Prince of Princes:by PonyessChaptersPrologue: 1Asking Around: 2Behind the Barn: 3At the Cottage of Flutter Shy's: 4Prologue: 1I had been reading late last night, I like to read, and late is a good time to read. Now I can ponder what I read while I sleep. I had read a book I had found in the library of the two sisters. They had so many old and interesting books. I like sneaking off, picking a few new books there every week. This time I had picked up a few odd old books, magic being the subject, like most of the times. For some reason, the book I fell asleep in had made me think of Discord. Not as odd as one may have thought. He is a friend since the Tirak incident. He had come through, even with the little detail of him betraying us in the middle of the adventure. Maybe I shouldn't go through with what had bubbled up to the surface of my conscious thoughts, but I felt I just had to try it. I just have to ask a few dear friends before I actually do try the spell out. Discord mentioned something about being an Alicorn Princess, but being male, it had to have been a joke on his part, but what if I could have made him into a Prince? Sure should spoil the day for a few blueblooded Princes I've seen. That alone did make it appealing, at least to a point. I could ask my friends at noon by lunchtime and send a message to Celestia and Luna, before I asked Discord himself, which I would have to do face-to-face, once I had had my friends' approval, that is. The mere idea had given me a curious tingling sensation. It was merely for a short moment as a single test, at least for starters. Nothing bad should be able to creep out of it. He had mentioned the notion of himself as an Alicorn Princess, as hilarious as it may sound at first, but if he is an Alicorn, he would have the title with it, only Prince would be his title, not Princess, it is a matter of form, a technicality and nothing more. If I asked Pinkie Pie first, I could save time by taking my breakfast at Sugar-Cube Corner, which feels convenient. I had to ask her, so I could as well ask her first, knowing she would be up and about, doing her usual business. With that I merely slapped my saddle bags on, before I cantered out of my Palace. This early, there isn't that much of a crowd around in town, thankfully, so I made it there fairly quickly. As I busted through the door, greeted by the chimes, she was there, just as I had expected. “Hiya, Twilight. Time for an early breakfast? What would you have today?” she greeted me cheerfully as ever. “Hi, Pinkie Pie. Breakfast would be great, three Blue-Berry Muffins and Carrot Juice would be great. I just have a question for you!” I responded, trying to make it as cheerful as fit the situation. “Three Blue-Berry Muffins and a pitcher of Carrot Juice coming right up. Sounds like an interesting breakfast, as odd as it sounds!” she responded with a warm giggle, and her smile widening slightly. “Thanks!” I responded as I pay for my breakfast. “You're quite welcome, as always!” Pinkie Pie offered. “I have a small matter I would like to ask you about, if you have a moment?” I enquired. “I think I could take a few minutes with you. Though I may have to drop out of the conversation, if I sense a storm of customers bursting through the door!” she merely giggled. “I guess that would be fine!” I responded, as I moved out to the table I had intended to sit by. I waited for her to come with my breakfast in quiet solitude by my table, while hearing small hits of what she was doing, back by the counter and some scattered noises from the street. A few minutes later, I could see her pulling a small cart with my breakfast. Apparently, she had a second plate with a Muffin on it. “Here you go, Twilight!” she chirped in her more hyper manner, curious as to what I wanted to talk to her about. “Thanks, Pinkie!” I responded with a wide grin. “You're welcome. What was it you wanted to ask me about?” the responded in her usual pitch. “I was just pondering what Discord said earlier about being a Princess. Just that he is male, maybe we could make him a Prince, he sure have the power and cunning to handle himself. Maybe he could have a castle on the other side of the forest!” I suggested, quietly. “Oh that. If you gave him an Alicorn form, maybe the other Ponies would find him easier to go around? If you gave him the forest, it isn't as if he could make anything much worse for us than it already is. Now I would have to throw a Party for him. I'm curious, what mark would he get, unless you gave him a fake to go? I would not go with that, though!” she responded with a teasing squeal. “If he accepted it, it would possibly be the biggest gift he ever was given? It was the idea, helping him to be accepted amongst us too. Yes, you would. No fake mark, even if it was even possible? I still recall the incident when we had to track down our marks!” I responded with a slight giggle. “I'd have to throw him a party, then. I hoof over the gift after the Ponies left. Naturally, no Pony can be the wiser of it, either before, during or after the fact. “Exactly. So long as none is the wiser, this could be a ticket to what he wanted all along. If he handles himself. He will have the entire forest to play around in as he pleases. As dangerous and unpredictable as it is, very few will ever be out there to see what he made out of the place. Maybe it will even be at least some of the freedom Tirek promised him, even if he never did stick to his part of the agreement, which I know you saw more than enough of!” I commented with a crooked grin. “You are promising the entire forest to play with? As random and chaotic as he may be, he would be a fool to turn this down. Now I have a party to plan for, assuming the rest of our friends agree with us?” she merely grinned. “You may as well prepare and gather the props, if the party is cancelled, you can always use them for the next party in line?” I pondered. “I'd better go back to the counter, I feel customers are about to arrive. You have my support. I'll start gathering materials and plan for the party!” she responded as she moved away towards the counter. “I'll see you once I have the final details, I trust you to keep quiet while planning!” I blurted out, just before she left the