It was just like any other day in the town of Ponyville, everywhere ponies were enjoying this peaceful day, absent-mindedly going with their lives. Either enjoying a quick snack at Sugarcube Corner, purchasing something at the store or just minding their own business. They had no idea that soon the piece would come to an end.

In the middle of Ponyville stood the Golden Oaks Library, home of Twilight Sparkle, the personal student of Princess Celestia and the bearer of the Element of Magic. Inside, in the bedroom on the upper floor was Twilight, who at the moment was studying a bunch of books from a worn, yet strong-looking chest, while at the same time talked to her number one dragon assistant, Spike.

"Thank you, Spike, we made good progress with these books!" Said the lavender unicorn, while she held one of the books with her telekinesis in front of herself, carefully studying it both with her eyes and an analyzing spell.

"No problem Twilight! But since the Princess sent them here you practically did nothing, but studying them! What's so important about them?" Asked the green and purple baby dragon with worry in his eyes.

"Oh Spike, it's very kind of you!" Said Twilight gratefully with a smile, then her expression became serious. "But it's something that I'd rather not delay. The books and everything else in that chest could cause a lot of problems if it gets into the wrong hooves. They once were in the possession of King Sombra."

"What! But then why did the Princess sent them to you? What if there is a trap in them?" Exclaimed Spike now almost panicking, the encounter with the shadowy tyrant still fresh in his head.

"This is exactly why the Princess sent them in the first place. She wanted to know if there is any kind of hidden surprise left behind by Sombra and to have a good idea of what kind of knowledge is in these books. Those which contain information about dark magic or some dangerous magical trap must be identified so they could be safely hidden, while the rest could give us for example a deeper insight into the history of the Crystal Empire and things like that. She is right now too busy with her duties to do it and she felt that she could trust me with something so important like this. This is why I have to do it, I can't let her down!" Explained Twilight, shuddering even from the thought of disappointing the Princess.

Spike however was not entirely convinced: "But what if one of the books explode if you open it, or what if it unleashes a monster which tries to eat us, or what if a ghost from a book possess you to drain out all your life energy to live once again to free a giant snake to eat everypony!" Said Spike becoming more and more worried.

"Spike don't be silly! Something like this will not happen." Said Twilight, then seeing that it didn't calm him down she continued: "Spike I know that you are just worried for me, but everything will be okay. I tread everything in that chest with the utmost caution, running several magical analyses on them and always keep myself ready to cast a quick protective spell if something would happen. So you don't have to worry about it, okay?" Asked Twilight with an encouraging smile.

"Okay, Twilight." Said Spike with a smile of his own. Then some of the concern returned and he said: "Yet I think you should take a break. You look like you really could use some rest."

The unicorn wanted to protest, but then she looked into a nearby mirror and saw that her mane was messed up, strands of her mane stood out in different directions. Then suddenly came a rumbling noise and she realized that she didn't eat for more than a few hours. With her now slightly rosy cheeks she sighed, silently accepting that she can't win this argument.

"Alright Spike, you have won." Said Twilight, with a tired smile. "Just let me put everything away and then we can go to Sugarcube Corner for a snack. I'll pay, what do you say?" Asked Twilight slyly, while she put everything back into the chest, then levitating the mentioned item into a safe which was built into the wall of her room. After closing the safe, she turned back to her dragon assistant, only to find him quickly putting away the last pieces of paper to their place, the prospect of the sweet goodness clearly gave him a great deal of motivation. Giggling a bit at his antics, she grabbed her saddlebags with her magic, and soon the two were on their way.

Several hours later, we can see Twilight in her bedroom, silently examining some papers. After the tour to Sugarcube Corner, she took a pleasant bath and went into her room for a well-needed sleep. Right at that moment, Spike was at the floor level of the library, reading some comics.

So after waking up and taking a look at Spike, she decided to look into her notes about the content of the books from the chest. There was one particular piece of information that gained her attention. The Age Spell. She still remembered when Trixie, possessed by the Alicorn Amulet used the very same spell. She knew a few things about the spell, but it required so much magic and control, that it was back then beyond her abilities.

