“Ah’m just not sure she’s ready,” Applejack debated one fine morning, as she sat at the table with Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Midnight in the dining room.

“Oh fingle-fangle, Applejack,” Granny Smith snorted, “yer worryin’ o’er nothin’, as usual.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed.

“Granny Smith’s right, AJ.," seconded Midnight. "At some point, Apple Bloom’s not gonna be a little filly anymore. You’re just being stubborn.”

“She’s still a young’un, fer corn’s sake!” Applejack always got ornery whenever her stubborn streak was brought up. “Ah mean, really! Wit’ all th’ trouble Bloom an’ the Crusaders get into, how can any o’ you not be worried?”

“Because we’re not talking about the Crusaders, AJ, we’re talking about Apple Bloom,” Midnight reminded her.

“Bloom’s gettin’ close to th’ age you were when ya started helpin’ more `round th’ farm,” Big Mac pointed out. “An’ one o’ these days, she’s gonna have more responsibilities, which means we gotta treat her like a pony who can handle `em.”

“Ah’d jus’ feel better if somepony wer’ here t’ watch her,” Applejack reasoned.

“Well, AJ, right now, there’s jus’ nopony available on short notice,” Granny Smith reminded her granddaughter.
“Ah’m leavin’ soon t’ visit Great Aunt Pine Apple, you an’ Mac got some mighty ambitious deliveries t’ make, an’ Midnight’s takin’ Twinken t’ Canterlot.”

“Not t’ mention `Shy’s treatin’ some o’ her ol’ neighbors’ pets,” Big Mac brought up, “an’ she can’t be worryin’ `bout Apple Bloom gettin’ underhoof.”

Applejack looked to Midnight with an annoyed look, “Well, why can’t `Bloom go wit’ you an’ Twink t’ Canterlot?”

“Because I already promised Twinken it was gonna be just me and him,” Midnight said in a tone that meant he’d never budge. “Besides, what we’re gonna be doing? Heh, Apple Bloom would be bored out of her skull!”

Applejack sighed, as she realized it was a losing battle. In her head, sure, she knew her sister was growing up and deserved a chance to be treated as a pony with responsibility, but in her heart she just couldn’t let go of being Apple Bloom’s big sister, the closest thing Apple Bloom had had for a mother.

“If’n there ain’t nothin’ else t’ say, Ah’d say wer’ all in agreement,” Granny Smith declared, Midnight nodding, Big Mac giving another eeyup, and their eyes turned to Applejack.

She gave another sigh and caved, “Aw’right, let’s step out an’ tell her.”

The four of them stood up and stepped towards the door that led to the hallway where the Crusaders were all waiting, especially Apple Bloom. As soon as the door opened, the Crusaders all stood at attention, as though they were soldiers about to get the grill from a drill-sergeant. First Midnight stepped out, followed by Applejack, Granny Smith, and finally Big Mac, the four of them with unreadable expressions as they faced the foals.

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but sweat as she saw Granny Smith first look to Big Mac at her right, then to Applejack and Midnight at her left, all of them with stern looks.

“So. We here have decided…” Granny Smith paused for dramatic effect, which made the six foals all tense up and puff up their chests, only for it all to brighten up as the four adult ponies smiled, Granny Smith saying, “tha’ yer old enough t’ stay home alone an’ take care o’ th’ chores yerself for this afternoon!”

A collective GASP of smile by the foals was cut short by Apple Bloom who reeled it in and her fellow Crusaders as well, prompting the rest of them to put on mature looks, as she answered, “Ah accept yer decision.”

They watched as the foals all calmly walked down the hall until they vanished around the corner. But as they were turning around to get everything ready-

“YEAH!” “WHOO-HOO!” AH’M STAYIN’HOME ALONE!” “THAT’S SO COOL!” “AWESOME!” “TOTALLY AWESOME!”

The four adults all just smiled and laughed at the young ones’ enthusiasm and excitement for Apple Bloom.

Not too long later, AJ and Mac were getting ready to make their deliveries, loading the orders onto their carts while Midnight and Twinken stepped out, the both of them having packed overnight saddlebags.

“Stayin' home alone, by mahself!”

They looked just in time to see Apple Bloom whisk past between them, balancing a few apple pies on her head when she got a little too excited to watch where she was going and-

*BUMP*

Applejack startled at Apple Bloom knocking into her backside but before she could scold her sister, her eyes popped at the pies soaring through the air and she leapt to catch them… only for a light red aura to envelop them and make them float gently onto Applejack’s cart, and she gave a thankful look to Twinken. The little colt smiled in response but the close-shave hadn’t really sunk in for Apple Bloom as she added, “Ah cain’t believe Ah’m really doin’ it!”

