Twilight Sparkle laid sprawled out on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, trying to decide what to do. It was the weekend, so there were no classes to worry about (not that she did: they were easy -- and kind of boring -- anyways). Homework was done when she got home from school, even when it was the weekend. She had pretty much read through Faster Than The Eye, and did not really feel up to practicing any of the tricks in it. She could study real magic, but reading about it was not as much fun as learning it with somepony else.

She missed Shiny and her friends from Ponyville.

Maybe she should go out and do something. Since coming back to Canterlot, she pretty much had only left the house to go to school. In fact, she barely even left her room. Her friends in Ponyville would not want her to live like that. Her brother would not want her to live like that. Honestly, she did not want to live like that either.

Too bad she could not be like Pinkie. Just throw a big party, invite everyone in Canterlot, and end up having "lots and lots of friends." Admittedly, she would not be friends with all of them, but would at least end up with some due to sheer numerical probability.

She could go out and try, though. At least to make some. Moon Dancer lived just down the road. Maybe she could invite the other filly out to play. They could go to the park, or the royal gardens, maybe get some donuts and chocolate milk.

Getting out of bed, she grabbed her bit bag and headed downstairs.

"I'm going out," she called to her parents.

"Be home before dinner," her mother called back.

Walking along the street, the filly made her way towards Moon Dancer's house. It looked like pretty much all the other homes on the street: two stories tall, with the second story built into the roofing structure; dormer windows one said floor sticking out; an a purple roof and white walls that matched the castle.

The sight of the house looking like all the other houses made Twilight miss Ponyville again. Yes, there were a lot of similar houses, but there were also a bunch of neat and creative ones too. Carousel Boutique, Sweet Apple Acres, and especially Sugarcube Corner. Even her own home was creative. It was a tree. A tree. With a library inside it. How many ponies could say their homes were trees that had libraries in it?

Except it was no longer her home.

And with that sour note in mind, she rang the doorbell. A few minutes later, the door was answered by an adult unicorn mare with a hard look on her face.

"Hello, ma'am," Twilight said. "Is Moon Dancer home?"

The mare's eyes narrowed as she lifted her head, looking down her nose at Twilight.

"Moon Dancer is currently busy studying for her entrance exams into Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns. As such, she cannot be disturbed."

The door was then slammed shut in her face, leaving Twilight stunned and wide-eyed as she stared at it. After several seconds, she blinked.

The entrance exams? she thought. But that's not until the start of next school year. Did that mean that Moon Dancer's parents were going to make her study every day until then? Even over winter break? Nightmare Night? Her birthday? Would she be forced to spend the rest of her life studying, locking her way from other ponies and winding up as a lonely recluse?

No. No. That was silly. No pony would end up like that.

With a sigh, Twilight walked away. If Moon Dancer's parents wanted her to be studying, there was nothing she could do about it. She could just try another neighbor with a foal close to her age.

Then another.

Then another.

And another.

And another, another, another...

The exact reason may have varied, and some were more polite or apologetic than others, but the results were pretty much the same. None of the other foals in the neighborhood could play because they were busy with other things.

Not yet wanting to go home, Twilight just wandered around town. She was not really thinking about where she was going (not much reason since she was alone), and was not really paying attention to where she was. As such, it was a bit of surprise to her when Twilight found herself in the royal gardens, standing in front of Discord's statue.

At the sight of the statue, anger burst through Twilight's chest. The filly's ears pulled back as her eyes narrowed, glaring. She stomped toward the statue, stopping at the base.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" she shouted, pointing a hoof at the statue's head. "If you hadn't broken free and attacked Ponyville, my parents would have been worried and I wouldn't have been forced to move back here!"

Turning around, she kicked at the statue.

"I would still be with my friends!"

She kicked it again.

"I'd still be in the library!"

And again.

"Still with Spike and Shiny!"

Then a third.

"With POUND!"

Fourth.

"I woul-"

"WHAT THE BUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" a voice called out from above.

Twilight yelped out at the sound, jumping back. Her backside smacked against base of the statue, pushing her hind legs forward. The bumped into her forelegs, knocking them out from under her and causing the filly to collapse into the grass beneath her. A thud in front of her drew her attention, making her look up as she blinked.

Standing before her was a pegasus mare dressed in armor. She had a pink coat, but with a hint of purple to it. A scowl covered the guard-mare's face as she glared down at Twilight, purple eyes pinning the filly in place.

"Well?" the guard growled as she took a step forward. "I asked you a question."