room. Then I finally got off, starting to enjoy the breakfast. Asking Around: 2I have asked Pinkie Pie. There will be a party for Discord, that much is certain. Now I just need to secure the next part of my plan. I still need to ask Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike and Discord himself, before I can have a castle set up. I may have to ask Celestia, Luna and Cadence later, before I can name him the next prince, but I can have him a party and a castle on my own. I had decided to trot over to the Carousel Boutique, where I knew Rarity would spend most of her active time. Creating Fashion is still her passion, just as Generosity is her element. The connection to my castle had created a much appreciated boom to her business, which demands much of her time. Once I got over to the Boutique, I found her where I had expected her to be. Thankfully she is in the back, sipping on a cup of tea. She apparently had a moment to spare, which is very convenient to me. The chime went off, as expected, thus earning me a response from the back. “Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. What earned me the honour of having you in my humble Boutique?” she merely greeted me. “Hi, Rarity. I just thought it was time we hosted our first official Party at the castle of Ponyville. I incited Pinkie Pie to start up some preparations. I will need a new suit for the occasion. I expect the rest of our friends should have a suit for the party as well. It may not be quite as prestigious and fancy as the 'Grand Galloping Gala' at the royal castle at Canterlot, but since it will be at our castle, it warrants a new suit for all of us!” I pointed out. “I take it I am the Pony to create all the suits? I could as well turn this into a new opportunity to show off my talents. Let us see, there are six suits for us, there is the suit for Spike. Are there any others you expect to need a suit?” Rarity enquired. “For now, I have invited one more. I don't know if our new Prince accepts, I need to ask him in person. He isn't officially named yet. He is at least nicer than a certain Prince from the Gala we attended at Canterlot. Besides, it isn't as if any other Pony would be likely to accept the Castle anyway. I plan to have it erected on the far side of the forest of Everfree. At least he was kind enough to help us out with our latest incident!” I pointed out. ”I take it you asked Pinkie Pie already. She certainly had to agree to the party, am I right? I will be only too happy to create the suits for us to wear at the party. It would be an official party, where we can showcase Ponyville for all to see. You will need to invite numerous important Ponies, not just Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armour. I guess I will have to deal with Prince Blueblood again, even if it may be fun, since we will be in our very own castle!” Rarity suggested. “Yes, Pinkie Pie is preparing the party as we speak, it would be a grand event for us of Ponyville. I'm glad you agree to creating our suits. Now the party can be as royal and dignifying as is called for!” I concluded. “I was expecting her to enjoy throwing our party. If only I could see the faces of certain Ponies when they read the invitation. Princess or not, I'm only a Pony. I will do my best to put off enough time to have the suits read as soon as possible. I have to make this perfect!” Rarity responded. “They are bound to tell us, one way or the other. I imagine they will have problems explaining why they wouldn't come, I'm a Princess now. Besides, we saved their collective behinds, just the other week, didn't we? Furthermore, it's our first Royal party here!” I exclaimed with a wicked grin spreading all over my face. “We just need to be watchful when we greet them. We will be greeting them all personally by the door. You are inviting Prince Blueblood, I hope, not that I am looking forwards to seeing him, just that I will enjoy seeing his face, when he has to be polite to us for a change. This time he can not look down at us, we are actual Princesses this time. I know how to make the suits, since I have seen what we are looking for now!” Rarity replied, grinning back, with a grin on her face as well. “A certain Wonder bolt will be ecstatic though. Unless Apple Jack refuses to handle the Pies, at least. Just hope she will agree to take care of that part now!” I pondered, still grinning from ear to ear, thinking back at the situation. “You better dash over to her right away. Now I want to host this party!” Rarity exclaimed. “You are talking about Soarin, right? Yes, he certainly loves Apple Jacks Pies. I think we should have a few set aside for him, just to make sure he can enjoy them as royally as is appropriate for this occasion. If you mean you are inviting Discord, that will be a riot. Now I can see it before me. Flutter Shy certainly did a good job, teaching him to be a good friend. Maybe this will be the perfect way of telling him how much we appreciate him too. He certainly does have a few tricks to put Blueblood in place!” Rarity put forth with a small grin on her face. “Soarin, yes. He is a very nice Pegasus, I think. Besides, we will have to invite the entire group of Wonderbolts to the party. We need them to perform, at the party at some point, as well. Yes, Discord is the Prince I had intended to invite. You are quite correct, Flutter Shy did an exemplary job, teaching him friendship. I think we can relay on him putting your 'friend' in his rightful place. He practically wrote the book on the subject, for all we know. Now, I will have to instruct Spike to write and send off all the invitations, in time for every pony to be here in time for our first party!” I pondered. Behind the Barn: 3I had trotted all the way from Rarity's Carousel Boutique in central Ponyville, to Apple Jack at her Sweet Apple Acres at the edge of the Everfree forest. Going there gave me a few minutes extra, considering what I had intended to ask her about. She wouldn't protest, about the party as such. Our new castle require a Party, after all. Just as I didn't expect her to have a problem in preparing the treats we all knew her for. Some Ponies love the apple treats she was famous for. The one question is, how she was to react on inviting