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Chapter 1
Princess for a Day (or Twenty)
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“Applejack!”
“Ah, consarn it. What is it now?”
Applejack walked to the front door of her house. Outside was a very distressed Rarity.
“Calm down, Rarity!” Applejack opened the door. “What’s got you in such a hissyfit?”
“Oh Applejack! Of all the things that could happen, this is the Worst! Possible! Thing!”
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Rarity, you always say that. What is it this time?”
“Can you not see? How can you not see what’s going on here?”
“Uh... everythin’ looks fine to me.”
“The sun!”
“What about it?”
“It’s been in the sky!”
“Yes Rarity, the sun does that.”
Rarity looked flustered. “IT’S NOT MOVING!” she finally shouted, pointing at it with her hoof.
“Say what now?”
“The sun isn’t moving! It’s been in the same place for hours!”
Now Applejack looked worried. Did Rarity actually have a legitimate concern?
Nah, Thought Applejack. Best to check these things out, though.
And so she walked outside and looked at the sun. It hung low in the sky, but not as low as it should’ve been.
“Well, I s’pose it shoulda set by now, now that you mention it.”
“YES!” Finally, Rarity was getting her point across.
“But, whadda ya suppose we do about it?”
“I don’t know, but if we put our heads together we should be able to think of something! Besides, we’re the holders of the Elements of Harmony, so if something BAAAAD—” Rarity pulled at her mane “—happens it’s our job to fix it!”
“That it is, Rarity. Let’s get the others and meet at Twilight’s.”
And so, the two hunted down Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, and went to see Twilight at the library.
I mean, Twilight knows all about this stuff, right? If anypony can fix this it’s her!
Right?
Too bad she’s not home.
“What’s this say?” Rainbow Dash swooped down to the library’s front door and tore off a note.
Went to Canterlot. Urgent matter with Princess Celestia.
Will return shortly (I hope...)
—Twilight Sparkle
“Well that shoots a hole through our plan!” said Applejack.
“But maybe this is why she went to Canterlot in the first place,” replied Rainbow Dash, looking at the note and then the sun.
“Yeah!” said Pinkie Pie. “She might already be solving this thing!”
“But I get the feeling she’ll need our help,” said Dash. “We should get there ASAP.”
“I’ll see when the next train leaves for Can—”
“That’ll take too long, Applejack. We need to get there now.”
“Alrighty then, let’s see if we can find Twilight’s balloon anywhere.”
“That’ll take too long, too. And she probably took it herself when she left.”
“Well then, how do you reckon we get to Canterlot?”
“There’s only one way fast enough.”
Oh consarn it, she isn’t—
“Applejack, get the sturdiest pull-cart you can find—and make sure it’s large enough to carry four ponies.”
Yes, she is. Mighty full of herself, I swear.
...and how will this work, anyway? Carts can’t fly!
Applejack sighed.
“Alright, I can do that.”
Despite her displeasure with Rainbow Dash’s ego, she knew Dash was right—even if she wasn’t quite sure how it would work. She left for Sweet Apple Acres, and promptly came back with a cart.
“Here ya are. Sturdiest I could find.” She gestured at the cart. “Aaand I brought some rope. ’Cause I know how you fly.”
Dash gave it a once-over. “Hmm... it’ll have to do.”
“You’re welcome, Rainbow Dash.”
“And you’re welcome for transportation! Now hitch me up and hop in.”
Oh noooo they’re arguing again, thought Fluttershy. And I hope Rainbow Dash isn’t planning on flying too fast, I don’t know if I can keep up—
Fluttershy’s thoughts were interrupted when she felt two hooves grab onto her.
“In you go!” said Applejack, tossing Fluttershy in the cart with Pinkie and Rarity. She secured them with the rope before getting in herself.
Fluttershy looked confused.
“Sorry Flutters,” said Dash from up front, “but I hope you don’t mind taking a backseat on this one.”
