(A/N: This chapter skips around a bit, so I separated the paragraphs that have a stretch of time in between them with an asterisk. This chapter also moves quite fast, but after this one it should slow down back to its original pace. It also ended up being a lot longer than expected. I also think it’s a bit tedious, so sorry about that. Please be patient, the real plot is about to start (chapter 5 and I haven’t gotten to the real plot yet, am I J.J. Abrams successor or what?))
“Explain this to me again.” Twilight said, the next morning. Luna and herself sat around a table filled with food the alicorn magic-ed up herself. “Because I didn't follow you last night.”
“It's quite simple my dear.” Luna replied. “I'm throwing a Grand Equestria Fair!”
“No, I got that.” Twilight replied. “I just didn't get how it had anything to do with me or my friends.”
“It's like this,” Luna began. “I'm throwing a massive festival. Officially it is to celebrate rural life and the ponies of Equestria. However, it's also to show off a bit to other nations. You know, celebrate wealth and power and all that. At this festival we're going to show off some of the best things of Equestria, one of those things being fashion.” Twilight's ears brightened. “I'm going to need to put on a fashion show, to proclaim our style to the world. For that...I'm going to need a famous fashion designer.”
“Rarity!” Twilight proclaimed.
“Right! We're also going to need entertain the dignitaries and ponies attending the fair. Since our country's famous for our flying squads, we're going to need a team of fliers to perform stunts for a show.”
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight said, catching on. “But won't the Wonderbolts be angry? They're the top team in Equestria.”
“Twilight, Twilight, Twilight,” Luna said, waving her hoof back and forth. “This is to celebrate the common pony. How is having the most famous showing up the best for them? We're also going to need to display the animals of the kingdom, from big to small...and the fire-breathing.”
“Spike!” Twilight shouted.
“Precisely!” Luna said. “I'm sure you could convince Spike to come, and it's not like I can be turned down by the others, I'm the monarch after all, but do you know the best part?”
“What?”
“I'm going to need to host this in a small town, to showcase the best of what the common pony has to offer our nation...and what is the best small town in all of Equestria?”
“Well,” Twilight began, tapping her hoof on her chin. “In terms of capital GDP, Hoofington has the highest, but mostly for it having many rich pony summer homes. If we're talking about the most diversity I hear Trottingham has large populations from diverse nations, but its economy is rather poor. If you are referring to the one with the largest stores and factories I believe Fillydelphia has a high economic output, but has above-average pollution. If you are, perhaps, shooting for the newest, Appleloosa was founded just a few years ago, but it's only administered by Equestria, and not technically a part of it.” There was a long pause as Luna stared at the unicorn with the blankest look on her face she ever had.
“Ponyville, right!” Luna said, deciding to let that entire analytical exposition go. “So we'll hold a massive fair, bring in all kinds of business and make a lot of money for the entire town!”
“Where?” Twilight asked.
“I don't know that will be up to my planner.” Luna replied with a smile.
“Who?”
“You.”
“Wha?” Twilight's jaw dropped.
“I hear that you are amazing at organizing things.” Luna explained. Her horn glowed and a piece of parchment appeared in front of Twilight's face. “This is a release from Celestia from your studies. She is going to increase your pay to plan this event, and since you know a pony that can provide food, host games and can professionally deal with animals, I think your job will be rather easy.” Twilight's jaw hadn't moved.
“How did you...plan all this?” Twilight asked.
“I had a while to think.” Luna said, with a large smile. “Although I didn't expect Celestia to change the guards for a few years so I could escape, so I thought it would take a long time to implement, funny how life works out. So, when can all this be ready?” Twilight mouth moved, but no words came out. Her brain sizzled for a few minutes..
“Well, I suppose...it would take months. We have to send out notices, receive the tickets, prepare stalls and stands, organize the animals, plan the shows, order the food, find a suitable location...”
“I already issued the notices in all public places. I gave you three months.” Luna said, grinning mischievously.
“Wha...what!?” Twilight shouted.
“Good luck! Oh, you hear that?” Luna leaned towards the door, perking up her ears.
“Hear what?” Twilight asked, stunned. When she listened, she heard endless hooves beating on the ground, their volume growing. It sounded like a stampede!
“That would the paparazzi I called earlier.”
“You did what?” Luna scooted back and stood up, a wide smile on her face.
“This needs national and international attention after all. Let's go meet our captive audience!”
“Huh?” Twilight had been flung a lot of information in a very short amount of time. Now the princess grabbed her by the hoof and was dragging her out of her door. Twilight was instantly mobbed by flash bulbs and questions. She wanted to retreat back into her house, but the princess slammed it shut behind her. Twilight covered her eyes from the incessant light.
“The rumors are correct!” Luna shouted, raising her hoof boldly. All of the reporters began writing endlessly, probably already writing speculations about her words. “I am throwing a celebration for the common ponies of Equestria. I am calling it the Grand Equestrian Fair! It will be a wonderful even, showcasing what is best about Equestria, its ponies!” All of the paparazzi began taking endless pictures again, all asking questions at the same time, sounding like noise. The princess ignored them. “This entire event will be planned and coordinated by one of the common ponies, and my personal friend, Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight blushed red very deeply as the cameras and microphones were pushed into her face. Once again, her mouth hung open, her mouth moving and no words coming out. Fortunately the princess spoke out again. “All in Equestria and any other nation are invited! Now I must depart and allow Twilight Sparkle to get to work. I must go and seek out that which best represents our ponies!” Luna began marching away, the mob of reporters following after her and still asking questions. Twilight was left with a stunned expression and no idea of what just happened.
“What?” She finally asked, staring around the now empty street.
*
Princess Luna trotted for days, making a big splash wherever she went. Her crowd of paparazzi grew as she marched from town to town, showing off and inviting everyone to the Grand Equestrian Fair. She wanted an even bigger crowd however. She wanted everyone in the world to hear this. She actually had many reasons for throwing this huge event. Twilight's friends were part of it, but among other things, this was to show that she was now reformed and kind. There was also the idea of gloating about Equestria's greatness, so that it appeared strong to its surrounding neighbors. Luna also had another reason, one she couldn't share even with Twilight...not yet. More plans had to be laid, more debts to be paid and one final decision to make...a decision that did not belong to Princess Luna. That time had not yet come however.
Luna arrived at Manehattan, her entourage now huge. She stayed in the glitziest hotels, made pompous speeches in town centers and continued to build up this event. She knew Twilight could handle it, but worried how much stress this would put on the unicorn. Luna was trying to keep her busy, so there wouldn't be time to mope.
