The Great Crusade to Canterlot

Rarity galloped across the cluttered room, transporting a messy stack of papers enshrouded by her magical aura. Sweetie Belle closed her eyes as the cloud of dust from her stampeding sister overtook her body.

"You're sure I can't-" Sweetie coughed.

"Everything is fine, Sweetie!" Rarity threw the papers onto a table and grabbed a quill. "Just... a little behind is all!"

"Yeah, but I can probably take care of the-"

"No need! I have everything under control!" Rarity's upper lip twitched as she smiled. "Just give me some time to get organized, and then I'll find something for you to do. Time is almost up and I must finish this filing! We only have a few more days to submit our forms for the potential theatre groups!"

Sweetie Belle frowned and kicked a hoof. "Alright. I understand." She sighed and sat her flank against the plush carpet.

Rarity noticed her sister's disappointment and stopped everything she was doing. A hoof was placed upon Sweetie's shoulder. "You've been a big help, Sweetie. It's been absolutely wonderful spending so much time with you. I mean look at us; we're in Canterlot helping to open a brand new theatre!"

Sweetie's face was smushed against Rarity's cheek as the older sister attempted to offer comfort. "I know, it's just... I miss my friends in Ponyville. I'm happy to be helping you, Rarity; I just wish we could go home soon..."

Rarity released Sweetie from her overly loving grip. "Time will simply fly by once we prepare for the big show! Just a few more submissions and then all we need to do is wait for one of them to accept our offer to perform." Rarity excitedly rubbed her hooves together and squealed. "It'll be opening night before you know it and then we can taste the fruits of all our hard work!"

Sweetie tilted her head. "Wait, now we’re growing fruit, too?" Her voice cracked at the end of the question.

Rarity blinked and patted Sweetie on the head. "No, darling, it's just an expression."

A hoof knocked against the wooden door of the theatre. Rarity fluffed the curl in her purple mane and cleared her throat. “I’ll get tha- Actually; why don’t you answer the door, Sweetie?” She smiled as Sweetie Belle quickly scampered across the room.

Sweetie grunted and pulled the heavy door open. She fell onto her rump as a stallion eagerly poked his head into the doorway. Clenched in his maw was a letter with a crude drawing of a pick axe and sword over the flap.

“First class letter for a Ms. Belle!” the stallion shouted.

“Right here!” Sweetie squeed.

The letter fell from his mouth and into her shaking hooves.

“It’s from Button! He finally wrote back!” Sweetie bit down on the letter and looked over to the ever busy Rarity. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me,” she said with a muffled voice.

Before the mail pony could depart, Rarity placed a shiny bit in his hoof. “For your troubles, sir. I know Canterlot has been a bit of a mess for you delivery ponies.”

The stallion beamed and shoved the bit into his pocket. “Much obliged! This place has been driving me nuts. Mail delivery in Cloudsdale was a trot in the park compared to all the new regulations here. The security is through the roof! I sure hope it doesn’t affect your opening night.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll be fine. Our guests will most likely be local folks from Canterlot.” Rarity looked away. “Though I’m sure we’d pull in a much larger crowd if things were back to normal.”

“I sure hope Princess Celestia makes an announcement soon. All this tension can’t be good for the citizens!”

“Seems like there are more royal guards patrolling the city each day…” Rarity pushed the unpleasantness from her mind. “Listen to me rambling on! I’m sorry for wasting so much of your time!” She dropped another bit into his pocket and winked. “It’ll be our little secret, yes?”

The mail pegasus nodded and quickly flew off to his next delivery. Rarity closed the door with her back and slid down to the ground. “I do miss the old Canterlot. It was so much nicer being able to come and go as I pleased. Hopefully whatever royal business is going on comes to an end soon. It would be nice to see my friends again…”

Situated at the corner of Mane Street and Express Way was a newly renovated performing arts theatre: Sip of Coco. The windows had been covered by large white posters with a simple black silhouette of a mare. The words Opening Soon were practically leaping from the marquee and onto the ponies walking along the street below. The size of the theatre looked to seat about a few hundred patrons.  Canterlot wasn't as large as Manehattan, so a crowd of two hundred would be considered massive. What it lacked in numbers, it made up for by having the most prestigious names in both fashion and entertainment. Any new theatre in Canterlot would have its work cut out in order to make a name for itself.

. . . . . .

Dear Sweetie,

When the hay are you coming back?! Do you realize how far behind we are on building that tree fort?! Not to mention it’s boring spending all of my time in the tunnels alone. I definitely need a helping hoof if I ever expect to clear the last dungeon.

