I must've been very tired from the battle yesterday as I woke up to find my pocketwatch showing 9:30am already. Getting myself dressed and ready for the day, I thought about seeing Trixie as I know that she would love to see me again, but I would keep the part where I told my friends about her and me to myself. Even though this means I have to keep something a secret again, I just hope I could find the words to tell her and hope she would still smile about it.

As I left the home, I saw Twilight and Spike in town with Spike carrying a long scroll with the rest of it being dragged on the floor.

"How are we doing Spike?" Twilight asked him.

"Let's see. We've already dropped off your cape at the cleaners, returned the blackboard you borrowed from Cheerilee, ordered new parchment and quills from the stationary shop."

"Hmm, seems like we just placed an order for those a few days ago."

Spike looked behind him to see the long scroll that trailed behind them. "Can't imagine why we go through so many of them." He responded with a hint of sarcasm.

"Sounds like we're ahead of schedule." Twilight replied as I walked towards them.

"Good morning you two." I called out walking towards them.

"Morning Bond." Twilight replied, "How is your day?"

"It's just started but I feel like a free pony after last night."

"That's great, say, wanna come with me to Sugarcube Corner?"

"Alright, I was going there anyway."

"Cool." she then looked at Spike, "What's next?"

"Cupcakes." Spike answered excitedly.

Oh god...I hope there won't be any blood inside it...no wait, this the genuine side of Ponyville Pinkie would never resort to murdering ponies...right? Argh my brain, why are you messing up my vision with disturbing images? Anyways, shaking my head at those ghastly thoughts, I walked with Twilight and Spike to the shop.

We arrived at Sugarcube Corner and walked through the door. Twilight walked over to the counter and rang the bell.

"Hello, Twilight." Mrs. Cake greeted as she walked out of the kitchen to attend to her. "Are you here for your cupcakes?"

"Yes, mam!" Twilight answered, cheerfully.

Mrs. Cake walked into the kitchen and brought back a white rectangular box. She placed it on the counter and opened it. Twilight, Spike and I moved our heads closer to look inside. While Spike was drooling over the sight of the delicious pink frosted cupcakes, Twilight formed a sort of confused look on her face.

"Uh, I only ordered twelve." Twilight announced.

"Oh, I know, dear," Mrs. Cake answered as she continued to bring out more sweets from the kitchen and place them in boxes to return to the kitchen again. "But I had an extra. So I thought I'd make it a baker's dozen."

Spike was now trying to lift himself up from the floor to grab one of the cupcakes, but I lightly pulled him away with my hooves and kept him near me. "Take it easy, Spike." I told him with a warm expression.

"Oh, that was very thoughtful of you." Twilight responded. "It's just some of the icing from the extra cupcake is getting all over the one next to it." Twilight pointed to the cupcake with her hoof and pushed the box forward to Mrs. Cake. "See?"

Mrs. Cake looked in the box, causing to look inside to see what Twilight was talking about. We observed it for a moment, but I didn't notice much difference.

"Ohh... sure..." Mrs. Cake answered, uneasily.

"It's just that I'm planning on sharing these at a picnic later and I don't want anypony to feel like somepony else is getting more icing."

"Oh, no... of course not."

"Not to worry…" Twilight grabbed a kitchen utensil from the back with her magic. "I'll just move some of this one to…"

When I saw Twilight about to scoop up a large part of the top of the cupcake, I immediately placed my hooves on her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Twilight." I announced, stopping her.

"Hm?" She questioned.

"You don't have to do anything. They're fine."

"But…"

"They're fine Twilight." I kept the smile as I looked towards her. "Nopony is going to fight about a cupcake having a little more frosting than the other one. Besides…" I looked over to the cupcakes. "There's no significant change, and I honestly can't tell any difference between them so…" I looked back at Twilight. "They're fine the way they are."

Twilight sighed, but happily. "Okay." She chuckled a little and placed the utensil back in the back. "I guess we should get going then."

"Twilight, can I please have one?" Spike asked, pleading on his knees while holding his hands together.

"No, Spike. You wouldn't want to spoil your appetite. You'll just have to wait until the picnic." Twilight replied.

