I woke up the next morning and the first order of business was to finish off my packing, so I put on my clothes and packed a few bits of food for the train journey. I smiled as I was happy with what I needed, I then left the home to see the other girls already leaving the library.

"You absolutely sure you can do this?" Twilight asked Spike.

"Of course. Wouldn't have agreed to it if I couldn't. Piece of cake. Speaking of cake, I got a little something I need to attend to." Spike replied before pulling out a cooking book.

"Yeah, like keeping an eye on a house full of critters."

"Uh, yeah, uh, that was totally what I was talking about. Relax. Go to your welcoming thing in the Crystal Empire. Spike's got it all under control."

Spike then closed the door and suddenly, huge animal noises shook the house.

"Morning girls, I guess you've asked Spike to watch over your pets while we're away?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I am worried that he can't handle it." Twilight replied.

"I wouldn't worry and besides..." I paused as I kissed Rarity, "...Rarity and I will be able to share our love without him knowing."

"Yeah that's true, partner." Applejack agreed.

"Hurry up, guys! We can't miss our train!" Dash exclaimed as we trotted over to the station where our train was there.

"Tickets." The conductor said as we showed him the tickets that Twilight bought for all of us.

"Oh, this is gonna be a real treat. Princess Cadence said she'd never seen the Crystal Ponies so excited." Applejack said.

"Duh! Of course they're excited. They're up for the Equestria Games. It's only the biggest sporting event in all of Equestria." Dash added.

"Didn't Cloudsdale host the Equestria Games one year?" Rarity asked.

"No. Cloudsdale should have hosted the games one year. I'll never forget when we got the bad news."

"Well, these Crystal Ponies lost a thousand years to an evil king's curse. They've had enough bad news. No way we're letting them experience the pain of losing out on these games." I intervened.

"Exactly. Princess Cadence is counting on us to do our part to convince the Games Inspector to choose the Crystal Empire. And we are not gonna let her down. Are we?" Twilight added.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO! What? I was just answering Twilight's question." Pinkie said.

We rolled our eyes over at Pinkie's dramatic reply as we got on the train, we were then on our way to the Crystal Empire.

Thankfully, the journey wasn't as long as before since the curse was long gone when we dealt with that unicorn king. When we arrived, we got off the train and Pinkie already made a beeline for the cake store beside the station.

When we left the station, we stopped to look at the city which looked even more sparkling than before.

"Wow! The Crystal Empire looks crystallier than ever!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"That's not even a word." I muttered.

"They must have everypony in the Empire out sprucing it up!" Applejack added as we arrived into the city.

"This must be why we were asked to handle the welcome committee routine." Twilight thought.

"And it's probably also because we'll be awesome at it." Dash added.

"Princess Cadence was right. These ponies do look pretty darn excited."

"Yup, I remember that feeling. But not as much as I remember the crushing wave of disappointment that came when things didn't work out. That right there. That is the face I do not want to see."

We carried on walking further in the city till we were at a fashion salon, we walked in to see two workers and Cadence herself.

"We're here." Twilight called.

"There are my girls..." Cadence replied before she noticed me"...oh and you as well, Bond.

Twilight and Cadence then did their chant again.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

One of these days, that chant is going to be grating to everypony, I thought to myself.

"Oh, my. This is spectacular. Please, everypony, stand back! I need air!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Go ahead and try whatever you like. It's all complimentary for the welcome committee." Cadence replied.

"Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo!"

"That over there is a crystal mud bath, which relaxes your body and rejuvenates your coat. Now, I realize it can be kind of strange to climb into mud, but if you'll just give it a chance, I'm sure-"

"Woo-hoo!" Pinkie yelled as she jumped in the mud bath.

"Pinkie, no!" Twilight yelled, but it was too late.

"Ahh, so relaxing!"

"Pinkie Pie! Honestly!"

I took Rarity's hoof, just to remind her that I'm still here, she smiled back at me and gave me a quick kiss.

"Go ahead, have a good time while I get my ceremonial headdress done." Cadence said.

"Ceremonial... headdress?" Rarity asked excitedly.

"When meeting with important guests, it was tradition for rulers of the Crystal Empire to weave crystals into their manes in a very specific way. The Games Inspector is known for doing her homework. She'll certainly be expecting my look to reflect the importance of her visit."

Just then, the doors opened and a crystal mare came by to tell Cadence something.

"Princess, if I may have a word... I-I have two pieces of news for you. First, your mane stylist has the flu and won't be able to make it for fear of you catching it, too." she said.

"Oh. Well... I hope she's better soon. Do any of the other stylists here know how to do the traditional royal ceremonial headdress?" Cadence asked the other crystal ponies.

Neither of them knew and shook their heads.

"Oh...just a... small detail."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You're trying to land the Equestria Games here. There is no such thing as a small detail!" Dash said.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight scolded lightly.

"I suppose...I could give it a shot." Rarity intervened.

"Oh, Rarity, you would do that for me?" Cadence asked.

"Way to step it up, Rare!"

"Fortunately, I have all the precise instructions right here."

Cadence then rolled out a scroll that looked quite long.

