The small group of ponies crept up to the fancy door at the end of the crystal hall. Before they opened the door, they gave each other determined smiles. This was going to be their best one yet.

Slowly, the four ponies slipped through the door to the sleeping princess. They all sat around the bed, glancing at each other with devious smiles. Pumpkin and Pound Cake had party blowers in their mouths and held up a banner that said, "Happy Birthday Flurry!" They couldn't fit Flurry Heart's full name on it.

Poundcake nodded his head three times before the other two ponies yelled as loud as they could, "HAPPY FIFTEENTH BIRTHDAY, FLURRY HEART" and the Cake twins blew through their party blowers.

Flurry Heart jumped up in her bed, firing a yellow beam of magic in front of her in alarm. It blew right through the banner, causing wide-eyed shock from everypony before the four ponies dropped to the floor, rolling in laughter.

It took a moment for Flurry Heart to gain her bearings before she finally realized what was happening, and she glared at the rolling Cake twins. "Pound! Pumpkin! This was your idea, wasn't it? It's not funny. I could've hurt you! You know I can't control my magic completely yet!"

"Oh, but that look on your face…it was so worth it!" Pound said, wiping away a tear from his eye.

Flurry Heart turned her glare to the blue unicorn stallion, who was also on the floor laughing. "Orion! Aren't you supposed to be the logical one around here?"

Orion simply shrugged. "Payback for last month."

Flurry Heart shook her head and rolled her eyes. It was no use being mad at these four ponies. They were her best friends, and she wouldn't have it any other way. It'd felt like forever since she'd seen them. She usually was only able to visit them when she went to Ponyville, and her last visit was last month. Which begged the question…what were they doing here in the Crystal Empire? They hardly visited her.

"What are you doing here, anyway? I thought your parents didn't let you take the long train ride here by yourselves?"

"Well, parents ain't got no say when ya don't ask 'em," the peach earth pony said with a wink in her country accent.

"You snuck out?!" Flurry asked in disbelief.

Pumpkin scoffed. "Is it really called sneaking out when you simply waltzed through the front door?"

"It is when you do it at five in the morning before your parents wake up in the dark and you buy tickets for the early morning train and sneak past the guards and break into the castle," Orion said, adjusting his glasses.

"Nopony asked ya, Orion," Peach Cobbler said, crossing her hooves over her chest.

"You snuck past the guards?!"

Pound Cake shrugged. "Eh. Wasn't that hard to do when you barely have any guards actually guarding the castle. Seriously, what's up with that? We could've been trying to rob you or something!"

Flurry shrugged. "I don't know. That is odd. You'll have to talk to my dad about that one. But seriously, though. What are you doing here?"

"Well, it is yer birthday, ain't it?"

"We're here to sneak you out and take you to Canterlot," Orion said matter of factly

Peach hit the back of Orion's head. "Way to ruin the surprise, dufus."

"Sorry," Orion mumbled, full of sarcasm, rolling his eyes. "Somepony woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

Peach hit the back of his head again.

Flurry rolled her eyes. They always did this. Peach and Orion argued like cats and dogs. It was a wonder that they hadn't killed each other yet.

Then what Orion said sunk in. "Ugh. Guys, I appreciate the gesture but…you know I hate Canterlot. It's all full of snobby ponies who think they're better than everpony else! The only reason I go there is to visit Aunt Twilight."

"Sure, that place is a real downer in the dumps," Pound Cake started.

"Unless you gotta best friend who knows how to prank snobby ponies without technically breaking the law," Pumpkin finished, raising an eyebrow, staring at Orion a little too intently.

It was clear that Pumpkin had a thing for Orion and vice versa, but they had yet to confess their love and become a couple. Pound Cake used to make fun of Pumpkin for it until Pumpkin threw his unconfessed crush on Peach back at him, and he backed off.

"Okay, now that sounds like fun," Flurry said with a huge smile, jumping out of bed and following the group of ponies out of the castle.

"Princess. Princess."

Flurry Heart slowly opened her eyes to the robotic voice that sounded in her ear. The dream she had of her fifteenth birthday rang through her mind. The day everything changed. Her worst day. Had she just stayed in the castle instead of going to that stupid city, things might've been different by now.

