"All raight, it's just Rarity's turn left now," Applejack said.
They'd returned to the Square, which was more centrally located, and were gathered in front of the Town Hall.
Rainbow was looking even more pensive. "Well... it's getting kinda late. Maybe we should just pack it in for the day?"
"Rainbow, it's only the middle of the afternoon!" Twilight objected.
"Somethin' gnawin' at ya, sugarcube?" Applejack took down her hat, and just for form's sake spun it on her hoof before offering it to Rarity, who took the last, sky-blue slip of paper.
Rainbow crossed her forehooves and frowned, as if preparing for the worst.
"Ahem," Rarity said. "And the last store is... Joe's Donut Shop!" She stared at the slip in disbelief.
"Aw, c'mon, Rainbow!" Applejack grumbled. "That's not even in Ponyville, it's in Canterlot!"
"I know! Okay?" Rainbow hunched down, looking ashamed. "I know! Well, I... when I wrote that this morning I honestly didn't think we'd actually get this far! And I haven't had the nerve to ask for my slip back. I'm sorry! Okay?"
"Wayall..." Applejack smirked. "I guess we can just pick another store in town, like with Derpy."
"Yeah, rub it in!" Rainbow muttered.
Derpy, hearing her name, looked around. And then she looked straight at Twilight, as if waiting for something. Twilight looked back, puzzled. And then she had an idea.
"Just a second," she said, in thoughtful tone. "Did we ever say the stores had to be in Ponyville? I don't think we did!"
Applejack thought back. "I reckon you're right, Twi! It never came up. We all jest assumed that was how we were playing it. But so what? We cain't get all the way to Canterlot and back in one afternoon, even if there was a train leavin' right now goin' our way!"
"Girls," Twilight said, "isn't it just lucky for us that you have a friend with a little pull upstairs? Spike!"
Startled, Spike leaned around her head to look her in the eye.
"Yeah, Twi?"
"Take a letter!"
Spike hopped down, produced paper and quill, and started writing as Twilight dictated:
Dear Princess Celestia,
I regret to report that my latest research into the Magic of Friendship has hit a small roadblock. My friends and I have spent the day engaged in a social bonding activity, to wit, a shopping spree, which up to this point has progressed without flaw. However, to complete this activity according to the rules we have laid down for ourselves, we find it necessary to obtain an item from a shop in the Royal City of Canterlot as expeditiously as possible...
"Hold it! Ex-pe-di-tious-ly," Spike spelled out. "Got it!"
... which we find impractical with the resources available to us. Can you offer any advice or assistance?
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
"Send it, Spike!"
Spike rolled the scroll, affixed band and seal, and with a huff of immolating green flame, sent it on its way.
Applejack looked nervous. "Are you sure, Twi? Seems like a awfully picayune matter to bother Princess Celestia with!"
Twilight shook her head. "I haven't asked for any help lately, and she's told me time and again that I can call on her at any time if she can be of assistance in my studies. Hey, the worst she can do is chide me for being foolish! And I can deal with that!"
"Thanks, Twi," Rainbow said, smiling weakly.
"Don't thank me yet, Rainbow!"
But Spike was already making a face. He belched green fire, and a return scroll materialized. "Geez," he muttered, rubbing his throat. "I wish she'd at least gimme time to get my breath back first!"
Taking the scroll, Spike unrolled it, coughed officially, and read:
My Faithful Student Twilight,
Remain where you are. Help is on the way.
"Help is on the way?" Rarity asked. "What does she mean by that?"
"Uh, Twi?" Applejack said, "you might wanna look at this!" She pointed up at the sky.
Twilight looked, and blinked. In the far distance they could see the towering peak of Canterlot Mountain, with the royal city projecting out to the left from its upper slopes.
And from it, two small black dots had lifted, heading their way. As they watched, the dots gradually resolved themselves into not one but two royal chariots, with teams of flyers, which rapidly approached Ponyville. On the left was Princess Celestia's elegantly scroll-worked Golden Chariot. And on the right was Princess Luna's dragon-winged Night Chariot.
"Are the Princesses coming here?" Spike asked, amazed.
"I don't know, Spike," Twilight said, feeling nervous despite her earlier confidence.