Celestia had instantly known three Element Bearers from the moment she saw them. Or, she realized after some reflection, when she saw their cutie marks. Three times was enough repetition to be a pattern. This meant that Celestia could rule out the students who already had marks at the School for Gifted Unicorns, including Minuette with her hourglass.
However, she still thought that it would be good for Twilight to have friends at her school. The filly would constantly bury her nose in her book, even in during recess.
“You should spend time talking with your classmates, Twilight,” said Celestia during one of their lessons in their reserved classroom. “Your books will always be there for you, but your classmates may move on before you ever get a chance to know them.”
“I do talk to the other foals,” said Twilight. “I talked to a filly yesterday.”
Celestia's heart lifted. “That's good. Who did you talk to?”
“Moon Dancer.” Her pupil fell silent as she read more of her copy of Multitasking with Telekinesis.
“Well,” Celestia prodded, “What did you talk about?”
“I asked her if I could borrow one of her quills, and she said yes.”
“Is that it?” asked Celestia, her heart sinking.
“I think that's it since yesterday.”
“You should try playing with Moon Dancer at recess tomorrow.”
“I don't really need to play with anypony.” Twilight turned a page. “I can slide and swing on my own.”
“It might be more fun with other another pony,” suggested Celestia.
“I guess. To be honest, I feel nervous talking with the other foals.”
Celestia craned her long neck down to her pupil's level. “You're not nervous talking with me.”
“Not anymore, but it took me a few weeks to get used to talking with you. The day before our first lesson, I was so anxious that I couldn't eat or sleep.” Her student's ears flattened. “It's hard. I guess I'm just not a 'pony' pony.”
Celestia draped her wing over Twilight's back. “It's harder for some ponies than others to make friends, but it's worth the effort.”
After that discussion, her protege gradually started to converse with her classmates more often, and even sometimes participated in games at recess. But she did not visit with the other students after school hours, and she turned down party invitations.
A year passed and Celestia discovered no new Bearers. Disappointingly, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were again absent from the Best Young Fliers' Competition. Celestia wondered if it would help if she sent Rainbow an encouraging letter. She made up her mind to write her two months before the following year's competition.
She did, however, send a personal note to the Pie family along with her regular order of rocks. It was a polite inquiry about how the family was getting along. Igneous Pie mailed a reply that his daughters were doing quite well. Three of them had their marks, and his second youngest, Pinkie Pie, had become apprenticed to a couple of bakers in Ponyville. He wrote that although she hadn't stayed in the family business like they'd hoped, he and Mrs. Pie were nevertheless proud of Pinkie for starting a job at such a young age.
The letter reminded Celestia of Ponyville's importance. Although it was a small town, it was steadily growing. More critically, it sat on the border of the Everfree Forest, which unbeknownst to the citizens contained not only the five dormant Elements, but also the Tree of Harmony whence they came. Ever since the city was founded, Celestia tried to visit every decade or so just to check on it and the nearby Elements. Something told her that if she went to Ponyville to see Pinkie Pie, she would not regret it. Celestia hoped that the other Bearers might be drawn to the town just as she was.
She needed an official reason to travel to Ponyville so nopony would question her motives. Fortunately, an explanation presented itself in the new railroad tracks from Ponyville to Manehattan. Since the city was close to Canterlot but not halfway up the tallest mountain in the country, Ponyville was an ideal travel hub for Equestria.
Celestia wrote to the mayor that she would love to come celebrate the completion of this railway.
Then she informed Twilight of her trip and asked if she would like to accompany her.
“The trip is next Saturday?” asked Twilight. “I'm sorry, Princess, but I can't come. That's Shining Armor's birthday. We're going to that Dark Age themed restaurant. Spike can stay with us while you're gone, if you want. I think my parents are starting to get used to him. We'll take good care of him.”
As if his name were a cue, Spike stood on tiptoe and reached for a flask on one of the desks.