Now, however, she knew more details about the working of the spell, how it affects the body, mind, and every aspect of the subject. The reason why this spell so difficult to cast was that the caster has to focus his/her magic on the subject, then using it to reverse the natural aging of the cells. The spell makes the new cells become like they were at a younger age (at the targeted age of the subject), then programming them to keep reproducing the same younger cells, thus the pony's body will function as it did back then. This is the greatest obstacle, to effectively cast the spell the caster has to rewrite the working of the functioning of the body at the cellular level! Every! Single! Cell! It would require a tremendous amount of focus and skill with transmutation magic, not to mention the necessary magical energy to do it. If you can't cast the spell properly, the energy structure of the spell will fall apart and the magic will disappear, luckily at least it will returning the target to its original state, not causing any damage.

She now realized, that Trixie just used her magic, boosted to the level of an alicorn to skip the necessary focus, and just sent enough energy to cover the missing parts. Back then she lacked the knowledge to properly cast the spell and lacked the sheer power to force it to happen.

But now, after all this research and study, she knew every step for the spell. She had everything necessary to cast properly the spell.

With all that in mind, she placed on a table a potted plant, while making one final check, to ensure that she doesn't miss anything. After that she turned her full attention towards the plant, ready to start.

Her horn lit up, as she closed her eyes in concentration, focusing with all her might and skill, weaving the magical energy in preparation. Sweat started to appear on her head as she poured more power into the spell, as the glow around her horn became more intense as the spell took shape.

"Yes!" Cried Twilight mentally, as she could feel the spell, getting ready to cast. "Almost there! Just a little more!"

And it was at this moment when the chaos began. All of a sudden a bird collided with the balcony door with a loud thud. With eyes wide open, a startled Twilight Sparkle frantically turned around towards the source of the noise. At the same time, the magic around her horn started to deform and twist. A fearful expression appeared on her face as she desperately tried to regain control over the spell.

But she was already too late, with a tremendous clap of thunder a bolt of chaotic magic shot out of her horn which completely missed the plant. The spell zig-zagged all around in the room, as it bounced off from the various reflective objects in the room. Still somewhat dizzy from the disturbed casting Twilight only was able to scream in horror as the spell hit her with a blinding flash of light and a resounding crash, as she unconsciously fell onto the ground.

At the streets of Ponyville, five ponies could be seen. As they approached the Golden Oaks Library, they were in the middle of a conversation

"Oh! I can't wait to see what is this about! Maybe a surprise party! Or some other unexpected adventure, oh my gosh that would be so great!" Shouted merrily Pinkie Pie, who seemed to vibrate from excitement.

"Ah don't know, may you know something about it, sugarcube?" Asked Applejack, looking towards her white-coated friend.

"I am afraid I know just as much as you do. Spike not too long ago came to my boutique, asking me to come to the library. However, I am sure we will see it when we get there." Said Rarity with optimism in her voice.

"Yeah, yeah! let's hurry, so we could find it out!" said impatiently Rainbow Dash, barely containing her curiosity. The other ponies nodded and soon they reached the library.

There they saw Spike, who waved towards them invitingly as he noticed them. Rainbow didn't waste time, immediately flew to the young dragon.

"Yo Spike! What's up?" Asked the pegasus rather bluntly. Before he could answer the others too caught up. After mutual greetings (and a scold of Rainbow Dash for her impatience), the mares turned towards Spike.

"Now then Spike, could ya tell us why'd ya needed us so suddenly?" Asked Applejack curiously. To that Spike sighed, then with slight worry started: "Well you see, recently Twilight spent almost all her time inside, barely paying any attention to just anything else besides her studies on those books."

"Isn't it what Twilight does every time?" Asked a slightly annoyed Rainbow Dash.

Seeing the still worried dragon, she quickly continued: "But don't worry, I am sure that soon it will be okay. It's just her usual eggheadness."Said she, trying to be reassuring. The others soon did as well.

