Author's Note

I removed Cutie Map because as a commenter pointed out to me, having humans at Our Town would break Starlight’s philosophy.

Castle Sweet Castle

We see the Mane 5 minus Twilight, and the Former Total Drama Contestants eating pancakes at Twilight’s castle in the kitchen table.

“Mm, these are delicious, Pinkie Pie!” Applejack praises.

“I’ll say, these pancakes are great.” Owen said before scarfing his pancakes down.

Pinkie Pie licked the whipped cream off her face and began speaking “Thanks! Twilight spent all night helping me pick the flavor! I kept thinking we'd found the right one, but she insisted I make even more to try. And more. And more and more and more and more! It was like she never wanted to—“

“Leave?” Fluttershy asked.

“Exactly! Eventually we ran out of time so we just went with every-berry-any-chip-surprise! The surprise is I lost a measuring spoon in the batter. Somepony's gonna get a very special pancake!” Pinkie Pie said.

Dave dropped his spoon in shock “On second thought I think I’m not that hungry.”

“Up all night, huh? Is that why she's so, uh... out of it?” Rainbow Dash asked.

We then see Twilight sleeping in her chair.

“Can we draw a mustache on her face?” Scott asked snickering causing Zoey to glare at him.

“Fine.” Scott rolled his eyes.

“Um, I don't mean to sound unappreciative, but has anypony else noticed that Twilight has been a little too helpful lately?” Fluttershy asked.

“Now that you mention it, she was lendin' a hoof at Sweet Apple Acres the other day and stuck around 'til near midnight. Dug up fifty tree-plantin' holes when all I needed was ten.” Applejack said.

“She spent an entire afternoon rearranging a single gem drawer at the boutique. An entire afternoon!” Rarity pointed out.

“You think that's weird? She raced me, like, a hundred times the other day. And lost every time! She just kept goin'! Best out of ten, best out of twenty, best out of a hundred! I mean, I know hanging out with me is awesome, but it was like she'd rather keep losing than—” Rainbow Dash said.

“Leave?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yeah. Who does that?” Rainbow Dash asks incredulously.

Twilight then uses the pancakes as a pillow making Scott snicker.

“Well it would explain why she’s hardly around.” Cody said.

“Maybe she’s still traumatized from that experience with Starlight you all told us about, and wants to spend more time with you to feel better.” Jasmine guesses.

“But wouldn’t the others be as traumatized as she was?” Shawn asked.

“Good point.” Jasmine said putting a finger up to her chin.

“Maybe she’s avoiding something.” Courtney guesses.

“As soon as she wakes up we gotta find out what.” Applejack said.

Pinkie Pie then coughs up a measuring spoon “I win!”

That woke up Twilight, “Huh I’m pancake, I mean awake.” Twilight said awkwardly.

“Uh, Twilight? Is there somethin' you wanna tell us?” Applejack asked.

“You know how much we appreciate all you do for us, and we simply adore having you around... but... we worry you might be... ahem... avoiding something else?” Rarity said.

“Oh, has it been that obvious? I've been... the thing is... I know it's silly, but I... I've been avoiding... this place.” Twilight confessed sadly.

“But why would you want to avoid this castle, it’s wonderful.” Owen gasped.

“Yeah, this place has everything! Big tall ceilings that make you feel tiny! Shiny new floors that are cold to the touch! Brrr! And it even has loooong empty hallways!” Pinkie Pie said “Okay I get it.”

“The castle is amazing. But it just... It doesn't feel like home.” Twilight explains solemnly.

Rarity begins chuckling “Oh, is that all? Why, you simply need to decorate, darling. Make this space your own!”

“It's just so daunting! Look how big it is! I-I don't even know where to start!” Twilight said.

“You can start by letting us five do it for you. We will make this the castle of your dreams while you go to the Ponyville spa for some much needed rest and relaxation. I'm saying this with love, but... have you looked in a mirror lately? I've never seen you look this... mmmm...” Rarity suggested showing Twilight’s reflection in a mirror.

“Frazzled?” Fluttershy suggested.

“Yes! That is absolutely the word I was going to use.” Rarity said.

“Heh heh sure.” Scott smirked.

“Ooh, I guess I do need a little help. And so does my castle. And I just know you'll do a great job, because nopony knows me better than you.