“Now hey there, filly, Ah know yer excited,” Applejack said with a slight raise of her voice to get her sister’s attention. “But bein’ th’ only pony here t’ take care o’ t’day’s chores is a big responsibility!”

“Ah know it!” Apple Bloom saluted with a look of determination as Applejack strapped herself to her cart. “An’ it means everything t’ me that y’all think Ah’m grown p enough t’ handle it. Ah won’ let ya down.”

“Well, if’n Ah’m gonna make muh train Ah’d best be off,” Granny Smith stepped in, her grandchildren all nodding. “When Great Aunt Pine Apple says a pony gots t’ arrive by a certain time, ya’d better be there.”

“We’re gonna be on our way momentarily too,” Midnight added as his keen eyes noticed the approaching pegasus-drawn chariot in the sky.

“This is gonna be so cool!” Twinken reared up and waved his forelegs with happy glee, his older siblings all smiling at how excited he was when Granny Smith stepped up to him and Applebloom.

“You go an’ have a good time, sweetie,” she said to her youngest grandson before giving Apple Bloom a gentle loving pat on the mane. “An’ you be sure an’ take care now, Apple Bloom.”

She then stepped up to AJ and Mac, “Y’all take care as well - I dunno which o’ yer delivery routes is tougher!”

She hoofed them each a map of directions to their destinations, “Yer each headed to a mighty hard-t’-reach town!”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac acknowledged as he and Applejack put their maps away.

“We know, Granny," responded Applejack, "Tha’s th’ only reason Ah agreed t’ let Apple Bloom stay home alo-”

*WHA-PISH*

“OW!” Applejack threw an ornery look at Midnight, who returned it with a stink eye and holding his long lion-like tail at the ready. But before she could whip him back…

“Wait!” Apple Bloom stepped up to her sister with a slightly hurt look, “Ya mean, th’ only reason Ah get t’ stay home alone is cuz’ o’ th deliveries yer makin’?”

Applejack suddenly realized why Midnight had tried to shut her trap and quickly said to her sister, “Oh Ah din’t mean it like that, sugarcube! It’s just that…”

Midnight stepped up, giving Apple Bloom a warm look, “It’s a big sister’s job to be concerned for her little sister.”

“Which is why Ah spent all night makin’ this,” Applejack held out a long list for Apple Bloom to see.

But before she could take it, Midnight gave it a look and gave Applejack a flat look.
“And it is for that reason I wrote this for you, AB!”

Midnight made Applejack’s list vanish (much to her ire) and conjured a shorter list with much more sensible information that didn’t border on overprotective and just plain silly.

“Thanks, Midnight,” Apple Bloom accepted the list and saw the helpful hints on it that she thought to herself, Wow! With these hints, takin’ care o’ th’ farm on mah own’ll be even easier than Ah thawt!

Applejack gave Midnight another look, but he said with a calming tone, “Applejack. She’s ready for this.”

Applejack felt her case soften a bit and couldn’t help but smile at the self-assuredness her little sister was projecting and said with a sighing smile, “Ah guess she is…. Ah’m just not shor Ah am!”

Seeing her sister in doubt, Apple Bloom gave her a hug and an expectant smile, “But…! Ya trust me an’ believe Ah’m grownup enough t’ handle this, right…?”

While her brothers and grandmother smiled at Apple Bloom, Applejack sighed, “Right.”

Before she could nitpick the situation further, a loud braying neigh and flap of wings made everypony look up as the Royal Guard-pulled chariot Midnight had seen earlier landed while a taxi coach arrived to take Granny Smith to the train.

Finally the departures came, as Granny Smith rode away on her taxi, AJ and Mac all stated off on their deliveries, and Midnight and Twinken boarded the chariot, and everypony yelled goodbyes and good lucks to Apple Bloom, as she suspensefully watched and wait for them all to vanish from sight until…

“WHOO-HOO! Ah’m alone! At home! AH’M HOME ALONE!!!”

In all her prancing excitement, she landed on her back but looked up towards the sky with bright happy eyes, “This is gonna be so awesome…!”

Meanwhile, Twinken WHOOPED as the ground fell further beneath them with each flap of their royal escorts’ wings.
“Wow, we get to FLY to Canterlot! Awesome!” Twinken exclaimed with joy jumping up and down alongside his brother. Midnight just gave a happy nod and held his wing behind Twinken to make sure he didn’t fall out.

“Well, little bro, being royalty does have its perks!”