"Oh, my!" Rarity gasped.

"You sure you're up to this?"

"Working on the hair of royalty on such an auspicious occasion is the opportunity of a lifetime! I will give it everything I've got!"

"See? No worries!" Twilight added.

"Besides, the Games Inspector isn't expected for several hours. I'll have plenty of time to figure out exactly how to... do... this..."

"Oh, Rarity, that's wonderful!" Cadence then turned to the messenger, "You said you had a second bit of news?"

"Yes, quite. The Games Inspector, Ms. Harshwhinny, will be arriving on the... next train."

All the mares gasped except me as I had now idea who that was.

"What!? You couldn't have told her that news first!? That's fifteen minutes from now!" Dash exclaimed.

"Oh, my goodness!" Fluttershy added.

"How long before Cadance is ready?" Twilight asked Rarity as she was looking through the list.

"Hmm...I'm sure to find some shortcuts." she replied.

"Can you have her back at the castle when we're done?"

"Done." she then turned to me, "This could take a while, darling. I'll be alright in here, you and others focus on the task."

"Alright, love, don't work too hard." I replied with a smile.

We then shared a loving kiss before I walked out with other five mares.

"Okay, we'll be fine. Everypony, just be on the look out for the pony with the flower print luggage." Twilight said.

"Easy peasy, pudding in the freezy!" Pinkie added, bouncing.

"We bring the Games Inspector back to the castle, put on our big welcome committee how-do-you-do and then..."

"Put the pudding out to thaw before you eat it or you'll crack a tooth?" I asked randomly.

"I'll just ignore that. We need to remember that the Games Inspector arriving early is probably part of a plan to psych us out." Dash said.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"You said it yourself. She's got a rep for trying to catch hosts off-guard, just to see if we can handle the kind of massive pressure that comes with hosting the Equestria Games."

"Oh, no...we're gonna blow it..." Fluttershy added with a bit of worry.

"Not if we always stay one step ahead and don't fall for any of her mind games. Anything she throws at us, we just need to remember she's testing us and roll with it."

We then trotted out of the city when I felt a tap on my shoulder, before I turned around to see Shining Armour.

"Hey Bond." he greeted.

"Oh hey Shining." I replied.

"Shining!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Twily!"

They shared a quick hug.

"Oh if you don't mind, sis, I wanna give Bond here a tour of my commands and actions of a royal guard."

"Alright, we've got an important errand to run, we'll see you later Bond."

The girls then rushed off to the station whilst Shining took me to inside the castle and down the stairs

"This here Bond is the entrance to the royal guard academy, it's full of both guards that are in either crystal form or not." he explained before we went through the doors to see a training facility, a mess hall and a pathway that leads into the light somewhere.

"Now, that there is the shooting range for the unicorn guards, it's always worth keeping their accuracy in check, as I'm sure you would know."

"Well, I haven't been doing any target practice since my magic isn't used like that." I replied.

"Why don't you give it a try for today only?"

"Hmm, I guess I could."

We then walked over to the training area and I got in line. A target appeared from far away and with my horn, I took aim and fired a few shots with my magic. When I was done, the target moved closer so I could see where I got the target.

"Not bad for a first time." Shining complimented. "Now next is the obstacle course, these are for the crystal earth ponies who wanna get in and to join our ranks...think you can handle it without using your magic or wings?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Great, now start over here and get in position."

I walked over to the front line and got myself ready.

"Ready...GO!"

I then began to gallop, jump and crouch throughout the course and when I was done, I was by the finish line and caught my breath for a few seconds.

"Now that's how you nail the course, now come with me, this is the last thing I wanna show you."

We then walked into the bright light and I found myself in a small crystal stadium.

"We use this stadium to train ourselves up in case we win the right to host the Equestria Games and we're hoping to get that chance this year." he said as I looked at a few ponies at work, training.

We then saw the doors at the top of the stairs open, it was Twilight who trotted down towards us.

"Hey Twily, what's up?" Shining asked.

"Hello again, Shining Armour, you've gotta help me." Twilight replied.

Shining then blew his whistle and the ponies all began to run around the track.

"Everything okay?"

"I left the other ponies behind giving the Games Inspector the worst castle tour ever."

"Castle tour, huh? I'm pretty sure I can give you a hoof with that. Everything's gonna be okay."

"I know, I'm not worried. I'm not worried... it worked!"

"I'm outside!" a beige mare with green mane exclaimed, "Feels so good to stretch the old legs!"

She then galloped around the track with the other ponies.

"Uh, what the-" I was then cut off.

"Turns out the crystal castle doesn't have a gymnasium." Dash said.

"Make her stop!" Shining exclaimed.

"Wait, that's the Games Inspector! Let her do her thing."

"Uhh, are you sure about that, Dash, she doesn't look like it to me." I said.

The mare then stopped by us, when she saw me as an alicorn.

"You...are Ms. Harshwhinny, the Equestria Games Inspector, aren't you?" I asked.

"Inspector what-now?" she replied.

The five mares gasped.

"We got the wrong pony?!" Dash gasped.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO! I mean, YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!" Pinkie shouted.