Their attempt to cheer him up soon brought a smile to his face. After taking a breath to further calm himself he started: "Thank you, everypony! It really helped." Then Rarity with her own smile replied: "Oh it's nothing Spike! That is what friends are for."

"No problem partner." said Applejack reassuringly, then she turned towards the others questioningly: "Then what should we do?" Immediately Pinkie Pie with a big smile announced: "Oh! I know! We could throw a party for Twilight! There would be cupcakes, punch, and a lot of fun!" Exclaimed the excited party pony.

"You say this always Pinkie!" Shouted a slightly exasperated Rainbow Dash. But before anypony could answer her, Spike voiced his opinion: "In fact, this is not too far from what I thought." At the other's looks, he quickly elaborated: "You see I hoped that with your help we together could coax Twilight out of her room for tonight and make sure that she relax and don't lock herself up with more work."

The mares looked to each other, milling over what he said. Then they creased a smile and Rarity decided to say what they all thought: "Oh Spike! We gladly help you! All of this work is just unhealthy to Twilight, so she will come with us to take a break, she likes it or not!" The other ponies just smiled, showing their agreement on the matter.

Now Spike felt much better. However as he was about to start to enter the library, a loud thunderclap spooked all of them, quickly followed by a familiar scream. For a second all of them were frozen in place. Spike then quickly shook off the confusion and as worry and fear welled up in him, he shouted: "Twilight!" It had its effect and the others too snapped out of their stupor as one they started to run (in the case of the Rainbow Dash fly) towards the stairs, lead by the baby dragon. However, the door was locked. They couldn't hear anything from the room, which made them more scared.

"Get outta the way! I'll take care of this!" Yelled Applejack, then not waiting for an answer reared her hind hooves up - seeing this the others quickly moved out of the way - and with a "Yehaa!" gave a strong buck to the door. The door stood no chance, it was forcefully opened, part of the wall at the lock was torn out and the door itself had cracks where the hooves crashed into it. Quickly, the ponies and the dragon entered the room, seeking their lavender-colored friend, but the unicorn in question was nowhere to be seen.

"Twilight!" Shouted Spike, the worry clear in his voice. However, there was no answer. Seeing the distress of the baby dragon, Fluttershy went to comfort him: "Don't worry Spike, I am sure that we will find Twilight very soon." Said she kindly, doing her best to put up a brave face, while trying to suppress her own fears. The young drake gave a weak smile and resumed to search for her friend. As they fanned out in the room, they couldn't help, but in mind, all compare the usually tidy and well-organized room with its current state. Pieces of parchments and other papers lay all around accompanied by glass shards, the rug, and the pillows also were scattered, as if a tornado would've gone through the room, while some surfaces had burn marks on them.

"Where she could have gone?" Asked Rainbow, while inspecting some of the burn marks.

"Why don't we ask this sleeping filly, who looks like Twilight?" Asked Pinkie unexpectedly. At that, they all looked toward their pink friend, dumbstruck by her strange query, but then their eyes widened incredulously. Because before their eyes Pinkie raised the rug from the ground at the other side of the bed, only to reveal an unconscious filly with a lavender coat, a mainly blue mane with a pink and a purple streak in it, and a very familiar star-shaped cutie mark on her flank.

As they stood there, watching the sleeping filly, their eyes were fixed on her, unable to move or speak from sheer confusion. But in the end, Spike mustered his brain to restart and asked: "Twilight?"

His voice shook them up from their stupor, Rainbow quickly gave voice to her thoughts: "What the hay!" shouted she incredulously.

"Twilight became a filly?" Asked Applejack, even as the words came out of her mouth, she still can't believe it. However, they don't have the chance to further ponder on the matter, because...

(groan)

Everypony's gaze turned towards the slowly waking filly. With another groan, she sat up, with one hoof on her head. The young unicorn opened her purple eyes, while tried to rub off the remains of her sleepiness. As she took in her surroundings, suddenly her eyes widened as she finally noticed the rest of the Mane Six, who still kept looking at her and did what any filly would do if they would wake up to see a bunch of grown-up ponies looking at them in a somewhat creepy way.