Discord. In the end, I found her, wondering amongst the trees, fairly close to the forest. She was assessing the harvest, checking how the trees were doing. Yet, this did not distract her more than to allow her to notice me before I stepped up before her. “Hi, Twilight. Nice to see you!” she responded as she noticed me closing in on her. “Hi, Apple Jack. Can't complain. How about you?” I responded. “Ah am doing fine. Ah am just checking on the trees. Seems to be a surprisingly good harvest this year, unless something changes in the last minute!” she explained. “That is good to hear, I'm doing well too, being Princess and all that. Things always change around here, hopefully to the better though. I had a party in mind, since we haven't had one in our castle yet. It had to be an official one, all the important Ponies has to be there, which takes me to the point. I guess he has been a good friend as of late, the one thing is, he had to be a Prince to be on the party list!” I pondered fairly straight to the point, stopping just short of the one detail. “Ah take it Pinkie Pie is already on the planning of your party. That is after all her department, her special talent and joy. Since you asked, I would have to prepare a fair load of apple treats. I could easily fix that. The main question would be, if I can have the harvest before the party, with freshly picked apples, or last seasons old apples. I may not like most of the important Ponies, though I guess I have a bright memory of a Soarin of the Wonderbolts. I take it he would be on the list, if nothing but the entertainment?” she suggested. “They would be part of our entertainment, for sure. Then I can count on you, preparing your treats for out party? I would prefer to see the fresh apples, maybe we could wait a few days for the harvest!” I continued. “You sure can count on me, you know that. Ah reckon it may be interesting to see their faces, when they see your Prince arriving here. Ah guess that would be enough fun to have the party all on its own!” she put forth. “Thanks, I appreciate your help. I suspect he will enjoy the show, the party and the gesture. Just as I expect him to enjoy his new castle, then he can poke them in their faces with the situation. He sure helped us enough in the latest crisis. I expect Pinkie Pie to have a blast, both planning and partaking. Guess I will enjoy seeing her smile too!” I pondered, with some glee. “He sure came through in the end. Ah love her smile, jokes and pranks as much as the next pony too!” she pointed out. I had followed Apple Jack along as she continued her work, her eyes never missing a single detail, even while I was talking, interjecting questions or answering hers. It is a joy, seeing her in action. Her honesty never really challenged. She certainly is a friend I enjoy to have with me. Tree by tree, she examined and ticked off on a mental note. I may not see her ticking of, but it is obvious that she was still continuing the work she was doing, when I approached her. “We're close to harvest, here, ah reckon!” she then told Big Mac, as he came past, on his way from one chore to another, merely taking time to stop long enough to hear her statement. I saw him trot further on his way for a minute or two, before I turn by eyes back to Apple Jack, only to realise she had passed several trees by the time I was back to her. “Since you have it well in hoof, I'll just leave you to it, while I check the next step of the plan!” I pointed out. “Ah am looking forwards to see how this works out, you use to get things planned well!” she merely stated as I left the farm in a slow gallop. I had managed to plan a few things in my time here in Ponyville, they commonly went off well too, I had to acknowledge. Talking to Apple Jack early would be a good idea, considering she lives closest to where his castle was to be, she lives after all on the rim of the forest in which it was to be raised. The next Pony would have to be Flutter Shy. In part due to her living in a forest as well, even if it wasn't the Everfree. The next reason is that she is the Pony closest to him. She reformed him, just as she made him her friend, before any of the rest of us thought it was even possible. Galloping along the path to the village, then all the way through and following the path to her cottage, where she still lives, taking care of all the critters. For some reason, I did not bump into a single Pony on my way to her. Going to the other side of the village takes time even for me, granted I did not merely teleport there. Even if I could have, I wasn't in that much of a hurry. Besides, I mostly eel the Ponies still need to have a glimpse of me, from time to time. Considering their needs, I had even slowed down to a breezing slow trot, while I was within the borders of Ponyville proper, where I was seen by fellow Ponyville Ponies. Thinking back at it, slowing down helped me keeping from reaching exhaustion as well. I need to be alert while in the forest, even if it isn't the perilous challenge as the Everfree is. A mere root could still give me a good injury to remember it by, I had no interest in exploring that path right now, or ever. I still did reach her cottage in good time, well before dusk. At closer consideration, she wasn't even in yet, or close to the cottage as I stop before her door. All I could see is the calm forest she had helped making it into, guiding the critters wisely and kindly. No point in worrying, knowing she would be back soon enough, leaving me a moment to ponder what I had in mind to ask her. What I was about to ask her for. The minutes I need, since going here had distracted me just enough for me, not to finish the question. At the Cottage of Flutter Shy's: 4I had stopped before her cottage, resting, while I focused on what to ask her and what I was to tell her. She is a dear friend and I trust in her judgement. She is the kindest one I know, Ponies or others. There just is no way of being kinder. She is so kind, she goes out of her way in order to be kind, even when she has to be mean in order to be kind. Just as she stare down the meanest of Dragons in order to stand up for a little critter in her care. I like to be around her and care about her as well as what she thinks. Now I have