Episode 3: Castle Sweet Castle

At Fluttershy's Cottage, she was showering, cleaning and washing her animal friends. But she wasn't alone to do it. Twilight, Lance and Nyx were helping her as well. As they finished showering the animals up, they dried the latter up. The animals were all cleaned. But for Twilight and her family, they were all dirty and messed.

Fluttershy sighed in relief, "Phew! Thanks for helping me get them so fresh and clean, Twilight."

Twilight smiled, "No problem, happy to do it!"

"You probably can't wait to get back to your castle and take your own bath, huh?"

"Yeah! Can't wait for it. That bathroom was awesome!"

Both Twilight and Nyx looked shock and scared of what Fluttershy had said. What scared them?

Nyx quickly spoke up, "Aren't there more animals that need cleaning?"

Twilight smiled as she nodded her head in agreement, "Yeah, Fluttershy. Maybe I should bring both Dragoking and Owlowiscious here for cleaning? That would save our time!"

Fluttershy shook her head, "No need. Lance told me he cleaned them off. I think you and I are the only ones left, and I can't wait to get the mud out of my mane."

And again, both Twilight and Nyx once again looked scared and worried. As they looked for a way to 'excuse' themselves to stay, Nyx found Angel standing behind of her. She whistled softly as she kicked him off to the mud.

Angel slowly got up as he turned and glared at Nyx.

Spotted what Nyx did, Twilight gasped in 'shock', "Oh, no! Angel got dirty! I'd better stay longer to help give him a bath too!"

Nyx smiled in agreement, "And I'll help too!"

As Angel shaken and quivered in fear, Twilight and Nyx levitated him into the bathtub as the latter helped cleaning them up. Both Fluttershy and Lance looked at each other as they both wondered - what was that?

After the bath, Twilight and her friends brought both Boomer and Angel into Fluttershy's Cottage. Both Twilight and Nyx wiping and drying the bunny as hard as they can. Both Fluttershy and Lance looked concern and skeptical for Twilight and Nyx.

Fluttershy cleared her throat softly, "Thank you ever so much for staying to give Angel a bath too, but, um... I think he's dry."

Both Twilight and Nyx stopped their wiping Angel. As they levitated the towels up, Angel was dried and good-looking. POOF!. Angel's fur got fluffy.

Lance whistled and chuckled a bit, "Now that's one fluffy bunny."

Fluttershy 'gasped', "Goodness! It's gotten late! You really didn't have to stay all day. Not that we don't appreciate it. Isn't that right?"

Angel grunted softly.

As Lance was about to ask his family to leave, but Twilight and Nyx were dusting and cleaning Fluttershy's house. Both Lance and Fluttershy looked surprise yet concern about them. Why were they so reliable and helpful?

Concerned for his family's behavior, Lance 'yawned' softly, "I for one am exhausted. Plus, we really need to rest up for that big pancake breakfast tomorrow. Dad might be joining us there."

But Twilight and Nyx ignored Lance as they continued cleaning Fluttershy's cottage interior. It was very unusual to them.

Fluttershy hummed in concern as she spoke, "And I'm sure you have both to get the castle ready."

"NO! The castle's fine without... both of us." Nyx looked down and muttered angrily, "It's better off with someone else."

Both Fluttershy and Lance looked shock and surprise by Nyx's sudden attitude.

Twilight cleared her throat. Nyx yelped in concern as she looked away. The Princess gasped, "But maybe we'd better see if Pinkie Pie needs help with the pancakes!" Twilight and Nyx quickly headed exited the cottage at once. She turned to her daughter, "Nyx, you and I are gonna have some conversation. And it's a serious one too!"

Nyx huffed, "Sorry, mommy... I miss home..."

Twilight sighed, "I know... I know... I know..."

As Twilight and Nyx headed off to Pinkie's home, Fluttershy and Lance looked at each other for the moment.

"What was that? I'd never seen Nyx so... upset... Or even seeing Twilight so 'reliable'." Fluttershy said in concern.

"Hmm... Me neither," Lance agreed, "Hopefully they don't overdo the cooking. This is not usual of them."

Angel bounced off to his own room for preparation of bed. Fluttershy said goodbye and good night to Lance who returned the thanks to her. He then departed and returned to his home. All he can think was wondering why Twilight and Nyx so 'helpful' yet upset about the 'castle'.

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At Tao's Apartment Shop, he and Mighty Heart were cleaning and dusting some books off as they were closing down the shop. They then heard the knock. They turned and found a familiar character with blackish spiky mane entered their store.

"Son?" Tao asked in surprise.

Shadow Dragon sighed, "I need some help, father."

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On the next morning, Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders were invited to Twilight's Castle as they were all eating their breakfasts together per Fluttershy suggested. Pegasi and Earth Ponies ate them by their mouths while Unicorns levitated their forks in poking and eating the pancakes. All of them were enjoying their meals so much.

Applejack swallowed her food up. She smiled, "Mm, these are delicious, Pinkie Pie!"

Having her face covered by creams, Pinkie had her tongue licked them off into her mouth. Pinkie smiled in please.

"Thanks! Twilight and Nyx spent all night helping me pick the flavor! I kept thinking we'd found the right one-" Pinkie explained as she put some group of pancakes each to the top, "- but Twilight insisted I make even more to try. And more. And more and more and more and more! And even Nyx agreed with her. It was like they never wanted to—"

"Leave?" Fluttershy and Cutie Mark Crusaders asked in concern.

"Exactly!" Pinkie agreed as she took a bite on pancakes as she explained, "Eventually we ran out of time so we just went with every-berry-any-chip-surprise!"

She approached Rarity as she whispered, "The surprise is I lost a measuring spoon in the batter. Somepony's gonna get a very special pancake!"

Concern of what Pinkie had said, Rarity and Sweetie Belle levitated their pancakes in checking if the measuring spoon was in any of them.

"Up all night, huh? Is that why they're so, uh... out of it?" Rainbow Dash asked in concern.

Lance, Main Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders turned to north direction. They saw both messed-up Twilight and Nyx were siting yet snoring like they both were sleeping.

