Dawn's Story

As we were on the path to the Apple Family Farm, a realization hit me, and my eyes flew open when it did. I turned to Starlight.

"I've just remembered why I recognized Rarity!"

"You recognized her?"

"Yes! At first I thought maybe I knew somepony that looked like her, but it turns out I've seen her before. You remember the story of how I fought Chrysalis?"

"No... Should I?"

"Well, I guess I never filled you in on the whole thing. Basically, she's the reason I went into hiding. Anyways, while I was fighting her, I got blown through the wall of a house. When I got up and looked around, I saw that there was a birthday party going on."

"So..."

"It was Rarity's birthday party! Now, that wouldn't be a big deal, except Rarity might recognize me if we aren't careful."

"Why would that matter?"

"If Rarity figures out who I am, she might assume that I'm here to cause trouble. That could pose a problem."

"I'm sure we'll be fine. She couldn't have been old enough to remember that anyways."

"I sure hope so."

We had reached the front door of the farm.

"Just like last time. I'll do the talking, and you'll use the same cover that you used with Rarity." Starlight said.

Unlike the other places we had passed, the farm still had a few lights on. We knocked, and the door was answered by a young filly.

"Uh, hello Apple Bloom. Is Applejack here?" Starlight asked.

"Yeah, she just came in for lunch. Should ah get her?"

Was it lunchtime already?

"Would you please?"

"Sure!"

We waited for about a minute, before an orange pony came to the door.

"What can ah do for ya, Starlight?"

"The map is summoning us to Canterlot. I think it has something to do with all the missing ponies."

"Oh, well you're gonna have to give me a minute to say mah goodbyes."

"We'll wait out here."

"Who's we?" Asked Applejack.

I took a step forward, and she turned to look at me. As she looked me over, her eyes caught my wings and horn, and then met my own.

"You're a princess?"

"Yes and no." I responded.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She's been treated more as an ambassador than a princess lately." Starlight interjected.

"Why haven't I heard of you before?"

"She's spent such a long time visiting neighbors of Equestria."

"But why has nopony ever mentioned before? Ah've only heard of five alicorns."

"They keep her existence quiet, in case some villain like Tirek comes along."

"Can she answer her own questions?"

"I'm a pony of few words. My name's Dawn. I'm assuming you're Applejack?" I stated before Starlight could make something up.

"You're assuming correctly. Nice to meet you. Now, ah'm gonna tell the family what's going on, then ah'll be out."

"We'll start walking back to the castle. Just catch up with us."

And then we were off. In a few minutes, Applejack joined us. The whole walk back, she wouldn't stop staring at my wings. For somepony with an alicorn friend, she seemed fascinated by me.

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

"Aside from Twilight, ah don't hang around princesses very often, though ah do see them more often than most ponies. What's your title?"

"My title?"

"Yeah."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Twilight's the Princess of Friendship. That's her title."

"Ah, I see. I am the Princess of Diversity."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"For a long time, I was a bit of an outsider. I managed to find ways to fit in, but I was always a standalone. With Celestia's guidance, I managed to figure out that I didn't need to conform in order to fit in, and I was fine the way I was. When I earned the role of princess, it became my job to help portray that message to other ponies who needed to hear it. I was essentially a more formal version of these Cutie Mark Crusaders I've been hearing about."

"Since the CMC's are sort of stealing your job, what are you going to do now?" Applejack asked.

Up until now, I hadn't thought of what I was going to do if Twilight was able to help me. I wasn't sure if the rest of the princesses would allow me to take back my title.

"Maybe I could recruit them, or better yet, maybe I could see if they'll recruit me."

"That'd be great for them! They're still so young, and that would help them make a bigger name for themselves. My little sister is one of the founders of the CMC's."

"The one that answered the door?"

"That's her."

"She seemed nice enough."

"Nice enough? That's all you thought of her?"

I couldn't tell if she was joking or serious. Seeing my unease, her eyes softened.

"Hey, relax. Ah'm just pullin' your leg."

This made me feel a little better, but the conversation had died. Sensing the awkwardness creeping in, Starlight intervened.

"We're here." She announced.

Though this was half-true, we still had another five minutes before we would truly arrive. She was simply changing the subject.

We entered the castle, and immediately made our way to the room where I had eaten breakfast. The thought of food made me hungry, as we had already missed lunchtime. Applejack took her seat, while Starlight reclaimed Twilight's. The seat I had used before was now occupied, so I sat on the other side of Starlight, right next to who I assumed was Fluttershy. This chair was marked with a multicolored lightning bolt, originating from a white cloud.

The map had not deactivated, and everypony could see their Cutie Marks hovering in a circle over Canterlot. Although nopony had officially declared it, Starlight seemed to be taking the lead.

"We all know why we're here. The Map is calling us to Canterlot, and I'm willing to bet anything that this has to do with the missing ponies." Announced Starlight.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going." Rarity said, not trying to hide her impatience.

It seemed that Starlight had more she wanted to say, but the other two ponies sided with Rarity, so she cut her announcement short.

"If you all feel that way, then I guess we can get started."

Without another word, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy got up and walked out. Starlight hesitated, so I figured something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. Something just doesn't seem right, but I can't put my hoof on it."

"You've got a whole train ride to figure it out. If you need somepony to talk to, I suppose you have me. I might not give the best advice, but I'm willing to listen."

"No, it's fine."

"At least let me know if you figure it out."

"Will do."

We joined the other three at the station, and then we were on our way to Canterlot.