The bell above the door rang as Twilight Sparkle trotted briskly into Sugarcube Corner.

Fluttershy and Applejack looked up from where they sat at a table, sipping from soda bottles.

"Hi, Twilight!" Fluttershy smiled.

"Howdy sugarcube! About time! Come and have a squat!"

"Sorry to keep you girls waiting!" Twilight Sparkle shuffled up to the table, breathless. "And I hate to say it, but, I-I haven't got too much time to spare."

"Awwwwww..." Applejack's ears folded beneath her hat. "Shucks."

"You've really been hitting those books hard lately, haven't you?" Fluttershy remarked.

"This report I'm making on the friendship negotiations with the local diamond dog colony isn't going to write itself!" Twilight exhaled through a tired smile. "I've got all of the notes Rarity gave me from her captivity a year ago—"

"Oh yeah!" Applejack nodded. "I remember that."

"Erm..." Fluttershy shuddered. "Me too..."

"But somehow it isn't enough." Twilight groaned inwardly, rubbing her temple. "I don't need to focus on just the bad things that the diamond dogs did on the outskirts of Ponyville. There's something missing. I need more."

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie bounced in from the kitchen area of the eatery. "I heard something about hitting books!" She spun towards Twilight, chuckling. "Hiya Twilight! You want a sledgehammer for that?!"

Applejack and Twilight giggled.

"Pinkie..." Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling. "It's not that kind of book hitting."

"I know that, silly filly!" Pinkie stuck her tongue out then grinned even wider. "What you really need is a jackhammer!"

"Eugh..." Applejack rolled her eyes. "My southeast fields are full of maize and even still they ain't as corny as you, Pinkie!"

"Whatcha want to drink, Twilight?" Pinkie winked. "It's on the house!"

"Awwwww... thanks!" Twilight smiled. "I... think I'll have a root beer, if that's alright!"

"Rootie Tootie Pootie!" Pinkie cantered towards the far end of Sugarcube Corner. "Coming right up!"

"N-not too large a glass, though!" Twilight called after her. She looked at the others seated with her. "Too much sugar makes my mind antsy. Then the words just jump off the pages, y'know?"

"Heck, that happens to me whenever I read a book," Applejack said with a slight guffaw.

"Whew..." Twilight leaned back in her seat, exhaling. "Sure is nice to relax for a bit. If I didn't have Spike around, I swear, I'd never get anything done! He keeps me on schedule too. I got so caught up in my work, I nearly forgot our little get-together." She paused for a few seconds, then smiled. "Still, I-I didn't mean to interrupt anything! What were you girls talking about right before I arrived?"

"Oh, Applejack and I were just discussing how the Gala's right around the corner," Fluttershy said.

"Princess Celestia has extended her invitation again!" Applejack chuckled. "Can y'all believe that?!"

"It seems like just yesterday when we were having the best night of our lives," Fluttershy said. "Well... uh..." She blushed slightly. "So to speak."

"Heh..." Twilight winced. "Somehow... I don't think just one year is enough for most ponies in Canterlot to forget what happened the first time we went."

"Awwww what the hay?!" Applejack shrugged. "They'll let us in! I mean, what do they've got to lose?!"

"Are you serious?" Fluttershy glanced incredulously at Applejack. "Surely they must remember the noise, the carnage..." She gulped. "...and th-the rampaging animals."

"Yes, but they also remember Rarity's dresses." Twilight winked. "I bet that's the real reason they'll let us back!"

"You mean my apple fritters won't win their hoity toity favor?"

Twilight and Fluttershy laughed.

Applejack leaned a hoof to her chin. "Shoot... who am I kiddin'? Rarity's the classiest of us all. I'm sure she's beside herself with this invitation thingy."

"And how." Fluttershy nodded. "It's all she talks about when we go to the spa together."

"Oooh..." Twilight leaned forward, beaming. "I wonder if she's planning any new dresses for the Gala?!"

"You th-think?!"

