My Little Pony--Twilight Sparkle's Spell Read online

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  HASBRO and its logo, MY LITTLE PONY and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2017 HASBRO. All Rights Reserved.

  Cover design by Véronique Lefèvre Sweet and Christina Quintero.

  Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Little, Brown and Company

  Hachette Book Group

  1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104

  Visit us at LBYR.com

  mylittlepony.com

  First published as Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell by Little, Brown and Company in April 2013; Originally adapted in 2017 by Five Mile, an imprint of Bonnier Publishing Australia in Australia.

  First U.S. Edition: March 2019

  Little, Brown and Company is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. The Little, Brown name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  Library of Congress Control Number 2018946078

  ISBNs: 978-0-316-48810-5 (pbk.), 978-0-316-48811-2 (ebook)

  E3-20190110-JV-NF-ORI

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 1

  Twilight Sparkle has just been crowned a princess of Equestria. When she was crowned, Princess Celestia gave Twilight her own set of wings. Real Pegasus wings! Now Twilight Sparkle is an Alicorn.

  Twilight Sparkle’s magical powers and bravery have made her famous across Equestria. Everypony is excited about the great things Twilight will do as a princess. Twilight is proud to be a princess, but nervous, too. Could she really lead a whole pony kingdom one day?

  Since being crowned, Twilight has spent a lot of time at her favorite place: the Golden Oak Library. She is looking for books about how to be a great leader. Spike, her Dragon friend, is helping, too. One day, Spike looks up from a book called Daring Do and the Terrifying Tower. “That’s it!” he cries.

  Twilight frowns. She has already read this book. “What does Daring Do have to do with it?”

  “Daring Do asks a wise pony how to overcome her fears.…”

  Twilight’s face lights up. Of course! She needs guidance from a wise pony. “Good work, Spike!”

  Spike blushes. But before he can speak, Twilight Sparkle is gone.

  Chapter 2

  Twilight trots into the town square.

  “Who in Ponyville can teach me about being a leader?” she wonders. She sees Mayor Mare trotting to the town hall. Perfect! But when Twilight gets to the town hall, the mayor is gone.

  “Sorry, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” says the guard pony. “Ms. Mayor Mare has an important meeting.”

  “That’s okay,” Twilight says. “And, you don’t have to call me, um, Princess. Just Twilight will do.” Twilight is a little embarrassed by such an important-sounding title.

  “Yes, Princess Twilight. I mean, Just Twilight!” says the guard.

  Twilight smiles reassuringly and trots off.

  “Fresh cupcakes!” shouts Carrot Cake, the town baker, pulling his cart into the square. Twilight’s tummy rumbles as she joins a line of hungry ponies.

  “Hello, Mr. Cake!” Twilight says when it is her turn. “One cupcake please.”

  “Oh dear. None left!” Mr. Cake says. “Come back to Sugarcube Corner with me. Mrs. Cake will have more.”

  Twilight should be getting advice, not eating cupcakes! But her tummy rumbles again, so she follows Mr. Cake.

  “Mrs. Cake, this rainbow-chip delight is… mmmf… delicious,” Twilight mumbles around her mouthful. “I’m sorry to eat and fly, but I really must be off.”

  “Of course, Princess,” Mrs. Cake says, bowing quickly.

  “Please. Don’t call me that. I’m still just the same old Twilight,” Twilight says, blushing. Suddenly all her worries spill out. “I mean, I don’t even know how to be a princess. I’m trying to ask some older ponies how to be a leader. But Mayor Mare was busy, and…”

  “My goodness,” says Mrs. Cake. “How tricky. Why don’t you ask your brother and Princess Cadance?”

  Twilight brightens. Shining Armor and her Pegasister-in-law, Princess Cadance, have lots of royal experience.

  “You’re a genius, Mrs. Cake! Thank you!” says Twilight. She flies to the Crystal Empire that very day.

  Chapter 3

  The Crystal Empire is even more beautiful than the last time Twilight Sparkle was there. The winding cobble-gem streets and tall glass spires sparkle in the sunshine. Crystal ponies smile as they trot past. Some call, “Hey, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” or “Welcome back!”

  “Good afternoon, everypony,” Twilight replies, smiling and waving.

  The Crystal Empire kingdom is bursting with happiness and love. What a perfect place for Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to live and rule!

  “Twily!” shouts Shining Armor, running over. “How’s my second-favorite princess?”

  “Hey!” Twilight laughs.

  “Only kidding!” he says. “You’re both my favorites.”

  Princess Cadance trots over to join them.

  “Cadance!” Twilight calls out happily. “Sunshine… sunshine…” she starts.

  “Ladybugs awake!”Cadance yells.

  “Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”The two princesses sing together as they hop around and shake their tails. This has been their secret tailshake since Twilight was a little filly and Cadance was her foal-sitter. It is still really fun to do!

  “So what brings you to the Crystal Empire, sis?” Shining Armor asks. “Isn’t royal life great?”