"Wow... And I thought I was the only one can't sleep well," Scootaloo commented.

"What has happen to them lately," Lance asked in concern.

"Um, I don't mean to sound unappreciative," Fluttershy said in concern, "but has anypony else noticed that Twilight has been a little too helpful lately?"

Applejack admitted, "Now that you mention it, Twilight was lendin' a hoof at Sweet Apple Acres the other day and stuck around 'til near midnight. Dug up fifty tree-plantin' holes when all I needed was ten."

"She spent an entire afternoon rearranging a single gem drawer at the boutique. An entire afternoon!" Rarity explained.

"You weren't the only one, sis," Apple Bloom said in concern.

Sweetie Belle nodded, "Yeah. We spent whole day of playing any activities we planed for finding our Cutie Marks.."

Scootaloo groaned in annoyance, "Yeah! That was crazy! I'll be tired."

"You think that's weird? She raced me, like, a hundred times the other day. And lost every time! She just kept goin'! Best out of ten, best out of twenty, best out of a hundred!" Rainbow Dash groaned, "I mean, I know hanging out with me is awesome, but it was like she'd rather keep losing than—"

"Leave?" Fluttershy and Cutie Mark Crusaders asked.

Rainbow nodded, "Yeah. Who does that?"

Twilight and Nyx continued snoring. Their heads fell on the creams of pancakes. They then make them comfortable for them to sleep like they were in bed.

Lance asked in concern, "This is serious... They never worked out so much before."

"Did you or Shadow Dragon know what happen?" Applejack asked. Lance shook his head. She hummed in concern, "Somepony who's avoidin' somethin', that's who. Soon as she wakes up, we're gonna find out what."

When Pinkie ate the last one, she felt something stuck on her throat. She coughed for moment. Lance hit her back causing her to spit the measuring spoon straight to Cutie Mark Crusaders. They looked at it with their shock and surprise looks.

Pinkie cheered, "I WIN!"

Twilight and Nyx gotten up at once with their widened yet shocked eyes as they exclaimed in gibberish, "Huh?! I'm pancake!" They gasped as they took the pancakes which stuck on their horns out. They smiled nervously, "I mean, awake..."

Everyone looked at both Twilight and Nyx. They were all in concern and worried for the latter. It's time to find out.

"Uh, Twilight? Is there somethin' you wanna tell us?" Applejack asked.

Lance nodded, "You two haven't been yourself lately since we came back from the village."

Twilight and Nyx remained silent for the moment. They didn't want to answer to their friends because of their 'reasons'. Rarity and Sweetie Belle approached to two Alicorns.

"You know how much we appreciate all you do for us, and we simply adore having you around..." Rarity commented happily.

Sweetie Belle looked worry, "We worry you two might be avoiding something else?"

Twilight sighed, "Oh, has it been that obvious?" Everyone looked dumbfounded yet concern and worried by her answer. She continued, "We've been... the thing is... I know it's silly, but We... We've been avoiding... this place."

Everyone was in shock and confuse of what Twilight had said. They turned to Nyx who nodded her head at well. That was shocking. They had been avoiding their own home?!

"Why in Equestria would you both want to avoid such a gorgeous castle?" Rarity asked in concern.

"Yeah, this place has everything!" Pinkie exclaimed happily.

"Big tall ceilings that make you feel tiny!" Pinkie jumped over Twilight and her friends. She landed on the floor as she touched them gently, "Shiny new floors that are cold to the touch! Brrr!" She then rammed the door wide and shouted wildly, "And it even has loooong empty hallways!"

As it echoed a long way from dinning chamber, Pinkie turned and approached to Twilight and Nyx, "Okay, I get it..."

"The castle is amazing. But it just..." Twilight sighed, "It doesn't feel like home."

Nyx cried unhappily, "I miss home..."

Main Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded their heads in understanding and even Lance nodded. Twilight and Nyx were referring to their old home - Golden Oak Library. But it was destroyed by Lord Tirek when he came to Ponyville for the Alicorn Magic.

"Not home, why?" Lance asked before he gasped as he remembered something, "Never mind. I think something just hit my head."

Rarity smiled, "Why, you simply need to decorate, darling. Make this space your own!"

Sweetie Belle nodded, "Yeah! That would be very easy!"

Nyx shook her head, "It's not that easy, Sweetie Belle."

"Nyx's right. The castle is so daunting! Look how big it is!" Twilight looked at the castle''s interior before slamming her head down, "I-I don't even know where to start!"

"You can start by letting us do it for you." Rarity answered calmly. Twilight got up and looked at her. She continued, "We will make this the castle of your dreams while you go to the Ponyville spa for some much needed rest and relaxation."

Sweetie Belle nodded, "Yeah. But... have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Rarity nodded as she levitated the mirror for both Twilight and Nyx, "I've never seen you look this... mmmm..."

"Frazzled?"

"Yes! That is absolutely the word I was going to use."

"Ooh, I guess I do need a little help. And so does my castle." Twilight agreed, "And I just know you'll do a great job, because nopony knows me better than you."

Nyx smiled, "Yeah. Nopony knows us than our best friends and family."

Applejack giggled happily, "We'll make this place feel cozier than hot cider on a rainy day."

"Oh no!" Spike exclaimed in shock. Everyone turned and found Spike entering the dining chamber, "Did I miss the pancakes?! I sleep like a baby under that cold, cavernous ceiling."

Spike sat on his chair as he started eating his pancakes.

Rarity gasped, "Spike, I'm so glad you're here!" Spike turned and looked at her with his hopeful eyes. She continued, "Yes! We're gonna work some decoration on your home. You're taking Twilight and Nyx to the spa!"

"Great! I've been meaning to get my claws done!" Spike took another bite on his pancakes. Everyone turned and looked at him with 'begging and please' looks. With his mouth full, he spoke, "Oh, you mean now."

"No worries. I'll go too. Besides, I'm gonna spent my time with you girls." Lance smiled, "Hopefully, dad gets here soon. Where is he? I haven't seen him this morning."

