The air blew past them both as they flew swiftly through the skies of Equestria. Twilight and Spike were sitting within a magnificent golden chariot, pulled along by a pair of young pegasi stallions of the royal guard. With them were merely a few small travel bags, overnight items and such. Twilight was looking far ahead, straining her eyes to look through the clouds to what inevitably laid ahead. As for Spike, he was busy reading off a letter sent to them by Princess Celestia. As he spoke, Twilight was thinking things over in her mind. So...Ponyville will be around soon enough. It'll be strange, going there for the first time when I know it so well now. But, I'll see all my friends...who don't even know me yet. I have to be careful. I can't just go up to them and start talking to them like I've known them my whole life. Got to be more subtle than that. She turned looking as Spike carried on reading the letter aloud. And then there's Nightmare Moon. Hard to imagine the monster of foals' stories is Princess Celestia's sister. But she'll be here tonight, and I have to be the one to deal with it.

"...make some friends!"

Twilight's head snapped in Spike's direction as he finished saying that, putting on a small smile for his benefit. Make friends? Oh, trust me, I have every intention of that, Spike. Celestia has no idea what I know now. She'll just think I'll be against the idea. Well...I guess I was...or would have been. Ugh, these past and future tenses are getting annoying now. Regardless, the plan is clear. Meet the girls, get the Summer Sun Celebration sorted out, then deal with Nightmare Moon. Twilight sighed as she thought that over, knowing the challenge that laid ahead of her. But then, as she thought on it, the clouds before them began to part, revealing what lay below. Twilight's eyes widened as she moved forward to lean over the edge of the chariot. Her face, seeing the sight before her, broke into a massive smile. Ponyville! Sure enough, there was the village she now knew so well. Buildings that this version of her had never laid eyes on, and yet was already so familiar with. There's Sugar Cube Corner! And the Mayor's office! And over there, Sweet Apple Acres!

As she looked around though, her eyes then drifted to a nearby lake and waterfall which, at this moment, had completely vacant land surrounding it. No castle...yet. However, she was jolted from that train of thought as the chariot began to descend. Bracing themselves, Twilight and Spike held on as the pegasi brought them both down to the ground. Hopping out, Spike began to stretch his legs after the long journey, while Twilight walked around to face the two guards accompanying them.

"Thank you, Sirs."

The guards nodded in appreciation before stretching out their wings and flapping, sending them flying off into the skies once more. Twilight watched them, waiting until they were beyond her sight, before looking down to see Spike before her.

"Well, you heard what Princess Celestia said. You need to start making some friends while you're here. So, let's go and find some!"

As Spike walked away, Twilight chuckled and rolled her eyes, somewhat amused by Spike's obliviousness of her intentions. I'll make friends alright, Spike. Just you watch. And so, the two of them started walking together, looking around at all the ponies around and about the town. Twilight kept on wearing a big smile upon her face as she saw them, appearing very happy as she regarded each and every mare and stallion she saw in this place. They're here, all of them! Look, there's Mr and Mrs Cakes! And Lyra! Bonbon! Ditzy! Miss Cheerilee! I...I know I've never seen them, but...I know them...all of them.

"Twilight?"

The mare's head turned to face Spike, who was currently looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You...er...you're kinda looking a bit...happy. In a weird way. I mean, it's a nice place and all, but..."

Twilight blushed a little and let out a nervous laugh.

"Oh...yeah! I'm just...er...excited to see a new place, that's all."

Spike kept watching her for a time, Twilight coughing nervously every once in a while, before he eventually just shrugged his shoulders and looked away. Mentally, Twilight chastised herself over this. You've got to be more careful, Twilight! Remember, as far as Spike or anypony else is concerned, you've never been here or met anypony who lives here. They may be lifelong friends to you, but you're not one to them. Not yet. With her self-lecture over, Twilight continued to look ahead as she and Spike walked together, only to stop as Spike suddenly ceased walking right in front of her. Turning around, he put his hands on his hips before smiling at her.

"Okay then, time for you to start making some friends."

Twilight let out a chuckle at that.

"Thank you, Spike, but I'm pretty sure I can handle it."

This time, it was Spike's turn to chuckle.

"No offense, Twilight, but you spent most of your time cooped up in libraries. You're gonna need some help on the whole friend front."

The mare had to resist the urge to roll her eyes again. If only he knew. So, she simply watched as Spike looked around for a bit, after which he stopped with a big smile on his face.

