Anthem was in the middle of visiting Winter in Mihaymi. As happy as she was to see him (as always), Anthem couldn't help noticing a melancholic air around his marefriend.
"Is everything okay, Wint?" He asked. "You're looking kinda... down."
"Oh, it's nothing." Winter told him.
"Come on, you can tell me." Anthem urged.
"Well, it's just..." Winter sighed. "Don't get me wrong, Ant. The Crystal Empire is awesome, and I love being there with you, but I know there's more to Equestria. I'd really like to see some of it."
"Then why don't you?" Anthem smiled. "I've been to a lot of places myself. I could show you around."
"Really?" Winter gasped.
"For you, anything." Anthem nodded. "Just say the word, and we're off."
"Thank you, Anthem." Winter hugged him. "You're the best coltfriend ever."
"I know." Anthem sniggered. "So, where do you want to go?"
"Oh, uh..." Winter pondered. "There's a lot of places to choose from... Maybe I should try something small, not too flashy, but still a good place to visit."
"If you're open to suggestions, then how about... Ponyville?" Anthem offered.
"Ponyville?" Winter asked. "That's where your aunt Twilight lives, right?"
"Sure is." Anthem nodded. "It's also one of the nicest, friendliest towns around. I used to visit it all the time when I was a kid, so I know it pretty well. I'd make a pretty good tour guide."
"That settles it." Winter nodded. "Ponyville, here we come! I'll use the money I had for my next trip to the Crystal Empire."
"And I'll take the carriage." Anthem nodded. "Let me know when you're ready to go. We'll meet up at the train station. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great." Winter kissed him.
A short time after returning to the Crystal Empire, Anthem received a letter from Winter telling him she was ready. After writing to confirm he was ready too, Anthem packed some essentials, and departed the next morning, stopping only to say goodbye to his parents and sister.
The two Pegasus guards brought him to Ponyville train station. Not long after, the train from Mihaymi pulled into the station, and Winter emerged.
"Welcome, lovely lady, to your tour of Ponyville." Anthem announced.
"Lead the way, Mr. handsome tour guide." Winter purred.
They walked out of the train station, and moved on to Ponyville.
"What a quaint little place." Winter smiled.
"It is, isn't it?" Anthem nodded. "It's not all hustle and bustle, like Canterlot, or Manehatten, just a quiet town with regular, level-headed ponies."
"COMIN' THROUGH!"
Suddenly, two multicolored streaks rushed past them.
"What was that?" Winter gasped.
"More like who." Anthem frowned.
The two streaks stopped, revealing them to be Pegasi ponies.
"Rainbow Flash and Thunder Storm." Anthem sighed.
"Hey, Ant." Rainbow Flash waved.
"Long time, no see." Thunder Storm smirked cheekily.
"Hi, guys." Anthem said humorlessly.
"Who's your friend?" Rainbow asked.
"S'cute." Thunder declared, earning him an elbow from Rainbow.
"This is my marefriend, Winter." Anthem introduced them.
"Hi." Winter smiled. "Nice speed back there."
"Thanks." Rainbow grinned. "But that was just a warm-up."
"Yeah." Thunder snorted. "You should see us when we're trying."
A loud whistle blew from up above. It was Rainbow Dash.
"Come on, slackers!" She called. "You wanna be the top fliers in Equestria, then you gotta practice! No time for chit-chat!"
"Coming, mom!" The twins called as they took off.
"'Regular, level-headed ponies', huh?" Winter smirked at Anthem.
"...Mostly." Anthem shrugged.
They continued their tour. They passed by Fun n' Puns, where Purple Punch was performing her regular comedy routine, a number of ponies overcome with laughter.
"Hey, Purple." Anthem smiled. "Still got it, I see."
"Anthem!" Purple smiled. "How ya doin'?" She turned to Winter. "And who's this?"
"I'm Winter." Winter declared.
"Winter?" Purple declared. "That's a cool name, isn't it?"
"You're funny!" Winter giggled.
"Funniest pony in town." Purple nodded. "Guaranteed." She held up a plush version of the word "guaranteed". "But hey, don't take my word for it!"
Both Anthem and Winter chuckled.
"Still got it, alright." Purple said proudly.
After enjoying some more of Purple's show, they continued their tour. They crossed paths with Dusk and Dazzle, who were walking with their three-year old son, Sparkling Night. Sparkling had his maternal grandfather's blue coat and a black mane, with golden eyes.