“Oh—oh not at all! Go right ahead.” Fluttershy was being her usual submissive self, but was also relieved she wouldn’t have to do any flying.
“Now Rainbow, I agree that this is likely the fastest way to get there, but I’m still not quite sure how we’re gonna—”
“Oh relax, Applejack. Watch this.”
Rainbow dash hovered up into the air, and the cart followed.
“Oh.” Problem solved. “I never knew pegasi worked like that.”
“And now you do!” said Dash proudly.
“Oh noooo we’re too high. I’m scared! I—” Fluttershy stopped complaining when she saw the look Applejack was giving her.
Rainbow Dash adjusted the harness slightly. “You all holding on tightly?”
“Yup!” called back Applejack.
“All trussed up like a turkey?”
“That we are!”
“Okay, here we go!”
Rainbow Dash made sure not to do a jack-rabbit start, but she still accelerated to a good clip quite quickly. Less than an hour later, they landed in Canterlot.
They decided the first place to look was the castle. After convincing the guards they were indeed friends of Twilight’s (I mean really, the guards should recognize them by now), they made their way to the throne room.
At first, they did not believe what they saw. Celestia was nowhere to be found. And in her place...
“Twiligh’? Is that you?”
Twilight was sitting on Celestia’s throne, wearing Celestia’s crown. And some fancy shoe thingies.
“Yes it’s me, Applejack. Boy am I glad to see you all!”
“We’re glad to see ya too, sugarcube. But can you explain what’s... wait.”
Applejack took a closer look at Twilight.
“Are those... wings?”
“Uh... maybe?”
“So ya finally did it, huh? Made yourself an alicorn?”
“Well, no, Celestia did this,” replied Twilight, fanning one of her wings clumsily. “And I think it’s temporary.”
“Huh?”
“And then she and Luna ran off.”
“Wait what now?”
“Perhaps I should explain...”
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Twilight had been sitting cozily in her library, reading a book. You know, like a good purple unicorn. And then a dragon randomly ran up and belched in her face.
“Eww, Spike! Why did you—oh a letter!”
My Faithful Student,
I need your assistance in Canterlot as soon as possible.
This is important for your studies.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
P.S. Oh and bring Spike too.
“Well then let’s go!”
Before Spike could protest, she threw him into the balloon basket before hopping in herself. Once inflated, it lifted off and away they went.
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“Princess Celestia!”
“I’m glad you made it, Twilight.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Oh, it’s simple, really. Luna and I are leaving on official business and we’d like you to fill in for us until we get back.”
“Wait, really? You can’t be serious.”
“Indeed I am, Twilight Sparkle. You’ll be the Acting Princess until our return.”
“But Celestia, I have no idea how to run a country!”
Celestia’s horn glowed with an incredible brightness, and she lowered her head. Twilight found herself engulfed in a swath of energy. When it left, Twilight had wings.
“And now you do!” said Celestia triumphantly.
“What? No I don’t—”
“Oh I’m sure you can figure it out! It’s not that hard, Equestria pretty much runs itself these days.”
“But—”
“Luna and I have to leave now!”
Celestia turned her attention to the door behind her.
“Are you ready, Sister?”
“Hmm... I think so.”
The door swung open, and Luna walked through. She was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, and was carrying saddlebags with beach-themed designs for herself and her sister.
“Luna...” Celestia eyed her.
“Oh! Hi Twilight!” said Luna, startled at Twilight’s presence. “We’re leaving now. Important stuff, you know! Have fun bossing people around while we’re gone!”
“Bye Twilight!” said Celestia. “See you in a week... or whenever.”
Before Twilight could question anything else, the royal sisters flew off into the mid-afternoon sky. Despite their hasty exit, Twilight could have sworn she heard them singing as they left.
No re-sponsi-bility! No re-sponsi-bility! No re-sponsi-bility!
…
…
…
*BOOM*
And that sonic rainboom was the last she heard from them.
“Wow,” said Spike. “I wonder what sort of business stuff they’re doing.”
Twilight facehoofed.
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