The Planet of the Changed

1 Week Earlier

“Why the hay would Princess Celestia want us to go to Canterlot?” said Rainbow Dash.

“I don't know dear but maybe Twilight has had a few rough couple of days and Princess Celestia thought it was a good idea for us to go talk to her. I've been writing her letters but she always sends me short, choppy letters back as if she's too busy to respond properly.” Rarity said with a frown. The five were in the Golden Oaks Library, still without an owner, crowded around a small letter on the table in the center of the room. Almost all of the books that once lined the shelves were gone and dust coated everything. The only books that were left were the Daring Do series, only because Rainbow Dash begged Twilight not to take them.

“Same here...” said Fluttershy barely above a whisper. After some motivation from her friends, Fluttershy went back to school and had recently become the designated Veterinarian of Ponyville. Needless to say, she loved the new job and liked getting paid for doing something she loved. She eventually saved up enough money to move out of her cottage and moved into town. As of now, she lived closer to Rarity's boutique (Or should I say shop. More on that later). She was still the shy, timid pony that was somewhat scared of the world but was also now into technology such as digital x-ray machines to help her get her patients back on their paws, claws, or talons in no time.

The five of them were all crowded around the letter to try to make sense of what it was saying. "Ah' sure hope Twi is okay..." said Applejack. Applejack's personality hadn't changed much since Twilight left to go live in Canterlot; although she finally accomplished one of her dreams, opening her own Apple Family Restaurant. She got so much profit that she eventually started living the life she always wanted. Money issues aside, she still enjoyed buckin' apples off the trees back at Apple Acres, even though they hired people for it. Applejack sent Apple Bloom to Architectural School in Fillydelphia. Apple Bloom, now at the age of nineteen, had the thing for building large structures and Applejack wanted her to get the education she deserved, even though it'd mean that she couldn't help out on the farm.

"Oh don't be all saddie-waddie guys! Once we get there we can throw a party and Twilight'll feel better in no time!" said Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie moved out of Sugarcube Corner and set up a shop in town just for parties, party supplies, pranking equipment, and even some confections that bite back! She still baked cakes for the Cakes at Sugarcube corner for a few extra bits every now and then but for the most part she was now independent (Celestia help us all). Strangest of all, she named the place "Pinkie's Pranks" after asking her forever pranking buddy, Rainbow Dash, for a good name. It took Pinkie Pie 3 hours and 27 cupcakes later to finally settle on a name.

"I don't think it'd be a good idea to throw a party right after we get there," said Rainbow Dash but quickly continued to explain upon seeing the face of Pinkamena Diane Pie coming to the surface. "I mean won't she want to at least see and talk to us before we jump right into a party?" Rainbow Dash quickly covering up her mistake.

"Ah'll have to agree with Rainbow on this one. We haven't seen er' in over a month and ya know how she can get when she gets sucked into all that scientificy stuff." said Applejack with an apologetic smile.

"I suppose you're right," Pinkie Pie, now back to the smiling, cheerful pony she is, said with a sigh.

"Don't worry Pinkie! We can throw her a party later!" said Rainbow Dash with a smile. This had made the pink pony perk up.

"Oh it'll have streamers! And cake and balloons and confetti and punch-" at this point all of them knew it was best to let Pinkie Pie go on ranting about the party.

"May I see that letter one more time Applejack?" asked Rarity. Applejack pushed the letter over to her and Rarity started reading over the letter again.

Dear Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity; My most faithful subjects,

It has come to my attention that my former student, and your close friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle, is in need of some assistance. She has been working herself to the bone, she doesn't even eat or sleep. Right now I think she's in need of some friends. I worry about her constantly and try to help her in every way possible but she just turns me away. She won't even let Spike into her room! Whatever she's working on, I'd like you five to find out for me. Try to get her to eat and sleep if you can. Her well-being is making me think that being a Princess might be a little too much for her right now. I write this asking- no- begging you to please help her. I will be meeting you up at the Canterlot Train Station. I haven't told her that you're coming as to make it a surprise. Hopefully this will be enough. I wish you a great trip!

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

P.S. Inside this letter there's a royal seal that should allow you to get onto the train without a problem.

"-and cupcakes and costumes and-"

Rarity, after finishing the letter for the third time, was snapped back to reality as Pinkie Pie listed off more and more things things to be added to the long list of party supplies. "Darling, I think that if you were to say any more items that your mouth will fall right off!". Rarity had left her dream of becoming a clothes designer in the past after her eyes were opened to the world and her generosity gave her the call of duty. She was now working at Town Hall as the Mayor's assistant and desk-pony. In this position, she could help the Mayor come to decisions that would help everypony, and I mean everypony including, as horrible as they are, Nobles. Her boutique was turned into a store for used products to be refurbished and sold or given to the ponies who didn't have a lot of money. Sweetie Bell was now a famous singer and went on tours but still managed to make time for her friends and family.

