Cheerilee smiled at the class. "It is a special honor that I welcome our next parent, Miss Pear Butter!" She waved towards the door leading outside. "Please, welcome her."

The door opened and the most gorgeous earth mare walked in, her pale orange coat gleaming in the sunlight. She had an air of confidence about her as she tossed her mane and strode to the front of the class. "Well, howdy do! Ah'm Apple Bloom's mom." She pointed out Apple Bloom in the crowd of seated foals. "An' we run Sweet Apple Acres, a tradition that's run thick in our family for generations!" She winked. "In fact, we have generations still living there. Granny woulda came if ah didn't."

Cheerilee chirped. "Well, I think this is a splendid surprise for us all. We get to meet a farmer, not something most ponies know about." She smiled as the children focused on Miss Butter, staring and awestruck by her presence.

Pear Butter advanced with a gentle smile. "Now, bet a lot of you are thinkin' 'what's so hard 'bout raisin' some apples?' Right? Just plant a tree and let the tree take care ah the rest! But that ain't true!" She began going over the broad nature of the work a pony had to do to keep apple trees healthy and happy.

Apple Bloom's eyes were sparkling, watching her mother take the class in hoof. She really was amazing. And Applejack was too, in her own way. Thinking on it, she was surrounded by powerful mares, each with their own unique talents and skills. She was a lucky little filly.

Pear Butter spread her arms out. "So that's a farmer. We put our hearts an' souls into what we grow. Ah hope y'all enjoy my family's fine produce, it was grown with love!" The crowd applauded with clapping hooves as she bowed and turned for the door, just to pause. "Oh, right." She turned back. "Any questions? Shouldn't just vamoose without checkin'."

Diamond Tiara flicked her tail in disinterest. "Yeah, I got one."

Pear Butter stopped and faced Diamond. "Well, fire away, kiddo."

Diamond Tiara lashed her tail. "How come your farm is failing? Aren't you a real farmer? You just told us all that stuff. And it's all important stuff too. So, why aren't you making money?" She leaned in.

Pear Butter recoiled lightly. "How—" She bit that last part off. "Diamond Tiara, daughter of Spoiled Rich." She reared up, folding her arms. "Of course you'd have your nose buried in ledgers, apparently even ones that literally ain't yer business!" She tilted her head forward, glaring at Diamond. "If you had any manners, you wouldn't ask something like that."

Diamond didn't look impressed, smirking. But a hand landed on her shoulder. Peeking over, Spike was shaking his head at her. "Ugh, fine. I still want to know how you plan to fix it."

Spike cleared his throat and raised a hand.

Pear Smiled gently at Spike. "Little dear, what did you want to say?"

"Well, um, I'm also interested in knowing how you plan to solve this, because I heard there are some problems and all." He was just as curious about that part of it as the others, but he was better at choosing his words. "But I also have an idea." He waved at Diamond Tiara. "My girlfriend knows about that kinda stuff. She may be, uh, a little prickly sometimes, but she knows about bits."

Diamond huffed at being called prickly. "When it comes to that, a pony has to be serious, Spike." She brought her hooves together and leaned forward with a calculating smile. "I'll be by after school, Miss Butter. Let's go over the books."

Pear Butter rubbed her forehead. "Little dear, a mommy has to have some secrets too. But you can stop by for a snack if you want."

Spike and Diamond looked to each other with silly grins. "Sure." Diamond winked at Pear Butter. "A snack, later, today. Be ready." She sat back in her seat. "No further questions."

Spike hopped up into his seat. "No, um, further questions either."

Apple Bloom poked her head over Spike's seat. "Thanks, Spike."

He blushed, shaking his head. "It's fine, it's what friends are for." He had a hunch Diamond would only listen to him when he was with her. "I think she means well, really. Sorry."

Cheerilee cleared her throat. "Let's give Miss Butter one last applause on her way out. Thank you for stopping by today! She was very informative and kind!"

"You're welcome, little ponies!" Pear Butter waved before leaving.

Cheerilee smiled at the tiny collection of student in front of her. "Well, class, what did we learn today?"

Scootaloo piped up. "A lot of Apple Bloom's family runs a farm." She swished her tail gently. "Maybe her whole family. That's really cool."

Sweetie Belle tipped her head at that. "And they're very proud to keep a good thing going." She glanced back at the door, wanting to see Pear Butter again. "She's super pretty."

"Really? I thought she was kinda plain." Diamond Tiara flicked her tail sharply. "Not ugly, but there are prettier mares around."

That earned her a mixture of looks from around the class.

Cheerilee coughed into a hoof. "Let's not gauge the attractiveness of our visiting parents, for good or bad, hm? That's not appropriate for schoolfoals." She huffed gently. "Now then, let's move on to the next parent."

Twilight sat up, eyes scanning over the parchment of the floating scroll with increasing amounts of disbelief. "My brother." She slapped the scroll down. "He's getting married!"

Moon inclined her head. "Who to?"

Twilight put both hooves on Moon's shoulders. "Does that matter?! He just gets married, like that?! I thought he was my BBBFF! How could he even get involved with a mare without me even knowing?!"

Moon rubbed at her cheek slowly. "I am the wrong pony to ask about this, but he is your brother."

"Yes." Twilight glared at Moon with mildly crazed eyes. "Do you doubt that?!"

Moon reared back, half-cowering behind her stack of books. "It was just a question." She mumbled gently into the book cover she held up to shield herself from Twilight's anger. "Brothers, grown brothers, are not obligated to inform their sisters, their grown sisters, of their every action, especially not romantic ones."

Twilight flailed her forehooves wildly in frustration. "That doesn't mean he should hide it from me!"

