Twilight arrived at Dash's house first. The rainbow stream that ran from the cloud-based home illuminated the cliff below. “Knock knock!” yelled Twilight at the top of her lungs. No response. “Knock, KNOCK!” Twilight yelled again. She saw the curtains pull open to show Gilda peeking outside. Twilight thought she heard some yelling about 'a unicorn at the door', but she might have just made it up. Rainbow Dash opened the door and peeked over the edge. “Heya, Twilight!”

“Hello, Rainbow Dash! I was wondering if you were available later? Princess Celestia wants me to lead an expedition into the Everfree Forest, and she requested I bring along a few friends.” As Twilight said this, Gilda popped over the edge to look at Twilight.

“Sorry, Twilight. I'm hanging out with Gilda today. I made a promise a few weeks back to spend more time with her.”

“I thought the both of you weren't on speaking terms...?”

“I thought I was too, until I came over here and apologized. Rainbow Dash was good enough to give me a second chance after I flipped out at that party. She's a nice gal, really,” replied Gilda in a very cool and content manner.

“What Gilda said. Any other day I would have been up for it. But today is Gilda's day. I hope you understand.”
Twilight didn't really understand, but she figured that it was Rainbow Dash's choice who she slept with. “It's alright, I understand priority. Alright, I'll just go find Applejack. You two have a good time with each other now! Don't forget protection!”

“Wait, what!?” spat an incredulous Gilda as Twilight wandered just out of earshot.

“Something tells me that Twilight didn't understand at all...”

Twilight reached Sweet Apple Acres with a quick teleport and nearly fused with poor Apple Bloom. “Wahh!” screamed Apple Bloom to the flank several centimeters from her face.

“Don' scare me like that, Twi'! I'm really not up fer becoming part of yer cutie mark!”

“I'm sorry about that, Apple Bloom! Sometimes I forget other ponies exist when I teleport...” After an comfortable silence, Twilight posed a question. “Where is Applejack? I need to talk to her about business-y things.”

“Mah sis is with Big Mac tryin' to remove a boulder from th' entrance. I'm sure they could use yer help. Jus' walk, though, you've nearly killed me more than enough t'day.” Apple Bloom lead the way to a struggling Applejack and Big Macintosh. The steaming green bolder actually looked like a meteor, which were quite uncommon in this unusual size.

“Twi? I was just about to go get you from th' library. We can't get this boulder out've th' way without searin' our sides. Mind lending a horn?” Applejack was tired and somewhat smelly from exhaustion.

“This rock isn't a boulder; It's a meteor.” Twilight stated as she levitated it gently out of the hole it dug into.

“There's a diff'rence?” Applejack was clearly not a science person.

“Yes, and this type is very important. It can magnify a spell over the entire land if used properly. But that requires dragon's blood, and that isn't so easy to get. You should sell it! I'm sure you would make a large profit. That would be great for your farm, wouldn't it?” Twilight learned about meteors from one of the books in the restricted section of the Canterlot Library. She figured they were restricted because otherwise lesser ponies would learn how to turn the Princess into stone or something like that. But once you've read all of the books in the library several times, you thirst for something bigger. Sure, Twilight was caught and punished after a few books, but she had already read about the properties of meteors and struck it to memory.

“Why, thanks, Twi! I'm sure the family could use this, if it'll get us some real cash! Was there somethin' you needed, by the way?”

“I need your aid on a dig to the ruins of the old castle. Princess Luna left quite a few things behind and I've been tasked with retrieving them. Princess Celestia asked me to bring a friend with me, just in case we ran into an angry manticore or something like that. Last time I was caught, I didn't have anyone to help me out. I may not have ever been found if it weren't for Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“I understand completely. Well, I'm free righ' now so whenever we can go th' better. Let me just grab a few things from the barn, okay?”

“I'll meet you at the library.” Twilight paused on her way out and added: “Oh, and bring a wagon!”

“Can do, sugarcube!”

Twilight wished Applejack goodbye and set off for the library.