“Spike, no no,” cautioned Celestia.
“Uh oh,” he said before knocking the flask to the floor, where it shattered in hundreds of pieces.
Twilight sighed and picked up the shards using her thauma. “Spike, you could've been cut if you didn't have those tough scales!” She floated the glass fragments into the trash can, exhibiting fine control for a unicorn her age. “Besides, you're supposed to say 'uh oh' after you break something.”
“Uh oh. No no, Sike,” said the toddler.
Celestia smiled. “I'm sure Spike will be in capable hooves with you watching him – with your parents' help, of course. I wish you could come with me, dear, but I can't tell the mayor to reschedule the celebration on such short notice.”
“Oh, I don't expect her to reschedule it just for me, or my brother. I'll just have to try to go with you on your next trip.”
“I would like that very much.”
Celestia arrived in Ponyville by a carriage drawn by pegasus guards. She met the mayor first, as was protocol whenever she came to any city. Then she had two hours of unscheduled time to herself before the ribbon-cutting ceremony and party. And so she began to make her way to the bakery.
It was a crisp autumn day – a bit nippy but still pleasant – and ponies trotted up and down the quaint dirt streets, making way for her and bowing when they saw her. It brightened Celestia's spirits to see a blend of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, and even a donkey. This town truly did represent a cross-section of Equestria.
As Celestia began to turn a corner, she saw a unicorn mare with two fillies walking out of a store. One filly was a tiny yearling who took short steps on her toddler legs. But it was the older filly who captured Celestia's attention. She appeared to be a year or two older than Twilight, and her elegantly curled mane and tail were the same deep amethyst of the Element of Generosity. Her cutie mark was powder blue like the Element of Laughter. Celestia could not ignore her gut feeling that this young unicorn was a Bearer.
The filly stuck out her lower lip as she looked up at the mare. “If you don't want me to go down to the cave by myself, why don't you come with me?”
Frowning, the mare said, “Aw, c'mon Rarity, don't give me that pouty lip. Ya know darn well that your father and I aren't gonna go into any cave, not after that disaster in the Canterlot Caverns.”
Celestia blinked. She hadn't expected the filly to have a posh voice any more than she'd expected the mare to have a thick Whinnyapolis accent. The mother had drawn out “Can-ter-lot” like “Keean-ter-lot,” for example.
“But that was ages ago! Besides, nopony was hurt.”
“No, just our reputation and the Hearths Warming Stalactite. I tell ya, that thing smashed like stage prop furniture, don't ya know.”
Celestia's eyes widened. So this mare and her special somepony had broken the Hearths Warming Stalactite? Tourism in Canterlot had taken two years to fully recover, and the famous Canterlot Caverns were still closed to visitors.
However, Celestia had always believed that as long as a pony was sorry and learned his or her lesson, that pony deserved a second chance.
“Mother, in case you haven't noticed, I am not you. And the cave near us is not as special as the one in Canterlot. Still, I shall be very cautious when I hunt for gemstones. I promise I will, if only you'll let me go!”
“Go,” echoed the smaller foal, as if it were up to her.
Her mother chuckled at her younger daughter before turning her attention back to Rarity. “Well, I suppose if you can find somepony else to go with ya besides me and your father, then you can go in the cavern.”
Rarity huffed and rolled her eyes. “But I don't know anypony who will want to go with me.”
“Use that winning charm o' yours. Or bribe somepony. I don't really give a rat's patoot how ya do it.”
Celestia wondered how Igneous Pie would react if he heard that kind of language.
“Actually, that's not a bad idea,” said Rarity. “The other pony could keep some of the more valuable gems, as long as I have enough left for my outfits. I'm sure that would make it worth their time.”
At that moment, the smaller girl peeked in Celestia's direction and caught her eye. The foal smiled, pointed her hoof at her, and began ambling toward Celestia.
The mother looked up sharply. “C'mere, Sweetie Belle, we're not goin' that way.”
