Dear Starstrike, my student;

Thank you for your recent letter. I am glad that you and Twilight are becoming firm friends; and I am even more pleased that your studies are beginning to take a giant step forward. In light of your letter, and Twilight's reports, my sister and I have agreed to resume yours and Twilight's studies together. You are both asked to come to Canterlot as soon as possible. We will detail more about your studies when you arrive.

We will see you soon,

Yours faithfully,

Princess Luna.

I close the scroll that Spike had coughed up over my breakfast, having finished reading it aloud, and looked up at Twilight. My eyes meet hers and at once, we are nodding at one another, moving around the library, packing our saddlebags. I pack all the books that I had been studying lately, and Twilight packs parchment, quills, anything to take notes or assist with our studies. We do not speak, bustling about busily, making sure that we have not overlooked a single thing. We want perfection for the Princesses; after all, they would expect no less.

Quickly strapping the bags around myself, I glance up at Twilight, who is standing still as Spike ties her bags onto herself. He crams one last book into her bag, and with that, snaps it shut. She shuffles, adjusting to the weight on her back, and sighs. I stand still, waiting for instruction.

"OK, are you ready to go Starstrike?"

"Ready when you are." I reply, giving her a wide smile. She returns it, and we leave. Spike will stay at the library, maintaining it and keeping it running for the next week or so; a task Twilight always left him with, it seemed. I wave goodbye to Spike as we leave, and he waves back. I feel that me and Spike have at least formed a friendship. That helps. Me and Twilight trot through the streets, and instantly, I'm taken back to my stressful walk I had taken a week ago; the leaves swirling through the air were almost hypnotic, the memory returning in full force. I remembered what I wanted to do. I turn to Twilight.

"Hey Twilight... did you want to go for a walk? Just before we leave?" I ask, hoping against hope I don't sound too enthusiastic. Twilight looks at me, confused more than anything.

"Princess Luna said we had to be there as soon as possible. I'll go for a walk with you when to Canterlot if you want, but we should get there first."

I feel shot down, but I know she's right. Besides, I can take her out while we're in Canterlot. That'd be better than just going around Ponyville. So I nod, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Sure, Twilight. Anything you say." If Twilight picks up on anything, she does not comment.

We keep going, passing through the town square, our destination the train station. We pass shopkeepers, market stands; all of them say good morning to Twilight, and I am greeted also. I haven't been out a lot in my time here, so a lot of ponies still don't know who I am; but I still feel welcomed. I return the greetings with a warm smile and a nod, preferring not to talk. Before long, we have purchased tickets (or, rather, given them) and we have boarded the train. We move down the train, taking two seats near the window, right at the very back. The train sits still as we wait for more ponies to board. I take off my saddlebags, resting them on the seat next to me, and they become engulfed in the chocolate brown aura that is my own arcane force, levitating a book out. I hover it in front of my face, beginning to read. I can sense Twilight is uncomfortable about something. I drop the book next to me, making sure to mark my page. I look at her just as the train pulls out of the station.

"Are you OK Twilight?" I ask. She simply shrugs at me.

"I get the feeling something's wrong. Do you ever get that feeling?" I nod at her.

"What feels wrong?"

Twilight nods at me. "Me and you. We've been studying together for nearly a whole week, and it's just occurred to me that I hardly know anything about you. I know how you got your cutie-mark, but that's about it."

I give her a smile. "Well, you know more than I do. And you've never asked. Same as I never asked you. I felt it intruding to your own private life, that's all."

Twilight just blushes, but smiles. "Well, I'd like to get to know you better. After all, you do live with me." I laugh now, holding out my forelegs.

"Well, ask away. Anything you like."

"OK... well, how did Princess Luna find you?" She asks.

"Find me? As in, took me as a student?" I ask, wanting to confirm her question.

"Yes."

I sit back in the seat. That's a interesting question. I exhale through my teeth, trying to find a way to word it. "Well, it was about two years ago, during the War with the South, while I was still with the Medical Corps." I begin. Twilight's on the edge of her seat.

