanted ta see if Princess Twilight Sparkle would let me and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders come with you guys…”

Twilight, busy helping Spike clean up, walked up to the squabbling sisters. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea Applebloom.”

“But-“

“Now I know you’re just trying to help, and there’s nothing to say this is going to be a dangerous mission, but I’m sure you’re old enough to understand that there are many dangers in the Everfree Forest.” Twilight Sparkle levitated the package she’d just re-wrapped before Apple Bloom fell. Magically un-wrapping it again, Twilight handed the children’s story to the young filly. “Why don’t you, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell look after this for me while we’re away? It’s from Princess Celestia’s personal library and it’s very old, so make sure you guys take extra special care of it.”

Mollified, Applebloom stopped nearly crying and gave Twilight her brightest smile. “Thanks Princess Twilight Sparkle! Me and da others will take great-great-extra-super-duper-specially-special care of it!”

Taking the book, Applebloom ran off to find the rest of the CMC to tell them about the new mission Princess Twilight Sparkle gave them. Thoughts of earning a "Royal Book Protector" cutie mark running through her head.

Pinkie Pie happened to get to the library just then. Since she was hopping along like usual, Applebloom’s mad dash resulted in the pink pony spinning like a top, just before falling over in a giggling tangle of limbs. “Wow! *giggle* That was fun, is everyone ready for the party yet?...”

Dear Princess Celestia,

I want to thank you for the lovely journal, as well as the children’s book. Both are quite fascinating and I’ll be sure to use the journal to record my experiences, in lieu of sending letters everyday. The book about Flutter Ponies, on the other hoof, I decided to lend it to Apple Bloom and her friends. Since, it really was intended for young ponies to enjoy.

I know I told you I’d leave today, but certain events occurred and I and my friends decided tomorrow morning would be better.

I wish I knew more about being a politician, but my studies never focused on that. Really thinking about what you, Luna, and Cadence have to handle every day, verses what I’ve recently experienced. I can’t figure out how you balance the everyday needs of the kingdom with the individual problems and personal needs that arise.

I can honestly say I’d rather face another changeling invasion.

I’m sorry that I can’t understand your reluctance to help find the answers Princess Luna is seeking.
A selfish part of me knows I’m only helping Luna to delay taking on my full role as the Princess of Friendship. I understand the risks of going into the Everfree Forest, what I don’t know; is what my current role as an alicorn.
I’m scared Princess Celestia. It seems there is so much I never studied for…

I am truly grateful for my friends and the Magic of Friendship. I believe that will help me get through all my doubts.

Sincerely,

Princess Twilight Sparkle, Bearer of the Element of Magic

Author's Note

I know it's a little long in doing, fixing my story, but I kept my promise about the Flutter Ponies. ;-) I really am working hard on making some "good" changes, that will make this story more dynamic. I have also begun a sort of 'journal' entry series for Queen Rose Dust. A semi background based on what I know of the original G1 version of MLP. It can be read any time. As it is only meant to flush out Rose Dust as a more 3D character.

Deep in the woods, in Silence she remained (11/14/15)

Deep in the woods, in Silence she remained

“Whoo-hee, Sugar Cube. That sure was some bang –up party!” AppleJack sighed as she surveyed the mess in the library. “Not sure we should leave this here chaos for Spike ta clean. Don’t seem right.”

Pinkie Pie giggled. “Oh don’t worry I’d never think to leave this to Spike. Part of the fun of a party is cleaning up and reusing all those wonderful streamers all over again!” The pink pony of never-ending energy and happiness quickly got up from her prone position and began leaping around to begin cleaning up the chaos. Applejack watched Pinkie until she got a headache, trying to stand up and help clean.

Rainbow Dash watched Applejack try and stand up, so she could help Pinkie straighten up the old tree house library. “Give it up AJ. Pinkie never does anything halfway, ‘sides she’ll have this place sparkling by the time you get all four hooves beneath you.”

Ignoring the sarcasm in Rainbow Dash’s voice, Applejack kept trying to stand up. Even after a few more minutes the only progress the earth pony made was to get her front hooves steady. Rainbow Dash looked on, not saying anything more, just stretching her own wings to get the blood pumping and getting the rest of her body ready to face the day.