to go to see her in order to ask her what she thinks of what I was about to set up. Even if I hope she didn't have a reason for me to drop it all. It feels as if I had put in too much effort and work into the project to just let go of it. Though I guess I could change the plans in order for them to work. In the end, I had to approach her in order to ask her, or forever stay in place, going nowhere and get nothing done. I just couldn't worry about it quite that much. With that I moved forwards, stepping forwards and knocked on her door in order for her to know I am here. “Who's there?” a small voice enquires from within the building, letting me know she was actually home. “Princess Twilight Sparkle!” I responded in a more official tone of voice that made me giggle as I had presented myself to my friend. “Just a moment!” Angle Bunny pronounced in response as Flutter Shy finished up, what she had been doing. Angle Bunny had been on the bossy side of her group of charges, never had quite expected him to step up in this manner, though. His response made me giggle outright, there was no escaping it. “Sorry, I kept you waiting!” Flutter Shy apologized, once she finally did get to the door and allowed me to enter her home. “No problem. No problems at all. For you, I can wait, while you do what you had to do. Although I had a small detail I wanted to ask of you. An event I have put up for far too long. There are just a few small details I need your reaction on!” I pointed out as Angle Bunny had closed the door behind me. “Thank you, Twilight. You know how I always worry about something and particularly in some more awkward situations. I guess it is good I have Angle, he can be quite helpful, when he is in the mood. What was it you wanted to ask me about? Something important came up?” she responded in her more usual quiet voice. “You are quite welcome, though you are far too kind. I thought I worried enough for the both of us, and then some for the rest of our friends, but I know you are worrying too, as much as it rarely is called for in the end. My castle needs a real party, it is just a matter of who we invite, but I had intended to invite Discord, particularly since he had become our friend, mainly thanks to you, Flutters. There is just a matter of formality in how to present him and how to explain why he was invited in the first place. I was considering to give him, what he suggested, which would be both a prank and an award on his end. I guess some of our friends would love one side or it, or the other. He certainly could live up to it, if he wants to, also thanks to you!” I responded, in a more stately tone. “Yes, the castle would need the party. I imagine both Pinkie Pie and Rarity would enjoy the preparations on their respective ends of it. Just as Apple Jack would love to supply everything related to her side. Then Rainbow Dash would love the excuse for us to invite the Wonderbolts. It isn't as if they could ignore the invitation now. It would be hard enough for them to find an excuse, not to attend, since you would pick the date where they couldn't just refer to other things that would be more important!” Flutters responded. “Yes, Pinkie Pie is all excited over this new event. I imagine Rarity is excited as well, in her very own ways and for her reasons. Obviously, it is Apple Jack who will supply all the apple treats. We couldn't avoid inviting the Wonderbolts, even if we wanted to punish Rainbow dash in this manner. I was hoping you would like to see Discord, in this capacity. Then I just need to hoof him a castle of his own, he couldn't be a Prince if he had no castle, right?” I pointed out. “Naturally, I asked Pinkie Pie first, maybe because I knew what she would say, short of the exact reasons why she was going to love it, that is. Then I asked Rarity, who was also enjoying the idea. Apple Jack was all right there with me as well. Since you don't have any problems with the party, I just need to ask Rainbow dash, before I make sure Discord will be there and behave himself on the party. If he goes along, we need a final discussion in order to make the final decisions. From there it would just be to invite our guests and the party can take place!” I explained. “Just curious, you do have a location for his castle, it would make a difference to him, when you get to asking him. Maybe you should ask the other Princesses, since you are going to invite them all to our party, right?” Flutter Shy puts forth. “I had intended for his castle to be on the outskirt of the other side of the Everfree forest. I may still have to ask him for some minor help on this project too. We couldn't avoid inviting the Princesses, or the party would not count. It would all be for naught. An empty and pointless gesture. It would actually be worse than not having the party at all!” I pondered. “If you ask Discord for help with where his castle would be erected, I am sure it would convince him we are serious and mean business. Just as we can't have this party, if we haven't invited all the Princesses. If we don't have them along, it would mean that they are not supporting you as a Princess in the first place. Besides, I think they could help us with a few detail along the way!” Flutter Shy confirmed. “Then I ill just have to ask him, since I will have to ask him if he would enjoy being on the party in the first place. Just as he had to be on the party, for what I had in mind, even if the party doesn't require him at this point. Yet, since he is our friend and all he did for us in our latest crisis, I still do need him there. This will be a blast, because we are making it that way. I'll just ask Dash and Discord. I trust you to get your changes cared for, if Angel Bunny does that part, I guess that would be all the better!” I summarized. “I am looking forwards to see how this will turn out. I'll see you soon enough, too, Twilight. You had better go see Rainbow Dash, now!” Flutter shy responded. “Yes, I'll see you soon. Most likely with the rest of our friends all gathered!” I said as I left her home, Angle closed the door after me, before I had even realised it. With that, I trotted home, pondering the conversation I just had had with Flutter Shy. It sure had gone as well as I had expected. She had added her suggestions to what I had already planned.
