"But Princess Celestia...", Twilight trailed off. "Are you quite certain- "
"Twilight." Celestia sighed heavily. "I. NEED. A. BREAK."
"Of course Princess, I wasn't contradicting on that matter. What I'm trying to say is... Are you sure you want Pinkie Pie to take your place? I mean, I'm a princess and all, so can't I- "
Twilight was interrupted by a familiar glowing on her flank. Her cutie mark was shining and stars were appearing out of it.
"Great. Apparently, I have to rush off to find a friendship problem." She grumbled to herself. "Now. Thanks a lot, map!"
Twilight forced a smile and galloped towards the throne room, bumping her head on the crystal wall in the process. Princess Celestia chuckled as she heard Twilight curse about ancient scriptures. At that moment, Pinkie Pie bounced into the hallway, humming out of tune. She abruptly stopped with a jerk when she saw the alicorn.
"Princess Celestia? Why're you here? Twilight called me about something urgent."
"Actually, my little pony," Celestia said. "The reason you have been summoned here, is to take my role as Princess of Equestria for a day."
Pinkie stared at Celestia quizzically, as if she had not understood what was uttered. Suddenly, she snorted loudly and started giggling, much to the bemusement of the alicorn. Twilight, who had appeared in the hallway by now, had a smirk on her face as she glanced at Celestia expectantly. But Celestia took no notice of her, or didn't seem to, for she turned her back on the lavender mare and cleared her throat at Pinkie, who was choking over her giggling fit.
Twilight clicked her tongue impatiently. "Pinkie Pie, this is serious. Would you please consider a decision regarding this... mess?"
Celestia raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. Pinkie, on the other hoof, now looked stunned. "Wait, you're serious? B-but why me?" She stammered. "Not that I'm against it or anything, but I'm not really cutout for Princess duty. You're a lot better at this than I am. C'mon Twilight, you're a princess."
Twilight was going to reply with a That's exactly what I said, when Celestia stepped up and responded gently.
"That's the point, Pinkie. Twilight's already a princess, so I thought someone else could have a go at it instead."
Twilight, who had been burying her face into her hooves, looked up. Seriously, Celestia, she mouthed.
"Well.. I still don't see why I was picked, though." Pinkie snorted. "I have a hard time even looking after foals, so Equestria on my hooves, I dunno princess. Come to think of it, Rarity would have died for this."
"Ah, but that's why I picked you Pinkie, I wanted to see what potential you posses." Celestia winked, before bringing her lips to Pinkie's ear. "I love to venture into a bit of mischief as well." She giggled softly.
Pinkie now had a satisfied look on her face. Clearing her throat, she announced: "Okey, dokey, Captain Princess Celestia sir. I shall overtake the job of becoming the ruler of Equestria for a day, or until you return. Uh... and whatever comes after that. Probably super important stuff fancy ponies ramble about. I mean seriously, do they actually- "
"Pinkie, just shut up."
"Somebody's jea-lous", Pinkie teased. "Hey Twilight, I think you've got a friendship problem waiting."
"Oh, Right."
The Next morning
After traveling on a first-class luxurious cabin on the Friendship Express, Pinkie Pie arrived in Canterlot, where a red carpet was thrown before her hooves. Trumpets were blown on either side of the carpet, flowers were flung in her direction, and loud cheers from the crowd at the train station. Two bulky stallions hurriedly escorted her to a golden chariot, led by pegasi, who looked at her quizzically.
Soon, the chariot landed before the gateway of Canterlot Castle, where a group of guards met Pinkie Pie and-
Alright, cut this nonsense, let's get to the main point.
~skip boring stuff~
Pinkie Pie sat on Celestia's throne and laid her head back, with half closed eyes. She suddenly shot up, rubbing her neck. Looking around the room, she spotted a golden bell lying on a table beside her. She reached out hesitantly and rung the bell three times. Instantly, a white unicorn burst out of a side door.
"Yes, your majesty?" Raven Inkwell panted.
"I uh... need a cushion for my back. Hehe."
Raven sighed. "Of... course, your majesty. A cushion shall be fetched. I'd also like to inform you that you've a meeting scheduled for this afternoon."
"Yeah yeah, Raven. I'll call you if I need ya, you can go now." Pinkie gestured her hoof towards the door. "Wait, did you say meeting?"
But Raven had already left. In her place, a pair of guards marched into the throne room instead. One of them spoke with a nervous expression.
"Your highness, the meeting timings have been... shifted, as the delegates have arrived early. What arrangements shall we prepare?"
Pinkie brooded over that. "Eh, just call 'em in for lunch, we'll talk about the meeting later."
"Of course, your highness. We'll make the necessary adjustments without further ado."
The guards exited the the room, and Raven came in with a red cushion. She placed it on Pinkie's back and frowned. "Your majesty, we must be done with a few tasks quickly, as we don't have enough time. Equestria Daily needs your picture for the front page, you've made quite the headlines."
At that moment, the same guard who spoke earlier burst in. "Your majesty, we've led the delegates into the dining room. Shall we begin the feast?"
"Yep. I'll come in a moment. Sorry Raven!"
Pinkie marched into the dining room, followed by the guard. He closed the room gently and pulled Pinkie's chair back for her to sit on. She settled down on the chair and glanced at everyone seated at the table. A blue dragon, a pale green... changeling, a grumpy griffin and a pink alicorn.
"Pinkie Pie?" Ember frowned.
"Hiya Ember!"
"Riiight."
The other delegates blew up and died.
The End!!