"I was in the field hospital. I cannot describe it to you Twilight; it was horrific. I've seen things in that tent that I hope I never again have to see. It's truly disgusting in there; you're trying to heal and revive people, while all around you is infection and disease and there is nothing we can do to stop it spreading." I stop, shaking my head. The thoughts were enough to send shivers down my spine; Twilight's as well, so it would seem. She shivers, but nods for me to continue. I glance out of the window, watching the train pick up speed.

"Well, there was a rumour that the Princesses were to visit us as we made our last push towards their final stronghold, in order to assist with peace negotiations. Big rush around, it was. I've never seen so many wounded ponies try to stand, try to look their best. Those Princesses have some sort of magic about them; I cannot fathom what that is. Nevertheless, the day came, and they strolled into the tent. They looked very out of place, mind you; they were clean, radiating and dressed in formal dress. And there we were, nearly two hundred soldiers and thirty medics, dressed in combat gear, muddy, bloody and exhausted. They pass from bed to bed, sometimes offering a kind word or two, here and there. It was going OK. I was talking to Princess Celestia, bringing them up to speed on everything that was happening at that point in time."

I pause for breath, leaving it open to Twilight so that she could ask some questions if she wanted too. She stays silent, gazing at me, absolutely fascinated by the scene I'm painting for her.

"Then, warning sirens. The enemy were approaching us, probably trying to delay us. I leave some medics in the tent and lead a squad of other medics out. I would be needed on the front line; it's where I work best. I asked the Princesses to get into the bunker, a small concrete building that some other ponies had conjured for VIP's, or Very Important Ponies, if you aren't familiar with the army lingo." Twilight chuckles as I continue on.

"Well, as they are making their way across the courtyard with myself and some other soldiers as an escort, a group of enemy Pegasi fly over our camp, and drop grenades. Explosions everywhere. Blood, screaming. I still hear the faint scream of my friend as I sleep. He got blown to bits. Didn't stand a chance."

Twilight moves seats so she's sitting next to me. She puts one foreleg around me, pulling me into a hug. I do not fight, do not contest. I continue. "Then, my worst fear got realised. Stray shrapnel came flying towards us. I move to intercept it, hell-bent on making sure it didn't reach the Princesses, but I'm too late. It hit Luna right in the leg."

"It got Luna?" Twilight asks, shocked. I nod into her hair. "Never notice how she can't walk around that much? Sometimes, if she's on her feet too long, she begins to limp?" Twilight nods.

"Suddenly, that makes sense. I wonder why she never brought it up before." I shrug. "She doesn't like talking about it. Anyway, Luna's gone down, and Celestia stopped to help. I physically yelled at Celestia."

"Why?" Twilight interrupts.

"She wanted to help, help Luna. I asked her to leave and continue towards the bunker for her own safety, but she just refused. So, I said that if she didn't move, then her sister would die, because the shrapnel had cut a femoral artery in her leg. If you didn't know, that the main artery for blood flow in your leg. She could've bled out and died. Luckily, what I said, or rather yelled, seemed to get through to Celestia. She took off, escorted by two others, while Shield, my other friend, covered me."

"So what did you do?"

"Simple. First we had to apply a tourniquet; this cuts off the blood flow to a specific part of the body, depending on where you tie it, but most medics don't like to use them; if it is left on for too long, it can end up in possible amputation. Anyway, I cut off the blood flow and began to flood her system with morphine. This should have assisted with the pain, but she wasn't making a noise. That's not uncommon though, if it hurts enough, most ponies don't make any noise; its normally the shock."

Twilight is stuck dead still, her mouth hung open in complete shock. A small family of flies could've flown in there. I smile weakly and plough on.

"Once that was done, using magic, I extracted the shrapnel from her leg, careful so I didn't cut any tendons or anything else vital, stopped the bleeding. Shield lifted her onto my back and I carried her back to the medical tent. Once we got in there, the panic was huge. Ponies lost hope, believing that if Luna could be hit and injured, so could they. They were worried, some in near hysterics. I place Luna down and work on sealing the cut."