“We’ll help too, all thirteen of us.” Zoey said.

“Uh I didn’t agree to this.” Scott pointed out.

“Come on Scott, Twilight took us in after we fell through that portal, can you not be selfish for once and do this?” Mike lectures.

“I guess your right.” Scott admits.

“Then it’s settled.” Rarity said.

“Oh, no! Did I miss the pancakes?!” Spike asked frantically as he ran over to the table with a stuffed Rarity doll which caught the attention of Owen and Noah.

“Uh-“ Owen began before Noah shushed him.

“Don’t say a word.” Noah advised.

“I sleep like a baby under that cold, cavernous ceiling.” Spike said.

“Spike, I'm so glad you're here!” Rarity said happily.

“Really?” Spike said a bit surprised as he began eating the pancakes.

“Yes! You're taking Twilight to the spa!” Rarity replied.

“Great I’ve been meaning to get my claws done.” Spike said before he saw everyone else looking at him pleadingly.

“Oh you mean now.” Spike said before grabbing some pancakes as he and Twilight began leaving for the spa.

Once they left Applejack began speaking “Come on y’all We've got work to do!“

(Song)

Rainbow Dash: Let's all work together
To make this castle shi-i-ine

Rarity: Once we add some sparkle
It'll feel, it'll feel, it'll feel...

Mane 5: It'll feel divine

Applejack: Crates of apples
And bales of hay

Applejack: Just makes you feel at home

Fluttershy: Furry friends and some popinjays
So she won't be alone

Mane 5: And we'll make, and we'll make, and we'll make
This castle a home

Pinkie Pie: There's nothing like balloons and confetti
To greet you every time you walk through the door

Rainbow Dash: She'll need this and those
Posters of all my heroes
How could anypony awesome ever ask for more?

Mane 5: And we'll make, and we'll make, and we'll make
A home she'll adore

Rarity: Bright curtains of flowing silk and lace

Rainbow Dash: This picture of me winning a race

Pinkie Pie: Party cannons to give her a surprise
Applejack and Scott: Hoes and rakes and some more garden supplies

Fluttershy: Getting hugs from this nice, big, friendly bear

Rarity: Decorate with some gemstones bright and rare

Rainbow Dash: More of this and that

Pinkie Pie: Don't forget the party hats

Rainbow Dash: How could anypony awesome ask for more than that?

Applejack: Let's all work together

Fluttershy: To show that we have shown
Rarity: Princess Twilight Sparkle

Mane 5: How we make, how we make, how we make
This castle a home
How we make, how we make
This castle a home
How we make, how we make
This castle a home!

(Song Ends)

As the song was going on the former TD contestants helped the Mane 5 decorate and what they got was...

A big mess.

“Do you sing like this all the time?” Owen asked.

“Sometimes, yes.” Pinkie Pie said.

“Oh great.” Gwen sighed.

“Well guys we did a great job together.” Applejack said unconvincingly as they looked at the mess they made.

“What do you mean, it looks like a dump, there are too many animals and awards and there are hidden party cannons.” Scott criticized which earned him an elbow to the ribs from Zoey.

“Ow.” Scott complained.

“Hey guys, how do my claws look— Sweet Celestia!” Spike said in shock as he went inside.

“Oh, Spike! Are you and Twilight done already?“ Rarity asked worried.

“Don't worry, I ordered her the super-deluxe mane blow-out! She'll be a while. Man, this place looks like a mess!” Spike said incredulously.

“Oh sure when he says it he doesn’t get a jab to the ribs.” Scott said.

“You were rude about it.” Mike pointed out.

“What are you guys talking about? I think it looks super fun!” Pinkie Pie said happily before a party cannon blasted the animals making them run amok.

“Oh! Oh, no! Please don't do that! If you all just take a deep breath and calm down—” Fluttershy said trying to calm the animals down.

Soon there were chipmunks in one of Rarity’s banners

“No! That bunting is embroidered by hoof! Don't you move one more paw!” Rarity commanded to the chipmunks before they scratched her banner.

“Everyone stop!” Rarity shouted making the animals and Pinkie Pie stop.

“Okay now it’s a mess.” Pinkie Pie said as another party cannon explodes with confetti.

“Ugh.” Noah rolls his eyes.

