Chapter 28: No Secrets Amongst Close Friends

“Are you all right, Twilight?” Spike asked. Twilight was getting ready to bring Owlowiscious to the park for the weekly pet date. For some reason, Twilight was pacing about nervously around the library. She wasn’t sure what had come over her, and she told Spike that.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, but something just doesn’t feel right…” Twilight said.

“Does it have something to do with you finding out you’re pregnant?” Spike asked. Twilight was about to shout at Spike for saying that, but she contained herself.

“Maybe,” Twilight said. “Or maybe it’s because last week Pinkie Pie was acting rather…odd.” The pink mare had been touchy with Rainbow Dash, something that hadn’t gone unnoticed by Applejack. In fact, Applejack had asked Twilight about it.

“She does realize we’re datin’, right?” Applejack had asked. Pinkie Pie had tackled Rainbow Dash and pinned her to the ground, giggling hysterically.

“I think it’s just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie,” Twilight had said, trying to keep Applejack calm. The last thing they had needed was a fight to break out amongst them.

“Well, maybe ah should just remind her whose mare Rainbow Dash really is,” Applejack had said. Twilight had gulped nervously and turned to Applejack.

“Please don’t make a scene,” Twilight had said. “Try not to let your anger get the best of you.”

“Relax, Twilight, ah’m not gonna embarrass you or nothin’,” Applejack said. As Twilight recalled, Applejack had kept things civil, and Pinkie Pie had backed off. But Twilight couldn’t help but wonder why Pinkie Pie had been so physical with Rainbow Dash in the first place. It wasn’t like her to get touchy with somepony else’s mare.

“Pinkie Pie was acting odd?” Spike asked. “You mean odder than usual?”

“Yes, Spike, as difficult as that may seem, I mean odder than usual.”

“That’s really something,” Spike said.

“It is,” Twilight agreed. “Anyway, I think I’m letting myself get worked up over nothing. It’s a lovely day outside; I think I should just try to enjoy it.”

“That’s the spirit, Twilight!” Spike said.

“All right, I’m off. You know to take care of the library while I’m gone, right?”

“You ask me that every week,” Spike said, “and every week the answer is always the same.”

“I always want to make sure,” Twilight said. Spike rolled his eyes and Twilight laughed as she left the library with Owlowiscious resting on her shoulder.

Twilight, however, was not as at ease as she had tried to portray to Spike. This would be the first time seeing all of her friends since she had gotten the news about her pregnancy. She was afraid her friends would ask her how she was doing and find out about Twilight becoming pregnant. And then what would they think? Twilight was sure Rarity would faint from shock. Fluttershy would probably meekly ask about the foal that would be brought into this world. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, upon further consideration, would probably be accepting of it. But Twilight most feared the reaction from Applejack. If Applejack found out what Twilight and Big Mac had been doing, Twilight imagined the farm mare would flip her lid.

Twilight did her best not to think about that. It was simple, after all, wasn’t it? All she had to do was keep quiet about the whole thing and there would be no trouble. Twilight hoped it could really be that simple.

Sooner than she expected, Twilight found herself at the park. She took a deep breath in an attempt to relax herself before joining up with her friends. They had all arrived before her and were already talking while the pets played with each other.

“Hey girls,” Twilight said in a voice that sounded like she was forcing cheeriness out of it. Her friends, however, didn’t notice.

“Hey, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie chirped, giving her a hug.

“Um, hi, Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said, returning the hug, even though she was confused about why she was getting one.

“How are you?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“I’m…good,” Twilight said. “Not much going on besides taking care of the library. How about yourself?”

“Oh, it’s busy as usual at the bakery. The little foals, Pumpkin and Pound Cake, they’re always a handful. Although the other day, they were being quite crabby while I was trying to sit for them. This was only about a few days ago, too.”

“What happened?” Twilight asked, not sure if she was comfortable with the topic of conversation turning to baby foals.

“Well, they refused to eat when I tried to feed them and they were constantly fighting with each other. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get them to cheer up or stop fighting. I couldn’t even lull them to sleep. It was a hard day.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Pinkie,” Twilight said.

