It was a delightfully sunny day in Ponyville. You could feel the radiant joy emanating from every corner of the town. It's citizens were bustling to and fro attending to business and what not. Granny Smith could be seen doing some mid-afternoon grocery shopping, Lyra and her companion Bon Bon were both sitting at a cafe enjoying each others' company, Ditzy Doo was dipping through the air delivering her daily mail, and Berry Punch was dropping her filly off at the local daycare.
"But Mommy!" whined little Raspberry, "I don't wanna go! Don't wanna! Don't wanna!"
"Now now, sweetie," smiled Berry Punch warmly, "You need to stay somewhere safe while mommy works! She simply cannot have you wandering the streets by yourself."
"But Mommy!" whined Raspberry again, stamping her little hoof into the dirt, "Its boring over there and some times the younger fillies drool all over me!"
"My word is final," stated Berry Punch in a very matter-of-factly tone. Raspberry groaned and hung her head, "Oh, sweetie poo, I only do this because I love you so much."
As mother and daughter continued along, Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but giggle as she watched the scene play out in front of her library window. Berry Punch was very overprotective of her daughter, everypony knew that. Twilight watched the two disappear around a corner as little Raspberry hopped along side her mother, a renewed bounce in her step thanks to the promise of ice-cream after daycare. Again Twilight giggled. She enjoyed watching little fillies and colts interacting with their parents. They were little bundles of joy that needed care and teaching. Maybe that's why she loved children so much; they need teaching. Twilight could already imagine herself in the not so distant future. Maybe she'll even have a little filly of her own. Another mouth to feed, to act as a role model to, to mother...
"Twilight! You're going to be late!"
Twilight snapped out of her daydream and brought her head back in from the open window. Spike, the huffy baby dragon he was, was dashing through the main library. He was carrying Twilight's bags and was bustling about. Twilight smiled. Spike was still a baby dragon, but it was hard to decide whether he took better care of Twilight or if Twilight took better care of him.
"Sorry, Spike," said Twilight still giddy with giggles, "I was just thinking."
"About what?" asked Spike still bustling around. He wasn't listening very much.
"Oh, you know," sighed Twilight, "Stuff."
She watched Spike run around and do his errands. She was suddenly reminded very forcefully of one fact that she had constantly forgotten.
"Hey, Spike," said Twilight, "Come here for a second."
Spike dropped what he was doing and walked towards Twilight. Twilight suppressed an 'Aww...' as Spike's little arms swung from side to side as he walked on his little legs.
"What's up, Twilight?" he asked, a forced smile on his face.
"You're a BABY dragon, right?" asked Twilight eagerly.
"Well, technically yeah but- woah!"
Spike was suddenly cut off before he could finish his sentence. Twilight swept him up in her forehooves and held him tight. She squeezed and cuddled him in her arms. Spike made a feeble attempt to break away but failed.
"Twilight!" he mumbled, "What's gotten into you?!"
"Aw, Spike!" cooed Twilight still cradling him, "My little baby assistant!" Twilight gave off a girlish giggle.
Twilight released Spike who toppled onto he ground. He dusted himself off and straightened his spines.
"Geez," groaned Spike, "What is it with you girls and babies? Every time you think of one you go all googly eyed and girlie. They're nothing but drool and crying. Eek." Spike stuck out his tongue in disgust. This only made Twilight smile even harder.
"I don't know, Spike," she sighed, "Kids are just so cute..."
"Girls..." sighed Spike, "I'll never understand them and their obsession with babies..."Spike put on a mock girlish voice, "Oooh it's so cute! Can I hold him? How old is he? He looks just like you! Goochy googchy goo! Yuck.."
Spike put his hands on his hips, kicked the floor, rubbed his arm, and glanced up at Twilight. "Well... Maybe just one more hug..."
After another squeeze from Twilight, Spike let go and picked up his errand.
"So," said Twilight, "Did you get my things ready for today's appointment?"
"Sure did!" replied Spike in a considerably happier mood than before, "I've got your bag all set up and ready to go!"
"Thanks, Spike," said Twilight, "What would I do without you?"
"You'd tell Spike where you're goin'!"
Twilight blinked. She looked down to Spike who was wearing the same puzzled and confused expression as she was.
"Uh... Spike?" said Twilight uncertainly.
"Don't look at me!" said Spike, "I didn't say that."
"Hi, Twilight!"
Both Twilight and Spike looked around to the source of the voice. Pinkie Pie was poking her head through the window, her wide grin already set on her face and her bubbly personality oozing throughout the library.
"Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie!" said Twilight, "When did you get here?"
"Oh," said Pinkie, her head through the window, "About the time when you and Spike were hugging!" Spike blushed, "And yes, I DO love babies, too!"
Her mind quickly turning to Pumpkin and Pound Cake, Twilight could immediately see Pinkie Pie being that odd aunt or babysitter everypony had at least once in their lives.
"I guess you were right," said Twilight to Spike. She turned back to Pinkie Pie. "If you must know, today is kind of a tradition I used to have back in my old days at Canterlot."
"Uh huh," said Pinkie Pie, who now had a bag of buttery popcorn.
"Well," continued Twilight, "Princess Celestia would have a day twice a year to refresh herself. And I, as her faithful student, was always invited along with her! We'd spend time together in spas, get massages, have warm mud baths, and everything. And today is one of those days. Princess Celestia's Make Over day!"
"Make over?!" cried a different but very lady-like voice.
Another head poked through Twilight's window. It was Rarity's. Her lavish purple mane bounced around as she pushed her way into the small window sill along side Pinkie Pie.
"H-hi, Rarity!" stammered Spike. Twilight could feel the heat radiating from his cheeks.
"Oh hello, Twilight!" cooed Rarity in her usual sing song voice, "I was just passing along from the fabric shop when I saw Pinkie's bottom sticking out of your window. Of course I assumed everything was normal."
Pinkie Pie smiled widely next to Rarity.
"But then," continued Rarity, "I heard you talking about MAKE OVERS and, darling, I couldn't help but pop in and say hello!"
"Well that's awfully kind of you," said Twilight with a warm smile, "As I was saying, I remember that every time we went, we would go to very expensive places in Canterlot."
"But of course!" said Rarity, "Only the BEST for the Princess!"
"Exactly!" said Twilight, "We'd be pretty pampered, too. I remember things like sea weed wraps, pomegranate scented shampoos, dragon fruit skin moisturizers, apple based hair-"
"What's this ah hear 'bout apples?"
Another voice interrupted Twilight. Pinkie Pie gave a squeak, giggle, and a snort while Rarity gasped and grunted in disapproval. Applejack's cowboy hatted head popped out of nowhere and squeezed itself between Pinkie Pie's and Rarity's.
