“Twilight?”

She thought she heard a voice-but from where? And what was she doing if she could not hear Pinkie’s voice till now?

Twilight knew she was in a big trouble. Quickly she thought how to respond, but as usual, the pink pony was already ahead of her, not giving Twilight any time to react to her sudden intrusion. “Twilight? Hello? What’s up?”

Looking to the right, Twilight saw Pinkie, now directly staring at her. “Twilight! You didn’t even notice me being this close! And that only means you are worried about something!” Pinkie was shouting at her. How did she not hear it?

“Uh….what?” Twilight said. She knew she had been definitely been blank for quite a while, though what worried her more was the fact that she must have looked very strange to Pinkie-and if something was strange to her, it caught her interest, and that only meant no good. She had to come up with a good excuse very soon, lest she be at the mercy of the pink predator which fed on others’ slight sign of showing disconcertment. It was Pinkie’s prime delight to make others smile, and by prime Twilight knew it was the divine commandment for Pinkie. She was the Element of Laughter, and her happiness was infectious. In a way it was good-sometimes too good for others to take.

“I called you several times about how boring this train ride was and then asked you why couldn’t we just use the teleportation spell. You said you were practicing on it last time. Anyway, you were not listening to me and that obviously means you are thinking about something. Maybe I can be a help?"

“Guess I was…feeling bored.” Twilight replied rather curtly, still yet unrecovered from her dazed state. It was always this part of the ride which made her to dread taking the train to Canterlot. Under the mountain, the view would become increasingly dull and bland, leaving Twilight unable to appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Equestrian nature, now covered in white blanket of snow, the land entirely embraced by it. But right now, outside the compartment, her eyes could see nothing but a dark brown slab, it sometimes temporarily lighted for a second or so as the train passed the row of weak orange light lamps indicating the path for the track. The air smelled of deep earth that has not seen light for eternity, the scent strong enough to make Twilight stunned for a moment. It had a powerful odor which slapped against her nose, which was making sure to keep her awake despite the cozy environment the train offered against the winter cold, bound to make anypony very drowsy.

Whatever she was occupied with, however, was not about the train ride. Not at all. Even the tunnel smell did not prevent Twilight from getting lost in her thoughts. Something else she was thinking-and Twilight realized how she did not took notice of the usually hyperactive pink pony who exerted her presence both knowingly and unknowingly.

Mainly because what she was thinking was quite a serious matter.

“Hey, Twilight, you there? Feeling okay?” Pinkie was still staring at her, her right eyebrow raised up a little. Twilight recognized the sign; Pinkie’s curiosity had sensed its prey. The pink menace slowly came towards her. “I spy a pony who is really worried about something, Twlight I wonder what could it be? But don’t you worry, because Pinkie here will help you with whatever’s troubling you.” Pinkie grinned.

Normally she would have appreciated her attitude. But the situation was different this time. “I’m fine, Pinkie.” Twilight replied. She was managing to appear as if nothing had happened, but getting back from her preoccupied state was never easy. She knew it well her countenance was not going to fool Pinkie, though she had to give it a try. “I was doing nothing.” Her voice sounded really shaky right now, uncertainty evidently visible; and Pinkie was definitely not going to miss that. Twilight cleared her throat, coughing for a few times. “And the air was making me feel quite stuffed.” No, let’s not panic. Pinkie will get me on slightest chance she could find. Twilight fully reminded of herself.

Her faint hope was quickly dashed as she saw Pinkie looking far from being convinced, her predatory stance not diminished at all, her smile becoming increasingly disturbing, and her eyes shining, expecting-and determined-to acquire her target. “But Twilight, I’ve been calling you for several times and you didn’t answer. You looked so quiet, just sitting at your seat for the last few minutes. That's not the look of a pony doing nothing. I really think something’s bothering you. And I'm sure I can help you.” Pinkie looked at her. Her serious stare was not very different from the one she had at the cake incident they had few weeks ago, except there was a smile on her face (thus worse still, Twilight realized). Twilight’s previous experience with the pink earth pony was giving a warning sign that Pinkie was fully determined to reveal whatever Twilight was hiding.

Twilight smiled weakly, wondering if she could attempt to just pass it off. “Nothing, nothing. No problem at all. Nope, not at all! I told you, I was just feeling dizzy! Yes. And also tired too. Wow, the train sure takes long time to reach Canterlot, don’t you think so?” She tried to read Pinkie’s reaction as she quickly glanced over her. Unfortunately, Pinkie’s unnerving expression did not change much, and if anything, it only served to emphasize her suspicion over Twilight.

