“She looked that bad huh?” Robert asked Spike, who nodded.

“It was pretty horrible.” the dragon confirmed. Robert chuckled. They were getting ready to board the train to the Crystal Empire.

“I did not look that horrible.” Twilight protested.

“Umm... yes, you did sugarcube.” Applejack said, and held up a picture from the town paper.

'Pretty princess partially frazzled fixing dark magic disaster.' read the headline. Twilight's mane and tail were in a pretty sorry state, as she fixed all the things Rarity had changed. Rarity shrank down.

“Don't worry about it Rarity.” Pinkie said. “We all get possessed by evil magic once in a while. Remember the first time we met Discord?” she asked.

“Never speak of that again.” Rarity said, eyes flaring.

“Just an example.” Pinkie said, waving her hooves in the universal gesture to ward off an angry unicorn.

“I did apologize for that, didn't I?” Discord asked.

“No, I don't believe you did.” Rarity said, turning.

“Oh, well... I'm sorry.” he shrugged, and then vanished.

“That wasn't a very sincere apology.” Twilight noted.

“Yeah, but... he was being honest. I think that's the best you'll get.” Applejack interjected. “And we'd best be getting' on the train so we don't get left behind.”

---

Preparing for the opening ceremony was as much a matter of repeating normal routines as anything for most of the crew from Ponyville, at least those not competing. Rainbow continued to push her team, meaning Fluttershy got very little rest. Of course, she wasn't sure when Rainbow was sleeping either, since she seemed to always be up and ready to startle her or Bulk Biceps. Of course, Rainbow's 'pep talk' on the train hadn't really helped much.

Bulk Biceps, for his part, didn't find that a problem. Want to win? Got to be the best. Don't got great wings? Muscle up. Did it matter that he couldn't fly fast? Nope. He could fly graceful. And more over, he could benchpress the entire Ponyville team. Losing wouldn't take that away, so he only had stuff to gain.

Rainbow of course, spent her time freaking out. And she'd learned that the best way to deal with that was to spread it around. If she was freaked out, better make sure everyone else is freaked out too. Make it nice and even. Even if Fluttershy was usually freaked out, and Bulk Biceps seemed to be impenetrable. She could wear down anyone. No one stayed calm around Rainbow Danger Professionalism Dash.

Pinkie... just had to watch. But she was always at full tilt. If not, you couldn't stay on top of everything, keep everything in check. Couldn't be ready to party at any moment. Gotta... ooh, bouncy. Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy....

Rarity kept looking into the mirror. Many a stallion, and more than a few mares would have told her she was perfect, and she would have happily agreed, even if she didn't quite believe it. Still, she checked and checked again her reflection for any hint of mistake. It was not for anyone else. She demanded perfection from herself. And if she was satisfied, what did it matter if others couldn't see it?

Twilight's preparations were less personal, and more public. Making sure her official regalia was just right was not a one pony job. Fortunately, Luna had lent her a specialist. Formal Occasion was a particularly capable attendant.

“Should be finished in just a moment.” he muttered, arranging her peytral. “Now comes the tricky bit.” he pulled it tight, and she buckled it. “Perfect. Fit alright?”

“Just perfect.” Twilight nodded. “Thanks for the help.”

“You are welcome, though it is quite literally my job.” he shrugged it off.

“I doubt Luna needs the help.” Twilight said, staring into the mirror.

“On the contrary, she sought out my services because she did require the aid.” he said, buffing some imperfection only he could see. “She had not worn her formal ensemble in quite some time, and required aid in putting it on. Even if one knows where all the buckles and straps are, it can be quite difficult to ensure one has them in place. And having such things fall off is quite embarrassing.”

“Why? It's not like we normally wear clothes.” Twilight asked.

“Indeed, and yet, would you not be embarrassed to drop a book on a hard surface?” he asked, polishing her shoes before passing them over.

“Oh, I see.” she said. “I guess that makes sense.”

“Indeed. She wished to ensure she did not commit any of the social faux pas which would cause harm to her return to the throne.” he paused. “I am sorry, I feel as though I am spilling secrets.”

“Sorry.” Twilight said. “You don't have to say anything more. The room is warded against listening spells though.”

“Might I ask why?” he queried.

“The first time we met Discord made me a little paranoid later. I got over it but... somethings remained. Becoming a princess meant that being able to ward for listening spells, and other such spycraft was very useful. Of course Discord slips past my wards once in a while anyway. I think he does it on purpose.”

“Probably. He is a creature of chaos. Though I must say, a little chaos, properly applied can go a long way.” he looked at her for a moment. “There you are your highness, ready for a royal occasion.”

“Thank you.” Twilight smiled. “For all the help.”

“As I said. It's my job.”

Applejack brushed her mane, long, smooth strokes. One after another until she'd reached one hundred. She was not Rarity, who took tremendous pride and ages over her mane and tail, but that did not mean she did not take care of them. Time and again her mother had told her so long as she took pride in her work, she should also take pride in whatever else she did. She slipped the ribbon around her hair, and tied it off. Then she brushed off her stetson and set it on her head.

Robert decided to be an earth pony. He'd intended on being a Pegasus, but that raised too many questions about why he wasn't competing. Being a Unicorn was completely out. They'd be under a disabling spell to prevent cheating. He'd asked Twilight to try one out on him, and had then spent the next day in bed, fighting off a reaction sickness. While it was effective, it was definitely not how the spell was supposed to disable magic. And so, earth pony it was. He thought he looked rather dashing.

A clicking noise came at his door, and he waited a moment for his transformation to dissipate. “Come in.” the door opened, and Gilda slipped inside.

“Hello.” she said levelly.

“I see you spoke with the Ambassador.” he said, not quite looking at her.

“Of course I did. I keep my promises.” she snapped, then wilted. “Sorry.”

“And?” Robert asked.

“He knew. When I walked in, he knew.” she glared. “Even before your letter, he feathering knew.”

“That's good, because I didn't say a thing about it in my letter.” Robert said, and looked her in the eyes.

“Why... why did he stand up for me?” she demanded.

“He does things for his own reason. I presume you standing here means he helped?” he asked, calmly.

“My family still wouldn't take me back.” she looked away. “He adopted me into his clan.”

“Must see greatness in you.” Robert said. “He doesn't do that for many.”

“I know. But I don't understand what he sees.” she shook her head.

“We rarely do.” he replied. They were silent for several long moments. “Do you have a return message for me?”

“No. He wants to deliver it personally.” she said. She rummaged in her bag. “Ah. You are cordially invited to the Griffon Embassy to the Crystal Empire for the summation party of the Equestria Games.”

“Want to give me the lay version?” he asked.

“Lame version? Sure.” she winked at him. “You're invited to the embassy after the games are done. We always have a big blow out to celebrate the wins, and commiserate the losses. It's legendary. Which is why we're banned from having it in Las Pegasus.” she laughed.

“Sounds like fun.” he answered.

“Good.” she looked down. “I'm also supposed to invite Princess Twilight.”

“Rainbow's competing, so you probably won't run into her.” Robert said.

“Really? Good.” she looked away again. “Not that I don't... you know...”

“After the games. Don't want to distract her.” Robert nodded. “Understandable. Want us to bring her to the party?”

“I... don't know. Make sure she knows I'm going to be there. Don't want to surprise her.” Gilda said, and turned to leave.

“Hey.” she paused. “I'm glad he helped.”

“So am I.” she walked out.