"Howdy y'all," said Applejack. Everyone chimed in their hellos. "So ah heard apples. What're we talkin' 'bout?"
"Twilight was telling us a story!" chirped Pinkie Pie.
"Yes, one about make overs!" added Rarity clapping her hooves. Applejack furrowed her eyebrows.
"Make overs?" she asked in mild disgust.
"I was just mentioning the products the Princess and I used back in Canterlot," said Twilight, "And I guess I said something about apples."
"Apples in make overs?!" sputtered Applejack, "Ah never heard of such an abnormality!"
"So you want a make over?" asked Rarity giggling.
"Yay! Party!" whooped Pinkie Pie.
"No!" grunted Applejack, "Buuuut... If it was apple based... Ah guess it can't be all too bad..."
"Apple or not," said Twilight, who giggled at Applejack's conundrum, "The make over's weren't too bad. They were the best. I even remember Philemena came along some times to-"
"Philemena?..."
Another voice drifted across Twilight's sentence. It was soft and timid. Fluttershy popped her head into the already crammed window. Her kind face and pink mane sat neatly on top of Pinkie Pie's and Applejack's head.
"Oh I'm sorry," said Fluttershy, "But were you talking about Philemena? Could I join too? I mean, if that's okay and all..."
"We were talking about MAKE OVERS!" shouted Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy struck a puzzled look.
"Yep!" said Twilight, "You go to the spa with Rarity, right? I'm sure you'll love to hear this! The Princess also dressed up and-"
"Hey! What's going on here?"
There was a small commotion as Rainbow Dash's head jammed itself upside-down into the already packed window. She squeezed herself in next to Fluttershy. The five ponies had their cheeks squashed together in the window as they grunted and jostled about trying to make more room to accommodate the newest rainbow maned member.
"Rainbow Dash?!" said Twilight, "You're the last person I thought would be interested in any of this."
"What do you mean?" asked Dash, "I saw everypony here so I thought something fun was going on!"
"Hey, that's not a bad idea..." piped up Twilight, "We should all go today!" Twilight clapped her hooves together in elation. "Oh it'll be so much fun!"
All five ponies in the tight window sill grunted and nodded in agreement. Rainbow Dash looked around in a confused excitement.
"Oh awesome!" she cried, "Sweetness! What are we doing? I love fun things!"
***********
"This is NOT fun..."
Rainbow Dash hung her head. She was trapped in a flying carriage to Canterlot. Little did she realize earlier that it was a one-way trip to a girly make over party. Her five other friends were sitting along side her giggling and talking as the carriage flew along. Twilight saw Rainbow Dash in her gloom and was reminded of Spike.
"Hey, you guys," said Twilight thinking back to what Spike had said. Everypony grew silent. "I was just wondering, what do you guys think about babies?"
There was a collective 'Oooh!' as the word 'baby' was uttered.
"Are y' gettin' hitched?" asked Applejack nudging Twilight with her elbow.
"Wh- no!" cried Twilight.
"I never knew you were planning to elope!" said Rarity.
"I am NOT!" cried Twilight.
"Does it have a godmother yet?" asked Fluttershy with mild hopes.
"Yay! Twilight's a mommy!" giggled Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash let out a hearty guffaw.
"Since when?!" shouted Twilight, "I was just asking a general question!"
"We're jus' messin' with you, Twi!" reassured Applejack, "Ah live with Applebloom, so ah know how to handle a filly. Ah can't say ah hate kids. Most of my kin ARE kids!"
"The same goes for me," said Rarity, "My little sister always keeps me on my horseshoes. Plus, baby fillies are just SO adorable! They just make me want to squeeze them to death! Plus they look absolutely ADORABLE in babies' clothing." Applejack cringed.
"I don't mind babies..." murmured Fluttershy, "I take care of baby animals all the time! That's kind of the same right?"
"Me too!" piped up Pinkie Pie, "They're just super duper fun to play with and have so much fun! Plus they're super cute!"
"Now, now, Pinkie Pie," said Rarity, "Babies are not toys."
"I know that, silly!" snortled Pinkie Pie, "How about you, Twilight?"
"Me?" said Twilight, "I guess I give them a thought now and again. I mean, I DO live with Spike and he IS a baby dragon."
"Bleh...." grumbled Rainbow Dash, "I hate kids. They're just so annoying..."
"Oh yer jus' sore 'cause we forced you t' come with us today!" said Applejack.
"Am not!" said Rainbow Dash, "I'm pretty sure we weren't that annoying when WE were kids... I mean, all they do it get in the way, cry, poop, and drool everywhere!"
The four friends babbled on about babies and fillies. Applejack talked on and on about all of her little cousins from around the Apple, Orange, Peach, and Pear family. Rarity went on about her little sister, Sweetie Belle, and how even though she could be a hoof full, that Sweetie was, in a matter a fact, a sweetie. Pinkie Pie reminisced about how her sisters were always fun to play with as fillies and babbled endlessly about the Cake twins. Even Fluttershy mentioned a baby cousin or two. Twilight was an only child but knew a few distant younger cousins.
"What about you, Rainbow Dash?" asked Applejack. Rainbow Dash hadn't really said anything or mentioned family at all. Dash just smirked and kept her cool look on her face.
"Me?" she asked, "I'm a solo flier! I was an only kid to my folks and I didn't really keep in touch with cousins and stuff like that." Dash puffed out her chest. "Yep! Never really liked kids. Kinda cramped my style!"
Applejack was about to say something smart before the carriage came to a sudden halt. There was a quick rapping on the door then a royal pony stuck her head in.
"We have arrived, Madams," she said, her eyes shut and nose pointed in the air.
"Thank you," replied Twilight with a nod. She beckoned to the others who promptly followed.
The carriage door was held open wide as the six friends descended it's golden fold out steps. The carriage was stopped in front of a fancy spa where service ponies stood at the doorways, their noses pointed high in the air and adorned with expensive looking uniforms. Rarity had to stuff her hoof into her mouth to prevent a squeal of excitement as she approached the doorway. But alas...
"Oh!" gasped Rarity as she entered the front doors of the spa.
There were tall turrets and pillars of marble with golden trimmings, shelves upon shelves of opulent perfumes and creams, the latest and greatest hair care products, foreign massage chairs with that EXTRA little feature, and so much more. The floorboards practically leaked class and luxury. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy only managed to squeak their joy. Even Rainbow Dash and Applejack, as tomboyish as they were, were struck dumb silent as the cornucopia of wealth and style flooded their senses.
"Well, here we are!" chimed Twilight at the head on the group. She spoke in a very non-formal manner as if this was a regular trip to the bathroom.