Celestia decided to step out from behind the corner, pretending that she hadn't been standing there, spying on them for the past couple of minutes.
“Well, hello there, little one,” she said, smiling down at the toddler before glancing up at Rarity.
Sweetie Belle's grin widened. “Yes,” she said with deliberate nod.
Rarity locked in place, her eyes the size of dragon eggs.
Her mother bowed. “Welcome to Ponyville, Princess,” she said politely.
“But,” muttered Rarity, “you weren't supposed to come here for a few more hours. I didn't have time to prepare.” Her voice grew louder as she pranced in place, clearly agitated. “I was going to wear my nicest ensemble! I didn't want to meet royalty in my birthday suit!” She lifted her foreleg to her forehead and fell backward against her mother's flank.
The mare shook her head. “Stars above! I sure hope you grow outta this melodramatic phase.”
“Says the pony who is fully clothed!” Rarity shot back.
Celestia smiled in amusement. Using her magic, she removed her crown, necklace, and shoes, floating them in a group beside her.
“Until the ceremony, consider me just another pony visiting Ponyville.”
Rarity pulled herself up straight, her pupils wide. “I must be dreaming! You would lower yourself to my level?”
“Do not think of yourself as low. You are a very special pony.” Far more special than she realized.
“Aw, you're too kind, Princess,” said the mare. “My Rarity really is somethin' else, you betcha. Her special talent is findin' and makin' the most beautiful things. Why, you shoulda seen the outfits she made for the school talent show. They were the talk o' the town.” She brushed back Rarity's forelock with her hoof.
“Mother! Not the mane!” Rarity stepped away from the mare. Then she added, “But, she's right, your highness, you are very kind. I don't even know why you're still talking with me.”
“Well . . .” Celestia couldn't tell her the truth, of course. Not yet. “Have you ever considered applying for the School for Gifted Unicorns?” she asked.
“What? I?” Rarity held her foreleg in front of her chest. “Oh, I never had any talent for the advanced spells.”
“Your gem-findin' spell is pretty spiffy, though,” said her mother.
“Yes, thank you Mother, but I can only use that spell because it goes with my special talent. You see,” she explained, looking from her mother to Celestia, “I am working through every step of the creative process, from finding the materials to finishing the fine details. I'm even working on a weaving spell, although I can't get the threads as fine as I'd like, yet, but I'll get there. I call my process TLC: Time, Love, and Couture.”
“That sounds quite promising,” said Celestia. “I look forward to seeing your creations, Rarity. But I would suggest that you at least try learning a variety of spells, even the ones that may seem difficult. You would be surprised how many unicorns suddenly discover a strong desire to teleport, but lack any experience.”
Rarity blinked in confusion. “Very well, Princess. If you say so.”
“Well, I hope to see you at the ceremony. It was a pleasure meeting you, but I must go to the bakery before my duty calls.”
“Of course, your highness,” said Rarity, bowing her head respectfully. “The pleasure was all mine!”
Celestia continued on her way, still floating her regalia by her side. It would be easier to wear it than carry it, but she delayed putting it back on, just in case Rarity wanted to talk with her again. Besides, the packed earth road felt pleasant to her bare hooves, unlike the hard, rough cobblestones of Canterlot. She quickly understood the appeal. And it was freeing to feel the breeze in her hair without her crown.
She reached the street where the bakery was located and found it lined with little mom-and-pop shops with sidewalk displays set out front. Thauma flowed erratically as ponies busied themselves with different tasks. The florist had fragrant rosebushes and petals strewn on the ground before it.
“It ain't that bad, Miss Roseluck. I can fix it up real quick-like so nopony will know the difference.”
The speaker, an earth filly about Rarity's age, stood in front of one of the shrubs. A feeling of familiarity struck Celestia, as if she had known this pony's parents or ancestors years ago . . . Or as if she had seen the color of her coat in the Element of Honesty. Not only that, but the three apples on her flank were similar to the red of the Element of Loyalty.
