“Fresh apples, straight from Sweet Apple Acres! Come and get ’em!”

Applejack’s voice echoed across the Ponyville marketplace, attracting the attention of the townsfolk as they meandered about. Occasionally a pony would walk up and buy an apple or two, but for the most part everyone was simply enjoying another pleasant spring day. Business wasn’t booming, but Applejack still couldn’t complain about the steady stream of customers so far.

Next to her, Apple Bloom loaded another container with the last of their fresh apples, wiping beads of sweat from her brow as she finished. “Phew! That’s the last of ‘em, AJ.” As Apple Bloom joined her sister behind the counter, Applejack abruptly pulled her close and ruffled her mane. “Hey! Sis, quit it!”

Applejack laughed as she released her sister. “What, don’t like your big sis showing any affection to ya?”

“Not when it involves a noogie.” Re-adjusting her bow, Apple Bloom braced her hooves against the stand and pulled herself up to watch ponies walk or fly by. “I do appreciate ya lettin’ me help out at the stand again though.”

“Well, now that ya got yer cutie mark, ’bout time we let ya help more around the farm. ’Side’s, I doubt we’ll be having a repeat of what happened last time… right?”

Apple Bloom gave a nervous laugh. “Yeah… no chance of that happenin’, no siree!” As she watched ponies stroll by, just waiting for one of them to be drawn to their stand by the allure of their fresh produce, she caught sight of one pony in particular among them. “Look sis!” Apple Bloom pointed her hoof towards the crowd. “It’s Miss Twilight!”

Looking to where Apple Bloom was pointing, Applejack could just make out Twilight walking amongst the townsfolk, a pair of bulging saddlebags on her back as she casually strolled by.

“Good eye, Apple Bloom. Hey, Twilight!”

Twilight yelped at the sound of her name, jumping in fright as she frantically looked around for whoever had called out to her.

“Over here, Twi!” Applejack waved her hooves above her head in an attempt to catch Twilight’s attention, smiling when she finally glanced her way.

Her happiness was replaced with confusion as Twilight’s jaw dropped open in surprise and her eyes widened at the sight of her, fear clearly visible on her face as she stood petrified in the middle of the marketplace, her eyes remaining locked onto the other mare. Just as Applejack was about to call out to her once more, Twilight spun on her hooves and galloped in the opposite direction, narrowly avoiding knocking over ponies in her haste.

“What was that all about?” Apple Bloom asked as she watched Twilight run off.

“Apple Bloom, watch the stand for me. I’m gonna find out ”

“Huh? But sis…!” Before Apple Bloom could try and stop her, Applejack had already taken off after Twilight. Apple Bloom groaned as she smacked her head against the countertop. “Great, just great…”

On the other side of the marketplace, Fluttershy was just finishing doing up the clasp on her saddlebags, satisfied with her purchases so far. “There, that should be everything. Angel is going to be so happy when I make him his favourite meal tonight.” Fluttershy was practically giddy with excitement as she imagined the look on Angel’s face when she got home.

“How is Angel, if I may ask?” Rarity asked as she walked up beside Fluttershy, having finished making her own purchases. “I remember you mentioning the poor thing’s been under the weather lately?”

“Oh, yes. He’s been sick in bed with a nasty cold the last few days. He was so grumpy while I was taking care of him too, especially since he was having trouble keeping anything down besides soup. But now that he’s feeling much better, I thought making him something special would be the perfect way to celebrate his recovery.”

“Fluttershy, you are too good to that little bunny some days.” Rarity paused, tapping her hoof against her chin in thought. “But then again, I don’t suppose I can say otherwise given how much I spoil my precious little Opal.”

Fluttershy nodded as the two of them walked across the Ponyville market, glancing back and forth at the stalls advertising specials or lowered price. “Um… I know I already said this, but I do appreciate you coming out to help me. I know you must be busy now that you’ve got a boutique in Canterlot to manage as well.”

“Oh, it was no trouble at all!” Rarity waved to a few familiar faces as they passed them by. “Sassy Saddles takes care of most of the management at Canterlot Boutique, so all I really need to worry about is supplying a few new dresses every once in a while. Plus, with my newest line well on its way, I had some time to myself and there’s nothing I like more than spending some time with my friends. Especially on such a nice day as to—”

As they left the stalls behind them and turned onto the main streets of Ponyville, Rarity noticed a purple blur hurtling towards them just out of the corner of her eye. Instinctively, she looped her hooves around Fluttershy and pulled her back, causing her to shriek and flare out her wings seconds before the pony bolted passed them, shouting out a quick “Sorry!” as they ran down the street.

