Darkest Before Dawnby XionKage
Chapters
The Invitation
Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes as the rays of light hit her. The sun was just peaking over the hills around Ponyville. The morning sunlight always made her think of Princess Celestia and wonder how she was doing. She stretched and yawned, waiting for her head to clear from the long night's sleep, before getting up.
While making her bed, Twilight looked out of her window to view the quaint little town she lived in. She loved Ponyville. She loved the Library, the ponies she would see smiling and laughing as they went about their day, and of course she loved her friends more than anything. Lately, however, Twilight had been feeling homesick. She'd been thinking more and more about her days in Canterlot. More specifically, she missed the days when she was still a filly, being taught and cared for by Princess Celestia as her star pupil. Sure, Celestia had proven to be a fairly strict teacher, but in the end, she was very caring. She never raised her voice, and if she saw Twilight struggling, she would be there to help her in any way. Besides being her teacher, Celestia had become like a second mother to her, but since coming to Ponyville, she rarely saw her. When she was crowned as a princess, she had expected to see her former teacher more, but just the opposite had happened. The only time Twilight ever heard from her anymore was if there was some royal duty she needed to attend to.
The sound of Spike's snoring brought Twilight back from her thoughts. She lightly trotted over to the young dragon to wake him, but then she decided to give him a break and let him sleep in for once. She wanted more time alone with her thoughts, anyway, and a nice morning walk sounded wonderful right now.
The crisp, cool morning air welcomed Twilight as she stepped out the front door. She enjoyed going out early, especially since hardly anypony would be out yet. Before, she wouldn't have minded, but since earning the title of "Princess Twilight Sparkle", ponies were always coming up to her trying to flatter her or asking constant questions about her and the royal family. Being a princess was nice, but she often longed for the days everypony just knew her as "Twilight Sparkle". If only she'd never received a title and those annoying wings on her back. Then again, maybe they would be useful if she ever figured out how to use them.
Using her magic, Twilight closed the door behind her as she stepped back into the library, greeted by "Mornin', Twilight!" Spike bounded over to her with a scroll in his claws. "While you were gone, the Princess sent this!"
"The Princess?!" Twilight quickly grabbed the letter with her levitation magic, worried that it might be something serious.
"Is it urgent?" Spike asked, his voice heavy with concern. "Is everything okay?"
"This is great!" Twilight beamed, setting the letter down.
"What's great?"
"Princess Celestia invited me to stay at the castle for a week!"
"Why? Did something happen? Or some royal duty?"
Twilight shook her head. "Nope! It's just a leisurely visit with the Princess! I'm so excited!" Twilight clapped her hooves with enthusiasm.
"Alright! When do we leave?"
Twilight flattened her ears a little. "Um, Spike... I was kind of thinking it would be nice if it was just... You know, just me and Princess Celestia... Catching up on things... Without-"
"Alright, I get it." Spike's disappointment made Twilight feel bad, but at the same time, she couldn't wait to spend time with Princess Celestia. It would be the first time in years they could get close again.
"Spike, could you pack my things while I tell the others I'll be gone? Hopefully Pinkie Pie won't throw a big fit, and I won't be out long. Be back soon!" With that, Twilight left to inform her friends of her trip.
Catching Up
Twilight let out a deep sigh when she finally made it to the castle. The long train ride left her tired, and she couldn't wait to finally be inside the castle, breathing in the familiar air that brought her back to her foalhood. While she had been there a few times since she left for Ponyville, it seemed like the fate of Equestria had always hung in the balance during her brief visits, and she never had the chance to stop and take in the nostalgia. Her energy slowly returned with each step on the familiar floor. It took every ounce of willpower to keep herself from sprinting and jumping around like a filly.
"Greetings, Princess Twilight." Twilight looked forward to see Celestia walking towards her. Her natural beauty and grace always awed Twilight.
Twilight returned her greetings. "Princess, if it's alright with you, just call me Twilight. I kind of want to get away from formalities for awhile."
Celestia cast Twilight an understanding smile. "Very well. In that case, you may just call me Celestia."
"Yes, Pri-I mean, Celestia!" Twilight smiled. "So, are you busy right now?" Celestia shook her head, and Twilight's smile grew bigger. "Then, can we talk for awhile? There's so much I want to tell you about!"
"Of course, Twilight. Shall I have some tea and cakes prepared for us?" Twilight had missed Celestia's warm, casual tone. Now that things in Equestria had calmed down, she could be more relaxed.
The conversation went on for hours. The two princesses exchanged stories, some about everyday events and others humourous tales that made them both laugh. At one point, they even had a contest to see who could eat more cakes, which Celestia unsurprisingly won. Before long, it was time for Celestia to lower the sun so that her sister Luna could bring night to Equestria.
As many times as Twilight had seen the sun and the moon rise and set, it never ceased to amaze her when she watched the princesses complete their rituals of bringing night and day. She wondered if someday she'd have to carry any responsibilities like that. It suddenly occurred to Twilight that she hadn't said a word to Luna since she arrived that afternoon. In fact, she hadn't seen her at all that day.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight smiled warmly at Luna who smiled back.
"Ah, yes, my sister did mention something about inviting you over. Had I known you were coming today, I'd have greeted you much sooner. My apologies."
"It's okay! I'm the one who should have come to see you!" Twilight's smile dropped a little when she noticed that Luna seemed troubled by something. The moon princess often behaved a little awkwardly ever since being freed from her prison of a thousand years as Nightmare Moon. "Is everything okay?"
"Y-Yes! Everything is fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, Sister's nearly finished lowering the sun." Without looking back, Luna left to raise the moon, not even glancing at her sister as they passed each other. There must have been something wrong. Twilight Sparkle's heart sank a little at the thought of a problem coming up during her visit. Twilight only hoped that she was just reading too far into things, and everything really was just fine.