My quick jump calculations were correct. I appeared right in front of Crystal Castle.

The castle shone with brilliant glares and shimmers in the sunlight. Nothing had changed. Nothing.

"Well. Now or never. I would choose never, but. . . oh! I really do not want to do this!" I said to myself.

I approached the gate. Princesses Serena and Sparkle stood guard.

"Ponyfeathers! It is you Opal Star! What are you doing here? I thought you had left for good!" Serena cried, rushing toward me.

"Weren't you banished?" Sparkle added.

"Yes I was. But I will not be staying long. I have to talk with Tiffany. I would not have came back if it was not important."

My old friends didn't say anything. Serena was showing her classic "um-I'm-not-so-sure-about-that" look.

"Uh, I'm afraid we can't let you in then Opal. I'm sorry," Serena said. "You would also have to have an appointment."

I was shocked. "Before I left you could barge right on in if she was not already speaking to somebody!"

Sparkle stepped forward. "I'm sorry Opal Star, but I'll have to ask you to leave."

This could not be happening. "But I have to! I need to see her! It is about the future of all of Ponyland!"

Both Princesses exchanged looks.

Sparkle finally gave in. "All right. But be fast. Tiff's going to be meeting the former Queen Angelina of Star Castle later today."

My heart jumped a beat. "Angelina?!? Why?"

Serena looked uneasy. "Well, uh, I think she is trying to form an alliance with Tiff to get her back in power or something, maybe. . ."

I panicked. "No more small talk then! Let me in!"

That got me in very fast. Before I knew it, I was standing before my. . . once-was friend, High Queen Tiffany.

"Hello Opal Star. This is unexpected for you to be here. How are you?"

Well, so far so good. "I am fine, but my reasons for being here are not to visit. This is a very serious matter."

"I understand you left here quite some time ago, to become banished."

"Yes. I left because I wanted freedom. Freedom is why I am here."

She cocked her head. "I'm listening."

"I am in a group of nine other Unicorns called the Unicorn Ambassadors. We are working to break the silence. To turn separation into unity. In our team are two queens, Starhopper and Planethopper of Star Castle, and other Unicorns that had high status in their lands before they came to Unicornia."

"Go on."

Why is she so calm? Why am I so calm?!? "I came to ask you only one thing that would mean a great deal to the Ambassadors. But I have something to ask you that will probably mean even more to many Ponies other than us. First, we, the Ambassadors, want to make Ponyland into a free land, to create and unite all of those tiny lands into the United Lands of Ponyland, where there are no laws, no silence, no separations." And no banishments.

"My personal wish, the one that would benefit many: I have learned that Angelina will be meeting with you later today. Please: refuse any alliances with her. It could only cause disaster. She was once kind, but now she's only tyrannical and power hungry. I have been told that because of her, a Sparkle is dead."

The Grand Hall was silent. Tiff was stunned speechless, her eyes wide in horror.

"Well - ah, ho boy. She, Angelina, did want to make an alliance. To return her to power," Tiff paused. "This is very distressing news, Opal Star, and coming from you, I know it must be true. Because of your honesty, I can trust that you don't lie. And this is something that should not be lied about, for it is far too serious for a prank. I will help you and the Ambassadors. And if anything else is needed, I will be glad to assist you. I assume you are the leader?"

I nodded. "It was not my choice really. They wanted me to be leader; I have no idea why."

Tiff gave a small smile. "No explanation needed. Then it is done. When will you notify me next?"

"I can not be sure. At least two days from now."

"All right." Tiff let out a bigger smile. "Let's make this deal closed with a full pardon. You are no longer 'banished,' I shouldn't have done that in the first place. And no one else will ever be. Ever," she paused. "I will take your warning seriously. It is too dangerous to continue talks with Angelina. I will sever all ties this afternoon, once I find out what she is really up to."

Yes! Oh, happy day! "Thank you so much Tiffany! You are a true Princess Pony! All good heart!" I cried, galloping out into the Royal Paradise.

I had some friends to see.
~*~

Powder arrived in the center of Dream Valley, right in front of Dream Castle.

Oh boy! My chance to untie Ponyland is here!

"Hey anypony! It's Powder!"

Well, it seems that my presence has been made known.

"Hi Powder!"

"Powder where have you been?"

More shouts and cries came with a large and growing crowd.

Powder raised her head up and began to speak. "I am here for an important issue! I need everyone to round up everyone else as fast as you possibly can! Leave nobody you see out! And don't forget Majesty! Then meet me at the stage!"

The horde began to disperse with whoops and hollers of agreement.

Winding her way down paths to the stage, memories came to her. In no time, Powder was caught up in a trip into the past, and she had gone no less then two years of Dream Valley when she arrived at the stage.

Very few were already there, mainly the newest generation of the Baby Pony Dancers. One, out of the complete six however, was missing.

"Hey lookie girls! It's Powder!" screamed a delighted and much older Baby Lickity Split.

"Hi Powder!" shouted four Babies in unison.

Powder grinned. Oh man how I miss this place! "Hi girls. Hey L-S. I assume that you're fine. Still taking care of that Rainbow?"

Lickity grinned too. "Yup, I got it on top of the dresser upstairs by my bed in the nursery. It had to be moved to make room for new guys."

Powder jumped up onto the stage. "Sorry girls, but today's practice will have to be cut short as you can see."

"Sure!"

By now, all had gathered.

Speech time!

"Greetings and salutations everypony! Most of you know me, but for those who don't, I am Powder. I have come with plans for a new Ponyland! I am working with the other nine members of the Unicorn Ambassadors to help unite Ponyland! Our goal is to turn separation into unity, and to unite Ponyland into a free land!

"I have come to ask you this: the Ponies who want the United Lands of Ponyland to become an existence, stand now!"

Everyone, even the Babies and Majesty, stood.
~*~

Sparky hesitated. She had visited the area near Flutter Valley, but she felt lost. Really lost.

"Man I wish I were a Peg!" she screamed. "Or even better! A Flutter! Then I'd at least know where the stinkin' Flutter Valley even is! Grundlenumph and ponyfeathers!"

As luck would have it, a band of Flutters flew right above her then.

"Hey girls! Look! A Uni!" one called.

Sparky didn't know all of the Flutters personally, but she didn't recognize any of these three.

The middle one stepped forward once they had landed. "Hi! I'm Desert Rose, Rosedust's wacky sister. And this is Spiral Blossom on my right and Peppermint Flowers on my left!"

"Howdy!" Spiral Blossom said brightly.

"Doody!" Peppermint Flowers said with a giggle.

O-kay. Yeah, that's nice.

"Hi. Name's Sparkler, Sparky for short, and I'm looking for Flutter Valley. Think you could help me?"

"Sure!" Desert Rose replied. "But whether or not you'd be welcome there. . ."

"Now wait just a minute fairy wings! I didn't come here for nothin'!"

"Well of course you didn't," Peppermint said.

Great. I come all this way for a few smart aleck remarks from a few fairy wings. Incredible.

". . . hey! Sparkler, woo hoo! We were just kidding!"

Well there's a relief.

"So whatcha want in F.V?" asked Desert Rose.

And out flooded Sparkin's prepared speech in less than a minute.

"Impressive. Lemme talk to Rosedust. If she likes it, we'll talk with everyone else. I'll let ya know by tomorrow. I assume I can find you in Unicornia?"
~*~

In a split second, I was there. Everyone was already there. Everyone, except the two Sparkles.

By the looks on everyone's faces, they were worried. And everyone was aware of my presence.

"I propose we take a visit to Starhopper's village."

Everyone agreed. So we then set off down the East path to head North to "Village."
~*~
~*~