"I'm so jealous!" cooed Rarity. She hugged Twilight tightly and smiled broadly. "All this glitz and glamour! The style, the pampering! And you got to do this every year?!"
"Twice," blushed Twilight.
Rarity released Twilight, did a small but dramatic pirouette, and landed in Applejack's hooves as if in a tango.
"Spare me the details!" sighed Rarity, "Or else I'll faint!"
"And ah'll have to catch you again," murmured Applejack with a grin.
Everypony giggled and laughed as they watched Rarity in such rapture. They were all looking forward to a day at the spa, even Rainbow Dash. Everypony could use some freshening up and pampering from time to time. Plus this was all free thanks to Twilight and the Princess.
"Lady Sparkle?"
A tuxedo-ed stallion cantered out of a hidden doorway. He looked left, then right, then spotted Twilight at the spa entrance. His face lit up as he galloped towards her and her friends.
"Hello, Maurice!" said Twilight waving her hoof, "Long time no see! Is the Princess already here?"
"Yes yes, but of course!" chimed Maurice. He straightened his little red bow tie and smoothed his hair mane. "Might I add that you look lovey this afternoon? May I offer you something to drink? Fresh spring water perhaps? Sparkling water maybe?"
"No, it fine really," said Twilight, "Maybe my friends would like something?"
"Oh, your.. friends?" said Maurice, "Of course! Friends of Lady Sparkle! Yes, yes. Can I offer you ladies anything? A complimentary sample of our finest perfume? Some luxury bath bubbles to take home?"
Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash just stared in disbelief. Their mouths were even hanging open. Such service, such fancy was too much for them.
"Ah... yes..." said Maurice, "Perhaps later. Come! Follow me and I with lead you to your private bath! The Princess is waiting most eagerly."
Maurice cantered away ahead of them. Twilight sighed. She almost forgot that she was one of the higher classes in Canterlot. Next to regular Ponyville citizens, she probably looked like royalty. Twilight looked around to see her still dumb struck friends. She clicked her hooves together and snapped them out of their stunned states. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up.
"So!" she said with a crafty smirk, "LADY Sparkle? Since when did you have such a title?"
Twilight just smiled meekly. Rarity, on the other hoof, stared at Twilight in utter admiration.
Twilight and her friends all followed Maurice as he lead them through the almost labyrinthine spa center. They could see numerous different rooms each with it's own guest. There were mud baths, sea weed wraps, hoof and horn shining, sensual wing massages, mineral clay masks, steam baths, hot sand beds, hot stone therapies, aroma-therapies, full body scrub downs, and so on and so forth. It wasn't to say that the Ponyville spa didn't have most of these things, it was just that it wasn't available in such high quality as this. Twilight and her friends, each craning their necks around to catch every glimpse of the spa, finally reached a large ornate pair of double doors. This was the top suite. Twilight of course knew this. She had been here before.
"Here we are, madams! The master chambers!" said Maurice. He opened the doors with a flourish and bowed the six mares inside. Inside the elephantine room there was a huge hot bath along with every commodity offered at the spa. Sitting at the far end of the suite was Princess Celestia, her head already wrapped in a towel.
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle! My most faithful student," called Celestia. She got up from her pile of poofs and pillows and walked gracefully towards Twilight. "And I see you've brought your friends as well!"
The six ponies bowed low. Twilight even got her special hug from the Princess.
"I hope you don't mind," murmured Twilight, "But I did hint at it last time we had a spa day together."
"No, of course not, Twilight!" chuckled Celestia, "In fact, I've even brought a guest myself."
And at that moment, another door creaked open. Princess Luna stepped out in a tight blue and black swimsuit. It emphasized every perfect curve and detail of her thin and lean body. She walked into the room without even noticing Twilight and her friends.
"Does this make our haunches look big?" asked Luna. She looked down at herself and struck different poses. "We think it's kinda sexy, do you not agree? Black and blue. We approve!"
"Luna," said Celestia.
"And what of the other ones?" continued Luna, "Doth thou remember the one with straps?"
"Ah.. dearest sister I-"
"But this one fits our fancy!" said Luna looking at a mirror. She shook her bottom at the mirror and watched the effect from behind, her tail swishing to and fro. "Additionally, we don't think red really matches with our coat color."
"Luna!"
Princess Luna blinked and turned to face Celestia.
"Yes, dear sister?"
Celestia put her hoof to her lips and giggled.
"We have guests," she said calmly.
Luna's smile dropped from her face faster than a Sonic Rainboom. Her eyes widened as they fell upon Twilight and her five friends. The Elements of Harmony. An incredible blush blossomed across Luna's face like wild fire. She was standing in an inappropriate swimsuit in front of her sister's student and friends. Luna grabbed a towel, held it in front of her, and tried her best to hide herself.
"Oh! Uh..." mumbled Luna, "H-hullo."
"H-"
"Yesyesthiswasquitewonderful!" babbled Luna abnormally quickly, "Itsgoodtoyouyouallsohappyandhealthyandwefindthatyourgoodhealth
bringsusmuchjoy! Nowifyou'llexcuseuswe'llbeRIGHTback!"
And with that, Luna dashed off back into the changing room and slammed the door. Twilight turned to her friends, all of which had faces of numb shock on their faces. Twilight shot them each a look that told them 'forget everything you just saw'. Then suddenly Luna trotted out of the changing room, her mane wrapped tightly in a towel.
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle!" she chimed, "We can see that you made it here without any problems. And you have brought your friends as well! We hope you don't us joining you, too?"
Twilight blinked. Luna's manner was odd, if not comical. Twilight had read about this somewhere in a psychology book. 'I think it was called repression...' she thought to herself.
"Yes, well," began Twilight, "The more the merrier, right?"
"Quite," agreed Luna. Luna sat herself next to her sister, her head poised with grace with a stiff upper lip. Celestia winked at Twilight.
"Well, then," started Celestia, "Let's not stand around and dilly dally. We came here to relax. Come! Help yourselves to anything in this room!"
Twilight and her friends snapped back to reality.
"Oh, well don't mind if I do!" exclaimed Rarity, "Oh but what to do first? A mud bath? The steam room? A shiatsu? Hoof polishing?"
"Well, we're here for the whole day," said Twilight with a smile, "I'm sure you have time for just about everything."
As Rarity squealed and trotted away, the rest of the gang soon followed suit.
"Ooh! I'm going to try the bubbly hot tub!" said Pinkie Pie with jump.
"Aroma-therapy sounds just lovely," sighed Fluttershy.
"Betcha can't out last me in th' sauna," said Applejack nudging Rainbow Dash.
"You. Are. On!" she replied.