“Oh, is that so? You only make that face when you’re really worried about something. And my tail twitched three times in a row with my eyebrows flickering for two times when I was watching you. Do you know what that means?” Pinkie took one step closer to her. Twilight wondered if she was already caught in dead end with no way to escape, and was thus forced to let Pinkie devour her useless pretenses she hastily put on.

“Eh…that somepony is feeling bored?” Twilight laughed nervously.

“Wrong!” Her fears proved to be right as Pinkie came very close, the pink pony's nose actually touching Twilight’s face. Before she could say any word of protests, Pinkie began to blurt out her usual fast-paced chatter. “It means that somepony I see right now is really worried about something. And you know what? I didn’t even need my pinkie sense to figure that out! Anypony seeing your face right now will tell something’s wrong with you. And as your friend, I cannot really let you looking so sad and depressed!”

Twilight realized Pinkie was going her inquisitor mode again, ever so intent on making everyone smile. She had to find a way to dismiss Pinkie’s series of questions which was bound to hit her, or at least convince Pinkie that her state was not really special, not worthy to pursue. Unfortunately, for Pinkie, she was not going to be much of a help. It was complicated-very complicated.

“It’s nothing, really. You know the train ride to Canterlot takes more than a few hours. Perhaps I should’ve brought some books to read. That is what I should’ve done…yep” Twilight smiled, this time more confidently. A meek smile was not enough. To fool the predator, the prey had to be more cunning, outwitting the chaser. Pinkie was probably expecting her to fumble her words. No. She was definitely more than that.

“Really? That’s it?” Pinkie said, now looking uncertain of her judgement. Maybe she could get out after all.

“Yes, Pinkie. Now can you please step back a bit? Your face is so close to me and it’s making me feel really uncomfortable.” Twilight moved back a little, still maintaining her make-up confident smile despite being bombarded with Pinkie’s piercing glare.

Had she figured out? Maybe. She was Pinkie after all. Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie as her mind was devising a tactic to put a halt on the pink pony’s tenacious interrogation. Very often Pinkie could guess what others tried to find even without the her innate sense, and that was one of the reason why Twilight and others had such a hard time preparing a surprise birthday party for her in the first place. At least she was along with four more brains back then, but now, with her alone in the secluded section of the train which was probably not going to reach Canterlot for another few hours, she was on her own.

Much to Twilight's relief, Pinkie stepped back, returning to her seat and moved her eyes to the window “Oopsie, sorry about that. Yeah, I’m bored too.” Pinkie said. Then she became quite, turning her eyes to the unchanging color pattern of the underground tunnel that passed through the window. “There’s really nothing to do here except to watch the dull scenery.” Pinkie yawned.

Twilight knew she had to make sure that Pinkie had completely lost interest in questioning her. Better safe than sorry-Pinkie was so random, like a bouncy ball ready to move in all directions. Right now her sight was affixed at the window, but Twilight knew she was not out of the wood yet. The hunter could be patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. It was better for her to keep on her guard. Still managing to keep her distance, Twilight cast a short glance to Pinkie, wondering what she was thinking right now.

“Are you watching me, Twilight?” Before she could do anything however, Pinkie suddenly turned back to meet her not-so-surreptitious investigation. A mischievous smile began to form on Pinkie's face. Twilight tried to avert her gaze, but it was to no avail; the pink earth pony was faster than a lightning, her huge eyes once again transfixed at her as she stood in front of her.

“Aha! Gotcha! You thought you were watching me, but really, I was watching you!” Pinkie grinned, and her grin got much bigger than Twilight thought ever possible. And of course, that only meant trouble. Lots and lots of trouble for her.

“Um…no! I was just looking at you because I was bored! You know, it’s just you and me going to Canterlot. And with just two of us, we don’t have much to talk about, right?” Twilight knew her voice was fumbling. “So, uhm, I was just looking around, uh, and happened to see you! Yes, that’s it…” Desperate attempts-and they were failing. They were simply not working.

“Oh? Really?” Pinkie's tone was overly sarcastic-another ill omen.

Twilight’s body involuntarily shuddered. “I, um, thought we were all going together, but you know others are all tied down doing their businesses. And that was what I was thinking few minutes ago.” Twilight replied, suppressing her quickly escalating fear, though her ears caught some shaking within her voice. And if she realized something was wrong, there was no way for Pinkie to miss the obvious sign.

Pinkie smiled-and it was not her usual smile, but more sly one, signaling her curiosity peaked at its max. “I spy a pony hiding something, Twilight. And I hope that isn’t you.” She giggled-then stopped.