"Not an easy task, I can imagine." Twilight has finally found her voice, but her voice is hoarse. It sounds like she was in shock.

"Not as easy as it sounds." I confirm. "Well, I had to knock her out. When she came round, I spoke to her. She was thankful, knowing that, technically, she could have died. She admired my bravery, my knowledge of magic; and she offered to take me out of the Medical Corps and become her student. You can only imagine how shocking that was; I accepted, but one condition."

"Which was?"

I sigh and smile. "That I finish on the front lines. That, I stayed until the war finished." Twilight nods. "I could never leave my comrades like that. We had a job to do, and we did it as a team."

We sit in silence after my tale. Twilight seems to be looking for words, a light blush sitting upon her purple cheeks. She occasionally brushes a stray strand of hair from her delicate face; I try to imagine Twilight on the front lines with me. I don't think she'd last. No offence to her, but I think she not exactly made like that; soldiers are born, not made. I eventually speak up.

"So, come on. Tell me about your studies with Princess Celestia. What is it you study exactly?"

Twilight snaps out of her trance of gazing out of the window, shakes her head very lightly. "I study the magic of friendship."

"Friendship?" I ask. I raise an eyebrow. Here I am, studying Advanced Magical Theory and Technique, and she's studying how best to make a friend. Twilight just gives me a gentle smile.

"Yes, Friendship. It runs a lot deeper than you could possibly imagine."

And then she's off, talking about her studies and her friends. I watch her in awe as she chats excitedly, her hair bouncing around and framing her flawless face perfectly as the early morning sun rose, catching her face and making her seem radiant. The indigo and pink streaks that run through her hair are even more pronounced than normal, it seems; and even more attractive. I blush lightly to myself. Twilight does not notice the fact I'm nearly drooling as she continues telling me about her friends; Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack. They all sound fantastic, fascinating, but not nearly as incredible as the mare that sits opposite me.

"When we get back to Ponyville, we should all go out together. What do you think?"

Her question brings me back to Equestria with a sharp bump. I shake my head, my neat hair shaking atop my head.

"Yeah, sure." I gaze out of the window again. Am I seriously still finding her attractive? I need to stop that. I thought I'd conquered that one.

We pull into Canterlot's Central Station not long after; we depart from the train and I pause in the exit. I look around Canterlot, see the fine, paved streets, see the well built, structured buildings, and I take a deep breath in. I sigh. This is not simplicity. It's one of the reasons I don't like Canterlot that much; It's simply not me. Twilight's already down the steps, her trot barely broken by her new surroundings. How can she adjust so fast, be used to the bustle and noise of the city proper when she lives in such a desolate town? I shake my head. It's hard to understand Twilight on the best of days, so I move to catch up with her. We are squeezed side by side, our fur only touching briefly, but it sends an electric shock through my body so fast I shudder. Twilight glances sideways and I don't miss it.

"Are you alright?" She asks, concern ebbing into her voice. I shake my head, chocolate brown hair bouncing atop my head.

"Oh. Yeah, fine." I swallow lightly and we continue our walk towards the castle. Suddenly, a thought takes me and I smile.

"Hey Twilight?" She glances sideways at me. "How about we take that walk you promised me?"

Twilight laughs out loud and glances at me, before rolling her eyes in her sarcastic manner. "Let's drop our bags off first; let the Princesses know we have arrived. Then, I'm all yours."

I blush at the statement, but luckily Twilight does not notice.

Or, so I think. I mean, she did look away quite quickly, a blush of her own forming on lilac cheeks. I suppose her own words must've just hit home.

We remain in silence until we approach the gates. The guards recognize us; of course they would, I mean, we're the personal students of Equestria's two Princesses! We nod to one another as a butler shows us to the royal throne room. I've been here enough times to know my exact way around the castle, but still, we can't just wander around alone. Seems strange that we couldn't though; we're practically royalty ourselves, without sounding very vain.

Eventually, after climbing goodness only knows how many staircases and walking through nearly twenty doors, we finally reach the throne room. We walk towards the Princesses; well, towards Celestia. Luna is elsewhere, probably busy with some royal duty. We finally reached Celestia, and me and Twilight both sink to our knees.