And so, the spa day had begun. Twilight sat herself down next to Celestia and Luna. One of the spa attendants started a hooficure for her, shorty followed by a horn polish. As she sat there, Twilight talked with the two princesses. They conversed on a number of topics. Random gossip around the castle, politics, and even some favorite television shows were covered. Luna and Twilight even got carried away talking about their favorite books while Celestia fell asleep in the hot tub.
It was apparent that everypony was enjoying the spa treatments. Rarity was laying sprawled out on a massage table with a nimble masseuse balancing on Rarity's back, popping and cracking stiff joints and muscles. Fluttershy was wrapped in warm towels and had cucumber slices on her eyes. She was dozing on a squashy recliner with incense and scented candles burning around her. Pinkie Pie could be seen giggling in the bubble hot tub with a foamy top hat perched on her head. Meanwhile, Applejack and Rainbow Dash both tumbled out of the sauna drenched in sweat and panting. They immediately started arguing about who had given up due to the heat first.
As the spa day went along, everypony got pampered and treated. If there was any way to relax, this was definitely the right way. Around this time, food had been brought into the suite. It was a magnificent catering complete with a floral centerpiece. As the ponies gathered together to enjoy their midafternoon meal, Celestia brought up the subject of Twilight's studies.
So, Twilight," she said, "Any news on some new spells? From what Spike has told me, you seem to have mastered group teleportation."
"Mmhm!" replied Twilight. Her urge to show off to her teacher started bubbling, "Observe!"
Twilight wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up on all fours.
"Princesses," said Twilight, "Look out that window, please."
Celestia and Luna looked at each other mildly interested. They both got up and made their way to the window. They drew back the curtains and peered outside. Luna gave and audible gasp and Celestia's raised her eyebrows. Twilight and her friends were outside on the lawn. Twilight waved enthusiastically at the two sisters. They were still wrapped in their bath robes and enjoying their meal outside. In fact, Celestia even saw the whole surprised catering crew and the food carts outside as well. The princesses doubled back just in time to see everypony and everything teleport back with a burst of purple light into their original places.
"Astounding," murmured Luna. Celestia concurred and smiled.
"Hm?" piped up Pinkie Pie looking up from her plate, "Did something happen?"
"Just showing off what I learned, Pinkie," Twilight said, puffing out her chest in pride.
"Ooh, a magic trick!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. She put down her plate of food and watched Twilight in rapt attention. Everypony just stared at her. "What?"
Celestia chuckled. She saw what potential Twilight possessed. She was learning new spells at impressive rates and she was obviously proud of that. Celestia felt the need to further challenge her favorite student.
"Very impressive," said Celesita. Twilight beamed at the praise. "It is, however, nothing I haven't seen before. But it was very impressive none the less."
Celestia saw Twilight's ears droop a little out of the corner of her eye. Perhaps that would motivate her to take on more challenging work. She could tell Twilight's mind was racing. What else could she do to wow the princess? Her brows were furrowed and she was tapping her hoof on the tiled floor. Celestia chuckled silently to herself. She had the utmost confidence in her student. This would help her progress in her magical ability and maybe she would even learn a thing or two more about friendshi-
"OH!" cried Twilight. Celestia snapped out of her thoughts. "Well, I have been practicing another spell..."
Celestia blinked.
"No, Twilight, I-"
"Its pretty hard to do," continued Twilight, "The book was literally five inches thick."
"Twilight, dear, what I meant was-"
"How many nights of sleep did I lose from this?..."
"Twilight, I meant tha-"
"Well I think I'm ready.. I have been researching and practicing for quite a while."
"Dear, you don-"
"Yeah. I think I am ready!"
"What? No, if you're not ready, don't-"
"Earlier tests had a sixty three percent success rate... In terms of science, that's pretty adequate. It's more likely that I won't fail and not that I would."
"Sixty what?! Twilight, I-"
"Okay!" chimed Twilight, "Princess, now that you mention it, there is a new spell I've been learning that is categorized in a higher magical tier than teleportation. I- uh... Princess?"
Celestia had her face in her hooves. Twilight hadn't heard anything the she had said. Celestia took a deep breath. 'Confidence, Celestia. Confidence.' she thought to herself. She looked up at Twilight in her usual caring gaze.
"A new spell?" she asked, "If you have the ability and confidence, you are welcome to show me!"
Twilight smiled but Celestia looked at her with a hint of panic.
"If, Twilight. IF.."
"Don't worry, Princess," reassured Twilight, "I am absolutely certain that I can do this! You are SURE to be impressed!"
*************
Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Princess Luna all watched the scene before them unfold. Twilight seemed to be talking to herself nonstop. Celestia on the other hoof, seemed to be trying to get Twilight's attention and failing to do so constantly. They watched as Celestia buried her face in her hooves while Twilight talked herself silly. After a while, Celestia's posture slumped in a defeated pose.
Applejack turned to the rest of the on looking group.
"What in tarnation just happened?..." she asked.
In perfect unison, the rest of the spectating group answered.
"I have no idea..."
Chapter 2 - Back to the Library
There was a sort of tension permeating the spa suite. Twilight's friends, the two princesses, and even the spa staff were gathered around. Twilight had promised to show off her new spell for Celestia. Celestia, on the other hoof, was wondering if this was a good idea at all. From what Twilight had said earlier, Celestia couldn't help but wonder if something catastrophic would go wrong. The ponies around her had mixed feelings throughout them. Some looked excited to see some advanced magic, others watched with mild interest, and still some others looked on with rapt curiousity.
"Isnt this exciting, sister?" piped up Luna. She was sitting next to Celestial her eyes on Twilight, "Your students have always found some way to impress us. Especially Twilight Sparkle."
"Yes, I must agree," said Celestia withholding some of her worry with a grin, "There is no doubt that Twilight is very talented. I wonder if what she will show us is saf- er.... I mean, amazing."
With a slight clear of the throat from Twilight, Celestia's attention was brought back to the performance.
"Hello, everypony!" started Twilight, "Today, for the princesses, I will be performing a magical spell that I have been researching for a good while, now."
Everypony looked at each other and murmured their enthusiasm.
"The spell I will be demonstrating," Twilight paused for dramatic effect, "is the Aging spell!"
Everypony ooh-ed. This would be quite the show. As everpony clopped their hooves in excitment, Twilight levitated a blooming rose from the floral center piece and brought it in front of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this. She could feel it. She knew that she would succeed. Her horn started to glow its usual purple aura. The ponies around her drew a collective breath in anticipation. Sparks started shooting from Twilight's horn as the magic spell grew more powerful. The rose in front of her started to glow itself. Even for such a simple object as a flower, this required the utmost concentration from Twilight. As she took a final breath, sweat starting to bead on her forehead, Twilight release the spell. It shot out of her horn with the force of a starting pistol and hit the rose dead on. The group of ponies gasped. As purple smoke cleared, a tiny seed was left on the tiled floor.