"Alright, let's start by just saying "hello" to that mare over there!"

Twilight turned her head to where her assistant was pointing, and when she did, she froze. There, walking happily along the street towards them, was a pink earth pony mare. Twilight stood in place, mouth hanging open as she approached. It's...it's her! Pinkie! I know the memories, but...now I can see her with my own eyes! My friend! Always there to make others happy, who lives to see them smile! Oh, Pinkie, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! But, her smile faded as a stark realisation began to sink in for her. But...I can't just say all that. She doesn't know me. To her, I'm a stranger. She'll be my friend before this is done, I know that, but for now...I have to play it safe. So, Twilight watched as her pink friend finally came close enough to really notice her and Spike. Pinkie looked them over with a blank expression, to which Twilight smiled at. Looking down, she saw Spike gesture to the mare, silently telling Twilight to introduce herself. I know what's going to happen next. But this time...I'm ready.

"Um..hello?"

Before Twilight or Spike could say anything further, the mare leapt up into the air, letting out a massive gasp at the sight of them both. She spun around, and Twilight knew that she was getting ready to leave. Not this time, Twilight thought. So, as Pinkie took no more than a step away from them, Twilight stood firm and called out.

"STOP!!!"

With that one utterance, Pinkie, quite literally, screeched to a halt, with Spike and Twilight wincing at the sound of the high-pitched screech itself. Behind the pink mare was a pair of skid marks on the ground from where she'd stopped, and in an instant, she turned around, tilting her head at the loud command that had just been thrown her way. And it was here that Twilight looked around, noticing that a few of the other ponies had turned to face her, somewhat taken aback at the loudness she'd brought forth. Blushing, Twilight let out a nervous chuckle while Spike buried his face in his claws. Well, so much for playing it safe. Clearing her throat, Twilight took a few steps towards Pinkie, before addressing her properly.

"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to sound rude. I just...wanted to introduce myself properly."

Pinkie looked at her carefully, at the nervous way that Twilight looked and held herself. After a few moments of silence, the mare bounced around and was once again wearing a happy smile.

"Well why didn't you say so?! I'm Pinkie Pie! Welcome to Ponyville!"

That last few words has been uttered with a grand gesture of Pinkie's hoof towards the rest of the town. Twilight sighed after hearing her new friend speak this way. She's not upset with me. Good. Now we can do things right. Clearing her throat again, Twilight place a hoof to her chest before speaking.

"Nice to meet you, Pinkie. I'm Twilight Sparkle, from Canterlot. And this is my good friend, Spike."

Pinkie looked from Twilight to the small dragon accompanying her, who then gave a short bow in greeting. It was a gesture that Twilight felt no problem rolling her eyes at this time. Moments afterwards, however, Pinkie began to jump up repeatedly in place.

"Oh! You must be here for the Summer Sun Celebration, right? It'll be so great having it here in Ponyville this year! Are you going to help with the party?"

Twilight smiled and nodded at that.

"Among other things, yes."

Pinkie smiled even wider at that, oblivious to Twilight's thoughts on the matter. She doesn't know about what's going to happen tonight. None of them do. No need to make them worry prematurely though. So, Twilight just kept on Smiling.

"I look forward to seeing everypony enjoy it tonight. I hope to see you there too!"

Pinkie then began to giggle.

"Silly! You're new to Ponyville! And that means you get one of my patented super-special-awesome-welcome-to-Ponyville-parties! Oh, er, where are you staying tonight?"

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but Pinkie merely placed a hoof upon her mouth.

"Never mind! I'll find out! I love surprises! Well, got a party to plan, so see ya!"

Before Twilight or Spike could stop her, Pinkie suddenly darted off, leaving a Pinkie-shaped cloud of smoke in her wake, which soon dissipated. Looking at his friend after that strange display, Spike shrugged his shoulders.

"Well...I guess this town's got quite a few...interesting folks about."

Twilight chuckled at that.

"Oh, I'm sure she's fine, Spike."

Feeling content at having met the first of her many friends, Twilight turned and looked down the street, towards the vast apple orchards at the far end of the town. Smiling, she started walking towards it.

"Besides, we've got work to do. We need to meet the other ponies helping out in the celebration. Let's start with the caterers."

Spike nodded and started jogging beside her, and as Twilight kept on walking, she smiled as a single thought took precedent in her mind; one down, four to go.