"Princess." We both echo. We pause in front of the regal sister; both sink to our knees in perfect synchronization. Celestia smiles at us.

"Welcome back, both of you. How did you find your journey?"

"Pleasant, thank you Princess. Where is Miss Luna?" I answer on behalf of the two of us, then ask a question myself. Celestia smiles at me.

"She is in her quarters. You may go and find her. I need to talk to Twilight in private."

"Certainly Princess. Excuse me."

I raise myself back to my hooves and trot out of the room. I take a left as I leave the room, my hooves clicking against cool marble floors as I walk towards the staircase. I climb yet more staircases (I hate stairs) and eventually find myself on the top floor.

The top floor is quite perhaps the most important floor in the whole palace. This floor, compared to every other, only has three doors. Two of these three are located on either side of a long corridor, and these doors lead to the royal chambers of Miss Celestia and Miss Luna respectively. The last door, located in the far right hand corner of the corridor, leads to yet another staircase, which, in turn, leads to the top of the Astronomy tower. I pause at the start of the corridor for a moment, taking in the scenery. I trot down the corridor, the sound of my hoof steps rebounding from the tall ceiling and bouncing inside my eardrum. I trot past Luna's door, which is my destination, and get to the end of the corridor, where there is a window. This window is my favourite place in the whole world; which sounds strange, I must admit. It is my favourite place because I can look over the whole of Canterlot, take in a deep breath of fresh air. I wonder what I must be like to rule over all of this; a question I've never asked Miss Luna. Maybe I should.

"I see something's never change."

I spin around and I see Miss Luna, Princess Luna, in the entrance to her chambers, giving me a wide smile.

"Miss Luna!" I say. I move to leave my spot leaning out the window, but she shakes her head, signalling me to stay where I am.

"Please, don't move on my account. That's the most relaxed I think I've ever seen you Starstrike." I cannot help but grin.

"Yes Miss Luna. How are you?"

Luna is besides me now, her midnight blue mane flowing elegantly behind her, like a starry night sky in it's own right. It is truly mesmerizing; not Twilight mesmerizing, but still brilliant in her own right. Luna smiles at me.

"I am OK Starstrike. There was a recent royal visit from the South, hence why I sent you to Twilight."

"The South? And how did that go?"

Luna shrugged. "As you would have expected." I chuckle.

"Anyway, enough of my boring sermons with the South. How are you finding studying under Twilight?"

I shrug myself, trying to conceal my emotions. I know somewhere in my mind it is pointless; Luna can read minds I swear. But I decide I must try. "Eh, different. Still interesting though. I must say, I think she's just as good as you." Luna makes a sarcastic noise, something I've never heard her do.

"I doubt it. Yet, there is something else you are not telling me."

"Not at all, Miss Luna. There is nothing to hide."

"Yet you hide it." Luna counters, smooth as ice. She knows she has me now. I sigh hard. Luna is the closest thing I have to a mother; if I can't speak to her, then who can I speak too?

"Alright. Alright, you got me. How did you know?"

Luna raises an eyebrow. "I mentioned Twilight's name and you blushed."

I can feel myself blush now, hot and red. I doubt it even shows up through my fur. "D-doesn't mean anything." I find myself stutter. Yes, now I'm well and truly rumbled.

"You like her, don't you?" Luna asked. She's not teasing now.

"Of course I like her. She's a good friend."

Luna rolls her eyes. "You know what I mean Starstrike."

"Yes Miss Luna." I say, defeated. "What am I supposed to do? I want to tell her exactly how I feel, but I just can't. She's so smart, so beautiful, so exhilarating, yet I can't tell her that." I sit down, shake my head. Luna just smiles.

"I cannot tell you because only you will know the answer to that question. What I do know, however, is that you are quite possibly the smartest pony I've ever known. I'm sure you'll figure something out. Now go. Go and find her. Your studies resume tomorrow."

