BPT: Two Heads... Aren't Easier Than One

*Knock-Knock-Knock!!*

The doors opened and Twilight found a couple of unicorns and their baby standing before the threshold of her castle, and heard the mare say, "Kaleidoscope."

"Oh! Hello, Princ-" Twilight started to say, only to be interrupted by an exaggerated cough from the mare, the kind one would use to hint at something while pretending to clear their throat, and Twilight remembered, "I mean, uh... Good day, Miss Sunny Cheeks and Mister Shady Mane. Oh, and is that Bright Smile with you?"

"Hello, Twilight," Sunny smiled as she stepped in and gave Twilight a hug. They heard Bright Smile fuss a little over being left out, and so his mommy levitated him out of his carrier and included him, and they heard a 'CHK-Vvvt' sound and looked to see Shady had snapped a photo with a camera.

"Pardon me, it was just too sweet of a moment I had to immortalize it," Shady chuckled as he held the photo in his magic, waiting a moment, before presenting it to the mares and they smiled warmly at the sight of them hugging with little Bright between them, looking so adorable.

They shared a cheeky smile, knowing only they'd be in the know regarding this photo before Twilight said, "Well, we're happy to have you all here for your family vacation. Though, I just want to ask: Is this whole... Miss Sunny Cheeks, Mister Shady Mane and Bright Smile thing-"

"I understand it feels a little confusing, Twilight," Sunny said kindly but with a firm yet gentle undertone, "I just want for our first family vacation together to be... well, as private and hassle-free as possible. Hence the personas we're using to appear as these non-royal ponies we appear as."

"Is it some kind of glamour or shapeshifting?" asked Twilight, genuinely curious as she regarded her mentor and her family. If Sunny hadn't used the code-word to confirm their identities, Twilight would never have pegged these three unicorns to be Celestia, Sombra and Sol in disguise. It was so effective even their magical auras felt dissimilar to their true identities.

"It's sort of like... putting on a metaphysical costume," Sunny answered, trying to put it into words to explain, "we haven't changed our true physical forms, but rather cloaked ourselves in these alternate forms in a manner similar to putting on a full body suit. Only the suit itself isn't a physical thing, as it has a sort of... filter that disguises our magical auras to make them virtually unrecognizable from our true mystic signatures. Even in these alternate forms, our physical DNA is different from our real selves' DNA, but as to the rest it just gets more complicated."

"That's incredible!" Twilight was utterly fascinated, somewhat able to understand what Sunny was explaining. "You never even mentioned this to me during our lessons together! Could I do it?"

"You could, but it takes time to... create the 'costume'," replied Sunny. "I myself have around a dozen of them, but all of them were a painstakingly long process to fabricate. I had to help my husband with his and he assisted me in making one for our son."

"It's true, Twilight," Shady sighed wearily at the memory of the process. "It took a lot of work doing mine, though our colt's was a little easier. To be honest, I think Star Swirl himself would find it incredibly difficult just to make one of these... alter egos."

"Well, please, come in and we'll get you settled," Twilight bade them inside and led them down the hall to the grand hall of the castle. "We'll get you settled in the east wing, where there's several suites for you to choose from, and once you're ready, the Harmony Guard would like to treat you to something."

"Twilight, I hope you're not doing some big hullabaloo for us," Sunny brought up, "I told you in my letter, we don't want a fuss over our stay here."

"Oh no, it's not just for you," Twilight assured, "Captain Firestorm has been preparing this with our guard as of late, and you just happen to be here at the perfect time to join us in witnessing it."

"What is it?" asked Shady.

"The Harmony Guard's first-ever military march," answered Twilight. "Captain Firestorm and his lieutenants are looking forward to presenting it to us, and they would be honored to have you attend."

"Well..." Sunny looked to her husband, and Shady smiled at her while shrugging, so the mare sighed, "I think it would be fine to see a display of military coordination. Besides, it wasn't specifically prepared for us."