I tried begging mom to take me to Canterlot, but she said that ticket prices are just too high. Did something happen there? Are you okay? Well, I guess you are, since you did write me… Wait. Are you okay now?!

Mom told me there is some rumor going around that something bad happened at the castle a few months ago. Now because of that ponies can’t visit unless they have special passes that cost a lot of bits. I tried saving my allowance, but I blew it on a new controller for my NeighStation. Sorry…

I’ll try harder!

Hey, if I can’t come there, maybe you can tell your sister that you want to come home? Then we can have a sleepover and sneak in some more gaming after mom falls asleep! She keeps forcing me to go outside ‘cuz I’m “moping all the time.” I don’t even know what moping means! Though I think my brother complained the other day because he had to “mope” the kitchen floor after dinner.

I’m gonna wrap this up. Life is boring here. Wish I had some cool stuff to talk about. OH! I did get a new beanbag chair in my room! It’s so cool! And it’s got room for two!

W e’re gonna have so much fun when you get back! Miss you!

Still mining at night,

Button

P.S. Miss Cheerliee is making us write some dumb paper as our next big assignment. You’re lucky that you get to skip school for so long…

Sweetie's ear flicked as a shrill scream from Rarity sounded downstairs. She dropped the letter and galloped down to the source of the sound.

"Rarity, is everything o...kay?"

Her hooves skidded to a halt as she watched Rarity dancing on her hind legs with an earth pony. The off-white mare had a two-toned light cyan mane with her bangs chopped to rest just above her eyes. A lavender sailor collar was held around her neck with a small scarlet tie. Sweetie Belle walked forward and winced at the incessant squeals of what she only assumed were happiness.

"Sweetie Belle! Coco has wonderful news!" Rarity's front legs dropped back onto the ground.

Coco's lips turned up into a smile as she tried to contain her excitement. "I was just telling Rarity that Manehattan's premier theatre group, Trotalus, has agreed to lend us their services for our opening night!" Coco's hooves were shaking as she tried to steady her body.

Sweetie picked up the scroll on the floor and started reading the good news. “We are pleased to announce that we have reviewed your submission and would be delighted to assist you during your theatre’s opening night. We’ll make sure to send our finest ponies to ensure it’s a night you’ll never forget.”

"It was just hoof-delivered by one of their local scouts in Canterlot. Apparently Trotalus has been looking for new opportunities to spread their shows outside of Bridleway." Coco clapped her hooves together.

Rarity danced in place and giggled. "We have so much work ahead of us! Costumes, props, advertising; the works!"

"They don't supply any of that?" Sweetie questioned.

Coco shook her head from side-to-side. "Our agreement only contracts the actors and their choice of a play."

"Which play are we setting up?" The filly didn't sound nearly as enthusiastic as her sister or Coco.

"I Want to be Your Griffon: one of the most timeless and epic plays ever scribed by a pony! We're going to be sold out in ten seconds flat!" Rarity winked at her sister.

Sweetie groaned and placed a hoof against her forehead.

"Heh, heh, sorry. Couldn't resist." Rarity blushed.

"I think we could all use the rest of the day off!" Coco proclaimed. "Rarity, Sweetie; I want you both to enjoy the rest of the day and take in some of Canterlot's charm. It may even inspire you for the upcoming weeks of set design and costumes!"

She wrapped her forelegs around the sisters as tears formed in her eyes. "It means so much to me to share this moment with you both. I don't think any of this would have been possible without your help."

Sweetie melted at the sincerity of Coco's words and responded with an affectionate nuzzle. "We're happy to help!"

. . . . . .

Rarity closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the mountain air blowing through streets of Canterlot. The pointed flags whipped atop the steeples scattered throughout the city. Outside stairwells spiraled around the ivory colored towers, which housed residents as well as some businesses.

Canterlot was situated on the side of a mountain, with a portion of the city actually suspended high above the ground. Of course with so many talented unicorn architects living in the city, intricate supports were crafted and placed into the mountainside to ensure that the city and castle could safely keep watch over Equestria.

Most of the taller buildings, including Canterlot Castle itself, could be seen from down below in Ponyville. While the distance between the cities was no more than a day trip, the recent security measures had made any voyage into the city very time consuming and costly. Without a proper explanation from Princess Celestia, panic was starting to spread among the nobles. But for Rarity and Sweetie Belle this was just another sisterly stroll down the street.

"Isn't this wonderful, Sweetie? A whole day for us to just spoil ourselves after some well-deserved news!"