Nyx sighed, "You now him? Everyone and even Mystic Ponies need his advice and help for some problems. After all, he is Shadow General of Mystics."

"No kidding," Spike mumbled happily.

As Spike took two to three bites on pancakes, he held the rest. He got off the chair and exited the dining chamber. Both Twilight and Nyx followed Spike and Lance.

Applejack smirked, "Come on, y'all! We've got work to do!"

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As Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders exited the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom, they all turned and looked at the castle. They began singing.

Rainbow Dash: Let's all work together
To make this castle shi-i-ine

Rainbow Dash nudged Scootaloo up on her back as they flew around and around the castle while looking at it. Scootaloo waved happily while Rainbow Dash sped up her flight before landed on the ground.

Rarity: Once we add some sparkle
It'll feel, it'll feel, it'll feel...

All: It'll feel divine

Rarity levitated the gem up high, allowing the golden sun shined upon it brightly at the castle. Everyone then sang proudly before they split up and headed back home. Rarity and Sweetie Belle packed their stuffs of diamonds, stationary gears and pictures into their wagon.

Applejack: Crates of apples an' bales o' hay
Just makes ya feel at home

At the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Apple Bloom packed their farming supplies and gears into the wagon as they headed off.

Fluttershy: Furry friends and some popinjays
So she won't be alone

Fluttershy and Angel gathered dozens of animals as they marched out from their cottage together.

All: And we'll make, and we'll make, and we'll make
This castle a home

Pinkie: There's nothing like balloons and confetti
To greet you every time you walk through the door

At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie gathered the party gears, supplies and party canon as she headed outside.

Rainbow Dash: She'll need this and those
Posters of all my heroes

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo quickly packed all of their action figures, posters, trophies and collective items. They then headed down the stairs. They then saluted to Rainbow Blaze's statue proudly before they left.

Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered and met up at the road as they walked and marched together to the Friendship Rainbow Castle.

Cutie Mark Crusaders: How could anypony awesome ever ask for more?

All: And we'll make, and we'll make, and we'll make
A home she'll adore

Rarity opened the curtains in allowing the light passed through. Sweetie Belle helped Rarity setting some curtains up as well.

Rarity: Bright curtains of flowing silk and lace

Rainbow Dash set the pictures up to the walls. Scootaloo jumped and flapped her wings for the moment.

Rainbow Dash: This picture of me winning a race

Pinkie set her birthday party foods and presents on the Council's table.

Pinkie Pie: Party cannons to give her a surprise

As Applejack set her farmer gears up, Apple Bloom poured the seeds, weeds and dirt on the ground.

Applejack: Hoes and rakes and some more garden supplies

Fluttershy settled her animal friends calmly at the castle.

Fluttershy: Getting hugs from this nice, big, friendly bear

Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders setting and decorating the Castle with their own gears and stuffs. Rarity and Sweetie Belle decorated the castle's walls with gemstones. Rainbow and Scootaloo placed and posted the posters on the walls. Pinkie led the animals to the center for party. Applejack and Apple Bloom settled some foods out for the animals eat. Fluttershy settled some birdhouses on the walls.

Rarity: Decorate with some gemstones bright and rare

Rainbow Dash: More of this and that

Pinkie Pie: Don't forget the party hats

Cutie Mark Crusaders: How could anypony awesome ask for more than that?

Applejack: Let's all work together

Fluttershy: To show that we have show

Cutie Mark Crusaders: Princess Twilight Sparkle

All: How we make, how we make, how we make
This castle a home
How we make, how we make
This castle a home
How we make, how we make
This castle a home!

With the song ended, the Castle's Council Chamber was completed with decorations. Almost...

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At the Sacred City, Shadow Dragon, Tao and Mighty Heartwere having breakfast at the Chinese Restaurant. The young hero came very early morning to his father's home for discussion but ended up hungered as he hadn't eaten anything.

Shadow Dragon sighed in relief after eating his Sea Veggie Bun, "That was great..."

"Now that you're full. Why do you seek me?" Tao asked curiously yet concerned, "Clearly, you don't need my advice or need to deal with your problems. Something had bother you?"

Shadow Dragon sighed, "It's Twilight and Nyx. I'm worried about them."

"What about them? Aren't you, your girlfriend and her daughter getting along well?" Might Heart asked in concern.

"No... Mighty, Fu Qing (Father)," Shadow Dragon sighed, "Do you miss your old home before moving here?"

Both Tao and Mighty looked at Shadow Dragon with shock and surprise looks. They then looked at each other for the moment. They turned and looked at him.

"I do miss home... I miss my mommy so much," Mighty Heart admitted, "But she often came and visit me. That's important."

Tao nodded, "I did miss my old home. But son, why do you asked that? Did the castle bother them both so much?"

"Yeah. Ever since we got back from our mission, Twilight and Nyx avoided going to the castle by giving some excuses of helping friends or going other places. I was worried about them. Do you know something that bother them?" Shadow Dragon asked in concern.

Tao sighed, "That's what I'm afraid. Ever since their old home Golden Oak Library destroyed, they missed it so much. It attached to them so much..."

"I knew it!"

"You knew it?! When?! HOW?!"

"Two years ago when I came to Ponyville, I stumble upon the destroyed tree. And I asked some ponies about it. It turns out that it was the Golden Oak Library. It belongs to Twilight Sparkle. I felt sorry for her to lose home. But when I came to her castle, she and Nyx were okay with it until now."

"I see... So, you're here for advice and suggest to help Twilight and Nyx, do you?"

"Yes. That's what I'm hoping for."

Tao smiled, "Sure, why not. After all, you're my son. You're always welcome to your old home."

Mighty nodded, "Yes. We're family. We'll always help each other out."

"Thanks..." Shadow Dragon smiled before looked down, "Old home, huh? Why didn't I think about it?"

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At the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom's Chamber, Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders have completed their decoration. But unfortunately, they find it not they had hope for...

"Wow, girls! We did a... great job... together..." Applejack laughed nervously.

Her friends nodded their head nervously in agreement with her.

Looking at some animal roaming around happily, Rainbow commented, "Fluttershy, I love that you brought so many animals."

