To Catch a Balloon

Author's note: the chapters to come will be done in third person, but focusing on one pony's perspective. The pony in question will alternate, however. For example, this chapter focuses on Twilight, while the next could be more centered towards Fluttershy or Pinkie.

Twilight sat in the library, trying desperately to read over the sound of her rushing thoughts. She hadn't been able to
concentrate on anything for a while after she stopped talking to the other elements. In fact, she hadn't even sent a letter to
Celestia in at least three months. And the last one she sent was a lazily written piece of junk that she regretted sending at all. She let out a small sigh and used her magic to levitate the book back into its proper spot on the shelf. Her ears perked slightly when she heard on knock on the door. Biting her lip nervously, she walked over to the door. I really hope we can get this over with without killing each other in the process. The lavender unicorn slowly opened the door, revealing a yellow pegasus and a bedraggled, pink earth pony. Twilight waved her hoof. "Come in." She said, when suddenly a flash blue shot past the three ponies and into the library.

It was none other than Rainbow Dash. "Your lives just got better everypony, I walked in the room!" The blue pegasus declared. This earned a small eye roll from Twilight, who was not interested at all in Dash's cocky attitude. "Yeah, it got so much better." Twilight said, voice flat. Suddenly, a purple and green dragon began walking down the steps. His eyes widened a bit at the sight of the ponies in the house. Sure, he had known they were coming, but seeing them together again was a tad weird for him. "Spike, why don't you go do some grocery shopping for me?" Twilight said, trying to get him out of the house and avoid any more awkwardness. Grabbing her saddlebag , she levitated a small scroll, which was most likely a grocery list. He looked like he was about to protest, but grabbed the scroll and started for the door.

A few moments had passed when yet again there came a knock at the librarian's door. Twilight trotted over to the library's door, pausing for a moment before finally opening the door with a small creak. Applejack stood there, a white unicorn not too far behind her. "A'hm sorry for being late, Twilight." The orange pony said. Her words may have been polite, but the lavender unicorn in front of her could tell that they were forced. "No, it's not a problem." The two found a spot in the library. "Alright, now that we're all here, are we ready to go?" Twilight asked, glancing as the room as if to dare anypony to say anything other than 'yes'.

The walk to the train station was quiet, save for the occasional talk between Pinkie and Fluttershy or the bickering of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. It had passed almost without event until a young filly called out to the passers-by. "Look, it's the elements of harmony!" She said, excitement brimming at the edge of her voice. She ran over to them excitedly, her mother trailing behind and looking slightly embarrassed. Oh great. We don't have time for this, the train leaves really soon! Twilight thought, biting her lip. "I'm really sorry." The older mare said. "My daughter's a really big fan of you guys." "It's fine, but we've got to g-" Twilight started, but was quickly interrupted by the rainbow-maned mare beside her. "Say no more! Of course you can have my autograph!" The pegasus proclaimed. The filly looked thoughtful for a second, before replying. "But I don't have any thing to put it on, or a pen." At this, Rainbow reached inside her saddlebag, pulling out a pen and a notepad, tearing out a piece. We don't have time for this! Twilight shot a quick glare at the rainbow pegasus, tapping her hoof impatiently. After what seemed like an hour, the six ponies rushed into the train, barely a minute to spare, if that.

Twilight let a sigh of relief when they made it on the train, then remembering that the ride to Canterlot took at least a day. A day.. with the very ponies she couldn't stand the sight of. Twilight's self pity was interrupted by two angry voices. "Ah can't believe you almost made us late! Just for a stupid autograph!" "It's not my fault!" Rainbow replied. "Um... girls, please stop arguing." A quiet voice requested to no avail. "You're always so cocky! You act as if yer greater than Celestia herself!" Applejack responded to the blue pegasus. "Oh yeah?! At least I don't live on some run down farm with an old hag, who may as well be dead by now!" Dash yelled. Even Twilight cringed a bit at the harsh words. Applejack looked a bit stunned, then ran down one of halls of the old train, leaving the rest of the elements to sit in silence.