Luna entered a fashion office. It was in a very rich part of town, in a very fancy building. The reporters streamed in behind her, tripping over themselves in the revolving door. A secretary was sitting at a desk, calmly filing her hooves and painting them. She was wearing far too much makeup and her hair done up in huge curls. She was also oblivious as to who just walked in and didn't look up from the work on her hoof.
“Excuse me,” Luna began. “I'm here to see Rarity if I might.” The reporters behind her muttered and began writing Rarity's name, already speculating again.
“Do you have an appointment?” The secretary asked flatly. The reporters began writing down what she said.
'Do they ever stop?' Luna asked, remembering yesterday when they wrote down what she ate for lunch.
“Well...no.” Luna began, actually pleasantly surprised that someone was smarting off to her.
“Mrs. Rarity is quite busy.” The secretary said, applying hoof polish. “If you have some business with her you can request an appointment and she'll get back to you in a few weeks.”
“A few weeks huh?” The princess asked. “You think you will have found a new job by then?”
“Listen you I...” The receptionist finally lifted her head. Her expression fell and she went quite pale. She gasped in shock. Luna gasped as well, mocking the pony. “P-P-P-P-Princess Luna!?”
“Know any other purple alicorns?” The princess asked.
“Uh...uh...” The receptionist jumped up, spilling hoof polish everywhere. “I'm...I'm so sorry your majesty...I...”
“Just take me to Rarity.”
“Yes! Yes of course!” The receptionist bowed and led the princess to a door. The alicorn followed her through it, the paparazzi streaming behind, and taking pictures like mad. After weaving past a few offices of the various designers they arrived at two large doors. The receptionist opened them both and bowed to the princess. The alicorn proceeded through and apparently arrived at fashion central.
It was a massive white room, filled with mannequin ponies and tarp-covered sections. The tarp separated areas had endless flashing emanating from them. Because of all this, the paparazzi mob wasn't even noticed when they entered. Luna scanned the room. There were a lot of ponies moving back and forth. Quite a few of them were apparent grunts, scurrying around bringing cameras, coffees and articles of clothing. A few fancily-dressed ones were walking to and fro from the mannequins, pinning clothes to them and yelling at the workers bringing them things, as if the problems with the clothes were their fault. In this sea of ponies Luna didn't spot the one she sought. Perhaps Rarity was on a break or something?
Then one of the quartered off areas fluttered open. The princess saw that behind them were elevated platforms, various backgrounds and a circle of cameras. That was apparently where ponies went to model the clothes being prepared. A white unicorn with curly, purple hair strode out. She was wearing perhaps the gaudiest dress the Princess ever saw. It had layers upon layers of frill and lace, all covered with gems. There was a massive feathered had and even a gem-encrusted cap for her unicorn horn. The royal pony wondered how she could even walk under the weight of all of that fabric.
“No! No! No!” Rarity shouted. “It's wrong! It's all wrong!” She marched over to a line of mannequins, each one of them with apparently a different variation of the dress. “There's something missing!” Rarity turned to another pony standing around them. “What do you think, Hoity dear?” A male earth pony with light gray hair that came down into a ponytail (A/N: PUN!), sunglasses and a sharp suit trotted forward, gazing around.
“Well darling,” He said with a rather smug accent. “Perhaps the gems are throwing off the colors of the dress. They do tend to reflect the flash bulbs.”
“The gems are the point of the dress.” Rarity retorted.
“Now honey, I know you love gems, it is your cutie mark, but they don't always go with a dress.” Rarity slumped, apparently not wanting to agree with that assessment. Luna approached and stood beside Rarity, who still had not noticed a thing.
“Maybe there are too many layers.” Luna said. “I mean that thing makes you look huge.”
“It's difficult to walk in,” Rarity said without even looking at who was speaking. “but this is the style nowadays. Ponies want things that resemble the classical era, this whole “neoclassicism” movement.”
“That...is not how they dressed.” Luna said quite definitely.
“Now how would you possibly know...” Rarity finally turned to look. She instantly gasped and put her hoof over her mouth.
“Oh I'm sorry, did you not know it was me?” Luna asked, slightly sarcastically.
“Princess Luna!” Rarity shrieked. Every head in the room turned to look at them.
“Oh my!” Rarity's husband exclaimed. Ponies came rushing out of the tarp-covered sections and from their respective places. They swarmed around the princess, eager to see why she was there. Luna turned to the paparazzi and assumed a bold pose. They recognized this as her speech position. They all raised their cameras and notepads, already snapping pictures and speculating.
“Have all of you heard of the fair I am hosting?” The princess asked the fashion crowd. A few of them nodded and agreed. She turned to Rarity, whose mouth hung open. “This fair is meant to showcase that which is best about Equestria, its ponies! One important aspect of the ponies...is fashion! I want to look my best for this prestigious event. Therefore, I came to see my favorite fashion designer to purchase a new dress.” Rarity's jaw dropped further. Her husband stood beside her.
“Listen to that darling.” He remarked. “I told you we'd make a splash when we got married, didn't I?”
“In fact!” Luna proclaimed. “I am going to hold a fashion show during the event, to show ponies the world over how glamorous Equestrian fashion can be! I can think of no better pony to do this than my favorite designer, Rarity!” Rarity's mouth was wide open, a gaping smile across it. Hearing that she was a royal's favorite, would make a dress for her to wear at an international event and showcase her fashion to ponies the world over left her stunned. Her husband nudged her.
“Darling, say something.” Her husband said.
“WahaHAha!” She laughed abruptly, all of the happiness finally hitting her. It was the strangest one Luna had ever heard, and she had spoken to mules before. After Luna made sure that it was a laugh and not some sort of fit, she resumed speaking.
“I'll take that as a yes.” Luna said.
“Of course your majesty!” Rarity finally shouted. “I would be honored!”
“Good!” Luna said. She turned to paparazzi, making sure they were watching.
'Time to spring the trap.' She thought.
“I look forward to all these things three months from now...in Ponyville.” Rarity's face dropped. Her husband spoke for her, however.
“Well I, Hoity Toity, can promise that we will display our best fashions for all to see!” He announced.
“W-Wait!” Rarity tried to say.
“Report it to the world!” Luna cried, a wide smile on her face. “Fashion designer Rarity, of this company, will design my dress and show off her best fashions at the Grand Equestrian Fair in Ponyville, three months from now, to represent our entire nation!” All of the other fashionistas began clopping on the ground. The paparazzi rained down flashbulbs and questions. Luna grabbed Rarity and brought her in close, so that they could be photographed together. Rarity smiled nervously as her picture was repeatedly taken with the princess.
“Are you doing this on purpose?” Rarity asked quietly, through her smiling teeth.
