Okay, library. Library...
Where did they put the library?
This castle looked a lot
smaller from the outside.
Morning, Starlight!
Whoops!
Sorry, Spike!
I guess I'm still trying
to find my way around!
You don't happen to know
where the library is, do you?
Next door on the left!
Oh. Thanks!
Acceptance, mmhm.
Altruism, definitely.
Starlight, good morning,
come in!
Sorry I'm late.
I got a little turned around.
I still can't believe you're letting
me stay here, as your pupil...
after everything I did.
Well, I'm not one to dwell on the past,
and neither should you.
The castle is your home now,
and as far as being my pupil goes,
I was just trying to figure out
what your first friendship
lesson should be!
Oh, well, it looks like you're
really narrowing it down!
Oh, these are just the A's.
After this, I move
on to the B's!
I know I'm just
learning about friendship,
but I didn't think there were
this many lessons for anything.
How do we choose?!
Maybe I should pare things down a
bit before we go through them.
Why don't you join the
others in the throne room?
They're planning our trip
to the Crystal Empire
when Shining Armor and Princess
Cadance have their baby!
Throne room, got it!
Um, which way's
the throne room?
Well, I think we
should leave ASAP.
I don't want to miss
the Crystalling!
But, um, shouldn't we
wait for the invitation?
Frankly I'm not exactly
clear on all the customs
and traditions of
the Crystal Empire,
especially when it
comes to a Crystallin'.
What's a Crystalling?
Well, that's just it, darling!
Princess Cadance and Shining
Armor's baby is due any day,
and we're still not sure.
The Crystal Empire was
gone for a thousand years;
a lot of their customs are a bit murky.
We know it's got somethin'
to do with the new baby.
And a party!
And the Crystal Heart.
And a party!
And some kinda cool energy.
And... a party!
It's not hard to understand.
Most things in the
Crystal Empire aren't!
Like how I'm a big hero
there, for example!
Eh... plus I've had
to help Twilight
do a lot of research
on crystallings.
Whenever a baby is born
in the Crystal Empire,
the parents bring it before
the Crystal Heart.
They get the purest shard
of crystal they can find,
then pick a crystaller to present
the baby to every pony who comes!
Then they all share the
light and joy they feel,
feeding it into the crystal
that joins with the Heart,
and increases its power!
And this is going to
be a royal Crystalling,
so pretty much the
whole empire will show up.
That hasn't happened in millenia!
What do you mean it increases
the Crystal Heart's power?
Energy it uses to protect
the Crystal Empire, I guess.
Protect it from what?
I... didn't help Twilight
with that part.
Hey Twilight, can I ask you something
about the Crystal Empire?
Ooh, funny you
should mention it,
because I just narrowed your first
friendship lesson down to three options,
and one of them is in
the Crystal Empire!
Really?
I found out that's where the first
pony you ever cared about lives!
Sunburst?
Of course, that's just one idea.
We could also go to Griffonstone,
making friends with a griffon
is a challenge all by itself!
Or we could tag along with a...
Starlight?
Is something wrong?
What?
Oh, no, heh, those all sound great!
I know! I guess you were right;
it is gonna be hard to choose one!
...Yeah.
Ugh, I am never gonna find
my way around this place!
Gee Starlight, what's wrong?
I don't know, Spike...
Twilight's figuring out what
my first friendship lesson is,
and I guess I'm not exactly
thrilled with the options.
Well...
with one of them.
Which one?
Reuniting me with my first friend.
What's so terrible about that?
When we were foals,
Sunburst knew everything there
was to know about magic.
He always knew just what to do.
And he was always
there to help me.
I guess it's not
surprising that Sunburst
got his cutie mark in magic, and...
went off to Princess Celestia's school.
But when he left...
You blamed cutie marks,
stripped a whole village of theirs,
and when Twilight and
the others stopped you
you went back in time and
almost destroyed Equestria.
Not stuff I'm super-eager
to tell Sunburst about.
I mean, he's probably some big
important wizard now, and...
I can't even find my
way around Twilight's castle.
Well, if Sunburst is
that good at magic,
maybe he'd appreciate your, uh...
exploits.
You should talk to Twilight about it.
I'm sure she'd want to hear
what you have to say!
I know... but I don't want her to
think I'm not ready to learn,
or that I'm not grateful for
everything she's doing!
Spike! Come quick!
It's a Crystalling invitation!
Shining Armor's a father!
I'm an aunt!
Well, this settles it!