"Really? Awwww... WAIT! I got one more item!!! Please let me say it pleasepleasepleaseplease-" said the energetic mare.

"Fine" Rarity said with a sigh.

"A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!!!" said Pinkie Pie with drool making it's way down her face.

"Okaaay moving along" said Rainbow Dash. "We should get packing tonight so that we can make the train first thing in the morning!" she said in her commander-like voice. After Twilight left, she soon was accepted into the Wonderbolts at long last. She quickly ascended through the ranks and was now training new candidates at the Wonderbolt Academy as their drill-sargent. She now lived in Cloudsdale but flew back and forth every weekend and made time for her friends.Rainbow Dash adopted Scootaloo a year or so after Twilight left and raised her like a daughter with her fiancé, Soarin. Scootaloo herself eventually got into the show business and joined a track racing team. Needless to say she never lost a race on that scooter of hers and Rainbow Dash never missed a show, regardless of official Wonderbolt business.

"Sounds lik'a good plan" said Applejack said with a yawn. It was getting dark outside and they all needed to get up early if they were going to make the first train out. After they said their goodbyes, they went their separate ways. In a silent agreement Rainbow Dash, not having a place to stay in Ponyville, went and spent the night at Applejack's house.

The next morning all five of them made their way toward the train station. This trip would be a 2-hour trip. Pinkie Pie had Gummy, Fluttershy had Angel, Rarity had paperwork, and Rainbow Dash had Daring Do and the Crystal Horn and Pegasus Aerodynamics 101. Applejack on the other hand didn't have anything but her thoughts. The train's whistle blew and they boarded the train just as it pulled away from the station. They sat at the back car of the train, apparently complements of the Princess included a car all to themselves.

"You must have brought something to do Applejack," said Rarity with a slight frown.

"Not really... Ah' wasn't really prepared for a trip like this on such short notice..." replied Applejack.

"Well we could play I-Spy!" said a perky Pinkie Pie.

"Okay why not," These words were something that Applejack regretted for the next hour.

Rainbow Dash eventually got Pinkie to sit still and read a magazine. "So what have you gals been up to?" asked Rainbow Dash breaking the eerie silence that fell upon the car.

"Nothin' really since the last time ya came," said Applejack.

"Well I for one have finally gotten that regulation passed so that gem mining is prohibited near any major, or minor, streams surrounding Ponyville. I just wish I could say the same for elsewhere..." said a prestige Rarity.

"I got my double-shocolate cupcakes selling by the dozen back at Sugarcube Corner!" said Pinkie Pie.

"What's 'shocolate'?" asked Fluttershy.

"It's the most scootallyootallyumptious flavor I've ever made! It tastes like chocolate but when you bite into the cupcake you get a shock! It'll feel like a million sparklers are going inside your mouth! Want to try some?" said the forever prankster pulling a tray of fresh cupcakes out of seemingly nowhere. They were normal looking chocolate cupcakes coated in what looked like ordinary chocolate icing and had a cherry on top.

"Er maybe later Pinkie" said Rainbow Dash cautiously eyeing the cupcakes.

Several minutes later the car fell back into the awkward silence.

Rainbow Dash scooted over and sat next to Fluttershy. "So Fluttershy... I heard something about you and Big Mac seeing each other," whispered Rainbow Dash into Fluttershy's ear. Fluttershy turned a shade of crimson that could only be matched by the stallion's coat.

"I...um... I uh..." said the yellow pegasus slowly shrinking into a ball.

"No no no no I didn't mean that to offend you! It's a good thing. If anything, you should be proud that you have somepony like that. I honestly don't know what I'd do without Soarin." said the colorful mare, still in a hushed tone "And, to be honest, I think that you and Big Mac could make a good, if not great, couple." she continued with a wink.

"Y-You really think so?" asked Fluttershy.

"I know so." replied Rainbow Dash with confidence. This got a smile out of the out of the shy mare. Rainbow wrapped a wing around her and gave her a hug. About 5 minutes later the train's whistle blew, announcing their arrival at the station. Rarity looked out of the window and spotted Princess Celestia along with a squad of Royal Guards.

"We have a friend in need and I do not intend to let her down!" said Rarity with confidence. The others nodded in agreement as they walked off of the train and started walking towards the Princess.

The Princess looked at each of them in turn then said "It isn't safe here. Guards, get their luggage and load it on the chariot. We need to get out of here immediately!". The five looked at each other in a look of horror and confusion.

"Don't worry. I'll tell you what's going on as soon as we get to the Palace." said the Alicorn quietly.