The Visiting Team -- Part I

by Lets Do This


A Day in Ponyville

"Well, we're just plum tickled, Yer Highness! To think ya came all the way out here, just to have a gander at our zap-apple trees."

The very old and the very young have this in common: once they get hold of anything harmless, particularly an idea, it's best just to let them have it and run with it. Granny Smith had apparently decided that Twilight was either Princess Celestia herself or some close relation. And the sour-green elder pony wouldn't be dissuaded from bowing courteously as she spoke.

"Thanks, Granny," Twilight answered. "The honor's all ours, believe me." Then she stared up at the spindly, dead-looking branches of the trees. "You say the entire cycle, from flowering to harvest, happens inside of a week?"

"Every year, 'bout the same time," Granny said. "And ya gots to buck and gather 'em in one day," she warned. "Or else, poof! They zaps away, and there ain't no calling 'em back, neither."

"Eee-nope," added Big Mac.

"The whole orchard?" Sunset asked. "That sounds like a big job."

Applejack nodded. "It's a heap of work, rushed and hard. But once we've gathered in the apples, and Granny's worked her own brand of magic on 'em, you've got the best darn zap-apple jam ya ever tasted."

Granny smiled. "I've just had loads of practice, young-uns. Ever since Princess Celestia granted us this land all them moons ago."

"The Princess gave you the land?" asked Sunset.

"That she did." Granny nodded. "She saw right away what good seed-gatherers and farmers we Apples were. And right away, she knew just the spot for us to settle on. Right here!"

"It's awfully close to the Everfree Forest," said Twilight. She pointed at the creeper-choked wall of trees, a short distance away.

"Good thing, too," Granny said. "Or I might not have gone wandering in there, like the silly-filly I was back then, lookin' for something for the cook-pot. I come across a patch of them zap-apples growin' in there. And then got chased back out agin by them ding-blanged timberwolves. But I brung the seeds back with me, and we planted 'em here. And BOOM! Whole stand of trees sprung up, practically afore we could turn around."

Sunset licked a hoof and held it up, her horn glowing. The tip of her hoof sparkled gently. "This whole part of the orchard is highly active, magically speaking."

"Yep," Granny said. "Them trees soaks it up like water. It's what makes 'em grow and produce so fast."

"Which is odd..." Twilight added. "Considering the Everfree itself is pretty much a magical dead zone."

"Everything 'bout that forest is odd." Applejack shuddered. "But, like the sayin' goes, never look a gift pig in the teeth. With sales of zap-apple jam and other treats, we've built Sweet Apple Acres into the goin' concern it is today. Of course, there's been some tight times, now and again..."

"But we've pulled through 'em," Granny said. "Ever' single time!"

"Eee-yup," Big Mac said.

"Given how popular your jam is," Sunset asked, "I'm surprised nopony else around here has tried growing zap-apples yet."

Applejack shrugged. "Them trees don't grow near so well anyplace else, even here on the farm. So the entire farm is built around the zap-apple orchard. All your regular apple trees -- red delicious, golden, Gallopin' Gala, honeycrisp -- they're in their own sections around the property. But when all's said and done, it's the zap-apples that are our money crop."

"Well then," Twilight said, "I guess that explains how the Apple family came to be living in Ponyville."

"Actual, it's the other way 'round," said Granny. "Sales of our zap-apple jam by the Rich family is what brought ponies here from far and wide. And they founded Ponyville. Fact is, if it wasn't for the zap-apples, and Sweet Apple Acres... well now, there might not even be a Ponyville a'tall."

"Wow..." Twilight was wide-eyed. "And all because Celestia granted you this land, way back when?"

"All because," Granny confirmed. She bowed respectfully. "It's why we always remembers our manners around royalty, Yer Highness. Shows how grateful we are for the chance we were given."

Touched, Twilight found herself graciously returning the bow. "It's really inspiring, Granny, seeing what your family's done with it." She and the elder pony exchanged a smile, almost as equals.

Applejack leaned toward Sunset. "Heh! Don't see why Twilight's so bothered by her title and all. She's a natural at this!"

"It's easy to be a natural," Sunset whispered back, "when you're not thinking about it." Then she looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, A.J., I probably should have gone before I left, but where would I find..."

"The powder room?" Applejack nodded understandingly. "There's an outhouse over yonder, just shy of the barn. Feel free, and sorry in advance if it's a bit rough compared to what you're used to up in the city."

"Are you kidding me, A.J.?" Sunset grinned. "I might just move in here. I love this place!"

Excusing herself, Sunset trotted away from the group, and past where Tempest was standing nearby, patiently keeping an eye on Twilight. Grubber was seated right next to Tempest, chowing down on yet another apple. Sunset grinned at that, then headed onwards, through the orchard and heading for the barn.

But when she reached it, she couldn't see the outhouse. Circling round the barn, she eventually located the small wooden shack, standing a short distance from the back fence.

And came to a halt, staring at it.

Carved into the wood above the shack's door was a crescent moon, with a single star beside it.

Like Moondancer's cutie-mark, Sunset thought. The Moon-and-Stars...

... the Mark of Nightmare Moon.

Sunset smirked. Have to mention that to Moondancer, when we get back to town...

------------------------------

"Eeeyahhh!"

Tempest bounded into the air, spun, and slammed a back hoof into the ball, sending it ripping through the air. It blasted straight past Rainbow Dash and slammed into the wooden basket held in Twilight's magic, threatening to knock the bottom right out of it.

"Yee-esss!" Grubber shouted. "And another goal! The crowd goes wild!"

"What crowd, Grubber?" Sunset asked. "It's just a pick-up game."

"Yeah, I know. But it's the principle of the thing, right?"

"Rainbow," Twilight added, "I'm not sure I see the point of the unicorn in this game. I barely have to move the basket, and Tempest puts the ball into it, every single time."

Rainbow was gasping for air, having had to dart out of the ball's way several times over the past few minutes. "That's because... she's got a kick on her... like a mule! Uh, no offense, Commander. It is kinda awesome, actually."

"I'll say!" Applejack was acting as referee, and she fielded the ball as Twilight's magic tossed it back to her. "You sure you never played buckball before, Tempest?"

The maroon pony idly examined an armored forehoof. "I did play some sandlot hoofball when I was little. There weren't many pegasi in the village I came from." She smiled darkly. "And when I played hoofball, I was always the kicker..."

"Uh, yeah." Rainbow uneasily flexed a strained wing, casualty of an earlier near-miss. "I can see why."

"You keep this up, Tempest," Sunset told her, "the pick-up game will be a shut-out."

Grubber trotted over and offered a towel. "You gonna go again, boss?"

Tempest took it and wiped her face. "Depends what Twilight wants to do."

"I'm in no rush," said Twilight. "I can go a while longer. But when we're done here, I did want to see this cloud house you mentioned, Rainbow."

"Well, sure, no problem!" Rainbow replied eagerly. "Er, that is, if you really want to. We can take a break now -- right, A.J.?"