"Are these your trophies?" Fluttershy asked in surprise upon looking at trophies on the window shelves.

"I prefer to think of them as everypony's trophies but with my name permanently etched onto them."

"My my, Applejack, bringing the outdoors inside, it's... earthy... What a lovely touch!" Rarity commented nervously upon looking at some farmer's gears and supplies on the floor. Levitating the quilt up, she then sniffed on it. She heaved in shock before putting it down. She asked, "Are these quilts vintage?"

"Nope, just old!" Applejack answered before she got blinded by some lights. She turned and found some diamonds attached to curtains as she commented, "Unlike your sparkly window doohickeys which are... why, they're just swell!"

"I didn't know you were bringing some more of your comic books and posters here, Scootaloo" Apple Bloom said in surprise upon looking at comic books.

Scootaloo looked at music notes and instruments, "Sweetie Belle, I kinda like what you bring. It's cool to sing. Sort of."

Sweetie Belle looked surprise upon looking at tools and woods, "That's... kinda thoughtful of you, Apple Bloom - building some houses for Nyx."

Pinkie jumped over on middle where her friends standing as she giggled happily, "No one said anything about my hidden confetti cannons! Oh, right! They're hidden!"

As the door was opened; Spike, Lance and his girlfriend Shiroi entered the chamber. Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped in fear as they saw the trio were here now.

Upon looking at the chamber, they all gasped in shock and freaked-out, "Sweet Celestia!"

"What happen here?!" Shiroi asked in shock.

"Oh, Spike! Lance!" Rarity gasped in concern, "Are you, Nyx and Twilight done already?"

Spike shook his head, "Don't worry, I ordered her the super-deluxe mane blow-out! She'll be a while. Man, this place looks terrible!"

"Spike!" Lance and Shiroi exclaimed in annoyance.

Instead of being upset and insulted, Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders sighed in relief and pleased. Both Lance and Shiroi were in surprise by the former's reaction.

"Thank goodness somepony said something!" Fluttershy commented in relief.

"It's pretty bad, right?" Rainbow asked in concern.

"You could say that," Lance agreed.

"This place looks like a mishmash of knickknacks." Applejack commented.

Shiroi sighed as she admitted, "I suppose it is a little cluttered."

"What are you guys talking about? I think it looks super fun!" Pinkie exclaimed in annoyance.

BOOM! The confetti shots out, causing the animals freaked out as they roamed around wildly and scared. They destroyed and damaged some of Mane Five's and Cutie Mark Crusaders' items. Pinkie running around for fun.

Lance, Shiroi and Spike were in shock and freak out now. Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders were now in concern and worried.

Rarity annoyed shouted angrily, "Everypony, stop!"

Everyone stopped from running wild or crazy. Pig stopped as they knocked at each other to the walls. Bear and some animals stopped from running. Pinkie stopped as well. The chamber was in terrible mess.

Pinkie giggled, "Okay, now it's a mess."

Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed in fear, "What're we gonna do?!"

"I dunno. But Twilight's blow-out won't take that long." Spike said in concern, "If she was avoiding the castle before, she'll never set hoof in here now!"

Lance groaned, "That's just great! And be glad that dad isn't here. He would have been freak out by now."

"Spike! Lance! You've got to get back to that spa and stall her! Whatever you do, don't let her come home!" Rarity said in concern. Spike and Lance looked at her with concerns. She cleared her throat a bit, " I mean - maybe you could manage it 'til... sunset-ish?"

With Rarity giving Spike some winks, Spike sighed happily, "Anything for you, Rarity..."

"Typical," Lance sighed, "We'll do our best. Shiroi, I think you'd better help them. They might need some advice."

Shiroi nodded, "Okay."

As soon as Lance and Spike left, Shiroi turned to both Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders as they had some discussion for the next plan about the castle.

Applejack sighed, "Okay, we all agree the castle is too cluttered, right? So why doesn't everypony take one of their own decorations out and we'll see how it looks?"

Everyone nodded and agreed with Applejack.

Shiroi smiled, "I'll sketch the idea out. Once it's done, I'll let you all see it. You're all gonna love it. I can guarantee it."

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At the spa, Twilight was having her mane blowing out by her mane-dryer. Nyx sighed happily as she wiped her mane and body gently before shaken the water off. Upon looking at the mirror, Twilight spotted Lance and Spike coming into the scene.

"Spike! Lance! You're back!" Twilight exclaimed happily. As she turned to the front, she levitated the blower up. Her mane revealed to be her spiky and curved mane-like Spitfire's or Night Glider's. She smiled, "How do I look?"

Nyx whistled happily, "That's awesome!"

Spike smiled nervously, "Great!"

Lance nodded his head in agreement before he cleared his throat, "Where did you get that from?"

"You father and some of Pegasi I met. Their mane looked so awesome and great," Twilight smiled as she looked at her mane, "And more importantly, how does the castle look?"

Lance and Spike smiled nervously, "Great?"

Nyx squealed happily, "I can't wait to go home and see it!"

Twilight smiled as she got off from the pillow, "Me too! We're done!"

"NO!" Spike exclaimed in concern while grabbing his adopted mother's tail. Twilight and Nyx looked at him. He yelped as he let go before explained, "I mean - I'm not... quite ready to go yet." He took the flyer out which revealed the muscular bicep hoof-like, "Uh, why don't we have a massage? I was really hoping to get, uh... this thingy!"

"Spike!" Lance exclaimed in concern.

Nyx read the flyer, "The 'Extra-strength-hot-stone-deep-tissue massage'?"

Lance groaned in annoyance as he gave himself a small slap. Spike gulped, "Yep!"

Twilight smiled, "I think I'll just have a traditional massage, but you go for it."

"Me too!" Nyx agreed.

Lance sighed in relief, "I'll wait around. Look around if Metalgear is here. That Metal Pony sure love to poke around for learning."

Lotus smiled in please as she whistled to call her friends. Aloe emerged from the door and smiled at her customers.

"Did somepony order messages?" Aloe asked gently.

CRASH! Bulk Biceps, dressed in his spa uniform, emerged from the walls.