Since we're going to
the Crystal Empire,
your first friendship lesson
is going to be...
Reuniting with Sunburst!
Great...
Um, Applejack, what is that?
Oh, just a little somethin'
for the young'un.
Made from genuine Sweet
Apple Acres apple trees.
We make 'em for all the apples.
And anypony related to
Twilight is practically family.
Yeah, it's okay...
But it's no Cloudsdale mobile!
BAM!
Ooh!
Pretty!
Well, a mobile is real nice...
as long as you have somethin'
to lay in so you can look at it.
And a fetching blanket
to keep you warm.
I'm sure Shining Armor and Princess
Cadance will love all our gifts.
But I think they're
more happy that
we'll be attending
the baby's Crystalling.
Ooh! I can't wait to see
all that light and love
make the Crystal Heart even
more sparkly and shiny!
Actually, Pinkie, the Crystal Heart is
an ancient and powerful relic.
Without its magic, the Crystal Empire
would be lost to the Frozen North.
Wow, this Crystalling
sounds pretty important.
I'd understand if you wanted to...
you know...
wait to do a different friendship
lesson when we get back.
Are you kidding?
This trip is perfect!
Not only do I get to see
the baby and take part
in the ceremony that helps maintain
the magic of the Crystal Empire,
but I'm starting my new pupil off
with the most amazing
friendship lesson ever!
I can't wait!
Right... Me neither...
Actually, Twilight, I am a little
worried about meeting Sunburst.
Oh, trust me, I know what
it's like to see old friends.
But I'll be right there
to help things along!
I've broken the lesson down
into a few easy steps
to ensure that this reunion
goes off without a hitch!
Step one, head
to Sunburst's house
and get you two started
on the right hoof.
Step two, get to the castle
with enough time to visit the ba-
Shining Armor!
Twilight...!
I didn't know you were meeting us!
Of course I am!
It's me, right here,
here I am,
why wouldn't I come
meet my sister,
though we have met
before, heheh...
Are you alright?
Never better! Being a father is
amazing! And wonderful,
and amazing, and confusing,
and amazing,
but, surprising, too, you know?
I mean, not that you'd know,
you wouldn't know, I know...
you know?
Sorry, I haven't really slept
since Cadance had the baby.
Come to think of it,
she hasn't either.
It sure would be
great to get a break.
Oh, of course! I don't know
what I was thinking!
You two probably need
all kinds of help!
I'm sorry, Starlight,
but I guess combining
your first lesson with this
visit wasn't such a good idea.
Oh, uh, don't be ridiculous!
You're an aunt now!
That's way more important
than some friendship lesson.
I just wish there was
a way to do both.
Maybe there is! You've already
done the work for Starlight's
lesson with this list,
all we have to do is follow it!
Spike, you're a genius!
Yeah... genius.
Then it's settled!
Shining Armor and I
will head straight to the castle,
and you two can head
straight to Sunburst's!
Aye aye, Princess!
Uh huh.
Alright big brother, let's go
see this amazing baby pony!
I know you're a little
worried about this reunion,
but I'm sure Twilight's
got everything covered!
Everything except
how I'd rather do
absolutely anything else.
Oh, I bet she's taken
that into account too!
It's all part of the lesson!
Trust the lesson!
Right...
Hey, is that...
you?
Oh, yep, it sure is!
Now, according to the list,
Sunburst's house is-
Why is there a statue of you
in the Crystal Empire?
Because Spike the Brave
and Glorious saved
all of us from King Sombra!
And then again during
the Equestria Games!
Really?
Really! Big fan.
Um, wh, when were you
going to tell me about this?
Eh, it's no big deal.
It most certainly is!
That's it! We're not
going anywhere
until I get the whole story!
Before we go in, I should
probably tell you.
Seeing the baby might
be a bit of a shock.
Come on, big brother.
I've met babies before.
I expect meeting this one
won't be any different.
Of course, I could be wrong.
The baby is an Alicorn?!
It looks that way.
But- But I thought Alicorn wings
had to be earned
by accomplishing some great,
princess-worthy deed!
Yeah, how can you just
be born with 'em?
The birth of an Alicorn is something
Equestria has never seen!
It is beyond even
our understanding.
That's not very reassuring.
Wow! A unicorn, and a Pegasus!
So she could be
a super-strong flyer
and have crazy baby magic!
Well, I know all about
super-strong flying!
And I can help keep
tabs on her magic!
It appears her magic
is more powerful
than that of a newborn unicorn!