"Aww!"

"Okay, time to tackle the next item on our list." Twilight said, placing the box of cupcakes on her back and beginning to walk out the door. I waved goodbye to Mrs. Cake and followed Twilight out the door.

When we were outside, Twilight looked over to me. "Alright, Bond. Spike and I just have to finish some stuff at home and we'll meet you all at the picnic, okay?"

"Gotcha. I'll see you at the picnic then."

She nodded and smiled, giving a wave before leaving towards her home.

I then got back to what I was going to do today, I headed over to the flower store as I wanted to get a rose for Trixie.

"Morning Bond." Roseluck greeted me. "Looking for an ideal flower?"

"Morning Rose, I sure am, a red rose for a wonderful marefriend of mine."

"Now that's very sweet, who's the lucky mare?"

"Well, she doesn't live around here, but I love her no matter how far she is."

"Awww..." Roseluck then picked up a rose from a basket. "...here you are, five bits, please."

I paid her as I took the rose. "Cheers Rose, see you then....oh tell Lily and Daisy I said hi as well."

"I will, see you soon too, Bond."

I left the flower store and trotted along to out of the town and into the forest to Trixie's home. When I arrived, I saw a note being put up by Trixie, looks like I caught her with something just in time.

"Trixie?" I called her when she turned around.

"Bond Racer!" she replied as she came up to me and opened her forelegs out.

I went in for the hug and we shared a passionate kiss.

"What's with the note, love?" I asked.

"Oh, I earned enough bits to go on a vacation...I really need one."

"I see...well before you go, I got this for you." I handed out a rose.

"A rose? thank you Bond...I love you!" she then took the flower and kissed me.

"I love you too Trixie, so whereabouts are you going?"

"To Vanhoover, after opening up to you about my past as well as you doing the same, I felt that it was time I took a holiday at the city where I was first born at and have some time spent there."

"That's really great Trixie, I'm sure you're going to have a fantastic time."

"Thanks, I'll bring something back for you when I return."

I smiled back and nodded.

"And I have just packed and ready to leave...I'll see you again when I come back." she added before kissing me.

"Okay, have a great time...bye Trixie." I kissed her back.

"Bye Bond..." she then walked off with her suitcase floating with her as she made the walk out of the forest. I decided to do the same as I checked the time on the town clock. It was almost lunchtime when I got back, so I was on my way to grab something for the picnic we had planned when I saw Twilight trotting around with something on her mind.

"You've got this, Twilight. You still have plenty of time to get that letter to Princess Celestia! Has to be somepony who needs the help of a good friend!" she said to herself.

"Hey again, Twilight." I greeted, walking towards her.

"Oh hey, Bond!" Twilight responded. "Do you need help? Do you have a problem or issue on your hooves right now?"

"I don't think so…"

Suddenly, we heard a scream.

"That sounded like Rarity." I pointed out...dear me am I becoming that obvious already?

We rushed over to her shop and ran inside.

"Rarity, what's wrong?" I quickly asked, spotting Rarity weeping on top of a platform.

"Why me-e-e-e-e-ee..." She sobbed and then gasped. "WHYYYY? Why? Why-y? And of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!"

I returned a very concerned and worried look as I rushed over to her. However, Twilight looked as if she saw this as more of an opportunity instead.

"What's happened? Are you alright?" Twilight asked.

"I've lost my diamond encrusted purple ribbon!" Rarity responded. "I have searched HIGH, and I have searched LOW. Low and high! High and low! But I can't find it anywhere!" She used her magic to placed a fancy couch near her and threw herself upon it. "Anywhe-e-e-e-ere! How can I possibly finish my latest creation if I can't find it?" Rarity exclaimed as tears streamed down her face.

"Calm down, Rarity…"Twilight replied as she placed a comforting hoof on her. "We'll help you find your-"

Meanwhile, Rarity was looking across from the couch when she suddenly opened her eyes in surprise and cut me off. "Oh there it is." She answered in her usual voice and halted the water works. She got up from the couch and began walking towards a bucket where her ribbon lay in plain sight. "Isn't it always just the last place you look?" Rarity picked it up with her magic and began cutting pieces from it.

