Disclaimer: I own only the following: Charles, and anything that doesn't happen in the show proper.

Chapter 29: Lesson Zero

As the sun rises from the horizon on a beautiful morning Charles d'Artagnan, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike prepare themselves for some early errands.

"Quill." Twilight said levitating a quill to her desk.

"Check." Spike confirmed checking off on a scroll.

"Parchment."

"Check."

"Extra ink."

"Check."

"Extra extra ink."

"Check?"

"Is that everything on the checklist?"

"Yep."

"Finally. Now we can get started on our next task." Charles said.

"Great. Now that we've completed the checklist of things we need to create a checklist, we can make my checklist of the things I have to get done by the end of the day. Ready?" Twilight asked.

"Ready." Spike said determinedly.

"Item 1: Create checklist of the things I have to accomplish by the end of the day." Twilight said with wide grin and the two boys sighed and collapsed to the ground.

"I'm on it." Charles said moving to the desk and ready to write another check list. By the sounds of it Twilight wants this to literally be a perfect day.

Noon soon arrives after a long day of errands. Spike holds the checklist Charles made which was about 15 feet long and was dragging across the ground. Even Charles was amazed he was able to make something so long.

"How are we doing Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Let's see... We've already dropped off your cape at the cleaners, returned the blackboard you borrowed from Cheerilee, ordered new parchment and quills from the stationary shop..." Spike went down the list. "Hmm... Seems like we just placed an order for those a few days ago." Twilight pondered.

"We... have." Charles answered with his eyes furrowed along with Spike.

"Can't imagine why we go through so many of them." Spike playfully said.

"Oh. Right. Sounds like we're ahead of schedule. What's next?" Twilight asked.

"Cupcakes!" Spike answered cheerfully. They arrived at Sugarcube Corner where they ordered a dozen pink frosted cupcakes to go. Twilight opened the package to see the delicious cupcakes ready to go as Spike stares at them with his tongue rolled out in delight. Twilight counted the amount of cupcakes and realize there was an extra one it.

"Uh, I only ordered twelve." Twilight reminded.

"Oh, I know, dear, but I had an extra. So I thought I'd make it a baker's dozen." Mrs. Cake answered taking baked products in and out of the kitchen. Twilight pulled Spike away from the box snapping him out of his trance.

"Oh, that was very thoughtful of you. It's just some of the icing from the extra cupcake is getting all over the one next to it. See?" Twilight showed. Mrs. Cake really didn't see any problem with it.

"Ohh... sure..." Mrs. Cake said uneasily.

"It's just that I'm planning on sharing these at a picnic later and I don't want anypony to feel like somepony else is getting more icing." Twilight explained.

"But they all look fine to me." Charles assured.

"No, they're not. One has more frosting than the others and that's not fair. And we don't want it to be unfair to the others, right?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, no... of course not." Mrs. Cake said nervously. Twilight levitated a rubber spatula from behind Mrs. Cake and brought it to her.

"Not to worry, I'll just move some of this one to... hmm... I think I may have scooped too much... oops! Now those two have more. Let's just try this again... Hmm, no, that won't do. Let me just... hmm... put some here, and... no, that's not right. A little more on this one, a little bit... and wait... I'll just... ooh, a little bit here, and here, and... perfect!" after having troubles on what's the right amount and sweeping frosting everywhere and on Spike. Twilight left only dime size specks of frosting in the middle of the cupcakes.

"Um... I don't think anypony is going to taste the frosting in that size. Hold on." Charles said and with his magic he levitates the pink frosting squeezer and just in mere seconds Charles added the right amount of frosting for each cupcake this time and Twilight nodded satisfyingly.

"Now it's better." Charles said.

"Hmm, oh yes... much better..." Mrs. Cake said a tiny bit annoyingly after wiping cupcake frosting off of her face.

"Okay, time to tackle the next item on our- oops! Looks like we're going to have to add 'give a baby dragon a bath' to our list." Twilight said noticing Spike completely covered in pink frosting which made Charles chuckle from the joke. Spike then stuck out his long tongue slithered it around him and spun himself licking off the frosting from bottom to top and halted with his mouth full.