The ponies cheered. Celestia sighed in relief as she clopped her hooves with the excited crowd. She had done it. Twilight had demonstrated the aging spell perfectly on the simple flower. Celestia, although immensely relieved nothing terrible happened, felt pride in the work Twilight had done. As her gaze traveled from the cheering ponies to Twilight, she noticed something odd. Twilight did not wear a smile of relief or pride. Rather, the look on her face was calculating and contemplative.
"Well done, Twilight!" called out Celestia, "But, is there something wrong, my dear?"
"That was far too simple," murmured Twilight, more to herself than to Celestia.
"Of course not," sighed Celestia with a motherly smile, "What you did was exemplary. That was a difficult level of magic you performed. The aging spell worked perfectly!"
Twilight beamed as she looked at her proud teacher.
"Nope!" she replied with a smile, "I can do better! Now that I performed on the rose, I'm sure I can do something more challenging."
Celestia blinked. Twilight scanned the room. And before Celestia could say anything else, Twilight galloped across the room and grabbed a fat pineapple off of one of the catering carts. She ran back to the center of the suite and called for everyponys' attention.
"And now," said Twilight as she held the pineapple over her head in both hooves, "The second part of my performance!"
Once again, the other ponies ooh-ed and aah-ed as Twilight placed the pineapple on a shiny silver platter. She trotted over to Fluttershy who was closest to her.
"Here," said Twilight, "Hold this." And she shoved the pineapple and platter into Fluttershy's hooves.
"Wait, what?!" whimpered Fluttershy.
"Don't worry!" reassured Twilight, "I've got this all under control!"
As Twilight made her way back into position, Fluttershy was visibly trembling. Not only did she not was to be hit with the spell herself, but she also did not like being the center of attention.
"Behold!" cried Twilight, "The aging spell! Are you ready, Fluttershy?"
"N-no...." squeaked Fluttershy, failing to hide herself completely behind the pineapple.
Celestia felt like she should have intervened. However, Twilight had performed very well on her first try. Also, Celestia herself was curious to know how far Twilight could take her magical prowess.
Once again, Twilight's horn began to glow purple. Once again, the sparks started shooting from her horn. Fluttershy's heart was beating hard somewhere in her throat as she anticipated the magical blast. The pineapple was significantly larger and voluminous than the rose so Twilight knew she had to concentrate with all of her might. Sweat was dripping from Twilight's face and her mane became frizzy.
"What a waste of a spa day..." whispered Rarity to Applejack.
Twilight concentrated all of her magic onto the pineapple. She took one last breath and released. The spell shot out of her horn with the force of a small cannon, knocking Twilight into a pile of towels behind her. Fluttershy saw, as if in slow motion, the spell hurtling towards her. In a fit of fright and panic, she dropped the pineapple and raised the silver platter up to her face. The spell struck the platter and bounced off at an angle. It shot off and bounced off of a make up mirror, then off of a pair of glasses of a spa staff member, then off of a polished tile on the floor, and then off again from the shiny brass door handle at the entrance.
As the spell continued to ricochet around the room, the ponies were scattered in a mad panic. Ponies ducked into closets, cabinets, bath tubs, and in piles of robes. Celestia and Luna sat frozen next to each other watching the spell zip across the room in every which direction. The spell shot from another tile on the floor and hit the chandelier on the ceiling. It bounced off once again downwards at lightning speed, straight towards Celestia and Luna. Celestia froze in shock as Luna leaped into her sister's hooves in panic. A short scream of fright, a burst of purple smoke, and the spell had hit home.
As the smoke cleared, ponies started peeking out of their hiding spots (Fluttershy had fainted and was sprawled on the floor). Twilight arose from her pile of towels. She was dazed from the ejection of the spell. Rubbing her temples, she groaned.
"Is everypony alrright?" she asked.
There was a collective agreement as everpony replied. Everypony but the princesses. Twilight gasped as she realized where the spell had hit. She leaped out of the towels and galloped towards its unintended target.
"Oh no no no no no no no no no no!"
As the purple haze further cleared, the damage done by the aging spell was revealed. There was a synchronized gasp and yell as two little fillies emerged from the smoke. One was pure white and the other was dark indigo. Each was surrounded by chestplates, horseshoes, and crowns, each far too large for any of the baby ponies.
"Oh no..." groaned Twilight.
A toddler Celestia and a toddler Luna blinked confusedly at each other. Each wore a look of shock. They both looked up towards Twilight who towered over them. Celestia babbled in her filly voice there was dribble visible on Luna's chin.
"Princess Celestia?.." whispered Twilight, "P-princess Luna?"
The fillies looked up again at Twilight. Immediately, their eyes started to well up with tears.
"Oh no..." whispered Twilight, "Oh please no no no no no no no no!..."
Luna and Celestia burst into tears. The two fillies wailed as Twilight watched in shock. Whether it was because they wanted to be held or that they realized what had happened, Twilight didn't know. The two fillies screamed and kicked their hooves. Twilight's friends came again out of their hiding places and up to the crying babies.
"Twilight!" said Applejack, "What in tarnation did you do?!"
"I didn't mean to!"
Luna and Celestia continued to cry as Rainbow Dash galloped towards Twilight with Fluttershy passed out on her back. She looked down at the two fillies.
"Oooh boy..." she said.
"What are we going to do?!" wailed Rarity.
"Too many babies!!" yelled Pinkie Pie.
The six friends looked up at the surround in crowd. The crowd stared back. Then suddenly, they started cheering. They had not registered that this wasn't part of Twilight's presentation. As the ponies cheered and cheered, Twilight's mind was racing. He hiked up an awkward smile and called to the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you!" she said very quickly, "Now that we're all refreshed and done with magic, we'llbeleavingfromhere! Thanksforeverything,everyponybye!!"
For a third time, Twilight's horn glowed purple. The six friends and the two wailing fillies teleported from the spa suite.
*************
Back in Ponyville, the peace was broken by the cries of two baby ponies. Spike was making his way downstairs with a stack of books Twilight had asked for. His ears were crammed with parchment paper in a vain attempt to block out the noise. Twilight was downstairs. She was pacing the main floor of the library where a groove was etched into the floor from Twilight's constant steps. The other five friends were doing their utmost to try and calm the fillies. This time, Pinkie Pie collapsed onto the floor still in her one pony orchestra costume.
"Your turn..." she mumbled to Rainbow Dash.
The rest of the ponies, except for Fluttershy who was out on an errand, were sprawled across the library floor. Each had tried their best to quiet the filly princesses to no success. Rainbow Dash made her way to the fillies as Pinkie Pie crawled away in exhaustion. Having absolutely no experience in handling children, Rainbow Dash attempted to pick up the filly princesses and held them. She picked them up and held them at arms lengths away from her.