Talk about making a mountain out of a mouse-hole.

"So you just lost your ribbon?" Twilight questioned with a sort of worried tone in her voice.

"Mmhm!"

"But now you've found it?"

"Yea-huh."

"And nothing else is bothering you? Nothing that I, as a good friend could help you with?"

"Hmm..." Rarity thought and then looked at Twilight. "There is one thing."

"Yes?" Twilight asked in a very excited manner.

"I think I left my measuring tape under the fabric over there." Rarity pointed to some fabric nearby and walked away. "Could you get that for me?"

Twilight lost her excited expression and sighed. "Measuring tape? Sure." Twilight used her magic to grab the measuring tape and place it in front of Rarity.

Rarity must have noticed Twilight's disappointed voice. "Twilight? Is there something bother-" We noticed that she had suddenly disappeared. "Twilight?" Rarity called, looking at the open front door. Rarity looked over to me. "Bond, did you see where she ran off to?"

Nope, she must've darted out or something." I replied.

"Hmm..." Rarity thought. "Well, I'm sure she'll be at the picnic...see you then."

"Same to you."

I left her home and along the way, I saw Octavia and Vinyl by the cafe

"Yo, cousin!" Vinyl said as she got off her seat and gave me a hug.

"Oh hi Bond." Octavia added.

"Hey Vinyl." I replied, accepting her hug. "and hi Octavia."

"Dude, Tavi told me everything about the Gala, you must've been drunk to have done that."

I shrugged, "Well the strange thing is that I wasn't."

"I have to admit, you did make me laugh." Octavia replied.

"I'm always happy to bring a sense of humour to any party."

"So what are you doing today?" Vinyl asked.

"Oh I've got a picnic to go which is about to start very shortly."

"Alright, take care, cousin."

"We'll see you soon." Octavia added.

"Okay, see you both soon." I then waved and trotted off out of the town.

When I arrived at the picnic site, I saw Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie was bouncing over to me happily as she carried a basket with her mouth. Once she caught up to us, she lowered her head and placed the basket on the grass, removing the cloth that covered what sat inside.

Three balloons inflated and began rising in the air, bringing the basket along with it. Pinkie Pie gave a wide grin as Applejack noticed the balloons for a few seconds and continued setting up the blanket. Rainbow Dash was nearby, placing on sunscreen while she wore huge dark shaded sunglasses...wait a minute, how did she get them exactly?

"Please tell me I did not forget the plates." Rarity exclaimed near them, searching through a basket where cups, forks, spoons, and other utensils laid by. She gasped and pulled her head out. "I did. I totally forgot them. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" She shouted, catching every other pony's attention. She placed her hoof on her forehead dramatically and using her magic, pulled her fancy couch out of nowhere and fell upon it, sobbing. "Why, why, why..."

I spotted several plates not too far from her and called her. "Rarity, the plates are right here." I pointed towards them.

She opened her eyes and noticed them. "Oh, yes, I knew I had taken them out before." We returned confused and awkward expressions as we noticed her continue to lie on the couch. "Uh... What? You didn't expect me to lay on the grass, did you?"

Soon, we wondered where was Twilight...until we heard a gift box drop on the blanket. We turned around to see a disturbing expression...

"JESUS!" I exclaimed...it was Twilight and she looked in a creepy way with her mane out of place. "Umm, are you alright?" I asked.

"No!" Twilight shouted. "I am not alright." Twilight retrieved various shock statements from the girls. "It's just terrible."

"Yes?" We girls questioned, leaning towards her.

"Simply awful." Twilight added.

"Yes?" I added.

"It's the most horrific trouble I've ever been in and I really really really need your help!"

"Yes?" We almost exclaimed.

"My letter to Princess Celestia is almost overdue, and I haven't learned anything about friendship!"

All the girls released sighs of relief while I looked in confusion..."Soooo, that's it?" I asked.

"Oh thank goodness." Fluttershy answered. "I thought something really awful had happened."

"Like if the Orks are invading Equestria." I said out of the blue.