"Hey, Ant." Dusk grinned. "How's my favorite cousin?"
"Better not let Twyla hear that." Anthem joked as he clapped hooves with Anthem. He then turned to Sparkling. "And how's my little buddy?"
"I'm great, Ant!" Sparkling smiled.
"There's somepony I'd like you to meet." Anthem declared. "This is my marefriend, Winter."
"Pleased to meet you." Winter smiled.
Sparkling looked away bashfully.
"Don't be rude, honey." Dazzle told him. "Say 'hello'."
"H-hello." Sparkling muttered, barely audible.
"He's a little shy around new ponies." Dusk told Winter. "Give him time, he'll warm up to you."
"That's okay." Winter said fairly. "I can wait."
"We were about to head other to Twilight's castle." Dazzle told them. "Come by later, if you can."
"Oh, don't worry." Anthem smiled. "We're hitting every stop."
"Speaking of which, we'd better get moving." Winter urged. "See you soon."
Dusk and Dazzle waved as Anthem and Winter moved on, while Sparkling looked away sheepishly.
As they continued their tour, Anthem and Winter briefly saw Mayor Mare and her husband Murray cutting the ribbon to the newly refurbished theater.
"Good morning, prince Anthem!" May waved.
"How's it going?" Murray smiled.
"Pretty good, thanks!" Anthem grinned.
"Who are they?" Winter asked.
"That's Mayor May R. Mare and her husband/bodyguard, Murray Napoleon." Anthem explained.
"No kidding?" Winter smiled. "Look at you, all chummy with politicians."
As they continued walking, Winter's stomach started growling.
"Know any place a girl could get a snack, Mr. Tour guide?" She asked Anthem.
"Without a doubt." Winter nodded. "Right this way."
Winter led Winter to Sugarcube Corner, which currently co-owned by Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake, and Pound's wife, Cream Puff (Carrot and Cup had retired a couple of years back, handing down to them the reins of business).
"Hey, Ant!" Pound looked up from the dough he was beating. "Good to see you!"
"Same here." Anthem nodded. "Think you can set me and my marefriend Winter here up with a pair of classic Sugarcube Corner cupcakes?"
"Make it three." Winter added. "I'd like to have one for later."
"Coming right up." Pumpkin smiled, having just tasted the fresh icing. "And take it from me, you're in for a treat!"
While Pumpkin fetched the cupcakes, Cream Puff took their money.
"Hey there, Ant." She grinned.
"Is everypony in this town friends with you?" Winter asked Anthem incredulously.
"More or less." Anthem shrugged.
"Finally got a marefriend, huh?" Cream Puff noted. "Good for you."
"Speaking of which, how are you and Pound doing?" Anthem asked. "Still going strong?"
"Oh, yeah." Cream Puff said fondly. "I love that big goof."
"Feeling the love, babe." Pound grinned. "I'd hug ya, but my hooves are covered in dough."
"And who says that's a bad thing?" Cream Puff chuckled.
After receiving their cupcakes, Anthem and Winter took a moment to sit down and enjoy them.
"Mmm, just as tasty as ever." Anthem declared.
"You were expecting anything less?" Pumpkin smiled.
"Delicious!" Winter appraised.
"Thanks." Pound chuckled. "We do try."
After finishing their cupcakes, Anthem and Winter took a moment to relax in the park. This moment was interrupted when Vinyl Scratch and Slot Napoleon walked.
"I'm telling ya, babe, I've got your next #1 right here!" Slot declared. "It goes a little something like this:"
May I have your attention please?
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Slim Shoedy please stand up?
I repeat, will the real Slim Shoedy please stand up?
We're gonna have a problem here..
"You're darn right we're gonna have a problem." Vinyl interrupted. "There already is a real Slim Shoedy, and he's got that song copyrighted."
"Well then, we could just off the real Slim Shoedy." Slot suggested. "All his songs sound like me ranting, anyway. Really ticks me off."
"What?!" Anthem and Winter turned their way in alarm.
"He's just kidding." Vinyl assured them.
"I am?" Slot gaped.
"Yes, you are." Vinyl hissed.
"Oh, yeah, sure..." Slot chuckled awkwardly. "That's me: One big ol' kidder."
Anthem and Winter left the park shortly after, more then a little disturbed.
Their next stop was a visit to Sweet Apple Acres.
"That's a lot of apples." Winter remarked, gazing at the hundreds of apple trees.
"I know." Anthem grinned.