“My word!” Rarity could feel the blood pumping in her ears, though she paid it no mind as her attention was focused instead on the pony next to her. “Fluttershy, are you alright?”

Despite trembling slightly, Fluttershy seemed none the worse for wear. “I-I’m alright. Thanks, Rarity.” After taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she asked, “Was… was that Twilight?”

Glancing up, Rarity turned to look in the directing of the fleeing pony, catching sight of an unmistakable pair of purple streaks running through the pony’s tail, as well as the cutie mark of a starburst on her flanks. “Why, I do believe it was! But why is she—“

“Twilight, ya’ll get back here!” Looking back, Rarity and Fluttershy watched as Applejack ran by them, clearly dead set on catching the fleeing mare.

Sharing a look between them, Rarity and Fluttershy wasted no time in joining the ongoing chase. While Fluttershy lagged behind her, Rarity managed to catch up to Applejack before long. “Applejack, what in Equestria is going on?” Rarity yelled as she ran beside her, doing her best to keep pace with the farm mare.

“That’s what I’m tryin’ to find out! All I did was call out to her and she takes off like she just dun gone and seen a ghost!”

High above the commotion, Rainbow groaned as she tossed and turned on the cloud she had decided to take her mid-afternoon nap on. “For Celestia’s sake, what’s with all the noise? I was just getting comfy too!”

Peering over the edge, Rainbow Dash spied Twilight racing down the street like her tail was on fire, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy in hot pursuit not far behind.

“Where are they off to in such a hurry?” Dash wondered out loud as she stretched her wings and dove off her impromptu bedding, gliding down until she was soaring next to Twilight. “Yo, Twi, what’s the rush? ”

But Twilight didn’t so much as acknowledge Rainbow’s presence, her eyes remaining focused straight ahead. If there was one thing Rainbow Dash hated more than anything else, it was being ignored.

“Oh, come on, Twilight! Don’t ignore me like that! Least say something!”

“AH!” Twilight shrieked as she braced her hooves out in front of her, her eyes wide with terror as she slid to an abrupt stop.

“Wha-”

BAM!

Twilight winced, holding her hooves over her mouth as she watched the pegasus crumple like an accordion upon impacting the side of a passing cart Twilight had stopped to avoid. The cart was loaded so high with fresh apples that the thing barely jostled, the stallion pulling it completely oblivious as Rainbow Dash slid down the side of the cart, flopping down onto her belly right in front of Twilight.

“Afternoon, Princess.” Big Macintosh greeted as he continued on his way without pause. Twilight briefly glanced at the dazed pony to make sure she wasn’t seriously hurt, before stepping around her and running off once more.

While Applejack and Rarity were too focused on catching the fleeing Twilight to pay any mind to Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, walking up to the downed Pegasus. “Oh no. Could… could you all please stop that? Please?” Once the birds stopped circling Rainbow’s head and flew off, Fluttershy looked down at her friend. “Rainbow? Are you okay?”

“Ugh… No mommy, I don’t want to go to school today…” Rainbow deliriously muttered, “… I want to stay home and make cookies with you…”

Dust clouds followed in Twilight’s wake as she galloped down the streets of Ponyville, putting as much distance as she could between her and the entourage of ponies behind her. Her breath was becoming more and more laboured and she could feel her legs beginning to tire from the exertion. Just as she thought she couldn’t go much farther, she caught sight of the castle spires in the distance, prompting a burst of speed as she closed in on the crystal structure. Almost there, Twilight thought. I’m in the clear!

Or she was, right up until a mass of pink leapt up into her line of sight. “Hey, Twilight!” Pinkie greeted her, inexplicably lying out in the middle of the road. “In a hurry?”

Twilight didn’t even falter as she leapt over Pinkie, her hooves skidding against the road as she ungracefully touched down, stumbling for several seconds before falling flat on her face. As she lay on her belly in the middle of the road, the only thing she could utter was, “Ow…”

Pinkie Pie waved a white scorecard almost as big as she was above her head, the number eight emblazed on it in black ink. “Way to stick the landing, Twi!”

Twilight paid her no mind as she staggered back to her hooves, taking off in the direction of the castle once more without even a passing comment. The sound of stampeding hooves drew Pinkie’s attention to Applejack and the others running up to her. While all of them bore expressions of determination, Rainbow instead looked very cross, a bandage stuck across her nose.

“After her, Pinkie!” Applejack shouted as they ran past.

“Ooh, are we playing tag? Does this mean I’m it?”

The castle towered over Twilight as she bore down the walkway towards the main doors, her salvation mere hoofsteps away. Against her better judgement, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder, paling when she saw the others still trailing behind her and gaining fast.

