Princess Twilight Sparkle was on her way to the Crystal Empire's castle. Princess Cadance had requested that she perform translations for some books the Empire's ponies had recently discovered. They were written in ancient Mareabic, a language that few ponies even knew existed, let alone could understand. Twilight was one of the few who fulfilled both requirements. Knowing this, Cadance had sent her a letter, and Twilight, not wanting to let her sister-in-law and former foalsitter down, had agreed to help.
Alas, due to circumstances beyond her control, Twilight was making the journey alone. All her friends were busy with important work of th