Flurry slowly sat up to see M.O.R.I.C. standing there, looking as awake as he always did, despite the time. Flurry looked at her clock. Six in the morning. She groaned, turning over and laying starfish on her stomach.

"Five more minutes," Flurry said into her pillow, her voice muffled.

Usually, she was pretty good at waking up at this time, however, last night she didn't go to bed until three thirty in the morning and then spent all night tossing and turning, her mind full of thoughts. She was finally able to fall asleep at about five thirty, only to have that dream that might as well be a nightmare, all things considered. She was functioning on a half hour of sleep.

"You have to perform the spell at six o'clock sharp. It is five til. Wait five minutes and you will be late. I am programmed to make sure you are–"

"Not tardy, I know," Flurry Heart said, getting out of bed reluctantly. "And we all know how Aunt Twi felt about tardiness."

Flurry Heart slowly walked to her balcony, moving aside the big blackout curtains that blocked out the sun during the night, which was already starting to get dimmer. Flurry Heart sighed, looking at the clock. Five fifty-seven. Three more minutes.

"Why do I even have to do this spell every day, M.O.R.I.C.? It's not like anypony's actually around to see it. Not anymore."

"Your subjects may be asleep, Princess, but you must still protect them."

"Yeah, but why? I mean, isn't that the whole reason Aunt Twi had me cast that spell? So that those things couldn't touch them? You know, because they're asleep. What's the point of me doing this if they're already protected by that damn spell. All it's doing is draining the hell out of me. Eventually, I'm going to drop if I keep doing this," Flurry argued.

"It is a precaution. There is no room for error. You must do everything you can to protect your subjects. One mistake can make the entire Empire fall. That is why you take precautions, Princess."

"Encouraging."

"I am sensing sarcasm again."

"Yeah, you definitely are," Flurry replied flatly with a roll of her eyes.

"Noted. As I was saying, it is better to take precautions rather than face the consequences of shortcuts. And anyway, according to Princess Twilight, you should last another thousand years doing this spell every day before you burn yourself out from exhaustion if you conserve your magic in everyday use. Princess Twilight did predict that the chosen ones would come before then. And she was right."

"Maybe. If these ponies really are the ones," Flurry mumbled bitterly.

"They must be. Prince Hitch healed Princess Pipp with his tears, much like what your mother did for your father." The alarm on Flurry Heart's clock went off. "It is time."

Flurry stood up, glaring at the artificial sun that was almost completely dimmed. "My mother took my father out of a trance caused by Queen Chrysalis with her magic alone. Prince Hitch used his tears mixed with this Element of Unity to bring Princess Pipp back to life. It's different."

Pipp slowly woke up to the sound of a fire crackling in the fireplace and somepony pacing. Pipp slowly opened her eyes to see a shadowy figure of Hitch pacing back and forth nervously. She squinted her eyes, waiting for them to refocus in the dark so she could see Hitch clearer.

Pipp could hear the slight sound of mumbling as he paced back and forth at the end of the bed. Pipp tried to listen to what he was saying, to detect actual words, but she got nothing. It was all indiscernible. Pipp sighed, wondering what he was fretting about now. She glanced at the clock. Seven in the morning. Well, might as well get up.

Pipp sat up, stretching. Hitch barely seemed to notice, continuing his pacing. Pipp stretched again, a little more vocally this time. Nothing. She rolled her eyes, finally deciding to just clear her throat.

This got his attention and he stopped pacing to look up at her. "Oh, hey honey. Did I wake you?" He asked as he walked around the bed and to Pipp's side.

Pipp rolled her eyes. "You were pacing in front of the bed for mom knows how long, mumbling to yourself. What do you think? What are you so stressed about anyway, honey?"

Hitch sighed heavily. "Oh, a multitude of things."

There was a moment of silence while Pipp waited for him to continue when he didn't. "Like…?" She prompted, laying on her back as he slowly crawled on top of her.

"Not important. Just silly things."

Pipp sighed. Looks like after everything that's happened, Hitch was more closed off than ever. "It's obviously important if it has you up pacing in the–"

"How'd you sleep?" Hitch asked, as though trying to change the subject.

"Hitch…" Pipp started, putting her hooves on his chest, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

"Hey…don't worry about me. I'm just stressing over stupid things when I should be thinking about how I get to wake up to the most beautiful mare in Equestria every morning."

Pipp smiled, her heart warming. "Don't think you can flirt your way out of this one, Mister."

