I had never given much thought to the future; I tend to live life one day at a time. Studying takes up so much of my time, I barely have time to eat... so, when it dawned on me that everypony around me was getting on with their lives and I wasn't, it came as quite a shock.
Princess Celestia had taken me under her wing, and as it turned out, my youth had passed me by before long. Rarity had found her prince charming, and ditched Ponyville for Canterlot, and Rainbow Dash was busy with her new routines as the lead pegasus in the Wonderbolts to remember her friends. Even Fluttershy and Pinkie were settled down with stallions of their own, and well, Applejack was running Sweet Apple Acres since Granny Smith passed away.

All the elements found their very own harmony. And where did that leave me? Alone.

I spent half of my youth wishing to be alone with my beloved books and library, and the other half sealing the deal. I was going to be alone. Forever.

The day I realized it, it took me by surprise. It was a day like any other. Beautiful. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and I was holed up in my library. Since Spike had grown up, he had taken to a different job. His teenage years were trouble for the library. Once, he had sneezed and nearly torched the entire place. Thus, he had started a different job, outside.

I had gone outside briefly, to check the mail. The flag on the mailbox was up, and the back of an unmistakable dragon was turning to walk away from it. A squashy cap and a postman s bag were on him, clearly indicative of Spike's new career.
The bell on the door chimed as it closed behind me, alerting Spike, notifying him of my presence. I grumbled a bit under my breath. The last thing I needed was to be recognized by the now grown-up dragon who I had fired on bad terms.

Spike turned around to face me. "Wow, Twilight, I never thought I'd see you out of your cave."
I roll my eyes at him and flip my mane over my shoulder. "Yeah, whatever, just give me my mail."
Digging in his bag, Spike pulled out a few letters and handed them to me, an unmistakable scowl on his face.

I check over the mail, sorting it using my magic. Simple tasks like this have never been a challenge for me, but now they seem almost too simple. A few bills here and there; bills are yet another unwelcome part about growing older. Eventually, I stumble upon a scroll with Princess Celestia's royal seal imbued upon it.
Spike is still idling near me, clearly interested in what Princess Celestia's letter says. I furrow my eyebrows at him. "What are you hanging around for? You're not my assistant anymore. This letter is now between Celestia and myself. No stinking dragons allowed." It seems almost childish, but I m tempted to stick my tongue out at him.
Spike recoils, as if what I've said has cut him deep. "Geez, Twi, I knew you were becoming a hermit, but I never thought you'd turn into.. this.." he says, his lips puckered slightly as he looks at me in disgust.
He motions to leave, and I say nothing. I know I've grown distant from my friends lately, and it's no wonder why. I repulse everyone I come near now.
Sighing, Spike finally leaves, but before I can get back into the safety of my library, he looks over his shoulder at me, pain written all over his face. "You know, if I were you, I would stop pushing away the people who are trying to help you. You're going to end up sore and alone if you don't."
I snort at him to close the subject and retreat back into the familiar, musky room, inhaling the calming scent of rotting parchment and dust as I close the door behind me.

I ditch the bills and take the scroll up to my bedroom. It's been a while since the Princess and I exchanged letters. In fact, she hasn't written to me since I let Spike go. What could be so important now that she has to use manual mail to get a hold of me?
Before I even break the seal on the scroll, my mind is already swimming with possibilities. She could be writing to tell me how disappointed she is with me, for not growing up and letting go of my iron grip on studying and magic. It seems less likely that she is actually interested in my doings, wondering what I've learned since we stopped communicating. Fear and dread overcome me as I stare down the rolled up piece of parchment. I know we've had our differences, and I'm not exactly a model student anymore, but I'm not a silly filly anymore, either. I realized that my friends were only holding me back, so I severed the ties before it could interfere with my work.

I break the seal on the scroll and open it up, my eyes hungrily and greedily scanning the elegant scrawl of her Majesty's hoof.

'My dearest, most faithful student, Twilight...
It has come to my attention that you have taken up life as a hermit.'

I skim through the next few paragraphs, uninterested in Celestia informing me of things I already know. It isn't until I read over the last few sentences that my heart stops inside of my chest.

'Thus, I think it would be a good idea if you gave up magic for a few months. I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that for the next three months, you, Twilight Sparkle, are forbidden to use magic, or enter the library. I have made arrangements for you to stay with Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres until you have come to your senses.

All my love,
Princess Celestia.'

My fur bristles with what I can only guess to be sheer and utter disbelief. I can practically feel the world swirling around me. No magic for three months?

I'm still in shock as my safe and familiar library becomes hostile territory. Being in here is against the decree of the Princess. But, why? I was perfectly fine being miserable and alone, so why couldn't anyone see that? I had accepted my fate, why couldn't they?

I briefly think about rebelling against the decree. It would get me jailed. Worse, even, if Celestia wished it.
My fur is still standing on end when a knock comes at my door. My immediate reaction is to grab as many books as I can hold in my hooves and barrel out the window to find reprieve in rebellion. But, my mind discards the thought and turns me toward the door instead.
I pull it open manually, finding none other than Applejack and Big Mac staring me in the face.