A/N: So, three months ago, if anyone would have told me that I would be writing My Little Pony fan fiction, I would have laughed in their face. What changed? I was intrigued by the notion that an IDW comic about magical ponies was outselling titles from Marvel and DC, so I picked up issue one and began reading. Then I read issue two, and before I knew it, I had exhausted all the available issues, including the Micro-Series. While I had found myself liking the characters and stories, I was confused by some of the references, so I began watching the show. I was blown away. The characters are written well, the world and mythos are written well, the voice acting is superb, and I soon found myself well immersed in the fandom. I never thought I'd ever hear myself say this, but I'm a brony. I hope you enjoy reading it, because I enjoyed writing it.
Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony or any affiliated characters.
Chapter 1
It was a crisp fall day in Ponyville, and Princess Twilight Sparkle was sitting at her desk in her library behind a mountain of paperwork. She was in the process of restoring the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters to its former glory as Princess Celestia planned for her to take up residence there. To correspond with her move in the following summer, she was charged with planning and hosting a Midsummer's Gala. These two events were the reason for the pile of paperwork. She scanned her eyes over the page that was on top. It was a letter from the masons and architects that was requesting a detailed summary of damages to the castle. She sighed.
"Looks like I'm headed back to the Everfree Forest," she said before shouting for her assistant, "Spike."
After a few minutes of no reply, Twilight stood up and climbed the stairs to their bedroom. There, she found the young Dragon curled up in his bed.
"He's almost too cute to disturb," she said to herself, "Almost…"
She walked over to him, leaned down to his ear, and whispered, "Spike, it's time to get up."
"Just five more minutes," he groaned as he rolled over and turned away from her.
She shook her head, "Fine, but get ready; we need to go back to the castle. I'm going to go see if anyone is free to come with us."
Spike responded with another groan. Twilight shook her head as she left the room.
As Twilight walked outside, she was thinking to herself about which of her friends she would visit first. She didn't have to think for long as the answer landed on the ground in front of her.
"Good morning Princess," Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she landed with a thud.
"Hi Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, "I was just about to visit you. I'm heading to the Castle of Two Sisters and was wondering if anyone wanted to come along."
"Normally I'd say yes," Rainbow began, "but Soarin invited me to go flying with him and the Wonderbolts today."
"Okay," Twilight said, "I'll go ask the others then. Have fun."
"How can I not have fun," the rainbow maned pony said excitedly, "They're the Wonderbolts!"
She quickly shot into the air and took off in the direction of Cloudsdale.
Twilight turned in the direction of Carousel Boutique to speak with Rarity. As she passed Sugercube Corner, she was stopped in her tracks by someone excitedly shouting, "TWILIGHT!"
"Good morning Pinkie Pie," Twilight said as she turned to face her rambunctious friend, "What are you up to?"
"I'm watching the store and foal-sitting for the Cakes while they run some errands," Pinkie explained, "What are you up to?"
"I'm going out to the castle, so I'm asking everypony if they want to come with me," Twilight said, "I guess you're busy though?"
"I'D LOVE TO! But like you said, I'm busy," Pinky exclaimed, "Maybe I'll come join you after I'm done."
"Okay," Twilight said, "I'll see you later."
"BYE!" Pinky shouted as her friend rounded the corner.
Soon, Twilight was approaching Carousel Boutique. As she walked up to the door, it swung open and Sweetie Belle came running out.
"Hey Twilight," she said as she saw her, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if Rarity had plans for today," Twilight explained.
"Good luck with that;" Sweetie said, "Ever since the announcement of the Midsummer's Gala, she's been swamped with work. She's in there right now with a couple of stiff necks from Canterlot, which is why I'm heading to the clubhouse. Bye."
"Have fun," Twilight said.
Twilight turned to walk into the boutique. As she entered, she saw Rarity taking measurements of Fleur Dis Lee while Fancy Pants stood off to the side.
"I'll be with you in a moment," Rarity said without turning around.
"Okay," Twilight said.
After a few minutes, Rarity was finished, "Okay, I'll have the initial designs finished in about a month. I can either have them sent to you, or you can come and see them, and we can discuss alterations."
"It would be our pleasure to come back," Fancy Pants said, "Thank you Rarity."
"It's my pleasure," Rarity said.
With that, Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee exited the shop. Rarity sighed in relief after the door shut. She then turned to her friend, "Hello dear. What brings you my boutique today?"
"I was going to ask if you wanted to accompany me to the Castle of Two Sisters, but I get the sense that you're busy," Twilight said.
"Nineteen," Rarity said, "I have nineteen dresses to design and make over the course of the next nine months."
"I guess you are busy," Twilight said.
"I've got Upper Crust coming in next for measurements;" Rarity said, "Then I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon designing."
"I'll leave you to it then," Twilight said before turning to leave.
"Wait," Rarity said, "I just realized that I haven't taken your measurements yet."
"You don't have to make me another dress," Twilight said, "You're already so busy. I'll just wear the dress from my coronation."