Celestia could scarcely believe her luck. Or was it destiny that she should discover two Bearers within thirty minutes of each other?
The girl did not notice Celestia, as she was staring at the rosebush. The reason for the strewn petals became clear. Many of the blossoms on the bush were broken, smashed, and chewed. The culprit seemed to be a tiny yellow foal with scarlet petals stuck to her face and hooves.
“I know what you're doing, Applejack. You're just trying to keep Granny Smith from finding out about this,” said the cream-colored mare with the rose cutie mark.
Granny Smith! That must have been one of the reasons this Applejack felt so familiar. Most likely she was her granddaughter, or several-greats granddaughter, given how old Mrs. Smith was.
Applejack shook her head. “That ain't it at all! I don't care if she finds out. I want her to see that I can deal with problems on my own without runnin' to her for help.”
Roseluck's expression softened. “All right, I'll give you a chance to try to make it retail quality again. But if you can't do it, either you or your granny will have to pay for it.”
“Fair enough. I'll need five minutes and some prunin' shears,” drawled the filly.
“Five minutes?” Roseluck passed her a pair of pruners. “Kid, this isn't like those bean plants you practice on at summer camp. These roses are sophisticated perennials that take time and effort to grow.”
“Okay, I get the picture.” Applejack began deadheading the damaged flowers, which took about a minute. As the blossoms landed in the dirt, the tiny foal picked them up with her hooves, tail, and mouth, holding at least eight of them altogether.
“I hope you're happy, Apple Bloom,” muttered Applejack.
Apple Bloom let out a happy coo.
Applejack placed her hoof in the soil within the pot and frowned in concentration. From her vantage point thirty feet away, Celestia perceived the transfer of energy from pony to plant. New shoots sprouted from the nodes near the tops of the stems. Buds unfurled to form leaves up the sides of the stems, with flowers at the tops. However, the leaves were a pale, sickly yellow, and the petals where salmon pink unlike the deep crimson of the original blooms.
The filly murmured something inaudible.
“You're not giving it enough nitrogen,” said Roseluck.
“I know that!” snapped Applejack before flattening her ears. “Uh, beg pardon.”
Roseluck sighed through her nose. “That's all right, Applejack. Just try to push the nitrogen up to the top.”
Applejack narrowed her eyes, her hoof still pressed into the potting mix. In a moment, the yellow leaves turned a lush green, and the petals flushed scarlet.
“Stop!” Roseluck held up her hoof. “Too much nitrogen kills the tips of the leaves.” She pointed to a brown tip on a lower leaf. “The lower part of the plant already had the right balance of nutrients. You need to distribute them evenly throughout the shrub. Still, you did better than I expected.” The mare nodded, a smile forming on her face. “This is good enough.”
“Thank you ma'am.” Applejack scooped up the foal and set her on her back. “Come on, sugar cube, best get ya home 'fore ya get into any more trouble.”
Apple Bloom blew a raspberry. Applejack finally turned away from the rosebush and began trotting down the street in Celestia's direction. She went several steps before she glanced up at Celestia and slowed to a stop.
“Princess! Have you been there the whole dang time!?”
Celestia grinned. “I was here long enough, I think. You made good use of your magic, Applejack.”
The filly bowed her head, showing respect without dislodging her sister. “So you saw all that. Well, thank you kindly, Princess, but I was just workin' with what was already there. That rosebush wanted to re-bloom, it just needed a little help.”
“That is exactly how earth pony magic works. Without magic, the bush would not have recovered.” Celestia tilted her head. “Why have I never seen you at the Annual Royal Growers' Fair? You have a talent for it.”
Applejack's cheeks turned pink. “Thank you, Princess, but y'see, the Growers' Fair falls in the middle o' cider season, which is a big seller for my family's farm, so we all gotta be here to make it.”