"Sure, Rainbow." Applejack smirked. "But what was the final tally, anyhoo? Eight to nothin'? Or was it ten?"

"A.J.!"

Tempest shrugged carelessly. "Ah, who's keeping score, anyways?"

"I was, Tempest, and it was -- oof!" Grubber shut up quickly, rubbing his stomach where Tempest's hoof had gently but firmly kicked him.

Gathering and stacking the playing equipment, the group trotted up the hoofpath leading away from the playing field, heading towards the gentle rise where Rainbow's house was located. And as they went, the cyan pegasus held station in the air alongside Tempest, clearly eager to ask a question, but not wanting to appear too eager.

"Something on your mind, Rainbow?"

"Uh, yeah. What's it like, huh? Being Commander of the Guard, I mean."

Tempest snorted. "Tedious, mostly. Lots of standing around, keeping an eye on things. And you wouldn't believe the paperwork, making sure every little decision or allocation has somepony's signature on it so they know who to blame. Oh, and did I mention the standing around?" She smirked, and looked to Twilight. "Who was it that said war was long periods of boredom, punctuated by moments of sheer terror?"

Twilight smiled. "Surprised you don't know that one, Rainbow. It was General Firefly of the Wonderbolts. And she was talking about flying, actually."

"Err, yeah. I knew that," Rainbow said. "But seriously, Tempest, being Commander and all... well, you basically outrank everypony! You can do anything you want, right?"

"Hmph. I suppose," Tempest allowed. "As long as I can justify it as a necessity for protecting Twilight here. And the rest of the gang."

"Uh huh. And you get to run drills, and do hoof-to-hoof fighting --" Rainbow shadow-boxed with her forehooves. "-- and all that cool stuff."

"Oh, there's drills all right," Tempest said. "Though Twilight's brother is kind enough to handle the everyday stuff. But I get to put in my own two bits on how things are done. For instance," she added craftily, "how many Guard ponies are watching us right now, Rainbow?"

Rainbow glanced around. "I don't see anypony."

"Oh, come on," Tempest said, amused. "I thought you were the one who kept track of everything while you were flying?"

"Well, yeah. When I'm up in the air. Not close to the ground like this. You mean there are guards watching us right now?"

Coming to a halt, Tempest gave a short, sharp whistle. And then pointed a forehoof at a stand of trees on the left, the corner of a house to the right, and then behind them, at a wheelbarrow that Twilight herself would have sworn was simply standing empty beside the road.

All of which had Guard ponies looking alertly round them.

"And..." Tempest added, glaring coldly at Rainbow, "there's the guard you don't see. The one you won't ever see... until it's far, far too late."

"Right." Rainbow swallowed nervously. There was something worrying about the scarlet-maned pony's gaze. It was coldly, murderously determined. Like if anypony crossed her, she wouldn't hesitate, not for a second...

"And as for hoof-to-hoof fighting..." Tempest began innocently.

Rainbow wasn't quite sure how it happened. Suddenly Tempest's teeth had latched onto her tail, dragging her out of the air and slamming her to the ground. An armored hoof landed square on her chest, pinning her solidly, wings trapped beneath her.

"The best fight," Tempest said, "is the one that's over before it starts."

"Hey!" Rainbow objected. "No fair!"

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Tempest sneered coldly. "But in my line of work we don't get warnings."

"Tempest!" Twilight said, alarmed.

The Commander glanced at her, looking surprised, and then back at Rainbow. "Sorry. I do tend to be a little aggressive. It's part of the job."

"Uh, it's okay. No harm done." Rainbow was actually more surprised than hurt. And impressed -- she was completely helpless, unable to use her wings, hooves, or teeth to fight back. "That was... a pretty sweet move, actually."

"Yeah. It was, wasn't it?"

"But sheesh, why does everypony go for the tail, huh?"

"Heh." Applejack sniggered. "Maybe if it wasn't six different day-glo colors?"

"Yeah, I suppose." Rainbow eyed Tempest nervously. "So, like... if we were fighting for real right now, what would I do next?"

"What else? Spit in my eye... if you dare."

Looking at Tempest, Rainbow wasn't sure she did. "You wouldn't, like... kill me or anything if I did, would you?"

Tempest looked mildly amused.

"I don't recall making that promise."

"Eeeyeah, well... I think I'll pass."

Tempest nodded. Lifting her hoof, she helped Rainbow up. The pegasus dusted herself off, flexed her wings, then bounced into the air again. "You know," Rainbow said, "the way you take this so serious all the time, guarding and stuff... Twilight must mean a lot to you, huh?"

Tempest looked somber. "She means everything to me, Rainbow," she said quietly. "Until I came here, I'd never really had a friend before."

"Hey!" Grubber nudged her leg. "What about me, boss?"

"You?" She eyed him disapprovingly. "You're my minion, and proud of it."

"Yeah! Heh-heh!" The hedgehog rubbed his paws mischievously, then grinned at Rainbow. "What she said!"

"Wow." Rainbow glanced off into the distance, towards Canterlot Mountain, with the Royal City just visible through the clouds near its peak. "Ya know, like everypony else here in Ponyville, I'm loyal to Princess Celestia. Because she's looked after us for like, forever." She looked back at Tempest. "And up to now, I thought that was what loyalty meant. But it's different for you, isn't it? For you, it's kinda personal, huh?"

Tempest shrugged. "Twilight's like family. And living here, I have a place to be, something to do, somepony to care about. And I think that's all I really wanted, all along." She smirked at the pegasus. "What about you?"

"Me? Oh, I'm not nearly there yet. I want to get into the Wonderbolts! To fly with them, and blow ponies' minds with my mad flying skills."

"Mm hmm. And then what?"

"Huh?"

"Once you're in the Wonderbolts, then what will you do?"

"Oh." Rainbow scratched her mane. "Ya know, I hadn't really thought it out that far. I assumed it'd be obvious once I got there. " She shrugged. "Move up through the ranks, maybe be lead flyer one day. Or even... yeah! Maybe one day I'll be running the Wonderbolts! That'd be totally awesome!"

"Really? You know, Rainbow," Tempest said speculatively, "I've often thought the Guard in Canterlot is a little light in the pegasus department. The Wonderbolts' headquarters isn't even in the capitol, unlike the HQ they have for the unicorn and earth-pony battalions."

"Probably has a lot to do with how we pegasi think," Rainbow said. "We're not chickens, so we don't like being cooped up anyplace."

"Hmm. I was thinking it might make sense to have a Canterlot-based squadron of pegasi. Maybe work up some aerial defense strategies, that sort of thing. And we'd need a top-notch flyer to lead the effort."

"Really?" Rainbow goggled. "You mean it? That'd be way cool!"

"Of course..." Tempest said mischievously, "we'd want to pick from the ranks of the very best... meaning the Wonderbolts. So you'd still have to get in and prove yourself."