Crab Apple was busy bucking apples when Anthem and Winter found him.
"Hey, pardner." He said brusquely. "How's tricks?"
"Not too bad." Anthem smiled. "This is Winter, by the way."
"Hello." Winter waved.
"Howdy." Crab nodded.
"So... you really harvest all these apples by yourself?" Winter asked.
"Not exactly." Crab pointed out yonder, where Applejack and Big McIntosh were also bucking trees. "It's a family thing."
Speaking of family, Crab's fiancée Honeysuckle came by.
"Hello, Anthem." She waved.
"Hey, Honeysuckle." Anthem smiled.
"I'm Winter, by the way." Winter added.
"What are you doing out here, Hon?" Crab asked.
"Did you forget?" Honeysuckle asked. "You're supposed to be taking me on a picnic, mister. Or did you forget?"
"Oh, right." Crab gulped. "But the apples-"
"Can wait." Honeysuckle said firmly. "For a few hours at least."
"Yes, dear." Crab nodded obediently.
Anthem and Winter snickered.
"Somethin' funny?" He glared.
"Not at all." Anthem snorted.
"Search me." Winter sniggered.
As they returned to Ponyville, Anthem and Winter found Salt Napoleon leading a group of stallions across town. He had taken it upon himself to train the stallions of Ponyville in the art of boxing, and they were currently engaged in a jog across town.
"That's it, boys!" He smiled. "Just three more miles, and we can break for lunch. Seeing as how you've all done so good today, I might even make it a fifteen minute break!"
The stallions groaned.
"Maybe he's pushing us to exhaustion so that nurse wife of his can get more business." One wheezed.
"Wouldn't put it past him." Another said breathlessly.
Anthem and Winter stopped off at Carousel Boutique, where Rarity was happy to provide Winter with a fancy new blue and white dress (With Anthem paying).
"You look fabulous, darling!" She declared, as Winter posed.
"That's an understatement." Anthem smiled.
"I'll take it." Winter grinned. "Thanks a lot, miss Rarity."
"My pleasure." Rarity beamed.
As Anthem and Winter made their way through town, they walked by Grimoire, who was writing a chapter for his memoirs.
"On my eighth birthday, I received a pair of brass hooves from my uncle Brutality." Grimoire said out loud as he wrote. "To be honest, I was hoping for a puppy..."
Winter gave Anthem a quizzical look. Anthem replied with a shrug, and they moved on.
"Little did I know those brass hooves would come in useful when I faced off against the school bully, Mustang." Grimoire continued. "I broke his muzzle in three places. Definitely one of my more memorable birthday presents..."
Their final stop was the castle, where Twilight was waiting for them.
"Dusk told me you'd come." She smiled. "Nice to meet you, Winter. I've heard so much about you."
"You have?" Anthem gaped. "From who?"
"Cadance, of course." Twilight smiled. "She told me all about you two."
"Aw, mom..." Anthem groaned.
"Guess there's a downside to your mom being the princess of love..." Winter chuckled.
They entered the castle together.
"Whoa, this place looks even more awesome on the inside." Winter gasped in awe.
"Hey, where are Flash, Spike and Starlight?" Anthem asked.
"Spike's gone over to Canterlot on business, and Flash and Starlight are visiting Flash's parents." Twilight explained.
In the study were Dusk, Dazzle and Sparkling.
"Hi, Sparkling." Winter told the still-shy colt. "I have something for you."
Winter produced her extra cupcake.
"Yummy!" Sparkling stepped forward and took the cupcake.
"What do you say, Sparkling?" Dazzle asked.
"Thank you." Sparkling smiled, briefly nuzzling Winter's leg.
"You're very welcome." Winter beamed.
Sparkling devoured the cupcake in seconds.
"He has your appetite, dear." Dazzle lightly chided Dusk.
Anthem and Winter spent some more time at the castle, seeing it's throne room and library. To Winter's delight, Sparkling warmed up to her considerably after the cupcake incident, even asking her to play hide and seek with him. Eventually, Anthem and Winter returned to the train station.
"So, was it good as you thought it'd be?" Anthem asked.
"Better." Winter grinned. "Mostly because I had the best, most handsome tour guide around."
"Happy to help." Anthem "If you have need of my services again, you have only to ask."
"I'll keep that in mind." Winter planted another kiss on him, just before her train arrived. "'Til next time."
As Winter boarded the train, Anthem climbed into his carriage. They both reflected on their fun day out, and were already looking forward to their next day trip.