"Wonderful, then follow me," Twilight bade her guests as she led them in, "we'll cut through the castle and watch the march in our... backyard, so to speak."

Stepping out of the Ponyville Spa, Sturdy Birch and Bottom Bet sighed in blissful content and felt like a million bits. The generosity of Sunny Cheeks had allowed the two stallions to afford the best the Spa had to offer, and they'd been given a treatment so deluxe they'd felt practically like royalty.

"Ohhhhyeah..." Sturdy sighed in blessed relief that the pain in his back was gone, and though the saddlebags were still strapped a tad tight around his barrel, it no longer felt so burdensome to carry their package.

"Feeling better, big daddy? I know I am," chuckled Bet as he stepped up beside his stallion, feeling nice and refreshed himself, as he spread his wings and looked at his plumage. "I can't remember the last time my feathers looked so clean and vibrant!"

"Heh, yeah, I know earth ponies aren't exactly... equipped to preen pegasi," Sturdy smiled, a tad sheepish at the memory of the first (and last) time he'd tried to help his little mane with his feathers.

It hadn't gone well, to say the least.

"Well, what now?" Bottom Bet brought up. "We're rested, relaxed, we still got until tonight before our flight leaves. What should we do next?"

Before Sturdy could answer, he felt his belly rumble and struggle against the strap around it, and the two stallions shared an amused look and both said, "Lunch!"

They started walking through town, unsure of where to go to get some eats, Bet saying, "Should we ask a local where some good eating can be found?"

"Maybe... but it might be better if we avoid unnecessary... social interaction?" Sturdy considered when they heard a couple loud GASPs and looked just in time to see a couple ponies, one pink, the other blue, both with floofy manes and tails, suddenly zip off with uncanny speed and vanish around a street corner.

The two ponies shared a confused look, but didn't think much of it. So, they shrugged and decided to just follow their noses in search of grub.

Later, back in the Castle of Friendship, Twilight had tea and cakes with Sunny as they watched Spike play with little Bright Smile. The colt was having fun as Spike entertained him and kept him company, the sight of the baby foal and not-quite-anymore-a-baby dragon was sweet and heartwarming to the two mares.

Looking upon Sunny's face, it still fascinated and bewildered Twilight that this was really her mentor, Princess Celestia. This Sunny Cheeks persona she wore seemed and even felt like an almost entirely different pony. But Twilight was assured that this was the princess who had mentored her and been like a second mother to her ever since that Sonic Rainboom all those years ago. Though she looked like Sunny on the outside, she was still Celestia underneath that face, and it showed in the way she spoke, how she took her tea and enjoyed cakes (a little too much, really), and the same sparkle in her eyes whenever Twilight had made her teacher proud.

It was then Sunny noticed the look Twilight was giving her and asked, "Is something wrong, Twilight?"

"Oh! Uh- No Pr- Sunny! No, Sunny, heheh..." Twilight said with a slightly put-off giggle before clearing her throat. "Erm- It's... Well, it's still a little confusing, seeing you this way, addressing you by this other name. It rather reminds me of a phrase I once read, though I can't seem to remember the one who said it."

"What was the phrase?" asked Sunny, curiously.

"'Pity a mane in familiar places who yet feels like a stranger',"answered Twilight.

"Hm, a rather wise figure of speech," Sunny nodded as she considered the context, both of the phrase and how it correlated to this situation. But then her expression soured,"I recall the mane who originally said it. Educated sort, but unbearably pompous..."

"Yes, I have met my share of individuals whose intellects made them rather... unlikable," nodded Twilight, recalling such individuals from her days back in school, both among the school faculty and the student body. It was another part of the reason she preferred books over friends back then.
"If you don't mind, Sunny, I would like to talk to you about the upcoming elections for the new Equestrian Council. How is that coming along?"

"Well, it was a... difficult and arduous process," Sunny sighed at the memory of it all, especially the paperwork. It never ends, the paperwork... she thought before continuing aloud, "Since so many candidates across the nation began their own campaigns to garner votes and support, we had to have preliminary elections in order to reduce the number of candidates, since there are fourteen seats on the council, each with their own duties and concerns to oversee."