"Ahh!" Her fearful scream made the gathered ponies wince. The filly bolted up, attempting to rush the farthest direction from the others. However, she didn't get too far, because she tripped on some of the scattered papers. Looking up she saw the girls moving towards her, scaring her even further. She started to back away from the "strangers", stumbling a few times while doing it, just for her to realize that she backed into a corner.

"Who are you!? Leave me alone?" She screamed, her body trembled from fear. The others ceased their movements and looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"We won't harm you Twilight, you can trust us" Spoke Rarity, trying to sound reassuring. However, it didn't work.

"How do you know my name? Why have you brought me here?" Said she cautiously, she couldn't recall ever been in this room before. "They probably are some ponynappers trying to gain my trust! Only such ponies would live in a messy place like this, with papers littering the ground and ("Gasp") books as well, some of them seemed to have been damaged! Only bad ponies could commit such atrocious deed against books!" Thought she angrily. The mares took a step backward, cringing from her distrustful attitude, then formed a circle trying to decide what to do.

"What do you think, girls? How could we tell her what happens here, when not even we have any idea?" Asked the fashionist pony with concern.

"She doesn't seem to remember any of us. The poor thing looks so scared." Whispered Fluttershy, no less worried than her friend.

"Maybe whatever spell that she tried to use, when it backfired may hit her head and she got amnesia from it!" Said Spike, voicing his thoughts on the matter.

"That may be the case, but it doesn't change the fact, that Twi became a filly and we have not a single idea how to get her to listen to us!" Added her own two bits AJ.

"It doesn't matter how we do it, but she is our friend and she needs us, even if she doesn't know it! So we must do something!" Declared Rainbow, with determination in her eyes.

Rarity raised one of her hooves to her chin while in thought, then turned her head towards Fluttershy as she started: "Hm, maybe you could give to it another try, darling. Your kindness may help you to calm her down, so she would listen to us."

As the others looked at her, the shy pony quietly spoke: "For our friend, I will do what I can to help." After that, she quickly retreated to the safety behind her mane.

"Okay, now that we have a plan let start it away!" Said Spike with enthusiasm.

As they turned their heads towards the corner, they quickly realized that the filly was not anymore there. While they stood there dumbstruck, Pinkie decided to speak up: "While you were talking, Twilight has sneaked out!" Said she cheerfully.

"Why didn't you stopped her?!" Exclaimed Applejack incredulously.

"Because I haven't wanted to interrupt your inspiring speeches, silly!" Was the party pony's response. The others couldn't help, but groaned and facehooved, then with haste rushed out from the room in search of their rejuvenated friend.

Said unicorn at the time cautiously looked around, trying to move as stealthily as possible. While those mares were distracted by their conversation, she quietly sneaked out of the room. For a few moments, she paused, when she saw what appeared to be a cross between a living room and a library. She was tempted to stop to read one or two books but gathering all of her willpower she overcame her short inner struggle and walked towards the door and only took ONE book with herself while doing so.

With her loot in her hoof, she hastily went out and found out that she was in some town, which she couldn't recognize. She did her best to avoid being noticed, unsure who she could trust in this, to her "unknown" settlement. As she saw some ponies walking towards her she quickly hid behind a corner. Slowly panic started to overcome her, raising her head and looking upward her heart almost jumped from joy, when built on the side of a mountain was the unmistakable form of Canterlot. "There is it! Canterlot!" Thought she happily.

After that, she shook off her panic and went to make a plan. Canterlot was too far to reach on hoof and she wanted to avoid being found. Soon she decided to head towards the outskirts of the town to wait until later when less pony is out to reach the train station. There she may find somepony who can help her.

So here was she, after sneakily (at least in her mind, in fact, some ponies noticed her, but they couldn't get a good glimpse to recognize her and thought that she was just a filly playing hide and seek) moved through the town, she soon reached a dirt road. Out of curiosity, she decided to follow it, which lead her to a farm. Her eyes widened with amazement from the sheer number of apple trees. She cautiously approached the farm, driven by her curiosity. When she heard voices closing she quickly hid behind a tree.