"Just so you guys know," called Rainbow Dash, "I have no idea what I'm doing...."
"Think think think!" cried Twilight, "How am I going to fix this?!"
She levitated each of the books Spike had brought her and skimmed through them.
"If they make a spell," started Twilight, "WHY don't they include a clear reversal spell?!"
Twilight dropped the books in frustration with a loud "UGH!"
"Can somepony PLEASE do something about their crying?"
As the others were about to contest, Fluttershy came through the door holding two large paper bags.
"Puh-lease tell me that you've got something for these fillies..." groaned Rainbow Dash. She was holding them under her forehooves at each side around their waists. This, funnily enough, did nothing to stop the crying.
"I do!" replied Fluttershy.
She zipped into the kitchen and soon after came out with two baby bottles filled with milk. She handed them to Rainbow Dash in exchange for the two wailing fillies. She placed them on to the sofa in the main floor of the library, took the bottles from Rainbow Dash, and stuck them into the fillies' muzzles. She then took out two clean diapers out of one of the paper bags and fixed them onto each of the suckling fillies. Immediately, the two royal babies ceased their crying. They blinked a few times, suckling on the bottles. The six friends watched in anticipation. Finally, the fillies sighed, closed their eyes, and continued to drink the milk. Everypony collapsed in exhaustion. For what ever short time they had, Celestia and Luna had finally stopped crying.
"Okay," whispered Twilight, "We need to find a way to fix this, now. But my book on aging doesn't have the reversal spell I need. I'm going to have to do some research and I can't do it if I have to take care of two baby princesses at the same time!"
"Yeah," said Spike, "Plus I really don't want to lose any sleep over this..."
Twilight glared at him with a slight snort. Spike let out a nervous "Heh heh.. just kidding.."
"Don't worry, sugarcube!" whispered Applejack, "We can look after them while you work."
Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy looked away and mumbled to themselves.
"Right, guys?" Applejack said shooting each of them a look. They all laughed nervously and agreed. "Tell you what, I'll take them first. If anything, I know how to handle a few fillies!"
"Thanks guys..." sighed Twilight, "Alright Spike, let's get to work!"
Spike saluted and the rest of the gang cheered in enthusiasm. Twilight shook her head quickly and shushed them. The fillies were finally quiet, and the last thing she wanted was for them to start crying again. Applejack loaded Celestia and Luna into a filly carrier on her back. she made her way out the door followed by the others. As the door shut, Twilight sighed. At the moment, she was extremely thankful for having friends who were so willing to help her out (And for the silence). She stood there for a minute, enjoying the sound of nothingness. But off in the distance, Twilight could hear the feint cries of Luna and Celestia. Evidently, they had already finished their bottles. Twilight, not wanting to keep her friends busy with two needy fillies, immediately began her research anew.
Big Macintosh heaved another cart of ripened apples into the family barn cellar on Sweet Apple Acres. He had been working more than usual that day because of Applejack. Earlier this morning, his sister had rushed into the house, rambled something about a spa day with her friends, and left Big Mac with her share of the chores for the day. At first, he was of course irritated with Applejack. He had planned to give her a long and stern talking to when she got back. But, as the day went by, Big Mac couldn't stay mad at his sister. He had far too much work for any time to be frustrated and Applejack did deserve a day off once in a while, even if it was very last minute.
When Big Mac unloaded his haul and left the cellar, he could see his sister coming back from her spa day. As he trotted along to greet her, Big Mac noticed that Applejack was carrying something with her. Perhaps, he thought to himself, Applejack had brought some souvenirs back from the spa for the family. What he'd do with an expensive bottle of shampoo, he'd have to figure out later. As Big Mac approached his Applejack, he could hear a slight babbling and cooing.
"Hiya, Big Mac!" called Applejack.
Big Macintosh merely waved at her. As Applejack drew closer, he had to do a double take. On either side of his little sister, Big Mac saw a pair of squirming foals. Applejack could tell this was quite the shock to him judging by his half open mouth and unbroken stare. Applejack chuckled as she thought how strange it would be to see one's little sister coming back after one afternoon with two little fillies.
Big Mac, with his eyebrows furrowed and mouth ajar, gave Applejack a look. She could tell by this look that Big Macintosh meant to say 'Who in tarnation are them? I thought you went to the spa, not a day care. What are you doing with those two? And why do they have pegasus wings and unicorn horns?' Applejack saw this look and immediately knew what he was about to say. To take this moment of confusion further, Applejack knew exactly what she was going to say.
"Lookie here, big brother!" she said, "Where're yer manners? You are in the presence of royalty!"
Big Mac's jaw dropped. Again, he looked at the two foals hanging off of Applejack's sides. The white one was was chewing on her own mane and the darker one was confused by the butterfly that had just landed on her nose. Big Macintosh merely pointed to the tiny ponies and looked at Applejack with the hint of saying 'You're kidding me, right? Pulling my leg? Yanking my chain? I remembered the princesses to be a lot bigger.' Applejack chuckled.
"I know," she said, "It was quite the spa day."
As Applejack made her way back to the house with Big Mac, she explained how Twilight had demonstrated a spell for the princesses and how it went all wrong. After she arrived at the house with her brother, Applejack handed the two foals over to Big Mac to go and find the old baby crib they had used for Applebloom when she was but a foal herself. While Applejack was away, Big Macintosh couldn't help but notice how adorable the two baby princesses were and how odd babies smelled. They looked up at him with their large eyes. Big Mac had trouble hiding a small smile and the two fillies smiled back. Taking it another step further, Big Mac puffed out his cheeks and made a face for them. Luna and Celestia cooed with laughter and clapped their tiny hooves together. He then stuck out his tongue and made another face, then another face, then another, then another, and then another. Celestia and Luna were rolling in his forehooves in a fit of laughter. Behind him, her could hear his sister's telltale chuckle.
"Havin' fun there, big brother?" Applejack asked. She had found the crib.
Big Macintosh grinned sheepishly at her thinking something along the lines of 'How long were you watching?'. Applejack merely grinned back.
As Applejack swept the Celestia and Luna from Big Mac's hooves, she set up the crib and placed the two foal in it. It was just big enough to act as a play pen for the princesses. It would keep them safe until Twilight had worked out how to fix this predicament. Applejack and Big Macintosh watched the two princesses as they explored their knew enclosure. This seemed like easy work. Everyone would take turns watching the foals while everyone else carried on with their work. Applejack scoffed a bit at the idea of how difficult she thought taking care of two royal babies would have been. As Applejack got her hopes up and Big Mac made funny noises at the foals, Granny Smith and Applebloom entered the house.