"Yes Miss Luna. Thank you, Miss Luna." I stand, nod, and walk back down the stairs towards the throne room. Luna knows I like Twilight, she knows! What am I supposed to do? Will Luna tell Celestia? Will Celestia tell Twilight?

I shake these thoughts from my head, my neat mane shaking lightly with the movement. As if Luna would do that! Luna's the most important thing I have, and she knows that. She wouldn't breach that kind of trust. It's Princess Luna!

As I walk back into the throne room, something has clearly gone on. Twilight is blushing a bright, crimson red, ears flat against her head, and Celestia is chuckling heartily. What on Equestria happened?

I try to shrug it off as I approach the two, but for some reason, it bothers me. I cannot place why.

"Ahhh Starstrike. Impeccable timing as always. Allow me to show you and Twilight to your quarters."

I nod and stand aside as Celestia passes me. Twilight refuses to look me in the eye, her beautiful hair obscuring part of her face. She matches my pace and we exit the throne room again. I keep glancing sideways at Twilight. I can't help myself but think I've done something wrong. What's the issue? I swat her flank with my tail lightly. I'm going to find out. She jumps a mile as my soft tail makes contact with her flank. I remember being told that the flank was one of a female's most sensitive spots, but seriously?

"Twilight, are you alright? You seem really... flustered."

Twilight finally turns and her eyes find mine. There is a sparkle in her eyes that I've only seen once before, and that was a week ago, when she hugged me, all those many moons ago. I couldn't place that sparkle then, and I cannot place it now.

"I'm fine Starstrike. Honestly."

Now, I know I'm not the smartest of ponies, but even I can tell that that's a lot of horse manure. She's hiding something, but what? I wonder if it has anything to do with Celestia? I shrug.

Eventually, Celestia has us outside two rooms. She takes Twilight to the left, leaving me to take the right. I push open the door, and find the bathroom. I want to freshen up before I go out with Twilight; if she still wants to, that is. Using my magic, I lift my saddlebags from my back and lay them on the floor. I'll give Twilight sometime to herself before I-

*knock knock*

The door? Already? Wow, I'm a popular pony. I open the door to find Twilight herself standing there. The blush has now disappeared from her cheeks and her normal cheery self is back.

"So, Starstrike, ready for that walk?"

This is a shock and a surprise, but I nod to her. I expected me to have to go and get her; isn't that what they teach in terms of formaility? The man always goes to collect the girl? Rather than complain about my now brutally wounded ego, I just nod.

"Yeah. Let's go."

We leave the palace together, side by side. I walk down the front steps and stop at the base as Twilight joins me.

"So, where to?" She asks. I shrug myself. Then, something hits me. Something I did when I first came here every single weekend. I wonder.

"Follow me." I take off through the crowd, Twilight keeping pace with me. We do not talk as we walk, but it's not an uncomfortable silence. It's almost like Twilight's just glad to be in my company. I feel the same way.

Soon enough, we reach downtown; which is where I wanted to go. I take a right past a popular resteraunt; maybe I'll take Twilight there later. But after one more turn;

"Found it!"

Twilight glances up at the sign, then back at me. "Starstrike? This is an arcade."

"I know. Come on. There's something I gotta show you."

We enter the arcade, Twilight not once moving from my side. Little fillies and colts with tired parents move out of our way as I make my way towards the back. And there it is.

"It's a dancing game called Dance Dance Revolution. You hit the arrows on the floor with your hooves and dance along to a song. Fancy doing one with me?"

Twilight looks confused as I approach the machine. "Why are you showing me this?"

I turn back to look at her. "When I first started studying under Luna, it got really stressful. This is one of the only things that calmed me down. One of the only songs on here is awesome." I turn and put two bits into the machine, before turning to Twilight. I offer her a hoof and smile.

"May I have this dance, Miss Sparkle?"

Twilight blushes bright crimson again, but takes my hoof. "I warn you, we'll probably fail. I'm useless at things like these."

I shrug. "It's no biggie. I just fancy a dance."

I quickly hit the two buttons to activate mine and Twilight's dance pads. She tenses up, preparing for the song. I flick straight to the bottom, and click on the song.