"Why not? You know, the secret to a successful marriage is keeping the romance alive, Mrs. Trailblazer." Hitch leaned down, brushing his lips against Pipp's, making her blush.

"Oh yeah? And who told you that?" Pipp asked as their lips barely touched.

"I might have gotten some advice from a super secret source."

"It was a book about marriage…wasn't it?"

Hitch shrugged. "Maybe."

"How attractive. You really know how to charm a mare," Pipp commented, wrapping her hooves around his neck as he lay above her.

"What can I say? I'm a mare magnet. Mares just flock to me."

"Well then. Looks like I need to keep you close so I can keep all those mares' hooves off my handsome husband."

"You should." And with that, Hitch leaned down for a kiss.

As their lips met, Pipp's heart raced and and her whole body began to tingle. Oh, she could kiss Hitch for eternity, and it still wouldn't be long enough. But, for the moment, however, she'd settle for now. Their kiss was long and deep as, even after dating for three years and two months of marriage, butterflies still formed in Pipp's stomach just from kissing him. The romance was definitely alive. They got that department covered, and then some.

"Good morning, your majesties. Are you ready to come down for breakfast?"

Pipp and Hitch jumped, quickly separating and scrambling away from each other to opposite sides of the bed, both of their faces a bright red. At the end of the bed stood M.O.R.I.C., his head tilted to the side. Their hearts raced while their stomachs flipped and their bodies tingled, alarm, embarrassment, and lingering attraction warring with each other.

"M.O.R.I.C.," Pipp said, her voice shaky as she tried to catch her breath. "What a…pleasant surprise."

She tried to smile, but it also was a little shaky. She tried to be polite. M.O.R.I.C. clearly wasn't trying to invade their privacy or have any negative intentions. It was written all over his confused face.

"It appears I have interrupted something?"

"No. It's fine. It's…" Pipp trailed off, deciding to just move on from this awkward moment. "Did you need something?"

"My apologies," M.O.R.I.C. continued as if Pipp didn't talk. "I am unaccustomed to guests. Would you like me to knock next time?"

"Please," Hitch said, finally gaining his voice at the same time Pipp said, "That'd be great, thanks."

"Of course. Noted. Next time, I will knock so I don't inturrupt another–"

"Was there something you needed or whatever?" Hitch interrupted.

"I was asking if you were ready to come down for breakfast. And what you would like?"

They both agreed to have toast, with some butter and jam at M.O.R.I.C.'s persistence.

And with that, M.O.R.I.C. teleported out of the room. There was a moment of silence as they both stared at the spot where M.O.R.I.C. stood before the two lovebirds cracked up laughing, falling on their back with laughter.

"That was…" Pipp started, trailing off in laughter.

"You know, I've fought a changeling form of myself, I've married a pegasus, who six years ago was supposed to be my enemy, and yet that was the most awkward thing I've ever experienced."

"Agreed." Pipp sighed, sitting up in bed. "But, he's right. We really should get up."

"Oh c'mon. Stay in bed!" Hitch grabbed Pipp from behind and pulled her down, making her yelp.

"Hitch! M.O.R.I.C. had a point. We need to get up."

"But we're having a moment." Hitch kissed Pipp's cheek.

"And now that moment's over. Because of a blind to boundaries butler. Plus, I have morning breath." Pipp pushed Hitch away, much to Hitch's disappointment, and stood up from bed, walking to her saddlebag. "Can you get the curtains, please? I can barely see anything."

"You know. I should really have a talk with that butler," Hitch grumbled as he stood up and walked over to the curtains. "Doesn't he seem a little odd to you, though?"

Pipp flew into the bathroom with her toiletry bag and crown. She turned on the sink and began brushing her teeth. "Off you're talking abou the wobotic way he talks and how he tewaports when he's just an earf wony, then yeah. He's odd."

Pipp finished brushing her teeth and was now brushing her hair when she realized Hitch hadn't said a word. "Hitch? You still alive out there?"

Pipp meant it as a joke, but after everything that's happened, her voice was a little shaky, the smallest part of her wondering if he'd really reply, or not. There was a moment of silence and her heart stopped.

"Honey…you should really come and see this…" Hitch called.