The crowds have already
started to gather.
This Crystalling is gonna
be some party!
Do you think we should call it off?
Um, we've all faced a lot
worse than baby magic.
I can't imagine cancelling
such a beautiful
and important ceremony over
something so potentially adorable!
In light of the little
one's abilities,
this Crystalling might be
more important than ever.
Perhaps you should
address your subjects,
and remind them of that.
Shining Armor! Do you
have everything
you need for the ceremony?
Huh? Oh no! I still need to
interview the honor guards,
choose the purity crystal,
and pick a crystaller!
Alright, take it easy.
Pinkie can stay here with me and
keep an eye on the baby!
And we'll all help you
with everythin' else.
...baby...
That is if you can stay awake
long enough to tell us how.
...and that's how we
found the Crystal Heart,
defeated King Sombra,
and saved the Empire.
Tell the one about
the Equestria Games!
Well, as much as I love
reliving my heroic deeds,
Starlight and I have an
important lesson to deal with,
by order of the Princess
of Friendship!
Awwww!
Aw, come on, Spike! I want to
hear about the Games too!
I know you're nervous
about seeing Sunburst,
but it says right in step ,
to, uh,
deal with your fears
by facing them'!
Not by putting them off.
Ugh, let's go get this over with.
Wait!
What?
Knocking on the door isn't
the next thing on the list!
Seriously?
I know Twilight can be
a little nitpicky,
but this is your first
lesson as her pupil,
and it's important
that we do it right!
Fine. What's the next
thing on the list?
Before they see each other,
be sure to highlight the
importance of the meeting.
I'm pretty sure we can skip that.
I don't know... I mean
if we skip it,
the whole lesson could go south!
And then you might end up
taking a giant step
backwards instead of forwards!
Maybe you'll never
be able to learn
anything about friendship at all!
It's almost like your whole
future depends on this moment.
Alright, the importance of
the meeting, check!
I can't believe you wanted
to skip that!
...Sunburst?
Yes? What can I do for you?
It's... it's me, Starlight.
We used to be friends?
Oh, of course! S-Starlight!
My goodness, it's, been a long time!
What, uh, what have you been up to?
Me? Oh, you know, some of this,
some of that, different...
stuff.
Right now, I'm sort of
Twilight Sparkle's new pupil.
The Princess of Friendship?
Heh... yeah... that's actually
kind of why I'm here.
I mean, I know you're
probably very busy...
What do you mean?
Well, I figured
after magic school
you'd go on to do
important wizard work, but...
Oh. No. Y-yes! Uhm, uh, yes, that's
me, yup, aheh, important wizard!
Really busy with lots of,
uh, wi-wizarding stuff.
Right.
Uh, well, good to see you.
Huh, maybe we should
have skipped highlighting
the importance of
the meeting after all.
Well, I guess that's that!
Starlight, come on! We have to
at least explain
what Twilight wants!
Dearest citizens, I am sure
you are just as thrilled
and ready for this Crystalling
as myself and Shining Armor.
I'm not ready!
Take it easy!
Just pick whoever looks
the most like
honor guard material!
Right... right.
I'm sorry... Fatherhood is way more
stressful than I'd ever thought.
I can only imagine.
Well, I know choosing the crystal
of purity is
a very important decision,
so I have gone through
the trouble of arranging them
in order from incredibly pure
to outrageously pure.
Um, Rarity, don't they all
sort of look the same?
Oh, well, to the untrained eye
perhaps,
what do you think, Shining Armor?
I don't know!
I hope Twilight and Pinkie Pie
are having more luck
with the baby!
Well... at least she's having...
fun!
Pinkie, hold her still!
I'm tryiiiiiiing!
So... the Princess of Friendship
wants you
and I to be friends again?
Heh, I know, weird, right?
I don't understand.
Did something happen
to you after I left for magic school?
What?
No! I, I don't see what that
has to do with anything,
w, why would you even ask that?
I mean, did something happen to you
after you left for magic school?
What? Um, no. Uh, like you said,
I'm a, i-important wizard.
I'm sure there's something
on Twilight's list that can help here...
Okay. I chose the honor guard,
picked the purity crystal
and I know exactly who I want
to be our crystaller.
So, all we need is...
The baby?
We're here!
She's a really strong flyer!
I'm guessin' that's gonna make
it harder to do the Crystallin'...
It's worse than that.
Without the Heart,
the Crystal Empire's about to be buried
under a mountain of ice and snow!