“Maybe...” Luna replied through her own teeth. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.”
“I can't go back there.” Rarity retorted, her expression unchanged.
“Go ahead, let down the princess, your husband, your fashion company and your nation that will certainly look good in the papers.” Rarity made an odd noise, similar to somepony gurgling mouthwash. “I'm the monarch; I can do what I want.” The princess released Rarity. “I expect some early proofs when I return!” Luna now spoke loudly, so the press could hear her. “I'll leave you all to your work! Farewell!” She waved a hoof in the air and began marching out, the legions of reporters following her.
Luna dismissed the paparazzi, which they didn't obey. She merely stating that this was a courtesy and slammed her hotel door shut. She bought the penthouse suite. It was four rooms and cost a ton of bits in Manehattan, but she was here to show off. The main room was the size of a regular living room, and filled with sofas around a fire. She sat down on a sofa and sighed. At least that was done. Acting like a jackass and smiling like a politician for days on end rubbed on her last nerve. The constant flashes of light and barrage of questions also weren't helping. She still needed them however, and the bigger splash she made the more paparazzi would swarm around her. She needed this Grand Equestrian Fair to be huge, bigger than anypony could imagine. With so many ponies in one place, many things could be done in the dark... Those were things to be dealt with later.
Luna stood again and walked over to the wall beside the door. There was a string there that would ring a bell downstairs, signaling that she wanted something. The princess pulled it several times and waited. It took quite a while, considering she on the top floor. There was finally a knock at the door. When she opened it a pony dressed in a uniform was standing outside, huffing and puffing.
“What can...I...do for you...your majesty?” He asked quickly.
“Do you carry the Pony Flier magazine?” She asked.
“Yes ma'am.” The pony replied. “Can I get you the latest issue?”
“Get me that and all the issues you currently still have, I want them all.”
“As you wish your majesty.” The pony stated. He bowed quickly and dashed away, heading for the stairs. Luna closed the door and walked back over the couch. There was a bottle of strawberry fizz on the coffee table, in a bucket of ice. Luna used her magic and poured herself a glass. She sat down on the couch again and began drinking. She needed the magazines as she wasn't entirely sure where her other target, Rainbow Dash, was. She flew for the Fillydelphia Lightning Wings, but probably wasn't currently in the city. Flying squads had three seasons. The first was performance season where they put on aerial acrobatic displays for events and private gatherings. This was where they made the majority of their respective money. The second was competition season, where there would be official league games, both in graded performances and races. The third, and current, season was the training season, where the ponies would go and prepare for the other two. They often didn't train in their patron cities, as there wasn't enough room. Considering that Phillydelphia was known for smokestacks and having quite a lot of pollution, it wasn't a good place to train. Luna would have to sift through the main competition flier magazine in Equestria to find out where the Lightning Wings were training. That could take a while.
There was another knock at the door. Luna placed the glass on the table and began walking over to it, confused. It hadn't been a long enough time to get those magazines. She opened the door and saw yet another uniformed pony, but not the same one.
“Sorry to disturb you your majesty,” The pony said, bowing. “but there is a Mrs. Rarity here to see you. If you will allow her to come see you, please ring the bell, if not I will return downstairs and tell her to leave.” The princess thought for a moment. Did she really want to deal with this can of worms now? Well, it would probably have reared its ugly head up sooner to later. The princess leaned over and pulled the string on the bell several times. “As you wish.” The pony bowed again and began marching back towards the stairs. Luna shut the door. She trotted back over to the table in the room. She then picked up the entire bottle and began swigging it down. When she finally brought it back down she sighed again.
“A monarch's work is never done.”
Several minutes later, there was some very loud and very rapid knocks at the door. Luna growled a bit, hoping she could have rested for just a few moments longer. She trotted over to the door. When she opened it, a very angry unicorn was waiting for her. She was wearing a much simpler dress with a rather modest feather hat.
“Can you make my dress more like that?” Luna asked. “That one you wore today looked annoying to walk in.” Rarity barged her way through, ignoring what the princess said. “Won't you come in?” Luna said sarcastically. The princess shut the door.
“What sort of game are you playing!?” Rarity shrieked.
“Well, I was thinking of doing some crossword puzzles...” Luna replied.
“Why would you throw a fair at Ponyville!?”
“It's to celebrate the common pony. Ponyville is an excellent town for that.”
“Don't give me the PR statement! You trapped me into going back to that town, why!?” Luna lifted her eyebrow. She wondered if she should inform Rarity of what happened to the last person who threw accusations at her.
“Why would you be opposed to going back home?” Luna asked. “Your friends miss you.” Rarity flinched. She gazed at the ground.
“I can't go back.” Her voice had now fallen. “I just can't.”
“Why not?” Luna asked. Rarity seemed reluctant to talk about it, but was also desperate to not go.
“I...I...I left them. I had a choice. Hoity offered me connections, a job at a major fashion company and large contracts to design for celebrities. All I had to do was be his arm candy. I...I picked all of those things over my friends...my home...I...I can't go back. How can I face them now? I have everything I ever wanted here.”
“Except your friends.” Luna interjected.
“I can live with that.”
“That's a lie and you know it.” Rarity lifted her head abruptly. Her regal face had a nasty snarl on it.
“Who are you to tell me what I'm feeling!?” Rarity jumped back a little as, in an instant, the princess was right in her face.
“No one can lie to me.” Luna replied, her tone angry. “If you feel it, so can I.”
“Wh-What!?” Rarity shouted, confused.
“You regretted this decision the moment you got married.” Luna barked. “All you have been able to think about in your spare time are the friends you left behind! You've tried to keep busy, but it's not working as well as it used to! You've worried about your best friends this whole time, and haven't been able to find ones near as good here in Manehattan. You've wondered if they've been happy since you left. I have the answer for you. They haven't. They're miserable!” Rarity stared on, completely shocked. Then she lurched, brought her hoof to her face and began crying. Luna sighed. She hated this power of hers sometimes. Any emotion ponies had and the thoughts that caused them to be were known to her.
“What can I do?” Rarity asked. “I can't go back, not now.”
“You don't have a choice Rarity.” Luna said. “It's not about you. It's about all of you. I think you'll find that what you fear doesn't exist.” Rarity sighed, realizing that Luna wasn't going to back down. The unicorn wiped her eyes.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Rarity asked. Luna walked forward and put her hoof on Rarity's shoulder, in support.
“I'm doing this for you.” Luna stated. She smiled. “You’re worrying over nothing. Everything will work out, you'll see. Now, you better get to work now. You only have three months to prepare a show and make a dress for a royal.” Rarity sighed in defeat. She gazed up at the princess, defiance in her eyes.