“Makes me pretty glad I’m a filly fooler,” Rainbow Dash said. “Applejack and I don’t have to worry about babies.”

“Unless we decide to adopt someday,” Applejack said.

“Why would you want to do that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Hey! Ah reckon ah might want a family o’ mah own someday. Would that be such a terrible thing, Rainbow Dash?”

“It would be pretty bad right now. No way am I responsible enough to be a mother.”

“True, ah guess ah’d have to be responsible enough fer the both of us.”

“How about you, Rarity? Ever thought of hitching up with a stallion and raising some foals of your own?”

“Oh, goodness, no,” Rarity said. “Do you realize how much trouble I have dealing with Sweetie Belle the few times I’ve taken her in? I can’t have that in my life twenty-four seven when I’m trying to run a boutique, now, can I?”

“Really? I’m surprised,” Rainbow Dash said. “I think you’d make a great mom.”

“You ought to talk to Sweetie Belle more often,” Rarity said. “She’d tell you otherwise. I’m not good with foals, Rainbow Dash. I’m simply not cut out for it.”

“I hear you, sister!” Pinkie Pie said.

“But I thought you loved sitting for the Cakes, Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said.

“After the hell they put me through a few days ago, I’m starting to change my mind about the whole sitting thing,” Pinkie Pie said.

“So,” Rainbow Dash said, “we’ve got me, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie not ready for foals, and Applejack saying she’d want some someday. How about you, Fluttershy? How do you feel about being a mom?”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Fluttershy said, “I think it would be wonderful. I’m just not sure if I’m ready for it right now.”

“That’s how ah feel, too,” Applejack said. “And ah think you’d be the perfect mother, Fluttershy, what with how you treat the critters at yer place.”

“Thank you, Applejack, that means a lot,” Fluttershy said. “But motherhood is not for me right now.”

Then why did you sleep with him? Fluttershy asked herself. Ever since that day she had spent with Doctor Shrink, worries about becoming pregnant had engulfed her and terrified her, making it difficult to get through her daily responsibilities. She hadn’t shown any of the early signs, however, and with each passing day she became more and more relieved that she wasn’t pregnant.

“That only leaves one mare left,” Rainbow Dash said. “Twilight! How does the bookworm feel about being a mom?”

“Me? Oh, I don’t know, Rainbow Dash, I haven’t really thought about it.” This was about as far from the truth as possible. The prospect of having a child in eleven months had overtaken her thoughts ever since Stethoscope had told her she was pregnant.

“Haven’t thought about it?” Rainbow Dash asked. “But you think about everything, Twilight! Your brain doesn’t have an off switch. Surely you’ve thought a little about all of this.”

That dread that had encompassed Twilight at the library before coming to the park was starting to creep in again. How much should she reveal about her own thoughts. How much was too much? At what point would she give away her secret, the one that only Spike and Big Mac knew about?

“To be honest, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, “it has been on my mind lately.”

“Really? That’s a little weird,” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, I know I just said you think about everything, but what made you start thinking about that?”

“Well,” Twilight said very carefully, “being with Big Mac, I’ve kind of…envisioned what might happen in the distant future, and foals definitely came up in my thoughts.”

“And?” Rainbow Dash asked. Everypony else leaned closer, anticipating Twilight’s answer.

“I think it would be a challenge,” Twilight said, “but the struggle would be worth it to have a foal to call your very own. There’s no greater love than a mother’s love for her foal, right? Thinking about that makes all the hardships disappear.” Twilight was now speaking truthfully, and she realized for herself how excited she was to become a mother. Now that the initial shock and fear had subsided, the thought was growing fonder in Twilight’s mind.

“Okay, then,” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m not sure I agree with you there, but that is nice to hear. So we’ve got three who want to be moms at some point, and three who seem hell-bent against it.”

“I wouldn’t say hell-bent,” Rarity said. “I just don’t think I’d be very good at it.”

“And I still think that’s a load of crap, but whatever,” Rainbow Dash said.

“So, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said. “Now that you’ve asked your question, let me ask something of you. How is it living with Applejack right now?”

“Oh, um…it’s pretty awesome, actually,” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, the way it happened was totally not awesome, but it couldn’t have worked out better. Don’t you think so, AJ?”

