Author's Notes:

Chapter 2

"Back to the Crystal Empire"

Once again, just like when Flurry Heart had her Crystalling, the Princess of Friendship and her friends were on their way to the Crystal Empire. This time, it was for her coronation as Equestria's fifth princess and the gift's that Twilight's friends were giving out this time were fit more for a princess and less like a baby.

"Um, Applejack," asked Rainbow Dash, who had just woken up after a nap. "What is that?"

Standing before Rainbow Dash was a small bed made out of wooden trees, much like the previous one made to commemorate Flurry Heart's birth. Only this time, it was much more elaborate, a lot darker in color and a small crown with wings was placed at the top and at the bottom.

"Oh, just a little other somethin' for the young'un," replied Applejack, showing off her family's handywork. "It's of course, made from genuine Sweet Apple Acres apple trees. We make 'em for all the Apples, and anypony related to Twilight is practically family."

"I have an even better Cloudsdale mobile than the last one," said Rainbow Dash. "But, I'd rather not show you."

"Really, why not?" asked Rarity.

"Because I want it to stay in one piece," replied Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow at Pinkie Pie, who chuckled nervously. "This is Flurry Heart's coronation and this gift is a step above the rest."

"I certainly agree to that, Rainbow Dash," remarked Rarity. "We all want what is best for our precious little Flurry Heart on her second big day in as many days."

All of the ponies except Starlight and Twilight agreed on their gifts. But Twilight was still deep in thought about why Flurry Heart was being crowned now than later. There had to be a reason for it and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

"You've been awfully quiet, Twilight," remarked Spike. "You aren't still thinking about why Flurry Heart is being crowned now, aren't you?"

"As a matter of fact, I am still thinking about it, Spike," replied Twilight, who was looking out the train's window over the fields and hills leading to the frozen north. "Part of me is happy for Flurry Heart and part of me is more confused than jealous over why she is being crowned now. I guess the events of recent had taken a toll on Shining Armor and Cadence."

"What do you mean?" wondered Starlight. "It's hopefully not something that I did the last time I was there."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong, Starlight," said Twilight, turning her attention away from the window and chuckling for a moment to lighten Starlight's spirits. "It's just that we've been through a lot even before Flurry Heart was even born. Cadence and Shining Armor had to deal with some major events and situations that certainly took a toll on everypony."

"Yeah," added Spike, trying to count how many enemies threatened Cadence and Shining Armor. "Queen Chrysalis and the Changelings, King Sombra, Lord Tirek, the list goes on."

Twilight acknowledged her assistant's remarks with a small nod. However, while it was true that those three did leave their fair share of chaos on Equestria, there had to have been another reason for it. Twilight sat there and thought that maybe Cadence and Shining Armor wanted to have an event where nothing major happened that put Equestria in jeopardy. After all, Cadence always said that very clearly, major event or not.

"But, I can't get a clear answer until I ask them for myself," said Twilight. "This isn't like the Royal Wedding. There are no Changelings involved or anything like that, but this is all happening so sudden."

Starlight could feel her teacher's pain and wanted to help, but she didn't know how to. Furthermore, she had more important matters to attend to, particularly reconnecting with Sunburst and seeing how he was doing in his new role as Flurry Heart's crystaller. Being a crystaller, there was no question that Sunburst would have a certain role in the Ceremony.

"I can also imagine how it is for Sunburst," thought Starlight. "Having to deal with a coronation when he is also getting used to being a Crystaller is pretty draining both mentally and physically. Perhaps I should visit him and see how he is doing."

Soon, the Friendship Express arrived at the train station which was under very heavy guard with Flurry Heart's coronation being a major event. Ponies from all across Equestria had descended on the Crystal Empire, far and wide, even more so than the Royal Wedding.

"That's funny," said Rarity as they walked onto the platform. "Why are there more guards than before?"

"Could be to prevent another Changeling Invasion," added Rainbow Dash. "Can't really blame them after what happened last time."

Just then, Twilight saw her brother waiting for them on the other side of the train station. Only this time, Shining Armor wasn't as frazzled as he was after Flurry Heart was born, acting more and more like his normal self.

"Glad to see that you aren't frazzled this time," chuckled Twilight as she hugged her brother.

"Well, after a while, you kind of get used to it, Twily," replied Shining Armor, rubbing his hoof into her mane. "Glad to see you back again for Flurry's coronation."

"Yeah, about that," said Twilight, scratching the back of her neck with her foreleg. "Can I ask you something important or can it wait until we get to the castle?"

"You can ask me now if you like," said Shining Armor, who could sense his little sister's thoughts on the situation.

Not wanting to spoil the mood of her friends, Twilight decided to wait until they got back to the castle. As they walked by, Twilight could see the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia talking with several representatives from Griffonstone, among all the activity that was happening.

"Everypony sure has come far and wide for Flurry Heart," remarked Twilight as they all took noticed of the delegation that was present. "Why didn't we see all of this at the Crystalling?"

"Because it was exclusively for the empire, Twilight," answered Shining Armor looking over to his little sister. "The Crystal Ponies had been longing for a joyous occasion just for them since King Sombra was killed. But because Flurry is the first born alicorn in Equestria's history, all of Equestria has come far and wide for all of this. I got to be honest with you, I can't help but feel a little pressured over this."

Shining Armor had faced tons of pressure before, so this shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. But because that this was his daughter after all, the pressure meter had gone up a little bit.

"But, you don't have to do this," advised Twilight as they walked into the castle. "There has to be a reason for all this, Shining Armor. Can you tell me what it is?"

But, before Shining Armor could answer his sister's question, a Crystal pony called over to him for assistance on something important. Twilight closed her eyes and sharply nodded her head in disgust over being denied the chance to get her question answered.

"I wouldn't worry, Twilight," said Spike, placing a claw on her neck. "Shining Armor and Cadence are probably busy with everypony in town coming. Why don't you go see your niece for a little while? Flurry Heart will probably take your mind off of things."

Heeding Spike's advice, Twilight followed her friends towards Flurry Heart's bedroom with Pinkie jumping up and down like her typical excited self. Meanwhile, Starlight Glimmer had already left the group and went out in search of Sunburst, for she could only wonder how he was doing with all that was going on…