What Pinkie did next Twilight did not expect. Pinkie was still looking at her-but she was visibly concerned. “Am I bothering you now Twilight? If that’s the case, I won’t ask you them... But I know that look. It’s the look of a very distressed pony. I just don’t want to see such look from my friends. Could you please tell me what’s wrong?”

Twilight looked at her with wide eyes, clearly not expecting this. So smart she was! Of course it was not a hunt at all, but Pinkie only trying to make her friends get rid of their worries and smile. Pinkie was her friend-and friends were there to help you; Twilight now felt quite ashamed. Perhaps she should have just told her?

But then again, it was not something Pinkie was likely going to help. The issue-it seemed so simple, but it was really not.

“Well.” Twilight said, taking a deep breath, quite unsure of how to start the conversation this time. “I do have a problem, but it’s not about others not being able to come. They have their works to do. I think it all started with the terrible winter storm we had for the past few days. It did hit Ponyville pretty hard. And as a result, Fluttershy now needs to take care of the sick animals and AJ’s barn house needs a major repair. Dash had to fly to Cloudsdale to check the Weather Bureau there how the storm came by, and the last time I checked Rarity, she was busy making the extra coats for all the ponies that caught a cold because of the freezing winds the storm brought."

“And then you received an urgent letter from Princess Celestia telling you to come meet her as soon as possible, right? That’s why we’re riding the train to Canterlot, I suppose. Luckily I happened to bake a whole new batch of delicious pies in case of a storm emergency! I would have liked to help others, but Princess Celestia did say you had to bring at least one pony with you. I just hope they all enjoy my confectionery. You know, few days ago my mane and tail twitched way over than usual. And that always means the big storm’s a-coming. So I guess you are wondering why Princess Celestia asked you to come, hmm?”

“How…did you know?” Twilight wondered whether Pinkie could read her minds now.

“Well, I think that’s gotta be the only reason. I mean, nothing special happened in Ponyville other than that. Oh, except the storm I guess. But you did look very surprised when you got the letter from the Princess.”

Twilight sighed. Perhaps Pinkie was a physic and did read her mind-though partially. She was guessing it fairly right; close, but not exact. “Okay, you got me. I was actually thinking about that. Don’t you think it’s strange for the Princess to call me so suddenly? I mean, Ponyville was hit by a storm and it would have been better if I stayed there to organize the cleanup process. But the Princess’s letter said that it was really crucial that I come to Canterlot no matter what…. And like you mentioned, she said to bring one pony with me. At first I was wondering why she wrote like that, but it actually turned out that you were the only one who could come with me-as if she knew others could not come in the first place! I’m relieved Cheerilee gladly volunteered to take things in orderly fashion though. But all these events just doesn’t make sense.”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, it does start to look very strange. Lot's of things don't make sense in the first place...but this one I think is very strange, stranger than others.” Pinkie said.

Twilight nodded. “Yeah...things can be strange I guess. Anyway, that was what I was thinking before you called me, trying to figure out why she called me.”

“Got any idea why?”

“I really don’t know. It might have to do something with the letter I sent to the Princess few days ago.”

“Oh, what was the letter about? I thought it was one of the Friendship Report?”

“No...it was something else. Hold on, I'm trying to remember...” Twilight hesitated for a second. Should she tell to Pinkie what the letter was about? Somehow she felt she shouldn’t tell Pinkie exactly what she wrote on the letter. She was a good friend who cared for her-but what was bothering her was just too serious, at least that was what Twilight thought, and she was not sure if Pinkie could comprehend what she was truly worried about. Just how could she explain it to Pinkie? Something was wrong. At first she thought it was just a careless mistake, just a minor error-but it was not, at least from her perspective. Twilight gulped, wondering if she could somehow tell Pinkie only what she thought to be okay to tell her. “Pinkie, do you know how old is Ponyville?”

“76 years. Why?” Pinkie titled her head, looking not really sure why Twilight asked the question.

“Nothing. Just wanted to make sure on that one.”

Pinkie did not look amused, quickly frowning. “No Twlight, that’s not how it works. If you want to make something sure, then it’s not just ‘nothing.' Why would you want to make sure of that?”

Twilight put her hoof on her forehead. The pink pony could be so acute in certain situations without even realizing it (or maybe she was very well aware of her talent). “That Ponyville is indeed 76 years old. I thought it was older, I mean, way much older than that, like hundreds of years old.” Twilight said, keeping her apprehension as best as she could.