“Ah have to admit it’s been a real treat,” Applejack said. “Ah feel like we’ve grown a lot closer because of it.”

“That’s fantastic news!” Twilight said. “I’m so glad it’s working out for you.”

“Well, thank ya kindly, Twilight,” Applejack said.

“Oh, but don’t you miss your family, Applejack?” Rarity asked.

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked, her expression souring a bit.

“I mean it must be hard to spend all this time away from them when you used to be so close,” Rarity said.

“Well, it is hard, now that ah think about it,” Applejack said. “And ah guess ah really do miss ’em…” Applejack started to tear up in spite of herself.

“Wow, what a killjoy, Rarity,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Wouldn’t that be how you would feel if you had to leave your family?” Rarity asked.

“Can you not bring that up?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Oh, goodness. I forgot, Rainbow Dash, I’m ever so sorry,” Rarity said.

“How can you just forget that?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I mean, I don’t forget about that so easily…”

“Um…did I miss something?” Twilight asked.

“My family ditched me. What else is there to say?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Um, maybe I can explain a bit better,” Fluttershy said. “You see, Rainbow Dash got into a huge fight with her family about something, and she ended up leaving for Ponyville because of it. She hasn’t talked to her family since. But, Rainbow Dash, what did you and your family fight about? I don’t remember you ever telling me that part of the story.”

“It was about me being a filly fooler,” Rainbow Dash said. “I liked someone and I told them, and it got so bad that I had to leave. That’s why I was so reluctant to admit it to you girls.”

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. That must have been hard…” Twilight said.

“Whatever, it’s no big deal now,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Why, Rainbow Dash, that’s just not true,” Rarity said. “It is a very big deal.”

“What makes you say that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Why, look how much Applejack is struggling with the same thing. Getting rejected by your family hurts, and it does no good to deny that.”

“Yeah, Rarity, but it’s over,” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s in the past. It doesn’t matter now.”

“Mah family rejectin’ me is in the past. Does that mean it don’t matter to me anymore?” Applejack asked. “The answer is no. The past can still hurt, and it still hurts me.”

“Yeah, but your thing just happened. Mine was years ago,” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, what, it’s not like I’ve spent my life from that point on trying to run away from my problems. I always hoped I could get into the Wonderbolts or do something to make my family so proud that they’d forget I was a filly fooler and welcome me back with open hooves, but I guess that’s just a pipe dream. Damn it,” Rainbow Dash said as she felt tears starting to gather in her eyes.

“You see, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked. “The past can still hurt.”

“I know, I know, I get it. You were right,” Rainbow Dash said. Applejack went over to Rainbow Dash and gave her a big hug.

“We’ve got a lot more in common about our families than ah thought,” Applejack said. “Don’t worry, RD. Even if we never get to see them again, we’ll always be together, right? We’ll always have each other.”

“Sure, Applejack, whatever you say,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I’m sleeping with my therapist,” Fluttershy said. The other ponies turned and stared at her before one finally decided to speak.

“What did you say?” Rarity asked.

“I’ve, um, I’ve been seeing a therapist,” Fluttershy said. “It all started when I was messing around with Pinkie Pie and doing BDSM things with her.” This was actually news to the false Pinkie Pie, but she did her best to mask her ignorance of this matter.

“Is that true, Pinkie Pie?” Twilight asked. Pinkie Pie nodded, hoping she wouldn’t be asked anything further.

“So wait,” Rainbow Dash said, “you started to see a therapist because you were doing BDSM type stuff with Pinkie Pie?”

“Well, um, yes,” Fluttershy said. “But things started to get out of hoof. We started to act out my punishments, and he would spank me and then take a whip to my back side.”

“That’s absolutely not okay,” Twilight said. “A professional should not be doing what he is doing. What’s his name?”

“Oh, I don’t know if I should say,” Fluttershy said. “Really, it wasn’t all bad, and it’s not like I didn’t want it or anything.”

“Fluttershy, dear,” Rarity said, “that was the very reason you were in therapy in the first place. A therapist should not be hurting his patient by performing acts of that nature. And when did he start to sleep with you?”