“I'm not going to forgive you for tricking me into this.” The unicorn stated.
“I can live with that.” Luna said, chuckling. “I don't think you'll be bad-mouthing me at my funeral.” Rarity didn't think that was very funny.
A few minutes later, after the unicorn left, the door to the room opened. The original uniformed pony had arrived, a large stack of magazines in his hooves.
“I have your magazines your majesty!” He declared.
“Put them on the table.” The princess ordered. She was sitting on the couch again, drinking. The pony instantly obeyed. He trotted over and slammed the magazines down in front of her, bowing. Luna offered a few bits to the pony, who took them gratefully and left the room, bowing the whole way. Luna finished her glass and sat on the edge of the couch. The stack was quite high, and probably contained well over thirty magazines. Luna sighed yet again and put her hoof to her head. This day just kept getting longer.
“This will take a while.” Luna said, reaching for the one on top. It was the latest one published. “She's in a lower division so I'll probably have to search through most of them to...” Luna stopped, staring at the magazine. “...and she's on the front page.” It was hard to confuse Rainbow Dash with somepony else. Her hair was unmistakable. On the cover of the Pony Flier was Rainbow Dash, striking a pose in the air. The headline read “Star Flier Becomes Captain of the Lightning Wings.” “That made my job easier.” Luna used her magic and turned the page to the one designated on the cover for the story.
Apparently, the Fillydelphia Lightning Wings were the rising star in division two, as opposed to the Wonderbolts who were in division four. Which division a flying squad was in depended on how much money they were worth, in filling up seats in stadiums and merchandise, and their winning records against other teams in their division. Those that had won the vast majority of competitions and rake in a lot of money of their respective division several years in a row had the chance to move up a division. By contrast, if a squad lost most of their games and their money flow decreased they could be dropped down.
Luna read that the Lightning Wings had only started a few years ago, but in their second year Rainbow Dash joined them. From then on, they soared through division one and were currently rising through division two. Rainbow Dash's stats caused the entire team's average to be lopsided.
As Luna turned the page she saw an entire spread of the flying squad, with Rainbow Dash in the center. Luna's eyebrows went up. She had seen this team before, only she didn't know it. She had a poster of them up in her room, although it only had representations of the ponies on the team. It had their body, coat and mane, but their faces were blank. It was quite cartoony, but Luna didn't buy it because she actually followed the team. It was their uniform. The princess actually hated the Wonderbolt's jumpsuit. The Lightning Wings wore leather-like jackets, with fluff around the neck and hoofs. The jackets were fake leather as nopony in Equestria had to slaughter animals for their skin, largely due to the fact that the weather was now controlled. The team also wore pants, each one of them a different color and number, so they could be identified in the air. Luna liked the style of the jacket, so she bought the poster.
Luna read on through the meaningless, to her at least, stats and ramblings about competitions. Finally she got to section about what they were doing now. They were training at a flier's camp, located a few miles north of the city. The princess grinned slightly and put down the magazine. This whole magazine adventure she had sent that uniform pony on had been a waste of time. Not only was Rainbow Dash in the latest issue, but they weren't far from Fillydelphia in the first place. Luna sat back onto the couch.
Rainbow Dash would be far harder to get back to Ponyville than Rarity. The pegasus pony had left because of embarrassment and shame. Not only had the pony she loved turned her down, but the whole town had begun talking about her behind her back. If Rainbow Dash heard about the fair and where it would be held then she would find a way out of it. Luna could order her to do it, but even that might not be a sure thing. She would have to employ the same strategy she did with Rarity. The princess would have to trick her into agreeing to fly at the fair without her knowing where it was. Luna had her work cut out for her. It would probably be best if she went to bed early. Fillydelphia was a long walk.
*
It took nearly a week to get to Fillydelphia, which made Luna nervous. She could have just as easily teleported, but she needed the reporters to follow her. The princess made her usual announcement at all the towns she came across. What made her nervous was how fast the news was traveling. Granted, the Lightning Wings were training away from civilization, but it was only a matter of time. Luna considered many times during her long journey of skipping ahead, but the fleet of reporters tailing her had nearly doubled. They clogged the road wherever she went. The princess even spotted a few foreign ones in the crowd. She hoped the news would get to other nations in time.
Luna finally waltzed up to the camp described in the magazine, which actually had a gate. There were high walls around it, with ivy growing halfway up it. The camp itself was quite large, with hoops on huge poles for the fliers to go through and high trees cut into a maze obstacle course. It was situated in a huge field. The facility had apparently been made only a few years ago, likely when the team had been formed. It was evident by the fact that there were rotting stumps still littering the field around the area leftover from when they had been cut. It was important to have a large empty space to compete in so that the ever-growing trees didn't get in the way. There was a large bell beside the gate with a sign over it instructing ponies that this was a private camp and the bell should not be rung unless they had legitimate business or they could face reprisals to the fullest extent of the law.
“That's a bit harsh.” Luna muttered out loud. The reporters behind her muttered and began writing down what she said. The princess closed her mouth. She figured that she would have learned to keep her mouth shut by now. She let slip a few snide comments before. No doubt they would make front page news when these reporters sent their pictures and writings to the publishers. Luna used her magic and banged the bell as loudly as she could.
Then she waited, waited and waited. They were sure taking their sweet time in checking the gate. Meanwhile, the reporters were hovering around the princess, asking her opinion on the long wait and whether she intended to make a new law governing how long ponies were required to wait for somepony to arrive at the gate. Luna could feel a vein pop in her forehead in frustration. These paparazzi were driving her nuts. Every minute of every day they wanted her opinion on every single asinine thing anypony could ever imagine. For her own amusement sometimes she would use her magic and trip a few of them. Since none of the paparazzi wanted to stop, lest they miss something the princess said, they would often trip over each other, causing many of them to fall. Luna called it “reporter bowling.” Once she even managed to make three-fourths of them to fall. She never could make them all do it. There was always a pegasus or two in the crowd.
Finally, somepony began approaching the gate. It was a cook by the look of him. He had that chef’s hat and apron. He didn't appear to be happy to be marching out either. When he could see that the mob of ponies were carrying cameras he snarled.
“Listen here you paparazzi!” He shouted. “We told the last twenty times, no reporters are allowed within the training camp! I swear you leeches are like...” He halted dead in his tracks. He finally saw the purple alicorn at the head, one of her hoofs crossed over her other leg, showing irritation. The cook began shaking. “P-P-P-P-Princess...Luna...”
“Do continue.” Luna said. “I liked the “leeches” part.” The cook gulped, visibly bothered. He bowed from behind the gate and stayed in that position.