Pipp quickly finished brushing her hair, not doing nearly as good of a job as she liked, put her golden crown on, and hurried out the bathroom only to be greeted by sunlight streaming through the curtains that only comes during midday.

"Holy Mom. Why is it so bright out? What time is–"

"Seven in the morning. The clock says seven in the morning but the sun says it's noon," Hitch said with wide eyes, staring out the window.

Pipp walked up next to Hitch and she looked outside, her mouth dropped. The sun was high in the sky, not a single cloud in sight. The sunlight reflected off the dark pink and light blue crystal homes, creating a blinding glare. While there was a constant raging blizzard for the past month, not a single speck of snow could be seen.

And the craziest part of it all? Every street, every sidewalk, every front porch, and every backyard was empty.

All four ponies were dying with laughter in an alleyway, off the main Canterlot street. They had just finished with their most recent prank which was so funny, that it was hard for them to control their laughter until after they were out of sight, lest they get in trouble.

"That was priceless, Peach! Did you see the look on her face?" Flurry exclaimed as she wiped tears from her eyes.

"I only came up with the idea. It was you who did all the work, Flurry. Great actin' by the way."

"And, it was all perfectly legal," Orion added.

"Orion. Quit bein' such a buzz kill."

"Oh, quit your fighting, you two. That was amazing and legal. Did you see the way her face paled when she saw her hair was a bird nest with worms in it?!" Flurry exclaimed, laughing all over again just thinking about it.

"That doesn't even compare to when you told the police officer that you had a cold. And the officer said it was an accident and there was nothing he could do." Pound started.

"And her face paled and she was all like: 'this mane style cost me one hundred bits. I deserve compensation,'" Pumpkin finished, making her voice sound like a stuffy Canterlot elite. "Priceless!"

Flurry Heart levitated the four other ponies with her magic and floated them over to her, embracing them in a group hug. "Thanks, guys. This is the best birthday."

"Alright," Orion said, trying to pull out of the hug. "This is getting cheesy."

"Nopony cares what ya think, Orion," Peach said, her voice muffled from the hug.

"Actually, I agree with Orion. This is just getting sappy," Pound said, trying to pull away.

Flurry Heart let them go, smiling at all her best friends. She had grown up visiting the Cake Twins whenever she'd go to Ponyville, since they were only ten months older than she was and they became fast friends. Then when Flurry Heart was nine and the Cake Twins were ten, they had met Peach, who was Flurry's age. And the next time Flurry came to Ponyville to visit, her and Peach also became fast friends, once she got over the fact that Flurry was an alicorn and a princess.

Orion had joined when Flurry and Peach turned eleven, and he was the same age as the Cake Twins. Peach and Orion had a rocky start, but they've gotten much better. Though, Flurry and the Twins wouldn't trust them alone in a room together. Especially since Peach had six older brothers. They were as close as family at this point, and nothing could tear them apart. Or, at least, that was what they thought.

"Seriously though," Flurry continued. "That was the best. Way better than that stuffy gala I'm forced to go through every year in a stuffy dress."

"You mean the stuffy gala that's thrown for your birthday in your honor every year?" A voice asked behind them.

The four ponies widened their eyes, the new voice freezing them in their tracks. They turned to see a purple alicorn that was as tall as Celestia. She had a dark purple mane with pink highlights that was floating in an ethereal wind. The alicorn had a cross look on her face that told the ponies she was not happy with them.

Flurry Heart smiled nervously as she looked up at the tall alicorn that was much taller than she was. "Aunty Twilight. What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?"

"I could be asking you the same thing, Flurry Heart. Why are you here in Canterlot and not in the Crystal Empire getting ready for your party?"

"Umm…" Flurry paused, looking for some kind of excuse that'd fly with Princess Twilight.

"You're not pranking again, are you?" Princess Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

"O-of course not, Princess!" Pound Cake exclaimed, trying to find some sort of excuse.

"We were…dress shopping!" Pumpkin finished for Pound, looking at Twilight nervously.

"Y-yeah!" Peach continued. "We wanted to find a fancy dress fer her gala. That's why we came to Canterlot. Umm…"

"None of the boutiques in the Crystal Empire had anything good," Orion stated matter of factly, earning a glare from Pumpkin and Pound Cake, and a slap on the back of the head from Peach.

"What he means, Princess is that…" Pumpkin started.

