Twilight sighed contentedly as she tucked her newest book into her saddlebag. She'd been waiting for this volume from her personal library back in Canterlot for over a week. But now it was here, and she could resume her studies in earnest. All she needed to do was return to her house, and--

"Hiya, Twilight! I just saw something totally neato and I had no idea what it was but I knew you would cause you're super smart! Wanna go look? Do you wanna? Huh huh huh?"

That was, if she could get home without getting distracted.

Twilight smiled as she turned to face Pinkie Pie. "Sure, Pinkie. What is it?"

"Oh boy!" Pinkie was being her usual bouncy self. "Come on, it's right over here!" And she was off like a rocket.

Twilight took a moment to securely close the bag with a spell, then began racing after Pinkie. "Wait up! I don't know where you're going!"

"Slowpoke!" teased Pinkie. "Try to catch me!"

Twilight grinned and gave chase. She wasn't the most athletic of ponies -- that would probably go to Applejack, or maybe Rainbow Dash when she was actually focused -- but she considered herself to be decent in an endurance contest. She'd placed fifth in the Running of the Leaves, after all. So she thought that she had a good chance of being able to keep pace with Pinkie, at least as long as she wasn't in one of her hyper moods.

Sure enough, she managed to catch up by the time they approached the forest edge. "So what'd you see?"

"I told you I don't know, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "Weren't you listening?"

"Oh. Right." Twilight chuckled.

They cut through the forest and wound up at a small clearing that Twilight recognized as being one of Fluttershy's favorite haunts. Her other friends were clustered around a smallish animal. Pinkie raced directly over to them. "Guys, I brought Twilight! I bet she can solve this mystery! Cause she's a great pony detective!"

"Howdy, Twilight," called Applejack. "Pinkie said she reckoned ya might know what this here thing is. Ah have ta admit -- ah ain't got a clue."

Fluttershy was crouched so that she was almost on top of the thing. "I don't think it's listening to me." She looked upset that one of her forest friends was ignoring her.

Twilight approached, looking over the animal. It was a four-legged animal, with a bill like a duck's, a tail like a beaver, and feet that reminded Twilight of an otter. She'd never seen one before.

"It's so... strange. Yet oddly elegant," said Rarity, craning her head. "I wonder if I could dress it up? It might look dashing with the proper attire."

"Hey!" yelled Pinkie Pie. "Be quiet, guys! Twilight's thinking!"

Twilight laughed. "Thanks, Pinkie." She returned her gaze to the animal, thinking back to her books. She was confident she'd read of something like this. Duck-billed but not a duck... there weren't many creatures like that. It wasn't in any of her more general books, so she could discount all the animals therein. It was probably in--

"Any luck?" Pinkie asked, having moved directly in front of her to stare right into her eyes.

"Come on, partner, let her think," said an amused Applejack. "Ain't no rush."

Twilight tried to ignore her own amusement and focus. She thought she remembered a similar drawing in one of her books. It was coming back to her.

"I think it's a platypus," she said at last.

"A what?" the others asked.

Twilight laughed. "A platypus. I think they're native to Brismane, down south. Wonder how this little guy got all the way up here."

"What do they eat?" asked Fluttershy, who seemed to be dismayed at the creature's thinness.

"I don't remember exactly, but I've got a book that says what it eats, how it sleeps, what temperatures it likes, and even," she smiled, remembering more now, "How to make friends with them. Platypi are shy by nature, but if you treat them right, they can be really friendly."

"Like somepony we know," said Rainbow Dash, nudging Fluttershy. The yellow horse blushed.

Pinkie cheered. "See? I told you guys Twilight would help us! You're awesome, Twilight!" She jumped in the air. "Let's go to the Sugar Cube to celebrate!"

Twilight grinned, her new book forgotten. "Sure, I'm in."

Later that night, Twilight returned home giggling. Her friends were awesome.

Spike greeted her as she entered. "Hi Twilight! Have a good day?"

"The best," she said. "Pinkie decided to throw an impromptu party at the Sugar Cube." She smiled at the memory. "Never saw Rainbow Dash stuff a whole pie into her face before, but Pinkie's new recipes were awesome."

"Yeah, she's really something, isn't she?" Spike passed her an envelope. "This came for you while you were out. I think it's from Celestia and Luna."

"I didn't screw something up, did I?" said Twilight, immediately seizing the letter with her magic and yanking it open. "Okay, let's see... best wishes, hopes I'm doing well... oh, they want me to come back to Canterlot for a week or so. Not you, just me."

"So you didn't screw up, then," said Spike.