"Hey," said Applebloom, "What's my old crib doin' out?"
"We have guests!" replied Applejack. She pushed the crib towards Granny Smith and her younger sister.
"Ooh ho!" laughed Granny Smith. She stared down at Luna and Celestia. "Young'uns! And whose are these?"
"They look like the princesses..." said Applebloom staring down at the foals.
"Mmm..." mumbled Granny Smith as she rubbed her wrinkled chin, "No no, they look like yer auntie Cinnamon's kids!"
Applejack and Big Mac glanced at each other.
"Uh, Granny," Applejack said, "Don't these two look really familiar?"
Granny Smith gave them another hard stare.
"Yer uncle Peach's kids?" she asked.
"Nnope." said Big Macintosh.
"Great auntie Fritter."
"Look at their horns and wings," chuckled Applejack.
"Yer cousin Nanny Bananers?"
"No, Granny, its the princesses."
"Oh! Cousin Braeburn! When did he have kids?"
"Luna and Celestia!" cried Applebloom.
Granny Smith looked from Applebloom and stared again at the two foals.
"Consarnit.." she mumbled, "I'm gonna have to look through the family albums again."
All three of the Apple siblings sighed in exasperation. She'd figure out sooner or later.
"We're just foalsitting them for today, Granny," said Applejack, "We need to watch them for Twilight for a bit."
Granny Smith hooted in excitement. She trotted up closer to the crib and scooped up Celestia and Luna into her hooves and gave them an enormous grandmotherly squeeze.
"Oh, seein' foals like these makes me feel like a grandma again!" she said, a hint of laughter in her old voice.
Big Mac gave Applejack and Applebloom a funny look that meant something like 'Then waht were we to her before?'. His sisters merely shrugged.
"Alrighty then," Granny Smith said finally, making her way to the sofa, "Y'all go and do yer chores. I can handle a few fillies myself for y'all, yes I can!" She gave the two foals a mushy goochy goochy goo.
Granny Smith placed Celestia and Luna on the sofa and pulled out one of her old family albums.
"Now, would you two like to learn a little somthin' about the Apple family history?" Granny Smith asked as she sat herself down between the foals. They gave her a confused stare as Applebloom, Applejack, and Big Macintosh made their way back to the fields.
A few hours went by as the siblings finished up what was left of the chores. It was only a few hours into the afternoon at the time and thanks to Big Mac's earlier hard work, there was a thankful little else to do. As Applejack baled the last of the hay, she saw that Big Mac and Applebloom had also finished their share of the chores.
"Welp," said Applejack wiping some sweat off of her brow, "I think we can call it a day for now!"
"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.
"Can we go inside now?" asked Applebloom hopefully. She had been dying to get back to the house and play with Celestia and Luna.
"Yep," replied Applejack, "Let's go check on the young'uns."
With a whoop from Applebloom and a nod from Big Macintosh, the three siblings made their way to the house. As they crossed the orchards, Applejack had no doubt that the fillies would be taken well cared of by her grandmother. Heck, Granny Smith practically raised Applejack and Big Mac all by herself while their parents were away. And on top of that, all three of the Apple siblings grew up to be well mannered, well loved, and especially well fed. Everything was going according to plan. Upon arriving at the house, Applebloom was the first to burst in.
"Granny Smiiiiiiiith!" she called, "We're back!"
She stood in the doorway waiting for a response. A few seconds went by as Applebloom glanced around. Applejack and Big Macintosh poked their heads through the doorway. The house was peacefully quiet. Too quiet.
"Granny Smith?" called Applejack.
The three siblings entered the house. The house was far too quiet. There was no crying, no laughing, no giggling, no whining, no nothing. As they entered the living room, Applejack and her siblings had expected to see Granny Smith reading the Apple family history to a pair of bored and dozing foals. However, before them sat Granny Smith passed out on the couch. Her mouth was wide open and slack as she snored in her deep slumber. The family album was left open on her lap and by the looks of it, it seemed that she did not get very far through it. Luna and Celestia were no where to be seen.
"Oh no..." groaned Applejack, panic starting to swell in her chest.
She galloped to the crib in a vain hope that the two princesses were in there. She craned in her head and saw nothing. Applejack's mind was racing. She had lost the foals. And not just any foals, the two princesses.
"They're gone!" she cried turning back to her siblings. She turned to Granny Smith, "Where'd they go?!"
Granny Smith continued to snore loudly. Applejack held her by the shoulder ans shook her in an attempt to awake her, causing Granny Smith's head to bob up and down. Applejack stopped shaking. Surely that would have awoken her. However, Granny Smith's head drooped to her side and she continued to sleep. Realizing that waking her grandmother might be harder than finding the missing princesses, Applejack released Granny Smith and turned to her siblings.
"We have to find them!" she yelled. Applejack grabbed her hat over her ears in panic.
"But-" started Big Mac.
"NOW." bellowed Applejack.
"But where would we start?!" asked Applebloom, "We don't how long Granny's been asleep! There could be anywhere!"
As Applejack started pacing, terrible thoughts ran through her mind. Missing foals, vanished Celestia and Luna, high treason, hearings, scandals, dungeons... But as these consequences flashed through her brain, there was a loud crash from outside. Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom all looked up at the sound. It didn't sound too far off. They were still near by. And from a distance it sounded like the noise came from ...
"THE BARN!" yelled the Apple siblings in unison.
In a mad dash to save what dignity they could salvage, Applejack, Applebloom, and Big Macintosh sprinted towards the barn. The barn was where they stored most of their work tools. Their pointy work tools. If anything, the barn was the last place you would want any child to play. As they approached the barn at a full gallop, Big Mac thought fast, ducked his head in, and unceremoniously bashed into the twin barn doors. The doors flew off of their hinges and landed scattered and splintered across the saw dust covered floor. Big Macintosh felt like his eyes were rolling in their sockets as he saw stars and steadied himself. He had thought fast, but it was a wonder if he had thought wisely.
"Luna?!" called Applejack disregarding Big Mac, "Celestia?!"
The three siblings huddled up at the center of the barn. They each craned their necks high and low in search of the two princesses. The barn was quiet. Ghostly quiet. Applejack could have sworn the commotion came from within the barn. There wasn't a sound except for the occasional creaking of the wooden beams in the ceiling and the slight drip drop of a leaky wall faucet.
"Oh giiiiiiirls!" called Applebloom, "Come out 'n play with you cousin Applebloom!"
As the sibling continued to search, an eerie giggle echoed around the seemingly empty barn. Applejack's head shot left, right, and every other direction. She couldn't tell where the giggles were coming from. It sounded like they were coming from every where. Big Macintosh was visibly trembling. Even for such a big fellow, the giggles of a disembodied foals in a huge empty barn was terrifying.