“Oh, that happened last week. He came over to my house and started to whip me, and once he was done we started to kiss and everything kind of spiraled from there.”

“Wow…” Rainbow Dash said, too stunned to elaborate further on her thoughts about this.

“Come on girls, let’s go,” Applejack said.

“Where are we going?” Fluttershy asked.

“To find this sick pony and teach him to mess with ya, Fluttershy. Rarity’s right, it absolutely ain’t right what he did to ya and he ought to be punished!”

“Oh no, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Fluttershy said.

“What do ya mean? Of course it’s a good idea,” Applejack said. “Yer just confused because yer in the middle of it. Can’t think clearly.”

“Applejack, maybe we shouldn’t try to punish this therapist of Fluttershy’s,” Twilight said.

“And just why the hay not, Twilight?” Applejack asked.

“We could get in trouble for doing something like that, and as long as Fluttershy doesn’t see him again I think we can safely let it end there,” Twilight said.

“Are you sure?” Applejack asked. “Somethin’ tells me this ‘therapist’ ain’t gonna take no fer an answer.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, Applejack,” Fluttershy said. “He was very reluctant to do this in the first place. I think if I told him we have to stop then he would be more than happy to oblige.”

“Well, that’s too bad. I was hopin’ to get to do some rasslin’,” Applejack said. “It would help me get mah mind off mah problems with mah family.”

“Sorry, Applejack, but I don’t think that’s the best way to deal with your issues,” Twilight said.

“Codswallop, ah say,” Applejack said, “but ah guess that’s the way it’s gonna have to be. Ah understand, Twilight. But Fluttershy, if that therapist ever tries to put his hooves on you again, you tell him he’ll have me to answer to, got that?”

“Absolutely, Applejack. I don’t know what I was thinking even going for it.”

“We all do crazy things sometimes, Sugarcube. Don’t worry about it.”

“I also have a confession to make,” Rarity said.

“What is it, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Hold on, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Are you sure you want to tell everypony this.”

“What?” Rarity asked. “Fluttershy told her story, and this has been eating at me ever since it happened and I want it to be resolved. There shall be no secrets amongst close friends such as these.”

“Okay, Rarity, suit yourself.”

“Is it really that bad, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“You’ll see,” Twilight said.

“Um, Twilight,” Rarity said. “Can I tell the whole story?”

“What do you mean? Oh…” Twilight said. “Well, I guess you can. I might as well come clean, too.”

“This is getting weird,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Okay, well, Twilight and I had a bit of a fling, I guess,” Rarity said. “That’s where this all starts.”

“A…fling?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Oh wait, you mean that kind of fling?”

“Yes, Rainbow Dash. I mean that kind of fling.”

“Gotcha. Keep going,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Well, I suppose Twilight never felt about me the way I felt about her, because she started to see Big Mac instead. When I found out, I was more than a little distraught and I wallowed in my sorrows at the library while they were out on a date.”

“What were you doin’ at the library?” Applejack asked.

“I was hoping to have a rendezvous of sorts,” Rarity said.

“What? Oh, you mean that kind of rendezvous?”

“Yes, Applejack, I mean that kind of rendezvous.”

“Ah see. Continue.”

“Anyway, Twilight left me at the library and before I had composed myself to leave, Spike came into the library. I immediately thought of the sweet revenge I could take and behaved ever so selfishly when I decided that I was going to…to…I can’t say it.”

“To what?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Twilight, can you help me?” Rarity asked.

“You’re going to have to say it,” Twilight said.

“All right. I decided to rape him.” Rarity shuddered as she admitted this. Twilight, having already known about it, was relatively unfazed when compared to her friends. Rainbow Dash, who had been floating in the air, actually fell out of the sky.

“You did WHAT?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I admit my judgment was severely inhibited.”

“Sugarcube, that’s just wrong,” Applejack said.

“Oh, oh my…” Fluttershy said, retreating behind her mane.

“Did he enjoy it?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“PINKIE PIE!” the others cried at her.

“Oh, sorry. I mean, how could you?” she asked.

“I can’t believe it happened, but happen it did,” Rarity said. “If I could take it back, I would in a heartbeat. But Spike has been ever so understanding and I am forever grateful that Twilight didn’t roast me on a spit when she found out.”

