Sprinkle Some of that Love and Friendship Sparkle

Twilight used her magic to lift a cup of apple tea. She pressed the warm glass cup to her purple lips and sipped the tea. She cringed because of the bitterness. She swallowed and a sour aftertaste commenced. Her eyes closed in response.

"Darn it! It tastes mighty worse than a rotten apple! Doesn't it?" she complained. "My creation will never taste good," Applejack sighed.

"Just a little more sugar." Twilight suggested.

"No point in tryin' if I never succeed!"

"AJ, just keep trying till you succeed. One day your apple tea will be super popular." Twilight said persuasively.

"Now somepony isn't the element of honesty. Hint, it's the one with purple eyes, isn't it." Applejack responded with slight rudeness. She slouched back in her seat with frustration. Her hat tipped over her face.

Twilight put down the cup and instead her horn lit up to put Applejack's hat on her head. "I was being completely frank, AJ. Many inventors had to create countless models to make the popular invention it is today." Applejack rolled her green eyes yet Twilight continued, "like for example, Star Swirled the Breaded had to experiment many-"

"TWI!" Spike came sprinting inside the Apple Family's kitchen. Panting he sighed, "letter from Prin-prin-cess Cel-lest-lest-tia."

Twilight Sparkle hopped out of her chair and used her unicorn magic to hold the letter. She unrolled it to reveal the writing inside.

She started reading, "Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

Please report to Canterlot Castle tomorrow. Promptly, at 9:30 AM. Please pack luggage for approximately a forth of a moon. You will be going to the galloping gorge with one other pony I have choose to come with you. More details tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia"

"A quest without us!" Applejack exclaimed. "Plus with some random pony?"

"Wow, she couldn't even tell you who you are going with. It could be some random filly that just learned how to read!" Spike complained.

Twilight explained, "the princess knows what she is doing. I trust her with whoever I am doing this with. Plus has anypony been to the galloping gorge."

"'fraid not." AJ sighed.

"Nope." Spike answered.

"But I'm thinkin' Granny Smith been there. Let's ask her." Applejack suggested.

They all got up and headed to Granny Smith that was napping in the living room.

"Granny, you be wakin' up now. Twi has a question." AJ said as she nudged her elderly grandmother.

"Whaa.." Granny Smith yawned while rubbing her eyes.

Twilight asked, "What is the Galloping Gorge like?"

Granny Smith sighed, "Well it's a train track with a gorge by it. The animal are gallopin' by it."

"Um, is that it Granny?" AJ asked confused.

"Oh yeah!" Her eyes were wide opened now. "There is this village under the train tracks. I reckon I've been there. Not as cheery as ponyville here. Everypony givin' me weird looks. I been steepin' out as soon as I got in."

"Hopefully you don't go there." Spike joked.

"No kiddin', " AJ said.

Twilight said very nervously, "Yeah-yeah I hope not. Hope-hope-fully she wont send there. With a random crazy pony. R-r-right?"

Twilight's hooves start twitching. Her ears started going up and down.

"Twi are you alright there?" AJ asked.

"Yeah, yeah." she answered lying. "I just got to go-," she hesitated, "pack. Yeah pack." Twilight sprinted out and Spike followed her.

Spike caught up briefly and walked close to her. "Twi, are you nervous?"

"To be honest, a little. A quest without my friends! In addition, in some shady place under train tracks. But, of course, I have to serve this duty for Princess Celestia." Twilight sighed. "Come on, help me pack, Spike!"

"Lunch, check. Blanket and pillow, check.