“So it has come to this....”

 

“You always were a disappointment, Discord, but this? You always shamed our name and our line....but this is inexcusable.”

 

“You...I taught you to be powerful. I taught you to be strong.... and look at you now. Look at you. Tea and Crumpets! With a Pony!”

 

Crackle of lightning and a hum in the air...the area glows

 

“No matter. expected you to fail. Welcome it! You and your father alike. Come forth...it is time..”

 

Off in the shadows you see six silhouettes of ponies walking out, eerily similar to the mane six.

 

 

***

 

 

"It is amazing that we were able to rescue so many books from the explosion!" Spike says from atop a ladder in Twilight's new castle. He's perched precariously high, placing books in the topmost shelf.

 

"Mmm" Twilight hums, nose deep in a gargantuan book. It floats in the air below her as she lays down on a carpet near a heaping pile of books. The title of the book is Ancient Ponyology

 

"In fact, some of my favorite books are still here!" Spike says eagerly....looking towards Twilight to see if she's paying attention.

 

"Mmmhmm"

 

"Oh, and look at this. A book about gems and how they can make any wish come true...think it'll work if I wish Rarity was my girlfriend?"

 

"Mmmhmm"

 

"And maybe, I can get all the gems in the world...muhahaha" Spike laughs as if he's getting away with something, eyes glowing greedily.

 

"Yeah, I don't think so Spike, and good luck with Rarity. Won't work that way" she smirks, eyes still glued to the book.

 

"Wait...what...aww, I guess you WERE paying attention.." He sighs and goes back to putting books away.

 

"Mmhmm" she says softly, smiling. "Great reading! I had no idea the records ran back so far! I'll read more tomorrow." She says excitedly, moving a fabric book marker in place and with magic, gently closing the book and tucking it in a neat spot next to the pile.

 

Spike attempts to reach to the top shelf to put away a particularly ancient book away and in his haste, begins to topple.

 

"Eh..ehh....ahh!" But as he careens towards the floor, both the book and Spike are held in place with a purple glow.

 

"Spike! You know you have difficulty with that top shelf." Twilight says without even turning.

 

"Grgle...I know. One day I won't though. I'll be tall enough and people will appreciate me!"

 

Twilight places the book on the shelf and lowers him to eye level. He fixes he with a reproachful gaze.

 

"Spike...We all appreciate you. I do especially. Without my favorite assistant. I wouldn't be anywhere near as organized as I am now. And you KNOW how I like to be organized!" She smiles as Spike sighs but the corners of his mouth twitch up anyways.

 

"I know, I know. You've saved my scales more times then I can count...but it's so frustrating to be short, and have to wait to grow up. I can do more!"

 

Twilight releases the spell as Spike plops down. She giggles

 

"You will Spike, don't be in a rush to grow up. Besides, we saw a glimpse of what you'll look like. Just give it time" Spike pauses as he picks up a book and looks away.

 

"Sorry about that..." Twilight giggles again.

 

"It definitely generated some excitement. I can see why Princess Celestia never gets too upset with some of these thin-"

 

"INCOMING!"

 

Twilight, with reflexes well honed from years of avoiding her airborne friend's antics, automatically ducks, pulls Spike down and opens up her doors in one fluid magical sweep.

 

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Derpy zoom in, make a few circles around the room

 

"Wha...Wha..WHOA!" Suddenly Fluttershy and Derpy collide with Rainbow Dash, and they spiral out of control, right into the neat pile of books Twilight had set aside to read.

 

"Ugh! I just organized that!" She groans in frustration, but then, after a moment's pause she smiles gleefully and says in a whisper "I'll just have to organize it again!"

 

Rainbow Dash shakes her head as her tail and mane are tangled with Derpy's, whose eyeballs roll comically in their sockets. Fluttershy is caught beneath the two of them. All three look rather disheveled as they lie sprawled on the floor.

 

"Girls! Sometimes...your shenanigans...ugh!” Twilight sighs. “You could at least try to conduct yourself properly.”

 

Rainbow dash glances at the other two, face flushing bright red. They all giggle.

 

Applejack and Rarity, taking advantage of the open door, stroll in leisurely, followed closely by an enthusiastically bouncing Pinkie.

