Thunderspite

Apple Bloom spent the rest of the afternoon and evening sulking in her room, while Applejack dealt with Thunderspite’s departure in her own way: bucking apples in the orchard with considerably more force than necessary. The rest of the gang reacted similarly, each of them tending to their work, hoping to distract themselves.

The next day was Saturday, and they gang all met at Sugarcube Corner for sweets, as was their tradition, but nobody much felt like celebrating. Applejack had dragged Apple Bloom along, insisting that she needed to “get out,” but Apple Bloom was making it very clear to everyone that she would prefer to be in her room sulking. Pinkie Pie was resting her head on her arm, pushing her cupcake back and forth across the table. The rest of the gang were similarly engaged in staring at their sweets.

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “I suppose we should write Princess Twilight a letter and let her know that we...did not succceed.”

The other ponies nodded solemnly. Rarity spoke next. “Well. No sense in putting it off, I suppose.” She tossed her hair and held her head up high. “I’ll go get my quill.”

Just then, they heard a commotion outside. “What do you suppose that is?” said Rarity, who was nearest the door. She trotted outside, and the others followed. As they came out of the shop, they saw the ponies on the street all looking upwards and pointing.

“Oh my!” said Rarity. “It’s the royal coach!”

“It’s Twilight!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, jumping up and down.

The coach passed low over the buildings, circled around, and landed in the street. All the ponies in the street, including her friends, kneeled as Princess Twilight Sparkle stood and stepped down from the coach with the help of a Royal Guard.

“Please, carry on everyone!” she announced to the small crowd. Her friends, having been dismissed from their obeisance, quickly surrounded the princess and exchanged hugs and excited greetings.

“I’ve missed you all so much!” Twilight was saying.

“How’s the princess bit comin’ along?” asked Applejack

“Are you here to stay?” Pinkie Pie asked, bouncing excitedly.

“I’m afraid not, Pinkie Pie. Actually girls, I’m on a very important mission from Princess Celestia.”

“A mission?” asked all her friends together.

“Yes. Girls, let me ask you something. This pony you wrote about in your letter, the one I wanted you to be friends with - what was his name?”

“Thunderspite.” Applejack fairly spat out the name.

“I thought so,” said Twilight Sparkle, nodding to the four guards behind her. “Where is he?”

“He flew off yesterday, the big coward,” said Applejack.

“I suppose you’re here to find that outlaw and take him back to the dungeon where he belongs?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Outlaw? What?” Twilight seemed very surprised to hear this this. “No, no! Girls, Thunderspite isn’t an outlaw. He’s a hero!”

“A hero?!” the others all asked at once.

“I knew it!” shouted Apple Bloom. “I told y'all he weren’t no criminal!”

“What in the world made you think he was a criminal?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Fluttershy relayed the story of what had happened in the market the previous day, and how they had overheard the guards talking.

“No no, girls. The guards are looking for Thunderspite for a...a different reason.” She turned back to the guard behind her. “Lieutenant, Thunderspite has a full day’s head start, but he may still be close. Have your pegasi conduct a search.” The captain saluted, then turned to carry out her order.

Turning back to her friends, Twilight Sparkle sighed. “I can see I have an awful lot to tell you all. Why don’t we all go inside.”