Twilight then began to breathe but in a panic state.

"Twily, get a hold of yourself, you and the other girls should go back to the station and find her." Shining said "Bond, you should go and see Cadence and don't let her know about this mess."

"I'm on it, let's go girls." I declared.

We all then galloped out of the crystal stadium before splitting up. The girls went back to the station and I galloped over to the beauty parlour where I know Rarity and Cadence would be. When I got there, I opened the door to see them still there along with two other mares who were relaxing.

"Every city and empire wants to host the Equestria Games. So, I have to go through all the big phony-baloney song and dance, though of course, I'm never getting the real inside scoop." said the brown mare with gold mane and was dressed in a purple suit.

"Oh, golly, I've been having a swell time since I got here. I'm actually thinking of extendin' my stay." the other mare replied who I think was the same one we bumped into just a short while ago.

"And what exactly has made your visit so special?"

"Oohohohoooh, gosh, where to start?"

I walked closer to Rarity who was standing beside a tall blind stand, Cadence is probably getting changed or something.

"Oh hi darling, is everything alright?" Rarity asked me.

I was about to answer when the other girls came in from behind me.

"Wonderful news, look! Princess Cadence, better than new!" Rarity added as she showed Cadence in her new look and I had to admit, she looked amazingly wonderful.

"Princess Cadence?" the brown warm asked as she jumped up to see Cadence. "So, this is where you've been! I will have you know this is by far the worst welcome I've had in all my years!"

"I-I can't believe it...what was wrong with your welcome?" Cadence asked.

"There wasn't one!"

"What is going on?"

"Princess, we gave our welcome to the wrong pony, left the right one waiting at the station, and completely ruined everything." Dash explained.

"Cinnamon bun?" Pinkie asked before she squeed.

I facehoofed, "Maybe I should've gone with you girls instead, I probably would've helped you out with my identification spell." I sighed.

"When I was a little filly, I wanted so badly for Cloudsdale to win the Equestria Games. But it didn't happen. So I thought I could make up for that disappointment by helping the Crystal Empire win the chance to host the Games. But it looks like I ruined your chances instead." Dash said.

"Not so fast, speedy." the beige mare intervened.

"I just finished hearing about how Ms. Peachbottom was just treated to the warmest, finest, most fabulous reception she ever had." the brown mare added.

"Darn tootin'"

"Courtesy of these fine ponies right here. Which I, Ms. Harshwhinny in my expert opinion, amounts to the first ever unvarnished, unrehearsed, and unbiased appraisal of a potential host of the Equestria Games. Which can only mean one thing..."

Sometime later, we were at the stadium with every other pony in attendance, about to hear the news.

"...The next host of the Equestria Games is...the Crystal Empire!" Cadence announced.

All the ponies and us cheered at the great news.

"We did it!" Dash exclaimed.

"Congratulations, Crystal Ponies!" Cadence added as a huge spark above the crystal tower blew into several light wave colours.

Soon, it was time for us to go home to Ponyville, since our work at the Crystal Empire was done.

"You know, it feels good to help others get something you always wanted but never had. Almost as good as getting it yourself. Almost." Dash said.

"We'll still be able to come back here and watch the games when they're played." Twilight assured as we got in the train with our saddle bags.

"You're right. That'll rock!"

"All aboard!" the conductor said before the train began to start moving, we were on our way back home.

"It's a shame Spike had to miss out on all this. He would've had fun here." Pinkie said.

"I'm sure he's having a great time watching all the critters back at home." Twilight replied.

"Think he's still got a handle on things?" Applejack asked.

"If he's staying calm and collected, I bet he's doing a terrific job as a leader." I answered.

The girls nodded in agreement.

Soon, we were back in Ponyville by sunset and as we got off the train and onto the station, we saw Spike with all the pet animals.

"Well Spike, looks like you took care of the pets." I commented.

"I sure did, although I wasn't able to bake a gem cake out of it." he replied.

"Probably because of your desire to eat as many gems as possible, Spikey Wikey." Rarity said.

"Well, it's time we called it a day, ya'll." Applejack declared.

We all nodded in agreement as we exchanged our farewells with the pets all back with their owners. I walked to my home and I was about to walk in when I felt my hoof grabbed on.

"Wait darling, you forgot to give me a proper 'see you tomorrow'." Rarity said to me.

"Oh yes...how I could I ever forget your beauty and love for me?" I replied.

We shared a passionate kiss which lasted for a great amount of time.

"See you tomorrow, love." I said.

"Same to you, dear." she replied.

We kissed again before hugging and then allowing me to walk into my home whilst Rarity went her way home. I got in and took my clothes off as well as unpacking my saddle bags, before having a quick meal and then calling it a night as it was the evening time.

As I got into bed, I looked back on today, it was quite an eventful day to say the least, I for one am very happy that the Crystal Empire is getting to host the Equestria Games, even though I have never seen it nor been to one before. It'll be a very, very long wait until that day arrives.

In the meantime...the rest of the week shall be fine and dandy. Next Chapter: Magical Mystery Cure Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 20 Minutes