"Oh..." Rainbow's face fell a little. "Yeah, I can see that. That makes sense." Then she smiled confidently. "But hey, that's where I'm headed anyways. So hold that leader spot open for me, Tempest!"

Tempest rolled her eyes. "If I'm even alive then." She shook her head. "The kind of trouble Twilight and the rest keep getting themselves into, I have my doubts about that sometimes."

The group trotted on together, coming to the end of a row of houses and then following the road as it turned up a short sloping hill.

"Is that your house up there, Rainbow?" Twilight asked, pointing.

The ponies all stared upwards at the palace-like Cloudominium, holding station above the high point of the rise. The house was three stories high and decorated with ionic columns, puffy clouds, and shimmering rainbow waterfalls. And it was set on a cloud-bank, some fifty lengths in the air. At ground level there was an ordinary-looking mailbox, with Rainbow's lightning-bolt mark for a delivery flag.

"Yep!" Rainbow said. "Pretty sweet, huh? You gals wanna come up and have a look round?"

"Sure, but..." Twilight glanced around the group. "Just one problem. None of the rest of us are pegasi."

The ponies all looked at each other uneasily. Then Sunset smirked and looked at Twilight.

"You think we might need Starlight's help on this one?"

------------------------------

"No, no, your Ladyship," Rarity said primly. "We are served from the left, and dishes are collected from the right."

Trixie glanced at Starlight and Moondancer, seated beside her. "Are you sure? I'm pretty certain it's the other way round."

"Oh, phhft!" the fashionista waved a hoof. "Only if you're dining at a boarding house, my dear."

The four of them were seated at an ersatz dining table Rarity had set up in the luxurious showroom of her Carousel Boutique, by simply throwing a couple of table flats onto her fitting stage and draping them with a silk tablecloth. She'd set out plates and tableware, and was giving Trixie, Starlight, and Moondancer an impromptu lesson on fine dining etiquette.

And Trixie was quickly beginning to regret having brought up the subject of taking tea with Princess Luna, and the ersatz titles she'd invented for herself and her friends.

"No, no," Rarity went on. "When serving dishes are presented at a fine dining establishment for you to take from, they are presented from the left. It is only when your plate is prepared in the kitchen and then served, that it is served from the right."

"But..." Starlight objected, "isn't that the way dishes are normally prepared these days? I mean, the few times we've had dinner with Princess Celestia, that's how it was done."

Rarity stared at her, agog. "Princess Celestia?" Her left eye twitched slightly.

"And when Princess Luna invites us to tea," Moondancer said, "we never stand on ceremony. We just pass the plates round amongst ourselves like we normally would. I think Luna feels more comfortable that way, like she's among close friends."

"Erm. Well. Ah..." Good manners briefly warred with extreme social envy on Rarity's face. "It does depend on the custom of the establishment, Countess," she finally declared. "One should always follow the example set by one's host. Now, once we have all been served, then Lady Trixie, as the ranking noble present, you may be expected to open the conversation with a brief remark or two. Just to set the tone, so to speak. And then it's polite for everypony to engage in small talk."

"Small talk?" Trixie asked doubtfully.

"Oh, yes. The weather, things one likes to do, little tidbits of trivia, that sort of thing."

"Hmm. The Great and Powerful Trixie... is a little confused. When do we actually get round to the point of the conversation?"

"Oh my dear! There isn't a point, really. No, the object of small talk is to put those one is speaking with at ease. To help make the event convivial. And above all else, to help others feel like one's social equals, whatever their station in life."

Starlight sniggered. "That doesn't sound like Trixie, not at all!"

"Not the Great and Powerful Trixie," Moondancer agreed. "She never does anything small!"

"Huh! Trixie can learn," the showpony said archly. Then she stared at the table settings. "Um... which of these was the salad spoon again?"

"Well then, let me have a go." Starlight drew herself up formally. "My dear Miss Rahrity," she gushed, "how did you come by this simply mahvelous Boutique? It is to die for!"

The ponies broke up laughing. Even Rarity permitted herself a polite smile. Then she nodded at the compliment. "Well, Baroness Glimmer, my parents were nouveau riche, you see. They'd come into an inheritance, from a wealthy socialite in Canterlot to whom they'd shown generosity themselves in a time of need. But even given their new-found wealth, they tried very hard not to let money change them. To continue living the simple life, and just be themselves."

Rarity pouted slightly.

"A little too simple, if one is to be brutally honest." Then she gently shrugged. "But they did teach me to be generous in my own good fortune. And to be supportive of others, just as they were with me. They saw how determined I was to be a top-notch fashion designer. They bankrolled me for equipment, and a shop here in Ponyville, even though I was very young to be running an establishment all on my own. They told me I was worth it, that I showed promise. They encouraged me to 'reach for the stars', as it were."

She stared into space, momentarily enraptured. "And I dreamed, practically every night, that I might one day have my own little shop in the Royal City, in Canterlot. Where all the noble ponies and top designers would come to see my designs on display. And that I, Rarity, might one day take my rightful place amongst the top, taste-making elite. Ahhh..."

Coming back down to earth, she cleared her throat sheepishly.

"Well, it is good to have dreams, is it not? And to live every waking moment as if they're coming true? So I simply throw myself into this place." She gestured around at the decor, the fine draperies, the in-progress gowns and dresses, the spotless perfection. "When you look about in here, my dears, you see me, the true me, fully on display."

"Including... her?" Trixie asked, pointing worriedly at the bright-white cat sitting atop a fabric shelf, glaring scornfully down at them.

"Oh, that's just Opalescent, my dear." Lowering her voice, she added, "and we all do have just that little bit of cattiness in us, don't we?"

Affronted, Opal hissed, then turned up her nose and leapt from the shelf. She stalked away archly, tail twitching. The ponies all laughed at that.

"Well," Rarity said, "I've been monopolizing the conversation far too long. Countess Moondancer, you're been so quiet I'd barely know you were here."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Moondancer shrugged. "I've just learned to be a good listener, that's all. The stuff I like to talk about usually just bores everypony."

"Nonsense," Rarity replied. "Like what?"

"Um." Moondancer looked uneasy. "The history of the compound wagon harness? The biography of Morari the Maneless? Comparative analyses of thaumic-physic interaction, er..." She glanced around the table. "Should I even bother going on?"

Starlight put a sympathetic hoof around her. "Moondancer here is sort of our Renaissance pony. And it's not how much she knows that scares me, it's that there might actually be something that she doesn't know anything about."

"I read a lot, that's all." Moondancer said. "And I have a really good memory. In fact, I can remember every single time I started talking about something and other ponies quickly changed the subject, because they felt it was boring. Most ponies forget that, so it doesn't bother them." She winced. "But I don't. I remember. So after a while, I just stopped talking and focused on listening. I get along better with everypony that way."

"Well, that's not right," Rarity said. "You have so much to offer, dear. You should be a part of the conversation."

