Bringing Harmony

Twilight bit her lip as she looked around the small marketplace with Rarity. “Remember, nothing too flashy. We can’t draw too much attention, especially since Orange Julius told me that Unicornocopia is rumored to have the most guards. Magic is a threat to Queen Gardenia.” Twilight whispered.

“Don’t worry Darling!” Rarity waved a hoof. “I know how to make things fabulous, so of course I know how to make things...ahem, less than fabulous.” She cringed slightly. “Although it might just break my heart.” She sighed dramatically.

Twilight just nodded and adjusted her dress slightly as Rarity approached a salesmare.

“Hmmm. I’ll take two bolts of the cotton candy and...” Rarity looked to Twilight and studied her with the eye of a fashion critic. “I’ll also take a bolt of the royal blue.” She smiled, careful to hide her fake tracking band. It had been turned purple by Twilight, but it still didn’t look quite exactly right.

The salesmare gave her a strange, almost frightened look and retreated to the back of the store to fetch what Rarity had asked for. She reappeared, and Rarity had to physically stop herself from using her magic to pick up the bundles, by adjusting her hat to better hide the soft blue glow that had started.

“Ahem, yes, well then...” She nodded uncomfortably, trying to think of how Applejack and Pinkie Pie would have carried the things. “I suppose, if you could just put them on my back?” She asked uncertainly, not quite sure how the whole thing was supposed to work. A new respect for Earth Ponies and Pegasi was growing in her heart.

“Let’s go Rarity, we really need to be getting back.” Twilight insisted, not liking the suspicious look on the salesmare’s face.

With that, Twilight and Rarity made a hasty retreat from the shop, and cantered back to Orange Julius’ house.

Shortly after noon, Fluttershy heard a knock at the door. Startled, she quickly threw on the same plain dress she wore the day before.
Once her wings were safely hidden, she quickly and quietly approached the window. She cautiously peeked out to see Doc Vigor standing several paces back, looking right at the window where Fluttershy now stood. He smiled patiently at her.
Fluttershy slowly opened the door and let the doctor in.
“Good afternoon Fluttershy!” He said boisterously. Then calmly asked, “Are your friends here? I have their bands, although I already met Miss Pinkie Pie. She was at Apricot’s shop while I was having breakfast.... Does she always have that much energy?”.
“Um, well, yes.” Fluttershy stammered. “They aren’t here right now. Applejack and Rainbow Dash went to see Pegasopolus, and Rarity and Twilight are out shopping for supplies.” She explained quietly.
“Ah I see, supplies for,” he paused a moment, “ disguises?” Fluttershy nodded. “But why didn’t you go to Pegasopolus? And how did Applejack get there, I thought you said she was an earth pony.”
“Oh! Well, Twilight gave her wings,“ She elaborated. “I don’t like high places, and I also said I’d be here when you came this afternoon. I wouldn’t want to break a promise.” Her volume dropped as she explained.
Rarity threw open the door and levitated the hat off her horn. She shook out her mane and exhaled loudly. "My goodness! That hat is so stuffy.” She had her bag filled with ribbon and crafting supplies.
Behind her Twilight juggled 3 bolts of fabric. She entered quickly and used her hind legs to shut the door. Once the door was closed, she removed her own hat. “Rarity, You have to be more quiet, what if somepony heard you?”
It was then that they noticed Doc. Rarity and Twilight quickly returned their hats to their heads.
Doc chuckled softly. “Rarity and Twilight I presume? I’m Doc Vigor.”
Both mares exhaled loudly and removed their hats again.
The doctor chuckled.
Orange Julius entered the room. “Doc! Good ta see ya! When did ya git here?”
“Julius! How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t been around in a while.”
“That’s alright Doc. Ah know yer busy.”
Julius waved his banded hoof, “How did ya meet the girls?”
“Fluttershy,” Doc motioned to her with a hoof, “wandered into the care district and followed an injured field hoof from the pear farm into my office.”
“Ah see the, well come on in. Would ya like somthin’ ta drink?” Orange Julius turned and lead them into the kitchen.
“Oh, before I forget. “ The doctor stopped and approached Twilight and Rarity. ‘Green for Twilight. It’s for scholars, and those with higher education.” Twilight nodded her thanks.
“And for Rarity, purple. It means you’re a seamstress. That should keep you from getting strange looks.”

“Oh thank goodness!” Rarity beamed. “Buying all those supplies without one was much harder than one would have thought.

“Not many farmers shop for pink and blue cloth.” Doc explained with a slow exhale. “Nurses are out today. I can’t afford to be away long.” He turned to leave.
“Um,” Fluttershy softly cleared her throat. “I could help you. I mean if you’d like, um need?”
“Really?” Doc’s eyes lit up. “I sure could use some help. The Apple farm down the street has been overworking it’s hooves. A lot of ponies with heat stroke." He clarified.
Fluttershy smiled excitedly and followed him out the door and onto the street.

Once the two had left and Julius had returned to work, Rarity gasped and fell into a nearby chair, dramatically putting her forehoof over her eyes. “I’m not going to be able to stand for a week with how much energy I exerted just now!”

Twilight laughed and rolled her eyes at the exaggeration. “Start on the disguises, okay?”

Rarity sighed as Twilight left and sat up, throwing off her hat so that her horn was given free reign, and got to work.

Applejack looked over the cloud structure. “Woah." She breathed. "Ah keep forgettin’ how much you pegasi can do with clouds. That’s amazin’.”
Prism Rush smiled in reply.
Rainbow Dash and Storm Chaser were still animatedly discussing the Wonderbolts. Not seeing that Prism and Applejack had stopped, they flew right into them.
“Uh, sorry." Storm Chaser apologized blushing from embarrassment. "I wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s not a big deal." Prism dismissed the small incident. “I’ve got to go in to report that you are having a meeting tonight. Wait right here while I see if it’s approved.” With that he turned and went inside.
The skies around Pegasopolous were empty. Nopony was flying around. Occasionally somepony would exit a building, and dart to their next destination.
“So, Storm Chaser. It is Storm Chaser right?" The colt nodded at Applejacks question. “What is this buildin’ anyway?”
“Its the Capitol building, and the Governor's office. Everything has to be approved by the bigwigs inside before it can happen.”
The mares nodded in understanding.
Prism Rush came out looking a little panicked.
“What’s wrong Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
“Well, I’m not great at lying. When they asked what the meeting was for, I said it was a new book club.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” Dash questioned defensively.
“I don’t think they believed me. They asked which book we were going to discuss this evening.” He kicked at the cloud beneath his hooves. “I said it was The life of Gardenia. The queen’s biography,” He explained. Sheepishly he added; "Governor Gambit will be sitting in on the first meeting.”