No, I can’t let them catch me! With one final burst of adrenaline, Twilight dove for the double doors, slamming them open as she sailed clear past the threshold and into the castle, the doors slamming shut behind her with a profound thud.

Coming to a screeching halt, Applejack huffed and stamped her hooves before stomping up the castle’s front steps and pushing her weight against the doors obstructing their path. When they didn’t give way, she instead resorted to banging against them and shouting, “Twi, ya got some ‘splainin’ to do!”

“Yes, dear,” Rarity chimed in after a moment with no response from inside, “we’re worried about you. We just want to talk, that’s all.”

“It’s not like she has any place to hide.” Rainbow Dash replied, her voice a nasally mess thanks to the bandage on her face, courtesy of a concerned Fluttershy.

As Applejack walked down the steps to re-join them, she had to hold her hoof over her mouth to keep from doing more than just snickering. “Rainbow, ya sound plum ridiculous with that thing on yer face.”

Rainbow Dash growled, ripping the bandage off as she flew up and pounded her hoof against the castle doors. “Come on out already, Twi! We know you’re in there! Get out here before I come in there and drag—”

Rainbow was cut off by the groan of hinges as the door slowly opened, the pegasus drifting back as a pony stepped out to greet them, a pony that was most definitely not Twilight Sparkle.

“Hello, my little ponies.” Princess Celestia smiled down at them, taking in every one of their shocked expressions in turn. “Can I help you all with something?”

Applejack was the first to snap back to her senses. “Princess? What in tarnation are ya doin’ here?” A swift elbow to the ribs from Rarity prompted her to quickly amend that with, “Not that there’s anythin’ wrong with that, just that we weren’t ‘spectin’ to run into ya.” The others all nodded in agreement.

“Well, as luck would have it, I believe I’m here for very much the same reason as all of you. I was hoping to get a chance to speak with Twilight.”

“Oh no…” All eyes were suddenly on Fluttershy, as she spoke up from the back. “Does… does that mean there’s another threat to Equestria you need Twilight’s help to fight?”

The sound of Celestia’s laugh quickly disarmed Fluttershy of those fears. “No, nothing like that. This is merely a friendly visit between me and one of my fellow princesses.”

“Oh, good.” Fluttershy muttered under her breath, sighing in relief.

“Speaking of Twilight,” Rainbow Dash peered past Celestia into the castle behind her, hoping to catch the sight of a purple tail running down the halls. “You didn’t see her run by you by any chance, did you? She was acting real strange. I mean even stranger than normal for Twi at least.”

The Princess raised an eyebrow at Rainbow’s words. “Strange how?”

“She completely ignored me for one thing! All I did was ask her a question and she just blew me off!” Rainbow huffed as she sulked in mid-air. “Can you believe that?”

“What Rainbow Dash is trying to say,“ Rarity quickly stepped up to interrupt the pouting Rainbow Dash, “Is that the dear seemed to be making an effort to avoid us. She nearly knocked poor Fluttershy over when she ran past us, and Applejack said she appeared frightened when she called out to her in the market.”

“Frightened nothin’, Rares. She looked like I’d just gone and turned into Tirek right before she took off faster than a rodeo clown runnin’ from a chargin’ buffalo.”

Celestia’s smile gradually slipped from her face, a look of concern replacing it as she listened to the recounts of Twilight’s odd behaviour. “Oh, oh dear. I’m sorry for making you all worry, but I’m afraid Twilight’s actions just now may have been my fault.”

Her admission was met with blank stares from the gathered mares. Looking to one another, none of them seemed to have a suitable response to Celestia’s words, either shaking their heads or shrugging their shoulders.

“Pardon me for asking,” Rarity eventually spoke up, “but I don’t see how Twilight avoiding us could be your fault.”

“You see, I didn’t announce my visit today ahead of time as I usually do.”

A collective light bulb went off above the gathered ponies’ heads. “So, wait…“ Applejack asked, “ya just dropped in on her doorstep out of the blue?”

“Without sending a letter first saying when you would arrive?” Rarity added.

“And without cluing her in on the fact that you were just dropping in to have tea and that the world wasn’t ending?” Rainbow asked.

“And without all those guards following behind you carrying big pointy spears and flags?” Pinkie Pie tossed out, miming a marching flag bearer as she did.

Celestia shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I had intended to surprise her, but I fear I may have just caused her unneeded stress with my presence. I was worried that I had interrupted something important when she rushed out so quickly after my arrival, but it seems that all I’ve done is neglect to consider how she would react in my desire to spend some time together.”

