Chapter 1: Two Letters, One Dilemma

One afternoon in Princess Twilight's castle, she is doing a little cleaning along with Spike and her students, Tiger Lily and her cousin Starlight Glimmer. Twilight, Tiger Lily, and Starlight are using their magic to levitate boxes of books and other items as they walk down stairs. Snowdrop, Tiger Lily's baby dragon is sitting in the baby carrier with a smile on her face. Spike is struggling carrying a box of books about his size.

Spike then begins to lose his balance on the stairs. With a yelp he falls down the stairs and the box falling down too. Luckily, Twilight catches him with her magic while Starlight levitates the box of books with hers. Then Starlight places it on the ground.

"Well, we don't all have magical horns," Spike says.

"I've been meaning to move these older books to my reference section for a while. Got to keep the new books front and center! Thank you all for your help," Twilight says.

"Are you kidding? After all you've done for us, this is the least we can do," Starlight says.

Tiger Lily nods her head, and says, "She's right.

"Oh, please. I haven't done that much," Twilight replies.

"Nah. You just taught me the value of friendship. Not much at all," Starlight disagrees with a smile.

"I may have offered some guidance, but you both are responsible for the pony you've become. I'm proud to call you both my students and my friends," Twilight says with a smile.

She turns to the boxes and says, "Now we just need to get rid of these boxes."

"Spike, can you… " Twilight asks turning her head towards him.

But becomes confused to see him looking at the window,

"Spike?" Twilight asks.

"What's that?" Spike asks, looking out the window.

Spike looks to see something seems to be flying their way. Twilight, Starlight, and Tiger Lily take a look out the window themselves.

"Is it a bird?" Twilight asks.

Then Starlight asks, "Is it a parasprite?"

"Maybe it's a dragon?" Tiger lily asks.

Spike becomes scared, "It's... it's…"

The thing that is coming closer is a pegasus mare dressed in a brown shirt, brown hat, and carrying a bag. And it's flying right at the window they're looking at.

"Incoming!" Spike screams.

Everyone duck their heads and away from the window. The pony flies through the window and crashes into the boxes full of books. The pony shakes the box of her head and blinks a few times.

Tiger Lily asks, "Derpy, are you okay?"

"Sure am. Sorry for crashing," Derpy answers.

She brings out two letters and says, "Special mail for Starlight Glimmer and Tiger Lily."

"For me? Who'd be sending me a letter?" Starlight questions taking the letter from Derpy.

"I seem to got one too," Tiger Lily replies, taking hers.

Starlight opens her letter and starts to get scared when she reads it, "It's... the ponies from my old village."

"Are they in danger?" Twilight asks in concern.

Then Spike asks, "Are they upset with you?"

Twilight and Tiger lily give firm glares towards Spike.

Starlight continues reading it, and begins to panic, "No... It's worse! They've invited me to the annual Sunset Festival!"

"Um why is it a bad thing?" Tiger Lily asks.

"Yeah. It seems the pony wants you to celebrate with them," Spike says.

"I know, but um, it's been a very long time since I saw them," Starlight says.

Tiger lily shows a reassuring smile, and says, "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be happy to see you again."

"If you say so," Starlight says, wearly.

Then she asks, "So Tiger Lily, what does your letter say?"

Tiger Lily opens her envelope and takes the letter out. She reads the letter very carefully, and begins to blush with a small smile on her face.

"So, what does it say?" Twilight asks.

Tiger lily blushes, and says, "It's a letter for Thorax. He's asking me if I can come to the Crystal Empire to hang out and to um… take me out for dinner and to see a show over there."

"Ooh, sounds like a certain changeling is asking you for a special night," Starlight says.

Spike smiles, "That's great. It's been awhile since the last time you saw Thorax."

"Yeah. It has been a while," Tiger Lily says as her cheeks are turning red.

Tiger Lily closes her eyes as her cheeks blush with a smile. She can remember the first day she and Thorax meet for the first time, and then again after a year later. She then remembers the time they have gone out together. They've gone out to dinner, go out dancing, and the first kiss they have. That night has been the best night of her life.

Tiger Lily her eyes and lets out a sigh with a smile on her face.

Twilight and Starlight go, "Aww!" With smiles on their faces.

Spike simply stick their tongue out seeing how mushy this is turning out.

Twilight says, "You should definitely go. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you again."

"I really want to, but what about Snowdrop? Tiger Lily asks.

"Maybe Princess Cadence and Shining Armor can watch her for you. I'm sure Snowdrop loves to see Flurry Heart again," Starlight suggests.

"I think it's a good idea," Tiger Lily says.

Twilight says, "Well, looks like you two are in for a great trip soon. Let's get the books put away and you two can get ready.

"Right," Starlight and Tiger Lily answer but for different expressions.

Starlight is still worried about going back to the village while Tiger Lily is happy to be able to see Thorax again and on a special date.

Later in the night, Tiger Lily has her suitcase backed up for her trip to the Crystal Empire to see Thorax, and another one for Snowdrop and her things.

