Chapter 1
"Hearts and Hooves Day, it's such a silly day" the mare reflected. "Just a bunch of ponies running around, acting silly…"
The thought drifted away as it was replaced by a growing anxiety.
"Twilight, turn that lamp off and go to bed, you've been writing in your diary for forever."
She peered over the edge of her bed. A few feet away, in his own bed, lie a baby dragon. Even in the darkness of the room, the irritation on his face was apparent.
"Sorry Spike. I…I just have a lot on my mind. Just a few more minutes."
He let out a sigh as he pulled his blanket over his head.
She flipped back to the beginning of her diary entry to review what she had written a few minutes prior.
My Most Faithful Diary,
I'm sorry for neglecting to write in you, but, as you're about to find out, I've been quite busy.
A few days ago, I was given a very special assignment by Princess Celestia. I have been charged with aiding in the research of a new botanical spell. I am to test the fledgling spell and record the results. However, I've run into a minor problem. I can't even perform the spell!
I had Spike send her a message informing her of my problem. Fortunately, Princess Celestia was prepared for such an event. She has sent me one of her students from the Botanical Academy of Canterlot. The student should be arriving any day now.
Anyway, about the spell, it is intended to be used to cultivate a very special plant. It is in this plant's nature to produce certain seeds. These seeds, when ingested, allow a stallion and a mare to…
At this, Twilight blushed furiously.
She pounded her head with her hoof.
"This is nothing to be embarrassed about, it's just research."
…to copulate without the aid of additional contraceptives. Needless to say, it would be a big seller, which explains the Monarchy's involvement in the research. It is hoped that the spell will be finished in a month's time, a few days prior to Hearts and Hooves Day.
The entry then deviates onto the subject of Hearts and Hooves Day. It's easy to see why. The whole point of the spell is to grow a seed for Hearts and Hooves Day.
But, perhaps, there was another reason her thoughts had changed in that direction.
She let out a frustrated sigh.
"There's no time to think about that. Also, I need all of my energy to work on that spell. The Princess is counting on me. I hope that student gets here soon."
She laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, forcefully pushing away the thought that was the cause of her mounting anxiety.
After tossing and turning for an hour, she fell into an uneasy sleep. Morning came soon enough.
The sun had already begun to rise; light poured into her room. It seemed like Celestia raised the sun earlier and earlier each passing day.
A hoof silently pushed open the door to her library and closed it just as carefully. The door clicked when it was returned to its frame.
The click echoed in the library, but it wasn't enough to wake the exhausted mare.
A heavy bag was dropped near the table at the center of the library.
"Spike, is that you?" Twilight mumbled.
A few moments passed with no answer.
Twilight, blinded by the intruding light and sleep, rubbed her eyes as she rose to a sitting position on her bed. Before she could take her hooves away from her face, a young voice addressed her.
"Well, you're finally awake."