"It's called Accidentally in Love. It's an awesome song; it's got a really good beat. I think you'll like it."

I click onto the song and the beat begins to play. The first arrows come down and I'm already ready for them. My body knows this song, and as the lyrics start, so do the notes;

So she said what's the problem baby
What's the problem, I don't know
Well maybe I'm in love
Think about it every time
I think about it
Can't stop thinking 'bout it

I haven't yet dropped a note, but Twilight has missed a couple. Her ears are pricked up, her wings stand up straight and her tongues poking out of her mouth in concentration. I chuckle as I continue on;

How much longer will it take to cure this
Just to cure it cause I can't ignore it if it's love
Makes me wanna turn around and face me but I don't know nothing 'bout love

I'm beginning to blush now. I've just realised what song I chose, but Twilight's beginning to lighten up. I grin, as I hit the chorus;

Come on, come on
Turn a little faster
Come on, come on
The world will follow after
Come on, come on
Cause everybody's after love

I actually spin with the lyrics in this verse. Twilight's now giggling as she dances, her hooves matching mine. Maybe she's naturally born at this. I begin to sing along;

So I said I'm a snowball running
Running down into the spring that's coming all this love
Melting under blue skies
Belting out sunlight
Shimmering love

"Your singing voice is lovely!" Twilight calls out over the music. I just shrug as I continue;

Well baby I surrender
To the strawberry ice cream
Never ever end of all this love
Well I didn't mean to do it
But there's no escaping your love

These lines of lightning
Mean we're never alone,
Never alone, no, no

I know the words to the next chorus, so I move close to Twilight. Our bodies nearly touching, I move my head next to hers and sing;

Come on, Come on
Move a little closer
Come on, Come on
I want to hear you whisper
Come on, Come on
Settle down inside my love

Twilight's blushing again, but she didn't seem to mind. She keeps dancing as our bodies, now moving perfectly in synchronization with one another, find the beat of the music and continue once more. I don't recall a time I've ever had more fun;

Come on, come on
Jump a little higher
Come on, come on
If you feel a little lighter
Come on, come on
We were once
Upon a time in love

We're accidentally in love

The song slows for this part, and the notes are not as fast, or as frequent. It allows me to slow, look at Twilight as we dance. Twilight's almost crying from giggling so much, but she looks up at me. Her eyes sparkle that familiar glint I've grown to see, and she gives me a toothy smile. Her beautiful hair bounces perfectly, framing her graceful face perfectly against the background. I mis-step and finally lose my combo, Twilight laughing at me. Me, still grinning, picks up the combo once more;

Accidentally

I'm In Love, I'm in Love,
I'm in Love, I'm in Love,
I'm in Love, I'm in Love,
Accidentally...

I'm In Love, I'm in Love,
I'm in Love, I'm in Love,
I'm in Love, I'm in Love,
Accidentally...

I physically jump up into the air at the last part, punching the air as I do so. I'm still singing out loud, Twilight next to me, still dancing hard. I land as the final part of the chorus starts;

Come on, come on
Spin a little tighter
Come on, come on
And the world's a little brighter
Come on, come on
Just get yourself inside her

Love ...I'm in love!

Twilight finally stops dancing and she twists sideways, her legs giving way, but I duck under her and catch her, pushing her back to her feet. She blushes deeply as she looks at me. I can feel a deep heat approaching on my own cheeks, but I shake my head, keeping it at bay. I told myself I mustn't get involved in things like that; Twilight is simply too out of my league. I blush, but shake my head again. Clearing my throat, I finally turn away from Twilight.

To find nearly nearly thirty kids, standing there with their gob-smacked parents, jaws dragging on the floor. I don't know why though. Could be a number of reasons.

"Shall we return to the castle? We should probably get going back; we both need to eat, and we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Twilight, still bright crimson, nods shyly and joins me as we walk out. Ponies part like the red sea as we pass through, all still completely stunned. I shrug it off. I have more important things to be focused on. In theory, while I'm out with Twilight, not only am I her friend and student, I'm technically her bodyguard. I stop in the doorway of the arcade as I gaze up at the looming castle. What in Equestria did the Princesses have in store for us tomorrow?