“Wh-What can I do for you my lady?” He asked.
“I would like to get a look at my favorite team if you don't mind.” Luna stated. The reporters behind her immediately began writing that down. The princess was glad they were finally going to report on something she wanted them to.
“Of course my lady, of course!” The pony jumped back up. He ran up to the gate and nervously groped with the lock. After several moments of fumbling, he finally had it and the gate swung open.
“Where might they be?” Luna asked as she strode inside.
“At the training fields my lady.” The cook said, bowing again. “This way.” He began leading her towards the elevated hoops and tree mazes.
The camp was quite impressive. The dorms looked a lot more like apartments, and good ones at that. The building itself looked brand new. It was likely built from the added revenue that Rainbow Dash was bringing in. There was also another building beside the dorms that Luna assumed was the cafeteria. She couldn't see much about it, other than it was a white building with an awning to the side where ponies could sit on wooden tables and benches to eat outside. The vast majority of the camp however was made up of the training field. Now that Luna got close, she could see several trails left by pegasus ponies flying around the hoops. One of them had a distinct rainbow one. Luna took a deep breath and prepared herself as they crossed a powdered white line on the ground, indicating the edge of the practice area.
Luna squinted up at the shapes zipping around above her. They were moving quite rapidly and it was hard to make them out. The rainbow one was zipping around a lot faster than the others and without that multicolored trail it would be impossible to tell who she was. Abruptly however, two of the trails collided and two ponies plummeted out of the sky. Two male ponies, one with an gray mane, one with a purple and both in the Lightning Wings uniform, slammed onto the ground, cussing and kicking. They pulled themselves apart and had their faces pressed against one another's, growling.
“Knock it off boys!” Came a female voice. The rainbow trail darted out of the sky and landed right next to them. The rest of the fliers followed suit. Rainbow Dash walked up to the two stallions, a serious expression on her face. “Getting each other injured sure isn't going to help us.”
“He bumped into me, captain!” The gray one growled.
“No, he bumped into me!” The purple one bellowed.
“He messed up!”
“No, he did!”
“You both did!” Rainbow Dash said abruptly. The both flinched and looked insulted. Rainbow Dash turned to the gray one. “Fling, during the triple axle you only turned twice, which threw off your timing.” Fling shrunk back, realizing his mistake. Rainbow Dash turned to the purple one, who was already cringing. “Thunder, during your canopy roll you did the second turn backwards and it threw off your rhythm. Regardless, we need to keep practicing, not determining whose fault an accident is.” The two stallions muttered, with Fling kicking the ground with his hoof in apparent embarrassment.
'She knows what she's doing and she's really good at it.' Luna thought. She trotted up to them. The mob of reporters finally got the attention of one of the other members of squad, the only other female. She was quite small, but had fiery orange hair and an opaque body. When she saw the alicorn approaching she lifted her hooves to her mouth and gasped.
“Princess Luna!” She exclaimed. All of the team members jerked their heads around, shared shocked expressions and then finally bowed as the princess finally stood right in front them.
“At ease.” Luna said, raising her leg. They instantly obeyed, with the peppy redhead still jumping back and forth in excited little jumps. “I hope there isn't any discontent among my favorite team.”
“We're your favorite!?” The redhead shouted.
“Indeed.” Luna said. “I have a poster of you all in my room.” The fiery-haired pony let loose a fan girl squeal and excitedly hopped up and down.
“Ease up Sun Flash.” Rainbow Dash said out of the side of her mouth. “There are cameras here.” The rainbow pony then turned to Luna. “What can we do for you your majesty?”
“Have you heard about the Grand Equestrian Fair I'm throwing?” The princess asked.
“We heard about it.” Rainbow Dash replied. Luna became a little nervous, but the pegasus pony didn't seem shocked or nervous. She may not have heard where it was being held.
“I'm going to showcase what's best about Equestria!” Luna announced, launching into her usual speech. “We must show the world what being a citizen of Equestria is all about. This also includes our sports. I want you, my favorite team, to perform at this grand occasion, to showcase the best our sports have to offer!” The Lightning Wings began talking amongst themselves excitedly. Sun Flash began jumping several feet in the air, screaming like she just met her favorite celebrity. Rainbow Dash stuck her chest out in pride.
'She has no idea!' Luna thought. 'Perfect.'
“I knew royalty would recognize true talent!” Rainbow Dash announced. “We would be honored to perform.”
“Excellent!” Luna grabbed Rainbow Dash by the neck and pulled them together, so they were side-by-side. “Let it go out to all the land, less than three months from now the Fillydelphia Lightning Wings will perform at the Grand Equestrian Fair...in Ponyville.” Luna felt Rainbow Dash instantly go rigid. She could see that the pegasus pony's face went pale and her mouth hung open.
“P-Ponyville?” Rainbow asked, her voice breaking. Luna held the extremely uncomfortable pony, long enough for several pictures to be taken. Luna then released her, allowing her to stumble away, looking terrified. “I...I can't...” Rainbow Dash tried to speak, but Sun Flash, who was positively floored, leaped over and wrapped in a large hug, rubbing their cheeks together. Luna cocked her eyebrow. The emotions pouring out of the peppy pony were quite...intimate. Perhaps Rainbow Dash had moved on since Ponyville. There were one too many ponies present to focus very much, plus Luna was trying to avoid prying into other pony's minds unless she had to.
“I expect all of you to be there!” Luna announced. “Why, if one of you, say the star of the team, were to not show up, I would just...” The princess's eyes met Rainbow Dash's. “...have to get some other team.” Rainbow Dash went pale yet again. She was trapped into doing this.
“Don't worry!” Sun Flash shouted. “We'll all be there!” Rainbow Dash gave her a stunned expression. She was apparently trying to speak, but only whining noises came out.
“I'm counting on all of you!” Luna said. “Get to practicing!” All of the ponies bowed and took off, except Rainbow Dash. She was still as a statue, her face full of fear. The princess winked at her. “You better get to work Rainbow. You don't want to disappoint them.” Rainbow's jaw finally snapped shut. The alicorn could see anger boiling in her eyes. Luna turned back to the paparazzi.
“This concludes our Grand Equestrian Fair tour! You've all been great! I am now going to retire before heading back to Ponyville to prepare for our grand event. So uh...get lost.” The reporters closed in, all of them intent on asking a final question, before she walked away. Princess Luna had prepared for this however. Her horn glowed and in a bright flash, she disappeared. The reporters began staring around, as if expecting her to materialize close by. Then, in a collective mass, they all swarmed towards the exit.