Celestia looked up, her eyes following the clouds as they floated by. “It’s been so long since Twilight and I were able to sit down and just talk without interfering with our duties or without some form of crisis hanging over our heads.” A certain melancholy tinged her words as she spoke. “I remember back when Twilight was still my student, how we would just sit back in the castle gardens and watch the clouds, trying to guess what they were shaped like while simply enjoying each other’s company. Oh, how those days feel an eternity away…”

Celestia’s gaze grew distant as she continued to watch the clouds lazily drift across the sky, saying nothing while seemingly forgetting the world around her. After a moment of silence, she seemed to remember herself, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the five ponies in front of her, who were now all looking up at her with poorly veiled concern.

“Forgive me, I can get lost in my memories sometimes. In any event, you all came here to see Twilight, so I won’t keep you from her any longer.” Celestia sighed, noticeably saddened. “I believe it would be best if I returned to Canterlot before—”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary, your Highness!” Rarity’s sudden declaration caused Celestia to stop mid-step as she prepared to take a step towards them. “It would be a shame if you went back to Canterlot so soon, especially without getting a chance to spend some time with Twilight after coming all this way. Isn’t that right, girls?” She looked to the others, who all seemed to be in agreement.

“I reckon yer right, Rares. I gotta get back to help Apple Bloom anyway, I was just makin’ sure Twi was alright was all.”

“Angel and the others are probably wondering why I’m not home yet. I should go before they start to worry.”

“Oh, would you look at the time?” Pinkie exclaimed as she looked at a non-existent watch on her leg. “I promised to entertain the twins in the next ten minutes. They don’t like to be kept waiting!”

Rainbow Dash seemed to take a moment longer to ruminate on the matter further, much to her friends’ frustration. “Yeah, on second thought, I’m gonna take off too. I’ve still got a bone to pick with Twilight, but it can wait until after I’ve had my nap.”

Rarity filed away her desire to throttle Rainbow Dash for another day as she addressed Celestia once more. “Well then, it was nice getting the chance to speak with you, your Highness, but we simply must be off.”

“Ooh! Let’s race! Last one back to town buys the milkshakes! 3, 2, 1, GO!” Taking off down the road like only Pinkie could, the others could only shake their heads and laugh at her enthusiasm as they followed after her.

Fluttershy held back a moment longer to speak with the princess. “We’re sorry for interrupting your visit with Twilight. I hope you enjoy your time together.”

“Thank you, I think we will. I hope you all have a pleasant day as well.”

“Oh!” Applejack abruptly spun on her hooves, galloping back to the front steps. “Could ya also please ask Twi to settle down a bit? Girl’s more high-strung than a freshly tuned banjo at an Apple family hoedown some days.”

Celestia chuckled at Applejack’s request. “I’ll make note of it to her. Say hello to Granny Smith for me, will you?”

“Will do!” Applejack called out as she re-joined the others.

As they made their way back to town, Rainbow Dash scoffed as she flew above them. “Figures Twilight was just freaking out. And here I was thinking we were going to have to drag her out kicking and screaming.”

“To be fair, Rainbow, I don’t doubt any of us wouldn’t have reacted in much the same way if any of the princesses were to just show up to have a chat.” Rarity flipped the curls in her mane as she added, “I’ll have you know I always keep a bottle of imported Saddle Arabian wine on hoof for just such an emergency. Perhaps I’ll bring it with me next time we visit the Crystal Empire.”

Applejack fixed Rarity with a peculiar look as they walked. “Ya keep fancy booze on hoof ’n case an alicorn just knocks on yer front door?”

“A lady must always be prepared for anything after all. And before you ask about the possibility of an alicorn actually showing up on my doorstep, need I remind you that we are all on good terms with no less than four princesses, one of whom is Twilight?”

“… Just keep walkin’.”

Celestia waved to the ponies as they departed for town. Once they were well out of earshot, Celestia peered over her shoulder. “You can come out now.”

Celestia’s ever-constant flowing tail shifted as it was pushed aside, revealing Twilight to have been hiding beneath it the entire time. “They’re gone?” She asked.

“Yes, it’s safe now.” Stepping back inside, Celestia magically shut the door before turning to face Twilight, who appeared to be fumbling with the straps of her saddlebags. “I must say, you gave them all quite a scare by running off like that.”

Twilight halted in her attempts to adjust her saddlebags, bowing her head to hide her abashed expression while rubbing her hoof against her foreleg. “I’m sorry. I… I wasn’t expecting to run into them here, so when they saw me, I kind of panicked. I know I shouldn’t have gone outside either, but I just wanted to explore. There’s so much to see here, even for such a small town.”

Celestia nodded, her eyes retaining their soft gaze. “I understand. But, please, be more careful next time, okay?”