“I see. At least you have an excuse,” said Celestia, thinking of Rainbow Dash.
Applejack's forehead crinkled as she stared up at her. “Beg pardon Princess?”
“Never mind. Do happen to have any cider left from your last batch?”
“'Fraid not.” The filly shook her head. “Everypony here knows it has a short shelf life, and they always buy it like crazy 'fore it goes bad.”
“I have not tasted Sweet Apple Acres cider in decades. I should come to Ponyville earlier next year so I won't miss out.”
Applejack beamed. “That'd be just dandy! We'll set aside a bottle for ya.”
“That would be delightful.”
Then the filly cocked her head as her gaze traveled to Celestia's accouterments. “Don't you wanna wear your crown and all?”
“Not right now. You see I met another filly who felt uncomfortable not wearing clothes in front of me, so I took off my accessories to make her feel more at ease. And then I noticed that I liked the feel of dirt on my hooves and the wind in my hair.”
Applejack nodded in agreement. “It does feel mighty fine.”
“I will put them back on for the ceremony this evening,” added Celestia. “Will I see you there?”
“Sure, my whole family's fixin' to be there, so you'll probably see us. I gotta make sure my lil' sister gets a nap afore then, else she'll be fussy the entire time.” She reached back and patted Apple Bloom's head. “I'd better get her home pretty soon, actually, beggin' your pardon.”
“I know how that is. I'm raising a baby and he certainly fusses if he doesn't get enough sleep.”
“You have a son!?” Applejack's mouth fell open. “Well knock me over with a feather!”
“Oh, I wasn't very clear. This baby is more like my nephew.” There, she had finally said it.
The girl gave her a look of sympathy mixed with admiration. “Why, that's a real decent thing you're doin' for this baby, takin' him in when his parents can't take care o' him no more. Just like my granny with my brother and sister and me.”
“Yes,” Celestia said quietly. “It is. Thank you, Applejack. And you have my sympathies.”
“Thanks, Princess. We're gettin' along as best we can, runnin' Sweet Apple Acres the way my mom and dad wanted.”
Her steady tone implied that some time had passed since she'd lost her parents, although judging by the foal's age, it had been less than two years.
Apple Bloom leaned forward and grabbed the back of her big sister's neck, closing her eyes and snuggling into her mane.
Applejack smiled. “She's ready for her nap, sure as sugar.”
“Well, don't let me keep you. I need to go to the bakery, anyway.”
“It's at that intersection, yonder.” The filly pointed. “You're in for a treat. Sugar Cube Corner is the best bakery in Ponyville.” She paused and rubbed her chin. “'Course, it's the only bakery in Ponyville, but it's much better now that the new managers took over.”
“It sounds wonderful. It was lovely meeting you, Applejack.”
“Likewise, Princess.”
It was not much farther to the bakery. The building was whimsically decorated to look like it was made out of gingerbread and icing. It was a perfectly fitting workplace for Pinkie Pie.
As soon as she stepped inside, a loud gasp rang out. “Princess Celestia! I knew you'd stop by!” A pink blur wooshed forward and solidified into a filly, a bit taller since Celestia had last encountered her. “I mean, the paper said you were coming for the train thingy but my Pinkie Sense told me you were coming to Sugar Cube Corner! And here you are!” She bowed, then shifted into a crouch and sprang up, snatching Celestia's regalia out of the air. “I'll just put your things in the umbrella stand.” She dropped them in with an ugly clang. Celestia fought to keep from wincing.
“Pinkie Pie!” Scolded the plump earth mare behind the counter. “What are you doing? You can't touch the Princess's crown without asking!”
“N-No, it's fine. They've already taken a lot of abuse over the years, especially my shoes.” And if they had gotten scratched, Celestia knew a spell to fix them.
“Don't be such a worry-wart, Mrs. Cake!”
“What treats do you recommend?” asked Celestia, eager to move on and smooth things over.