"YEAH!" Bulk Biceps exclaimed wildly as he jumped behind of nervous Spike, "Let's do this, little dragon!"

Using his biceps, both sides grabbed Spike's head tight. Bulk Biceps marched straight to the walls, making another hole for him to enter.

Aloe sighed in annoyance, "Oh, I hate it when he does that. Come with me, princesses."

Aloe led both Twilight and Nyx into the message chamber. Lance waited outside as he looked around in finding Metalgear. Hopefully it was long enough for the rest to finish the decoration...

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At the Archaeologist Building at Sacred City, Dragon Kick allowed his family to enter as they all had some discussion about Twilight's old home. They were at his office where it was filled with books and artifacts, including his personal belongings and pictures. Dragon Kick was made as Senior Archaeologist Minister and Mentor among his company since he made several discoveries for Equestria and even for Mystic Ponies.

Shadow Dragon was distracted about what Tao had said to him. 'Old Home'? He hadn't thought of it since his exile.

"Shadow Dragon, stop daydreaming," Dragon Kick called out. Shadow Dragon turned to him as the latter bowed down to apologize. He brought the Equestria Map down on the table. It revealed Ponyville's location but only forests and woods only which was part of Everfree Forest. He sighed, "Okay. This is Ponyville. Or what's going to be after 1,000 years later. The tree that Twilight lived is called Great Oak."

"So, what's so special about it?" Jade asked curiously, "And when did the library made?"

"Patient, Jade. I'll explain. According to the legend, the Great Oak has been the center to the Everfree Forest for more than thousand years. It is said that it brings good lucks or fortunes to anypony who treated it with wisdom, compassion and hope. And ever since Ponyville was founded, Great Oak was turned into Golden Oak Library. And the former owner treated it so well like a family to him. So, after his passing, he passed it to his next successors to treat it as its family."

"Wow... That's wow... I can see why Twilight was so attached to it."

"Yes. Yes, it does."

Might sighed, "It's such a good story to hear it."

"But does it help us to restore it?" Shadow Dragon asked in concern.

Dragon Kick shook his head, "It can't. There's no other way to restore Great Oak. Great Oak is 10,000 years-old tree. It's too old. Even if you did ask the Mystic Council of Wood to help, it's against the law. When there's life, there's death. Once the life ends, death takes you to peace. That tree cannot be restored."

Tao sighed, "Dragon Kick's right. This is the law."

"It's not fair..." Shadow Dragon groaned, "Why?"

"But let me ask you - why? Why do you want to restore the old home?" Tao asked curiously, "You ask me about missing old home? It sounds like that you miss home, don't you?"

Shadow Dragon sighed as he turned to his family, "Ever since I was exiled, I missed my home so much. I kept thinking, dreaming and wondering about it so much. Wherever I lived, I don't feel home. When I came to Twilight's Castle, I felt peace and harmony like I'm home. But because I chose that, I forgotten about my old one. I didn't want Twilight to feel it."

Tao nodded in understanding, "Ah Chai... I understand. Just because you've moved on to new life doesn't mean you should be ashame of it. And besides, it's okay to miss home. But it is your choice to decide - forgotten it or remembered it. And you chose the later. I'm proud of it."

"Really?"

"Yes... And besides, you are always welcome to home if you like. Mystic Realm is always your home, just like home Golden Oak Library is to Twilight. All of us do miss you too, my son. You're not alone."

Dragon Kick, Jade Adventure and Mighty Heart nodded their heads in agreement.

Touched by his family's concerns and love, Shadow Dragon hugged Tao tightly and passionately, "Thank you, father. I really appreciated it so much."

Tao hugged back, "I know. I hope that put your concerns down?"

"Yes... It does," Shadow Dragon admitted as he departed from hugging. He saw Dragon Kick passed the golden Chinese Pendant to him. He took it and looked at it, "What is this?"

"Call it remembrance. It'll help you remember all the times we've been through, so you won't feel bad about it," Dragon Kick explained.

Shadow Dragon then opened the pendent. It revealed the Chinese Portraits of himself, his family, old and new friends. He smiled happily upon looking at the picture. He nearly wanted to cry upon it so much.

Jade nodded, "Besides, you still remember us. That counts right?"

"She does have the point. You did come and visit us a lot. You were thoughtful of us. That's important," Mighty Heart added, "So remembrance is important."

Struck an idea, Shadow Dragon looked at the pendent again. He then looked at his family, "I have an idea. And I need your help."

And his family did was smiled at him.

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Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders were moving some items and stuffs from making the chamber so cluttered. Rarity struggled in doing it. Shiroi was sketching on her drawing board. They were annoyed by their 'drama queen' friend's concern.

Applejack groaned, "Come on, Rarity. Everypony has taken somethin' out except you."

"Ooh, I know! I simply can't decide." Rarity said in concern as she looked around - her friendship portraits, gems on the walls and curtains. She groaned, "Ooh! They're all my favorite too!"

Rainbow growled in annoyance, "They can't all be your favorite! Okay, I'm taking down the portrait. We all know what we look like."

As Rainbow Dash brought the portrait down to the outside, Rarity was furious and annoyed. She huffed in irritation.

"Well, the room still looks a little bit cluttered, doesn't it?" Rarity levitated some of posters down at once. "Perhaps I'll take down a poster or two. Only to be helpful, of course!"

Rainbow was furious as she glared at Rarity. Rarity glared back at her. They both were about to fight but Applejack intercepted it.

"Okay, everypony calm down. I'm sure we can find a way to remove the clutter together."

Rarity smirked, "You're absolutely right, dear."

Rarity levitated the quilts away and gave to Rainbow to kick her out. Applejack gasped in shock.

"Hey, those are my warmin' quilts!" Applejack exclaimed in shock.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity smirked proudly. Cutie Mark Crusaders were about to stop the argument. Scootaloo moved Sweetie Belle's stuffs, which the latter noticed.

"Scootaloo! What are you doing with my music notes?!" Sweetie Belle demanded.

Scootaloo shrugged, "Well, we've gotta move the stuffs. So, it can get more space for decoration."