"Uh huh," Sweetie murmured. The brim of Rarity's oversized sun hat poked her in the head every time her older sister swiveled her neck to take in the sights.

"Should we eat first, or perhaps do some pampering? My hooves could use some attention." Rarity stopped walking and examined her front hoof. She gagged at the sight and shook off her disgust.

"Hmmmm... you pick!" Sweetie forced a smile.

"Oh, okay. We can stop and get hooficures, purchase a few dresses for opening night, and end the afternoon with some lunch." Rarity grabbed Sweetie's hoof and hurriedly crossed the street. "In fact, if we hurry we can still catch the early bird spa package down at Mare-nifique!"

Sweetie shouted as she was pulled past the stopped taxi carts on the main road.

. . . . . .

A stack of pink boxes were wobbling on Sweetie's back as she carefully followed behind her sister. "Can we eat yet? I'm starving..." She blushed as her belly gurgled.

"It certainly sounds like somepony is hungry!" Rarity joked.

"Not funny," Sweetie said with a huff.

"Only teasing, darling! We'll simply hop into the next cafe we find." Rarity placed a foreleg over her eyes and scanned the busy street. "Ah! I see one just a few doors down. Not sure I've been there before..."

"I don't care! I need to eat something! A carrot, some oats; anything! I'd even settle for bowl of cereal at this point." Sweetie teetered back and forth. The tower of boxes swayed in unison with her body.

. . . . . .

A velvet cloth was draped across the table. Rarity inspected her gem encrusted plate, while Sweetie groaned and placed a set of hooves against her rumbling stomach.

"Food..." The filly muttered.

"Sweetie, please, try to act a bit more... refined!" Rarity felt a drop of sweat trickle down her forehead. Several nearby ponies were glaring at them.

"But I'm hungry!" Her bottom lip trembled. "We worked all morning, and then ran a bunch of errands all afternoon! Not to mention those boxes were heavy."

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity declared in a forceful whisper. "Keep your voice down!"

Two menus were placed in front of each pony. Rarity nodded in gratitude as the waiter headed for the next table. Piano music started to play from across the lounge. A soft clapping of hooves sounded throughout the cafe.

"Rarity, I don't like all this," Sweetie whined.

"Come now, it's wonderful here! So elegant, so charming, so-"

"-boring..." Sweetie murmured.

Rarity sighed and distracted her feelings with the menu. "I just thought it would be nice to show you around Canterlot a bit." Her eyes welled up with tears. "But... I suppose you just don't appreciate anything I've done for you!"

The surrounding ponies glared and cleared their throats after Rarity's outburst.

"Now who's causing a scene...?” Sweetie's eyes darted back and forth at their numerous onlookers. "And it's not that I'm ungrateful. I just don't like as much of this frilly stuff as you do. I miss my friends and playing outside. You know, in the dirt?"

Rarity bit her lip and shuddered. "You'd rather be outside wearing capes and running around in the dirt instead of-" She watched Sweetie Belle's ever-growing smile as she spoke. It was then that Rarity started to remember that her little sister was still just a filly. Not to mention she didn't have the same love for fashion as Rarity.

"I love spending time with you and Coco, but I miss Apple Bloom and Scootaloo." A slight blush came to her cheeks. "And Button."

"Oh, yes, Button. He's your little coltfriend in Ponyville. I still don't think I've ever had the pleasure of a proper sit down with him." Rarity abandoned her thoughts of high society and decided to indulge in her sister's life. "I think you'll need to invite him over for dinner some night. After all, anypony who wishes to have my little sister's hoof must pass my inspection!”

A fresh loaf of bread was placed between them. Sweetie breathed in the aroma and quickly tore off a chunk. While she was chewing, Rarity placed a humble order of carrot soup for herself and a special order for Sweetie Belle.

"Do you not have grilled cheese? It's quite simple to make." Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"N-no, ma'am, we can make it. It's just not very... Well, you see..."

"A grilled cheese sandwich with a warm – warm, mind you – bowl of tomato soup is one of my sister's favorite lunches. Now, be a dear and place our orders with the chef, 'kay?" Rarity batted her eyelashes.

The waiter stumbled over his own legs and scurried back to the kitchen.

"Thanks, Rarity," Sweetie smiled and chomped her teeth down onto the fluffy loaf of bread.

"It's the least I can do for such a wonderful sister!"

. . . . . .