When Applejack was fully standing, Pinkie had already cleaned up and expertly put away the party supplies.

“Sugar Cube, you work faster at cleaning up a party, than you do puttin’ everthin’ together.”

Giggling, Pinkie Pie casually replied, “Of course, I wouldn’t ever want anypony to say I wasn’t a good friend. And good friends don’t leave a mess around when we have to get going.”

“Going?” Applejack asked.

Snorting from where she was, Rainbow Dash. “Gee AJ, I think you forgot we were supposed to be in the Everfree Forest around now.” Rocking back and forth onto her front and hind legs, Rainbow Dash then stretched out her wings as well. “Going to have to lay off Pinkie’s special punch next time, AJ.”

Applejack blushed, realizing she had forgotten about the trip into the forest. The party last night wasn’t supposed to last as long as it did, but when Pinkie arrived and set everything up no one really felt like heading out to the old palace/castle, whatever Twilight called it.

“Alright I’m ready now, just got to put my pack back on.” Looking around Applejack suddenly realized that the only ponies left in the library were: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and herself. “Huh? Where’d everypony go?”

“Oh, you mean Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight, though now that I think about it, I really should start calling her ‘Princess Twilight’ or maybe ‘Alicorn Sparkles’, hey how about-“

Applejack quickly held up a hoof to gently stop the pink powder keg. “How about we talk about where they are, maybe?”

Shrugging Pinkie answered, “They left a while or so ago. You guys were too tired to join them, so I ‘pinkie promised’ them to stay here until you were ready.”

So Applejack quickly nodded in agreement, while Pinkie pulled a cart of supplies out from seemingly nowhere while Rainbow Dash got her saddle bags on. Everyone was now ready to go so they left; Spike had drunk too much of Pinkie’s Pony-tastic pony punch and had been snoring on the table the entire time.

As Rainbow Dash was about to fly out the door, “umm, guys shouldn’t we wake up Spike?” Then pointed her cyan hoof at the sleeping dragon.

“Nah- he’ll wake up soon ‘nuff on his own,” AppleJack replied. “ ‘sides, it ain’t like he don’t know where we’re goin’.”

Rainbow Dash looked back at Spike. He kept snoring peacefully on the table. Looking back one last time, Rainbow Dash slowly closed the door after the others had left.

Meanwhile Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Fluttershy had been walking in the woods for a few hours. The journey inside the woods was surprisingly uneventful. Usually, when they crossed into the magic free zone of the Everfree Forest, the sounds timber wolves would fill the air; light would play tricks in the trees and some stranges plant would harm the unwary. Twilight thought about the previous adventures she and her friends had had there involving monster trees, wild cocatrices, and patches of Poison Joke.

Like the first time when they went after Nightmare Moon. Then there was the disaster with the cockatrice. There was also the hunt for Apple Bloom, when said filly went in search of Zecora. Even when they were attacked by Poison Joke, it seemed as if the forest was out to cause trouble for them all.

The memory of those adventures put Twilight Sparkle a little on edge, so when Zecora’s cloaked figure appeared, Twilight jumped nearly a foot into the air, at suddenly hearing the Zebra’s voice. “Hello, dear friends. What brings you to Everfree’s glens?”

Rarity was the first to recover from Zecora’s sudden entrance. “Why, hello Zecora. Princess Twilight is on a new mission for Princess Luna. Our dear Twilight is looking for answers about what happened after she was banished to the Moon. Now, it is time to go looking in the heart of the Everfree Forest.”

“Rarity, that’s not quite true!” Twilight yelled. Then blushed, “I’m sorry Zecora. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just, well with everything that’s been happening… the broken spell, the cure for the spell, becoming an alicorn, the coronation…”

Zecora smiled, “Dear Twilight, I know you do not like the limelight.” She then motioned for them to follow. “Rest in my cottage, talk of your knowledge.”

Twilight shook her head, “I’m sorry Zecora. Any other time I’d really love to sit for a while, but Rarity wasn’t completely exaggerating. You see Princess Luna decided now was a perfect time to find an old friend of her’s and Princess Celestia’s. Only it seems that Celestia doesn’t want anypony to find out what happened to her.”