"You mean like these?" Apple Bloom smirked as she held some of Scootaloo's Comic Books, causing the Pegasus Filly annoyed and angered.

"Think that is funny, Apple Bloom? Try this!" Sweetie Belle smirked as she levitated Apple Bloom's crayons and papers, "I guess we should move these and Scootaloo's away from here!"

"HEY!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exclaimed in anger.

Suddenly, the balloons popped into pieces. The birds were pecking at them?!

"Fluttershy, tell your birds to stop pecking at my balloons," Pinkie begged.

Fluttershy huffed, "I guess they must not like being scared out of their wits by exploding confetti cannons or something."

Pinkie yelped, "But we can't get rid of the cannons! I don't remember where I hid them."

Irritated and annoyed by Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders' argument, Shiroi stopped her drawing and glared at them, "Knock it off! I'm sure we'll figure it out somehow. So, out your difference aside and work together. Or, we'll never finish this in time!"

BOOM! The confetti exploded and burst wildly. As if it sparked, Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders argued wildly and angrily as they 'helped' moving some of other stuffs wildly and angrily.

Shiroi sighed, "Unbelievable..."

--------------------------------------------

After the massages, Twilight and her family left the spa as they all headed back to home.

Twilight sighed, "Great suggestion, Spike. I feel totally relaxed."

Nyx bounced and squealed happily, "Me too!"

Lance carried Spike on his back as the latter yelped painfully and wildly. Lance sighed in annoyance while shaking his head. Asking Bulk Biceps massaged Spike was a bad idea.

Lance smirked, "That's what you get for getting the wrong massage."

"Shut up!" Spike exclaimed angrily.

"C'mon! Let's go home! I want to see what it looks like!" Nyx called.

"No!" Lance exclaimed in concern. Both Twilight and Nyx looked at him. He yelped before continued, "I mean - why don't we check on our friends? You know - get to know them?"

Twilight hummed, "I don't know..."

"C'mon, it won't hurt to know them." Spike persuaded as he stretched his arms and legs hard. He got down, "We don't wanna to get another Boomer problem again,"

Twilight and Nyx looked at each other for the moment. They did have the problem when both Fluttershy and Boomer argued with each other over the bugs. They nodded in agreement to know more about Lance's friends.

As Twilight and her friends walked across Ponyville, they came across the destroyed and burnt tree. Twilight, Nyx and Spike gave the depressed and painful looks. Lance was confused and worried.

"What happen here?" Lance asked in concern.

Nyx sniffed painfully, "It's our home - our real home." Lance turned and looked at her. She continued, "Golden Oak Library is where I was reincarnated and lived. It's also family home since we lived in Ponyville. Now it's gone..."

Twilight sighed, "I really miss this place, Spike. We had so many wonderful memories here."

Spike nodded, "We did, didn't we...?"

As both Spike and Nyx were crying, Twilight came and hugged them both. Lance looked at them with his pitiful and upset looks. He hated to see them being depressed and pained.

"I'm so sorry. Losing the Golden Oak Library was hard for you too. I know that feel..." Lance admitted painfully, "I've lost my mom when I was a teen. It's so painful..."

Twilight turned and looked at Lance. She used her wing and pulled him to us and her children, "Thank you. And I'm sorry too. You're really a good son..."

Nyx gasped, "I've got an idea. Why don't we have the girls add some things to make the castle feel more like our home as well?"

"Great idea!" Twilight, Spike and Lance exclaimed happily.

Lance smiled, "But first, let's meet our friends."

Twilight nodded in understanding as she and her family left and find Lance's best friends.

--------------------------------------------

At the chamber, Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders have finished in clearing and moving all of their cluttered stuffs out from it. It was very exhausted and tired.

Rarity sighed in relief, "There! Now nothing is cluttering the castle!"

"You're right," Shiroi said bitterly, "There is literally nothing cluttering this castle."

Heard what Shiroi had said, everyone looked around of their surroundings. They found it completely empty and nothing. Back to drawing board...

"What are we gonna do?" Fluttershy asked in concern.

"But it's almost sunset!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in concern.

"We don't have much time!" Sweetie Belle said in concern.

Scootaloo groaned, "We're so busted!"

Rarity sighed, "Ooh! If we don't figure this out soon, it's going to look like we didn't lift a hoof to help her!"

"Why is this so hard?!" Rainbow complained, "We're Twilight's best friends! This should be easy for us!"

Applejack sighed, "She said it herself – if anypony should be able to make her feel comfortable in her new home, it's us. If we can't do it..."

"Then Twilight will be stuck living in a castle that makes her feel... sad!" Fluttershy finished Applejack's sentences.

Pinkie screamed wildly and fearfully, "What do we do? What do we do?! If Twilight comes home now, she'll be like "What did you guys do?" And we'll have to be like "Nothing!" And then she'll be like "I was counting on you! Some friends you are!" And we'll be like... "

Pinkie screamed wildly and fearfully while mimicking crying-like

Applejack sighed, "Calm down, Pinkie. We just need to figure out what we did wrong so we can make it right."

"Well, I didn't do anything wrong! I did exactly what I would do if this were my home!" Rarity spoke up.

Rainbow glared at Rarity, "But it's not your home. It's Twilight's home!"

"Where she keeps all her Rainbow Dash trophies?"

"Touché."

Shiroi sighed, "All of you did wrong. You're all making yourselves feel at home instead of Twilight. That's why it's so hard."

Everyone looked ashamed and disappointed. They realized that Shiroi was right. They were supposed to help Twilight to feel comfortable at home, but instead making it for themselves. They looked at each other as they nodded their heads that they should fixed and repaired the problems.

Applejack gasped, "I've got it! We just need to think about Twilight. What was it she'd loved about livin' in the Golden Oak Library?"

"Oh, everything!" Fluttershy answered happily, "The books, the smell of books, the joy she felt from organizing books..."

"Remember that time I crashed into all those books attempting my sonic rainboom after you guys just cleaned up?" Rainbow asked happily before she laughed in amusement. Mane Three were annoyed and angered by her jokes. She sighed, "That was good times."