"Unless... what if they just didn't tell me in the letter? What if I screwed up so badly they want to yell at me face to face?" Twilight's smile vanished. "Spike, I've been sending weekly friendship reports, right?"

"Yes, but--"

"Maybe she's unhappy with the latest construction projects. I knew I should have convinced Ivory Scroll to--" She noticed Spike tapping the bottom of the letter. "What?"

"Ahem." Spike took it. "PS: do not worry. You aren't in trouble for anything. We would simply like to see you again."

Twilight blushed.

"I guess she knows you well," said Spike, before collapsing in laughter.

"Har har." Twilight shook her head to clear it. "Well, this is a good opportunity, then. I need to look at the palace library anyway. And it'll be great to see Princess Celestia." She folded up the letter and sent it to her travel saddlebag. "Spike, can you take the '1001 Species Native to Equestria' book over to Flutter's in the morning? She's got a platypus that she needs to take care of."

"A platter of what?"

Twilight smiled as she opened up her dresser and took out her most formal outfit, a glittering dress that Rarity had designed. It would be perfect to wear when visiting Canterlot. "Never mind. Just take her the book, please."

"Okey dokey!"

The next task was to write a response to Celestia. 'Dear Princess Celestia, I will return to Canterlot as soon as I possibly can. I am eagerly awaiting seeing you again.' She paused, then sent that paper away and took another. "No, that's not right. It's not formal enough. Dear Princess Celestia, I will return to Canterlot in the morning. I look forward to seeing you again..."

The next morning was warm and sunny.

After doing a quick loop of the town and bidding her friends goodbye, Twilight approached the town square. She smiled when she saw the gleaming chariot. Teleporting to the castle might have been technically feasible, but it would have exhausted her. It was nice for Celestia to send her transportation.

"Wait!"

Twilight had to hide her smile as she turned to see Rainbow Dash and Pinkie running towards her.

"Girls, I already said goodbye," she protested as they jumped up and tackled hug. Pinkie embraced her in a big hug.

"What if we never see each other again?" said the pink pony. "Won't you be sad if you didn't have a chance to give your best friend Pinkie Pie a really good goodbye?"

"But... but I'm coming back, Pinkie." Twilight smiled weakly. "The only way I won't see you again if I die in Canterlot or something."

"Then your ghost will be sad!"

Cornered by such 'logic,' Twilight gave Pinkie a big hug. "There. Now my ghost'll be happy."

Rainbow Dash was gagging. "Ugh. If this is what goodbyes are like, count me out of them."

"Aw, so you don't care that I'm leaving?"

Rainbow smiled and shook Twilight's hoof. "Who said that? I just don't need hugs--"

Pinkie gathered the two of them into a big hug. "One last Pinkie hug!"

Twilight eventually managed to extricate herself. "Girls, I promise I'll be back in a week. Now, sorry, but I've really got to get going. Can't be late for the princess..."

She hopped into the chariot, and the two pegasi charioteers began flying away.

"Can we come visit?" called Pinkie.

"I'm only going for a week!" Twilight called back.

"Okay. We'll visit tomorrow to make sure you're doing okay!"

Twilight sat down, unable to stop smiling. Pinkie and Dash could be very stubborn when they wanted to be. Twilight had little doubt that one or both of them would find some way to make it to Canterlot to say hello to her. Well, as long as it didn't interfere with whatever Celestia had in mind for her, that was fine.

The flight was fast, taking only a couple of hours to cover what would have been a week's worth of travel on hoof. And when it was over, Twilight found herself standing in front of the castle that she'd lived at for so much of her life.

It was just as big and majestic as she remembered it.

She'd arrived an hour or so ahead of schedule, so she took advantage of the opportunity to explore the castle. She smiled when she looked in on her old nook in the library, and the little cupboard in the kitchen where Spike could usually be found after pilfering some royal delicacy. A few ponies that she remembered greeted her, and she enjoyed telling them what she'd been up to, and learning how the castle had changed (apparently, Luna had installed an observatory on the grounds). Ponyville was awesome, but sometimes it was nice to visit home.

And then the appointed hour arrived. Twilight smoothed back her mane, made sure that her dress was on straight, and entered the throne room.

Celestia was as radiant and glorious as Twilight remembered, and Twilight had to struggle not to race to her side. Celestia was Twilight's teacher, mentor, and above all, friend. Even being in her presence was a comfort to her. She smiled, feeling at peace, and only barely remembered to bow.

"You don't need to bow," said Celestia, clearly amused. She rose. "Welcome home."

"Thank you, your majesty. I came as quickly as I could once I heard that you wanted to see me." Her voiced tensed slightly. "It's not something bad, is it?"