"Very efficient! And a little bit gross." Twilight said as Spike shrugged and the three leave with the box of cupcakes.

"Looks like that's everything!" Spike said looking over the list.

"Almost everything!" Twilight said.

"Triple check checklist to make sure we didn't miss anything when we double checked the checklist! Uh... check! Ugh... I've been holding that quill so long, I've got a claw cramp!" Spike said as his wrist was swollen.

"Well, good thing we don't have anything to report to Princess Celestia this week... I don't think I could write another word!" Spike said as he wraps his claw with a bandage which widened Twilight's eyes from the statement.

"We haven't sent a letter to Princess Celestia this week?!" Twilight asked in worry.

"Why? Is that bad?" Spike asked.

"Bad? BAD? Of course it's bad! I'm supposed to send Princess Celestia a letter every week, telling her about a lesson I've learned about friendship! Not every other week, not every 10 days, every, single, week!" Twilight emphasized as she pokes Charles and Spike's chest.

"Huh?" Spike questioned.

"I don't understand." Charles said.

"Ohh... Where's my calendar, where's my calendar?!" Twilight asked in worry as she frantically searches every drawer.

"Where it.. always is?" Spike said as he pulls out the calendar book from another drawer and Twilight forces the book to her with Spike still holding on. When Spike was just about to hit a book stand Charles casts a pillow on the side Spike was about to hit and he collides with the pillow with a comfy landing.

"When did we send the last one?" Twilight asked as she flips through the pages on the calendar.

"Last... Tuesday?" Spike said.

"And today is..." Twilight said and flips to the right page and sees the day with an X on the right page in the Tuesday section.

"Tuesday." Charles and Spike answered in unison.

"Argh! Nononononononono!" Twilight exclaims after rushing up to her room and looks out her window noticing the sun slowly moves to the west.

"f I don't send her a letter by sundown, I'll be [gasp] tardy!" Twilight exclaims.

"What's that now?" Spike asked as he and Charles pushes a red dramatic background away from behind.

"Tar-dy, Spike! Late, I'll be late! Oh, how could I let this happen? I'm usually so organized. I've never been late with an assignment." Twilight complained enshrouding her blanket over herself in the bed.

"Oh, please! You're the most studious student ever! I'm sure the princess will forgive you if you miss one little deadline." Spike assured.

"Yeah. After all, I missed a couple deadlines here and there but I got no complaints from the princess. If you just let this go, I think she'll just let it slide." Charles joined.

"I'm afraid to take that chance, guys. This is the ruler of all of Equestria we're talking about. The pony who holds my fate in her hooves! What if she doesn't forgive me?" Twilight predicted.

"Yeah... I don't think she-" Spike said.

"Watch your back." Charles warned as he steps back a couple steps.

"What if instead she starts thinking I'm not taking my studies on friendship seriously?" Twilight asked instantly appearing behind Spike and startled him.

"Why would she-" Spike tried to ask.

"What if she makes me come back to Canterlot and puts me back in school and makes me prove I've been taking them seriously by giving me a test?! What if I don't pass?!" Twilight asked in panic with Spike shaking his head in annoyance.

"Well, why wouldn't you pass-"

"She's my teacher. Do you know what teachers do to students who don't pass?"

"Um... They send them to Summer school?" Charles asked.

"They send them back a grade! But she won't just send me back a grade. She'll send me back to... magic kindergarten." Twilight gasped and started having thoughts about it. She would be sitting in the middle of the class in embarrassment with little fillies laughing at her mockingly. Spike rolled out that image like a window drape.

"Twilight? Twilight!" Spike shouted but no good.

"Twilight!" Charles shouted and shook her gently which this time knocks her out of her trance and listens.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! You're not going to be sent back to magic kindergarten." Spike stated.

"There is no need to worry, Twilight. This is the princess were talking about, the most kindest and generous rulers of all time. I would trust her with anything. You just need to calm down and think it over." Charles advised.

"You're right. I have no reason to worry. Because I'm going to solve a friend's problem and get that letter to Princess Celestia before sundown!" Twilight declared which made Charles and Spike sigh in irritation.