The sound of running water crept under the locked door to Sweetie’s personal bathroom. While staying in Canterlot, Coco had booked a small building down the street from the theatre for Rarity and Sweetie to call home. Each sister had their own bedroom and bathroom to avoid any early morning conflicts. With Rarity often falling asleep down at the theatre, Sweetie Belle generally had the rental home to herself. It was her own getaway from the fancy life outside her front door.

More importantly, it was where she had been keeping all of her letters from Button Mash.

“Now to add some bubbles!” Sweetie squeezed the bubble bath into the tub and watched as the water from the faucet collided with the pink solution. Within moments, the bathtub was filled with a protective layer of sparkly bubbles. She slipped her body into the warm water and sank until only her head was spared from the rosy scent of the bubbles.

Sweetie swirled the water with her front hoof and closed her eyes.

“I really think we should get back to work, Button. Miss Cheerilee is only giving us a few days to finish this project. If we head down to Sweet Apple Acres I’m sure we can find the missing leaves for the scrapbook.” Sweetie Belle was sitting on a couch with her head propped up by her forelegs.

“Uh huh.” Button muttered as he fiddled around behind the television.

“Button! You’re not even listening!”

“Am too! We’ve been working all afternoon on this dumb leaf collecting project. They all look the same! I need to take a break.”

Sweetie wrinkled her muzzle and huffed. “Fine. We’ll take a quick break, okay?”

“Uh huh.” Button’s hooves were tangled in a black cord running from the wall to the small television in his living room.

“What are you doing anyway?”

Button untangled his forelegs and jumped onto the sofa next to Sweetie Belle. Dangling from his mouth were two controllers to his fancy new NeighStation set up on the ground. The dark green rectangle looked no bigger than a horseshoebox, but was supposedly a cutting edge device capable of playing arcade games in the comfort of a pony’s home. “You can be player two!”

“Ugh, Button, no… I’m not playing a video game with you.” Sweetie rolled her eyes and scooted away from him. “I’m only here because we were paired up for this project.”

Button’s ears lowered as he slowly pushed one of the controllers closer. “This isn’t just any game though! This hasn’t even been released in an arcade! Only on the NeighStation.” He blushed and turned his head away. “I-I just thought you’d like to try it. I always hear about your adventures with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.” He swallowed and adjusted the beanie cap on his head. “Maybe, ya know, this could be an adventure we could go on together…”

Sweetie smiled a bit. She picked up the controller and clicked the buttons with her right hoof, while her left hoof pushed the nub of the joystick. “Well… I suppose a quick game couldn’t hurt. Everypony did warn me that you were a bit of a game nut.”

“N-nut?! That’s not fair! It’s just what I like!” Button panicked and flailed around on the sofa.

“It’s fine, Button! Don’t worry. I like how passionate you are about it. Maybe… you’ll get your cutie mark from playing these things.”

“Heh, or making them…” He grinned and pressed a button on the controller to start the game.

“I’m pretty sure only unicorns can make stuff like this.” Sweetie blinked.

“Making them, playing them, whatever. I’m not really worried about my cutie mark.”

“Y-you’re not?”

“Everypony eventually gets one. Maybe you’ll get yours before me, or maybe I’ll get mine before you. It’s not a big deal.” He stuck his tongue out as he navigated the menus on the screen.

“What if… I never get one?” Sweetie frowned and stared at the black loading screen. She was immediately reminded of the blankness on her flank.

“I guess we can always paint one on!” Button snickered and turned his attention to the filly. “But, uh, even if you had a blank flank forever, I’d still hang out with you. You’re the only filly who really talks to me in class. I was starting to think I smelled or something…”

Sweetie scooted across the couch until she was next to Button. “Those other fillies are going to be really jealous when I tell them all about us playing – what game is this again?”

“It’s called Mineshaft.”

“Sounds… neat?” Her tone rose in confusion.

“Just wait until you see all the cool stuff we can do! We can build anything we want, go exploring, and fight monsters! It’s so cool!” Button rubbed the back of his head and grinned. “Not gonna lie. When I heard you were coming over to work on the project I used some of my spare bits to buy another controller… I really wanted somepony to play with.”

A red hue washed over Sweetie Belle’s cheeks. “You did that for me? Then you better teach me how to play!”

“It could take a while… We might be up really late fighting scary monsters and digging through dark caves!”

She nuzzled against him and smiled. “It’s a date!”

“We played that game all night. He was so cute when he fell asleep with the controller in his hooves.” Sweetie swatted at the mound of bubbles floating toward her mouth. “I’d give anything to be back in Ponyville right now.”

. . . . . .