I awake the next morning, my head positively thumping from exhaustion. I had not slept much the night before. I can't tell you why. If I knew the answer to that, I probably would've slept! Pushing myself up, I remember about my studies. Regardless of my current state, I must press on. My studies, especially now that I'm studying under Miss Luna again, must take priority over everything else, including the condition of my own body. I sigh heavily as I clumsily step out of bed, and towards the bathroom.

I quickly freshen up, taking care to brush any uneven spots out of my mane and fur, levitating the brush around my body, the brush acting on thought rather than action in itself. I work out the knots from my mane, wincing as they are brushed straight. No matter who tough you get, that still really hurts. Again, there is a knock on my door. I quickly finish off, and walk towards the door.

"Who is it?" I ask, as I walk towards the door.

"It's me." A voice replies. I smile as I swing open the door.

"Hey Twilight." I say, taking her in. "You're wearing your hair differently."

Indeed, she was. Rather than having her hair loose and framing her angelic features (which, I must add, makes her look, if possible, even more amazing), but she was wearing her hair in a single ponytail. She shrugs at my comment.

"You forget; I've been through the kind of training that Princess Celestia gives. Tying my hair up is just a precaution. Besides, I think it's different to make a change every so often, don't you Starstrike?"

I try to reply verbally, but find myself unable to, due to Twilight's new radiant hairstyle. I settle for a nod, followed by jerking my head towards the throne room. That is where we would be heading.

So off we go, side by side. Twilight seems to have a spring in her step, like she seems excited and ready for anything that comes our way. I smile. It's nice to see her so happy for a change. We continue on, and we're back in the throne room; only one of the Princesses are here though. It's Miss Luna.

"Please, follow me." She says, indicating us to follow her.

"Miss Luna? Where are we going?" I ask, confused. She just allows a gentle smile.

"You'll find out soon enough." She replies mysteriously. I shrug this off. Miss Luna has always had her reasons, so I have no reason to doubt her.

So off we go, into the castle's depths. Soon, we're even deeper than I dared go when I first studied here. Eventually, we stop at a particular room that's heavily guarded. Luna pushes the door open without knocking using her magic, coating the door in a midnight blue glow, and guards step aside to let us past. I'm confused, and I look at Twilight as if to ask her what's going on. She looks just as confused as I do though! Well, it seems we're both going into this blind.

As the door opens, all I see is Miss Celestia by some sort of mirror. Twilight gasps in recognition.

"I thought Princess Cadence and Shining Armour were protecting this is the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asks. Celestia smiles.

"They were, but considering your previous trip, I decided to move it back to Canterlot. There is still a lot we don't know about the world that lies beyond this portal. However, our chance has come once again to find out that little bit more."

I am so confused, but it seems I will not get the chance to ask questions, as Miss Celestia continues on without missing a beat.

"And that's where you two come in. Starstrike, Twilight, I want you to proceed to the other world and continue study on their ways. Twilight, you know what to expect; guide Starstrike through as best you can."

"You've got it Princess." Twilight says.

I clear my throat, raise a hoof. "Excuse me, but what in Equestria are you all talking about?"

Celestia opens her mouth to explain, but Twilight beats her to it.

"It'll be easier to just show you."

I swallow and gaze at the portal. Me and Twilight approach it gingerly. Twilight doesn't seem so keen now. What in Equestria is on the other side of that portal? Another world, I think Celestia said. An alternate dimension? Did they even exist?

As we begin to step forward, Celestia and Luna stop us.

"Remember, Twilight, three days." Twilight nods.

"I understand." She says.

"Good luck. Just keep in mind who brought you." Luna tells me.

I do not understand just what she means but I nod. "I will Miss Luna."

Twilight steps forward first, and I listen as a suction sound starts as she's dragged though the portal. I take a deep breath as I put a hoof through the portal. It tingles slightly, but I take a deep breath to steady myself. I look back at the Princesses who smile at me. I nod, turn, and jump into the portal.