Watching the trees of the family orchard growing further and further away made Twinken cheer with excitement. This was his first chariot ride and the trip to Canterlot was gonna be great! The little unicorn turned to the alicorn standing next to him who was also taking in the scenery with a peaceful smile.

“Hey Midnight, I just wanted to thank you again for taking me to Canterlot. I didn’t really get to see much of it back when we came to be a part of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s wedding.”

Midnight gave his brother a pat on the head with a chuckle. “You’re welcome bro, everypony should get a chance to sightsee Canterlot at some point. Ponyville is our home, but the beauty of Canterlot is something special in its own right. I promise that you are going to have an awesome time. Just a few days ago I got a letter from Prince Sombra telling me this was the perfect weekend to visit Canterlot. He seemed to really want me to show up, so I think he must have some cool new magic spells to show me. I bet while we’re there he might even show you a few things.”

Twinken’s eyes went wide at this and his smile grew even wider, “Really? That’s so cool!”

Midnight returned the smile and wrapped his little brother in a wing hug as the pegasi continued flying them towards the great mountainside city in the distance.

A hour or so passed and the pegasi came in for a landing at the chariot port towards the outer sector of Canterlot. The two brothers thanked their pegasi escort and departed into the wide open streets of the great city.

All manner of ponies trotted back and forth through the streets, though the majority were unicorns. Unlike the fairly nudist town of Ponyville, almost all the ponies wore some manner of clothing, from jewellery and accessories, to full suit and dress combinations. Ponies chatted amongst themselves, striking business deals and bragging about their status among the sweet and elite of the grand city. Looming over the streets was the glorious visage of Canterlot castle, the light reflecting off its gold majesty to glitter and shine with beauty.

“So, what do’ya think, bro? Does Canterlot hold up or what?”

Twinken turned to his brother, is hooves shaking as he held back the desire to jump up and down in excitement. “This place is awesome! Where do we start!?”

“Stick with me, bro, and I’ll show you the time of your life!” Midnight placed a wing over his brother as the two trotted off into the wide open city.

As they walked, various sights of Canterlot presented themselves. They passed by Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, with dozens of scholars and students rushing about frantically, most with their muzzle shoved in a book or juggling about textbooks, spell books or various alchemical components or unusual-looking instruments of unknown purpose. Midnight tilted his head in confusion as he saw a beige yellow mare garbed in a thick woolen black sweater with thick glasses and a red mane with a lavender streak in an unflattering topknot passed him, a dull bored look on her face and several books held aloft in her magic. Her uncanny resemblance to his Twilight piqued his curiosity, but he shrugged and carried on.

Meanwhile Twinken looked up at a large statue of Star Swirl the Bearded standing proudly at the school’s entrance. He couldn’t help but be impressed by the great wizard and his magical studies. Still, for how great he was, he was nothing compared to his awesome big brother.

After that the two took a walk through the Canterlot park, looking at the beautiful trees and the gorgeous flowers and plants spread around it. Ponies were trotting about, enjoying the beauty, or spending time with their families. Several happy couples sat under trees on blankets enjoying picnics, while others played games with their pets. Midnight remarked that maybe he should bring his pet, Dreamer, along next time, which gave Twinken a chuckle at the thought of the big wolf playing fetch amongst the picnicking ponies, all scattering under his massive paws. Soon they passed through the park and up to the shipyards, watching as several balloons and airships floated in and out carrying supplies or carrying passengers. They laughed as they watched a young noble trying to woo some pegasus mares, only to offend them and receive a slap to the face from both of them before they flapped away.

As the brothers started making their way towards the shopping district to see some of the unique and expensive items for sale, a voice called out to them.

“Midnight! Midnight m’boy!” The alicorn and his little brother turned to see a unicorn pair approaching him. The stallion wore a suit top with a bow tie and a monocle. His parted mane was handsomely brushed and his mustache was perfectly styled on his muzzle. This was the suave and debonair, Fancy Pants.

Beside him was his beautiful wife. Her coat was a pink so light it was practically white, and her mane, a slightly darker pink was elegant and curled gorgeously. She wore some makeup and eyeliner that just further enhanced her beauty to everypony around her. No pony could resist her enchanting looks. This stunning mare was the lovely Fleur Dis Lee.

Besides their reputation preceding them, Midnight couldn’t help but notice just how much the married couple were beaming with joy.

He was cautious in his approach however, as memories surfaced after his last encounter with Fancy Pants. The stallion had placed Blueblood and his company in jeopardy in an attempt to ‘protect’ his friends Jet Set and Upper Crust, not realizing that Blueblood’s vile arrogant behavior in high society was an act he displayed to ward off mares and other undesirable ponies.

