Ed sat and stared out of the window onto the large orchards whizzing by as the train gathered speed.
"Seems like we always end up on a train" Said Ed casually, his metal limbs tucked beneath himself, they had been wrapped in bandages to avoid suspicion
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight
"Well back where we come from the only way to get around is by train as there are few roads connecting the big cities to outlying villages such as our home town" Replied Al
"Speaking of which where do you come from?" Quizzed Twilight
"It'll take to long to explain twice, so would you mind just waiting until we arrive?" Answered Ed
"OK, but is there anyway you could explain why you are an Alicorn?" Asked Twilight "Because they are really rare and ,including you, there is a total of only five in known Alicorns on the planet"
"Couldn't even if wanted to" Relied Ed simply "we are not of this world and we don't normally look like this"
"Oh..." Said Twilight looking nervously at her hooves, unsure of what to do next
"But it's not all bad" Said Al optimisticly "I'm sure that your princess will be able to help us"
Ed lifted a hoof and placed it on Twilight's shoulder "I promise we won't hurt you," He said we just don't know where we are and who we need to see, all Truth said was 'find the four princesses and all will become clear to you"
Twilight lifted her head, looked into Ed's golden eyes and decided that she should trust this pony
"looks like we are almost there" said Twilight as she turned to the window and saw the tallest tower of Canterlot Castle "we should drop in to a boutique on the way,, because I can't show you to the princess like this"
"why not?" Asked Ed
"you have to get a shirt and some trousers to cover those metal legs" Said Twilight "I may not have have reacted very much, and Rarity, well I'm surprised she wasn't screaming the place, down but the Princesses are going to be extremely shocked by them"
"Right, but what about You?" Ed Whispered to Al
"We can just say I'm wearing the armour like we normally do" Said Al
"Of course you are" Said Twilight "...Unless there is something you aren't telling me"
"No, no, of course not" The brothers said almost simultaneously
Once the trio arrived at Canterlot, Twilight directed them towards a small shop on a corner that seemed familiar to Ed
"Hello, welcome to the Carousel Boutique, Canterlot branch how may I help you..." the Blue coated Salespony stopped mid sentence as she looked up at the customers, One of which she recognised, the other two a complete mystery, however the small golden maned Colt, was an Alicorn which meant he was Royalty
"Hello Princess Twilight, and who is your Coltfriend?" Asked the Salespony
"Whoa, wait what!?" shouted Ed ,guessing 'Coltfriend' was pony speak for 'boyfriend' "I am not her Coltfriend!"
"Oh, sorry my mistake" Said the Salespony blushing "I just thought because you're both royalty..."
"No, he's not my Coltfriend" Said Twilight her face going a deep shade of maroon "Can you help him find some suitable clothing to wear to meet the Princess"
"Wait who said anything abo... mmphff" said Ed Hos sentence falling short as Twilight stuck her hoof over his mouth
"But of course your Highness, right this way sir if you please"
Ed followed the Sales pony through endless rows of clothes and fabric until they reached a dressing room
"if you could wait here sir, I will come back with various types of clothing, to see if you approve" She said as she began to turn
"Wait" Said Ed " may I ask for enough cotton to make a long jacket?"
"Of course sir, I will return shortly" She said as she walked off into the aisles
A few minutes later she returned a bundle of black and white clothes tossed over her back including a roll of cotton clutched in her teeth. She handed him the cotton, which he then placed to on side, and he then picked up a black shirt that had white trims around the ankles
"do have any trousers in the same style?" Ed asked
"why sure, I'll just go and get them for you" She replied
When she left Ed clapped his front hooves together and placed them on them on the cotton she had provided, blue lightning crackled around him and then where the cloth had been was a long red cloak and on the back was a strange symbol which looked like a snake curled around a cross
"here you are sir" said the salespony as she returned with Ed's requested trousers hanging across her back
"great, thanks" he said happily
"that'll be ten bits please" said the salespony
"um... I think that Twilight is paying" said Ed
"OK" said the salespony and the two began to walk back to the front of the shop where Al and Twilight were waiting
"Six bits please" said the salepony
"wait a minute you just said ten to me!" Cried Ed
"but this is Princess Twilight Sparkle I can't charge her full price" Said the mare
"just drop it Ed" Said Twilight her head held low as she levitated six golden coins toward the the Salespony
And the trio left the store and went back out into the street, Ed wearing his new suit, and they began to head towards the Castle