"Fourteen? Shouldn't the number be odd instead of even?" asked Twilight curiously.

"We considered it, but then it was proposed that there would be an unofficial fifteenth seat," Sunny explained, "because, Twilight, I want for the nation and citizens of Equestria to grow and progress. Alas... I feel I have stood in the way of that for over a thousand years during my time as sole ruler. In time, but most likely a long time from now, I hope that Equestria will advance to the point where its citizens do not need alicorn royalty."

"I... never really thought about that," Twilight found herself perplexed by this notion. For all her life, and for nearly all of Equestria's history, Celestia, a princess, an alicorn, had ruled this nation and ponykind, in what seemed to be a benevolent and prosperous reign.

Now, however, she was older, wiser, and knew better. She knew now that Celestia was not the flawless and perfect ruler she had thought her to be for all of her foalhood. She had made mistakes, some worse than others, and she had made hard and difficult choices, some of which were in the wrong but ultimately for the greater good. But now? This idea of an Equestria without alicorn rule?

It confused her, gave her pause for thought... and she found herself surprised by how she found it appealing!

She then looked at Sunny and asked, "So then... what's this unofficial seat about?"

"Well, Twilight, the idea is... if ever the future councilors became deadlocked in a vote for something of great importance, with one side saying this and the other saying that," Sunny explained, "the alicorn royal who would fill the unofficial fifteenth seat would serve as a tie-breaker. Otherwise, alicorns would have only a limited role in the government affairs of the Equestrian Council.

"But even after the council is established and the table is filled, it will be a long time before it gets to that point. The future members of the council will need time to... get their hooves wet. To test the waters. To do what they will do in their roles as a vital part of our government. Mistakes will be made, and that's fine. This isn't going to be perfect right from the start. Making mistakes and learning from them will allow the council to improve and progress, making them better leaders in the long run."

"And at the end of that long run?" asked Twilight.

"They will no longer need us," Sunny shrugged, with a small smile that looked almost... relieved at the very idea.

Twilight considered that for a long moment, and then she asked, "So these... preliminary elections. Was there any other purpose to them?"

"Well, there was a period during them where too many of the larger cities were drawing an undue amount of support for their candidates," Sunny elaborated. "They were under the impression that if more candidates came exclusively from their cities it would mean those cities would gain more power over Equestria. It's why I made that announcement that any candidates who progress during these elections and ultimately made it through and became members of the council would have to serve the council in Canterlot, where they would gain all the support and guidance they'd need to fulfill their new roles, but also are reminded their loyalty is to Equestria as whole. Not the cities they were born in and call home."

"That makes sense. It would have been like the Aristocracy, individuals from certain entities trying to garner more power than they should have," noted Twilight.

"That is to say, there have plenty of promising candidates still in the running," Sunny brought up, "some of who were nominated by respected VIPS, including those among us alicorns. Midnight nominated Techorse, as I recall, my husband nominated one Tomato Sandwich, and even Luna nominated Astral Ink."

"Have you nominated anyone or considering someone to run for a seat in the council?" asked Twilight, curious.

"...No, I feel that I mustn't openly express my support of any particular individual," Sunny sighed. "As Princess Celestia, who has ruled for millennia, my voice carries perhaps the greatest sway over public opinion. Were I to personally nominate a potential candidate, no matter what seat on the council they were running for, it would most likely all but guarantee that individual won their campaign, but not because that individual was chosen of his or her own merit but because Princess Celestia openly supported them.

"Thus, I must keep my personal opinion to myself and not openly support any potential candidate, so that they are elected for the right reasons, not because the Princess of the Sun favors them."

"That... does makes sense," Twilight considered the greater scope of it, "The reason I haven't nominated or shown open support of any candidate is because I am inexperienced in politics. I know we went over lessons in political science before, but we didn't delve too deeply into the subject and much else related to it."