"Gala Shmala!" Fwooooosh! A blue figure blurred through the window. Rainbow Dash landed on the table, striking a pose. "I've got waaaaaay more awesome news!"

"Whoah, there, Rainbow!" Twilight winced. "Dramatic entrance, much?"

"Where're yer manners, ya silly varmint?!" Applejack barked. "Hooves off the table before Mr. and Mrs. Cake throw us out!"

Rainbow did a backflip and landed beside the group, holding up an opened envelope. "The weekend after next, there's a wrestling show in Baltimare! That's just half-a-day's flight from here!"

"So?" Twilight asked.

"So...?!" Rainbow gawked at her. "This is finally my chance to show you guys the best professional sports entertainment in the world!" She spun towards the others, grinning. "Colt Angle is going to be there! And the Undertrotter!" She flew over to Fluttershy, side-hugging her tight. "The Undertrotter! Squee!"

"Uhm..." Fluttershy blushed slightly. "They... c-certainly picked a bad time."

Rainbow Dash leaned back, blinking. "Huh?! What are you talking about?! We can all take a train there! It'll only be a day! I've been wanting to take you guys to a real wrestling show for ages!"

"Rainbow, it's the same weekend as the Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight said. "I mean, the scheduling doesn't exactly surprise me, demographics considered and all..."

"But... but..." Rainbow Dash slumped back, pouting. "We've already done a Gala! Come on, guys!" She held the envelope up, eyes twinkling. "Even Dean Marelenkoats Jr is showing up..."

"Rainbow Dash, you can go on and have yerself a grand ol' time watchin' stallions in spandex smack each other in the head," Applejack said. "But it'd be a shame for the rest of us to turn down the royal invitations we've received."

"Besides, we would love to have you come with us!" Fluttershy exclaimed, smiling. "Please, Rainbow, won't you join?"

Rainbow gritted her teeth. She looked at the envelope, at her friends, then at the envelope again. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Her wings drooped as she ripped the flyer to shreds and slumped down with folded forelimbs. "Fine. I'll go to the Gala." She rolled her eyes. "It wouldn't be fun booing Colt Angle without you guys anyway."

"Awwwww, Rainbow..." Twilight leaned in to nuzzle her. "Our awesome pegasus. Loyal to the end."

"Guhhh!" Rainbow shrugged her off, nevertheless smiling. "Just don't get mushy about it, will ya? Pfffft... the Gala shouldn't be that bad."

"Lightning never strikes twice, ya reckon?"

"Plus, if we're lucky, maybe somepony will hit another pony with a folding chair!"

"Rainbow..."

Pinkie Pie slid up to the table, balancing a tray on her poofy head. "Heeeeeere's your root beer, Twilight!" She plopped the tiny glass down onto the table before the mare. "Careful! It's foamy!" She turned towards the pegasus. "Hiya Dashie! And here's a tall glass of cider for you!"

"Whoahhh..." Rainbow Dash's muzzle fell agape as she carefully cradled the glass. "Pinkie! How'd you know I'd be swinging by?"

"My left eye was twitching!" Pinkie the tray around. "And, on that note, my right fetlock was itching. So that means—"

The door rang as Rarity rushed in, breathless. "Sorry I'm late! We hit the most terrible traffic on the way here! Fifth and Main Street is muzzle to tail for blocks!"

"—a vanilla cherry smoothie for Rarity!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed melodically.

"Oh, darling, you shouldn't have!" Rarity waved a hoof as she stood in the doorway. "And here I thought I was the generous one!"

"What are you holding the door open for, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"Just a second, dear." Rarity turned and faced out the door. "Spikey Wikeyyyy!"

"C-coming!" Spike wheezed, stumbling inside while balancing a tall stack of fabrics in his scaled arms. "You know, for silk sheets, th-these sure way a t-ton!"

"They're only breezy on a dainty lady, Spike."

"Spike...?" Twilight gave a suspicious stare. "I thought I had you on reshelving duty."

