Chapter 2

Twilight's Test

It was another beautiful day in Equestria. In the middle of the day over at Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne reading a scroll when suddenly, a royal guard ran into the throne room. He approached Princess Celestia and he said, "News from Northern Equestria! Uh... Your Highness."

Princess Celestia put down her scroll and said, "Yes, what is it?"

The royal guard seemed nervous, he said to her, "I am simply here to tell you that… it has returned."

Princess Celestia gasped, she knew what he meant by "It." She ordered the guard to find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.

As the guard ran off, Princess Celestia began writing a letter to Twilight and Neo. In her letter, she wrote, "My dearest Twilight, you must come to Canterlot at once."

Meanwhile over at the library in Ponyville, Twilight had received the letter. The letter said Princess Celestia wanted Twilight to come to the castle, she had a very important test for her. She also asked for Twilight to bring Neo with her, he could be a big help to her.

Twilight was very nervous, she was looking all around the library for quills and other test taking material. Spike tried to calm her down, but Twilight was very nervous. Her friends came into the library and saw what was going on. Neo tried to calm down Twilight as well, he told her that he knows that she will pass her test and he will support her all the way. Twilight felt happy, but she was always nervous when Princess Celestia had a test for her. She always had a fear of what she might do if Twilight ever failed a test.

Meanwhile over at Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were looking at their stained glass window gallery in the hall. Each window resembled a victory in Equestria, they were looking at the window that resembled the victory back when Neo defeated Queen Chrysalis when Princess Cadence and Shining Armor got married. The window showed Princess Cadence and Shining Armor helping Neo defeat Queen Chrysalis with the power of love.

Right next to that window was a window that resembled Neo defeating the demon that tried to raise hell over Equestria, that window showed the Mane 6 helping Neo defeat the demon with the power of friendship and Neo was pointing his cross at the demon and the demon was being vanquished.

As the princesses were looking at the windows, Princess Luna said to her sister, "Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?"

Princess Celestia calmly said, "Yes. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already there. The others will be joining them soon."

Princess Luna was so worried of the empire falling again, she said, "The Empire's magic is powerful. It cannot fall again, my sister."

Princess Celestia comforted her sister, "Not to worry little sister. With Neo's help, Twilight will succeed at her task. And When she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready."

Then Neo and Twilight showed up, Princess Luna was very worried that Twilight won't succeed and the empire would fall again. Princess Celestia assured her sister that Twilight will succeed and with Neo by her side, he will help her succeed.

Princess Luna went over to see Neo, she was always happy to see him. But this time, she was very worried. Neo asked her what was going on and she said her sister will explain everything.

Neo and Twilight went over to Princess Celestia. Twilight said she was ready for her test, she had brought plenty of quills and paper. Princess Celestia said that this wasn't a written test, she said that the Crystal Empire had returned. Twilight was shocked, she didn't understand how it was possible but Princess Celestia was going to show her and Neo everything.

She opened up a 3D model of the Crystal Empire, she explained that her knowledge of the Crystal Empire was limited. She told them about King Sombra, a black unicorn with an evil heart, he ruled the Crystal Empire years ago. Back when he ruled the empire, he used ponies as slaves and treated them horribly. Neo thought this unicorn was like the unicorn version of Adolf Hitler.

But then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna defeated King Sombra and they banished him, he was turned to shadow and imprisoned in the Frozen North. But before they banished him, King Sombra put a curse on the empire, causing the empire to vanish.

Princess Celestia said, "If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold..."

She showed them that dark crystals would appear all around the empire. She said that she wanted Neo and Twilight to help protect the empire from King Sombra.

Twilight was worried, "You want me to help protect an entire empire?"

Princess Celestia calmly said, "It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass."

Princess Celestia turned to Neo and said, "Neo, please do whatever you can to help Twilight succeed in passing her test and protecting the empire. As Twilight's friend, I would like both of you to work as a team. Can I count on you to help Twilight in every way you can to protect the empire?"

Neo looked at her and said in a sincere tone, "Yes…. mother."

Princess Celestia smiled and said that she and Neo will join Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.

"And your Ponyville friends will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies."

"But what if I fail?"

"You won't."

Twilight was still worried, even Princess Luna had her doubts about Twilight succeeding.

"But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?"

"Yes Princess Celestia."

"Then you and Neo must go, there is no time to lose."

Twilight told Neo to come with her and they ran out of the castle. Princess Luna was very worried but Princess Celestia assured her sister that Neo will help Twilight succeed and the Crystal Empire will be free of King Sombra's curse and everything will be alright.

When they got outside, their friends and Spike were outside waiting for them.

Spike wanted to know how Twilight did on her test but she didn't answer him, which worried him. Twilight said that she wasn't prepared for a test like this.

"We're going to the Crystal Empire."

The ponies and Spike were in shock, they couldn't believe it.

"That's right, you heard me, we are going to the Crystal Empire. We've got a job to do."

End of chapter 2.