"I know, right?" Moondancer said. "And that would be so nice! I spend all this time soaking up all this... stuff, studying and cross-referencing and re-cross-referencing. I want to be able to share it, make use of it to help ponies." She smiled at Trixie and Starlight. "And with the gang here, I can finally do that. So... I'm good, actually. I don't need to carry the conversation any more. I'm just a resource my friends can count on, if they're stuck on something."

"Well put!" Starlight agreed. And even Trixie nodded, too.

Then the bell over the door jangled, and Spike looked in. "Hey, gals! Uh... hi, Rarity..." He blushed, grinning sheepishly.

Starlight smirked at the others, then called to him. "Hey, Spike! What's up?"

"Huh? Oh, right! Twilight was wondering if we could borrow you for a little while, Starlight? Got a tough problem in magic that she could use your advice on.

"Magic?" Starlight grinned. "Well, sure!" Then she turned to Rarity, adopting the formal tone again. "If you'll pardon the interruption? A thousand apologies! Duty calls!"

"Well, of course, my dear," Rarity replied. "As you say, duty calls..."

"And me!" Trixie said. "After all, you may need Trixie's inestimable assistance."

"Hey, don't leave me out!" added Moondancer.

The three of them got up and hurried out through the door after Spike. The door swung closed behind them, the bell jingling brightly.

And Rarity was left alone, looking around forlornly at her shop, which suddenly felt a lot larger and emptier.

And just a trifle ordinary...

------------------------------

"Uh, are you gonna be all right up here?" Rainbow Dash asked, "With that heavy armor and all?"

Tempest turned from peering cautiously over the edge of the cloud at the drop below. She eyed the pegasus calmly. "I should be fine, with that cloud-walking spell Twilight and Starlight came up with." Then her gaze narrowed. "And if do I fall through and die, Rainbow," she warned, "I'll just come back to haunt you."

"Heh-heh." Rainbow gulped nervously. There was something about the way the maroon pony said it: that unruffled, deadly certainty. Like there was something she knew that Rainbow didn't.

"Hey, Rainbow," Sunset called, "are we just going to stand here on your front porch, admiring the architecture?"

"Because it is amazing." Twilight added diplomatically. "And it's all made from clouds?"

"Yeah, mostly," Rainbow said. "A few things inside are from down on the ground. Gotta make the place look cool and all. Plus the rainbows are some overstock I scored from the weather factory. But yeah, mostly it's just clouds and good ol' pegasus magic. C'mon inside, lemme give you the grand tour." She proudly flung open the doors and led the group inside.

All except for Twilight. She paused on the steps, looking back at Tempest. "You don't have to be up here, you know. You could wait for us downstairs. I'll be all right with Sunset and the rest looking after me."

"Of course you will," Tempest said. "And I'm still not letting you out of my sight."

Twilight trotted back down the stairs to put a hoof on her shoulder. "What is it, Tempest?"

"I just... don't think I should let my guard down, that's all."

"Tempest, what happened in that other timeline, that wasn't your fault. It was the armor talking. We all know that."

"Do we?" Tempest asked sharply. Then she shrugged. "In any case, I'm up here now. And I don't want to disrupt the tour any further. Let's go."

Twilight gave in, smiling sympathetically. Then she led the way up the stairs and through the doors, into the broad foyer beyond, where Rainbow was already busily showing the others her collection of Wonderbolt memorabilia.

"... and here we have the official statue, based on the official commemorative poster -- over on the wall there, see? -- of Captain Slipstream, the first Wonderbolt to fly wearing the modern, aerodynamic flight suit. The goggles are real by the way. I got 'em as a souvenir at one of their shows. And over here --"

"Well!" Starlight said brightly, hoping to head off a complete auction inventory. "This is quite the place, Dash. And I love the layout. Did you design it yourself?"

"Sure did!" Then Rainbow looked abashed. "Well, to be honest I might've gotten a few ideas from apartments I've seen in Cloudsdale. Like... maybe a lot of ideas..."

"But," asked Twilight, "if you can design and build your own home, out of clouds, you could basically live anywhere, right? Ponyville, Cloudsdale... even Canterlot itself."

"Huh! You wish!" Rainbow grinned. "You know what air-rights run to in the Royal City? Don't even bother! If you have to ask, you can't afford the cab fare."

"So," Tempest asked curtly, "why Ponyville, then?"

Rainbow looked affronted, as if about to launch a snappy come-back. Then in the face of Tempest's unrelenting drill-sergeant glare she fell silent, looking uncomfortable.

"If," Twilight quickly added, "it's not too personal a question?"

"Nah, it's okay. Just something I'm not real proud of. See, when I was at senior flight school, I was a bit of a show-off. I mean come on, I'd already pulled off a sonic rainboom, and in junior flight camp! So I was real full of myself. I ran risks, cut corners, I basically thought I was all that. And well... it got me kicked out of school."

"Really?" Spike said. "Is that even possible, for a pegasus?"

"Yeah," Grubber added. "Like, what can they do? Dock your flight-feathers or somethin'?"

"Ouch." Rainbow winced. "Nah, something a lot worse. I was given an Incomplete on my training hours, which amounts to the same thing. I mean, who in Cloudsdale is going to hire a flyer who hasn't logged the hours? But then word got round that Ponyville wanted to hire a pegasus for weather duty. The pay wasn't great, and it was mostly boring stuff like moving rainclouds so crops get watered. But they were desperate enough to overlook my Incomplete on account of my awesome flying skills." She proudly looped a figure-eight in midair. "So I was able to finish my hours on the job, and graduate officially."

"Good for you, Rainbow!" Twilight said.

"Yeah, but that's not even the best part," Rainbow grinned. "A couple days after I got here, this freak storm kicks up over Ponyville. I mean dark clouds, lightning, hurricane-level winds, the works. In the middle of the night, too! You'd have to be crazy to go flying around in weather like that. Or..." She flexed proudly. "You'd have to be me! I flew right on out there and kicked cloud butt! Got shocked a few times and tossed around a lot, but eventually I had those clouds corralled and headed back over the Everfree where they belonged."

Tempest nodded. "That's one way to deal with a storm."

"Yeah, I'm like that." Rainbow grinned. "I wasn't gonna leave Ponyville hangin'. They even gave me a medal, for bravery and attention to duty and such." Rainbow gestured to a glass case where the medal hung from its lanyard. "So at that point, I realized I had two choices. I could head back to Cloudsdale where I'd have to fight to even get noticed. Or I could stay here, where I was already a local hero. And I figured, who was looking out for me when I needed the hours? Ponyville, that's who! So I moved here and set up house..." She gestured at the Cloudominium all around them. "And I've never regretted it once. Ponyville's my home, for as long as they need me."

"And what's this?" Starlight asked, pointing to a framed photograph on the wall next to the medal. "I didn't know you were into astronomy, Rainbow."