Prologue: 1I had been reading late last night, I like to read, and late is a good time to read. Now I can ponder what I read while I sleep. I had read a book I had found in the library of the two sisters. They had so many old and interesting books. I like sneaking off, picking a few new books there every week. This time I had picked up a few odd old books, magic being the subject, like most of the times. For some reason, the book I fell asleep in had made me think of Discord. Not as odd as one may have thought. He is a friend since the Tirak incident. He had come through, even with the little detail of him betraying us in the middle of the adventure. Maybe I shouldn't go through with what had bubbled up to the surface of my conscious thoughts, but I felt I just had to try it. I just have to ask a few dear friends before I actually do try the spell out. Discord mentioned something about being an Alicorn Princess, but being male, it had to have been a joke on his part, but what if I could have made him into a Prince? Sure should spoil the day for a few blueblooded Princes I've seen. That alone did make it appealing, at least to a point. I could ask my friends at noon by lunchtime and send a message to Celestia and Luna, before I asked Discord himself, which I would have to do face-to-face, once I had had my friends' approval, that is. The mere idea had given me a curious tingling sensation. It was merely for a short moment as a single test, at least for starters. Nothing bad should be able to creep out of it. He had mentioned the notion of himself as an Alicorn Princess, as hilarious as it may sound at first, but if he is an Alicorn, he would have the title with it, only Prince would be his title, not Princess, it is a matter of form, a technicality and nothing more. If I asked Pinkie Pie first, I could save time by taking my breakfast at Sugar-Cube Corner, which feels convenient. I had to ask her, so I could as well ask her first, knowing she would be up and about, doing her usual business. With that I merely slapped my saddle bags on, before I cantered out of my Palace. This early, there isn't that much of a crowd around in town, thankfully, so I made it there fairly quickly. As I busted through the door, greeted by the chimes, she was there, just as I had expected. “Hiya, Twilight. Time for an early breakfast? What would you have today?” she greeted me cheerfully as ever. “Hi, Pinkie Pie. Breakfast would be great, three Blue-Berry Muffins and Carrot Juice would be great. I just have a question for you!” I responded, trying to make it as cheerful as fit the situation. “Three Blue-Berry Muffins and a pitcher of Carrot Juice coming right up. Sounds like an interesting breakfast, as odd as it sounds!” she responded with a warm giggle, and her smile widening slightly. “Thanks!” I responded as I pay for my breakfast. “You're quite welcome, as always!” Pinkie Pie offered. “I have a small matter I would like to ask you about, if you have a moment?” I enquired. “I think I could take a few minutes with you. Though I may have to drop out of the conversation, if I sense a storm of customers bursting through the door!” she merely giggled. “I guess that would be fine!” I responded, as I moved out to the table I had intended to sit by. I waited for her to come with my breakfast in quiet solitude by my table, while hearing small hits of what she was doing, back by the counter and some scattered noises from the street. A few minutes later, I could see her pulling a small cart with my breakfast. Apparently, she had a second plate with a Muffin on it. “Here you go, Twilight!” she chirped in her more hyper manner, curious as to what I wanted to talk to her about. “Thanks, Pinkie!” I responded with a wide grin. “You're welcome. What was it you wanted to ask me about?” the responded in her usual pitch. “I was just pondering what Discord said earlier about being a Princess. Just that he is male, maybe we could make him a Prince, he sure have the power and cunning to handle himself. Maybe he could have a castle on the other side of the forest!” I suggested, quietly. “Oh that. If you gave him an Alicorn form, maybe the other Ponies would find him easier to go around? If you gave him the forest, it isn't as if he could make anything much worse for us than it already is. Now I would have to throw a Party for him. I'm curious, what mark would he get, unless you gave him a fake to go? I would not go with that, though!” she responded with a teasing squeal. “If he accepted it, it would possibly be the biggest gift he ever was given? It was the idea, helping him to be accepted amongst us too. Yes, you would. No fake mark, even if it was even possible? I still recall the incident when we had to track down our marks!” I responded with a slight giggle. “I'd have to throw him a party, then. I hoof over the gift after the Ponies left. Naturally, no Pony can be the wiser of it, either before, during or after the fact. “Exactly. So long as none is the wiser, this could be a ticket to what he wanted all along. If he handles himself. He will have the entire forest to play around in as he pleases. As dangerous and unpredictable as it is, very few will ever be out there to see what he made out of the place. Maybe it will even be at least some of the freedom Tirek promised him, even if he never did stick to his part of the agreement, which I know you saw more than enough of!” I commented with a crooked grin. “You are promising the entire forest to play with? As random and chaotic as he may be, he would be a fool to turn this down. Now I have a party to plan for, assuming the rest of our friends agree with us?” she merely grinned. “You may as well prepare and gather the props, if the party is cancelled, you can always use them for the next party in line?” I pondered. “I'd better go back to the counter, I feel customers are about to arrive. You have my support. I'll start gathering materials and plan for the party!” she responded as she moved away towards the counter. “I'll see you once I have the final details, I trust you to keep quiet while planning!” I blurted out, just before she left the room. Then I finally got off, starting to enjoy the breakfast.