Luna quickly rented another penthouse in the city. It wasn't near as posh as the one in Manehattan and it wasn't as high off the ground, but it was certainly quite nice. As opposed to a grand den like the last one, this one was more like a cozy home. Luna sat on a couch, relaxing. She paid the hotel a lot of money to keep the paparazzi out of the building and away from the skies around it. She was once again drinking something the hotel left for her, except now she was sitting in an armchair as opposed to a couch. She hadn't been sure that Rarity would confront her, but she was sure that Rainbow Dash would. She was just waiting for that knock at the door. It didn't happen. Instead she got a much ruder surprise.
The window to her room busted open. The princess jumped up out of the armchair, standing at the ready. Rainbow Dash was crouching in the room and breathing quite heavily, the window now wide open. She had apparently barged right in. Luna relaxed. The loud noise nearly made her jump out of her skin. Rainbow Dash was huffing and puffing and there was a furious look in her eyes.
“Oooh!” Luna shouted, sounding excited. “Is this an assassination attempt? I haven't had one of those in ages!”
“Cut the crap!” Rainbow Dash shouted. The princess frowned. This wasn't going to be a nice affair. “You set me up! You're trying to force me to go back to Ponyville!”
“I'm not trying.” Luna remarked. “I'm succeeding.”
“I don't know why you're trying to make me suffer,” Rainbow Dash retorted. “but I'm not going to Ponyville and you can't make me!”
“Fine, let Sun Flash down.” Rainbow Dash reeled and blushed deeply. She had not been expecting that. “What? Did I hit a nerve?”
“What are you trying to do!?” Rainbow Dash shouted.
“Bring everypony home.” Luna replied, crossing one of her legs over the other one. “You are going to reunite with your friends whether you like it or not.”
“They're fine without me! The only thing left for me there is humiliation and pain!”
“They're not fine without you and there is so much more!” Luna stood up tall and her wings were out to their full extent. “Twilight nearly had an emotional breakdown! Pinkie Pie is throwing meaningless parties over and over again, just in case you show up one day! Fluttershy's husband sold her as a prostitute for money. He tried to rape Twilight and I beat him within an inch of his life!”
“Wh-What?” Rainbow Dash looked genuinely shocked by this announcement.
“And despite what you might think, Applejack constantly regrets what she had to tell you, but knew she had to, because it was the truth. She misses you!” The fire instantly returned back to Rainbow Dash's eyes.
“That's a lie!” The pegasus pony shouted.
“IT IS NOT!!!!” The princess's voice echoed across the room. The entire suite rattled as her anger caused it to shake. Rainbow Dash shrunk back, abruptly afraid of the alicorn. “You cannot cover up the truth Rainbow Dash, not to me! You can't lie about things I've seen with my own eyes!”
“How could you...possibly know how Applejack feels?” Rainbow Dash asked, sounding terrified.
“No one can lie about how they feel, not to me.” Luna said. “I can feel your fear, anguish and sorrow, but I can also sense a part of you that is excited and happy to be going home. Twilight Sparkle is my best friend. I made a promise to her and I intend to keep it. She is miserable with her friends so far away, and I intend to bring all of you home, even if it’s kicking and screaming.” Rainbow Dash had backed into a wall. Tears were coming out of her eyes. Her legs were shaking and she looked desperate.
“I can't! I can't! You can't make me do this! I...I...” Princess Luna folded her wings. She marched over the rainbow pony and lifted her face up with her hoof.
“Rainbow Dash, what you fear doesn't exist. Your friends only want you back. They care about you and miss you. They don't care about rumors, reputations or what you've done in the past. They only want to see you again. Staying away for your own reasons while they suffer is...” Luna paused for a moment, closing her eyes. “...selfish. That's why I became angry. I'm not going to hurt you, but you have to go back to Ponyville.” Rainbow Dash looked at the ground.
“I hate you.” She stated. “I hate you for doing this to me.” The princess flinched, but quickly recovered.
“That's fine.” Luna said. “You don't have to like me. You just have to do what I say.”
The next morning Princess Luna awoke, paid her bill and teleported across the country. She appeared in Twilight's house, but found no one home. The princess gazed around the library, apparently trying to see if the unicorn was hiding.
“Twilight!” Luna called. There was no response. “Twilight! Are you here?” The only response was dead silence. “Huh, guess she's not home.” The princess walked out of the house. Despite the fact that it was already morning the streets were empty. The entire town was dead quiet. Luna scanned around, quite confused. She figured there would at least be a shopper or two. She walked down an empty street, wondering if a plague had struck this place. Finally, she saw a pony. It was a woman apparently putting fruits in a box. She seemed to be in a hurry. Luna quickly ran over, lest the pony get away.
“Hey!” The princess exclaimed. The pony turned and her eyes widened.
“Princess!” She exclaimed. She quickly bowed.
“Where is everypony, where's Twilight Sparkle?” The royal pony asked.
“Twilight's recruited the whole town.” The mare explained. “We're all preparing for the fair. Everypony is in the fields north of town.”
“The whole town?” Luna asked.
“Yes your majesty. All of us are being paid quite well from the crown. Thank you for that by the way.”
“Huh, sounds like things have been busy while I've been gone.” Luna remarked.
“I have to get out there quickly.” The mare stated. “Many ponies haven't had breakfast yet.”
“Stand close to me, I'll teleport you.” Luna stated.
When Luna appeared in the fields north of town she got a huge surprise. Countless ponies were building structures, cutting down trees and moving wood everywhere. The mare that had traveled with Luna thanked the princess and dashed away. Luna marveled at the organized chaos, impressed. She didn't know that this many ponies lived in Ponyville. Everypony was working tirelessly. Abruptly, a small pony which greatly resembled Applejack dashed by with a large caramel apple and a huge smile on her face. Applejack wasn't far behind, yelling up a storm.
“Apple Core, I swear that if you don't get back here with that there apple I'm gonna tan your hide so bad my grandchildren will feel it!!!” Applejack screamed. This didn't seem to faze her daughter at all, who continued running.
“Applejack!” Luna shouted. The country turned her head, but didn't quit running.
“Oh, hey princess!!” She shouted.
“Where's Twilight?”
“Over that hill!” Applejack pointed with her head, but then turned it back to the pursuit of her daughter. Luna chuckled a little. That Apple Core sure did love to steal things. Luna proceeded over the hill, in search of Twilight.
Applejack was telling the truth, that's what she was famous for. Twilight was at the bottom of the hill. She had a large clipboard in front of her face and she was shouting to a pony up on a building platform. They were apparently constructing some kind of bell tower. Why they would need that was a mystery to Luna. She trotted over to the unicorn, who was having a fit.