"Oh yeah! That was the really cool thing. Right at the worst part of the storm, when I thought I was going to have to give it up and take shelter? Suddenly, I break through the clouds into the night sky above them... and there's the Moon overhead, and the Stars everywhere. And everything was so quiet and peaceful. It made me realize things weren't so bad. And it's like I got my second wind or something. I dove right back in, got the job done. I'll never forget it. That picture isn't actually that moment. I flew up there the next evening to take the photo, just to have as a reminder."

The ponies all stared at the picture. It showed a brilliantly glowing full Moon, with the Mare shadow on it, and the bright, shining Shepherd Stars visible all around it.

"O-kay," Sunset whispered, staring at it. "Now, there's a thing."

"Yeah," Starlight agreed. "Trixie should be here to see this..."

------------------------------

"Hey there, Trixie!"

Trixie looked up from the table at the Cafe Hay, where she'd been idly making the salt and pepper shakers disappear and reappear. "Oh. Hi, Applejack."

"Why so glum? And where's the other two?" The farm pony looked around. "Starlight and Moondancer? The three of you are usually tighter than my little sister and her two friends."

Trixie shrugged. "Starlight's off helping Twilight run some kind of levitation spell. And Moondancer, she vanished into the Library, saying she wanted to look up something. I think she may have been eaten by a thesaurus."

Plopping her head back on her hooves, the showpony sighed. "And Trixie is, let's be blunt, a little bored. The others may be perfectly happy with a no-frills getaway, here in quiet little Ponyville. But Trixie craves performances, attention, the spotlight on a big stage..."

She jumped up onto the table, spread her forehooves grandly. "Trixie needs, nay, deserves the chance to display her awesome talents to the masses!"

"Wow, really?"

Trixie eyed her, affronted. "You think it's all just an act? A stage persona? Uh uh! This is who Trixie is. Trixie thrives on attention."

"Well then," Applejack said, "I might be able to help ya there. See, I know we've been trying to give you gals some space while you're visiting, but it's really hard explaining that to the young'uns. And some of the kiddos remember them rip-roarin' shows you put on at the Sun Celebration --"

Trixie's ears had pricked up already. "Oooh, do let me guess," she purred, "the little dears have been begging to see more of the awesome spectacle that is the Grrreat... and Powerful... Trrrixie!"

A shower of fireworks arced into the air.

"How d'ya do that?" Applejack asked, impressed. "They seem to come outta nowhere."

"A trivial pyromancy spell," Trixie sniffed. "Though Trixie has added her own polish to it, so to speak."

"Yeah well, anyhoo, the youngsters have been bendin' my ear back somethin' fierce, wondering if ya might be willing to put on another performance?"

Trixie drew herself up proudly. "Trixie never has a problem accommodating an appreciative audience." Then her face fell. "Just one problem: Trixie is travelling a little light this tour. My wagon and all the good props are still parked behind the tower back home. The best I can manage is simple hoof-magic, not the real crowd-pleasers."

"Wayall, you do just fine with hoof-magic," Applejack suggested. "And it don't have to be a real fancy show."

"Are you kidding?" Trixie looked offended. "The Great and Powerful Trixie goes big, or not at all!" She paused, considering it. "I suppose, given some tools and paint I could knock together a few props, enough to perform a few of the more advanced tricks. And there is this new angle with the sawing-in-half-trick that I've been itching to try, given a small-town venue to test it in."

"Any way I can help?" Applejack flexed a fetlock. "I'm a fair hoof with a hammer."

"I was going to ask if you'd mind," Trixie said. Then she eyed Applejack sternly. "Of course, you know the rules for stage assistants."

Applejack nodded. "My lips are sealed. I know when to keep my trap shut. Cross my heart, hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Trixie looked nonplussed. "What the hay does that mean, anyway?"

"I have no idea," Applejack said. "But when Pinkie says it, you can tell she means it. C'mon, the tools and stuff are back at the barn."

Trixie willingly jumped down from the table and trotted alongside her, across the Town Square and then down the winding road out of town, heading for Sweet Apple Acres.

"Heh. Kinda interesting, ain't it?" Applejack said, as they trotted past orchards and whitewashed rail fences.

"Hmmm?"

"The two of us ending up as the Element of Honesty. I mean, with me, it's kinda obvious: I never feel comfortable telling a lie."

"Never?" Trixie asked suspiciously. "Not even once?"

"Wayall... when I was little, maybe. But I learned my lesson the hard way. And for me now, it's the truth or shut up."

"Whereas Trixie is a professional mountebank? A dealer in illusions and deception? Dare I say it, a flat-out fraud?"

"I was gonna say a dang fine magician," Applejack replied, grinning. "But if ya insist..."

"Hmph! Trixie doesn't mind, not in the slightest. Trixie knows who she is. And for me, it's all about illusion -- both creating and debunking it. Seriously, Applejack, you can't really tell truth, in either sense of the phrase, till you learn how to dissemble with aplomb."

"Ya mean lie, real honest-like?"

"In a manner of speaking. For instance, Trixie will have no truck with spoon-benders, psychics, or other charlatans. It's one thing to offer ponies a bit of light diversion in exchange for a cover-charge. It's quite another to fleece them out of their savings, or pretend to powers one doesn't have and turn their worst fears against them..."

She was silent for a moment. "Trixie learned that the hard way..."

Then she brightened up again. "So yes, Trixie is the Element of Honesty. If by honesty we mean knowing the truth for what it is, and being able to keep deception in its place." She flourished a hoof. "On the stage! To amuse, awe, and entertain!"

"Sounds right to me," Applejack agreed.

They soon arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. And Trixie took a moment to just stare around at it all: the large red barn, the rolling hills covered with apple trees. There was a look of pleased wonder on her face. Then she sniffed, with mild disdain.

"You live here, willingly?"

"Yep." Applejack nodded. "There's another kind of honesty, right there: being honest with yourself about where ya feel ya belong. See, when I was little, I thought I wanted to be all polished and citified, like my Aunt and Uncle Orange up in Manehattan. But turns out I was just plum kiddin' myself. This is where I belong: down home, on the farm."

Applejack led the way over to the barn, to the large doors at the end of the building, which were standing open. She went to the large tool closet inside, flung open its doors, and led the way in.

And realized she was suddenly alone.

Turning, she saw Trixie standing in the doorway of the tool closet, staring around at the collection of hammers, saws, wrenches, shovels, rakes, and other implements hanging from pegs and nails on the walls. The showpony's eyes were wide, fascinated. "Wow," she said. "Trixie is impressed. Nay, rendered speechless! And that takes doing -- ask anypony who knows me."

Applejack smirked. "You unicorns carry your tools around with ya, with horn-magic and spells and such. Us earth-ponies haveta keep 'em in the shed. But it comes to the same thing, really." Reaching up a hoof, Applejack snagged a hammer. "Ready to get to work, pardner?"

The showpony ostentatiously swept off her magician's cape and hung it on a convenient peg nearby. "Trixie is always ready to get her hooves dirty."