Asking Around: 2I have asked Pinkie Pie. There will be a party for Discord, that much is certain. Now I just need to secure the next part of my plan. I still need to ask Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike and Discord himself, before I can have a castle set up. I may have to ask Celestia, Luna and Cadence later, before I can name him the next prince, but I can have him a party and a castle on my own. I had decided to trot over to the Carousel Boutique, where I knew Rarity would spend most of her active time. Creating Fashion is still her passion, just as Generosity is her element. The connection to my castle had created a much appreciated boom to her business, which demands much of her time. Once I got over to the Boutique, I found her where I had expected her to be. Thankfully she is in the back, sipping on a cup of tea. She apparently had a moment to spare, which is very convenient to me. The chime went off, as expected, thus earning me a response from the back. “Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. What earned me the honour of having you in my humble Boutique?” she merely greeted me. “Hi, Rarity. I just thought it was time we hosted our first official Party at the castle of Ponyville. I incited Pinkie Pie to start up some preparations. I will need a new suit for the occasion. I expect the rest of our friends should have a suit for the party as well. It may not be quite as prestigious and fancy as the 'Grand Galloping Gala' at the royal castle at Canterlot, but since it will be at our castle, it warrants a new suit for all of us!” I pointed out. “I take it I am the Pony to create all the suits? I could as well turn this into a new opportunity to show off my talents. Let us see, there are six suits for us, there is the suit for Spike. Are there any others you expect to need a suit?” Rarity enquired. “For now, I have invited one more. I don't know if our new Prince accepts, I need to ask him in person. He isn't officially named yet. He is at least nicer than a certain Prince from the Gala we attended at Canterlot. Besides, it isn't as if any other Pony would be likely to accept the Castle anyway. I plan to have it erected on the far side of the forest of Everfree. At least he was kind enough to help us out with our latest incident!” I pointed out. ”I take it you asked Pinkie Pie already. She certainly had to agree to the party, am I right? I will be only too happy to create the suits for us to wear at the party. It would be an official party, where we can showcase Ponyville for all to see. You will need to invite numerous important Ponies, not just Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armour. I guess I will have to deal with Prince Blueblood again, even if it may be fun, since we will be in our very own castle!” Rarity suggested. “Yes, Pinkie Pie is preparing the party as we speak, it would be a grand event for us of Ponyville. I'm glad you agree to creating our suits. Now the party can be as royal and dignifying as is called for!” I concluded. “I was expecting her to enjoy throwing our party. If only I could see the faces of certain Ponies when they read the invitation. Princess or not, I'm only a Pony. I will do my best to put off enough time to have the suits read as soon as possible. I have to make this perfect!” Rarity responded. “They are bound to tell us, one way or the other. I imagine they will have problems explaining why they wouldn't come, I'm a Princess now. Besides, we saved their collective behinds, just the other week, didn't we? Furthermore, it's our first Royal party here!” I exclaimed with a wicked grin spreading all over my face. “We just need to be watchful when we greet them. We will be greeting them all personally by the door. You are inviting Prince Blueblood, I hope, not that I am looking forwards to seeing him, just that I will enjoy seeing his face, when he has to be polite to us for a change. This time he can not look down at us, we are actual Princesses this time. I know how to make the suits, since I have seen what we are looking for now!” Rarity replied, grinning back, with a grin on her face as well. “A certain Wonder bolt will be ecstatic though. Unless Apple Jack refuses to handle the Pies, at least. Just hope she will agree to take care of that part now!” I pondered, still grinning from ear to ear, thinking back at the situation. “You better dash over to her right away. Now I want to host this party!” Rarity exclaimed. “You are talking about Soarin, right? Yes, he certainly loves Apple Jacks Pies. I think we should have a few set aside for him, just to make sure he can enjoy them as royally as is appropriate for this occasion. If you mean you are inviting Discord, that will be a riot. Now I can see it before me. Flutter Shy certainly did a good job, teaching him to be a good friend. Maybe this will be the perfect way of telling him how much we appreciate him too. He certainly does have a few tricks to put Blueblood in place!” Rarity put forth with a small grin on her face. “Soarin, yes. He is a very nice Pegasus, I think. Besides, we will have to invite the entire group of Wonderbolts to the party. We need them to perform, at the party at some point, as well. Yes, Discord is the Prince I had intended to invite. You are quite correct, Flutter Shy did an exemplary job, teaching him friendship. I think we can relay on him putting your 'friend' in his rightful place. He practically wrote the book on the subject, for all we know. Now, I will have to instruct Spike to write and send off all the invitations, in time for every pony to be here in time for our first party!” I pondered.