“But Twilight, everypony living in Ponyville knows how old the town is. You ask that question to anypony in town, and she will say ‘It’s 76 years old, founded by the Sweet Apple Acres Family.’ Who said it was that old anyway?” Pinkie said, the look of puzzlement on her face.

Twilight felt really cold for a second, and she knew it was not because of the cold weather outside. The train was heated so well, and extra insulation spell made sure that the machine maintain the comfortable room temperature. Luckily for her, Pinkie did not seem to notice of her sudden cringe. “Oh…is it? I swear the book I read before said Ponyville was about 600 to 700 years old….”

Pinkie shook her head. “Nuh-uh. 76 years. I’m sure the book you read was wrong, Twilight. Really wrong. So you wrote to Princess Celestia about that?”

“Yeah…” Twilight muttered, putting away her sudden unexplainable fear to the deepest part of her mind as best as she could. It was just a minor issue-or was it? She just could not help keep thinking about it-why was it keep getting back inside her head? “Guess I was wrong then. Then what could be the reason for Princess Celestia asking me to come? if it was about the letter I sent, a reply letter would have been fine…"

“Oh! Or maybe she thought it was really important to tell you that Ponyville is actually 76 years old and not hundreds? I think it’s really important to know how old Ponyville is.” Pinkie giggled, now somewhat returned to her usual playful self. “Don’t worry too much, Twilight. I’m sure the Princess will tell us what it is about once we get there. It's not like worrying is going to make you feel better.”

Twilight bit her lips. Pinkie's words were comforting-but it was not enough. There was just no reason for the Princess to suddenly summon her. Just to tell her that? No. “Maybe.” Twilight smiled faintly, ignoring her logic coming to a terrible conclusion. Perhaps it was better to not to push the issue too far, as Pinkie wisely advised. “I guess we’ll know once we meet Princess Celestia.”

“Of course! Just ask Princess Celestia as soon as you meet her!"

“I wish.” Twilight said, contemplating for a moment. Pinkie’s reply did manage her to settle down a bit. Yes, worrying was not going to help-but Pinkie did not know what she was really facing. She was trying her best to please her, but she knew not what Twilight had found. And Princess Celestia-what did she know of this?

The train steadily moved upward through the tunnel track inside the mountain. Despite the regular clicking sound the locomotive made, Twilight could hear Pinkie snoring softly, apparently unperturbed by the noise. She was really sleeping this time, judging from the sound she made. Pinkie was probably not going to wake up for another few good hours. The incessant sound was not to be much of a concern for Twilight either; at least she could think again about the issue, now much more privately.

It was constantly bugging her. Ponyville. How old was it? How long was its history? Normally she wouldn’t have had much interest; it was not supposed to be much of an issue. Yes, that was what she said to herself. But something happened; it was always something that made certain unexpected events to happen. Twilight wondered if she was actually destined to come across the issue from the start, triggered by the ultimate fate deciding everything, if such thing ever existed.

Two years ago, that was probably when it had all started, when Twilight was just preparing to leave for Ponyville to supervise the Summer Solstice Festival. She recalled how, just before leaving Canterlot, she decided to know more about the town she was about to head to. Back then, she was not thinking much about knowing Ponyville ponies; it was just that she thought it would be better for her if she could perhaps be more familiar with the village itself, so that she could inspect the festival more smoothly without having to ask Ponyville ponies after arriving there.

As Ponyville was a small town, it did not take her long to find the relevant sources. In fact, all she found was just one book that had a brief section about the history of Ponyville. It described how Ponyville was founded by a group of earth ponies hundreds of years ago-between 600 and 700-and ever since then, it has not changed much, being the small town to this day. That was what the book had said about Ponyville. A small town with a long history. That was indeed what the book said.

That was what she remembered. Ponyville. Hundreds of years old. Then it happened that made her to reconsider her memory. Actually, it made Twilight rethink her absolute faith in her intelligence. But it was just so bizarre that Twilight thought it was the world which was wrong, not her. It could happen-it could.

When was it? She asked herself. A year ago? Definitely after defeating the Nightmare Moon and saving Princess Luna from its grasp, after she came to befriend her current friends; somewhere around after vanquishing Discord as well. Two years ago, and then one year ago. Did something happen during the two time?

Ponyville. How old was it? She could not stop asking the question over and over again.