Tiger Lily looks at the crystal rose Thorax has given to her. She smells it and lets out a sigh with a smile. She really does love Thorax and can tell that he loves her in return. She looks at Snowdrop who is already sleeping. She smiles and wants her time with him to be perfect. She looks out the window to see the night stars and her eyes begin to sparkle

Tiger Lily:

Love

It seems like only yesterday

You were just a child at play

Now you're all grown up inside of me

Oh, how fast those moments flee

Once we watched a lazy world go by

Now the days seem to fly

Life is brief, but when it's gone

Love goes on and on

Love will live

Love will last

Love goes on and on and on

Once we watched a lazy world go by

Now the days seem to fly

Life is brief, but when it's gone

Love goes on and on

The next day, Tiger Lily decides to say goodbye to Starlight and the others before she leaves to the Crystal Empire. She walks up to the door and opens it. Then walks inside with Snowdrop and her luggage.

She looks to see Starlight, but notices the sad look on her face.

"What's wrong Starlight?" Tiger Lily asks.

Starlight sadly sighs, and says, "There's something I need to tell you and the girls."

In the castle throne room, Starlight explains to the girls and Spike about the terrible dream from last night. About how she end up getting ignored and everything disappearing into the dark. Lastly, she explains how she is visited by Princess luna

"...and Princess Luna said I should tell you all how I was feeling. So... there it is. I'm afraid to go back to the village for the celebration," Starlight sadly says.

"But why, darling? You went back to apologize. They accepted. Everypony has moved on," Rarity asks.

"But have they? They don't really know how much I've changed. Or even worse, maybe I haven't changed as much as I think I have!" Starlight says, starting to worry and panic.

"Trust me. You are a totally different pony now. I mean, you were pretty awful," Rainbow says.

But Applejack scolds, "Rainbow Dash!"

"What? She was! It's a compliment!" Rainbow replies.

Applejack turns her head with a stern look on her face.

"That still wasn't a nice thing to say. Starlight is worried because she hadn't been in the village for a while," Tiger Lily says.

Then Fluttershy says, "I don't think they would've sent the invitation if they didn't want you to come. I'm sure they'd be happy to see you."

"And getting an invitation to a party and not going?! That's like... I-It's like...! Well, I don't know what it's like, but it is definitely bad," Pinkie says.

"Just be honest with them. I'm sure they'll understand where you're comin' from, "Applejack advise.

Then Twilight says, "I understand how hard this is for you. Maybe if you took a friend along, it might make things easier. Somepony you trust who would look out for you?"

Starlight begins to think of who she can take with her. Just then, an idea hit her.

At the outskirt of Ponyville and in her wagon, Trixie opens the window and grabs saddlebags with her mouth. Starlight and Tiger Lily help get the luggage into Trixie's wagon. Although, Twilight seems to be showing a forced smile on her face

"Thanks so much for doing this, Trixie. When Twilight said I should bring a friend, you were the first pony I thought of," Starlight says.

Trixie comes out of the window to see Twilight, and says, "Great idea, Princess Twilight. Asking me – Starlight's best friend – to help her on this difficult journey really shows how wise a princess you have become."

Thanks, Trixie," Twilight says, gritting her teeth.

She whispers to Spike in a little resent, "I was talking about me."

"The festival lasts a whole week, but I'm sure we won't stay that long.

"Oh. I don't know, Starlight. Time really flies when you're spending it with your best friend!" Trixie says with a giggle.

Trixie straps up her wagon and she along with Starlight leave to head to the village. Princess Twilight, Tiger Lily and the others say their farewell.

Tiger Lily grabs her things, and says, "I better get doing too. I don't want to miss the train."

"Okay. hope you and Thorax have a good time," Twilight says.

Then Rarity giggles, "Hope you two enjoy your date together.

Tiger Lily blushes to hear the word 'date' along with the sentence. Tiger Lily grabs her things with her magic and leave to get to the train station.

Sometime later, Tiger Lily is on the train to the Crystal Empire. She looks at the window to see the train is going by the fields with trees, bushes, and flowers pretty fast. She can't wait to see Thorax again. She wonders what they will be doing together before heading on their special night.

Just then, Snowdrops begins to cry.

Tiger Lily picks up Snowdrop with her hooves and begins to rock her. Then Tiger Lily begins to sing a song to her

Tiger Lily:

Baby mine, don't you cry

Baby mine, dry your eyes

Rest your head close to my heart

Never to part

Baby of mine

Little one, when you play

Don't you mind what they say

Let those eyes sparkle and shine

Never a tear

Baby of mine

Tiger lily looks outside to see the landscape is changing to a snowy season. That means they are getting close to the Crystal Empire. She then looks around to see many couples with their children. Tiger Lily smiles to see the ponies happy and so does shee.

Tiger Lily

From your head to your toes

(Baby mine)

You're so sweet, goodness knows

(Baby mine)

You are so precious to me

Cute as can be

Baby of mine

Baby mine

Baby mine

The Friendship Express continues to ride on the tracks as it's heading towards the Crystal Empire Station. Tiger Lily knows that it won't be long until she and Thorax get to be together again. She can hardly wait for it.

Love from Disney's Robin Hood

Baby Mine from Dumbo