"...I have something to confess to you, Twilight," Sunny sighed as her body gave off a gentle radiance, and Twilight watched as the image of Sunny Cheeks faded away and the true appearance of Princess Celestia shined through, standing to the full of her height, much larger than she was as Sunny Cheeks, before Princess Celestia revealed, "There was so much more I had in mind for you when I first took you on as my personal protégé."

"What do you mean?" Twilight suddenly felt a tension over her withers, strangely finding herself daunted by whatever she was about to learn.

"...In spite of the prophecy that foretold the eventual return of Nightmare Moon, the hope that I would be reunited with my sister," Celestia spoke heavily, "I began to wonder... how long did I truly wish to be ruler?"

Twilight listened with rapt attention as Celestia went on, "I've given over a millennia of myself to my subjects and my nation, Twilight. I have done great things and helped and guided and protected many, and nurtured and mentored individuals to help them rise and reach their true potential. But I have done wrong as well... I have made mistakes, monumental ones. Some I regret to this day..."

"Celestia, what are you saying?" asked Twilight, speaking tenderly in response to how weary her mentor seemed.

"I can't go on forever, Twilight," Celestia answered, sounding tired, but not in the physical sense. "It might seem like I could, but I am not immortal. I can't rule Equestria forever, and I really don't want to. In the years leading up to the end of the millennium since I had banished my sister, I came to the realization that, eventually, I will have to retire as princess and ruler of Equestria. So... i began searching for a potential heir."

"Me?!" Twilight was stunned.

"Not at first," Celestia clarified, "I have mentored many students over the centuries, but it was only in the years leading up to Nightmare Moon's return that I actively sought a pupil... who could one day perhaps take my place. I went through several students, and though some showed promise, ultimately they proved to be either inadequate or they expressed qualities that I realized would not make them fit for ruling.

"I almost thought I found the right heir..." Celestia said, sounding bittersweet, "when I mentored Sunset Shimmer."

"Sunset Shimmer?! But... she murdered Midnight, didn't she?" Twilight brought up. "In order to save him, you cast the Spell of Reincarnation to give him a new life."

"Sunset... is among my deepest regrets and greatest failures," Celestia went on, "She had suffered a trauma... that resulted in a horrific disaster. I thought I could help her, but in the end she allowed her own pride, ambition, and insecurity to cloud her mind, and she made the wrong choices... There were other students, before and after Sunset, including Midnight. But then I met you, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight felt a weight drop into her stomach as Celestia explained, "The power I felt from you from your magic surge, and witnessing what it was capable of, unbridled and even at a young age... The thought of teaching you and seeing you master your abilities filled me with excitement! But then, when you ignored friendship in favor of studying and research, I harbored doubts that you could be the one I was looking for... only for you to prove I was right after all in how you have grown and learned alongside your friends, who've brought out the best in you and you likewise did so for them."

"Celestia... you really chose me to be your heir?" Twilight's voice, Celestia noticed, was not excited or interested or even sounded appealed to the very idea.

No... she's afraid, Celestia realized, taking a moment before she answered aloud, "Once upon a time, I was certain that this was your destiny. But fate and new developments have given me much to reconsider as of late. So... no, Twilight. You will not be my heir."

Then Celestia looked to her baby and Twilight saw that baby Bright Smile (aka Prince Sol) was now napping, looking absolutely adorable as he rested his head on Spike's warm belly, the little dragon smiling tenderly at the little foal, sitting still and keeping quiet to let the tiny colt snooze peacefully.

Standing up, Celestia gently glowed again, her form shrinking as it faded away and Sunny Cheeks was back. Ever so gently, she levitated her baby from Spike and conjured a notepad and pen, scribbling something on it and showing it to Twilight and Spike.

I am putting the baby to bed, and i would appreciate it if you would watch over him, Spike.

Spike gave a salute, the two mares softly giggling in response.