“No, no, no!!!” Twilight shouted. “I told you we need three-eighths bolts, not one-fourth!”
“Miss Twilight,” The building pony said, shouting from up the platform. “This is a temporary structure. We don't need such large ones!”
“This building is supposed to be the reference point for the entire fair!” Twilight shouted back. “It has to stay standing, no matter what! It'll also be a monument to the event afterwards! I have executive privileges. Now, do what I say!!!!” The building pony grimaced and cursed. He turned to the bucket of screws he had and handed it to his assistant.
“Get the ones miss obsessive wants!” He shouted, making sure Twilight heard him.
“Thank you!” Twilight bellowed. “I swear this is so...”
“Having fun?” Luna asked, finally getting her attention. Much to the princess's surprise, Twilight turned and gave her a stiff glare.
“Glad you could join us.” Twilight said with definite anger in her voice.
“What's the problem?” Luna asked, slightly surprised.
“Do you know what kind of headache you left me with?” Twilight complained. “I had to change the plans three different times, you know why?”
“No, why?”
“Because I sent out a notice that while the event was free, ponies still needed a ticket to be guaranteed food. Within a few days I had six thousand tickets purchased.” Luna whistled. That was quite a lot. “So, I decided to make it a multiple-day event, with ponies picking what day they wanted to come, with only a few thousand attending each day. The tickets then jumped to ten thousand!” Luna flinched, that was more than she expected. “So I then enlisted more ponies in the town to help, rather than those that were unemployed at the moment. We began making the field larger and using the wood to make stands, games and buildings. We're also using the buildings in Ponyville as part of the fair. Once your tour hit Manehattan do you know how many ponies bought tickets?”
“Uh...n-no?” Luna asked nervously. Twilight pushed herself up to her fullest height and gazed down on the princess, who was cringing.
“EIGHTEEN THOUSAND!! We've sold eighteen thousand tickets, with hundreds more each day!!!” Luna smiled nervously.
“D-D-Did I mention I sent invitations to all the surrounding countries already?” Twilight's eye twitched.
“No...no you didn't.”
“Surely sis sent some workers...”
“They'll be here in a few days.” Twilight said, turning back to her clipboard. “Workers aren't the problem. We have to feed and house all of these ponies! I've invited every food merchant in Equestria to have a stand here. We've also sent out notices that ponies need to bring tents to stay in! We'll be lucky if there's enough room from here to Canterlot for all of them! I have to plan entertainment, games, functions, and even the layout of the entire place! Those architects Princess Celestia sent can't agree on anything.”
“Not to add to your workload,” Princess Luna interjected. “but you're also going to need a place with a fashion runway and a place for a flying squad to prepare and perform.” Twilight's expression abruptly lightened. She gazed hopefully up at the princess.
“Th...they agreed to come?” Twilight asked with a widening grin.
“Agreed, blackmailed, same thing.” Luna stated. The unicorn's face fell abruptly.
“I wanted them to come back because they wanted to...” She said in a fallen voice.
“They wanted to.” Luna said. “There were just silly things holding them back. Anyway, they'll be here or so help me I will drag them here.”
“How are they?”
“They're both quite well. Rarity's famous and I think Rainbow Dash has a new beau.”
“How did you get them to come? What happened?”
“Ironically, the same thing both times.” Twilight tilted her head, no understanding. “I made a scene with the reporters, made them promise to come to fair so it would be reported to the whole nation and then later they both confronted me in my hotel room. Quite amazing actually, you all think alike.”
“What did they say?”
“Well, Rarity will never forgive me, Rainbow Dash hates my guts and I think if there's ever a resistance group against me they'll be at the head. On a positive note I kept all the little shampoo bottles and complementary chocolates the hotel gave me!”
“That's...quite harsh...”
“I didn't expect any less.”
“Well, I guess that's...” A roar filled the entire area. All the workers stopped and stared. A distance away, Fluttershy was beating the crap out of a bear, which was roaring. Luna's eye twitched. What in Equestria's name happened while she was gone!? “For pony's sake...” Twilight began marching over, her anger back in full force. “Fluttershy! I told you to stop making so much noise!”
“But Mr. Bear is really stiff! I'm giving him a massage!” The pegasus pony responded
“I don't care if he needs an appendectomy! Keep it down!” A small pony then hopped over to Twilight. It also resembled Applejack, but her hair was red.
“Twilight!” The filly shouted, a piece of paper in her hoof. “I finished my design for the fair!”
“Not now Apple Bloom.” Twilight said quickly.
“But I want to get it in to the running before one of those fancy Canterlot ponies win!” The filly whined.
“This isn't a game Apple Bloom. I have to work.” Twilight quickly trotted away.
“But...but...” Apple Bloom started kicking the ground with her hoof. “I worked really hard on it...” She appeared to be on the verge of tears. Luna couldn't stand to see the little mare so depressed. She was almost the age that Twilight was when Luna, as Nightmare Moon, first met her. The princess walked over to Apple Bloom.
“I'll look at it.” Luna offered. The filly turned her head and her eyes lit up.
“Ya will!?” She shrieked.
“Yep.” The princess stated.
“Thank you your majesty, thank you.” Apple Bloom handed her the paper and began kissing her feet. “Thank you...thank you...thank you.”
“Alright kid you're embarrassing me.” Luna said, shoving her away. She then gazed at the plans.
Luna's jaw dropped. She had been expecting cheap renderings, made with crayon showing flowers and a Ferris wheel. Instead it was drawn on grid paper, with even the elevation labeled. Each stall was given proper measurements and built into a perfect grid pattern. This little filly had spent a lot of time on this...and had done it right, like by the national standard, right.
“Wow.” Luna said.
“Ya like it?” Apple Bloom asked, hopping up and down.
“This is...wow...how did you...?”
“Well, I started off by thinkin' that we need a lot of room, right? We also need everything to be close together, and stuff like games, food and entertainment stalls needed to be in the same place, but ponies couldn't just be walkin' around all willy-nilly like. So I just thought that the stalls could be in squares, for places in the middle of their backs to put the supplies they need, so the ones that used the same stuff, like the games and foods, could be grouped together. Then I thought 'well, if everything is in a square then we could make a grid!' Then I heard you say we needed a fashion place and flier place, so I put them here.” Apple Bloom pointed to the area around the bell tower being constructed. “I left some space there in case ya'll wanted to build some stuff I didn't think of. Turns out it was convenient. Sorry it's a little sloppy. I did it free-hand.” Luna's jaw hung open. The princess couldn't tell any difference from the “free-hand” and the others. This design was brilliant. Basically, every ten stalls or so was its own unit, with its own supplies in a square behind them. It would bring down the amount of traffic from gathering supplies and make it easier to organize everything. The little pony even took the slope of the hills into account. The princess was silent for several moments. Then her jaw snapped shut.