"We wanted to go different than the typical Crystal style. We…"

"Wanted Flurry to stand out. Obviously." Pumpkin finished. It creeped Flurry out sometimes when they finished each other's sentences.

"And that's why you snuck out without any of your parents knowledge you were going to the Crystal Empire?"

Peach was the first to think of something. "Weee…wanted it to be a surprise. Yah. Cause, umm…we thought her momma and daddy would be–"

Princess Twilight held up her hoof, silencing Peach. "Thank you, Peach Cobbler, Pound and Pumpkin, and Orion for that resounding explanation that I do not believe." The five ponies opened their mouths to argue when Twilight silenced them with a hoof. "I don't want to hear it. You're lucky the four of you are still invited, and that your parents are letting you still go. But prepare yourselves for a very stern talk and some punishments. You guys go ahead to the train station. Flurry Heart and I will meet you in the Crystal Empire."

The four ponies quickly agreed and were off in an instant, refusing to argue with the ruler of Equestria. Twilight turned her glare to Flurry Heart, though it was softer than before.

"I'm very disappointed in you, my niece. Your parents are worried sick about you."

"Sorry, Aunt Twiley. I just…why do we have to do this stupid gala anyway. I hate it."

"You know why we have to, Flurry Heart. It's how the kingdom celebrates you, and their love for you and it's that love that strengthens the Crystal Heart and, thus, strengthens all of Equestria. And you of all ponies should know how important the Crystal Heart is. Don't you remember the story your parents told you about the day of your Crystalling?"

"Yes Aunt Twilight. It's just…it's embarrassing how I'm already fifteen and I still don't have my cutie mark." Flurry Heart dropped her head, her ears flattening.

"Well, did you talk to the Cutie Mark Crusaders like I asked?" Princess Twilight put a wing around her niece.

"Yeah. I even went Crusading with them, but everything they tried failed. What if…what if I'm not destined to have a cutie mark?" Flurry Heart looked up at Twilight.

"Oh, Flurry Heart. You'll get your cutie mark someday. And it will be brilliant. I promise."

A scroll appeared in a green puff of smoke right in front of Princess Twilight. She picked it up in her magic and opened it, reading before her eyes widened slightly. "Right. We should be getting back to the Crystal Empire before your mother starts looking for you outside of Equestria," Twilight shook her head as she took off in the sky with her massive wings. "Where would I be without my number one assistant?" She muttered to herself.

Flurry Heart hesitated for a moment, looking at her blank flank. Why couldn't she just have a cutie mark like everypony else? Why did she have to be so late? She didn't care if it was special or not. Heck, she didn't care if it was just a letter. She just wanted a cutie mark.

"Stupid flank. Why do you have to be so stupidly late!" She yelled at her flank, as though insulting it would give her a cutie mark.

"You know…" a voice said from the shadows of the alleyway, gaining Flurry Heart's attention. "I can give you a cutie mark, if that is what you truly desire."

Hitch and Pipp finally made their way to the dining hall, after getting lost multiple times. Pipp couldn't believe her eyes as she walked through the Crystal Castle. It was absolutely breathtaking. She wished that when she first got here last night, that she was able to truly take in its magnificence.

Now however, she was so not going to waste that opportunity. She already had her phone out, taking pictures left and right, with selfie and such. It wasn't until Hitch finally put his hoof on top of her phone, slowly shaking his head, reminding her that while it's okay to take some pictures, it's also good to just stay in the moment.

She had smiled at him and nodded in agreement, putting her phone away. She'd want to take out her phone to take pictures when she'd see a beautiful crystal chandelier, or a beautiful purple banner, and sometimes she would take out her phone, but for the most part, she was doing pretty good at this being present thing.

Finally, they arrived at the dining hall, their toast already waiting for them, as well as all of their friends, who looked utterly exhausted. Pipp had to admit that she felt as tired as they looked and no amount of makeup could take the bags from under her eyes away, but, she had to admit, after this morning, she was feeling pretty good about her relationship with Hitch.

They sat at the table and the six of them sat in silence for a moment, as though not sure where to start. Pipp was the first to break the silence. She cleared her throat. "Ahem, so umm…where's Zoom?"

"She's with Thunder. She refuses to leave his side until he wakes up."

"Shouldn't he already be awake?" Hitch asked.