Meanwhile, in the "backyard" of the Castle of Friendship, Shady Mane was marveling at the greenhouse and the plants it contained. The flowers, herbs, and young fruit-bearing trees were vibrant with life and color, and he could feel the energy in the atmosphere, see it even as faint shimmers of turquoise and magenta, like seeing vapor reflect light and create a rainbow.

"This is an amazing garden you and Twilight have cultivated, Midnight, but..." Shady looked to Midnight and his jaw-dropped as Midnight exhaled onto a flower, his breath appearing as a thicker vapor that glowed turquoise, as it settled onto the flower... and it grew larger, its petals glistening with dew, more leaves growing in, and it now stood as tall as a stalk of corn while it continued to glow a soft turquoise blue.
"What did you do just now?!"

"It's something Firestorm taught me," Midnight explained as he examined his work on the flower. "Earth ponies passively channel mana into the earth, which helps them to grow flourishing and healthy crops so quickly. They can also use this ability to soothe and calm those they touch. Unicorns can do the same but they do it more directly and not as subtly as the earth ponies.

"From Firestorm, I've learned how to channel my own energy and stamina into my environment. The plants in this greenhouse, that is, and in doing so they grew quicker than they normally would have, even with earth pony care, while maintaining a healthy condition. The downside is, it tires me out, depending on how much energy I give. But the pros more than make up for the cons, as you can see."

Shady looked around and saw how these plants were vibrant and healthy, strong and bursting with life and color. Then, he noticed something else. He recognized some of these plants yet they somehow differed with subtle characteristics that they weren't supposed to have. He looked back at the sapphire stallion and said, "They take on characteristics in relation to whoever channels their mana into them, or am I wrong?"

"You got it in one," chuckled Midnight as he looked back at the flower he'd just boosted with his energy. "The plants we cultivate have slowly but surely taken on traits that they aren't known for. Twilight, Sunburst and Starlight and I have been studying samples, determining what new properties our plants have gained from my and Twilight's mana. If our research yields positive results, we plan to have Sunburst and Starlight contribute by them channeling their own mana into the plants too, and see what more we can learn and gain.

"But among the findings we've confirmed," Midnight gently touched the petals of the flower, "is that the plants to whom I've given my own energy have begun to take in energy not only from the sun but the moon as well."

Shady was stunned, "They're gaining your ability as a lunar pony to absorb moonlight energy! Midnight! The potential alone, Midnight, it- Crops that flourish under both the sun and the moon?! We could solve food shortages, perhaps even famine around the world! I know there are still some countries that struggle to feed their citizens."

"The lunar ponies of the Shetland Isles have already accomplished it," Midnight responded, "but they keep it discrete. They fear that, if the wrong ears heard about their lunar earth ponies having the power to grow food that flourishes under moonlight, then they would be targeted, exploited. Perhaps even attacked."

"That makes sense... and other nations might be intimidated by this new development," Shady considered before shrugging, "One step at a time, I suppose."

"Yes. Some would argue we should hurry and get ahead of this," Midnight sighed before turning to his disguised mentor, "but haste too often causes us to miss crucial details and miss the potential ramifications of the long-run."

Shady noticed Midnight seemed downcast and had to ask, "How goes Starlight's assignment? Any... promising developments?"

"So far, no," Midnight sighed woefully. "She spends nearly all of her free time on it, looking for a way to reverse the effects of what Catrina has done with Starlight's cutie-mark removal spell. Spearhead and a few other patients have been given room and board here in Ponyville and they've been doing well, all things considered.

"But Starlight just can't figure out how to undo Catrina's magic and restore their cutie-marks. I tell you, master..." Midnight furrowed his brows, "Removing someone's cutie-mark is one thing, but destroying it! ...And Goddess knows what else Catrina is planning. She basically declared war on Equestria. My Hoods are searching everywhere for a lead that could help us track her down, but... it's like she's a ghost."