Still, for all the mistakes he made in the attempt, it had been out of genuine desire to protect his friends, and he had apologized quite profusely since, even, as Blueblood had told him during one of their meet ups at Pepper Pony's, providing a lot of marketing and financial services to aid the airship project that Blueblood had handed over to Jet Set. Midnight felt he could give the stallion another chance, especially as he had made friends with Fleur during some of his Canterlot trips.

“Hello Fancy, Fleur, it’s good to see you both.” He greeted as the two ponies stepped in front of him. “You seem to be looking well.”

“Quite well, Midnight, quite well indeed. I hope you don’t mind me speaking with you on such familiar terms. You are a Prince after all, and after the unpleasantness with Prince Blueblood…” Fancy Pants started before Midnight raised a hoof to stop him.

“It’s fine Fancy, really. You apologized and made things right with Blueblood, and frankly I prefer leaving my title out of conversations. I am perfectly happy to speak with you as friends.”

“Thank you, Midnight. I told my hubby you weren’t the sort to hold his actions against him after his efforts to make amends, but he can be quite stubborn when he wants to be.” Fleur giggled, rubbing up alongside her husband who now look embarrassed. Midnight just smiled until he felt a pull at his ankle and saw Twinken looking up at him.

“Oh, where are my manners. Fancy, Fleur, I’d like you to meet my little brother, Twinken. Twinken, this is Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee, two of the most important nobles here in Canterlot.”

“Hi! It’s so nice to meet you.” Twinken raised his hoof to shake politely, his Apple Family manners kicking in immediately. Fancy and Fleur were immediately taken by the young colt and both gave his hoof a firm shake.

“Likewise, my boy! I do hope you’re having a pleasant day with your brother here. He’s such an inspirational pony up here in Canterlot. He even helped set me straight after I made some rather bad decisions against one of his friends.”

“Yes, Midnight is such a lovely gentlecolt. You certainly seem to take after him.” Fleur smiled down at him, causing the little colt to blush, alongside Midnight who just rubbed his neck in embarrassment from the complements.

“Midnight is an awesome pony and I’m so glad I get to spend the day with here in Canterlot.” Twinken gabbed excitedly.

The nobles smiled at the young colt, that they then shared a nodding look and Fancy said, “Midnight, your brother here is such a fine chap, that my wife and I would like to share with you both first such smashing news!”

“And what might that be?” Midnight smiled, having a feeling they were about to find out why the couple were in such a bright mood.

“Fancy and I…!” Fleur said with such a smile as she paused and whisper-shouted, “We’re going to have our first foal!”

“That’s wonderful!” Twinken couldn’t help but give Fleur a hug, which she was a little surprised at but was just too happy to care as she returned it while Midnight gave Fancy a hearty hoof-shake.

“Congratulations!” he smiled at the older stallion.

“Thank you very much, Midnight,” Fancy Pants chuckled warmly, “that means a great deal coming from you.”

“But wait,” Midnight looked to Fleur, “what about your modelling career?”

“Oh, I’m still a good while before my little one starts making itself apparent,” Fleur waved off the concern. “But once we come to that, I’ll take a leave of absence, and start working with my agent to help other aspiring models in our business.”

“Speaking of business,” Fancy Pants brought up as he looked past Midnight and Twinken and they all looked to see a Lunar Guard approach with a case of hurry-up.

“Prince Midnight, I have come on behalf of Princess Luna. She is requesting your immediate presence in the throne room. She is not in a good place at the moment sir, so I suggest we make haste.”

Fancy and Fleur nodded their heads in understanding. “Duty calls it seems, Midnight, my boy. It was wonderful to see you again though. I do hope we get a chance to catch up at our leisure before you leave Canterlot.”

“Yes, we’d both love to see you before you leave, both you. It’s always refreshing to spend time with ponies who dwell outside Canterlot and its high society setting.” Fleur nodded, giving the brothers a little wave of her hoof.

“Definitely, we’ll both make some time before we leave. Hopefully this won’t take too long, as I still have quite a lot of Canterlot left to show Twinken. We’ll see you later.” Midnight replied, giving them both a friendly smile in return.

“Bye, it was nice to meet you.” Twinken called as he joined his brother and the lunar guard and started making way to the palace.

Well, he was hoping not to have any issues on his trip here with Midnight, but he was a Prince, so sometimes things just happened. Hopefully this wouldn’t take too long then they could get back to exploring the city.

Right?

The Title is a ref to the phrase 'heavy is the head that wears the crown'

This occurs during 'Somepony to Watch Over Me'