“What are we gonna do?” Rainbow Dash asks incredulously.

“I don’t know but Twilight's blow-out won't take that long. If she was avoiding the castle before, she'll never set hoof in here now!” Spike pointed out.

“Come on guys we have to do something, Twilight’s counting on us.” Courtney said.

“Spike, you've got to get back to that spa and stall her! Whatever you do, don't let her come home!” Rarity instructed.

“Like, forever? But we live here.” Spike said obliviously.

Noah facepalmed at this statement.

“Uh, yes, well, uh, maybe you could manage it 'til... sunset-ish?” Rarity said batting her eyelashes making Spike blush.

“Anything for you Rarity.” Spike said before walking out the door.

“Okay, we all agree the castle is too cluttered, right? So why doesn't everypony take one of their own decorations out and we'll see how it looks?” Applejack said.

The rest of the Mane 5 agreed on this as they began removing a decoration out of the mess.

“You think this will work?” Zoey asked Mike.

“I hope so.” Mike said.

After a while all of the Mane 5 except Rarity had taken one of their decorations down.

“Come on, Rarity. Everypony has taken somethin' out except you.” Applejack pointed out.

“Ooh, I know! I simply can't decide.” Rarity said stressed out.

“How about this?” Rainbow Dash asked pointing to the picture of the Mane 6.

“No, not that anything but that!” Rarity begged.

“How about these then?” Cameron asked pointing to the flowers.

“Oh, but those brighten up the whole room! They're my favorite accent!” Rarity said.

“Then let's lose the curtains! The room wouldn't need brightening if they weren't making it so dark!” Scott said pointing to the curtains.

“Not them! They're my favorite too!” Rarity whined.

“They can’t all be your favorite.” Dave said annoyed.

“Okay I'm taking down the portrait. We all know what we look like.“Rainbow Dash said as she took the portrait down.

“Well, the room still looks a little bit cluttered, doesn't it? Perhaps I'll take down a poster or two. Only to be helpful, of course!” Rarity said spitefully as she levitated the Wonderbolts posters down making Rainbow Dash glare at her.

“Okay, everypony calm down. I'm sure we can find a way to remove the clutter together.“ Applejack said trying to break the tension.

“You're absolutely right, dear.” Rarity said before levitating some quilts away.

“Hey those are my warmin’ quilts.” Applejack complained as Rainbow Dash kicked the quilts away.

“Together.” Rarity and Rainbow Dash said hoofbumping.

“Girls let’s calm down for a moment.” Cody said.

Soon birds began popping balloons.

“Fluttershy, tell your birds to stop pecking at my balloons!” Pinkie Pie commanded.

“I guess they must not like being scared out of their wits by exploding confetti cannons or something.” Fluttershy replied sarcastically.

“Girls please stop arguing.” Owen begged.

As the Mane 5 kept arguing and removing stuff as the former TD contestants were trying to calm everyone down.

After a while the castle was no longer cluttered and the decorations were all gone.

“There! Now nothing is cluttering the castle!” Rarity said happily.

“You're right. There is literally nothing cluttering this castle.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“What do we do now?” Zoey asked sadly.

“I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but it's almost sunset. If we don't figure this out soon, it's going to look like we didn't lift a hoof to help her!” Rarity admits solemnly.

“Why is this so hard?! We're Twilight's best friends! This should be easy for us!” Rainbow Dash asked.

“She said it herself – if anypony should be able to make her feel comfortable in her new home, it's us. If we can't do it...” Applejack begins.

“Then Twilight will be stuck living in a castle that makes her feel... sad!” Fluttershy laments.

“What do we do? What do we do?! If Twilight comes home now, she'll be like ‘What did you guys do?’ And we'll have to be like ‘Nothing!’ And then she'll be like ‘I was counting on you! Some friends you are!’ And we'll be like...wahahahahahaha” Pinkie Pie panics before she begins mock crying.

“Guys stop, I think I have an idea, we all tried to make this feel like your homes but we should try making it feel like Twilight’s home instead.” Cody suggested.

“That’s a good idea Cody.” Gwen praised.

“Come on, y'all. We just need to think about Twilight. What was it she'd loved about livin' in the Golden Oak Library?” Applejack said.

“Oh, everything! The books, the smell of books, the joy she felt from organizing books...” Fluttershy said happily.