"Nonsense," Rarity said, "You can't wear an old dress for your first gala as a Princess. Get over here."
Twilight sighed and complied. Rarity magically gathered her tape and notepad, and began. As she was measuring, she heard someone enter the door.
"I'll be with you in a moment," Rarity said again without turning around.
The response was a scoff, "I assumed that this was a private appointment time."
"It is," Rarity said, "but it's going to start a little late. I'm working with a VIP right now."
"Excuse me," the pony said, "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes I do," Rarity said, finally turning around, "Upper Crust, may I introduce Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Upon hearing the word "princess" and seeing Twilight's horn and wings, Upper Crust's mouth gaped and eyes widened.
"I'm terribly sorry your highness," Upper Crust said as she bowed her head.
Rarity glanced at Twilight and smirked, which Twilight returned.
"That's quite alright," Twilight said, feigning an air of regality.
"Thank you your highness," Upper Crust said.
Rarity turned back and finished Twilight's measurements.
"I look forward to attending your gala on Midsummer," Upper Crust said as Twilight walked to the door.
"Thank you," Twilight said, "I look forward to seeing you there, and thank you Rarity."
"Of course," Rarity said, "Do you want me to show you my designs when I finish them?"
"No," Twilight said, "I trust you. I'd better be going; I have two more stops to make before heading to the castle. I'll talk to you later."
"Goodbye Princess," Rarity said as Twilight walked out the door.
"I guess I'll head to Sweet Apple Acres next," Twilight said to herself.
She unfurled her wings and hovered a few feet off the ground before flying towards the Apple family farm.
As she got closer to Sweet Apple Acres, she saw the only road leading to the farm. About half the distance between her and the farm, she saw a stallion standing next to a broken cart.
"Hi Big Mac," she said as she landed next to him.
"Hiya," he said.
"Having some trouble," she asked.
"Eeyup," he said, "Wheel's broke. Need to jack up the cart to fix it. No jack."
"I can help," Twilight said as she illuminated her horn. The cart was surrounded by magic as it was lifted off the ground.
Big MacIntosh wasted no time in fixing the wheel, at least enough to make it back to the farm.
Twilight lowered it back down.
"Thank ya ma'am," he said as he reattached his yoke and continued pulling.
"It was no problem," she said, "I was just on my way to visit Applejack to see if she wanted to go with me to the castle, but she's probably busy with applebuck season."
"Mhmm," Big Mac confirmed.
As they entered the central farm area, they were met with Apple Bloom bounding towards them.
"Thank goodness you're back, Big Mac," she said, "I can't take it anymore. Applejack is complaining about how long it was taking you to get back, which turned into her complaining about the lack of help she had, which turned into her complaining about the amount of work she had. Since you're back now, you can deal with her. I'm going to the clubhouse. See ya."
With that, the filly bounded out the road.
Mac and Twilight began heading over to the barn. As they reached the door, they could hear Applejack confirming what Apple Bloom had said.
"Where did that slacking filly run off to," Applejack mumbled to herself, "and what in tarnation is taking Big Mac so dang long?"
"Hey there Applejack," Twilight said, finally making her presence known.
"Howdy Twilight," Applejack said as she was pulling a large basket full of apples.
She turned and saw the princess in the company of her brother.
"There you are," Applejack said, "I've been working my tail off all morning while you and Apple Bloom have been dawdling. It's a good thing you're back, 'cause she ran off again. Now get to work."
"Eeyup," Big Mac said as he took over pulling the basket.
"I was going to ask you if you wanted to go with me to the castle, but it looks like you've got a lot going on," Twilight said.
"You could say that," Applejack said, "This year's applebuck season looks to be a big one. I'd love to go with you sugercube, but these apples won't buck themselves. I'm sure one of the others will go with you."
"Rainbow Dash is flying with the Wonderbolts today, Rarity is busy in her shop, and Pinky Pie is foal-siting for the Cakes," Twilight said, "I still haven't talked to Fluttershy, but whether she comes with me or not, I'll have Spike for company."
"Well," Applejack said, "I'd better get back to work. Have fun."
"I can try," Twilight said as she turned to head back into Ponyville.
As Twilight entered her library, she found Spike sitting at the table with a bowl of gems, but instead of eating, the young dragon was leaning on his elbow, asleep.
"Spike," Twilight said sweetly as she approached, but then she shouted, "Wake up!"
Spike jumped, "I'm awake."
"Are you ready to go," Twilight asked as she grabbed her saddlebags that contained some paper and some quills with ink.
"Go where," Spike asked groggily as he put a spoonful of gems in his mouth.
"To the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters," Twilight said, "I told you that before I left to see if anyone wanted to come with us."
"And did anyone want to come with us," Spike asked as he finished his breakfast.
"They were all busy," Twilight said, "but I still haven't asked Fluttershy; I was going to stop by her cottage on the way to the castle."
"And why do we need to go to the castle," he asked.
"The architects and masons want a detailed list of damages before they can begin repairing it," Twilight said.
"Okay," Spike said as he jumped down from the table, "Let's get this over with."
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