Shady Mane looked upon his apprentice and descendant, and his form shimmered like the facets of a crystal reflecting light before it faded and Prince Sombra revealed himself and reached out to place his hoof on Midnight's shoulder. They shared a long look before Sombra assured, "No matter what she has planned, no matter what she may throw at us, in the end we will prevail. That is a promise, son."

Midnight smiled... and embraced the closest thing he currently had to a father, and Sombra warmly returned the gesture.

"Hi, Midnight, hi Somby! Bye Midnight, bye Somby!" said an all-too-familiar voice all of a sudden, followed by a few POP sounds.

"WHOA!!" The moment abruptly ended as they found themselves flecked with confetti and little streamers.

Looking around, they saw a couple of party-poppers, the kind that pop and release confetti and little streamers, for party and/or celebratory purposes. Then, they noticed something on a nearby table, and Midnight levitated it over to see it was a party invitation.

Opening it to give it a read, Midnight chuckled with a shake of his head, "A patented 'Welcome to Ponyville' party, hosted by Pinkie Pie, with the help of her big brother, Party Favor. Says it's for a couple of newcomers they encountered earlier today. To be held this evening in Town Square."

"Well, my family and I are here for a little vacay," Sombra shrugged as his form refracted with light and faded away, turning Sombra back into Shady Mane. "Plus, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of attending a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. Even if it's not for me."

"Don't let Pinkie hear you say that," Midnight chuckled with an 'oh boy' demeanor, "She just might gasp so much air she'd pop like a balloon."

The two stallions shared a good chuckle before leaving the greenhouse to head back into the castle.

As the sun was setting, Sturdy Birch and Bottom Bet were walking around together, having had an enjoyable time exploring Ponyville. After a hearty lunch, they'd watched a Smash Fortune movie at the local cinema to pass some time, and now, as daylight slowly but surely gave way to the dusk, the two stallions felt increasingly assured.

"Just another few hours, big mane, and we'll be outta here," Bet exclaimed excitably.

"Yup, little mane, the first day of the rest of our lives is just around the corner," agreed Sturdy when he noticed something... off.

He slowed a little in his walk as he then began to notice that the streets were oddly quiet and scarce of locals, giving the present environment a somewhat... spooky feeling. Even the lampposts weren't so lively, as they hadn't been lit up yet. Ordinarily, lampposts in smaller towns were enchanted to steadily light up as the day transitioned to night, and though it wasn't night yet the lampposts should have at least started faintly glowing by now.

"Uh, Bet?" Sturdy paused and Bet looked to Sturdy, who was giving the street a sweeping gaze, "It's quiet. Too quiet..."

"Yeah, this is... kinda freaky!" Bet gulped nervously but shook it off and said with a forced swagger, "But I'm sure it's no big! I mean, maybe... Ponyville has a curfew? Or... perhaps there's some kind of local tradition or holiday?"

"I dunno, something just feels... I can't explain it," Sturdy was starting to feel the weight of their task all the more as his lunch weighed down in the pit of his stomach, tightening the strap of his saddlebags.
"Like there's something out here, waiting or... y'know what, let's just cut through town square and head for the airfield."

"It's still a few hours before our flight, Sturdy," Bet reminded as he followed his coltfriend down the street.

"I know, but I'd rather we just avoid any unnecessary complications and be close by to board our airship," Sturdy insisted as they turned a corner and saw Ponyville Square right ahead although it too was empty and quiet.
"Before long, we'll make our delivery, get a buttload of money, and we'll be back here, looking for our forever home."

Bottom Bet smiled, assured by his stallion's certainty and nodded as they made their way straight through the square, and it was shortly before they reached the center when he said, "You're right, Sturdy. It's all smooth sailing from here on out. Our dream is finally within reach and we are gonna take it by-"

"SURPRISE!!!"