“Remember that time I crashed into all those books attempting my sonic rainboom after you guys just cleaned up? Those was good times.” Rainbow Dash sighs.

“For you maybe.” Applejack said angrily.

“Oh, and Applejack, remember when we were stuck having a sleepover there? That turned out to be so much fun!” Rarity smiles.

“Remember the time it got blown up to smithereens?! Wait, no, that was the worst.” Pinkie Pie said.

“Sounds like you had a lot of good times there.” Owen said happily.

“We had a lot of good memories there, though. That's what made the Golden Oak Library home.” Applejack said “Wait that’s it!”

We then see the Mane 5 and the former TD contestants at the destroyed Golden Oaks Library.

“Ooh that looks bad.” Zoey cringed.

“Maybe my plan won't work after all.” Applejack sighs.

“Of course it will, darling. I can see it! You, Fluttershy, Owen, Shawn, Jasmine, Mike, Zoey, Cameron, and Scott stay here, the rest of you, you come with me. We're going shopping! We'll meet back at the castle.” Rarity said.

Soon Applejack, Fluttershy, Owen, Shawn, Jasmine, Mike, Zoey, Cameron, and Scott began digging while the rest went shopping.

(Song)

Applejack: It's not the things that ya gather 'round.

Fluttershy: It's not how much you own.

Rarity: The things that hold the meaning in your life
Are the memories you've sown.

All: So we make, so we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home.

(Song Ends)

Twilight and Spike then came inside the castle where the rest of the group was waiting for them.

“Hello? We’re home.” Twilight stated.

“Welcome home.” The rest of the group said.

“Oh, I, uh... love what you've done with the place. You did such a good job of... preserving the integrity of the original design.” Twilight said awkwardly.

“Aw, come on! It looks exactly the same! Do you know how hard it was to keep her from coming back here?! I never want to see another dust ruffle as long as I live!” Spike ranted.

“Wait? Keep me from coming back?” Twilight asked.

“It took a teensy bit longer than we thought.” Sky admitted sheepishly.

“What really makes home feel like home isn't what it looks like. It's the memories you make when you're there.” Applejack said holding her hat close to her heart.

“So we've made something that celebrates the memories we've made with you since you moved to Ponyville.” Rarity explained.

Soon Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash opened the door to the map table where there was chandelier with diamonds on it.

“The ornaments on the chandelier are reminders of all the fun we've had together.” Fluttershy explained “Rarity used her magic to make these.”

“That one shows your party at the Golden Oak Library welcoming you to Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie said pointing to a diamond.

“The time we shared doughnuts after the Grand Galloping Gala!” Fluttershy said pointing to another diamond.

“We were hoping that being able to look at your beautiful old memories would inspire you to make new ones.” Sky said.

“And the best part of it is, it's made from the roots of the Golden Oak Library, so you'll never forget where you came from.” Jasmine pointed out.

“It's exactly what the castle needed. And I am ready to make new memories here.” Twilight said with tears of joy before getting the whole group except Scott into a group hug.

“I don’t do emotional stuff.” Scott explained before Owen yanked him into the hug.

“Fine I’ll join your hug.” Scott rolled his eyes.

“Let’s start making new memories right now with a new memory cake! Seven layer what's-that-flavor mystery surprise! These might be chocolate chips or they might be super-spicy black beans!” Pinkie Pie said holding up a cake.

“How lovely.” Dave sarcastically remarked.

“Let's go to the dining room. It's a little sparse, but at least there's a table and chairs.” Twilight said before opening the door to the dining room.

“Whoa what happened in here?” Twilight said in awe at how the dining room looked so fancy.

“I couldn't help myself! It was just begging for the personal touch!” Rarity admitted.

“Truth be told... I couldn't either. Your kitchen might have some rustic farm decor, Twilight.” Applejack also confessed.

“And there may or may not be some Daring Do posters up in your library.” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly.

“And some stuffed animals in your bedroom.” Fluttershy added.

Soon another party cannon with confetti explodes making Twilight worried.

“What was that?” Twilight asked incredulously.

“One of Pinkie’s confetti cannons.” Noah snarked.

“What? It's not my fault I hid them so well!” Pinkie Pie said.

Everyone began laughing as the episode ended.