"Ya got any plans we should work from?" Applejack asked. "Or do we just wing it?"

"Huh!" Removing her hat, Trixie produced a couple of scrolls from it. "Trixie is never without a plan!"

Applejack nodded, and together they set to work.

A couple hours later, Starlight and Moondancer appeared at the barn door and looked in. And saw Applejack and a disheveled, paint-spattered Trixie hanging a false back on a tall, glitter-dusted cabinet.

"Trixie?" Starlight asked, amused.

"So," Trixie said, brushing back a stray lock of her mane. "You two finally showed up, huh?" She scooped up a hammer to pound in some nails. "Care to lend a hoof building some magic-show props? And then maybe help Trixie put on a show for the town's children?"

The two of them looked at each other, grinning. "Count me in!" said Starlight.

"Likewise!" said Moondancer.

------------------------------

"Oooh! Absolutely, Twilight!" said Pinkie Pie. "Ponyville's definitely my home! I mean, I used to live on a rock farm, and that was my home -- bleagh! And then I realized how much I wanted to make ponies laugh and smile, so I moved to Ponyville. And now this is my home. Well to be exact, this is my home right here: Sugarcube Corner! Er, though not quite, since it's really owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cake. But they gave me the room upstairs, so maybe that's my home? Or is home really just a state of mind? And if it is, whose mind is it? Huh? Huh? And if it's my mind, then when I'm away from home, like when I'm out and about making ponies laugh and smile, am I really just out of my mind, like everypony says? Hmm, have to think about that. But not right now, too much to do! 'Scuse me, smells like the cupcakes are ready... cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes!"

The pink pony blasted away into the bakery's kitchen. And left everypony seated at the corner table feeling breathless, just from listening to her.

"Seriously," said Spike. "Does Pinkie even breathe while she's talking? Has anypony noticed that?"

"Must be like when I'm singing one of my songs," said Cheese Sandwich. "I don't even notice pausing for breath until I'm done." He shrugged. "It's probably a party-pony thing."

"I dunno..." Sunset said. "There's a couple lecturers at Celestia's School who seem to have that ability. And take it from me, they are not party ponies."

Twilight and her friends were seated at the large corner table in the bakery's cozy, delicious-smelling showroom. Pinkie had blocked open the window-door next to the table, letting in sunshine and soft breezes from the patio area outside, and also giving them a clear view of the street outside.

Behind the table was a glass-domed display-case loaded with frosted cakes and other confections. Behind that were the floor-to-ceiling shelves running around the room, stocked with hoof-made candies and other treats. Across the room was the sales counter, with its own glass display case of daily specials. Behind it were the swinging doors to the kitchen, still flapping back and forth from Pinkie's high-speed departure.

"Wow..." Twilight rested her chin on her hooves, staring around. "I just love this place. It's like Ponyville in microcosm: so warm and pleasant and comforting, there's no room to feel worried, or sad, or --"

"Glad you like it, Twilight!" said Pinkie. She'd suddenly appeared again right beside Twilight, holding a plate full of colorfully frosted cupcakes.

Tempest jolted, snorting angrily. "Look, will you four-hoofed jumping beans wear a bell or something, so I can keep track of where you are?"

"Of course not, silly!" Pinkie grinned at her. "I specialize in surprise parties. How can I throw a surprise party if you know where I am, huh?"

Putting the cupcakes on the table in easy reach, Pinkie sat down and looked at Twilight. "Now, you were asking about what brought me to Ponyville. And the answer is --" She slapped an imaginary buzzer. "BZZT! I dunno!"

"What, really?" Sunset stared at her. "There must be some reason."

"Eh, maybe." Pinkie shrugged. "I've never really thought about it, since I tend to go with the flow anyways. I think maybe it was because there's so many ponies here, all in need of a smile and a laugh and some cake and -- oh, there's so many wonderful things, sometimes I just don't know where to begin with all my party-planning..."

"But Pinkie," Twilight said, trying to keep the pony's pachinko-machine train of thought focused on the present, "there's plenty of villages and towns nearby, like Hoofington, Dodge Junction, Sire's Hollow..."

"All true," Pinkie agreed.

"So what," Sunset asked, "does Ponyville have that none of those other places have?"

Pinkie thought hard about it. For all of three seconds. She shrugged. "Eh, I give up. What do you gals think it is?"

The others considered it. "Friendship, maybe?" Twilight said. "But that can't be the whole answer. Ponies are friendly everywhere, more or less. Why here more than anywhere else?"

"You know, I think better to music," Cheese said. He pulled out his accordion, thought for a moment, then started playing a sprightly melody. To which a surprised Pinkie Pie quickly added words:

Pinkie, ya gotta stand up tall,
Learn to face your fears!
You'll see, they can't hurt you,
Just laugh and make 'em disappear...
HA! HA! HA!

"Hey!" she demanded, "that's my song! Or rather it's my Grand-Pie's song, the one she taught me when I was a filly and scared of the dark. Where did you hear it?"

"From you," Cheese replied. "When I first visited Ponyville, and learned being a party-pony is my calling. That song in particular stuck in my mind."

"Seriously?" Twilight wrinkled her snout. "Of all the songs Pinkie's sung, that's what you're going with?"

"Yeah!" Cheese nodded. "I remember I was walking along the road out of town, late at night, and feeling a bit nervous being by myself. I started playing that song and singing along, and just like that, I wasn't nervous anymore."

"Wow!" Pinkie grinned. "My song really helped?"

"You bet it did." Cheese smiled back. "And it made me realize, if I could make that song work for a shy little colt like I was back then, I could make it work for anypony. It gave me real confidence I was a party pony, that it was all going to work out."

"Neat!"

"Do you remember where were you walking, Cheese?" Twilight asked.

"Let's see... I think it was near Rambling Rock. Yeah, on the hoofpath heading south towards Dodge Junction."

"Which..." Sunset said, "runs right next to..."

"The Everfree Forest!" Twilight completed. "That's what Ponyville's got: it's right next to the Everfree, the darkest, scariest forest in all of Equestria!"

Pinky thought about it. Then shrugged. "Meh, that might be it. But really, I think it's just because the ponies here love parties so much, they're willing to drop everything and start singing and dancing at the drop of a hat. It's like they need to party, for some weird reason."

Then she grinned, and gave Cheese a wink and a nudge. "So... ya like my songs, huh? Well, there's one song of mine that's even better than that. C'mon, I'll teach it to ya!"

Cheese nodded readily, and the two of them got up from the table and hurried out through the front door.

Sunset was looking thoughtful. "First the Apple family and the zap-apple trees," she said. "Then Rainbow, and that freak storm out of the Everfree..."

"... and now Pinkie Pie," Twilight said, "being attracted here because Ponyville is right next to the spookiest forest in Equestria."

"Beginning to see a pattern here," Sunset agreed. "Not sure about Rarity. From what Starlight said, there doesn't seem to be a connection there, unless I'm missing something. But you know," she added, "there's one pony we haven't talked to yet."