“I understand, your life is far from bland.” Zecora checked the pouches she’d tied to the inside of her cloak. “However, you can be too clever. Also I seem to be at odds and end. May I deem to extend a helping hand?”

“How nice of you to make such an offer,” Fluttershy stepped forward and whispered. “Princess Twilight, I think we should let Zecora come with us.” The ducked her head and quickly looked from Zecora to Twilight. “Umm, if that’s alright with everyone, that is, if it’s not, I- I understand.”

“No, that’s a great idea Fluttershy.” Twilight nodded in agreement. “Well Zecora. If you want I think you’d be invaluable to our party. After all no one knows the flora and fauna of the Everfree forest better than you.”

Zecora quickly packed some food and potions, before joining Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Just as they began walking along…

“Hey You Guys! Wait for US!” Rainbow Dash yelled out.

Upon hearing and seeing the familiar cyan pony with distinct rainbow mane, Zecora joked. “Ahh friends, the fun never ends.”

Twilight, FlutterShy, Rarity, and Zecora waited patiently for Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, and Pinkie to catch up. Then they explained about how Zecora had decided to join them on the trek into the woods to the ancient palace. It took a couple more hours but eventually the Mane 6, plus Zecora, found the one-time home of Luna and Celestia: The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.

Not much of the ruin seemed to have changed. The rickety old rope bridge was still unstable but the ropes were remained strong. The heavy fog lingered all the way to the court yard, flowing through the open portcullis and not quite reaching the main doors. The walls were still crumbling, as if silent testimony to a great and fearsome battle. Even the dust covered floors and fallen antiques did not appear to have been disturbed since Twilight’s last visit, though there didn’t appear to have as much dust accumulation as there should be.

Twilight was still silently accessing the grounds when Applejack suddenly heard whisper soft hoof steps. “Everypony… I’m not sure this place is as deserted as it appears.”

TThe gang watched in amazement as an old mare slowly pushed open the rusty old door. What little the gang could see of this mare, revealed a washed out sunny yellow coat and a short and softly curling grey mane. Her movements, despite the odd cloak, spoke of age mixed with an unconscious grace, not even Princess Celestia could imitate. This pony made the act of pushing open a door look like a slow dance.

“Amazing,” Pinkie blurted out, causing the pony to freeze in place before beginning to flee.

“Oh! Wait. We didn’t mean to scare you.” Twilight said as she ran to stop the pony. Thankfully Rainbow Dash was faster on her wings and flew in front of the pony. That was when the pony gave them another surprise. Throwing off her cloak, she began to hover and fly up into the air with large translucent wings.

The mare turned around and flew straight at Pinkie Pie, FlutterShy, Applejack, Rarity, Zecora, and Twilight.

“Who are you?” She loudly intoned. “No pony is to reside here ever again. Get Out! Get out NOW!” As the mane 6 stared, she bellowed “Leave!”

“Whoa, there.” Fearless Rainbow Dash used her speed to fly in between the strange pony and her friends. “And just who are you to tell US what to do? I say you leave! This is my best buddy, and Equestria’s most Awesome-est princess ever, Twilight Sparkle. This place, is apart of Equestria’s history, the awesome-est battle EVER took place here, and nothing, especially not a freaky old mare is gonna stop us from helping our friend, Princess Luna.”

The mare flew directly at Rainbow Dash, pinning the cyan mare to a stone column. “Never! Never! Say that name, I despise that creature. Both of them.”

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight tried to interject with a soothing voice. She tried to calm the angry Pegasus, while keeping an eye on the strange pony. “I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, newest princess of Equestria and, I demand to know what you are doing here.”

Snorting, the mare released Rainbow Dash. Then slowly landed directly in front of Twilight Sparkle. Carefully angling her scarred face, the mare lifted a long fetlock to reveal a small light pink Rose cutie mark on her cheek. “It is YOU, whom do not belong. These halls are mine! Have been for nearly 366,250 moons! The crown of those fillies, has no meaning here!” She paused her rant to breathe deeply. “You are truly foolish foals. To come HERE? On behalf of the so called daughters of the Sun and the Moon,” She began slowly, carefully enunciating each word, as she stomped her front hooves at Twilight. “You can demand nothing, this regency is mine.”