"I would agree." Moon peeped out from behind the book she held. "But he did invite you." She pointed to the floating scroll. "So he's not hiding it?"

Twilight growled as she stamped her hooves against the floorboards. "I can't believe him! Not even telling me when he was courting her!"

Moon chanced a look over her books. "Twilight, they could be very good friends who decided that it would be an excellent idea to spend the rest of their lives together." She dared a little smile. "Like we did."

Twilight paused, her tirade suddenly lacking steam. "Like we did," she echoed, sinking to her haunches. "Hm..." She looked over the letter again, eyes softer and more considering. "So you think it's a romantic type of relationship? I never thought Shining Armor was much for that sort of thing."

Moon moved to Twilight's side and leaned against her. "The right pony can change things." She nuzzled against Twilight's cheek. "You did, for me."

Twilight nuzzled Moon back. "Yeah, I guess." She finally let out a long sigh. "Well, now I have to decide whether or not to go, and take Spike with me, or stay here, or even let him come alone."

Moon lowered her head to rest on Twilight's back. "Have you asked Spike his opinion?" She hugged Twilight from behind. "Not that I imagine he won't want to go. Also, he's marrying a princess. Princess Celestia will want me to attend, so I'll be there. We should just bring everypony, and dragon. I can't imagine they wouldn't like it, probably more than I will."

"My brother is getting married, Moon." Twilight nodded slowly. "I'll write up an acceptance letter right now. There's no way I'd miss that for anything, even you."

Moon snorted. "Good." She snuggled against Twilight in soft hugs. "Glad you're feeling better."

Twilight grunted, but hugged Moon back. "I'm not sure how I feel about my big brother growing up and wanting to get married. It's a shock. I thought I had a lot of time before something like this would happen." She put a hoof to her head. "Who is this Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, anyway? I want to take a look at this mare and make sure she's worthy of him."

"You'll have plenty of time to talk to her while we're there." Moon drew her head back and up onto Twilight's back, ears pricking. "Why are you upset, though?"

Twilight huffed at that and pushed Moon away. "Let's get ready. We both need to visit Rarity, tell her what's happening, and get some wedding dresses. We can't show up like this."

Moon considered Twilight's lack of garb. "Princess Celestia would be upset if I didn't put in some effort into our appearances." She waved a hoof as if chasing away such thoughts. "Yes, I am well aware she's fond of us both. It would not do to go half-cocked. Or if it does, it must be for good reason."

The two trotted off together towards Rarity's boutique to address their lackluster wedding selection of clothing. But when they told her, she was quite distracted.

"A wedding?! Your brother?!" She flashed a huge smile at Twilight. "You never even mentioned you had one of those, darling." She cleared her throat. "You poor dear, not being able to properly inform your best friend in all of Equestria about your closest sibling's marriage." She hung her head, eyes closed. "It is truly terrible."

Just as quickly, she perked up. "But it's all fixed now. You've told her." She giggled with joy. "And now she gets to make us all wedding dresses to die for!"

Twilight tipped her head at Rarity's easy recovery. "Are you alright? I would have mentioned him eventually."

Rarity half-closed her eyes as she eyed Twilight. "Uh huh."

Moon inclined her head. "Twilight gets caught up in her projects sometimes. I do as well." She leaned against Twilight. "Something we share."

Rarity flicked her tail in annoyance. "Uh huh." She planted her hooves firmly. "Well, Twilight's got a wedding to attend, so let's get our rumps moving!" She raced to the backroom with a pleased smile. "I have both of your measurements, darlings, so don't even worry about it." She came out with fabric and a floating pair of scissors. "I'm doing to make us fabulous, and matching!" She clapped her hooves together. "You're going to look gorgeous."

Twilight edged closer to Moon. "Isn't that nice?"

Moon nodded in easy agreement, eyes following the bits of cloth that were starting their transformation, she returned Twilight's smile with her own small one. "Very. Rarity is amazing at what she does." She turned to Twilight. "I would like to help as well, but am unsure what skill of mine would assist with the wedding."

Rarity glanced at Moon, but then laughed softly. "Please, darling, I could use an extra set of hooves, though your eyes may be needed elsewhere." She turned back to her fabrics, levitating scissors through cloth with such precision it was a thing of beauty.

Twilight nudged against Moon. "She's right. Even if I wasn't properly informed of it, this will be a royal wedding. There will be plenty of opportunity for a smart and discerning pony like you to lend a hoof to things. For now, let's get out from underneath Rarity's work. Besides, we have to tell the other girls."

Rarity laughed lightly. "I'll have something for both of you in two days, no need to rush." She waved a hoof as they left. "It's nice to have an emergency project to just rip through. You can get amazing things done with some focus!" She tapped her chin with a hum. "Will Spike require something? Oh! And his ladyfriend, yes. I'll have something for both of the little dears."

Twilight led Moon out by the foreleg. "Let's visit Rainbow Dash, she should be at her cloud house." She snickered. "She loves showing off where she lives."

"Yeah, I do!" Rainbow landed just in front of them. "I heard you calling me." She smirked. "You come to see my awesomeness?" She rubbed her chin. "I guess I could show you some moves."

Twilight gave Rainbow a deadpan look. "My big brother, Shining Armor, is getting married to some princess. We're all invited." She huffed. "I didn't even know he was interested in somepony. This is awful."

Rainbow shook her head, sighing. "Jeeze, Twilight. No need to be a party pooper." She flashed a grin. "A royal party, huh? Sure, count me in!" She zipped past Twilight and Moon into Rarity's.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "That was easy. Let's inform the rest."

Author's Note

We begin The Season Finale. Are you ready? Can you be ready? Is the world ready?!

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