 

"Like Ah've said before Rarity, Ah AIN'T gonna model yer Apple-Centric Fashion line! As much as Ah love apples and would like to advertise, I won't be doin' no prancin' around with high hoofs and make up and what not!"

 

"Me Me! Me! I'll do it!" Pinkie says bouncing around them.

 

"Dahling...while I have no doubt that you'd look divine in this line, the fact remains that you simply won't stay still! We need to have a fashion show...not a fashion dance off!"

 

"Awww!" Pinkie pouts as you see DJ Pon3 in the distance, waving her hoof as she pushes a mobile DJ station. Pinkie looks over. "But we can do BOTH!" she points out. "I heard that DJ Pon3 has a new mix and she's showing off in Manehatten and that it is the BEST. THING. EVER! Putting all the other DJ's to shame, and that she has her portable barrel roll-a-mix thing to bring it to parties! You know, she is soooooo great at parties and I think we could do a LOT of co-labs together. What do you think? DJ Pinkie!"

 

Pinkie, in typical physics defying-fourth-wall-shattering fashion, changes into a costume resembling Deadmau5 at lightning speed."Or what about this?" She sudden dons a leather bodysuit and LED helmet reminiscent of Daft Punk "Or this!!!" Once again defying physics, she pulls off an uncanny facial impression of Paul Oakenfold.

 

"Well..either way...Rarity. Ya need to find someone else. " Applejack blows a few stray mane hairs out of her eyes, probably in response to Pinkie's continuing costume changes, including a sequened Michael Jackson era monstrosity.

 

"This? oh..no, just beat it!"

 

“That, Applejack, that look right there!” Rarity exclaims.”You are a natural!"

 

"Oh no...that kinda sweet talkin' ain't gonna work on me. Why not ask Fluttershy? She actually has modelin' experience."

 

Rarity looks over to Fluttershy, her sewing glasses drooping down empathetical. Fluttershy is still fruitlessly attempting to untangle her tail from Rainbow Dash's with Twilight's help, while Derpy digs herself out of the book pile.

 

"She had her time in the sun, and as much as I think the works suits her, she didn't like it. I don't want to pressure her back into it. "She clears her throat. "Besides, ah.. she appears to be...'otherwise engaged.'"

 

Spike notices Rarity and makes a beeline towards her, but is enveloped in a cloud of purple magic, and runs in place, floating back towards the books.

 

Rarity giggles as Pinky, having finally run out of costumes, takes notice of the entangled pegasi and bounces over.

 

"OOOHHH can I join in?! Looks like fun!" Derpy laughs.

 

"Hey Twi...whats goin' on here?” Applejack, eager for a chance to leave the conversation, asks, trotting over while Rarity lets out an exasperated sigh

 

"Oh...nothing out of the ordinary...” she says, voice tinged with sarcasm.” What were you two talking about?"

 

"Oh, that? Nothin' really, just a fashion discussion." Applejack says, rolling her eyes.

 

Pinkie produces a pie out of thin air and eats it while watching Rainbow and Fluttershy's increasingly desperate attempts to free themselves, still engulfed in Twilight's magic field. The field expands to highlight other nearby items such as books, brooms, dishes, and plates.”

 

 

"Dearie...do you need help cleaning?” Rarity pipes up. “You're using an awful lot of magic!"

 

"You have been using magic this whole time...” Fluttershy says softly during a brief lull in their struggle. “Is everything ok?"

 

Spike runs over to pick up a book, free from his floating bubble, and places it back on the pile. “It's true!” he confirms with a nod of his head. “She's been using magic non stop since morning!"

 

They all gasp.

 

"Spike is right. I have been.” Twilight explains.”Recent events have taught me that I need to get stronger, so I've been trying to build up my magic stamina. Jumping back and forth through time with Starlight Glimmer was pretty exhausting, and if something like that happens again, I want to be ready.”

 

"Well, a little prep work never hurt no one,” Applejack begins “But the thing is Twilight, the map hasn't made a peep since then. Things have been quiet. Real quite. Shoot, with all this spare time, Ah've been able to clean out the barn, set up a few stands, and collaborate on a new cider flavor with Pinkie."

 

"The secret is cupcakes AND muffins!" Pinkie whispers loudly to Derpy, who squeals in delight.