Applejack groaned, "Yeah, for you, maybe."

Rarity gasped, "Oh, and Applejack, remember when we were stuck having a sleepover there? That turned out to be so much fun!"

"Hey! Remember the time when we get out lessons from Twilight," Apple Bloom asked happily.

Sweetie Belle giggled, "Yeah! And don't forget of what we did during Twilight Time."

"And best of all - all of us and Nyx passed the test! Azure approved it and built the Twilight School for the gifted fillies and colts!" Scootaloo remarked happily.

Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders were happy and pleased with the remembrance of Golden Oak Library. It was meaningful and wonderful to them so much.

"Remember the time it got blown up to smithereens?!" Pinkie asked happily. It turned Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders smiles turned to frown and pain. She yelped, "Wait, no, that was the worst."

Applejack sighed, "We had a lot of good memories there, though. That's what made the Golden Oak Library home."

"Yeah..." Everyone sans Shiroi agreed.

Shiroi hummed as she looked at her sketches carefully, "If we add some parts of Golden Oak Library here, it might make her memorable and comfortable."

Applejack gasped, "Shiroi, you're genius!"

Everyone looked in confuse and surprise as they looked at Applejack. What was that?

--------------------------------------------

Twilight and her family spent almost whole afternoon in meeting Lance's Team across the Ponyville.

They met Boomer who is now exterminating some bugs and insects across the Ponyville for his food, though he often gave some to Fluttershy for present. They found Grunt who was working as the labor for almost every tough and difficult jobs for strong pony or dragons. Rob was working for Dr. Hooves for his science works. Steel Blaze cooked some of hayburgers for them. They found Alyson led Dinky Doo, Pipsqueak and Twist in finding their Cutie Marks. And finally, they also found Red Arsenal came by for a visit with Lance as they both spar with each other for ten round. But Metalgear was nowhere to be found.

Twilight and her friends sighed in relief as they were all tired and exhausted. Spike and Lance looked up as they found sun was setting down. As they got up, they spotted Mane Five, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Shiroi were carrying some shovels and picks. They looked surprise and concern.

Applejack and Shiroi quickly gave Lance and Shiroi a shush. Lance and Spike sighed in annoyance. They hated of doing it.

Twilight sighed, "Let's go home. I think we've done enough."

"Wait!" Spike exclaimed in concern. Twilight and Nyx looked at him. He yelped, "Maybe we should... I think... We should go and buy some pillows!"

Nyx gasped, "Huh?! I thought you sleep like a baby?!"

"Nah! Everypony knows that babies are terrible sleeper," Spike protested.

Nyx hummed, "Okay, Spike. What gives? What's your excuse? Is there something you're not telling us?"

"Yeah... Why do you behave strange so lately?" Twilight asked in concern.

Lance and Spike yelped in fear as they struggled of coming up the answers for them. Before they could, a black smoke emerged from the ground. Twilight and her family gasped in shock and surprise. They found Shadow Dragon stood on the stone.

"Shadow Dragon!" Twilight exclaimed happily as she got up and hugged him. She departed and glared at him, "Where have you been?! What you've been up to?!"

Shadow Dragon chuckled softly, "Sorry... But could I talk with you privately?"

Twilight sighed, "Fine..."

Shadow Dragon and Twilight left the children behind. Lance and Spike were about to move but blocked by Nyx as she demanded some answers about their behavior. They both chuckled uneasily.

At the Ponyville's Restaurant, Shadow Dragon and Twilight had some tea together for the moment.

Twilight sighed, "So... What is it you want to talk with me?"

"It's about your home," Shadow Dragon answered. Twilight looked surprise and shock. He continued, "I'm aware of it. And I know what happen to your old home. And believe me, I'm very sorry for it."

"There's no surprise... And yes, I miss mine so much. I wish it was still here."

"I know how you feels. That's why I brought you this."

Shadow Dragon passed the snow globe-like which contains of Twilight's Golden Oak Library and the miniature of herself, her family and friends. She was in shock and surprise as she took it. She looked at it with both surprise and shock but joyfully.

"It's... It's beautiful." Twilight commented, "But why?"

Shadow Dragon smiled as he patted Twilight's cheek gently, "For your remembrance. I know you still miss your old home so much. And you're also scared to move on. But believe me, you're not alone. Spike, Nyx, Lance, your friends and me will be there for you. They're your home. That's important. After all, you're my girlfriend. And I'm here to help."

Twilight looked at Shadow Dragon, "Do you mean it?"

Shadow Dragon smiled as he gave her nuzzle, "Of course, I mean it."

"Thank you so much, Shadow Dragon," Twilight smiled, "I'm happy to have you here."

Twilight smiled as she kissed Shadow Dragon's lips. Lance, Nyx and Spike sighed happily of seeing the couples being together.

--------------------------------------------

Mane Five and Cutie Mark Crusaders have arrived at the former Golden Oak Library. It was big and huge even thought it was destroyed.

Applejack sighed, "Maybe my plan won't work after all."

They were all disappointed and upset by it.

Rarity refused as she had the idea upon looking at the tree, "Of course it will, darling. I can see it! You and Fluttershy stay here." She turned to both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, "Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, you come with me. We're going shopping! We'll meet back at the castle."

"Good to hear! I've brought some help," Shiroi said happily as she led Metalgear and 25 Metal Ponies here.

Metalgear smiled, "I'll be honored to assist."

"Alright, y'all! Let's do it!" Applejack exclaimed happily.

With Applejack's signal, her friends began working. Applejack, Fluttershy, Shiroi, Metalgear and Metal Ponies began digging. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie left for shopping.

Applejack: It's not the things that ya gather 'round

Fluttershy: It's not how much you own

Applejack and her team dug as hard and quick as they can in bringing the tree out from the ground.

Rarity: The things that hold the meaning in your life
Are the memories you've sown

Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had done their shoppings as they headed back to the Friendship Rainbow Castle.

All: So we make, so we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home!