"So... got any problems, troubles, conundrums, or any other sort of issues, major or minor, that I as a good friend can help you solve?" Twilight asked the two.

"Huh. Hmm. Huunh. Huh..." Spike stammers.

"Well... Um... Maybe... Uh... We got nothin'." Charles and Spike said in unison which made Twilight lower her head disappointedly.

"[sigh] Then it looks like I'm going to have to find somepony who does." Twilight declared determinedly and walks downstairs out of the library.

"Um, good luck!" Charles shouted.

"[sighs] This won't end well..." Spike stated.

"Just gonna have to give her luck." Charles said. The sun slowly makes it's way west during noon as Twilight trots into the streets of Ponyville to search for a problem that she can help out on.

"You've got this, Twilight. You still have plenty of time to get that letter to Princess Celestia! Has to be somepony who needs the help of a good friend!" Twilight said. She suddenly heard high pitch shrieking coming from nearby who she recognizes as Rarity's.

"Rarity!" Twilight said in delight with her eyes sparkling. She rushes to Carousel Boutique as Rarity continues to scream in horror and bucks the door open.

"Don't worry, Rarity! I'm here!" Twilight announced in a heroic tone.

"[sobbing] Why me-e-e-e-e-ee... [gasp] WHYYYY?! Why? Why-y?! And of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Rarity declared over dramatically which again made Twilight's eyes sparkle.

"What's happened? Are you alright?" Twilight asked concernedly.

"[gasp] I've lost my diamond encrusted purple ribbon! I have searched HIGH, and I have searched LOW. Low and high! High and low! But I can't find it anywhere! Anywhe-e-e-e-ere!" Rarity sobbed after levitating an expensive resting couch and collapses on it. Twilight started rubbing her hooves together in excitement with a wide gleeful grin.

"How can I possibly finish my latest creation if I can't find it?!"

"Never fear Rarity. As your friend I'll do my best to help you fi-"

"Oh there it is. Isn't it always just the last place you look?" Rarity found the ribbon by her sink and went to work on her creation leaving Twilight befuddled.

"So... you just lost your ribbon?" Twilight asked.

"Mmhm!" Rarity hummed.

"...but now you've found it?"

"Yea-huh."

"...and nothing else is bothering you? Nothing that I, as a good friend could help you with?"

"Hmm... there is one thing."

"Yes?"

"I think I left my measuring tape under the fabric over there. Could you get that for me?" Rarity asked which made Twilight lose her hopes on helping Rarity.

"[sighs] Measuring tape? Sure." Twilight said sulkingly and levitates the measuring tape near Rarity on the ground lazily.

"Twilight? Is there something bother- Twilight?" Rarity notices that Twilight had disappeared without a trace. Clock is still kicking in the daytime while Twilight travels to the outskirts of town.

"No need to panic. Rarity is just one pony. I'm sure one of my other friends will need me." Twilight said. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash kicks through a barn and back out from the other side with wood chunks on her. She shakes them off and charges the barn again ripping it into shreds. Applejack was nearby in a ditch wearing a helmet and taking cover from the destruction Dash was causing. She was ripping every piece of the barn like a wild animal. One stray piece of wood was sent flying into the air and happens to land right in front of Twilight startling her.

"What in the world...? Rainbow must be angry with Applejack! She must hate her guts! Oh wonderful!" Twilight clapped her hooves in joy and rushed on over to Dash.

"Rainbow Dash! Stop!" Twilight shouted and grabs Dash by the tail with her magic in midair before she could make another strike at the shed.

"Listen, Rainbow. I know you're upset with Applejack, but don't worry. Whatever it is that has come between you two, I'm sure that I, as a good friend, can help you resolve your problems." Twilight declared and dropped Dash.

"Uh, what are you talking about?" Dash asked in confusion.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, you don't have to hide your feelings from me! I can tell you two must've had a terrible fight." Twilight assumed. Later Dash was lying on a park bench while Twilight levitates a clipboard, a change of mane style, and wears glasses like a psychiatrist.

"Now, why don't you tell me all about your issues with Applejack." Twilight instructed patting Dash's head.

"I don't have any issues with Applejack." Dash said.

"You don't? Then why are you destroying her property?"

