A bit of time had passed since Starlight Glimmer returned to seek her revenge on Twilight from their last encounter. From her modifying Starswirl's time travel spell, Twilight learned first hoof just how powerful Starlight truly was. So much so that she could not defeat her through force, but through words and wisdom. It was by Starlight's choice that the future of Equestria was saved and from this, Twilight accepted Starlight as a friend and pupil.
But there was so much to teach and this was Twilight's first time taking on a student, but she was confident that with what she had learned herself, she would be able to pass on her knowledge to Starlight.
After getting to know Twilight and her other friends, Starlight was ready to begin her tutelage under the princess of friendship.
Since this was her first lesson, Twilight figured she'd start from where it all began. As Starlight sat with open ears in the castle library, Twilight, with the aid of a slideshow from Spike, relayed onto her the story of how she and her friends first discovered the power of friendship.
"And so you see, when my friends and I discovered the elements of harmony, we weren't sure how they worked, but then when I discovered that Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were my friends and represented each element, the magic inside was unleashed and thus, we defeated Nightmare Moon," said Twilight.
Starlight eagerly took notes. "So these six elements of harmony are really that powerful?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Twilight answered.
"And you and your friends each represent an element?" Starlight asked.
"That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Of course, I didn't get to see it, because someone didn't bother to wake me up," said Spike.
Twilight just rolled her eyes as Starlight took down more notes.
She had no idea friendship could be this powerful. Up until this point, she had been afraid to give friendship a chance, but from what Twilight had told her, there was more to be discovered about it.
Just then, a thought came to her mind. "Could it be possible that there are more than six elements?" she asked to Twilight.
"Hmm, I don't know. Princess Celestia discovered the Elements long ago. There hasn't been more than six known elements ever since. At least, not that I know of," said Twilight.
Using the magic from her horn, Starlight began rapidly searching through book after book.
"What if there are more elements out there waiting to be discovered?! Ones that nopony ever thought existed?!" Starlight said.
As Starlight skimmed through books, the ones she threw to the side were caught by Spike, piling on top of him until he was practically squished.
Suddenly, one book caught Starlight's attention. In it, there was a page containing illustrations of ponies who appeared to have multiple cutie marks on their bodies, which intrigued her.
After removing the books from Spike and placing them back on the shelves, Twilight approached Starlight whose eyes were fixated in the book. "Find something interesting?" she asked.
"Yes, this page describes something called, 'cutie pox;' a disease that causes multiple, random cutie marks to appear on a pony's bodies, making them perform the talents that come with them," said Starlight.
Hearing this brought back memories for Twilight. She recounted to Starlight about the time when Applebloom was a blank flank and made a potion from Zecora to give her a cutie mark immediately, and how the results did not turn out quite so well, but eventually how they were able to cure her.
Starlight knew about the ability to take cutie marks and their talents, but this was the first time she had ever heard about multiple cutie marks.
However, before Starlight could process her thoughts any further, she was cut off by a strange sound and a flash. Twilight heard this as well and it was an all too familiar sound as she looked to her flank to find her cutie mark glowing.
"Does that happen often?" Starlight asked.
"Only when the map calls...GASP, the map is calling! The map is calling! That means it's time for a friendship mission!" Twilight exclaimed, flying and teleporting around the library.
"Oh yes. Didn't you say the map called you to my village?" Starlight asked.
"Technically, I said we found it on a map, but yeah, pretty much," said Twilight.
Twilight couldn't wait to see what adventure the map had in store for her and possibly her friends as she grabbed Spike and rushed towards the grand hall.
Meanwhile, Starlight was still observing the page in the book. She wanted to know more, but she was also interested in finding out exactly where the map was calling Twilight and decided to follow Twilight to the grand hall, realizing the book would still be there waiting for her when she got back.
As it turned out, the map had indeed summoned all of Twilight's friends as they gathered around the mystical map of Equestria. This was only the second time the map had called them all at once and Starlight was fascinated by how their cutie marks were connected by it.
"So where are we headed off to this time?" asked Applejack.
"From the looks of it, it appears to be the undiscovered western part of Equestria," said Twilight.
"Oh! Does this mean we're gonna meet some cowponies in the old west? YEEHAW!" Pinkie exclaimed putting on a cowpony hat and twirling a lasso.
"Actually, I'm not sure what's out there, no one is. Nopony's every been to the undiscovered west," said Twilight.
"We're gonna be the first ones to explore an uncharted location in Equestria?! Awesome!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
"An unknown location? Oh dear. What if there are monsters, or even worse, dragons?! No offense," Fluttershy said, turning to Spike.