  “Well, that’s why I’m here.” Twilight drops her eyes to the ground. “I don’t know how to be a leader. And I don’t feel like a princess. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Oh, Twilight!” says Shining Armor. “You’re doing great!”

  “Of course you would say that. You’re my brother,” says Twilight.

  “Relax, Twily. Being royalty is easy! Right, Cadance?” Shining Armor replies. But Cadance’s face is serious.

  “No, Shining. It’s not as simple as that.” Cadance turns to Twilight. “Maybe I can help you.”

  Chapter 4

  “You’re such a great princess, Cadance,” Twilight says as the two ponies walk through the Crystal Empire. “I wish I could be like you. I feel so lost.”

  “You know, I didn’t always feel so confident,” Cadance admits.

  “You didn’t?” Twilight asks.

  “I’d always been told what a great leader I would be, but I didn’t know what to do!” Cadance says. Twilight nods. That’s just how she feels.

/>   “So,” Cadance says, “I went to Princess Celestia for advice.”

  “And?” Twilight asks, all ears.

  “She asked me if I felt like a true leader,” says Cadance. “I didn’t. Then Princess Celestia told me about an ancient spell. The spell turns any future leader into the pony they are meant to be.”

  Twilight brightens. Magic—of course!

  They stop at the famous Crystal Heart, which is powered by the magic of the Crystal ponies.

  “So, where can I find this leadership spell?” asks Twilight. “Can you teach me?”

  “Oh no, Twilight,” says Cadance. “The spell isn’t something you can teach. The Crystal Heart Spell will be revealed when you understand what your biggest leadership challenge will be. Only then will you know, in your heart, how to rule.”

  Twilight frowns. “How in the hoof am I supposed to know that?”

  “The spell works differently for everypony. I can help you with just one clue,” Cadance says. “The same clue Princess Celestia gave me when I first became a princess: Think about what makes a great kingdom.”

  “The Elements of Harmony?” asks Twilight.

  “Not quite,” says Cadance. She explains how she went about finding the answer: “I started by asking my friends what they thought would make a great kingdom. They had all sorts of crazy ideas, and I listened to each one. But I still couldn’t figure out what the spell was.

  “One day, I was sitting by the lake, thinking,” recalls Cadance. “I realized I listened only to other ponies. I never made my own decisions. As soon as I realized this, shimmering gold letters appeared on the lake. It was the spell!”

  “Wow,” says Twilight.

  “The spell showed me I would lead other ponies with True Love and Tolerance,” Cadance continues. “But the only way I could do it was by listening to my own heart, too.”

  Chapter 5

  That night, Cadance leads Twilight into a lush castle bedroom. Twilight blinks in disbelief. “This room is all mine?”

  “Well, not all yours!” says Spike, popping out from behind the purple curtains.

  “Spike!” Twilight exclaims, instantly feeling guilty. “Sorry I left Ponyville in such a rush. You know how I get when I’m on a mission.”

  “Do I ever!” says Spike.

  Cadance gives Twilight a small box with a bow on top. “Just a little gift from one princess to another,” she says with a wink.

  Inside is a beautiful necklace made of purple jewels. At the center is a large heart-shaped gem. Twilight recognizes it at once. “Cadance, this is your favorite necklace!”

  Cadance smiles warmly. “I think it’s time for a new princess to wear it.”

  “Oh, Cadance! Thank you.”

  “Of course,” Cadance says. “There’s just one thing.”

  “Yes?” says Twilight distractedly as she puts on the necklace.

  “The gem in the middle is made of Cosmic Spectrum,” Cadance explains. “As long as you are filled with the magic of love and positivity, the necklace will wrap you in warmth and protection.”

  “Whoa!” Twilight says, looking down at the rare gem.

  “But remember,” warns Cadance, “if you think negative or bad thoughts, the necklace will make you feel worse! Stay true to your heart and the spell will reveal itself.”

  Twilight Sparkle nods. She will not forget.

  The next morning, Twilight wants to start looking for the spell straightaway. But where should she start?

  Twilight puts on the necklace. She immediately knows just what to do. “Cadance asked her friends for their ideas. I’ll do that, too!”

  Chapter 6

  Twilight Sparkle goes back home to Ponyville. She already sent Spike ahead to ask her friends to a secret meeting at the Golden Oak Library. That night, her friends arrive at the library. Little do they know that nosy Gilda the Griffon has heard about the meeting and is eavesdropping from outside the cottage!

  “So what is this secret meeting all about, Twilight?” Applejack asks.

  Twilight smiles at her friends, all there to help her. The thought fills her with warmth, making her necklace shine.

  “Thank you all for coming—” she begins, but Rarity interrupts.

  “Ohh, is that necklace made of Cosmic Spectrum? It’s gorgeous!” Rarity leans in for a closer look.

  “Thanks! It was a present from Princess Cadance.”

  “You know what they say about Cosmic Spectrum,” Rarity adds. “When you wear it, you must remember—”

  “Oh yeah, Cadance told me all about it.” Twilight cuts her off. She wants to get the meeting going.