"...because she asked me to. Right Applejack?" Dash asked looking over the ditch.

"Yes ma'am. I wanted to put up a new barn, but this one's gotta come down first. Hehe. Now get back to it, R.D." Applejack ordered.

"You got it, boss." Dash said after putting her safety glasses back on and took for the skies.

"I'd take cover if I were you." Applejack advised. Twilight notices how high Dash was and knew what she was about to do. She yelped in shock and leaped into the ditch awaiting for what's to come. Dash began screaming as she zooms to the barn at high speeds. On impact it created an atomic rainbow explosion obliterating the barn. Debris lands on Twilight and Applejack getting them covered. Applejack pops out and went to check out the work. Twilight then came out with a disappointed look and mussed hair and sighed as she leaves to try and find another way to discover a lesson. Time however was running short with the afternoon arriving as she heads to Fluttershy's.

"[sigh] I can't believe I wasted all that time. I should have just come here first. Fluttershy always has some fear she's trying to get over. As a good friend, I'll be able to help her." Twilight stated. She arrives at Fluttershy's cottage and found her in the backyard. What she see's next was a surprise as Fluttershy stands face to face with a roaring bear. She made a daring move and flew under the bear's legs which made it look through them. Fluttershy suddenly did something nopony thought she would ever do and kicks the bear in the back. After the kick she grabbed the bears leg and pulls it after landing on it's back which roars in pain.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight exclaimed in shock. Fluttershy kept pounding on the bears back as it slams it's paw on the ground in agonizing pain. Twilight could not believe what she is witnessing. Finally Fluttershy grabbed the bears and twisted it with a battle cry and let it land on the ground with a dead look. This produced a shocked agaped Twilight.

"How can this be happening? Of all the days she had to stop being such a scaredy-pony, she had to pick today?! What am I going to do?!" Twilight cried as she departs. However the moment wasn't as it seems as Fluttershy massages the bears back with a pleasured relaxed look on it.

"You really should have come to me sooner. You were carrying so much tension in that shoulder." Fluttershy said with a satisfied groan from the bear. Twilight has gotten so stressed that she was lying on a park bench and strokes her tail insanely.

"It's fine. It'll all be fine. The day isn't over yet. But it will be over soon! [groans] It'll be all over! My time in Ponyville! My advanced studies!" Twilight began crying her tears in a puddle of water.

"Nono. You're a good student. You can do this." Twilight declared and pumped her hoof in a positive manner.

"Ooh! But what if I can't?" her reflection cried.

"You can. You just have to keep it together. Keep. It. Together!" Twilight urged at herself in the reflection. Charles and Spike were there to witness this awkward moment.

"Uhhhhhhhhh... Twilight? Are you okay?" Charles asked concernedly.

"Are you talking to... yourself?" Spike asked uneasily but got no response as Twilight stares in her reflection with her eyes twitching.

"Twilight?" Spike waves his claw in front of Twilight's face with no effect. Her ears then began twitching from the sound of giggling fillies playing jump rope not too far. But she was seeing them laughing at her mockingly still imagining what she'll go through if she doesn't finish her task. Spike's claw then poked the image away.

"Snap out of it!" Charles and Spike shout in unison. Twilight shook her head while on the ground and snapped out of her trance.

"Are you okay?" Spike asked and the three looked at the three fillies playing jump rope. This really got Charles and Spike worried.

"Twilight, you've been acting very strange lately. I think this pursuit for a new lesson is getting to you." Charles said.

"I'm really worried. I mean this letter thing is really getting to you. Here. You've been so anxious all day that you completely forgot about the picnic. Why don't you just relax and go hang out with-" Spike hands over the box of doughnuts.

"The picnic! I should go see my friends!" Twilight declared with a crazed look which startled the two and rushed to the park.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses." Spike said happily.

"I- I don't know, Spike. She's been really off right now. I don't think it's safe to say she's well now." Charles said.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Spike agreed.

"Look, head back to the library. I'll go check up on Twilight. I'll be back if anything goes south." Charles ordered and Spike saluted before heading off to the library with Charles following Twilight's direction. At the park Pinkie gleefully hops her way in the park with a picnic basket with the others waiting. She lays it on the ground and opens the cloth which shows three balloons taking off along with it. The other four relax as they prepare for the picnic.