"None taken," Spike said.
"It's been quite a while since we've all been called by the map at once and to an undiscovered location no less. What do you suppose this could mean?" asked Rarity.
"Psst, isn't it obvious? It's probably taking us to a new location where we'll face off against a big meanie who will eventually become our friend later on," said Pinkie.
"What makes you think that?" asked Applejack.
"Uh, hello, this is a two part episode, it's happens almost every time! But usually at the finale. Example right here..." Pinkie said, placing an arm around Starlight Glimmer and then disappearing.
"So your cutie marks just point you to where you're supposed to go on this map and you solve the friendship problem there?" Starlight asked intriguingly.
"Yep," said Rainbow Dash.
Starlight found it very interesting their cutie marks worked in such a manner.
"It must be nice to be able to go on all these adventures. Being called for a higher purpose, to solve someone's problems," Starlight thought as she looked around at the thrones surrounding the map.
"Starlight? Are you OK?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. You guys go on. And good luck," said Starlight.
"Well, you heard her, gals! Let's get to it!" said Applejack.
"Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go," Pinkie sang.
"Will you be fine here all by yourself?" Twilight asked Starlight.
"I'm a big girl, Mom, I'll be fine," Starlight said.
Outside the castle, the other ponies waved bye to Starlight and headed on their way with Starlight waving back. As the ponies departed, Starlight slumped her head down a bit, but quickly lifted it back up and headed back inside for she was anxious to read more about the cutie pox.
The gang decided to take a hot balloon, figuring that there were obviously no train stations in the undiscovered west.
As they flew over the mysterious plains of the unknown, for a while, there was nothing but trees and tall mountains whose tips nearly touched their balloon.
Rainbow Dash did some shadow boxing, looking forward to hopefully facing big danger.
Rarity grew annoyed as the high altitude wind was blowing her mane. Luckily, she had packed over a dozen combs.
Twilight was especially excited to be heading into territory that was not just new to her, but all of Equestria. So much so, that she had packed unwritten books to write down what she saw and a camera to take pictures.
As the ponies traveled further, a thick fog encompassed over the mountains. It was ghostly and the cold air blowing on them adding to the eeriness of it.
"This fog is thicker than frozen molasses," said Applejack.
"I hope we're going in the right direction," said Fluttershy.
"We are. The map has never steered us wrong before. Though it would be nice to see where we're going," said Twilight.
Answering the call, Pinkie pulled out a long pair of binoculars that were able to see past the fog. She soon spotted something on the ground in the northwestern direction.
At Twilight's request, Rainbow Dash lowered the balloon below the fog to get a better look. From their height, it was a little hard to make out what it is was until they drew closer.
"Is that a...castle?" Twilight pondered.
"It looks simply divine," said Rarity.
Twilight quickly took a picture of the castle and took notes in her book.
It was definitely strange that a castle was in the middle of nowhere like this; no village, just a castle all on its own. Why was it here? Who owned it? And why exactly did they choose to put a castle here of all places?
These questions excited Twilight's curious mind as she and the other ponies landed near where the castle was.
Applejack tied the balloon to a series of boulders to make sure it didn't float away, Pinkie especially pleased at her method, and the ponies began to make their way towards the castle. The shadows of the castle's tall towers and spires enveloped them almost like an eclipse. But what drew Rarity's attention were the bright orange and gold colors that adorned the outside, and the gold tips on the spires that radiated off the sun's light.
"Whoever lives here sure has a keen sense of style," said Rarity.
Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight all rolled their eyes.
Approaching the castle, the group came to a large gate, orange and gold in color like the castle. The gate also had a picture of a pony's smiling face on it. A white pony with hair in a bob style, black in color with a pink and a green stripe running down on the right side.
"And a high opinion of themselves, that's for sure," said Applejack.
Two guards in red and gold armor stood at opposite sides of the gate with large spears in their hands, crossing them at the mane 6 as they approached.
"Who approaches the castle of the glorious, magnificent and benevolent Queen Elixa?!" the guard to the left commanded.
"Queen? Um...I'm Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, and this is Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. We're um...here to see the queen," Twilight said.
"Very well, you may enter," said the guard to the right.
Uncrossing their spears, the guard opened the gate.
"Well that was easy," said Rainbow Dash.
As the ponies walked pass the guards, Twilight puzzled at their previous comment. The only queen Twilight had known was Queen Crysalis, now there was a second one? The princess could definitely feel that something was odd and something told her that whatever the map called them here for, it had something to do with this 'queen.'