“Good thing, because I might have,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Fine! I have a confession to make too,” Twilight said.

“Are you serious?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What else can I find out today that will stun me?”

“Well, I just found this out last week, and I was hoping to keep this a secret until I was further along, but I guess with everypony else confessing, I might as well tell you now,” Twilight said. “I’m pregnant.”

The other five ponies were rendered totally speechless. Pinkie Pie kept mouthing words to herself. Rarity looked as though she was about to faint. Applejack stared at the grass awkwardly. Fluttershy looked even more timid than normal. Rainbow Dash, already grounded, collapsed onto the grass and groaned.

“You cannot be serious!” she said.

“It’s true. I got it confirmed by the doctor last week,” Twilight said.

“Are you sayin’ that you and mah brother…?” Applejack asked.

“Yes,” Twilight said, gulping nervously. Applejack’s expression could not be ascertained at the moment, so Twilight couldn’t tell what the farm mare was feeling. Finally, she broke out into a big grin.

“Ah don’t believe it! I’m gonna be an auntie. Why didn’t you say something earlier, when we were all talkin’ about bein’ mamas?” Applejack asked.

“I was afraid of how you would react,” Twilight said.

“Oh, Twilight, ah’m pleased as punch! Granted the two of you ain’t married yet, but ah suppose y’all will have plenty of time to arrange that.”

“So you’re not mad?” Twilight asked.

“Of course ah’m not! This is great news!”

“How does it feel, Twilight?” Rarity asked. “I mean, knowing you’re going to be a mother.”

“I was really scared at first,” Twilight said, “but everything I said earlier is true. All of the struggles and hardships that come with motherhood just fade away when I think of my little foal looking up at me. It’s going to be hard, but it’s also very exciting.”

“We’re going to have to throw you a baby shower,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I have a confession, too!” Pinkie Pie suddenly blurted out. Everypony else stared at her with bewilderment, except Rainbow Dash, whose eyes started shifting as if she were looking for a way out.

“What is it, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“Rainbow Dash, she…” Pinkie Pie said.

“She what?” Rarity asked.

“She kissed me,” Pinkie Pie said.

“I thought we had a deal, Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“So it’s true?” Applejack asked, looking as if her whole world had crashed around her.

“It was back when I wasn’t sure how I felt about you. There’s no way I would ever do it now, I love you so much and—”

“Don’t even talk to me,” Applejack said. “Those lyin’ lips o’ yours are no good!”

“Applejack, wait, where are you going?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Ah’m goin’ home. Come on, Winona,” Applejack called her dog. Rainbow Dash simply watched, stunned, as Applejack left the park. She then turned in anger to Pinkie Pie.

“How dare you!” Rainbow Dash screamed before jumping on top of her. The two began to wrestle on the ground, Rainbow Dash beating Pinkie Pie’s face with her hoof. Pinkie Pie was losing the battle, her face beaten to a pulp. Suddenly, a green spark glowed in her eyes and Rainbow Dash was sent flying off of her. Twilight, recognizing it immediately, charged a magical spell and blasted Pinkie Pie with it. The resultant flash of light blinded the other ponies in the park, and when the light finally faded, they saw Queen Chrysalis in her true form lying unconscious beneath one of the park’s trees.

“Okay girls, here’s the plan. Rarity, go to the library and get Spike to write a letter to Princess Celestia telling her what just happened. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, we need to get Applejack back. I’ll wait here and interrogate her to find out what’s happened to Pinkie Pie. Go!” The ponies scattered and did as they were told.

Rarity arrived at the library exhausted. She opened the door to find Spike waiting on the floor of the library.

“What’s up, Rarity?” Spike asked.

“Spike, take a letter,” Rarity said.

“What’s going on?” Spike asked.

“Just do it!” Rarity cried. Spike, alarmed, immediately scrounged together parchment, ink, and a quill.

“Write it as follows: Dear Princess Celestia, we were together at the park when Rainbow Dash attacked Pinkie Pie over some trivial dispute.”

“Wait, Rainbow Dash attacked Pinkie Pie?” Spike asked.