"Orks are invading, darling?" Rarity asked me.

"Forget about it..."

"Something awful has happened!" Twilight exclaimed and teleported to Rarity, causing her to spit out the tea she was drinking. "If I don't turn in the letter on time, I'll be tardy!" She reappeared in the centre of the picnic blanket where we all resided. "TARDY!"

"You'll be late, you mean?" I asked her, "No offence, but it looks like you're getting yourself all stressed over nothing."

"This is not nothing. This is everything. I need you guys to help me find somepony with a problem I can fix before sundown! My whole life depends on it!"

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Oh Twilight, you're such a crack-up!" She fell backwards on the grass as she laughed.

"Come on now." Applejack said. "Have a seat and stop sweatin' the small stuff."

I placed a hoof on Twilight and agreed. "Applejack's right. I'm sure the Princess won't mind if you're a little late. Just tell her that you need a little more time…"

Twilight released a loud annoyed groan as she began walking away, angrily. She released one more annoyed groan before running off and teleporting.

"Wow. I've never seen Twilight so upset before…" Fluttershy commented.

"Oh, what a drama queen!" Rarity exclaimed as she continued lying on her couch. She noticed us realize her irony and cleared her throat. "Mm. Relatively speaking..."

"Why don't we all enjoy the picnic while we can?" I suggested.

The other five mares nodded and enjoyed our picnic, sometime later when it was sunset, I had something on my mind and I wanted to be sure if everything was cool after my confession about me and Trixie.

"So, just to clarify after the way I spilled out my secrets last night, you all don't have a problem with me dating Trixie?"

They all replied with mm's and nodded with smiles...this made me sure there was no problem.

"Nope, no problem at all!" Pinkie answered. "She deserves a 'you love her' party!"

"I don't think that's necessary, Pinkie. Besides, she's away on vacation."

"Awww..."

Just then, we heard a rumble coming from across the field, I then saw several ponies stampeding over the area.

"STAMPEDE!" I yelled.

"What in the name of all things oats 'n apples is goin' on here?" Applejack demanded.

The mayor continued running with the doll until a Pegasus flew over to her and snatched it away. Another Pegasus began fighting with the other one for the doll which eventually flew over beside Rainbow Dash.

"Don't look at it!" Twilight warned.

"Don't look at what?" Rarity asked.

"My Smarty Pants doll! I enchanted her and now everypony is fighting over her!"

"Why would you enchant your doll?" Fluttershy asked, worriedly as all the fighting occurred in the background.

"Oh, I had to do something! I had nothing to report to Princess Celestia! I thought if I couldn't find a problem, I'd make a problem! The day is almost over!"

"Not almost!" Applejack added as we began noticing the sun set completely. Twilight dug her head into her hooves, shamefully.

"Twilight Sparkle!" We heard a sudden magnificent voice above us. A bright glow emerged, causing us to face towards an angry Princess Celestia.

"Whoa nelly…" Applejack commented as she removed her hat.

"Woah...manure's about to go down hard!" I added.

Princess Celestia then used her magic to remove the enchantment and return everypony back to normal. After, Princess Celestia planted her hooves firmly on the ground in front of Twilight. "Meet me in the library." She announced boldly and flew off.

"Goodbye everypony." Twilight said, now depressingly as she stood up. "If you care to visit, I'll be in magic kindergarten, back in Canterlot." She began walking away as she lowered her head, sadly.

"I feel so horrible for Twilight now." I said.

"Magic kindergarten?" Fluttershy questioned.

"Canterlot?" Rainbow Dash added.

"We're never gonna see Twilight again!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"Uh, What are we gonna do, y'all?" Applejack asked, worriedly.

"Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Rarity yelled, causing the other ponies to look at her irritably. "What? I really mean it this time!"

I remained silent for a moment as I closed my eyes. I opened them again and looked over to where the library was.

"We all need to go and explain why this happened, we're her best friends and now that we think about it, we should've paid more attention."

"Bond Racers' right ya'll, we're all in this together and we stick it out no matter what!" Applejack agreed as we all began to run towards Twilight's library.