"Please tell me I did not forget the plates. [gasp] I did. I totally forgot them. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE." Rarity announced in the same over dramatic fashion again and levitates the same couch over for her to lie upon.

"Why, why, why... Uh... What? You didn't expect me to lay on the grass, did you?" Rarity asked after getting some stares from the others. Dash starts to relax on the picnic blanket with her sunglasses on. A box suddenly land above her and looks up to see an insane stressed smile on Twilight which scares her and receives concerned looks from the others as she keeps the expression.

"You alright, hun?" Applejack asked worriedly.

"No! I am not alright." Twilight answered with a pout and got worried statements from the girls.

"It's just terrible." Twilight said.

"Yes?" the group said in unison.

"Simply awful."

"Yes?"

"It's the most horrific trouble I've ever been in and I really really really need your help!"

"Yes?"

"My letter to Princess Celestia is almost overdue, and I haven't learned anything about friendship!" Twilight said and the group sighed in relief.

"Oh thank goodness. I thought something really awful had happened." Fluttershy said which made a shock expression on Twilight.

"Something awful has happened! If I don't turn in the letter on time, I'll be tardy! TARDY!" Twilight shouts stressfully. After a short silence the girls began giggling which was getting on Twilight's nerves as her cheeks reddened in anger.

"No offense, sugarcube, but it looks like somepony's gettin' themselves all worked up over nothin'." Applejack said.

"This is not nothing. This is everything. I need you guys to help me find somepony with a problem I can fix before sundown! My whole life depends on it!" Twilight shouts in desperation.

"[giggles] Oh Twilight, you're such a crack-up! [laughs]" Pinkie laughs herself on the ground.

"Come on now. Have a seat and stop sweatin' the small stuff." Applejack advised but Twilight produces annoyed groans as she walks away and transports herself away disappearing from the groups eyes.

"Wow. I've never seen Twilight so upset before." Fluttershy admitted.

"Oh, what a drama queen." Rarity stated which got stares from the others again.

"Mm. Relatively speaking..." Rarity added sheepishly.

"[pants] Have... any of you... saw Twilight?" Charles comes in panting in exhaustion.

"Hey, Carl! Sorry dude, you just missed her. She left with a... pretty crazed attitude." Dash answered while lying back down on the blanket with her glasses back on.

"And you didn't stop her?!" Charles shouted in shock.

"You... you know about it?" Applejack asked.

"Yes! She's been so worked up about this all day and she won't stop at nothing until she finds a lesson on friendship before sundown! Who knows where she's at now?" Charles asked worriedly.

"Is everything alright?" Fluttershy asked.

"No... Listen, if she comes back, get me immedietly or stop her from doing something she'll regret. I'm going to be searching for her... again." Charles said and walks back town.

"Something tells me that this won't turn out well." Rarity stated.

"I feel like something super duper gigantically crazy is about to come soon! And I hope it's something fun!" Pinkie stated cheerfully. Back at the library Twilight occupies herself in her room in the dark as the day clicks on.

"Clock is ticking, Twilight. Clock... is... ticking. Keep it together. If I can't find a friendship problem... I'll make a friendship problem!" Twilight declared manically rubbing her hooves together and levitates something out of a chest and disappears again.

"Twi?! Twilight! You here?" Charles called after entering but no response. He then heard shaking coming from under the bed and looks under to see a frightened Spike shaking and stuttering in fear.

"Spike. What's wrong?" Charles asked.

"T- T- T- Twilight h- has gone b- b- bu -bu- berserk!" Spike said shakingly.

"What happened?"

"She said something about making a friendship problem and acted like a lunatic."

"Oh no. Oh, I didn't want to do this, but she's leaving me with no other option. Spike, write a letter to the princess about this. Warn her that Twilight is going through a stressful rampage and this has to be stopped."

"But-"

"Signed by me. I have to find her before things get out of hoof."

"How are you going to find her? She could be anywhere!"

"I think I know I think she is at the park." Charles said as he was scared and left for the park.