The dimming orange sun was setting behind the tree line of the orchard. Applejack was laying in her newly renovated wagon alongside Apple Bloom. The filly was curled up with her head resting on Applejack’s chest. Another day on the farm had come and gone. The distant stomps of hind legs against tree trunks were silenced. Behind the two ponies was a shed filled with the day’s apple harvest. Apple Bloom could feel her eyes closing as she listened to her sister’s heartbeat.

“I still can’t believe the wagon’s fixed.” Applejack tipped her hat up and stared down at her sister. “And not just any wood neither. She looks almost identical to the pictures in the old photo album. I thought for sure we’d be sending this old thing off into the barn one last time…”

“This wagon’s a part of the family, too! I know how much it means to you, Applejack.” Apple Bloom’s face beamed with pride.

“It’s just… how did ya afford it? I know for a fact that piggy bank of yours barely rattles whenever I shake it!”

“Oh, uh, well, I have another piggy bank… fer family emergencies! I just dipped into that one.” The filly squeed.

“You best not be fibbin’ to me!” Applejack narrowed her eyes. “C’mon now, out with it!”

Apple Bloom sat up and ran her hoof along the newly polished wood.  “I don’t think you’d believe me even if I did tell you the truth.”

“That’s just cow patties! You know I always believe you, Apple Bloom.” Applejack smirked and rubbed the back of her head. “Er, well, most of the time anyway.”

“Very funny,” Apple Bloom said under her breath. “The truth is… The truth is that I went down to the pet show after all.”

Applejack shot her a look of disapproval.

“But not with Winona! I went with Fluttershy. See, I told her that I really wanted to prove that I could help the family by fixin’ up the old wagon. If I couldn’t enter, then Fluttershy was gonna take my place.”

“That’s mighty kind of Fluttershy to help you like that,” Applejack smiled a bit.

“That ain’t the whole story though… See, we met Fox Chase and Reynard there. I told Chase everything about Scootaloo’s accident and how I wanted to help you. Then… Angel bailed on Fluttershy and I lost my chance to win any bits for the wagon repairs.” Apple Bloom smirked. “Then guess who showed up? Flim and Flam!”

“Sweet Celestia, what were those two troublemakers up to?”

“They had this scary Timberwolf under a spell and were controlling it! Then he broke loose and everypony started to panic! That’s when Chase told me if he was able to snag first place for Reynard’s performance he would give me every last bit he earned. Well, he won and gave me all his money! Then Pinkie and Fluttershy took the wagon downtown this morning to get the old wood replaced and the wheels fixed. She’s stronger than ever now!”

Applejack rested her head on the wooden interior of the wagon and watched the clouds moving overhead. Her hat fell off as she sat back up. The blonde bangs of her mane were hanging over her right eye before she pushed them aside. “Ya know, when I talked to him at the pub he kept sayin’ he was havin’ a weird day. I guess that’s what he was fussin’ over. He never even mentioned all the commotion in Ponyville though...”

Apple Bloom invaded Applejack’s personal space by shoving her muzzle closer. “That’s ‘cuz he’s super nice! I don’t think any of the stallions in Ponyville are as thoughtful as him!” She blushed a bit. “Wait, that came out wrong!”

“Sounds to me like somepony’s got a little crush on the new guy!” Applejack teased. She grabbed her hat and hopped down from the wagon. “We can talk more inside. Dinner should be ready soon.”

“Where is Chase anyway?”

“Still sleepin’ in the barn. After he was done in the orchard wit’ your brother he passed out on a bale of hay. Musta worked himself to the bone.”

“Should I wake him up?” Apple Bloom jumped down from the wagon and landed next to her sister.

“No need. I told granny to set a place for him at the table. Long as he’s here; he’s part of the family. So don’t get any ideas about elopin’!” Applejack winked and laughed her way back to their front door.

“That ain’t funny! I was just sayin’ that he’s a nice pony is all! ‘Sides, I’m too busy for a relationship. I still gotta get this dang cutie mark!”

Apple Bloom confidently gaited past her older sister and pushed her way into the house. Applejack turned and looked at the barn. She tiptoed over and nosed the door open slightly. Reynard lifted an ear and planted a watchful eye on Applejack. Chase was out cold on the hay bale.

Applejack grabbed a blanket in her teeth and snapped her head to cover the snoozing stallion. Chase murmured in his sleep but quickly returned to snoring. After he stopped squirming, she tucked the blanket around his body.  Realizing there was no threat; Reyn curled back into a ball and continued his own dreams.

“You feel free to stay here as long as you’d like, sugarcube.” She smiled and carefully closed the creaky barn door.

/) To Be Continued (\