"Oh Twilight, do be easy on him," Rarity said as she led the dragon whelp to the table. "After all, I was the one who employed his most gracious assistance in bringing these samples in." Rarity leaned in and pinched the dragon's cheek. "And like a dapper gentlecolt, he couldn't resist doing the chivalrous thing!"

"Ehhhh heh heh heh..." Spike's face reddened as he avoided Rarity's enchanting stare. "Comnes with the t-territory."

"What kind of samples are these, anyway?" Rainbow Dash asked between cider sips.

"Why, samples of the gowns I'm making for the Gala, of course!"

"Oh really?!" Fluttershy gasped. "Oh, Rarity, you shouldn't have!"

"Of course I should! And I will!" An airy laugh. "And I do! Last year was a complete disaster! And while I'm not entirely the one to blame, I still feel partially responsible for the chaos that could easily have been avoided!" She spread several of the silk sheets out. "This year, things will be different! I'm going for simplicity! Something that'll look elegant for all of us, but only with a modicum of frills!"

"Ah, I see what yer gettin' at." Applejack winked. "All under-the-radar-like."

"Duaaaaaah!" Pinkie Pie gasped. "Is the Gala being held underwater this year?!"

Fluttershy giggled.

"Actually, Pinkie Pie, I think the key word then would be 'sonar.'"

"Twilight..." Rainbow Dash groaned, emptying her cider mug and wiping her muzzle dry. "Just quit while you're ahead."

"You think that was funny?" Pinkie Pie giggle-snorted. "Here's a real doozie! What did the killer whale say to his dolphin friend when he offered to turn on the radio?"

"I give," Fluttershy said. "What?"

"'No thanks! I'm having a real bad 'haddock!'"

"Ugggggggggh..." Rainbow Dash's whole body slumped on her wings.

"Heeheehee!" Pinkie Pie danced in a gleeful little circle.

"What'd we ever do without you, Pinkie?" Spike asked.

"Your homework, probably!"

"But Twilight's always having me re-shelve stuff! It's not 'homework'... more like 'allwork!'"

"It's okay, Spike." Twilight reached out, patting his shoulder. "You can have the rest of the day off."

"Whew." He wiped his scaled brow.

"Besides..." Twilight giggled. "Looks like you're Rarity's apprentice for the rest of the evening."

"Er... yeah..." Spike gulped, fiddling with his claws. "I-I'm not complaining."

"Now, girls..." Rarity tilted her chin up proudly while sliding the silk sheets across the table. "These are the colors I've picked out for each and every one of you. I've included a rough design of your gowns on a white sheet folded in between the samples. They're for your eyes and your eyes only. Now, I want you to take these home tonight. Then, for the next few evenings if you have to, carefully look them over and decide whether or not the colors I've chosen to you are complementary enough. If you think so—or if you believe that I should augment the rough designs—then come back and talk with me and we'll choose a final draft. And then I'll start sewing!" She beamed, squealing inwardly. "Mmmmm! And then we'll be sashaying across the dance floor at the Gala once again!"

"Yeah..." Rainbow muttered. "I can hardly wait."

"Rainbow..." Fluttershy leaned in to nuzzle her.

"Unngh... yeah yeah." Rainbow smirked. "I'm thrilled. Really."

"I can't wait!" Twilight said, drinking up her root beer. "Especially since I'll be done with my paper by then!"

"Oh, Twilight, darling." Rarity smiled across the table. "Are you still slaving away at that diamond dog report?"

"Well, it has to be done sooner than later, Rarity," Twilight said. "After all, this is a special occasion! I mean... just think about it!" She blinked brightly at the other ponies. "Barely a year ago, the diamond dogs wouldn't have even thought of speaking amicably with ponykind! But over the last few weeks, they've been making contact—friendly contact! They helped an injured filly stuck along the country path! They worked to put out a house that had caught fire! And now we've learned that when the parapsrites swarmed Ponyville, they were doing their best to shoo the pests away!"

