“Ah. Canterlot is amazing, but there’s no place like Ponyville, is there?” Rarity said, taking a sip of tea.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Twilight replied.
They were back where they started, sitting inside Twilight’s library and drinking tea. A couple weeks had passed since they had come back from Canterlot, and the news of Money Bags’ arrest and incoming trial had taken Equestria by storm. Everypony was talking about it—and of course, the fact that the Elements of Harmony had been the ones taking care of it put him in the Evil Monsters Gallery, right next to Chrysalis and Discord.
“A shame we need to go to Canterlot again so soon,” Twilight said, sipping her tea. “They can’t convict Money Bags without us.”
“And speaking of Canterlot—Did Princess Celestia ever reply to your letter?” Rarity said, resting her elbows on the table and eyeing Twilight. “You never told us.”
“Oh, of course she did. Very quickly, in fact.” Twilight chuckled. “She thanked us for the service we’ve done for Equestria, and said she’s going to make sure Money Bags Enterprises is in good hooves.” She sighed. “She also asked me to read a little bit of economic theory, because I might end up with the job.”
“What?” Rarity frowned. “Really?”
“Right now, with Money Bags out, the one in control of all the banks and the casino is Money Bags’ big sister.”
“He has a sister?”
“Yeah.” Twilight shrugged. “She wants to sell, though. And Fancy Pants and my family are more or less the only ones who can buy it. Celestia is going to talk with Fancy Pants, and depending on how it goes…”
“But you don’t want any of that, right?” Spike asked. He was also sitting at the table, chewing an emerald. “You told me it would be a hassle.”
“I would certainly be relieved if Fancy Pants took the offer instead, yes.” Twilight sighed and took a sip of tea. “But we’re the ones who took him down, so it’s our responsibility.”
“We’re all dealing with the consequences, aren’t we?” Rarity said, tapping her hoof on the table.
Twilight frowned. “Is Rainbow running late?”
“What?”
“Oh. No, nothing.” Twilight shook her head. “What were you saying?”
“Well…” Rarity shrugged. “Fluttershy suddenly has an army of bodybuilders at her disposal. And she keeps saying she returned all that money, but I don’t remember her cottage’s door being made of pure gold.”
“It was made of diamonds at first,” Spike said. “But I ate it on accident.”
“Dash and Applejack now know the taste of blood, and I can’t look at them in the eye without feeling a chill run down my back.” Rarity shivered. “I had a nightmare about it the other day, in fact.”
“Oh, yeah.” Twilight took a sip of her tea. “Celestia mentioned that in her letter.”
“She did?”
“Apparently Luna is seeing a therapist now. She has panic attacks every time she sees a guitar and nobleponies dancing rock ’n roll.” Twilight frowned. “Apparently, that’s far more common a sight than you’d imagine. And Spike still feels the aftermath of all the ice-cream he ate.”
“Absolutely worth it,” Spike muttered.
“Also,” Rarity continued, her mouth curled up in a smile, “I’m glad to say that our little gig did wonders for Carousel Boutique! Half of Canterlot is buying my clothes! I haven’t been this busy in ages!”
“You’re busy?” Spike asked, arching an eyebrow. “Then how come you’re here, drinking tea with us? Shouldn’t you be working?”
Silence.
Rarity avoided their gazes. “Well. Um. I, uh, I can explain that…”
“You know, Rarity,” Twilight said, smiling a little, “I’m sorry to say this, but I kind of see now why your business is such a fail—”
BLAM!
Rarity, Spike, and Twilight jumped in surprise and turned around. Standing by the door—which had been locked, of course—was Pinkie Pie, with a smile as bright as a bunch of pearls in front of a house on fire.
“Twilight!” she said. “We’re overthrowing the government!”