Shiroi showed her sketches to her friends. They all began working on their latest decoration. Rarity, Shiroi and Sweetie Belle sewed one shinning diamond to another. Applejack sharpened the tree's trunks. Rainbow tied the ropes to the top's roller and brought them down. They all pulled the rope back hard and slowly as the tree's bottom part slowly ascended to the ceiling.

The decoration is done and completed. Everyone smiled happily to see it done.

--------------------------------------------

Twilight and her family returned to Friendship Rainbow Castle. They entered the hallway.

Twilight smiled, "Hello? We're home!"

Everyone from the castle headed to the entrance as they greeted happily, "Welcome Home!"

As Twilight and her friends walked through the hallway, they looked around of their surroundings. The hallway and corridors of windows were the same as before.

"Oh, I, uh... love what you've done with the place." Twilight remarked gently yet unconvinced, "You did such a good job of... preserving the integrity of the original design."

Spike groaned, "Aw, come on! It looks exactly the same! Do you know how hard it was to keep her from coming back here?! I never want to see another dust ruffle as long as I live!"

"SPIKE!" Lance and Nyx exclaimed in annoyance.

"Wait. Keep me from coming back here?" Twilight asked in concern.

Shadow Dragon sighed, "What happen?"

Rarity laughed nervously, "It took a teensy bit longer than we thought."

Applejack sighed as she had her hat down, "What really makes home feel like home isn't what it looks like. It's the memories you make when you're there."

Rarity smiled, "So we've made something that celebrates the memories we've made with you since you moved to Ponyville."

As Mane Five opened the door, they and the rest entered the Council Chamber. Twilight and her family gasped in surprise. They saw the tree's bottom hung to the ceilings. Its roots were filled with several ornaments. It was like a chandelier.

As Fluttershy flew up to the ceiling, she explained, "The ornaments on the chandelier are reminders of all the fun we've had together."

Pinkie pointed at the orange ornament, "That one shows your party at the Golden Oak Library welcoming you to Ponyville!"

Fluttershy showed the blue ornament, "The time we shared donuts after the Grand Galloping Gala!"

"And the best is Nyx Save the Day!" Cutie Mark Crusaders exclaimed happily as they pointed at the purple ornament.

Rarity smiled, "We were hoping that being able to look at your beautiful old memories would inspire you to make new ones."

"And the best part of it is, it's made from the roots of the Golden Oak Library," Applejack explained, "so you'll never forget where you came from."

As everyone gathered at the entrance, they prayed and hoped that Twilight accepted it. That was the only idea they had.

Twilight turned to her friends. She worn the mask of happiness yet having tears on her eyes.

"It's exactly what the castle needed." Twilight Sparkle smiled and sniffed. She galloped towards all of her friends as she gave them a hug, "And I am ready to make new memories here."

Pinkie Pie squealed happily as she brought the seven colorful layer cakes, "Then let's start right now with a new memory cake! Seven layer what's-that-flavor mystery surprise! These might be chocolate chips or they might be super-spicy black beans!"

Twilight giggled, "Let's go to the dining room. It's a little sparse, but at least there's a table and chairs." She led her party to the dinning chamber. She gasped, "Whoa! What happened in here? Last I checked, this place was empty!"

The dinning chamber was filled decorative and noble-like dinning table. Twilight's family was in shock as well. They and Twilight turned and looked at the nervous Rarity and Sweetie Belle.

Rarity smiled nervously, "I couldn't help myself! It was just begging for the personal touch!"

"Yeah. That would make things interesting," Sweetie Belle admitted.

Applejack sighed, "Truth be told... I couldn't either. Your kitchen might have some rustic farm decor, Twilight."

"And it's a free apples," Apple Bloom added.

Rainbow Dash smirked, "And there may or may not be some Daring Do posters up in your library."

Scootaloo nodded, "I also added some action figures and comic books for you, Lance and Spike."

Fluttershy added, "And some stuffed animals in your bedroom."

"Um... I hope you don't mind if I add some drawing frames in your own rooms," Shiroi explained, "It makes you all comfortable and happy. That's how I feel with them."

Metalgear bowed, "As your humble ally, I request to be your butler. After all, you do need someone to look after Nyx and Spike."

Lance chuckled, "Yeah, we could use that."

"Not funny!" Spike and Nyx exclaimed in annoyance.

BOOM! Another confetti exploded from the hidden canon. And everyone yelped and startled in fright and shock.

Shadow Dragon asked, "What was that?!"

Applejack sighed as she turned and glanced at Pinkie who was messed with creams on her. She smirked, "One of Pinkie Pie's confetti cannons."

"What?" Pinkie asked innocently, "It's not my fault I hid them so well!"

Everyone laughed happily yet amusing about Pinkie being so random.

Lance nuzzled Shiroi before giving her a kiss on her cheek, "Thanks for the help. I owe you one."

"You owe me nothing. But you did owe me a kiss," Shiroi joked happily.

"See? You're not alone," Shadow Dragon smiled, "You finally settle with your new home."

Twilight shook her head in disagreed, "My home... My home is my friends, my family and you. That's what make me better and happy."

Nyx squealed, "We're home!"

Shiroi and Lance gave each other a kiss, and so did Twilight and Shadow Dragon. Everyone sighed happily to see the couples to be together. Twilight and Nyx finally accepted the Friendship Rainbow Castle as their new home, with some friends and family...

END

Review and Suggest...

Main Casts:
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle
Matt Lanter: Shadow Dragon
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Jesse McCartney: Lance Justicestrike
Cathy Weseluck: Spike
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity, Aloe
Ashleigh Ball: Applejack, Rainbow Dash
Adrian Libman: Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie
Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom
Claire Corlett: Sweetie Belle
Madeleine Peters: Scootaloo

Minor Casts:
Sab Shimono: Mystic Tao
Noah Nelson: Mighty Heart
Jackie Chan: Dragon Kick
Stacey Chan: Jade Adventure
Michael Dobson: Bulk Biceps
Hayden Panettiere: Shiroi Bai
Kazumi Evans: Rarity (Singing Voice)
Shannon Chan-Kent: Pinkie Pie (Singing Voice)
Derek Stephen Prince: Metalgear