  Rarity sits back, a little hurt.

  “Anyway, thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Twilight continues. “I’ve asked you here because I need your help.”

  Twilight tells the ponies about the Crystal Heart Spell. She explains that she can find it only with the help of her friends.

  “I need you to help me figure out what makes a great kingdom. Otherwise I’ll never find the spell, and then I’ll never learn how to lead!” Twilight says dramatically.

  “Don’t worry, Twilight,” Fluttershy says. “We’ll figure this out.”

  “So you’ll help me?” Twilight asks hopefully.

  The ponies nod. “Together!”

  Chapter 7

  The ponies chat for hours, but Twilight isn’t sure it’s helping. They all have very different ideas about what makes a great kingdom.

  Pinkie Pie suggests an official Cake Day. Rainbow Dash wants a Royal Guard of the fastest ponies in the kingdom. Applejack wants ponies to always have dinner with their families. Fluttershy suggests a nature reserve for baby animals. Twilight sighs. She needs real ideas, not silly ones. “Rarity, any ideas? You’re awfully quiet.”

  “Well, sure… if you actually want my opinion,” Rarity grumbles. Since trying to warn Twilight about the necklace, Rarity hasn’t said a word. “I would design a fashion line for the kingdom so everypony could look and feel their best.”

  Twilight rolls her eyes. “Fashion, Rarity?”

  “Sorry if my idea isn’t good enough, Princess,” Rarity snaps, trotting out in a huff.

  Twilight finally realizes she has hurt Rarity’s feelings. “I’m sorry, Rarity. I didn’t mean to upset you. Thanks, everypony. I guess that’s enough for tonight.”

  Chapter 8

  Gilda the Griffon waits until the last pony has left. As Twilight waves her friends off, Gilda swoops down.

  “Finally!” she says, landing in front of Twilight. “I thought they would never leave. Good meeting?”

  “Hey! How did you know about the meeting?” Twilight asks.

  “I have my ways,” Gilda says. “I heard the whole thing. Didn’t sound like your friends had any good ideas.…”

  “So what would you do, Gilda?” asks Twilight.

  “If I were a princess, I wouldn’t listen to anyone else. I would do whatever I wanted!” Gilda cackles and flies off.

  Twilight frowns and goes back inside. Gilda is a mischief maker. Everypony knows that. But Twilight has to admit, her friends don’t seem to know much about being royal.

  Maybe Gilda has a point. Maybe the secret to leadership is listening to your own heart, instead of everypony else’s.

  If I’m going to be a real princess, maybe I need to start acting like one, Twilight thinks.

  Trying to find the Crystal Heart Spell is starting to drive Twilight crazy. Nothing she tries seems to work, and nopony has any good ideas. It’s so odd—ever since Gilda suggested that Twilight shouldn’t listen to her friends, Twilight has felt that everypony else’s opinions are wrong. Twilight takes a trot in the forest to think things through. But soon the noise of crashing leaves breaks into Twilight’s thoughts.

  “There you are!” Pinkie Pie shouts. “Come see my plans for the holiday celebrations!”

  “Now isn’t a good time, Pinkie,” Twilight says. “I’m sort of busy.”

  “Oh. Will you be bu
sy in ten minutes?” Pinkie asks.

  “Yes.” Twilight wants to be alone.

  “What about in twenty minutes?” Pinkie asks.

  “Yes, Pinkie! I’m busy!” Twilight snaps. Her necklace begins to dim, and the colors churn. “I don’t have time to talk about silly parties.”

  “Oh,” says Pinkie quietly. “Sorry, Twilight. I was just trying to help.”

  Pinkie trots off sadly, wondering what’s going on with Twilight Sparkle.

  Chapter 9

  Twilight Sparkle is looking for Gilda the Griffon. There has to be more to what she tried to tell Twilight the other night after the meeting. Twilight finds Gilda at Sweet Apple Acres with Trixie. They are filling an empty cider barrel with some gloopy green gunk as part of a mean prank.

  “Hey!” shouts Twilight. “You two! Come here!”

  “Are you finally giving orders of your own, like a real princess?” Gilda sneers. “Or are you just here to tattle on us to Applejack?”

  “I couldn’t care less what you do with that cider,” Twilight snaps, promising herself she’ll warn Granny Smith later about the slime. “I’m here because… I want to ask you about…” Twilight can’t quite find the words to ask Gilda for help.

  Trixie is wearing her purple magician’s robe and pointy hat. “The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t have all day!” she says, tapping her hoof.

  “Gilda, what were you talking about the other night?” Twilight asks.

  The Griffon shrugs. “I was just saying that if I were a princess, I wouldn’t let anypony tell me what to do. I would trust my own ideas.” Gilda puts her claw on Twilight’s shoulder. “What is it that you want to do, Twilight?”

  Twilight hesitates. Gilda has a point, thinks Twilight. Why am I asking my friends when I know exactly where to find the answers? The one place I always feel completely at ease.