“Let's go find Twilight.” Luna said, rolling up the parchment.
“Seriously!?” Apple Bloom shrieked.
“Yes, let's do it.” Luna said seriously. The happy filly bounced after the princess, happy as she could be.
Luna walked up to Twilight, who was yelling at somepony else for not cutting the trees down at the right angle. The poor unicorn had been worn ragged. When she finally turned away from the unfortunate lumberjack, Luna was waiting with a nervous smile.
“What do you want!?” Twilight said, growling.
“I want you to look at this.” Luna said. Apple Bloom was standing off to the side, hopping up and down in small jumps. Twilight took it and gazed it over. Slowly, her eyebrows lifted up and up.
“Wow this...is great.” Twilight said, looking it over again. “This is brilliant. It's perfect. Who came up with it?” Luna motioned towards Apple Bloom, who was practically hopping right up into Twilight's face. “You?”
“Uh-huh!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.
“Wow this is great Apple Bloom. This is what I'm going to use. You're amazingly good at this.”
“Really!?” The filly shouted.
“Of course, in fact, I want you to tell these builders how to do it. They don't have a clue what they're doing.”
“Of course!” Apple Bloom shouted excitedly. Twilight stared at the filly, paused for a moment, and then gasped. “What? What is it?”
“I don't believe it!” Twilight exclaimed.
“What?” Apple Bloom asked. Luna smiled.
“Good things come to those who wait.” Luna said. “Let me ask you, how many stupid adventures did you have to try to find your cutie mark?”
“A lot I guess.” Apple Bloom said.
“Well they didn't do any good did they?”
“I don't...”
“Look at your butt.” Apple Bloom turned her head. Her face practically detonated into a smile. She began jumping over everyone's head in joy. On her flank was a symbol. There was a piece of wood and a sledge hammer. The hammer had an apple symbol on its metal end, apparently showing what family she had come from. Apple Bloom had found her special talent in architecture and building. The pony was so excited that no one could talk to her for several moments. Luna chuckled. She had never seen somepony so excited to get their cutie mark.
“I love it, I love it, I love it!!” Apple Bloom shrieked.
“Why don't you go try it out?” Luna asked. “Go build that stand over there.
“Will do!” Apple Bloom shouted, shuffling off. It was around this time that a cart being pulled by somepony in a scooter arrived. Scootaloo was pulling Sweetie Belle along. They both got out, oblivious as to what just happened.
“There you are.” Scootaloo stated. “Did you show them your design for the fair? Why are you jumping around?” Apple Bloom stopped and posed, showing off her flank. Her two friends gasped.
“You got your cutie mark!” Sweetie Belle shouted. All three of them ran up to each other and began dancing around, each of them exceedingly happy. “What happened, how did you get it!?”
“Princess Luna helped me get it!” Apple Bloom replied.
“Wait a minute, I didn't...” Princess Luna tried to say. They wouldn't have listened anyway. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle mobbed her. Scootaloo wasn't a good flier, but hovered around the princess. Sweetie Belle latched onto one of her legs.
“Please help us get our cutie marks!” They shouted at the same time.
“No I really didn't...” The princess tried to say.
“Pleeeeeaaaaaaasssssseeeeeee?” They begged in perfect unison.
“Girls, you have to wait for it to come to you.”
“Oh come on!” Scootaloo shouted. “We have to be the oldest ponies in Equestria without cutie marks.” Luna's vision narrowed quite a bit.
“Excuse me,” Luna said. “I don't know why you’re complaining, I had to wait hundreds of years for mine.” Both of the fillies gasped.
“Hundreds of years!?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “We can't wait that long.”
“Please help us!!” They both shouted at the same time. The princess grimaced a bit, realizing the situation she was in. Twilight smiled and walked over to her. Amid the pleas, the unicorn whispered into the alicorn's ear. The princess listened and then nodded.
“Alright!!” Luna shouted. Instantly both of the fillies backed away and sat side-by-side, hopeful gazes in their eyes. “You two have to do something for me first.”
“Anything princess!” Scootaloo said.
“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added on.
“Okay, we are short on entertainment for the fair, and I have heard about your talents. Scootaloo, you will perform stunts on your scooter. Sweetie Belle, you will put on a concert.” Both of them flinched and cringed.
“I'm...I'm too shy to sing.” Sweetie Belle said.
“I'm not that good on my scooter...” Scootaloo said.
“It's the only way I'll help you. Apple Bloom got her cutie mark that way.” The fillies glanced at each other, each looking nervous.
“Okay...” Scootaloo said, staring at the ground.
“Yeah, I think I can do that...” Sweetie Belle said.
“Good!” Luna exclaimed. “You two better go practice, especially you Sweetie Belle.”
“What? Why me?” Sweetie Belle thought she was being insulted.
“Don't you know? Your sister is coming to put on a show too.” The filly's eyes expanded to a near impossible size, overflowing with happiness.
“Really!?” She exclaimed.
“Of course, and I hear that your idol is visiting as well Scootaloo.” The pegasus pony's face spread into the largest smile Luna had ever seen.
“Rainbow Dash too!?” Scootaloo shouted.
“So you two better perform well.”
“We will!” They both yelled at the same time. They instantly began dashing away, eager to get ready. Luna sighed, finally happy that the whole incident was over. She turned to Twilight.
“Thanks for the tip.” The princess said. “Can you pencil them in?”
“Already did.” Twilight said. “We were short on entertainment anyway.”
“We'll have to tell Apple Bloom to amend her building plans.”
“To what?” Luna and Twilight sparkled jumped. The filly had somehow managed to sneak up on them.
“Oh, it's you Apple Bloom.” Luna said.
“I finished!” The filly announced.
“With what?” Twilight asked. The country pony pointed. Both Luna and Twilight looked in the direction she indicated. “Holy...!! By all the ponies in Equestria...” Most of the workers were standing around and gawking as well. Apple Bloom had built a large, well-made stall in practically nothing flat. It was much larger than the ones Twilight had planned had had intricate symbols etched into the wood, some of prancing ponies, some of the symbols that Equestria was known for and at the very bottom of the stall near the edge was Apple Bloom's cutie mark, like a signature.
“You like it?” Apple Bloom asked. Luna gave Twilight a disbelieving sideways glance.
“How did you not figure this out sooner?” She asked.
“I...I...” Twilight could only stutter. “We...we might actually pull this off.”
“If we do...this will be the biggest plot to bring ponies back home ever.”