Back at the park a bird flies back on it's nest on a branch as it starts rustling a bit. Twilight then popped out with a creepy smile and giggled insanely. Nearby she spots the Cutie Mark Crusaders having fun bouncing a ball to each other and approaches them while still being hidden in the bushes. As the three fillies continue to bounce the ball with their heads and eventually rolls on the ground it suddenly started expanding with a purple aurora around them until it popped revealing an insane looking Twilight.

"Hi girls!" Twilight greeted with a crazed smile and twitching ears.

"Oh, hi Twilight. How's you're-" Applebloom asked uneasily.

"Gr-eat. Just great. You three look like you're doing great too! Looks like three good friends who obviously don't need the help of another good friend." Twilight said crazily. Her ears twitched again as she levitates a worn out pony doll with with buttons for eyes one nearly falling off, brown string mane and tail, and polka dot pants.

"This is Smarty Pants. She was mine when I was your age, and now I want to give her to you!" Twilight declared levitating the doll to the the three as it's left ear flops lazily.

"Uhh... she's... great." Scootaloo chuckled nervously.

"Yeah. Great." Applebloom joined.

"I really... like her... mane?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"She even comes with her own notebook and quill, for when you want to pretend she's doing her homework!" Twilight gives out a quill and small note book to them and tilts her head creepily.

"That's... um... great." Scootaloo said.

"Yeah... great." Applebloom said again and the two nudged Sweetie.

"I really like her... mane?" Sweetie repeated.

"I just hope the fact that there are three of you and only one of her doesn't become a problem! I'd hate to cause a rift between such good friends." Twilight said and Scootaloo rolled her hoof by the side of her head in a clock motion to emphasize her point.

"So, who wants to play with her first?" Twilight asked.

"Uh... You should play with her first, Sweetie Belle. Y'know, 'cause you like her mane so much." Applebloom said.

"Nonononononono. I think Scootaloo should get to play with her first." Sweetie said.

"I'd love to, but, um, you take her, Applebloom." Scootaloo said.

"Applejack says it's important to share." Applebloom said as the three tried to push each other to the doll.

"I gotta think of something! Thinkthinkthinkthink Twilight, think! [gasp] That's it!" Twilight said in her mind and pounded her hooves together deviously.

"Ooh, you're going to like Smarty Pants. And you're going to like her more than anything." Twilight said and casted a spell on the doll which attracts the onlookers to have the desire to have it. It hits the ground and catches the attention of the three fillies.

"I want it." Scootaloo said with love in her eyes.

"I need it." Applebloom said with the same look in her eyes.

"I really like her mane!" Sweetie declared this time she really meant it. The girls then began fighting and arguing over possession of the doll to Twilight's delight.

"The 'want it, need it' spell. Works every time. Okay okay, let's break it up. I think we can all see that there is an important lesson to be learned here about-" Twilight gets smacked to the ground by the fighting girls which puts her in a daze.

"C'mon, girls, we're all friends here, right? Don't you think you ought to share?" Twilight asked.

"No way!" Applebloom refused stubbornly during the fight and Twilight groaned annoyingly before jumping into the conflict. She tried to fight for the doll but ends being sent flying from it and crashes into Big Macintosh carrying a bucket.

"Big McIntosh! Thank goodness! You've gotta help me get that doll away from those girls!" Twilight said pointing at the fight as Big Macintosh turns his attention to it.

"...Eeyup." Big Macintosh said and puts the bucket down and approaches the fighting girls. He just simply lowered his head in the conflict and pulls out the doll without any problem.

"Oh, thank you so much. Now if you could just give her to me?" Twilight asked as she was about to levitate the doll to her but Big Macintosh started running with the doll.

"Mmnope." Big Macintosh said who apparently fell under the doll's spell as well.

"Oh no!" Twilight exclaimed wiping her hoof on her face. Soon the three fillies realized the doll is gone and started chasing Big Macintosh. They eventually pass the mayor who was sitting in a low chair reading a book until the commotion caught her attention.

"What's all the commotion about?" the mayor asked.

"They're fighting over that doll!" a yellow mare pegasus answered who also fell under the spell with others rushing to join the chase.