"There!" shouted Applejack, causing Big Mac and Applebloom to jump out of their skins, "Near the ceilin'!"
Applebloom and Big Macintosh followed their sister's gaze upwards. What they saw made their jaws hit the dusty floor. Celestia and Luna were crawling across a support beam nearly twenty feet in the air. Luna and Celestia were crawling along carefree, apparently going for a shiny decorative horseshoe on the wall next to them. Celestia leaned out off of the beam to try and reach the horseshoe while Luna held on to her sister's diaper in an attempt to support her. As Applejack's mind raced to find a solution, both Big Mac and Applebloom looked back down. Applebloom gasped and Big Mac screamed. Right beneath where Celestia was perched precariously on the wooden beam, there was a perfectly placed rack of pitchforks, rakes, and shovels. Sharp pitchforks, rakes, and shovels. Applejack looked back to her siblings at the sound of their commotion, looked at the rack of farm tools, and yelled as she pulled her hat down over her ears.
"TARP!" yelled Big Mac pointing to a large grey tarp in the corner.
Applejack and Applebloom wasted no time in grabbing the tarp. The Apple siblings moved the rack of tools to the side and between the three of them, they stretched out the tarp right underneath the two foals. Even though she was expecting it, Applejack still gasped in horror as Luna lost her grip on Celestia's diaper. The diaper snapped back to Celestia's little rump and sent her tumbling forward. At the same time, Luna fell backwards from the release. There was a mad shuffle as the three siblings tried to catch Luna and Celestia in the tarp.
For a brief moment, the plan was a success. The fillies, while giggling their hearts out, landed in the tarp. However, as if the stretched out tarp was a large trampoline, it catapulted Luna and Celestia back into the air. With the tarp with clamped in her mouth, Applejack tugged the make shift safety net in hot pursuit of the air born fillies. Again, Celestia and Luna bounced and bounced off of the tarp, each in a fit of laughter, not realizing the imminent peril that they were in. After about ten more bounces into the air, Big Macintosh again had to think quickly. After a final toss into the air, Big Mac dropped his end of the tarp, yelled "NOPE.", and stretched his forehooves into the air in an attempt to catch the flying fillies. Celestia and Luna landed squarely on his back. Applejack sighed in utter relief.
"Oh thank heave-"
"GIT. THEM. OFF!" bellowed Big Mac suddenly springing onto all fours.
As much fun as they had, Luna and Celestia were evidently not through playing. They were each perched on Big Mac's head and neck. Luna had one of Big Mac's ears in her mouth, giving it a nice hard one sided game of tug-o-war. Celestia on the other hoof, was tugging hard on Big Macintosh's mane. Big Mac galloped around in pain as the two foals' tugs guided his trampling. Applejack and Applebloom raced around the barn trying to catch Big Mac and the foals. Big Mac bumped into shelves of tools, crashed into bales of hay, and then finally collided head first into the wall. He slumped down into a heap, Celestia and Luna laughing as they sat on his sore neck. From the chase, Applebloom ended up getting her rear end stuck in a bucket and Applejack was hanging by her hooves tied up in rope from the ceiling. Big Macintosh scooped the fillies off of the back of his neck.
"Gotcha..." he groaned.
The fillies seemed disappointed that the fun had stopped. Big Macintosh, on the other hoof, could already feel his pain ebbing away. There was another creak and Big Mac looked up. The decorative horseshoe was dislodged from its holding and fell right on Big Mac's head and bounced off in the eager hooves of Celestia and Luna who cheered. A large bump could be seen issuing from Big Macintosh's forehead.
***********
"Yoo hoo!"
There was a knock at the Apple Family house but nopony answered. It was Rarity's turn to watch over the foal princesses and she had come to pick them up from Applecjack's. She knocked again at the door.
"Hello?" she called, " I'm here to pick up the two darlings!"
As she knocked for a third time, the door creaked open. Somepony was evidently too tired or too lazy to have shut it properly. Taking this as an invitation, Rarity, in a regal sun hat, entered the house. She trotted over to the living room where an odd scene met her well makeup-ed eyes. The whole Apple family was passed out on the sofa. Applejack, Applebloom, Granny Smith, and Big Macintosh were all in a pile snoring with the force of bellows. They were covered in saw dust and Big Mac was covered bandages. While the Apples were knocked out on the sofa, Luna and Celestia were playing and cooing happily in a foals' crib toying with an old horseshoe.
Rarity rolled here eyes and smirked. Such lack of care! You can't just put two fillies in a play pen and sleep on the sofa! That's not proper foalsitting. Foals need to be cuddled and babied, not left all alone! Rarity knew that Applejack was a country ruff 'n tumble, but that didn't mean laziness in the care of children had to be involved. Using her magic, Rarity lifted Celestia and Luna out of their crib and placed them in an old fashioned and ornate foal carriage she had brought with her. Luna was still holding the drool covered horseshoe. Rarity cringed, pulled it away from her, and left it dripping on Applejack's lap. Applejack, being passed out, didn't seem to mind. Rarity wrote a note saying that she had picked up the princesses and stuck the note on Big Macintosh's forehead.
"Now that you're in the hooves of a proper lady," whispered Rarity, "I'm sure we'll have a splendid time at my boutique!"
Celestia and Luna merely looked up at her and smiled innocently. Rarity let out a small 'awwww!' They were so cute! This foalsitting would be anything but difficult.
************
"Spike!"
Twilight was in her lab suit and goggles in the basement of the library.
"Spike!" she called again, "I did it! I figured out a way to fix this! Ha ha HA I'm a genius genius GENIUS!!"
"What is that?" Spike asked as he entered the dark basement. Twilight held up a round bottle.
"It's an aging potion!" cried Twilight maniacally. Her mane was frizzy and her grin worried Spike.
"Great!" said Spike, "So this will fi-"
"We just need to test it" interrupted Twilight, "Spike! Bring in the test subject"
"Was that lightning?" asked Spike as he brought over a potted flower.
"Nevermind that!" cried Twilight, "Behold! Science!"
Twilight tipped a drop of potion onto the flower. The flower fizzed and popped and started to grow. Twilight laughed a laugh that would have made Discord proud. She looked again at the flower and her ears drooped. The flower made a fart noise, flopped over, and turned to ash with a slight poof.
"Darn," mumbled Twilight, "A failure."
"What now?" asked Spike.
"Time to think of something else..." sighed Twilight, "But first, to get rid of this flower in the garbage shoot. Spike, pull the lever!"
Spike ran to a set of levers on the wall and yanked one. A trap door swung open underneath Twilight. As she fell through, Spike could hear Twilight's screams.
"WRONG LEVER!!!
