Books and Branches Library

The Great Hall of Canterlot Castle has been the site of a variety of significant events and celebrations. It was where Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were married. It's the site of the annual Grand Galloping Gala. Twilight Sparkle even managed to pull some strings and celebrate her nineteenth birthday here a couple of years ago.

But today she, her friends, her family, a host of well-wishers, and the three crowned Princesses of Equestria are here for a very different reason.

"We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion," Princess Celestia begins. "My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, has done many extraordinary things since she's lived in Ponyville. She even helped reunite me with my sister, Princess Luna." She gives Luna a fond smile before she continues. "But today, Twilight Sparkle did something extraordinary. She created new magic, proving without a doubt that she is ready to be crowned Equestria's newest princess. Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present for the very first time, Princess Twilight Sparkle!"


"Say something, Princess," murmurs Celestia, giving Twilight a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Oh. Um..." Twilight clears her throat, steps forward so she can better see the throngs of ponies in the plaza below, and begins. "A little while ago, my teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia, sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about. But now..."

She looks back over her shoulder toward the five ponies watching from the doorway.

"...on a day like today, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you." She beckons them out onto the balcony with her. "Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you, everypony!"

The crowd erupts into cheers once again.

"Twilight!" Shining Armor breaks free of the crowd in the Great Hall and gallops up to his little sister. "I'm so proud of you!"

Twilight reaches out to hug him, but hesitates when she sees the expression on his face. "...are you crying??" she says, suppressing a giggle.

"Of course not," says Shining Armor, hastily dabbing at his eyes. "It's--it's liquid pride. Totally different thing." Then they both burst into giggles as they give each other a proper hug.

"Way to go, Princess!" cheers Apple Jack.

"Best coronation day ever!" whoops Pinkie Pie.

"We love you, Twilight," says Fluttershy, before she and the rest of the Ponyville ponies grab Twilight up in the biggest group hug they can manage.

Now Twilight's the one blinking back tears--sorry, 'liquid pride.' "I love you too, girls."

Yesterday morning, a letter arrived from Princess Celestia saying that she would be coming to Ponyville to see Twilight and her friends on an urgent matter. Exactly what that urgent matter was, the letter didn't specify, but Twilight and her friends have assembled at the appointed time nonetheless. Twilight and Spike pace in nervous circles on the turf; Rarity primps and preens; Rainbow Dash hovers impatiently; and Pinkie... well, is Pinkie.

"I love it when Princess Celestia comes to Ponyville! I got my hooves shined just like Rarity for the occasion!" Pinkie Pie holds up one gleaming hoof for Rarity to see." You like?"

"I certainly do," says Rarity, admiring her own reflection in the polished surface.

"I'm surprised she's not here yet," Twilight remarks, scanning the skies for the twentieth time in the past ten minutes. It's not like the Princess to be late for anything.

"I wonder what's taking so long?" says Spike.

"And where are Apple Jack and Fluttershy?"

"Fluttershy's detained helping Apple Jack with a mishap at Sweet Apple Acres," says Rarity, still using Pinkie's hoof as a mirror while she primps. "They'll be along."

"I still don't get why the Princess would be so late!" says Spike.

"She's bringing an important visitor," Twilight offers. "That could be part of it."

"A visitor who's important and slow," says Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe," suggests Rarity, "it's somepony so terribly important, she still had many more terribly important things to do before she got here."

"Or," says Spike with sudden alarm, "maybe the visitor has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail?"

Twilight rolls her eyes. "Yeah, right. That's Discord."

Rarity giggles. "Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia bring along somepony like that?"

"M-m-maybe you should ask her." Spike points at the royal chariot coming in to land a few yards away. Actually, the two royal chariots. One is occupied by Princess Celestia, as one would expect. The other...

The other is carrying a statue. A statue with a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, a snake tail, and a horrified expression on its all-too-familiar face.



For a long moment, all the assembled ponies can do is stare in shock. Twilight is the first one to speak up. "With all due respect, Princess Celestia..." her voice raises to a shout: "How could you bring Discord HERE?! --your Majesty."

Celestia is unmoved. "I'm fully aware that the last time Discord was here, he created serious havoc."

"If by 'serious havoc,'" says Rainbow Dash, "you mean turning Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world."

"And tricking us all into being the opposite of our true selves," adds Rarity.

"And making yummy delicious chocolate milk rain all over the place without a single dollop of whipped cream to go with it anywhere in sight!" cries Pinkie. "NOT A SINGLE DOLLOP!"

"Yes, I understand," says the Princess gently. "But I have use for Discord's magic if it can be reformed to serve good instead of evil. This is why I've brought Discord here, because I believe that you are the ponies who can help him do just that."

"This will never work!" shrieks Spike. "This is a disaster! How will we ever control him?! We're doomed!"

Celestia smiles reassuringly. "Need I remind you that you are the ponies who turned him back into stone like this in the first place?"

"I suppose we can just use the Elements of Harmony against him again if it gets out of hand," says Twilight, hesitantly. She doesn't want to question Celestia's judgment, but... really? Reforming the spirit of chaos itself? That's a tall order for anypony.

Spike, on the other hand, is already actively backing away from the statue. "Uh, w-w-we probably need a volunteer to run away from here right away to get them. I'll do it!"

"No need, Spike." Princess Celstia nods toward a gilded chest being carried out of her chariot by the guardsponies. "I have them right here, and I've cast a spell so Discord can't take them and hide them again. Now where is Fluttershy? I believe she may know best how to begin reforming Discord..."

The evening express train from Ponyville to Canterlot arrives precisely on schedule. Tonight, there are only three passengers getting off at the platform: two ponies and one dragon hatchling, all dressed in form-fitting black jumpsuits. They move away from the station and into the almost-deserted streets of Canterlot quickly and stealthily, for they are Ponies (and a Dragon) On A Mission.

...well, one of them is. The dragonlet is more interested in his ice cream cone than anything else.