Author's Note

This is the longest chapter of this story. Day 5 of Megan's vacation takes her to the Crystal Empire.

Day 5-The Crystal Empire

The sun began to rise over Sweet Apple Acres. In the basement of Applejack's house, Megan was just waking up when she heard the sound of somepony rushing down the stairs, and jumped on Megan. It turned out to be Apple Bloom, super excited.

"Morning, sleepy head!" Apple Bloom shouted.

Megan rubbed her eyes, and saw the little yellow pony. "Apple Bloom. Was that necessary?"

"Sorry." Apple Bloom said as she hopped off the cot. "I figured that it's time to wake up."

Applejack heard the commotion. "Everything okay down there?"

"I'm fine." Megan answered. "In spite of this living alarm clock waking me up." She then gave Apple Bloom a hug. "But, I can't stay angry at this cute little pony."

Apple Bloom smiled, and went back upstairs. Applejack came down as Megan got off the cot and stretched.

"Nice looking nightshirt, Megan." Applejack praised. "So simple, yet so functional."

"Thanks, Applejack." Megan replied. "That's nice of you to say that."

"Pinkie Pie just dropped off some donuts from Canterlot. Meet ya at the kitchen."

As Applejack went upstairs, Megan went for her backpack. "I wonder what mom and dad pack for me this time."

Later that day, Megan and Applejack went back to Ponyville. This time, Megan wore a lavender long sleeve buttoned shirt, gray capri style pants with suspenders, and black platform shoes. Megan has on a glittery silver bow in her hair.

"Hello, Megan." Twilight greeted. "Sleep well?"

"Actually, I did." Megan answered. "That cot Applejack set up was more comfy than I thought."

"Happy to hear that. Well, do you know where you're going today?"

Megan wondered, then gave a response. "No, I don't."

Twilight gave Megan her answer. "The Crystal Empire."

"The Crystal Empire?!" Megan blurted. "That's where Celestia's niece, Princess Cadence, rules. Right?"

"That's right. She's also married to my brother, Prince Shining Armor."

Starlight Glimmer and Pinkie Pie arrived to join the conversation.

"Pinkie and I are visiting the Crystal Empire too." Starlight informed. "I'm going to visit my good friend, Sunburst, while Pinkie Pie keeps Baby Flurry Heart company."

"Baby Flurry Heart?" Megan wondered.

"You'll love this baby." Pinkie Pie said. "She's a lot of fun."

Suddenly, Derpy Hooves arrived. "Hi, Megan. I was told to bring your backpack to your home."

Megan carefully strapped the backpack to the back of this mailpony. "Be careful with it, Derpy."

"I will." Derpy replied as she takes flight. "See you at the entrance to the Crystal Empire."

As Derpy takes off to the Rainbow Bridge, Megan was a little stumped. "I never thought that she's a mailpony."

"Sure, she may look a little goofy." Twilight said. "But, she is reliable."

Later, the Friendship Express arrived at a station near the entrance to the Crystal Empire. Many passengers exited the train. Starlight, Megan, and Pinkie included.

"Oh my gosh." Megan said as she looks at their destination. "This place is amazing!"

"It sure is!" Pinkie shouted. "That's why for some of us, this place never gets old."

Suddenly, Derpy Hooves came flying in. "Special Delivery for Megan Williams!"

Derpy dropped Megan's backpack, and the kind girl caught it. "Thanks, Derpy."

The happy mailpony took off as Starlight came to Megan. "Let's get going, Megan."

The three friends walk the streets of the Crystal Empire. The crystal ponies said hello to them. They especially said hello to Megan.

"I'm very touched that these crystal ponies are happy to see me." Megan realized.

A female magenta unicorn with a white mane and tail approached the group. "Even we of the Crystal Empire know of the legendary friend from the days of Ponyland. However, you're not the only legendary being in our eyes."

The unicorn points to a crystal statue of Spike holding a heart in his hand.

"That's right." Megan realized. "Spike was declared a hero after retrieving the Crystal Heart, saving this place from the deadly King Sombra. That's what Twilight and Spike told me."

"I better get going." Pinkie announced. "See you two later."

Pinkie then trotted off. As Megan and Starlight continue their tour, an orange male unicorn wearing glasses and a star studded cape approached them. "Starlight! This is a surprise."

"Sunburst." Starlight yelped. She and Sunburst hugged each other. "I hope you don't mind me coming here."

"Not at all." Sunburst replied as he adjusted his glasses. "And, I see you brought miss Megan Williams with you."

Megan's eyes widened. "You know who I am?"

"Who doesn't know the kind human girl from the days of Ponyland? I've always wanted to meet you."