After a moment to slow down her breathing, she gathered her courage and looked out from behind her hiding spot. She saw three fillies around her age, a yellow coated earth pony, an orange-colored pegasus pony, and a white unicorn. They were walking not far from her, while happily chatting amongst each other, obvious of her presence. At least they were because as she leaned forward to see better, she accidentally stepped on a stick with a loud crack. It got the trio's attention and before she could've done anything, they came to find the source of the sound.

She contemplated running away, but she didn't have the chance to do so, because the fillies suddenly appeared before her. As the three skidded to a halt, their eyes widened upon noticing Twilight. For moments they just stood there, taking in her appearance. As the seconds silently passed, her panic slowly subsided and cautious curiosity took over. Finally, the trio overcame their stupor and Apple Bloom asked the question, momentarily running through their heads: "Twilight?"

This caught her attention and with suspicion asked back: "How do you know my name?" This however only made the crusaders more confused. After looking at each other with puzzled expressions, still unsure about the situation Scootaloo spoke: "What do you mean, we knew it since when you moved into Ponyville after you and the others defeated Nightmare Moon."

"What you're talking about! I don't remember such a thing!" Said Twilight, her doubt concerning their claims clear in her voice.

"But it's true!" Squeaked Sweetie Belle with a whine. Visibly, or rather audibly Rarity's talents about the power of whining were strong within her. Before they could've continued, they heard a gurgling sound coming from Twilight's stomach. A blush slowly appeared on her face, as she realized how hungry she felt. But to her luck Apple Bloom soon came to her rescue, giving her an apple. At first, our heroine looked at it with a bit of hesitance, but after her stomach once again gave a sign of its need for food, still blushing she took the offered fruit and with gusto started to eat. Not too much later the apple (the fruit, not the pony!) was no more and she sighed with satisfaction.

"Thank you for the apple!" Said she, still a little embarrassed.

"No problem, partner!" Said Apple Bloom with a smile. After a few moments of awkward silence, Twilight decided to be the first to speak: "Soo... who are you?" Asked her with curiosity, while trying to be polite.

Seeing that she was calmer, Scootaloo decided, that at the moment their best option is to stay with her and see if they could help her remember or if that doesn't work, then to keep her safe until they find somepony who can. With that in mind, she spoke: "I am Scootaloo!"

"I am Sweetie Belle!" Said she, glad that at least they made some progress.

"And I am Apple Bloom!" Said the Apple filly with a smile. Then in ,they shouted: "And we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

"Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Asked Twilight with confusion.

"We decided to unite, so one day we could acquire our Cutie Marks!" Declared Scootaloo with pride and determination.

Twilight watched with awe towards the three fillies before her, as they stood together, remembering how little time she spent with other ponies at her age, being so engrossed in her studies and how did the princess times to times mentioned to make some friends.

"That's amazing!" Said she, truly meaning it. Then pushing all the strange things which happened on this day into the back of her mind, she decided to take the princess' advice and after gathering her courage she somewhat shyly asked: "Do you think, that I may join you? I know that I already have my Cutie Mark, but maybe I can help you in some way!" said she, then with a worried face quickly looked away, deeply afraid that they would refuse.

The Crusaders with surprised expressions looked at each other, but then seeing Twilight's worry, Apple Bloom gave an encouraging smile and kindly spoke: "I don't see a reason to why not."

Looking back with a slight shock, Twilight was greeted with agreement from the other Crusaders.

Overflowed with joy from their acceptance, she soon found herself following her new friends towards their clubhouse. On all the way, the big smile never had left her face.

Hours later, we can find the three Crusaders and one filly Twilight, sitting under one of the apple trees. All of them looked exhausted and were covered in sap, the marks of a long day of crusading. Twilight's help with her magic won't lessen the destructiveness, which usually accompanied their misadventures (maybe it did in fact its opposite). But not even that could've removed the smiles from their faces.