"I suppose beneath all of that coarse fur and uncouth slobber there's..." Rarity gulped. "...something that stands to be respected."

"I think kindness can be found in any creature," Fluttershy said, smiling gently. "At least, it's what I've always believed. It's nice to see it happening with those who we once thought were monsters."

"I still think it's a bit of a stretch to tack it all on friendship, Twilight," Applejack said. "But, I-I'm not the expert on it like you are."

"Are you kidding?!" Twilight gaped. "Of course you're an expert! You all are! It's no silly coincidence that creatures like the diamond dogs have warmed up to ponykind since we all became best friends!"

"You mean before you showed up in Ponyville, Twilight," Rainbow said with a smirk.

The others chuckled.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "You girls really need to give yourself more credit." Twilight stood up and leaned over. "You too, Spike." She nuzzled him dearly. "I'd be nowhere without my favorite assistant."

"Awwwwwwwww..." Spike chuckled and shoved her back. "Please. Not in front of the other unicorn."

Twilight giggled, stepping back. "Well, I-I'm sorry, but I really gotta go. The sooner I get this done—"

"Right." Rarity nodded. "Just don't forget the samples I gave you."

"I wouldn't dream of it!" Twilight levitated the tiny silk sheets and waved at the group. "Thanks, everypony! Sorry for having to stop and go so quickly."

"It's okay, Twilight."

"Dun ya fret, sugarcube. We know yer busy."

"We're just glad we got to see you at all, darling."

"Don't work your brain noodle too hard, Twilight!" Pinkie said and bounced. "At least not before pouring some milk and cheese in!"

"Aaaaaaaaand on that note." Twilight turned and trotted out Sugarcube Corner while the rest of the table giggled merrily.

The sun was just starting to set when Twilight made her way home. The unicorn hummed to herself, cantering at a happy pace. She glanced aside at her fellow neighbors, exchanging smiles and waves. Families were gathering on their front lawns, reuniting after a long day of work and school. Shops were closing as elderly clerks trotted their way slowly to their apartments across town.

On the last block before the treehouse, Twilight slowed her pace, drinking in the cool, crisp air... the tranquility of the moment that washed over her like a velvet curtain. The air grew darker, with the barest hint of starlight peeking through the cosmic veil. Twilight stared up at the heavens, contemplating the serenity of the moment, until at last several jutting branches stretched into view. With an inward breath, Twilight smiled and opened the front door to her library home.

The first thing she saw was a wooden floor covered from wall to wall with stacks of books. She was too afraid to even breathe, for fear that the slightest exhale would send the tall towers crashing over.

"Ohhhhhhhhh Spike," Twilight sighed. Nevertheless, she smiled to herself. "Maybe I should start paying you in rubies."

The unicorn gently placed the silk samples onto a nearby table. Trotting ahead, she approached the first of many bookstacks and levitated them with her magic. She then turned, preparing to carry them to the nearest empty shelf, when a voice suddenly resonated across the chamber.

"Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight gasped. In an instant, every book thudded to the floor. She spun about, squinting. "What... wh-who's there?!"

At first, Twilight saw nothing. Then, from the shadows, a pair of bright eyes lit up. She saw a tall figure with outstretched wings standing just beyond focus.

"Princess Celestia?!" was the first thing Twilight sputtered. For a reason she did not quite understand, her blood ran cold. She gulped. "Luna...?"

The eyes narrowed. "Are you happy, Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight blinked. She raised a nervous hoof, leaning her head to the side. "Uhhhh..."

"Are you happy?"

With a gulp, Twilight said. "Yes. I... I mean of course! Why wouldn't I be?"

The eyes stared coldly at her.

Twilight took a brave step. "Just who are—?"

The figure jolted forward. A beam of bright light soared outward, striking Twilight in the chest. The unicorn shrieked, instantly burning. Her body slammed back into the back wall of the library.