It was like any other day when Twilight went to the Sweet Apple Acres. The reason? She really wanted to taste the sweet Apple juice AJ loved to boast about. She knew the way, nothing peculiar happened on her way. The weather was fine , the sun high above the sky with few patch of clouds, typical sunny weather of Ponyville. Everything was normal, nothing was wrong, nothing should have been wrong, until she found something in AJ's house. After walking down the road, like she always did, she arrived at the Sweet Apple Acres. And so there Twilight was, inside AJ’s house, after a few talk with AJ eagerly waiting for the juice to be served. Granny Smith was with her, and she told her how AJ has added one more Apple-item to the farm and that she was proud of her granddaughter. Naturally her story went off explaining the origin of the Zap-Apple Jam, a specialty that Granny Smith herself had added to the Apple Family’s products.

Then it happened-bothering her ever since then. Twilight could definitely recall the exact moment when Granny Smith showed her the photo of Ponyville in its early years. 76 years ago-apparently, that was Ponyville’s age, or how everypony except Twilight thought it to be; Granny Smith said how her whole family had become the foundation of Ponyville. Twilight looked at the photo, making sure her eyes were not deceiving her. In front of the wooden buildings were Granny Smith and her parents.

Her mind was saying it was not right. 76. Few hundreds. The differences were just unbelievably huge. What? How? Twilight knew better than to blurt out in front of Granny Smith that she was wrong. She listened to her better judgment, just listening to Granny Smith's story.

Later that day, she went to the City Hall to see the Mayor. Her answer was very much the same: Ponyville was founded by AJ’s family, the Mayor kindly explained to her. She even took her time to show Twilight the official Ponyville Photo Archive. And again, she saw the photo of Granny Smith and her parents’ striking a pose in front of Ponyville, a one that Twilight saw hanging in AJ's house.

When she returned to her home, the first thing she did was to search the library, from the top left shelf to the right bottom one. But as she searched the general catalog again and again, glossing over all the documents, scrolls, and books related to Ponyville history, she found the same piece of information that matched what Granny Smith and the Mayor said: Ponyville was indeed 76 years old. She could never find the book that she read before coming to Canterlot, even after checking every shelf existing in the library, going each book one by one. The book was not there, as if it never existed in the first place.

Twilight did not panic; at least not yet. She had learned her lesson before, after she had made almost the entire Ponyville mare population to chase down after one doll. She just had to remain calm and think over. Perhaps the book she read when she was in Canterlot was wrong; and if it was wrong, naturally there would not be many copies because of it. It was just her bad luck to find the book with the incorrect information.

When Twilight returned to Canterlot to pick up the book, it was not there. She thought she could panic then.

She figured it would be best if others-including Princess Celestia-did not know her pursuing this peculiar issue she was having. Had they known, they could have told Twilight not to worry on the minor details too much, lest she drives herself crazy with worry again.

Though Twilight knew it for sure that it was clearly not a minor issue. If the differences were just few years-maybe even decades-then she would have been fine with it. Just some marginal error which was bound to happen in the field of history. Nopony could be so precise with the dating.

But a difference amounting to hundreds? Something was very wrong, and to Twilight she seemed to be the only pony who realized it. After asking Granny Smith and the Mayor, she stopped openly asking questions, knowing it was probably not going to look good she acting paranoid once again. Instead, Twilight chose to be more circumspect. It was good that she was now friends with everypony else in Ponyville. She could meet anypony and say a word of greetings. She would then nudge them to talk about Ponyville history. And everypony she had met said Ponyville was 76 years old, founded by the Sweet Apple Acres Family.

The matter continued to bother her-until Twilight, after thinking for a really long time, decided that she had no choice but to inform Princess Celestia about it. It was not an easy decision to make; how was she going to present her case?

Despite the voice inside her telling she should just ignore it and act as if nothing happened-and indeed, it really looked as if the issue had not bothered others but only Twilight herself, she wrote the letter.

That was few days ago. Twilight had actually waited for about a year before she did anything. Not because she was lazy, but most likely to observe if she was the only one disturbed by the issue. And suddenly, Twilight received the Princess’ letter requesting her presence at the Canterlot Palace. Her reply was short and brief, not telling why she called Twilight. But she knew the letter had something to do with her sudden visit to Canterlot.

A pony had to be wary of such brevity. Often it meant the one who was writing letter was planning on not letting others know what she knew, thus revealing as little as possible, writing only the most essential part. More strange was the p.s. part saying she had to bring one pony. One pony? Why? What had that to do with the issue of how old Ponyville was?

It was like what Pinkie said; lots of things didn't made sense at all. Maybe she was right in saying that. Twilight thought really hard, until the train actually arrived at the Canterlot station.