Zipp shrugged. "When Misty cast the spell, it was because she panicked. It was the first thing her mind thought of. She flipped through her spell book this morning and found the spell. Apparently, the pony it's cast on is asleep for about a week. So yeah. Thunder's out like a light for a while. Now, can we stop with the small talk and get down to the elephant in the room? Please? I'm dying to speculate! This creepy castle is just brimming with questions!"

"Well, good to know subtlety doesn't run in the family. At least it's not just me." Pipp said flatly, taking a drink of her water.

"You are so right Zipp. We should talk about the elephant in the room. So, does anypony have any idea how M.O.R.I.C. made all this stuff so quickly?" Izzy said, staring at her plate of waffles with whip cream and strawberries on top with amazement.

Zipp rolled her eyes. "While M.O.R.I.C. is on my 'things to investigate' list, how he cooks isn't even on it. And he isn't even top priority, though he definitely freaks me out. Anypony got any other questions. I've got a bunch, but I want to give you all a chance to put in your two cents, in case there's anything I missed."

"Okay…like how it looks like it's noon outside when it's really seven in the morning?" Hitch suggested.

"Or how outside is totally and completely devoid of any ponies?" Sunny added.

"Or how this castle is just as empty when, even if there aren't any servants, there should at least be guards?" Pipp put in.

"Or how just last night there was a super big blizzard but it now looks like the middle of summer!" Izzy continued. "And have any of you noticed that M.O.R.I.C. doesn't blink. Seriously! He doesn't blink!"

"Or how even though this place is supposed to be empty, and yet, I can feel feelings of happiness and joy all around me, excluding Flurry Heart's emotions."

Everypony stopped at that and just stared at Misty, who blushed and slowly curled into herself. She still hated attention. She bit her lip, just staring down at her plate.

"You mean there are other ponies here?" Zipp asked.

Misty nodded. "A lot. Since Flurry Heart's…outburst last night, I've been keeping my shield down so I might be able to predict another one…I've been picking up calm and happy emotions, but they haven't fluctuated much. They've been about the same and–"

Misty was interrupted when Flurry Heart walked into the dining hall, her face a passive mask. She had an air of royalty about her, one that intimidated even Zipp, who tried not to show it. She walked to the end of the dining table and just stood there for a moment, as though studying each one of them closely. Her eyes lingered a little longer on Misty before moving on.

Once she was done, she finally spoke. "Pleasant morning. I trust you slept well."

"Yes. We slept amazingly. The living arrangements were better than perfect, Sunny quickly said with a smile, trying to take to heart what Misty asked of her last night and give Flurry Heart a chance.

Flurry just looked at her confused, while Misty dropped her head on the table, knowing exactly what Sunny was trying to do. Why did Sunny have to be so bad at acting?

After a few more seconds of awkward silence, Zipp finally spoke. "Yeah, well, we slept as good as we could with these millions of questions running through our minds! Like, why is it so bright out? Why is it so empty but Misty can feel a whole lot of ponies here? Why it was snowing just last night, but this morning it's completely devoid of snow? And–"

Flurry raised a hoof, silencing Zipp. She hadn't even realized that she was starting to get out of her seat and leaning far into the table. She quickly sat back down, staying silent.

"I assure you. Many of your questions will be answered. Follow me." And with that, Flurry turned to leave.

Zipp jumped up, flying after the pink alicorn. "Wait! Why not all of our questions?"

Flurry Heart sighed irritably, stopping just before the entrance, causing Zipp to stop in her tracks. She turned to face Zipp with an irritated expression. "Because, Princess Zipp, if I could answer all of your questions, you wouldn't be here, because I wouldn't need you to save my kingdom because I would've already saved it myself."

Zipp opened her mouth to say something, but her mind blanked. And even if she had something she wanted to say, it was clear by the look on Flurry Heart's face that anymore interruptions would not be tolerated.

After a moment of silence, Flurry Heart sighed. "If that is all, I'd advise you follow me. I will not ask again." Without another word, Flurry Heart left the dining hall.

The rest of the ponies looked at each other before they quickly scrambled to their hooves and quickly followed Flurry Heart out of the room, Zipp taking the lead. Only Misty noticed that the wall Flurry had built around her emotional gravestone was now even thicker than before.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

The pink alicorn paced back and forth as Flurry Heart was being fitted for her gown for that night's events. Flurry Heart watched as her mother, Princess Cadence, paced back and forth, ranting and raving with a bored expression. They've been through this before in the past.

