The Queen visits Ponyville

Celestia was in her throne room in the Royal Palace, the biggest building in all of Canterlot. She had just finished reading her latest letter from Twilight Sparkle, her star pupil. The letter arrived as it always had, in a swirl of smoke and green flames. She was about to write a reply when another letter arrived. Except this letter was different.

It arrived in a swirl of white smoke and a twirl of golden flames. There was a flash of light and it hovered in the air, unaided by Celestia's magic. The parchment was made of golden leaf paper, and stamped in red ink, with a golden F emblazoned within the ink.

It had been such a long time since she had seen one of these letters. There was only one pony that these came from. Her mother. Queen Faust.

Celestia broke the wax seal and read the letter.

Daughter,

I know it has been quite some time since I last contacted you, and first and foremost, I would like to apologize. I've been busy. However, the purpose of this letter is to inform you. I shall be visiting Ponyville soon, and I should arrive within the next few days. I cannot wait to see you again.

Mother

Celestia paled. Oh no. Mother, here? Celestia started to struggle for air, her breathing erratic. She yelled to her sister, " Luna, get out here, right now! "

Celestia heard a large bump come from her sister's chambers. She must have fallen out of bed. Slowly, a door opened, and a yawing, tired Princess Luna stepped into the throne room.

" Dear sister, dost thou know what time it is? We are a nocturnal being! What could possibly be the matter to wake us at this most bright hour? " Said Luna with a hint of sarcasm.

Celestia handed her bed-headed sister the letter. Her eyes widened. She jumped in joy. " Oh! Our mother shall be visiting Ponyville! How exciting, is it not, my dear loud-mouthed sister? We have not laid eyes upon her in so long! "

" You think this is a good thing?! " Shouted Luna. " It's the farthest thing! Okay, okay, we can handle this. Um. Um. Um. "

" Ist thou alright? " Inquired Luna.

" No! This place is a sty! Ponyville is a sty, as is Cloudsdale! " Celestia was in full-blown panic mode.

Luna looked around the palace. Not a thing was out of place, and the floors, walls, and ceilings all shined. She could see her own reflection in the marble flooring. She said to her sister, " Celestia, we dost think that thou...might be overreacting the teeniest bit. "

" Of course I'm not! We need to get things fixed, now! " Celestia yelled. " I know! I know what I can do! You and I, sister, will clean the palace, while I send a letter to Twilight! She'll be able to organize a cleaning crew. I know she can! "

" Excuse us, Tia, but did you say that we would clean the palace? As in, you and I, together? We don't think so! It is unbecoming of a princess to exert herself in such a task as menial as, ugh, physical labor. "

" There's no time for that! " Celestia exclaimed as she thrusted a feather duster towards her sister. " I'll write my letter, then help you clean! " Celestia dashed off.

" TIAAAAA! "

Twilight was studying her newest book, The History of Ancient Civilizations: Volume One. Spike was, once again, reorganizing her bookshelves. He was on the ladder, just about to place a book in it's rightful place as he burped a plume of green fire and was propelled off the ladder. He landed next to Twilight with a thud. The letter from Celestia landed across his face.

" Spike, be more careful! You don't want to hurt yourself, " Said Twilight as she picked up the letter with her magic. She opened and read the letter.

Twilight,

My mother, the queen, is going to be visiting Ponyville sometime soon! It's urgent that you arrange a cleaning crew for Ponyville, and send all the pegasi back to Cloudsdale so that they can clean it! Please hurry!

Celestia

" That's strange. There's a queen? Celestia's never told me about her. This is definitely weird, but also exciting! Come on Spike, let's go round everypony up! "

" Ugh... "

Twilight had just finished the clean up in Ponyville. The place looked spotless. All the windows shone and sparkled, the grass was a pleasant, warm green, and there wasn't a hair out of place. She was walking back to her library when she was greeted by two of her friends, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

" Heya Twilight! Cloudsdale is all cleaned up! " Said Rainbow Dash.

" Yeah, it was really fast! " Chimed Fluttershy.

" I'm glad to hear it. Ponyville is immaculate! Now, I guess we just wait for the queen to get here, " Twilight laughed.

Meanwhile, Applejack was busy getting ready to make some of her delicious, and famous, apple turnover. She kneaded though dough thoroughly, and Applebloom helped while Big Mac went to get more apples. Granny Smith watched Applejack work over her shoulder. She nodded her satisfaction.

In the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was busy making a dress. The other ponies wouldn't care how they looked as much as she did. She would make a fabulous dress, one that would dazzle even the queen. You had to look your best for royalty after all. As she worked, she sang softly to herself, " And that's the art of the dress... "

Celestia was frantically going over a checklist that she had asked Twilight to make for her. Ponyville, check; Cloudsdale, check; Canterlot, check. All sparkling and clean. Celestia sighed. She could finally start to relax and calm down. Or so she thought.

She had just relaxed when another golden letter popped into existence with it's normal golden fanfare. She quickly popped the seal and read it.

Celestia,

I've been thinking about my visit for quite some time now. I've decided I want to land, for I am arriving by pegasi chariot, in Ponyville. I think meeting the normal townsfolk first would be a great welcome to this corner of the world. I shall arrive in 24 hours. See you then!

All my love,

Mom