Twilight Sparkle almost took a step back, before taking a deep breath. Then she half bowed to the old mare, “if you say I have no right to know. Then how do you hold power here?”

The mare smiled, shook her head so her fetlock recovered her mark. “My lit-tle po-ny, my little pony... ” She started to sing as she turned to trot out the door. “Tell me, tell me. My little pony, what great tra-ge-dy happened here? A great lesson that, ban-ished Celestia, from there and here. --”

“We don’t have to tell you anythin’.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew between Twilight and the old mare. Glaring in the mare’s eyes, Rainbow Dash backed the mare against the door. “In fact, I say we boot this floating – freak - ”

Twilight gently pushed Rainbow Dash aside, carefully eyeing the mare. Not looking anywhere else, Twilight focused on the strange pony, “I can only tell you what I learned two years ago, on the 1000th anniversary of the event, I think you’re talking about. But please, tell me, who are you? What are you doing here?” Twilight countered.

The pony continued to smile as she shook her head. Absently picking up her discarded vine and burlap cloak, she carefully concealed her entire body from head to tail. “Nothing changes and it all is new again.”

Twilight stared at the mare, unconsciously spreading her wings as she concentrated. “Once a long time ago, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled all of Equestria, one sister ruled the ponies during the day, and the other guarded the kingdom at night. But after a while Princess Luna allowed jealously to rule her heart, transforming the young alicorn into the monstrous, Nightmare Moon. Fortunately Princess Celestia was able to use the Elements of Harmony to defeat her sister and trap Luna inside the moon.”

The old pony laughed at Twilight. ”You’ve quite much of the story to learn. Jealousy, not loneliness?” She nodded in thought, then laughed again. “It could have happened, did it? Though I suppose, tis close enough to the truth.” Once again she began to hover in the air, then bowed at them all collectively, “Call me Rosedust, though who is that? Is who I am, who I was… but now dust is dust, in a memory of time.”

Brash as always Rainbow Dash spoke first. “Never heard of ya. Now not to be rude or nuthin’ but it’s way past time we got to work.”

Rosedust didn’t acknowledge the taunts or even the presumptuous comment. She landed gracefully on all four hoofs and walked away, head held regally high. Rainbow Dash began to go after the uppity pony, but Twilight clamped her mouth on the impetuous pony’s rainbow tail.

“That’s enough, Rainbow. We’ve a lot of work to do, first locating the library, and then locating any clues to help us figure out what really happened here. And we can’t forget to find the Queen. We don’t have time to go after innocent ponies.”

Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash let the self proclaimed Rosedust leave.

“Twilight’s right, as startling as it is to find another pony out here. It’s simply not our job.” Rarity said. Then she began to survey the damage that time had wrecked to the old palace. “My, my this place certainly needs a mare’s touch. I don’t think we will ever find anything under all this dust. Why, without a truly thorough cleaning it, could take weeks, if not months. No, think this castle will need A LOT of work. Darlings we simply won’t have time to do anything else.” *cough* *cough*

Zecora began helping Rarity to dust but was lost in deep thought. “Rarity be right, we must work with all our might.”

Fluttershy followed their example as well, making small comments about how her squirrel friends could maybe come and help.

“Darn tooting, this is gonna be more work, than herding ducks on a rainy day. Any ways I’m more concerned if this queen even exists. It might jus’ be more important. After all, none o’ us here ever even heard a legend ‘bout a queen ‘fore all this. All Equestria’s ever had is our beloved Princess Celestia, an’ then Princess Luna, o’ course.” AppleJack added as she began pushing large stones back into place.

Twilight nodded. “I completely agree with you AppleJack, but remember, no pony could remember Princess Luna, the legend's all referred to her as Nightmare Moon. All I had to go on, for my research, was an old story book and forgotten reference guide.

“From the first time I set hoof in Ponyville, we’ve rediscovered many amazing facts lost to history. Knowing all this, can you still say we should just restore the old castle?” Twilight paused to look Applejack and Rarity in the eye. “Besides anything or one could have been this queen. The scrolls never said what she looked like, just who she ruled. It’s possible we’re looking for a descendant or even an immortal species, possibly a dragon.