"Fluttershy!" said Spike.

"Uh huh. Who lives in a cottage..."

"... right next to the Everfree itself," Twilight said.

"Curiouser and curiouser," Sunset said. "But speaking of Fluttershy, have any of you seen her around lately? I haven't noticed her all day. Not since lunch, anyways."

"She does like to live quietly," Twilight noted. "By herself. Taking care of her animal friends."

"Oh, right." Sunset face-hoofed. "I knew that. I keep forgetting she's not the outgoing type like the rest of us. Well, whaddaya think, Twi? Should we go pay her a visit?"

"Maybe just you and me," Twilight suggested. "So it doesn't feel so much like an invasion."

"Yeah, good idea."

Further conversation was forestalled by a rising din coming from the street outside. Looking out across the patio, the ponies saw a crowd coming up Haymarket Street, dancing and singing with abandon. In their midst were Pinkie and Cheese, riding atop a huge float and singing at the tops of their lungs:

'Cause we just love to make you
Smile... smile... smile! (Yes we do!)
It fills our hearts with sunshine
All the while! (Yes it does!)
'Cause all we really need's
A smile... smile... smile,
From these happy friends of ours!

"C'mon Ponyville!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "We wanna see you SMILE!"

And the crowds all around them erupted in happy cheers.

Sunset leaned closer to yell to Twilight. "You think maybe we should go talk to Fluttershy now? I can hardly hear myself think here!"

"What'd you say?" Twilight yelled back. "I can't even hear myself think right now!"

------------------------------

Things were quieter as Twilight and Sunset -- with Spike, Tempest, and Grubber accompanying them -- approached the moss-thatched cottage on the edge of the village, with its many birdhouses and small furry animals scurrying through the undergrowth. Quiet enough that they could hear pleasant-sounding conversation coming from inside, punctuated by occasional laughter.

Approaching the door, Twilight rapped gently on it. And then stepped back hurriedly as the door was immediately flung open.

Standing in the doorway was Discord, dressed as a maître de. "Ah! More guests!" he cried. "And just in time." He clapped paw and claw together. "Garçon! The family table please."

In a disconcerting flash, Twilight and her friends found themselves whisked into the house and seated at a linen-clothed table, in what looked like a fine dining establishment. Spike found himself seated in a high-chair, with a bib round his neck and a kids menu in his claws. He flung it aside and then crossed his arms in annoyance.

Discord and Fluttershy were already comfortably settled behind the table as well. And Fluttershy looked up in surprise. "Oh! Hello, Twilight. Hi, Sunset. Hey, Spike!"

"You know," Discord added, "we were just saying how pleasant it would be if we had some additional company. How simply delightful of you to show up, right on cue, Your Acting Highness-ship!"

Twilight was not at all sure she liked the self-satisfied grin on the draconequus's face. Then she glanced around worriedly.

"Where's Tempest and Grubber?"

"I assume there's a reason we were left on the doorstep?" Tempest growled, looking in through the open doorway.

Discord shrugged innocently. "You're going to have to do something about that armor if you want me to be able to do anything at all." He snapped his claw by way of example. All it did was make the double-bolt mark on Tempest's mage-armor glow brighter, as the armor absorbed the spell's chaos energy.

Discord gave a wounded sigh. "Sacanas never really did trust me. Such a pity. We could have set the world on fire. Ahem... in a manner of speaking."

Tempest trotted inside, followed closely by Grubber. Then Tempest pointedly shut the door and sat down beside it, scowling darkly in Discord's direction. Grubber glanced uncertainly at the others, then thunked down on the carpet beside her, crossed his paws and did likewise.

To cover his nervousness, Discord grinned at the others. "Would anypony care for refreshments?" At a wave of his paw, the teapot grew legs, trotted over to Twilight, and seemed to peer up at her inquiringly.

"No, thanks," she said. "We really didn't mean to intrude."

"We just dropped by to say hi to Fluttershy," Sunset added to her. "And see how you were doing."

"Hmph! Really?" Discord looked offended. "For a minute there, I thought you were checking up on me. Making certain I'm sticking to my parole? Not going wild with chaos magic and so forth?"

"We honestly had no idea you were here," Twilight said.

"Well, it is Tuesday," said Fluttershy. "And I'm sorry, I guess I lost track of time. We get so caught up in conversation sometimes." She laughed gently. "Discord can be very entertaining."

"Oh, not at all, Fluttershy!" he said. "It's entirely her doing. She can be wonderfully welcoming. Talking with her makes me feel eons younger..."

He suddenly looked sad. "It's just like old times, really..."

Then he abruptly drew himself up. "But we agreed, did we not, Twilight? No more spoilers about what might or might not lie ahead. As if I could even remember most of it..." he added gloomily. Then he gave Twilight a mischievous look. "There was this one particularly good incident... but no, Celestia doesn't have you writing letters to her now, does she? Of course not, you live in Canterlot now. So there's no need to worry about that, is there?"

He smirked tightly, as if barely containing laughter.

"You remember me living here?" Twilight asked cautiously.

Discord glanced at Fluttershy. "I wouldn't be giving anything away if I just said yes, would I?"

"I don't think so."

"Well then, yes, Twilight, I do remember you. Though it's sort of a jumble, just bits and pieces. Every now and then something will strike me as familiar, and I'll remember, just a tiny bit."

"I guess I'm not the only one, then." Twilight stared at Discord, surprised to find she had something in common with the Lord of Chaos.

"So, Fluttershy," Sunset asked, "what do you and Discord talk about?" As she spoke, she helped herself to some of the jam-dot cookies, and passed a few to Spike.

"Well..." Fluttershy considered it. "I talk about my animals, and the funny little things they do. And about things I hear when I visit town to go to the market, or take one of my animals to the vet. And about whatever's on my mind, if there anything that's troubling me."

"And I talk about the craziest idea I've had lately," Discord said. "Like mailing myself to Trottingham... in separate parcels!" He abruptly fell apart into a jumble of horns, limbs, and other pieces. "So that when I get there I can make faces at the palace guard. I mean literally, all of them at once!" Pulling himself together, he mugged insanely. "They're so desperately serious, you know."

Fluttershy giggled. "And somehow, even though we have so little in common, it just works. I'm not much of a conversationalist myself. But when I'm talking with Discord, somehow it's no trouble at all. He's so lively and spontaneous, it helps me to open up and be myself." She smiled up at him. "I feel like he really gets me."

"That sounds wonderful." Sunset smiled at her. "I'm glad for you, Fluttershy."

"See?" Discord scoffed. "I can behave myself, given half a chance. Not that some ponies believe me." He glanced at Twilight doubtfully.

"As long as you're not causing trouble, Discord, I don't have a problem," she said.

"Me neither," Sunset added agreeably.

"You see, Discord?" Fluttershy said. "There's really nothing to be worried about."