Lights flashed on, popping sounds burst with confetti and glitter, and the two stallions brayed and stumbled in alarm to see the square was now suddenly alive with activity! They saw dozens and dozens of the locals surrounding them, smiling and waving, a nearby refreshment table chocked with chips n' dip, pizza, hayburgers, several two-liters of soda, a couple punch bowls, platters of cupcakes, there were balloons, streamers, and a large party banner that read 'Welcome to Ponyville!' in outrageous colors.

Sturdy Birch and Bottom Bet stood there, in jaw-dropped stupor, unsure as to what the heck was going on-

"SURPRISE!!" They both cried out in alarm, Bottom Bet leaping into Sturdy's forelegs, and they saw a blue unicorn with a curly mane and tail and a balloon animal for a cutie-mark, giving them an excited smile.
"Hiya! I'm Party Favor-"

"And I'm his little sister, Pinkie Pie!" interjected a pink earth pony popping out of nowhere, with a curly mane and tail of her own and a trio of balloons as her cutie-mark.

"We saw you earlier today-" "And I didn't recognize you guys-"
"Yeah, see, my sis here knows everypony in Ponyville-"
"Everypony in Ponyville! So if I don't recognize you guys-"
"That means you're new to town! And it's Ponyville Tradition-"
"Everypony who visits Ponyville for the very first time..."
"GETS A 'WELCOMETO PONYVILLE' PARTY!!!!!!!"

In response to the Party Pony brother and sister's words, the attendees all whooped, cheered, and stomped their hooves, some calling out warm welcomes and wishes to Sturdy and Bet, who were both looking around nervously at this unexpected development. The very sort of thing they'd been hoping to avoid while they'd waited for their departure.

"Well! That's... mighty kind of you all..." Sturdy drawled with a forced smile on his face, Bet gulping nervously.

"Nuh-uh-uh! No fake smiles at a Party Pony party!" Pinkie zipped to Sturdy's side and pulled at the corners of his mouth.
"Before tonight is over, you'll both smile like you've never smiled before!" added Party Favor as he zipped to Bet's side, embracing him with one foreleg while sweeping his free foreleg towards the festivities.

Sturdy and Bet looked at each other out the corners of their eyes and took in the party before them. It was bright and merry and exuberant, and even humbling and considerate that all of this was for them. If it weren't for their pressing engagement, they'd be partying already. This would be a great way to end their visit in Ponyville on a high note.

But then they saw the alicorn prince and princess, Midnight and his wife Twilight.

"THANKS FOR THE PARTY!"
"BUT WE GOTTA GO!!"

Sturdy and Bet made like eggs and beat it, to the bewilderment of the Pie Siblings.

"Where ya going?!"
"You haven't even had one glass of punch yet!"

Everypony watched as Pinkie Pie and Party Favor chased after the guests of honor, popping up out of nowhere ahead of them to prevent them from going too far, appearing around every corner, to the point where Sturdy Birch and Bottom Bet tried loosing them in the crowd of attendees. Ponies leapt out of the way, ducked, or jumped, trying to avoid the runners and the pursuers, the former scrambling like mad to escape and the latter hilariously foiling their efforts.

"I don't get it, why are those guys trying to leave? This party is for them, after all."
"Maybe they're shy?"
"Fluttershy is shy, this is...trying to avoid the spotlight at all costs."
"Welp, Pinkie an' her brother tryin' ta run `em down shor ain't helpin' th' sich-oo-ay-shun."

But then... Sunny Cheeks felt the presence of something, a vibe that was disturbingly familiar, It's on the tip of my horn, but what is it?!

It was at that moment when Sturdy and Bet veered towards the water fountain in the square where things went pear-shaped. A bunch of confetti and a few streamers were slightly piled up on the ground and as soon as Sturdy's hoof landed on them he slipped! Tumbling head over tail, he yelped in alarm while the fastener on his saddlebag came loose... and out flew a round-shaped object, like a discus, with a distinctive symbol on it.

A symbol Sunny Cheeks (or rather Princess Celestia) recognized!

Her shout of alarm was too late as the disc-shaped object shattered upon the edge of the fountain... and then, everything went white!