//------------------------------//
// A Pony and a Book 
// Story: Shopping Spree Day 
// by Lets Do This 
//------------------------------//

It all began in Ponyville, the quaint farming-and-tourism hamlet located in the Canterlot Foothill Plains, just a brief few hours train-ride from the royal city of Canterlot itself...

Well, that's how the official pamphlet begins, the one published by the Canterlot Tourism and Recreation Department. Happily, there's a more interesting way to approach it.

It starts with a pony. And a book.


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Up the street leading from Ponyville's town square, and passing through the smaller square in front of Sugarcube Corner Bakery, a lavender unicorn mare with a dark blue mane and tail trotted along. Hovering in front of her face was a large hardback book, held in place by a bright magenta field of magic projected from her horn. Occasionally a page flicked as she ambled up the street, completely lost in reading.

"Hey, Twilight!"

Twilight looked up, the book lowering so she could see past it. Standing before her with amused looks on their faces were an orange-flanked mare wearing an eleven-gallon Stetson hat, and a brilliantly white unicorn mare with elegantly flowing violet locks.

"I reckon that's some kinda record, Rarity," said the orange-flanked pony. "We only had to call twice a'fore we got through."

"Now, now, Applejack!" Rarity scolded. "I'm sure Twilight was just engrossed in... uh... what is it you're reading today, my dear?" 

"The Codex Hippophilia," Twilight replied, showing them the cover. Its embossed-gold title said exactly that, leaving them none the wiser. 

"Which is what now?" Applejack asked.

Twilight blushed a bit. "It's... kind of a history of cult behavior in ancient Equestria. Though it's not nearly as risqué as it sounds. It was written by academics who didn't get out very much."

"Uh huh," Applejack nodded. "And... it's a good read?"

"Oh yeah, it is! I'm putting together a comparative study of ancient cultural traditions, and it's interesting seeing the parallels with Griffonian and Draconian cultures."

"Annnnd... those would be the other two books."

Twilight glanced at the pockets of the carryall draped over her back. There was an equally heavy book weighing her down on either side. She gave a sheepish smile. "I brought them along in case I finished this one. But I've already given them a quick skim, and there are so many interesting parallels..."

"I'm sure there are, dahling," Rarity hurriedly put in, to stem the impending flood of erudition. "Applejack and I are taking a stroll around town on this exquisitely sunny afternoon. Is that what you're doing, dear?"

Applejack laughed good-naturedly. "I bet she's been inside reading all day, and hasn't even noticed the weather."

"Not so!" Twilight replied. "In fact I realized I'd been inside all morning, and decided to spend some time outdoors for a change."

"Reading?"

"Of course!"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Twi, hon, don't you ever kick back and jest do stuff, jest fer fun?"

"Like what?"

"Wayall..."

"-- like a shopping spree?" Rarity put in. "Er, well, that's what I might do, if I wanted to get away from my drafting table for a while."

Applejack nodded. "Okay then, a shoppin' spree. Ever done one, Twi?"

"Um... no, I don't think I have."

"Y'all never just spent the whole day browsin' through the shops around here? I mean there's more to the place than the Cake's shop and Rarity's and Sweet Apple Acres. Oh my lordy! Hope Granny Smith never gets wind I said that!"

Applejack and Rarity looked at Twilight expectantly.

"I guess I haven't," Twilight said, shrugging. "Whenever I feel like browsing, there's always the Library stacks."

"All raight," Applejack said. "I hereby challenge ya to a winner-take-all, no-holds-barred, all-day, doing-nothing-but-fun-stuff shoppin' spree."

"Well, okay! I'm in!" Twilight said happily. "Uh... what are the rules?"

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other.

"Gonna be a bit harder than I thought, I reckon."