Behind the Barn: 3I had trotted all the way from Rarity's Carousel Boutique in central Ponyville, to Apple Jack at her Sweet Apple Acres at the edge of the Everfree forest. Going there gave me a few minutes extra, considering what I had intended to ask her about. She wouldn't protest, about the party as such. Our new castle require a Party, after all. Just as I didn't expect her to have a problem in preparing the treats we all knew her for. Some Ponies love the apple treats she was famous for. The one question is, how she was to react on inviting Discord. In the end, I found her, wondering amongst the trees, fairly close to the forest. She was assessing the harvest, checking how the trees were doing. Yet, this did not distract her more than to allow her to notice me before I stepped up before her. “Hi, Twilight. Nice to see you!” she responded as she noticed me closing in on her. “Hi, Apple Jack. Can't complain. How about you?” I responded. “Ah am doing fine. Ah am just checking on the trees. Seems to be a surprisingly good harvest this year, unless something changes in the last minute!” she explained. “That is good to hear, I'm doing well too, being Princess and all that. Things always change around here, hopefully to the better though. I had a party in mind, since we haven't had one in our castle yet. It had to be an official one, all the important Ponies has to be there, which takes me to the point. I guess he has been a good friend as of late, the one thing is, he had to be a Prince to be on the party list!” I pondered fairly straight to the point, stopping just short of the one detail. “Ah take it Pinkie Pie is already on the planning of your party. That is after all her department, her special talent and joy. Since you asked, I would have to prepare a fair load of apple treats. I could easily fix that. The main question would be, if I can have the harvest before the party, with freshly picked apples, or last seasons old apples. I may not like most of the important Ponies, though I guess I have a bright memory of a Soarin of the Wonderbolts. I take it he would be on the list, if nothing but the entertainment?” she suggested. “They would be part of our entertainment, for sure. Then I can count on you, preparing your treats for out party? I would prefer to see the fresh apples, maybe we could wait a few days for the harvest!” I continued. “You sure can count on me, you know that. Ah reckon it may be interesting to see their faces, when they see your Prince arriving here. Ah guess that would be enough fun to have the party all on its own!” she put forth. “Thanks, I appreciate your help. I suspect he will enjoy the show, the party and the gesture. Just as I expect him to enjoy his new castle, then he can poke them in their faces with the situation. He sure helped us enough in the latest crisis. I expect Pinkie Pie to have a blast, both planning and partaking. Guess I will enjoy seeing her smile too!” I pondered, with some glee. “He sure came through in the end. Ah love her smile, jokes and pranks as much as the next pony too!” she pointed out. I had followed Apple Jack along as she continued her work, her eyes never missing a single detail, even while I was talking, interjecting questions or answering hers. It is a joy, seeing her in action. Her honesty never really challenged. She certainly is a friend I enjoy to have with me. Tree by tree, she examined and ticked off on a mental note. I may not see her ticking of, but it is obvious that she was still continuing the work she was doing, when I approached her. “We're close to harvest, here, ah reckon!” she then told Big Mac, as he came past, on his way from one chore to another, merely taking time to stop long enough to hear her statement. I saw him trot further on his way for a minute or two, before I turn by eyes back to Apple Jack, only to realise she had passed several trees by the time I was back to her. “Since you have it well in hoof, I'll just leave you to it, while I check the next step of the plan!” I pointed out. “Ah am looking forwards to see how this works out, you use to get things planned well!” she merely stated as I left the farm in a slow gallop. I had managed to plan a few things in my time here in Ponyville, they commonly went off well too, I had to acknowledge. Talking to Apple Jack early would be a good idea, considering she lives closest to where his castle was to be, she lives after all on the rim of the forest in which it was to be raised. The next Pony would have to be Flutter Shy. In part due to her living in a forest as well, even if it wasn't the Everfree. The next reason is that she is the Pony closest to him. She reformed him, just as she made him her friend, before any of the rest of us thought it was even possible. Galloping along the path to the village, then all the way through and following the path to her cottage, where she still lives, taking care of all the critters. For some reason, I did not bump into a single Pony on my way to her. Going to the other side of the village takes time even for me, granted I did not merely teleport there. Even if I could have, I wasn't in that much of a hurry. Besides, I mostly eel the Ponies still need to have a glimpse of me, from time to time. Considering their needs, I had even slowed down to a breezing slow trot, while I was within the borders of Ponyville proper, where I was seen by fellow Ponyville Ponies. Thinking back at it, slowing down helped me keeping from reaching exhaustion as well. I need to be alert while in the forest, even if it isn't the perilous challenge as the Everfree is. A mere root could still give me a good injury to remember it by, I had no interest in exploring that path right now, or ever. I still did reach her cottage in good time, well before dusk. At closer consideration, she wasn't even in yet, or close to the cottage as I stop before her door. All I could see is the calm forest she had helped making it into, guiding the critters wisely and kindly. No point in worrying, knowing she would be back soon enough, leaving me a moment to ponder what I had in mind to ask her. What I was about to ask her for. The minutes I need, since going here had distracted me just enough for me, not to finish the question.