"I'm assuming you're going to tell me?" Flurry asked flatly.

"Very! I was incredibly worried! Terrified!" Princess Cadence continued as though Flurry Heart didn't say anything. "Anything could've happened! Anything! You could've been fillynapped or…or hurt…or…a number of things could've happened."

Flurry Heart rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure I would've been fine in a kingdom ruled by friendship."

"That's never stopped anything bad from happening before!" Cadence yelled, stopping her pacing for a moment to glare at her daughter before continuing. "I come into your room to wake you up, only to find you not in your bed! No note! The guards don't know where you are! Hell, the guards didn't even know you left your room! All I see is a birthday banner with a hole in it from a magical blast! Do you have any idea what I thought?!"

"That I was fillynapped?"

"Or hurt?" The white unicorn with a purple mane that sported grey streaks from age said as she sewed part of the dress together, earning a smile from Flurry.

Cadence stopped in her pacing to glare at her daughter and her dresser. "Alright, smart alecs. I get it." Princess Cadence sighed. "I know you just see me as a paranoid mom, but Flurry…the things I've seen…just because your Aunt rules Equestria and just because we're allies with most creatures outside of Equestria doesn't mean things can't go wrong. That was what we thought the third time King Sombra came back and he almost succeeded in taking over Equestria. That's what we thought when Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow came back and actually succeeded in taking over Equestria."

"Yeah. For a whole five minutes," Flurry said with a roll of her eyes.

Cadence walked up to Flurry Heart, putting a hoof to her cheek. "Honey, I know you don't see the world as a dangerous place, and I love that about you, but you just need to be a little more cautious."

"Mom," Flurry groaned. "What's the worst that can happen. I'm an alicorn. With alicorn powers! I'm good!" Flurry waved a dismissive hoof.

Cadence rolled her eyes. "I swear. You're just like your father."

"She sure is, isn't she?" Rarity said as she put the finishing touches on the dress. "And done." She cut the string and took a couple of steps back, admiring her handy work. "And I must say, you look magnificent, darling!"

Flurry Heart turned to look in the mirror and her jaw dropped. She had no idea she could be this…pretty? The dress was a couple of different shades of purple from light purple to a darker purple that was a little lighter than princess Twilight's mane. The fabric was stitched in a way that made the different shades of purple look as though it was different shades because of the lighting and not because they were actually different shades.

The front of the dress had a wavy hem and the sleeves were capped at the top of her shoulders. Two dark purple ribbons wrapped around the edge of the top part of the dress before coming back around and making an X in the middle on both sides.

Her purple and blue hair was up in a beautifully braided bun and she had silver earrings and silver shoes to match the dress. Flurry stared at the dress, surprised by how much she actually liked it.

"Well, do you like it, darling?"

"I love it, Aunt Rarity. You've really outdone yourself."

"Oh, my baby. All grown up." Tears welled in Princess Cadence's eyes.

"Mom," Flurry groaned, a small smile on her face.

"Oh! And that reminds me! Your father wanted to see you before everypony else did. I should go get him before you go down." Cadence turned to leave.

"Hurry back, darling! I do wish to show off my latest design on my most fashionable model!" Rarity called.

"Oh! Mom! Hold on!"

Cadence turned just before leaving, a smile on her face.

"Tell the guards one more guest is coming. A last-minute invite."

"Of course honey. It is your birthday. You can invite whoever you wish. What's their name?" Cadence asked,

"Uh…Opaline Arcana." Flurry said confidently as though she's known that unicorn for more than a couple of minutes.

"Perfect. I'll let the guards know," Cadence responded before walking out and closing the door behind her.

Besides. An invitation to a stuffy party for a cutie mark. Seemed like a pretty sweet deal.

Author's Note

Bum bum BUMM!!

The story will be going back and forth like this a lot, which is what I originally planned. That's why I left a lot of gaps in the story. I'll try to make it so it's easier to follow.

Also, in case any of you are wondering because I cannot describe fashion all that well, here's the dress I used for Flurry's gala. Disclaimer: I did not design this dress, though I cannot find the artist.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KHLoldl1phfvJiDk0qcYaA-FbCoEZRpw/view?usp=drivesdk