The Equinid (Undetermined Prologue)

The huge entrance hall of the Princess Celestia's palace was just as clean and polished as it had been before the Gala, the damages inflicted upon it during the party having been repaired.

A Royal Guard who had met them upon their arrival led the six ponies and single dragon up the main staircase. However, instead of continuing through the large door at the top, they took a right and went through a slightly smaller doorway that led to a regular sized hallway. At the end of it was an archway that in turn led to a wide, marble spiral staircase that wound up the inside of one of Canterlot's huge towers.

"This is the way to the private chambers reserved for guests," He explained.

When they had climbed about ten stories up, they reached a landing with a large double door guarded on either side and made of polished, flawless wood, which was bordered with gold, like everything else in Canterlot.

The guard detached a metal loop from his armor and began sifting through a variety of keys attached to it.

He found the one he was looking for and unlocked the door, pushing both sides open.

The group gasped and murmured in awe; their room was massive. They hadn't expected to be sharing a room, but this one was large enough to fit any building in Ponyville inside.

The white marble floor was decorated with patterns and designs of black marble, a giant sun design in the center of it. Smooth columns ran along the marble walls, which themselves were symmetrically punctuated by large windows.

Eight beds were arranged, four on each side, also in a symmetrical fashion. They were all much larger than was necessary, and a plethora of pillows sat at the head of each one.

"You will all be sleeping here for the duration of your visit. If you have any questions, just ask one of the guards outside of the door," Their guide instructed, awaiting dismissal.

"Thank you, we appreciate your hospitality," Twilight said.

The guard gave a slight bow of his head, then turned and trotted out of the room.

"Whoa; this has gotta be the biggest bedroom in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly, flying around the high-ceilinged room. "I can do laps in here!" She chuckled.

"It is certainly a room worthy of royalty," Rarity sighed. "Could you imagine sleeping in a place like this every night?"

"I haven't even been in Canterlot's private chambers before," Twilight breathed. "This is an incredible honor, girls. This is as close to the royal quarters as anypony can get."

"They should've had the Gala up here, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, before gasping, "LOOK! There are big balconies over there, too! They could've made a super sky-high outside party there!"

"It sure ain't nothin' Ah'm used ta. Mah whole room's only about tha size a one a these beds," Applejack commented.

One side of the double door behind them swung open.

A guard in curiously silver armor trotted in and looked about the room, and then at the six fillies.

"Is Archer in here?" He asked. Before any of them could answer, he shook his head to himself and mumbled in frustration as he ran back out the door.

Twilight giggled. "Guard mix ups. Happens all the time. We should all get unpacked."

About twenty minutes later, Twilight found Applejack standing on the balcony alongside Pinkie Pie.

"And check this one out!" Twilight could hear Rainbow Dash shout as a multicolored streak screamed past the balcony. The blue pegasus dove sharply before rearing and shooting up vertically, which was followed by a series of twists and loops that were so quickly executed, Twilight became dizzy from just watching.

The streak ended abruptly on the balcony, and Dash trotted over to the two earth ponies as the rainbow faded.

"How about THAT?" Dash panted.

"WOW! That wasn't just awesome, it was SUPER awesome! It was soooo cool! Even though your routine is always super cool, but that was EXTRA super cool!" Pinkie Pie shouted excitedly.

Dash smiled and then looked to Applejack expectantly.

"Aw, don't give me that look, sugarcube. Wasn't a half bad run, Ah'd say."

Dash beamed even more. Pinkie Pie would always respond positively, but a compliment from Applejack without criticism was far more rare and rewarding.

"Hey, girls; what're you doing?" Twilight made her presence known.

"Oh hi, Twilight! We were just watching Dash do some super cool flying routines!" Pinkie Pie replied.

"Ya just missed it! It was one a my best runs yet!" Dash exclaimed.

"Sorry about that, Dash; tell me next time." Twilight said.

Dash waved a hoof. "It's cool."

"Anyway, I was coming to ask you all if you wanted to go out somewhere in Canterlot. I know a couple of good places we could visit."

Dash shrugged. "I'm up for it, how 'bout you guys?" she asked the two earth ponies beside her.

"Sounds good ta me, sugarcube."

"Yeah! That sounds super exciting!"

"Great! Rarity and Fluttershy are doing each other's hair right now, but I think they're almost done."

At this moment, Rarity walked out onto the balcony alongside Fluttershy. "We're -my, what a view- ready, darling."

Rarity suddenly remembered something. "Also, Dash, please try to let us relax during this vacation; your prank almost scared poor Fluttershy to death." She extended a hoof and displayed a piece of paper. The paper had a drawing of a face on it; it was pale white with no features save solid black eyes and lips.

"I don't know how you slipped this into her saddlebags without her noticing, dear."

Dash shook her head and gave an offended look to Rarity. "I didn't put that in any of her saddlebags."

Rarity turned to Pinkie Pie and looked at her expectantly.

"OH! You think I did it! Nope! Wasn't me! Trust me, I remember EVERY prank that I do!" She said.

"Well, it seems as if one of us isn't telling the truth. No matter! If it continues, we'll find the culprit." Rarity concluded.

"Yeah, we should probably get going right now, actually. Some of Canterlot's venues get busy early." Twilight said.

"Alright, alright; let's go then!" Dash shot back inside the room.

As they proceeded inside, Rarity pulled Fluttershy aside.

"Are you feeling quite alright, dear? You're shaking; I know you don't do well with scares, but you seem particularly alarmed."

"Oh, um, I'm okay, Rarity. I'm not still scared, I just have shivers right now, I think; but, um, thank you for asking."

"No need to thank me, darling; I only want to be sure you'll enjoy yourself, you do work so hard. Tell me if there's anything I can do for you, dear. I want this to be a more enjoyable experience for all of us; I feel like we all deserve it, given our last visit here."

Fluttershy smiled and nodded, before she noticed that the others were waiting for them.

"I think we should, um, catch up with them, if that's alright."

Rarity nodded and they both trotted to fall in line with their friends.