Twilight's eyes went wide as it sank in. She had been caught by a royal guard. She had been on castle grounds, and was caught kicking at Discord. What if they thought she was trying to free him? They would lock her up. Or seal her in stone. They might even... tell her PARENTS!

Although her mouth opened and closed, and sounds did come out, none of it was coherent speech.

"Do you have any idea what you were just doing?" the guard asked, looking down at Twilight. "Vandalizing... royal...property!" With each word, she pushed her muzzle closer, letting Twilight get a good look at her teeth and glare. "Do you have any idea how serious that is?"

A squeak escaped from Twilight as she shook her head.

"Is something the matter?" a new voice called out.

Turning away from Twilight, the guard dropped into a bow as Princess Luna approached. She looked taller than Twilight remembered, and her mane now floated behind her, looking as though she was being followed by the night sky.

Remembering her manners, Twilight quickly pushed herself up into the proper bowing position. She pressed her muzzle to the ground, staring at the grass in front of her.

"Everything is under control, princess," the guard said in a raspy voice. "I just caught this... foal vandalizing one of the statues and was just about to arrest her."

The sound of hooves approaching made Twilight open her eyes, seeing a pair of dark blue legs in silver shoes moving toward her. Another squeak escaped her as her body tensed, ears pinning back against her head.

Teleport! she thought. Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport!

Unfortunately, it was not that simple, and she had yet to begin studying the spell.

"What is thou name, guard?" Princess Luna asked.

"Aria Blaze, ma'am."

"Thank you, Aria Blaze. Your effort is commendable. Now, we shall take it from here."

"Are you sure?"

"Most assuredly," Luna stated. "Dismissed."

There was a moment of tense silence (tense for Twilight at least), before the sound of flapping filled the air. Twilight thought she caught sight of the guard-mare flying off, but dared not look up or move a muscle.

"Rise, young pony," Luna ordered.

Wanting to obey as quickly as possible, Twilight scrambled to her hooves. She stood up as straight as she could, looking down Princess Luna's hooves.

Princess Luna cleared her throat.

"I'M SORRY!" the filly cried out. Lunging forward, she wrapped her forelegs around Luna's. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I promise I'll never do it again. I didn't mean any harm! Pleeeeaaaase don't turn me into a statue!" Her grip tightened as tears began to run down her face.

A blue aura of magic wrapped around Twilight, gently lifting her up from the ground and forcing her to release her hold on the royal forelegs. She soon found herself floating in the air, about eye level with the princess. One of Luna's wings reached out, the tip wiping at the tears.

"Calm thyself, Twilight Sparkle," she said softly. "We believe that you are thoroughly contrite for your actions, and as such, have no intentions of seeking further punitive actions."

With a sniff, Twilight looked up at Luna.

"Really?"

"Indeed," Luna assured. Her horn glowed blue with magic as she set the filly back down onto the ground.

As she was put down, a thought occurred to Twilight.

"Wait. How do you know my name?"

"Celestia has told us much of your brother and his family, including his affection for you." Luna then leaned down. "Now, why art thou assaulting the replica of Discord's statue?"

"...it's a replica?"

"Did thou truly believe that Celestia would leave the true statue out? We now know that in the correct conditions, he could be freed again. Even if the binding were stronger than prior, it would be foolish to allow for such a risk."

That made sense. Twilight had not really thought much about it, honestly. Now that it had been pointed out, it did seem like it was a bad idea. Although, the seal did hold for about a thousand years. It was possible it could hold for another thousand, or even longer.

"Reiterating our question," Luna said, drawing the filly from her thoughts, "why art thou assaulting it?"

"Because it's his fault I had to leave Ponyville." Turning her head, Twilight glared at the statue. "Because of him, I had to leave all my friends behind." She felt tears start to well up again. "Now I'm stuck in Canterlot with nopony to do stuff with."

Luna looked at the upset filly quietly.

"I... see..." she said slowly. "Well..." she licked her lips. "We were actually on our way to the royal kitchen to enjoy a snack. Would thou care to join us, Sparkle?"

At the words "royal kitchen" and "snack," Twilight had to clench her mouth shut and swallow to keep from drooling. She had gotten to enjoy some of the food from it in the past, when she would come visit Shining Armor. Sometimes it would be meals, other times snacks, and always plenty of sweet treats. It was some of the best -- if not the best -- food she had ever eaten.

Don't seem too eager, she told herself. Don't seem too eager.

"YES!" Twilight called out, jumping in place. Realizing what she just did, a small blush formed on her face as she gave a cough.

"I mean, if it's no bother, Princess, then I would be honored."