"Megan's staying here at the Crystal Empire for the night." Starlight informed.

Soon, two royal guards came to the group.

"Are you Megan Williams?" One of the guards asked.

"Uh...yes." Megan answered.

"No need to panic, miss. Our leader, Princess Cadence would like to meet you. Please come with us."

Megan turned to Starlight and Sunburst. "Sorry about this, guys."

"Don't worry, Megan." Starlight replied. "You'll be okay."

Soon, the two royal guards escorted Megan inside a crystal castle. She was astounded with the structure. She then saw a heart shaped object spinning on spires.

"So, that's the Crystal Heart." Megan figured.

"That's right." One of the guards replied. "Thanks to Spike, the dragon, the heart is retrieved, and King Sombra is no more."

As the group headed for a double door, the door opened, and out steps a bright pink alicorn with a multi colored mane and tail, and has a crystal heart as a cutie mark.

"Uh, P-P-Princess Cadenece, I p-p-presume?" Megan said nervously.

"That's right." The alicorn replied. "And, you must be Megan. Twilight Sparkle told me all about you."

Feeling relief, Megan soon calmed down. "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you."

Cadence turns to her guards. "You can leave us. She's okay."

The royal guards leave the area as Megan follows Cadence into the castle.

"So, what brings you here to the Crystal Empire?" Cadence wondered.

"Twilight suggested that I spend the day here." Megan answered. "Including a sleepover somewhere. Pinkie Pie and Starlight Glimmer brought me here."

"Starlight probably is spending time with Sunburst. As for Pinkie, she's with the baby."

"Who's baby is it?"

Cadence turned and gave a simple answer. "Mine."

"WHAT?!" Megan gasped. "Pinkie is taking care of YOUR baby?"

"That's right." Said the voice of a male unicorn with a blue mane and tail. He approaches the visitor. "You must be Megan. Twilight's description of you is right down to your cheery smile."

Megan looked at the stallion. "You must be Twilight's brother, Prince Shining Armor."

"That's me. And, the loyal husband to Cadence."

Shining Armor and Cadence hugged each other. Megan couldn't help but smile at the happy couple.

"Would you like to see the baby, Megan?" Cadence asked.

"Sure." Megan replied. "I can't wait to see this bundle of joy."

Shining Armor went to the front. "Then follow us."

As Megan followed the couple into the nursery, Pinkie Pie was already there.

"Hi, folks." Pinkie greeted with her usual excitement.

"Hi, Pinkie." Megan responded. "Where's the baby?"

"Inside this crib!"

Megan looked into the crib. And, got shocked when she realized that the baby had the horn of a unicorn and the wings of a Pegasus.

"Baby Flurry Heart is a-a-an ALICORN?" Megan blurted.

"Believe me." Cadence said, calming Megan down. "We were just as shocked as you are."

"From what I heard, so were Celestia, Luna, and the Mane Six. Including Pinkie over there."

"But, she's still so cute." Pinkie cheered. "Would you like to hold her?"

Megan was surprised to hear that. Cadence gave her a gentle nod. Carefully, Megan placed her hands under Flurry Heart. And, gently picked her up. The baby cooed happily, making Megan smile.

Wow. Megan thought. I'm holding a real baby. A baby alicorn, maybe. But, a baby none the less. She looked at the baby. "Hi, Baby Flurry Heart. My name is Megan."

The baby started to fidget and cried a little bit. This made Megan nervous. "I think this baby wants to get out of my arms."

Using her magic, Cadence lifted Flurry heart and laid her down back into the crib.

"What do you think?" Pinkie asked.

"You were right, Pinkie." Megan said happily. "Flurry Heart IS cute." She then gave Pinkie a quick kiss. "Kind of like you."

Pinkie soon blushed, knowing Megan is right. Later that night, Megan is in a guest room, wearing a pair of vermillion colored pajamas. She heard a knock on the door. "Who's there?"

"It's me, Megan." The voice of Cadence answered. "May I come in?"

"Sure. I have my PJs on."

Princess Cadence came inot the room, and saw Megan's sleepwear. "I love those pajamas you're wearing. It's like the colors of a sunset."

"Thank you." Megan said proudly. "Did Starlight Glimmer and Pinkie Pie make it back to Ponyville?"

"They did. So, you have nothing to worry about."

Feeling pleased, Megan climbed into bed, and draped the blanket over her.

"I appreciate you staying with us tonight." Cadence said. "Good night, Megan."

"Nighty night, Princess Cadence." Megan replied.

As Cadence left the room, Megan placed her head on the pillow, and slowly fell asleep. This ends day five.