“Ohh ohh!” Pinkie screamed. “Maybe… we’re really looking for a cranky pony like the one that JUST LEFT! Which reminds me WE really ABSOULTEY have to throw her a welcome PARTY! That would probably cheer her UP and show her we’re really nice ponies. AND then she be all nice to us. Maybe show us all the cool places and neat hidy holes! I mean really wouldn’t a pony like her just be soo fun. And THEN she can show us that super cool levitating trick, I mean how’d she do it! I didn’t see a horn on her head. OHH, maybe she had invisible wires that she used. Or possibly an air vent, but I didn’t see any wind machines. So it has to be wires…”

On and on Pinkie went, taking about the pony, while jumping around the room collecting dust on her coat and mane. By the time she finished talking the cotton candy colored mare looked more like a giant dust bunny.

==========================================================================

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,

My friends and I have just arrived at the castle where you and Princess Luna once resided. I recruited our friend Zecora, she was very interested in our new adventure, so I invited her along. The day has been primarily uneventful. We managed to make some repairs to the central entrance, but have come across a strange pony.

It seems you may have squatter. She appears to be a very reclusive type, (even by my standards). It appears, from the brief encounter we had, that she is around the age of Granny Smith Apple, at least she appeared old with her grey mane and faded yellow coat. She also possessed the unique ability to float in the air, using translucent wings. What’s most unique about her are not the unusual wing, but the scars and tiny pink rose mark on her cheek.

Your loyal friend,

Princess Twilight Sparkle, Bearer of the Element of Magic

P.S. There is one other thing. She called the castle her “regency”. As far as I am aware, Equestria has no regencies. Not since before the Era of Discord, according to the history books. It becomes more confusing when I remind myself that you and Princess Luna once called this place home.

Author's Note

I'm sorry for the long delay, any sugestions will be taken into appreciation and special thanks to Pond, my proof reader.

Tornado Firehooves gets a special thanks, please check out this writer's work.

Once again, thanks go to The Forgotten Comrade for his/her help in editing my work.

After the Coronation (re-write 6/24/15)

Dear diary,

The last few days have been the most wonderfully spectacularly amazing of my entire life. I originally thought the first time I saw Princess Celestia raise the sun was the best. Then I believed it was when Princess Cadence became my foal sitter. After that it was when Princess Celestia choose ME to be her personal student. Arguments could be made for the night I met Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, AppleJack, Rarity, and then rescued Princess Luna; becoming the Element of Magic. Those arguments would fail as that the Sun never rose when this occurred, at least until after Princess Celestia came back.

Just thinking about how I owe it all the magic of friendship… Well, five years ago I never would have believed it. Back when the only thing I cared about were my studies. Learning a new spell was the highlight of my week. Case in point, several of the previous entries depicting the very hour and minute I perfected each new spell. Never, did I ever think that making friends could be so important to the practice of magic. And it was due to my six best friends that today I was crowned the Princess of Friendship. If that wasn’t enough, I’ve become an alicorn as well! How amazing is that!

Anyway, before I entered my old chambers in Canterlot Castle, Princess Luna (formerly Nightmare Moon) gave me my first official royal duty.

I must return to the ruins at the heart of Everfree Forest. The original home of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, a place that fell into ruins long ago when the Elements of Harmony were used to imprison Nightmare Moon.

So, tomorrow I will start out on my favorite part of any adventure! I’m going to use every last book and scroll in the palace library in my research! I’m going to have more fun tomorrow than I did today! After all, it will take me hours to find what I need! Hours spent reading and learning! What more can a pony ask for?

Good Night Diary

Author's Note

Thanks to everyone who has helped edit this story

Flutter Ponys are a product of Hasbro. Also I may introduce the “Bushwoolies”, “fur-bobs”, and other creatures cannon to the first Generation (G1). For the best reference please watch “The End of Flutter Valley”, I will use more than one pony from this mini-series in the original MLP franchise. including the toy line.

The best reference on Youtube is “The End of Flutter Valley”.

This story is taking place between seasons 3 and 4? I am changing stuff.