"Well, I don't know," Discord retorted. "It's difficult feeling entirely at ease around ponies who get to decide if I've been good enough lately to avoid prison-time." He was suddenly wearing a striped jersey and pouting at them through a set of bars he was holding in front of his face. "One's judge, jury, and... executioner, maybe?" He glanced cautiously in Tempest's direction.

"Don't take it personally," Sunset said. "She's like that with everypony."

"I'm not sure about that," Discord muttered. "She keeps giving me this look, like all she needs is an excuse..."

"Discord." Fluttershy put a hoof on his eagle claw. "We're friends now. And if it takes a while for us all to be truly comfortable together, we should just be patient and allow time for things to work out."

The draconequus seemed about to complain further. Then he patted her hoof with his lion paw. "Anything for you, my dear."

He looked at Twilight. "Truce?"

Despite herself, Twilight nodded. "Truce."

"Truce," Sunset agreed. "What about you, Tempest?"

"I'll think about it," she muttered.

Sunset shrugged. "Have to do, I guess."

"I suppose so," Discord said.

"What about you, Sunset?" Fluttershy asked. "What do you all talk about, when you're gathered around that big table back at the tower in Canterlot?"

"Oh, not all that much," Sunset said, shrugging. "We tend to be busy on individual projects. What I do mostly is help everypony keep busy. By which I mean, the happy kind of busy," she added, seeing the concerned look on Fluttershy's face. "You know like, in the zone? When you're really focused on something and know just what to do next, so it doesn't feel like work at all?"

She nodded. "I know just what you mean. Like when I'm working in my garden and I see some plant or other than needs pruning, and think, oh, that's what I should do next."

"Exactly!" Sunset nodded. "If anypony's stuck and needs a nudge to get them going, or just needs an understanding ear to talk something out, I do that. Otherwise, I just stay out of the way and let everypony get on with things."

"That sounds really nice of you." Fluttershy smiled. "They're lucky they have a friend like you looking out for them."

"Hey, everything I know I learned from Twilight here." Sunset lightly punched her shoulder with a hoof. "Between the two of us, we keep the group chugging along."

"It's a team effort," Twilight allowed, though she smiled as she said it. "Oh, by the way, Fluttershy, there was one thing we did want to ask. How did you come to be living in this cottage, way out here on the edge of town? I mean, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, I don't mind," Fluttershy said. "It was mostly because I needed someplace quiet to look after my dear little animal friends." So saying, she held up her pet bunny, Angel. Who promptly made a rude face. "I looked around, but there didn't seem to be anyplace available. Particularly because, well, I didn't have a lot of bits to spare. But then I came across this cottage. It was all boarded up and abandoned, probably because it was so close to the Everfree. And there were stories about it. Ponies who lived here kept moving away, claiming it was... haunted..." She glanced around, wide-eyed and mysterious. Then she smiled. "But all it needed was a little cleaning up, a little love and attention. My animals helped with that, so I turned it into a nice little sanctuary for all of us."

Sunset nodded. "I did notice all the birdhouses outside."

"And there's burrows for the ground-dwellers," Fluttershy said. "Like chipmunks and ferrets. Plus holes in the trees for the squirrels. And I try to keep just enough natural cover around for the ducks and other animals who wander by. So there's a place for everycreature. Even me," she added with a sheepish smile. "And for Discord, of course, whenever he pops by for a visit."

"It must take a lot of work," Twilight said, "keeping it looking so tidy and natural-looking."

"Oh, yes," Fluttershy said. "Even now, there's something to do practically every day. Something to pull, or prune, or trim back." She laughed softly. "Honestly, sometimes I think this place would just turn into a jungle without me..."

The group chatted on for a while longer, though as usual Discord tended to hog the conversation -- mostly talking about himself. Given the contented smile on Fluttershy's face, the other ponies held their peace and didn't interrupt him.

"Well," Sunset said at last, "we should let the two of you finish your tea. We didn't mean to intrude, Fluttershy. Myself, I just kinda wanted to compare notes. You know, one Element of Kindness to another?"

"Oh, it's not a bother," Fluttershy replied. "In fact, if I'd known you wanted to chat, Sunset, I'd have stayed in town myself so I'd be there for you."

"Nah, I wouldn't want you to do that." Sunset waved a hoof. "I know how much you like the peace and comfort of home."

"Well... it's very nice of you to see it that way."

"Hey, no biggie." Sunset waved a hoof.

Discord looked from one of them to the other, then leaned towards Twilight. "You know one of us should really take one of them away," he stage-whispered, "or they'll be at this all afternoon!"

Twilight stifled a laugh. "C'mon, Sunset," she said. "We'll be getting together for dinner. We can chat more then."

"Sure thing." Sunset got up from the table, and helped Spike down from the high-chair. "See you then, Fluttershy!"

"Absolutely, Sunset."

"You know, ladies," Discord said, holding up his claw. "I could give you a lift back to town. With certain exceptions, of course... like the Element of Disapproval over there." He frowned at Tempest.

Twilight shook her head. "We'll walk back. It's way too nice a day outside to want to miss any of it."

"Who are you?" Spike asked half-seriously, as together they all trotted out through the front door.

Fluttershy giggled, watching them leave. Then she looked at Discord.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmmm? Oh, nothing." He was scratching his antler, pensively. Then he suddenly slapped a knee. "Of course! That was it! I'm so sorry, my dear. I just recalled something I've neglected to take care of. Er, back home I mean. I really should go see to it or it'll just slip my mind again. If that's all right?"

"Of course! See you later for dinner?"

"Your place or mine? Oh, right, you mean with the gang, at Pinky Pie's All-You-Can-Scream Cafe. Ah, well," he sighed, smiling. "It'll be worth it just to see you again. 'Til later, m'dear!"

With a snap of his claw, Discord cleaned up the dishes and restored the cottage's interior back to its original, comfortably homey style. And then he vanished in a flash of chaos magic...

... all except his lion paw, which flopped around on the table briefly, then lifted up and seemed to peer around worriedly.

Discord reappeared, grabbed it, and stuck it back on. "Goodness me! In such a hurry, I'll forget my own head next. Bye now!"

He disappeared again.

Fluttershy giggled softly. And then she got up and headed outside through the kitchen, to check on her small garden patch out back.

A few minutes later, while trying to deal with a particularly stubborn dandelion, Fluttershy happened to glance up at the green, vine-wreathed wall of the Everfree Forest across the meadow. And saw Discord walking towards it. Walking, not snapping his claw and teleporting to where he wanted to go, like usual.

The draconequus paused and glanced about. Then he shoved aside some branches covering a small hoof-path and strolled onward into the forest, with exaggerated casualness.

Shrugging, Fluttershy got on with her gardening. She had no idea what Discord was doing, but she was sure she could trust him. If he said he was taking care of something, then he was.

"Now where did I put that root puller?" she asked herself. And then went over to the toolshed to look for it.