Chapter 11: Face Value
"Girls we need to get to Canterlot and now!" Twilight says as she reads the letter.
"Shouldn’t be a problem, with the rainbow magic we can all magically get there.” Rarity says as the magic vanishes. “Or not.”
“Looks like we’ll be taking the train.” Pinkie says.
“Let’s get moving then.” Applejack says as Spike jumps onto Twilight’s back and they all run to the train station.
“Excuse me, sir.” Twilight says to the conductor pony.
“Name’s Tight Schedule, ma’am.”
“Sorry Mister Schedule, we need to get to Canterlot and fast.”
“I’m afraid the next train to Canterlot doesn’t leave until tomorrow.”
Twilight unfurls her wings. “The train leaves as soon as possible.”
“Pr… Princess Twilight, I beg your pardon. Of course, we just need to get some coal then we can be on our way.”
“Where is the coal?” Twilight asks annoyed.
“Just the other side of the station, but the pony who normally brings it to the train won’t be in until tomorrow, and I’m afraid I have a bad back.”
Twilight rolls her eyes. “Applejack, I need your help.”
“Of course Twilight, whatcha need?”
“They have a load of coal on the other side of the station that the train needs to run, do you think you could go get it?”
“I don’t see why not, coal can’t be much heavier than apples.” Applejack answers then heads off.
“Pinkie, you think you could get us some food real quick?” Twilight asks.
“Okey dokey.” Pinkie says and then vanishes as if she teleported.
A few minutes later Pinkie reappears with a bag. “I got lots of goodies from Sugarcube Corner.”
“Good, I’m starved.” Rainbow says as she digs into the bag.
“Make sure ya save some for me.” Applejack says as she walks back into the train car.
“You got the coal already?” Twilight asks shocked.
“Ya kiddin’? The ground here is nice and even, it was like pullin’ an empty cart.”
“Good, then we should be underway soon.” Twilight says as they hear the train start up and feel it begin to move. “I told Tight Schedule that we were in a hurry, he said he was going to crank up the speed on the train to get us there faster.”
“He can do that?” Rainbow asks.
Twilight grins. “When the princess asks, he obeys.”
“Isn’t that abusing your power darling?” Rarity asks.
“Maybe a little, but it is an emergency.” Twilight answers. “Now, let’s see what kind of goodies Pinkie brought us.” With that they all sit and eat, feeling as the train starts going faster and faster.
“Man, this is almost as good as flying.” Rainbow Dash says.
“I didn’t know the train could go this fast.” Rarity says.
“At this rate we should be in Canterlot in no time.” Twilight says. “We need a plan.”
“Can ya ground the griffons so that we can fight them?” Applejack asks.
“Any spell I cast like that would affect pegasi too.” Twilight says.
“How many pegasi are their in Canterlot?” Rainbow Dash asks.
“About as many as there are in Ponyville, give or take.” Twilight answers.
“If there’s as many griffons in Canterlot as there were in Ponyville you might consider that spell.” Rainbow Dash says.
“You do realize that means you won’t be able to fly, right?” Twilight asks.
“I’ll deal with that, if it’s only temporary.” Rainbow answers. “It may be the only way we can fight them.”
“We’ll wait and assess the situation when we get there.” Twilight says. They all get quiet and enjoy the ride, an hour or so later they feel the train start to slow down. “We must be getting close.”
“Good, I hope we can get this whole ordeal over with.” Rarity says.
The train comes to a stop and they all jump out of the train and look around. “Princess Twilight, I see you made here all right.” Princess Celestia says.
“I don’t understand.” Twilight says. “Your letter said that Canterlot was under attack and to come immediately, what happened?”
“I apologize for that my dear Twilight, not long after I sent you that letter I managed to have a conversation with King Appolyinia and arranged a temporary end of hostilities. By the time the conversation was over I knew you would already be on your way here, so instead of sending you another letter I figured I’d just wait until you arrived and tell you myself.”
“Well, I’m glad that everything is okay.” Twilight says.
“We must return though, I left Sweetie and the others at my Boutique by themselves.” Rarity says.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that.” Celestia says. “When I wrote the letter I was honestly worried about Canterlot.”
“We understand.” Twilight says.
“Allow me to make it up to you.” Celestia says. “It is well within my power to teleport all of you back to Ponyville.”
“We would gratefully appreciate that.” Twilight says.
“Yeah, I don’t think the conductor would be ready to take us back anytime soon.”
“Let us hear the details of this truce first then you can send us back.”
“You always were my favorite student.” Celestia says. “King Appolyinia approached me after you summoned the rainbow power, I don’t think he was aware that you could summon the power like that.”
“It doesn’t hurt anything that the griffons had ponynapped me and Rainbow Dash, they probably thought we were still locked up. We would’ve been had it not been for Discord.”
“Did you say Discord?” Celestia asks.
“Yes, he came and set us free.” Twilight answers.
“I suppose he’s trying to prove he can be trusted after the whole Tirek episode?” Celestia suggests.
“That does seem to be the case.” Twilight answers.
“There may be a bit more to it than that.” Fluttershy mumbles.
“What do you mean Fluttershy?” Twilight asks.
“You remember how my cottage seemed unharmed?" Fluttershy asks. and Twilight nods. “Discord protected me after he told me that he cared for me.”
“That explains a lot.” Twilight says then turns to Celestia. “So what happened with King Appolyinia?”
“He agreed to take his forces back to Griffonholm for the time being. And I agreed to not pursue him.”
“Why would you agree to that?” Twilight asks. “Surely you know he just plans to attack again?”
“I’m sure he does, but I really don’t want a full-out war if I can avoid it, so I figure why not?” Celestia answers.
“I suppose that makes sense,” Twilight admits.
“So, are you ready for me to send your friends home, and you to the Crystal Empire?” Celestial asks.
Twilight nods, and Celestia charges her horn. “Wait!” Rarity yells.
Celestia lets the energy of the spell dissipate. “What did I forget Rarity?”
“I simply can’t let Twilight go to the Crystal Empire without proper attire, we must find something for her to wear.” Rarity answers.
“I’m just going to apologize to Flash for missing our date and reschedule Rarity, I hardly need a dress for that.” Twilight says.
“Pish-posh, darling. I will have none of that. We will get you some appropriate attire, and then you shall go and insist he can go on that date tonight.” Rarity states with authority.
Twilight rolls her eyes. “He’s a guard pony Rarity, I’m sure he has duty.”
“I was just thinking that you know his commanding officer and can get him to arrange something.” Rarity says.
“I have no idea who his….” Twilight starts then face-hoofs. “I’m a moron, aren’t I?”
“I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out.” Rarity says.
“Get me a dress Rarity, I have a date to go on.” Twilight states and Rarity runs off in search of an appropriate dress.
“Excuse me, Princess Celestia, you think you could send the rest of us back?” Applejack asks.
Celestia nods. “Of course, no need for the rest of you to wait for Rarity.” Celestia answers and then casts the spell sending the four of them home.