“So, let me get this straight,” Sweetie Belle said slowly. “Your sister just woke up with a horn and wings?”

“Eeyup,” confirmed Big Macintosh. After Rarity had grabbed Sweetie Belle (and shortly afterward, Scootaloo) the trio had gone to Sweet Apple Acres to get the story straight.

“…And you’re saying that she is to be princess now?” asked Rarity.

“Eeyup,”

“But she didn’t want to be a princess? That’s why she didn’t tell us?” Scootaloo inquired.

“Eeyup & eeyup,”

“So she wasn’t gonna abandon us?!” beamed Sweetie Belle.

“Nnope,”

Rarity stood up straight, triumphant that she had been right about Applebloom’s feelings all along. “Well, I’m glad that she had very good reasons for keeping secrets like that. Come along darlings, I bet you two owe poor Applebloom an apology,” She glanced around the orchard. “Speaking of which, where is the little dearie?”

Big Macintosh shrugged. “Been lookin’ fer her all afternoon,”

“Oh no!” gasped Sweetie Belle. “What if we made her run away from Ponyville?”

“Don’t be absurd,” dismissed her elder unicorn sister. “You tried to run away three times, and you never got further than halfway across town! Wherever Applebloom is, I’m sure that she couldn’t have gotten far, and that she’ll be back at home in no less than… oh, let’s say… 45 minutes.”

“Don’t worry Miss Applejack, we’ll find her,” assured the Mayor. She then addressed the rest of the Ponyville Search Party of Fun Stuff Even Though It’s Not Really a Party. (Name patented by Pinkamena Diane Pie.) “Alright everypony, we’re looking for a blank-flanked filly, whom I’m told has both a horn and wings, that responds to the name ‘Applebloom.’”

“Hold up! Isn’t Applebloom an Earth Pony?” asked Random Backround Pony #37. There was a murmur of agreement. No one could match the wit and observation skills of Random Backround Pony #37!

“Well, yes… and no,” said the Mayor as she fidgeted. “It’s extremely complicated, and I’ve only been told half the story.”

“Hey, you can withhold information from us like that!” objected a mint-colored unicorn named Heartstrings, but known as Lyra. (Don’t ask.) “It’s a free country, and I demand as my right as a citizen to know!”

“We live under a government ruled by two immortal beings that raise the sun & moon,” deadpanned the Mayor. “Who said anything about a free country?”

“Good point,” observed Lyra. “All hail Celestia!”

The Mayor sighed. “Now, if there will be no more interrupt-“

“I’m afraid the search party won’t be necessary, Mayor,” interrupted Princess Celestia, riding down on her trademark awesome sky carriage. (of awesomeness) “Applebloom is safe here right beside me,”

The Mayor scratched her head. “But where in Equestria WERE you?” she asked Applebloom.

“Ah was in Canterlot the whole time!” replied the filly. “Ah teleported mahself allllll the way to the castle! Oh, and Ah just want to apologize to mah friends for-Hey, why’s everypony lookin’ at me funny?” After a moment of contemplation, she figured out the reason why: her horn and wings were exposed for all to see. Princess Celestia cleared her throat.

“My fellow and honored Equestrians,” the white alicorn announced, “It is my pleasure to introduce to you the third ruler of Equestria, your humble resident of Ponyville, Princess Applebloom!” the crowd was shocked. It was one thing for a foal to sprout wings, another to grow a horn overnight, but it was a world-shaking concept for a filly to sell you a couple apples one day and for you to have to call her “your majesty” the next. Suddenly, two little ponies broke the silence.

“Yeah, whoo-hoo! You go girl!” cheered Scootaloo.

“I really like your mane!” Sweetie Belle said as she applauded with all her heart. The Apple Family joined in. Soon, all of Ponyville was in applause. (Well, except Diamond Tiara, but she passed out for some reason.)

After everypony calmed down, Applejack came across a plot-hole realization. “Hey, why did it take seven hours fer y’all to get down to Ponyville?” she asked Celestia accusingly.

“Well, Applebloom and Luna got into a rather… intense game of checkers, but after they broke even, I assure you we came down as soon as possible,” explained Celestia.

“Hey!” snapped Applebloom, “Ah beat her best 27 outta 51, fair and square!”

“Well, ya still scared the livin’ horseapples outta everypony,” said Granny Smith. “Yer grounded, ya little immortal, you!”

Applebloom shrugged. “Ah was kinda expectin’ that, but… could ya postpone that fer five minutes?”

“Why’s that?”

“Ah gotta have an honest talk with mah friend Twist,” said Princess Applebloom as she winked.

[Author’s Note: No sequels. (trolololololol)]