"It was so much fun! But I have no idea, from where all this sap has come from?" Said she, then became confused at the latter part.

"This is what always happens. It's not that bad, once you got used to it." Sighed Scootaloo. The others nodded in agreement. But before they could've continued, suddenly familiar voices reached them.

"Twilight!" Twilight and the Crusaders turned their heads and saw, that the rest of the Mane Six approached with worried and frustrated expressions. Twilight immediately tensed and jumped onto her hooves, ready to run.

"Twilight! Please, don't run away again!" Shouted Applejack, not intending to start the search again.

"What do you want from me?!" Demanded the filly.

"We don't mean bad to you, darling! We just want to help, because we are your friends!" Pleaded Rarity. Twilight was still suspicious of them, but then another person stepped forward to speak and she was shocked by who it was.

"They say the truth, Twilight! Please, believe me!" Said Spike, pleadingly. Twilight's eyes were wide from surprise, barely able to form any words: "S-Spike? What happened to you? You look... taller." Finished she, squinting and still confused.

"I was this high for years, Twilight." said he, then after taking a breath continued: "But what matters is, that we don't lie, just let us explain it! Please!" Pleaded the dragon with puppy eyes. Then after the Crusaders too joined, within seconds she caved in and agreed to hear them out.

Soon they have returned to the library (and Twilight put back the book which she borrowed). Then, once they got comfortable the girls and Spike told her everything since she moved into Ponyville and what they theorized about her current state. First Twilight was quite doubtful, but after she saw all the proof, like pictures and other mementos from their various adventures, it convinced her that they were right.

"Sorry for all the trouble I caused to you and that I accused you." Said she sheepishly.

"No problem darling. I am sure, that in your position we too would have been just as confused as you." Stated Rarity reassuringly, soon followed by the others.

"So, you still don't remember anything, about what we told to you?" Asked Spike unsurely. It made Twilight frown and after some moments of silent thinking, she frustratedly let out an indignant huff and sighed: "It seems to be the case. The last thing which I can recall is that I went to sleep after another day of study with the Princess, but it was just like every other day and nothing big or really important has happened." Finished she detachedly.

"I am sure, that soon everything will return to normal." Said Sweetie, giving her a reassuring smile with the others in close tow.

"Why don't we just ask the Princesses to turn Twi back! They surely could do that!" Declared Rainbow Dash, completely confident in her opinion.

"Hmm, Rainbow may is right. We should tell them about it and then work with whatever answer we get." Added her own two bits Applejack.

"No! Don't tell to Princess Celestia! It was me who botched the spell, I have to make it right." Shouted Twilight, all of a sudden getting very worried.

The others knew well, that Twilight tended to over-worry things, so Spike quickly came to the rescue: "I am sure, that they will understand it and besides the Princesses may are the only ponies who can help you with this!" Pleaded Spike, hoping that she would listen.

She sighed in defeat, seeing the reason in his words. Then looking towards the Crusaders, she wasn't sure what to do or what she wanted. As the others started to discuss the letter, she hesitantly spoke: "Couldn't I..., stay like this just a little longer?" The others were shocked.

"Twilight! But why?" Asked Applejack confusedly.

For a moment Twilight hesitated, but after a look at the filly trio (what don't elude the others), she turned back and continued: "You see, I really enjoyed crusading with the girls. Couldn't it wait for just a little. Just one more day, please." pleaded she, giving her best puppy eyes look she could muster.

Looking into those big, teary eyes froze the older mares and one dragon, unable to turn away, and after overcoming their momentary shock, the crusaders also joined in, which proved too much to bear and after a short discussion they gave in. This made the four fillies cheer and soon everypony had a smile.

As the fillies kept cheering the Mane Five and Spike pondered if it was the right decision. But then they cast the notion aside those thoughts. Just one day!

What could possibly go wrong?!

Author's Notes:

I hope you will like this new story. Next chapter will be up soon enough!