“Oooh, our pumpkin cake is very popular now. It sells like hotcakes! Which we also have, although Mr. and Mrs. Cake turn off the griddle at ten,” rambled Pinkie.
“Uh, your highness, if you want to order anything from our breakfast menu, we can make it for you, no problem!” said the lanky earth stallion, presumably Mr. Cake.
“The pumpkin cake sounds delicious,” said Celestia.
When they brought it to her and she tried to pay, both Mr. and Mrs. Cake refused to accept her money. They were not the first ponies to do this, but it still perplexed her whenever it happened. Even the Pies appreciated Celestia's regular patronage. Perhaps the difference was that the Pies had a large family to support, while the Cakes might not have any children yet. They did look on the young side.
In the end, Celestia accepted the slice of cake gratis, but stated that the next time she came to Sugar Cube Corner, she would order the most expensive item on the menu and pay every bit.
After that was settled, Celestia sat at a table, inviting Pinkie Pie to sit and talk.
“Working at Sugar Cube Corner is so amazing! Mr. and Mrs. Cake use so much sugar in all their treats, they make those sweet almonds taste like – like chalk!” She took a long drink from her milkshake.
Celestia's eyes crinkled. “There's nothing wrong with almonds, but this cake is delicious! I have a sweet tooth too. I would love to be a baker if I weren't a princess.”
Pinkie's pupils grew enormous. “Really?”
“Really. So, tell me, dear, have you made any friends since moving to Ponyville?”
“And how! There's Mr. and Mrs. Cake, of course, and Applejack, Rarity, Ditzy Doo, Berry Punch . . .”
Celestia waited patiently for Pinkie to finish her list of new friends, but her patience ran out before the names did.
“. . . Mr. Waddles, Granny Smith, Matilda . . .”
“Excuse me, Pinkie Pie, but did you memorize the names of everypony in town?”
“Not everypony, but I'm working on it. I starting keeping a file of everypony I meet here!”
“Did you now.” Celestia narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. “You know, Pinkie, I happened to meet two of your new friends on the way here. I wonder if you could send me special reports on how they're doing and what's going on in their lives. Just every so often, maybe once a week to start with.” With any other pony, the request would have been ridiculous. But with Pinkie Pie . . . Well, it just seemed like something she would do.
Indeed, Pinkie didn't bat an eyelash, but her grin did widen. “Sure I can send you reports on my friends!”
Celestia paused, humming a bit to herself. “Perhaps we can call them updates instead.”
“Huh? What's the difference?”
“Nothing much. It's just that updates sounds nicer.”
Pinkie shrugged. “If you think so. Okay, which friends do you want me to update you on?”
“Applejack and Rarity. They struck me as very special ponies.”
“Oh, they are! Wait,” said Pinkie, lowering one eyebrow. “You didn't meet them at the same time, did you?”
“No, I ran into them separately.”
“That makes more sense. They don't really like each other.”
Celestia's eyebrows shot up. “What? How could they not like each other? It doesn't make sense,” she added, mostly to herself.
“I know, right? They're both super nice and hardworking! But Rarity thinks Applejack is uncouth, and Applejack thinks Rarity is stuck-up. Plus there was this thing that happened before I moved here, something about AJ skipping out on a play. I don't know, they both keep telling me it's complicated. Separately, of course,” she finished, propping her chin on her hooves and looking uncharacteristically serious.
“That is a shame. Ponies should put their differences aside and be friends.”
“Thank you!” Pinkie waved her hooves toward Celestia. “Maybe you should tell them that if you see them again. They'll listen to a princess!”
“Actually, I think it would mean more coming from you.”
“But I already tried to tell them! They won't listen!”
“Well, keep trying.” Celestia leaned toward her. “Don't give up on a worthy cause that you believe in.”
Pinkie sat up straight. “You're right, Princess Celestia. Pies aren't quitters! I just gotta make Rarity and Applejack see that they should be friends!”