"That incredible, amazing doll!" a tanish mare pony added and soon so many ponies were gathering around Big Macintosh in a mountain to fight for possession of the doll.

"Can't... get... a clear shot!" Twilight grunted unable to get to the doll. Big Macintosh was extending his head up into the air as much as he could to get away from the ponies trying to get to the doll.

"Gimme!" the mayor appeared on top and grabbed the doll from Big Macintosh and started running. Big Macintosh's strength explodes and sends all the ponies flying with an angry expression on him.

"Nope." Big Macintosh said and started galloping towards the mayor.

"Oh, what have I done?!" Twilight exclaimed in shame.

"Twilight! There you are! What's going on?" Charles appeared.

"Oh, Charles! I messed up big time. I casted an attraction spell on a doll of mine and now everypony is going nuts over it." Twilight said.

"You what?! Twilight, you know that nopony can resist that spell! It turns into an uncontrollable rampage of want and need!"

"I know and I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Where's the doll?"

"It went that way."

"Let's go." Charles ordered and the two rush to the direction of the doll. Meanwhile back at the picnic the other five girls were ready to pack up. Applejack was relaxing against a tree with a wheat plant in her mouth until she started hearing distant arguing and the ground began shaking.

"Y'all hear that?" Applejack asked just as a stampede of ponies pass by chasing the mayor with the doll in her mouth.

"What in the name of all things oats 'n apples is goin' on here?!" Applejack exclaimed in confusion. Just then a stray pegasus swiped the doll away from the mayor only to get a tug a war with another pegasus. The tugging soon sends the doll flying near Dash which she looked at and was ready to fall under the spell.

"Don't look at it!" Twilight warned moving Dash's head away from the doll.

"Don't look at what?" Rarity asked.

"My Smarty Pants doll! I enchanted her and now everypony is fighting over her!" Twilight answered.

"Why would you enchant your doll?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, I had to do something! I had nothing to report to Princess Celestia! I thought if I couldn't find a problem, I'd make a problem! The day is almost over!" Twilight said in worry.

"Not almost!" Applejack corrected looking at the horizon. The sun finally sets in the distance and Twilight lowers her head to the ground in shame. She had failed.

"Twilight Sparkle!" a voice shouted from above and the group looked up to see Princess Celestia enshrouded by a bright light with an angry look on her.

"Whoa nelly." Applejack gasped. Celestia then casts a bright light from her horn and illuminates throughout the entire area. As it dissipates the fighting ended with everypony giving out confused looks. They all noticed the doll and couldn't help but feel embarrassed about fighting over a silly little thing even the mayor blushed at the memory and walks on it returning to her home as well as everyone else. Big Macintosh on the other hand stayed and looked around to make sure everyone was gone. As the coast was clear he took the doll and galloped back to the farm still having a love for the raggedy pony doll. Celestia then lands rather forcefully than she normally would in front of Twilight which gives an ashamed look.

"Princess Celestia, if you let me explain I'll-" Charles approached and tried to defend Twilight but Celestia rose her hoof and halted his actions which he obeyed with a saddened lowered head. This made the others give out worried looks.

"Meet me in the library." Celestia ordered disappointedly before flying in the air again and disappear.

"Goodbye girls. If you care to visit, I'll be in magic kindergarten, back in Canterlot." Twilight said with teary eyes and walked away depressingly heading for the library.

"Magic kindergarten?" Fluttershy asked.

"Canterlot?" Dash added.

"We're never gonna see Twilight again!" Pinkie declared worriedly.

"Uh, What are we gonna do, y'all?" Applejack asked.

"Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Rarity stated for the third time and noticed she was getting some stares again.

"What? I really mean it this time!" Rarity assured.

"She can't be going back to Canterlot. She just can't." Fluttershy said. This made Charles tensify his look with determination.

"No! I won't let that happen!" Charles declared before rushing off and disappears with his magic leaving the others to think on how to handle the situation. Shortly Charles arrives to see Twilight and Celestia have a talk about the events of today with Spike hiding behind a book case while fiddling with his tail nervously.

"...But...but... I'm supposed to send you a letter about friendship every week. I missed the deadline. I'm a bad student! I'm... tardy!" Twilight pointed out shamefully.