 

"You're right Applejack, the map has been quiet, and we have our fair share of downtime.” Twilight explains. “Why, I even got a message from Sunset Shimmer. She's coming in to visit us from the other world. She said she's feeling kind of homesick after all the time she's spent there. I hope she can still walk on all fours!" Twilight punctuates with with a giggle, face flushed.

 

The others regard her curiously. Pinkie, paying homage to their bipedal counterparts gets up on two legs and starts to walk around, followed by Derpy. A recently freed Rainbow joins them..as they clash their hoofs together.

 

"They seem so fancy-smancy the way you describe 'em!" Rainbow smirks. Suddenly she gets a monocle and top hat.

 

"I say...walking around on two hoofs is the way to go!" she mocks in an awful british accent

 

"I do concur good sir!" Pinkie mimics. "Oh, I do so enjoy using these things called “hands“all day." She retrieves a cupcake from a temporary rift through space-time and eats it, very regal like.

 

Twilight laughs and dispels her magic barrier.

 

"It's not like that! They're just like us, they just looks a little different, that's all.” She say, summoning a broom to sweep the floor with.

 

Suddenly Spikes eyes bulge and he belches, producing a scroll. Twilight, without missing a beat, neatly tucks the broom away and walks over to the scroll.

 

"Dear Princess Twilight. . .Ha..now I'm getting letters!" she giggles. "We are formally requesting an audience with the Princess of Friendship at her estate in the castle of her abode, for a meeting of the minds, to check on the status of the dwelling ensuing."

 

Rainbow dash rolls her eyes."Get on with it!"

 

"We would like to formalize a meet and greet. Signed...Wait!” Twilight gasps “It's Cadence and Shining Armor! They're coming here!" She says, trotting around in excited circles.”Oh, and there's more!” "P.S. Can't wait to see you Twili! We were going to send you an informal...but 'Cadey said you need to get used to formal greetings! Ha! Like anyone in our family is 'formal!' Oh...and I passed word from mom and dad, they're doing fine and want to send us a nice meal and desert platter. Mom is always so worried about our health! Haha. Home cooking with my sis, can't beat it!"

 

"Oh, this is great!” Twilight begins, dancing excitedly in place. “Oh, but there's so much to do! Spike! We need to make sure this whole place is spotless! Time to organize...what?" She notices everyone staring at her and then laughing.

 

"Okay, okay, no more work.” She says rolling her eyes. “See? I can relax, be a rebel...on the wild side..watch!" she magically moves one of her books askew in her stack. Pinky stars in disbelieving, exaggerated shock.

 

"WHO. ARE. YOU?!” She screams. “You're not my Twilight!" They all laugh again. The ponies all walk around the place to help out and clean.

 

"Spike,” Twilight starts.”I-"

 

"I know I know...” he says, grabbing a blank scroll and quill. “Dear Princess Cadance..."

 

"You know me so well” Twilight says, smiling. “Just reply back that we graciously accept their company and we will have an excellent selection of foods prepared for them...etc.etc." She pauses and looks over to him.

 

"You do know not to actually put in the etc's, right?'

 

"Uh, Sure I do!” Spike assures her while inconspicuously erasing a few lines.”C'mon, how long have I been your scribe?”

 

They continue to spruce up the place, Rainbow Dash flies and pulls streamers and banners up and down the main hall. Pinky rolls out a golden gem encrusted cannon.

 

"Hey Hey Hey! Check this out! I call the Royal boom! Its meant for fancy pants get-togethers!"

 

"Hey!" exclaims Fancy Pants, who inexplicably happened to be walking by the doorway at the time.

 

"Ha! Visual puns! Sorry! But watch this!" She points the canon right as Rainbow Dash is flying back to tie up a streamer and she fires. Rainbow Dash, having taken a dose of high-octane party lead right between the eyes, is sent tumbling backwards. Streamers, Confetti, Tables, Dishes...the whole works pop out of the cannon. Pinkie quickly runs around and sets up the classy table cloths, punch bowls, sweets, pastries, and various food items.

 

"Party-on-the-go!” Pinkie exclaims while Rainbow Dash stares murderously at her from across the hall. “I always carry a spare on me!"