"Of course not, my student." Celestia seemed to almost glow in the sunlight. "Are you sure you would not wish to simply talk first?"

"If you wish," said Twilight, though it was obvious that she was eager to know why Celestia had summoned her.

Celestia seemed to understand. "Well... I suppose I can tell you now. I wanted you to take a certain test."

Twilight immediately began to panic.

"I -- of course, your majesty, of course, I will, but I -- I haven't studied, and I don't know--"

"Twilight!" Celestia seemed amused. "It is not that kind of test. You need not worry. It is more a test of... character. It is not the kind of exam that can be studied for."

That mollified Twilight a little. Very little. "Alright, your highness. I'm ready."

The next thing she knew, she was on the floor. Her ears were ringing like somepony had struck a gong next to her. "Woah -- what happened?"

"Do not worry, my student." Celestia stepped down from her throne and extended a hoof to help Twilight up. "I had to remove an enchantment from you."

"Enchantment?"

"Two years ago, child, a memory spell was placed on you." Celestia nodded. "I have just removed it. I am sorry for subjecting you to this test again, Twilight, but please know that I have no other choice. The fate of Equestria hangs in the balance."

Twilight paused, having no idea what was going on. What memory charm? Her memories were--

Wait.

When she tried to remember her past, she found herself looking at two sets of memories. In one, she was reading books in the library. In the other, she was... still reading books, but they were different. Not history books, or literature or science. Magic, and... and tactics.

In an excerpt from her first set of memories, which she'd believed until five minutes ago to be her only ones, she was running around on a field, kicking a ball. In the other, she was practicing with a spear, fending off the attacks from a palace guard.

"Good job, Twi Sword!" the guard had called. The memory of kicking a ball seemed to fade.

"What? Princess, I don't understand," began Twilight.

Celestia said, "You may find it useful to lie down, Twilight Sword. Your room is still where you remember it."

"I -- but -- that's not my name, is it?" And then, more confidently, "I know that's not my name!" But now she was remembering. Celestia had given her that name after she'd excelled in magic and athletics, besting most of the palace guard in an annual training competition. Moments after she'd triumphed over her final opponent by turning him into a chicken, Celestia had said, "My strongest and most loyal student, the greatest of my scholars and soon to be my greatest warrior. Twilight Sword, know that the kingdom has recognized your incredible ability and will always honor you."

"Please, lie down," said Celestia, gently. "The actual test begins tomorrow, and you need to be well rested."

"What is the test?" managed Twilight.

"It is similar to the one you took two years ago. You should remember it now. I will see you then. And, Twilight..."

"Yes?"

"Best of luck."

Twilight smiled weakly, fighting her confusion and headache. And then two servants were leading her away.

Her room wasn't, as it turned out, the library where she'd thought she'd practically lived. Rather, she found herself in a luxuriously appointed officer's quarters.

"Cool," she said, as she got onto the bed. It was softer than any she'd ever lain on, and she'd slept over at Rarity's house.

It took some time -- several hours, actually, during which Twilight grabbed dinner from the kitchens and began perusing her old book '1001 Spells for Combat' -- but Twilight thought she'd sorted out her memories. From the time she'd left her parents to the day she went to visit Ponyville, she had two large sets of memories. One set, the ones full of solitary studies and endless research, were what Celestia had implied were faked. The other set, the ones of combat practice, of relentless magical study and training to be strong and mighty, had been declared to be real. And the more she thought about it, the more real they felt.

Thinking of Ponyville caused Twilight to grin. "Oh! I should totally show them my new magic when I get back!" She was starting to remember some of the advanced spells she'd learned too, and they were way beyond the silly tricks she'd used in Ponyville. What would Pinkie think, she wondered, if she levitated the whole bakery? They could have a picnic in the sky, she'd like that.

That said, two questions remained, assuming the new set of memories were true. First, why had Princess Celestia given her a whole new set of memories -- practically, a new personality -- before she'd left for Ponyville? She couldn't see a reason, unless it had something to do with Nightmare Moon. But she trusted Celestia, and so while she was confused, she wasn't worried. Celestia wouldn't do anything to her mind without a good reason. In fact, she seemed to recall giving Celestia permission to do it, although she couldn't quite recall why.

The second question, of course, was what the test was. That was the one thing she still couldn't quite remember. Whenever she thought about it, it felt really important -- like the test had been determining the fate of Equestria or something -- but she couldn't quite recall what it entailed.

But she did know that she'd passed it once before. That she was confident of. So she was sure she could do it again. She could win for Princess Celestia. Next Chapter: The first round (Sneaking up) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 42 Minutes