"You are a wonderful student, Twilight. I don't have to get a letter every week to know that." Celestia assured.

"Really?" Twilight asked incredulously. Suddenly the door flungs open with the other girls entering and Dash flying in front of Twilight with her hoof out at Celestia.

"Wait!" Dash shouted.

"You can't punish her!" Pinkie said.

"It wasn't her fault!" Applejack joined.

"I'm listening." Celestia said.

"Please, your highness. We all saw that Twilight was upset..." Fluttershy said.

"...but we thought that the thing she was worrying about wasn't worth worrying about." Dash added.

"So when she ran off all worked up, not a single one of us tried to stop her." Applejack said.

"As Twilight's good friends, we should have taken her feelings seriously and been there for her!" Rarity said which made Celestia changed her mood intriguingly.

"Please don't take her away from us just because we were too insensitive to help her." Fluttershy pleaded and Celestia took a moment to think. Charles decided to give out one last attempt.

"Princess... may I talk with you outside in private?" Charles asked.

"Certainly." Celestia nodded and the two went out to the balcony and shut the doors with the others watching. Minutes passed and all the girls can see from the two outside is movement of their talking mouths and impressions. Finally Charles and Celestia nodded together and returned inside where the girls turned their attention to them.

"I have decided that I'll let the events that occurred today slide. You all learned a pretty valuable lesson today." Celestia announced and the group gave out sighs of relief especially Twilight.

"But I'll only forget Twilight's 'punishment' on one condition." Celestia said and everyone agreed to listen.

"From this day forth, I would like you all to report to me your findings on the magic of life and friendship, when, and only when, you happen to discover them." Celestia said and the group cheered as Celestia made her back out of the balcony. But something caught Twilight's mind.

"Princess Celestia, wait! How did you know I was in trouble?" Twilight asked.

"Your friends Charles and Spike made me aware that you were letting your fears get the best of you. I commend them for taking your feelings seriously. Now, if you will all excuse me, I must return to Canterlot. I'm expecting some mail." Celestia said and flew off into the night and vanished. Twilight reenters the library to get ready for another lesson.

"Y'all heard the Princess. Spike, take a letter." Applejack said and Spike took out a quill and note while Twilight turns her attention to Charles and Spike.

"I- If you're angry we understa-" Charles was cut off as Twilight pulls the two in with an embrace and a smile which they returned.

"Wait, I forgot to ask. What were you and the princess talking about?" Twilight asked curiously.

"We made an agreement that not only will she excuse your punishment and have all of us right down any findings on friendship but that I also convinced her that if there's anypony to punish... it's me." Charles said which surprised the group.

"Charles... you didn't have to do that." Twilight said.

"I know, It's okay. Besides, she didn't say what the punishment will be yet."

"Why?"

"I don't know. We're just going to have to wait and see."

"Well in any case, thank you, Charles." Twilight said giving him another hug.

"Your welcome." Charles said returning the favor. Soon the group gathered around Spike as he prepares to write the letter on a book holder.

"Dear Princess Celestia, we're writin' to you because today we all learned a little somethin' about friendship." Applejack said.

"We learned that you should take your friends' worries seriously." Fluttershy added.

"Even if you don't think that she has anything to worry about." Dash joined.

"And that you shouldn't let your worries turn a small problem..." Rarity said.

"...into an enormously huge entire-town-in-total-chaos Princess-has-to-come-and-save-the-day problem." Pinkie said.

"Signed, your loyal subjects." Applejack finished as Spike finishes the letter.

"P.S. Obviously Spike did not have to learn a lesson, because he is the best, most awesome friend a pony could ask for. Unlike everypony else, he took things seriously, and-" Spike wrote down but soon noticed the group giving him disapproving looks and Charles and Twilight shook their heads.

"Eheh... uh... yeah... I'll just, um..." Spike stuttered and x'd the whole note as the group laughed. Only thing is he's not laughing producing a huff of irritated steam out of his nose. Soon the whole silly ordeal was forgotten and everypony can get on with their lives with no other worries. But what other scary moments will be awaiting them?

Next Chapter: Chapter 34: The Mysterious Mare Do Well Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 31 Minutes