Twilight nodded her head in turn as she returned to trying to remove her saddlebags. Trying being the key word, as after several moments of fumbling with the straps with little success, she resorted to using her teeth to try and pull them loose.

“Here, let me help you with those.” Chuckling, Celestia lit her horn, illuminating the saddlebags in the bright yellow glow of her magic before lifting them up and setting them down on the floor, revealing the unicorn’s bare back. Lifting up one of the flaps on the side, a pair of black-rimmed glasses floated out from amongst the collection of books inside and came to rest on Twilight’s muzzle, the mare blinking as her vision became clearer.

“How is that? Much better, wouldn’t you say, Miss Sparkle?”

Holding her glasses steady against her head with her hoof, Twilight Sparkle bowed her head until her muzzle almost touched the ground. “Thank you for going to all the trouble of allowing me to learn about your world’s magic. I am truly honoured to be given this opportunity, your Highness.”

Celestia placed a reassuring hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Please rise, Twilight Sparkle. You are my guest for the duration of your stay here in Equestria, so there is no need for you to bow.”

Once Twilight had stopped bowing, Celestia continued. ”And it was no trouble at all. When Princess Twilight wrote to me about your endeavours in studying magic, I knew you could only benefit from learning from one experienced in the magical arts. And while I know full well that either of my former students would be more than up to the task, I felt I could not pass up the chance to personally teach someone with such a thirst for knowledge as yourself.

“If anything, I should be the one honoured that you agreed to my request, Miss Sparkle.”

“Um…” Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it just as fast, leaving Celestia momentarily perplexed.

“What is it? Is there something you wish to say before we begin?”

Twilight harshly shook her head. “N-no… It’s nothing, really.” Trotting over to where her bags lay, she tried her best to look anywhere but towards the Princess as she fumbled around inside for the books she had brought. Oh, how amazing fingers are when you no longer have them. “I’ve wasted enough of your time already, so we should really get started befo—“

“Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight froze, though it wasn’t out of fear. Unlike Principal Cinch, who commanded nothing less than absolute obedience when addressed, Celestia had spoken her name in a tone that carried with it a degree of compassion and patience, much like Twilight had felt from the principal of the same name back in her world. Slowly, Twilight stepped away from her bags and turned to look at the pony behind her.

Celestia hadn’t moved, instead looking down at her with a solemn look in her eyes. “Please, do not be afraid to voice any concerns you may have. As I said, you are my guest and my student while here, so I will personally see to any questions you may have to the best of my ability.”

Even with Celestia’s reassurance, it was several moments before Twilight seemed to work up the courage to speak. “Well… it’s just that… I know she’s kind of a big deal over here, but… but could you please just call me Twilight? ‘Miss Sparkle’ just sounds… weird somehow.’”

“If that would make you more comfortable, I see no harm in it. In return, you may call me Celestia if you wish.”

The expression currently on Twilight’s face wouldn’t have looked out of place if she had just been asked to run naked through the halls of Crystal Prep while screaming “Eureka!” “But… but… I couldn’t! You’re royalty, a living deity! Calling you by name in such an informal way… it just feels wrong!”

Celestia didn’t say anything at first, and Twilight feared that she had accidentally offended the princess. As she desperately scrambled to think of something to say, Celestia finally spoke. “Very well, a compromise them. I will still refer to you as ‘Twilight’ like you asked. In exchange, I please ask that you call me ‘Princess’ as opposed to ‘Your Highness.’ ‘Princess Celestia’ would also suffice if you prefer. How does that sound, Twilight?”

“No, that’s alright… Princess.” Despite her earlier misgivings, Twilight almost felt a sense of joy at the prospect of being on familiar terms with an actual princess. “We should still get started though. Just have to figure out… where…” Twilight’s face paled as she looked around the castle lobby, only now having a chance to take it all in enough to fully realize the sheer enormity of the place. Even Crystal Prep seemed to pale in comparison in terms of complexity.

“Uh…” After several moments of looking back and forth between the seemingly endless hallway staffed with rows upon rows of doors leading deeper into the castle, Twilight turned to the Princess with a sheepish look on her face. “You wouldn’t by any chance happen to have a map of this place, would you?”

“I don’t unfortunately, but I think I have the perfect place in mind for where we can begin your first lesson. I also have a much faster method for how we can get there.” Gazing down the hallway, Celestia began coalescing magic into her horn, a ball of light gathering at the very tip. “You may want to brace yourself, the first time has been known to be disorientating.”

“First wh-” Twilight was cut off as a blinding flash filled the castle lobby. When it subsided, both Twilight and Celestia had disappeared.