In which the Cutie Map sends out a call.
With one swift, expert kick, Applejack bucked open the door to Twilight's castle. Her glowing cutie mark was making impatient circles around her head as she barreled down the hall with Fluttershy flapping nervously at her heels.
"Yee-haw!" she panted loudly. "Finally the map's callin' someone again!"
"I know," Fluttershy breathlessly agreed, "I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever have another mission to go on. And," she whispered on, as both ponies slowed to a walk to converse, "I'm really excited to be called with you, Applejack. With the two of us, who knows how many adorable animals we might meet!"
Applejack laughed. "Gee, I reckon so. Whatever it is, I just know it'll be something excitin'...whoa!"
Three butterflies and three apples went soaring down the hall and around the corner, with two ponies galloping after. They skidded into the throne room - and screeched to a halt.
"HI!" cheered Pinkie.
Wide-eyed, Applejack looked from one throne to the next, then said, in surprise that quickly became delight: "All of us?"
"It sure looks that way," said Twilight. Rarity cast a benevolent eye in her friends' direction, and Rainbow Dash was slumped in her chair, her eyes chasing her lightning bolt mark around the shimmering crystal map.
"Oh, dear! I guess this must be awful important."
"I'm sure it is. Ooh, this is so exciting!" The princess kicked her hooves and took to the air. "I wonder where we're going. Manehattan? Las Pegasus? GRIFFONSTONE?"
"Uh," said Applejack tactfully, "we've been sent to all those places already." Dash nodded.
Annoyed, Twilight pawed at the table. "So what? No reason we can't be called there again...right?"
"Riiiiight. Oh, hey, look," Dash said quickly, "They're settling down!"
Indeed they were. Six shimmering cutie marks formed a dutiful line, then a ring - they swept past Appleoosa, glided over the Everfree Forest, and finally circled over one spot.
The ponies stared in confused astonishment.
"Ponyville?" asked Twilight, baffled.
"Ponyville!" shrieked Pinkie happily.
"Ponyville?" groaned Rainbow Dash.
"Ponyville," announced Princess Celestia, alighting regally on the balcony of Twilight's castle.
The six ponies respectfully turned and listened expectantly to whatever the ruler of Equestria had to tell them.