//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Laughter in Equal Amounts 
// Story: Equal Equestria Enlightenment 
// by stupidhand14 
//------------------------------//


Shining Armor's Log Day 386

I was always curious as to why Spike came to me for assistance in finding Twily. Princess Celestia has more power, and could have ordered a countrywide search for her pupil, but instead he came to me. I asked him why earlier today.
We were walking through Ponyville, picking up more quills, paper, ink, and some food. While I used to be a strange site, most of the ponies have gotten used to my presence in this town. Spike came with me, as he was in charge of Twily's money and insisted that he paid for the supplies needed to find Twilight.
"Hey, Spike, I've been meaning to ask you," I started, "why did you come to me instead of Princess Celestia to help find Twily?"
"What do you mean, Shining?" he asked.
"Well, when you were worried about Twilight, you came to me for help rather than going to Princess Celestia." 
His eyes widened in surprise before saying, "I did go to her first. She said to go ask you for help."
Now it was my turn to be shocked. Princess Celestia sent Spike to ask for my help? That didn't make much sense. At some point, I must have stopped walking because Spike was soon snapping me back to reality.
"Shining, You okay?" he asked while waving his claw in front of my eyes.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I was just surprised that Princess Celestia actually sent you to me."
"I guess that makes sense. She did say that she had received a letter from Princess Cadence saying that you needed something to do."
"Wait, what?!" I gasped.
"Yeah. Your wife sent Princess Celestia a letter asking her to give you something exciting to do. She said this was the perfect thing for you to do since you were bored," Spike informed me.
"Hey, we're here already," Spike said as we approached the castle. "Let's get to remaking the map!"
After that informative conversation, we remade the entire map onto different pieces of paper. We have nearly everything needed to go find my sister. Now all we have to do is get some food. I also have to leave a note for Princess Celestia and Luna, as well as put someone as an acting Captain of the Royal guard. Perhaps I should leave something for my wife as well... I'll figure something out.




Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 389

After one domino falls, it is only a matter of time until all of them fall. The second domino has fallen, and this addition should bring some happiness to this town. Even though my day did not start on a high point, it definitely ended much better.
My morning truly began when I walked outside only to find the "council" outside my cottage, waiting for me.
"Hello," I greeted them. "How can I help you?"
They all turned to me, but Forest Ember was the first to speak. "Hello Starlight Glimmer. We are just going to accompany you today."
"And hopefully just for today," Fire Hammer said. "I'd rather like to get back to my production line soon, if it's all the same to everypony."
"Then why are you here?" I asked, confused.
"Some other ponies were thinking that we needed to make sure you were acting the same, despite still having your cutie mark," Double Diamond informed me with a roll of his eyes.
"That... that doesn't make sense," I said, stating the truth.
"You are correct, it doesn't. But scared townsponies want reassurance, so we're here to give it to them," Fire Hammer said with a shrug.
"Okay. Let us get going then," I said, leading them towards Rarity's cottage.
I saw that Sherbet Fluff and Rosemary Snow were still guarding the building. I nodded towards them before knocking on the door.
"Just a minute," a mare called from within. A few seconds later, the door opened revealing Rarity with a perfectly stylized mane. "Oh, hello darlings. How may I help you?" she asked.
"Hello Rarity. I was just coming to check in on your reworkings of the designs," I told her. "May we come in?"
"Certainly," she said before motioning us to enter. "I have been up for most of the night reworking the designs. It has been difficult but I have come up with a few ideas." She hoofed me the sketchbook, now full of new designs that, while much better looking, were all equal in appearance.
"It's morning," I informed her. She looked at me with eyes as wide as pans.
"Really? That is strange, I do not feel as tired as ---" she started to say before being cut off by a yawn. "It does appear my hours have caught up with me."
"Then I am sorry to have kept you awake by doing me this favor."
"Think nothing of it. Generosity should cost something, otherwise it's not real."
"Well then, Rarity, I'd suggest you get some sleep. It'll do no good to anypony if you fall asleep while going around town," I told her. "We have to go anyways. We still have a lot to do."
"I do believe you are right, goodbye," she said as she cantered off upstairs.
"What's next?" Forest Embers asked.
"Next is checking on the equalization process," I told them as we walked towards the equalization houses.
After the remaining five ponies were assembled, I asked the usual question of if they would like to join. Today, we had a new friend.
"I'd like to become friends with all of you!" shouted Pinkie Pie.
"It appears we have a new friend everypony!" I announced to the crowd who cheered in response. I waved Pinkie Pie over, and she hopped towards us.
"What the hay are you doing Pinkie Pie?!" Rainbow Dash shouted at her friend.
"Dashie, if I can make these ponies happy then why shouldn't I? They all want to be my friends, and if it costs my Cutie Mark to make other ponies happy then I'll do it," Pinkie Pie said.
"Anypony else?" I asked towards the remaining four ponies. They were all quietly glaring at me. "Okay. We will try again tomorrow, everypony."
"So, Pinkie Pie, do you---" I started to say before being cut off.
"Just call me Pinkie!" She shouted into my face before turning away to look off into space. "It's what will make the story flow better."
"The... what?" I asked, confused. Suddenly her cutie mark pulsed black.
"I... I don't know," she said with a concerned expression on her face. "I don't know what I meant by that."
I shook my head to clear it. "Anyways, let's get to my cottage. We'll have to figure out what job you can do after we have your cottage made."
"Oh, that's an easy one. I can bake."
"Then you can work with Sugar Belle at the bakery. We do need more bakers in our little town," I said as I took her to my cottage.
I then remembered that Double Diamond, Fire Hammer, and Forest Ember were supposed to be following me. I turned to see that only Double Diamond was still there. 
He saw me looking around confused and said, "The other two left. We all know you are still trustworthy, but our friends would like to know that everything you did was for the good of everypony."
"Right. I understand," I told him. "Come on, we'd better hurry." Pinkie Pie had already gotten 20 feet ahead of us, and I still did not feel entirely safe leaving a new friend alone in case of betrayal or abandonment.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Pinkie's house is being made, once again with lightning speed, and she will be starting her job as a baker tomorrow. Two down, four to go. I wonder how long until somepony comes looking for them...?