“The details aren’t important!” Rarity said. She cleared her throat. “In the middle of the scuffle, Pinkie Pie’s eyes glowed green and she cast a spell to propel Rainbow Dash off of her. Twilight reacted and cast a spell at her, rendering her unconscious. We need your immediate help to interrogate Queen Chrysalis and find out what she’s done to Pinkie Pie.”

“Queen Chrysalis?” Spike asked.

“Spike!”

“Right, sorry. Okay…got it.” Spike rolled up the scroll and engulfed it in fire. A short time later, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna teleported into the library. Princess Celestia carried a chest with her that contained the Elements of Harmony.

“Take us to the park,” Celestia said. Rarity nodded and led the way out of the library. Spike tried to follow, but Celestia shook her head. Discouraged, Spike returned to his post at the library, grumbling to himself.

***

“Applejack, you don’t understand!” Rainbow Dash cried. They had caught her before she had returned to Sweet Apple Acres.

“What don’t ah understand? Yer a cheatin’ liar, that’s pretty clear enough to me!”

“Pinkie Pie didn’t turn out to be the real Pinkie Pie. It was Queen Chrysalis in disguise!”

“And ah’m supposed to believe that? Next you’ll be tellin’ me ah’m Discord!”

“Applejack,” Fluttershy said, “Rainbow Dash is telling the truth. We need you to help us find Pinkie Pie so that we can bring all the Elements of Harmony together.”

“Are…are you sure?” Applejack asked.

“Look, AJ, what I did was terrible,” Rainbow Dash said. “But what Queen Chrysalis has done is far worse. She’s taken Pinkie Pie, and we have to find her before she’s really hurt! Who knows where she is? Will you put our differences aside to help our friend?” Applejack stared at Rainbow Dash.

“Ah suppose ah have to.”

“Then we have no time to lose!” Rainbow Dash cried, lifting Applejack and flying back towards the park. She arrived a few minutes later to find Twilight in heated discussion with Queen Chrysalis.

“How many spells can you take before you give in and tell us where you hid Pinkie Pie?” Twilight asked. Everypony else at the park had left in fear. Queen Chrysalis looked worse for wear, with gashes all across her black body. Twilight had been lacerating her with magic ever since she had woken up, but the stubborn queen had refused to talk. Suddenly, Rarity returned with the two princesses.

“Queen Chrysalis,” Princess Celestia’s voice thundered as she approached her. “We offer you two choices. Either tell us where you’ve taken Pinkie Pie, or prepare to be permanently banished on the moon.”

“And trust us,” Luna said. “Being banished on the moon is not fun…”

***

Discord was lounging in the cave with Pinkie Pie held captive because he felt like it. When he heard the sound of teleportation, he grew worried. Before he could step outside, though, two alicorns, two unicorns, two pegasi, one Earth pony, and a defeated changeling stepped into the cave. Twilight and her friends were already wearing the crown and necklaces that Princess Celestia had brought with her.

“They discovered you…?” Discord asked.

“You know what to do,” Princess Celestia said. The princess cast a spell that blasted the restraints on Pinkie Pie. Twilight threw Pinkie Pie the necklace, and the six friends began to float in the cave.

“No!” Discord cried, powerless to stop what was about to occur. A rainbow shot out from the center of the six friends and wrapped furiously around Discord and Queen Chrysalis, encasing them in stone. Once the spell had faded, the six friends collapsed onto the cave floor.

“What will you do with them?” Twilight asked the princesses.

“Oh, I think I’ll let Luna decide what to do with them,” Princess Celestia said. “What do you think, Luna?”

“Send them to the moon, of course,” Princess Luna said.

***

The six friends returned home with the help of the two princesses.

“Twilight, you and your friends have done well today,” Princess Celestia said. “Now, it’s been a while since you six have written to us about your lessons in friendship, and while I said you only needed to fill us in when you had discovered something, I find it unlikely that you have spent more than a month without learning a single thing.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Princess,” Twilight said. “We’ll all be writing lengthy letters about what we’ve learned this past month.”

“Then I look forward to reading them,” Princess Celestia said, and she and Princess Luna teleported back to Canterlot.