The trip over wasn't a long one, which was good because the inclusion of their third passenger had made it a bit hard for the four guards ponies to talk. Once the chariot had touched down the two pegasi guards saluted their superiors and flew off to their own patrols leaving the two unicorns and one dragon to go about their business.

"Captain." Twilight nodded at her brother. "We'll meet back here once I'm done with my checks before heading to the library."

Shining nodded back. "Very good Lieutenant."

The two guards saluted each other before turning and trotting away, leaving the dragon to blink and shake his head before scampering up to the town hall to meet with the mayor.

---

Twilight found herself trotting along a dirt path that lead to the town outskirts as she checked her list of preparations to check on. Her ears twitched as she heard a set of hoof steps closely behind her. Casting a quick glance over her shoulder she noticed that nopony was behind her.

She passed it off as the simple fact that in a town as small as Ponyville seemed to be, it wasn't unlikely she'd just been trotting along the same path as somepony else.

Again her ears twitched, this time it sounded like the hoofsteps were right beside her.

Her eyes flicked from side to side before she looked behind her again,her magic rolling up the scroll and sliding into the documents pouch.

With a slight grunt of annoyance she refocused on the road in front of her and was greeted by a large pair of blue eyes glaring at her.

"Can I help you citizen?" She asked.

"Nope." Came the reply from the pink earthpony. "I'm just looking, It's not everyday we see royal guards around here, and today there are four of you. What gives?"

Twilight side stepped and began trotting toward her goal again. "Sorry citizen. Official royal guard business, can't tell you."

The pink pony pouted, turning and trotting alongside the royal guard. "I have a name you know. I'm Pinkie Pie."

"Gee. you don't say?" Twilight deadpanned. "Pinkie huh? Never would have guessed."

"You really are a grumpy pants aren't you miss..." Pinkie trailed off.

"I'm not a miss, I'm a lieutenant. Lieutenant Sparkle. Now if that's all miss Pie, I have things to do that don't concern you." Twilight told the mare.

Pinkie pouted again. "But you don't know that!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I knew that as soon as you told me your name." She replied.

"Well maybe I could help you find who you're looking for." Pinkie offered as she trotted along side the guard.

"I have a map and photos of the ponies I'm looking for. your assistance is not required, good day miss Pie." Twilight declined as she created an invisible wall of magic up ahead that allowed her to pass through without stopping while stopping the pink mare as sure as any brick wall.

---

Twilight passed under the arch that signaled her arrival at the orchard. Spotting the farmhouse, she turned to make her way towards it when a voice drew her attention.

"Yeee Haaaa!" the mare cried as she galloped towards the tree and planted her forelegs into the dirt, spinning in place and bucking the tree as hard as she could with her hindlegs, causing all the apples to fall in the myriad of baskets under the trees branches.

Twilight levitated her photo's up and sorted through them until she found a picture that matched the orange earthpony leaning against the freshly bucked tree.

With a nod she turned her head to put the photos back in their proper pouch,turning back to look at her quarry she found the earthpony standing in front of her looking her up and down.

"Couldn't help noticin' the look y'all were givin' me. Is there anyway ah can help you?" The earthpony asked.

"Yes there is." Twilight nodded. "I am Lieutenant Twilight Sparkle of the Canterlot royal guard, and the Princess asked me here to check up on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. I understand your family is providing catering."

"Oh. Y'all're here about that." The mare rolled her eyes. "Yup. We're providin' the food for that there shindig. What exactly are you here to check on Lieutenant?"

"Ignoring the disrespect you just showed me, I'm simply here to check whether or not there will be enough food to fill the eight banquet tables in the town hall." Twilight told the mare.

"Oh. Well that's easy, we got enough made to fill those eight tables twice over." The mare smiled.

Twilight nodded, checking the food checkbox on her list. "Very good. Impressive forward thinking miss..."

"Applejack." The mare answered. "Say, do you want to stay for lunch?"

"I'm sorry miss Applejack but I cannot. I have other checks to make..." A gurgling noise erupted from Twilight's stomach, causing a light blush to spread across her cheeks. "But I will purchase one apple pie if that's not too much trouble."

"It ain't no trouble at all Lieutenant." Applejack chuckled. "Applebloom! Bring out one of the pies."

"Yes sis!" A voice answered back, a few seconds later a young, yellow earthpony came charging out of the house with a pie balanced on her back. "Here you go big sis." The filly smiled.

"Thank you kindly Applebloom." Applejack smiled. "Here you go Lieutenant, fresh out of the oven, on the house."

Twilight levitated the pie onto her own back and nodded thankfully. "I appreciate it. Thank you."

"Well shucks, ain't no problem." Applejack chuckled. "Now Applebloom, run along and let everypony know they can stop cookin', we made more than enough."

"Okay sis." The filly smiled and took off back to the house.

"Well then. I should be on my way." Twilight nodded before turning and trotting back towards the town, levitating the pie and cutting out a slice with her magic before taking a bite.