When we arrived, we immediately burst open through the door. Rainbow Dash quickly flew in front of Twilight and raised her hoof. "Wait!"

"You can't punish her!" Pinkie Pie cried out.

"It wasn't her fault!" Applejack added.

"I'm listening." Princess Celestia responded to their answers.

"Please, your highness. We all saw that Twilight was upset." Fluttershy began.

"But we thought that the thing she was worrying about wasn't worth worrying about." Rainbow Dash continued as Pinkie Pie rubbed her head sadly on Twilight.

"So when she ran off all worked up, not a single one tried to stop her!" Applejack explained.

"As Twilight's good friends, we all should have taken her feelings seriously and been there for her!" Rarity added.

"Please don't take her away from us just because we were too insensitive to help her."

"I agree with all of the above." I added in. "As an alicorn, I should've been a lot smarter and more supportive to try and help Twilight, but it seems that I didn't get my priorities right today. So if you're going to punish Twilight, let me and the rest of us take it as well since we failed to take our friendships seriously."

Princess Celestia thought for a moment and then returned to her smile once again. "Looks like you all learned a pretty valuable lesson today."

We all agreed to that.

"Very well. I'll forget Twilight's punishment on one condition." All the girls were ready to hear for what she had to say. "From this day forth, I would like you all to report to me your findings on the magic of friendship, but when, and only when, you happen to discover them."

All the girls cheered as Princess Celestia began leaving. Twilight noticed this and began rushing over to her as I followed behind.

"Princess Celestia, wait! How did you know I was in trouble?" Twilight asked.

"Your friend Spike made me aware that you were letting your fears get the best of you. I commend him for taking your feelings seriously. Now, if you will all excuse me, I must return to Canterlot. I'm expecting some mail."

She then flew away back to Canterlot....expecting some male, eh? Sorry Celestia but you're going to be getting letters instead of stallion company, I thought to myself with a cheeky grin.

"Y'all heard the Princess." Applejack announced. "Spike, take a letter."

Twilight looked at Spike and hugged him, most likely for the reason that he contacted Princess Celestia.

After, we all gathered around in a circle while Spike began writing the letter.

Applejack cleared her throat and began speaking while she held her hat down. "Dear Princess Celestia, we're writin' to you because today we all learned a little somethin' about friendship."

"We learned that you should take your friends' worries seriously." Fluttershy included.

"Even if you don't think that she has anything to worry about." Rainbow Dash added as she lay on the ground.

"And that you shouldn't let your worries turn a small problem." Rarity continued.

"Into an enormously huge entire-town-in-total-chaos Princess-has-to-come-and-save-the-day problem!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she expressed each word in her own creative way.

"Signed, your loyal subjects." Applejack finished.

Spike looked at us and then lowered his head deeper into the letter. "P.S. Obviously Spike did not have to learn a lesson, because he is the best, most awesome friend a pony could ask for. Unlike everypony else, he took things seriously, and..." He noticed Twilight look at him and shake her head. "Eheh... uh... yeah... I'll just, um..." He crossed out the part he wrote, leading us all to share a laugh together.

"Let's call it a night, girls, I think we've done well." I said.

"Oh wait, tomorrow evening's going to be nightmare night." Rarity intervened.

"Is it? I've never done that before."

"It's kind of like a night of where we dress up." Applejack said.

"Play pranks." Dash added.

"And giving out and eating candy!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"But I don't even have a costume for that,"

"Don't worry dear, I'm in charge of the costumes for the whole nightmare night. Which is why I'm going to be incredibly busy tomorrow."

"Well in that case, I can't wait, so I'll see you all then."

They nodded as I left Twilight's home and back to mine. Getting into bed, I had a quick thought over what happened today. Looks like me and the others will have a big part in writing letters to the princess from now on. Guess I better find a lesson I can learn as soon as the chance arrives. Sleeping away, I dreamt about Trixie and I wondered when she would return from her vacation. Oh well bring on Nightmare Night tomorrow, I have a feeling that one's going to be a surprise for me...and maybe everypony else. Next Chapter: Luna Eclipsed Estimated time remaining: 22 Hours, 35 Minutes