At the Cottage of Flutter Shy's: 4I had stopped before her cottage, resting, while I focused on what to ask her and what I was to tell her. She is a dear friend and I trust in her judgement. She is the kindest one I know, Ponies or others. There just is no way of being kinder. She is so kind, she goes out of her way in order to be kind, even when she has to be mean in order to be kind. Just as she stare down the meanest of Dragons in order to stand up for a little critter in her care. I like to be around her and care about her as well as what she thinks. Now I have to go to see her in order to ask her what she thinks of what I was about to set up. Even if I hope she didn't have a reason for me to drop it all. It feels as if I had put in too much effort and work into the project to just let go of it. Though I guess I could change the plans in order for them to work. In the end, I had to approach her in order to ask her, or forever stay in place, going nowhere and get nothing done. I just couldn't worry about it quite that much. With that I moved forwards, stepping forwards and knocked on her door in order for her to know I am here. “Who's there?” a small voice enquires from within the building, letting me know she was actually home. “Princess Twilight Sparkle!” I responded in a more official tone of voice that made me giggle as I had presented myself to my friend. “Just a moment!” Angle Bunny pronounced in response as Flutter Shy finished up, what she had been doing. Angle Bunny had been on the bossy side of her group of charges, never had quite expected him to step up in this manner, though. His response made me giggle outright, there was no escaping it. “Sorry, I kept you waiting!” Flutter Shy apologized, once she finally did get to the door and allowed me to enter her home. “No problem. No problems at all. For you, I can wait, while you do what you had to do. Although I had a small detail I wanted to ask of you. An event I have put up for far too long. There are just a few small details I need your reaction on!” I pointed out as Angle Bunny had closed the door behind me. “Thank you, Twilight. You know how I always worry about something and particularly in some more awkward situations. I guess it is good I have Angle, he can be quite helpful, when he is in the mood. What was it you wanted to ask me about? Something important came up?” she responded in her more usual quiet voice. “You are quite welcome, though you are far too kind. I thought I worried enough for the both of us, and then some for the rest of our friends, but I know you are worrying too, as much as it rarely is called for in the end. My castle needs a real party, it is just a matter of who we invite, but I had intended to invite Discord, particularly since he had become our friend, mainly thanks to you, Flutters. There is just a matter of formality in how to present him and how to explain why he was invited in the first place. I was considering to give him, what he suggested, which would be both a prank and an award on his end. I guess some of our friends would love one side or it, or the other. He certainly could live up to it, if he wants to, also thanks to you!” I responded, in a more stately tone. “Yes, the castle would need the party. I imagine both Pinkie Pie and Rarity would enjoy the preparations on their respective ends of it. Just as Apple Jack would love to supply everything related to her side. Then Rainbow Dash would love the excuse for us to invite the Wonderbolts. It isn't as if they could ignore the invitation now. It would be hard enough for them to find an excuse, not to attend, since you would pick the date where they couldn't just refer to other things that would be more important!” Flutters responded. “Yes, Pinkie Pie is all excited over this new event. I imagine Rarity is excited as well, in her very own ways and for her reasons. Obviously, it is Apple Jack who will supply all the apple treats. We couldn't avoid inviting the Wonderbolts, even if we wanted to punish Rainbow dash in this manner. I was hoping you would like to see Discord, in this capacity. Then I just need to hoof him a castle of his own, he couldn't be a Prince if he had no castle, right?” I pointed out. “Naturally, I asked Pinkie Pie first, maybe because I knew what she would say, short of the exact reasons why she was going to love it, that is. Then I asked Rarity, who was also enjoying the idea. Apple Jack was all right there with me as well. Since you don't have any problems with the party, I just need to ask Rainbow dash, before I make sure Discord will be there and behave himself on the party. If he goes along, we need a final discussion in order to make the final decisions. From there it would just be to invite our guests and the party can take place!” I explained. “Just curious, you do have a location for his castle, it would make a difference to him, when you get to asking him. Maybe you should ask the other Princesses, since you are going to invite them all to our party, right?” Flutter Shy puts forth. “I had intended for his castle to be on the outskirt of the other side of the Everfree forest. I may still have to ask him for some minor help on this project too. We couldn't avoid inviting the Princesses, or the party would not count. It would all be for naught. An empty and pointless gesture. It would actually be worse than not having the party at all!” I pondered. “If you ask Discord for help with where his castle would be erected, I am sure it would convince him we are serious and mean business. Just as we can't have this party, if we haven't invited all the Princesses. If we don't have them along, it would mean that they are not supporting you as a Princess in the first place. Besides, I think they could help us with a few detail along the way!” Flutter Shy confirmed. “Then I ill just have to ask him, since I will have to ask him if he would enjoy being on the party in the first place. Just as he had to be on the party, for what I had in mind, even if the party doesn't require him at this point. Yet, since he is our friend and all he did for us in our latest crisis, I still do need him there. This will be a blast, because we are making it that way. I'll just ask Dash and Discord. I trust you to get your changes cared for, if Angel Bunny does that part, I guess that would be all the better!” I summarized. “I am looking forwards to see how this will turn out. I'll see you soon enough, too, Twilight. You had better go see Rainbow Dash, now!” Flutter shy responded. “Yes, I'll see you soon. Most likely with the rest of our friends all gathered!” I said as I left her home, Angle closed the door after me, before I had even realised it. With that, I trotted home, pondering the conversation I just had had with Flutter Shy. It sure had gone as well as I had expected. She had added her suggestions to what I had already planned.
