One day while Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun are finishing up their project over at his house, Annie gets a letter from Princess Celestia. "Hello Annie," says the letter from Celestia, "my sister and I are putting on a big birthday bash for my nephew, Blueblood. He's turning four on Friday and we'd love if you'd come perform. He loves all your tricks especially that one you do with the three lassos and two guns. So, will you please do it? He's a huge fan of yours."
Annie sits down and writes Celestia back. "Sure," writes Annie, "I'd love to. I'll see y'all on Friday!" She then puts it in an envelope addressed to Royal Palace, Canterlot and then puts a stamp on it and sticks it in the mailbox to be picked up. A few hours later, a pegasus stops by and picks up the letter and flies it to the castle and drops it in Celestia's hoof. Celestia opens it and begins to read the response. As she does, she can't help but smile. She's so glad that Annie agreed to do the party.
Meanwhile back at the Oak Tree-Flankler house, Annie tells Franklin about her latest show opportunity. "So," says Annie to Franklin, "I'm heading out to Canterlot in the next few days to put on a birthday show for Prince Blueblood's fourth birthday. I'm so excited!"
"Good for you!" replies Franklin as he sweeps her into the air and sets her down again. "Putting on a show for the prince is a very high honor indeed!"
A few days later, Annie packs up bright and early and hops on the first train to Canterlot as Franklin and her children wave her off from the station. Annie hopes to arrive in Canterlot before dark, so she left super early. Franklin, however, sees it as the perfect time for some father children bonding time, something they haven't had in a very long time. As soon as he sees the train is gone, he turns to the children and asks with a smile, "what do you want to do this weekend now that your mother is gone?"
"The fairgrounds, ice cream, maybe the pottery shop!" exclaims Apple Jam. "After all, my project for school is done! I get to present it today since, after all, today is only Thursday!" Apple Jam then gives her father a hug and dashes off from the train station to the school since she doesn't want to be late.
"Goo," says little Golden Apple. Franklin just smiles. They can have fun together today once Apple Jam is finished with school. Actually, it totally slipped his mind that today was even a school day or that it wasn't even Friday yet at all. He grabs the little colt up in his hooves and walks home. For now, all he can do is play toys with his son and listen to the news on the radio. He sighs. He can't wait for the school day to be up so he can enjoy better quality time with both of his children.
Meanwhile, on the train, Annie sighs as she eats some freshly made pancakes in the dining car. She hopes the children will be alright without her home this weekend. Then again, they're used to her traveling, especially Apple Jam. "I just hope they'll behave for their daddy," she says to herself, letting out another long sigh. She then returns to just eating her pancakes because they're just so good, she then downs a second plate of them. On the bright side, the train food is good. She can definitely say that much for sure right now.
Around midnight, the train pulls into the Canterlot station, where Annie is greeted by Princess Luna herself, who lets her hop into the royal chariot alongside her and the two take back to the skies together. Annie smiles as she chatters on and off with Luna over the course of the trip back to the castle. As far as she knows, this'll be her first time actually staying at the castle. After all, someone would remember well being picked up by one of the princesses before, but for Annie, this definitely felt like a first.
A few minutes later, the two touch down in the castle courtyard and Luna shows Annie to her room. As Annie enters, she looks around awestruck. This is definitely her first time staying in the castle. She knows that for sure now. "Thanks for picking me up," says Annie to Luna as Luna slips out of the room.
"No problem," replies Luna with a smile. "It was the least I could do." Luna then leaves the room and heads to her own, where she smiles as she casts the spell to go into the dream realm.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Annie gets into her night gown then plops down on the bed, pulls up the sheets, and falls fast asleep. This is definitely the comfiest bed she's ever slept in. As she sleeps, she can't help but dream of all the fun she'll be sharing with the prince come tomorrow morning for his birthday.