Celestia propped her head up with a hoof as she levitated a fork of pancake to her mouth as she watched Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts sitting quietly at her side, occasionally talking to each other. It was technically dinner for her but it was going to be breakfast for Luna when she woke up any minute.

Celestia had chosen Twinkleshine specifically out of her former students for her cutie mark and interest in astronomy. She had originally hoped the mare and Luna would talk over that but she didn’t exactly expect them to bond over video games.

She also didn’t expect Luna to burst into her room at midnight with a ColtBox Series or have the most excited expression on her muzzle as she talked about all the games she and Twinkleshine were going to play together.

Celestia watched Lemon Hearts set her coffee down carefully before turning back to her friend. She had carefully watched those two, Minuette, Lyra’s and Moondancers schooling with interest and offered Lemon Hearts a job as castle staff immediately upon graduation. She had wanted Moondancer to be on her team of scientists but the mare had turned it down stating a lack of desire to work with others.

Lyra had moved to Ponyville to be closer to her friend Bon Bon though Celestia had a suspicion it was going to be more than that. Especially considering Bon Bon used to be a special agent for Celestia. She and Sunset had occasionally worked together till Celestia had to shut down the agency. Damn bug bear incident.

And Minuette had a job as a clock maker in downtown Canterlot. Celestia herself went there to get all new clocks for the castle and herself, occasionally getting broken ones repaired.

As for Moondancer, Celestia had no real clue. Last she heard the mare lived somewhere in Canterlot and did more research work than even Twilight surprisingly. Moondancer was the one she worried most about for personal reasons she wasn’t quite ready to admit to yet.

“Ah hello sister,” Celestia turned and smiled slightly as Luna stumbled in with a glare that made Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts freeze, giving each other worried looks. If looks could kill, Luna’s would have killed the entire castle staff and then some.

Luna said nothing as she levitated a pineapple to her mouth, taking a bite as Lemon Hearts choked on her coffee with a stunned expression.

“I take it you slept well?” Celestia continued as Luna nodded before continuing to eat her pineapple. “You do realize most ponies cut it up, right?”

“Yes dear sister. I was not born yesterday,” Luna shot a flat look at Celestia before sitting down across from her. “I am too lazy and besides, the outer shell gives it extra flavor.”

Celestia was all too happy to take Luna’s word for that. She personally was not too fond of pineapple herself. And besides, she had more important matters to attend to than her sisters awkward eating habits.

“Hey Luna,” Twinkleshine forced a smile as the princess of the night glanced over at her, her face brightening up considerably.

“Dearest Twinkleshine!” Luna shouted with the Royal Voice, causing all three to cringe. “It is good to see you. We slayed that dragon in our game last night, did we not?”

“Inside voice Luna. Please?” Celestia coughed into a hoof as Luna nodded sheepishly.

“Apologies,” Luna rubbed the back of her head with a small smile. “I may have gotten overly excited.”

“It’s fine. We are a good team Luna,” Twinkleshine grinned and hoof bumped the mare.

“If you’ve woken up enough, I got some mares for you to meet,” Celestia commented and her ear flicked at a faint shouting sound. “In fact, that sounds Iike one of them now.”

A pink unicorn with multi colored green hair wearing black armor slammed through the door with a scream, rolling against the ground as her black helmet went tumbling.

“Oh my Celestia!” A peach pegasus flapped inside laughing as she flipped over and hovered on her back with a grin. “Are you good, Zesty?”

“I’m good!” The unicorn called back with a grin. “Just wounded my pride Indy.”

“This is two of the five,” Celestia told Luna after noticing her confused look as two earth ponies and another pegasus trotted in at a much slower pace. “The unicorn is Lemon Zest, the pegasus is Indigo Zap. The two earth ponies are Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat. The other pegasus is Sunny Flare.”

“Fools,” Sugarcoat rubbed her nose before helping Lemon Zest up as Sunny tossed the mare her helmet. “Why do I put up with you two?”

“Because I’m the captain. Duh,” Indigo rolled her gold eyes with a smirk. “And your best friend.”

“Technically that’s Lemon Zest,” Sugarcoat corrected instantly as the unicorn beamed at her.

Luna watched with a tilted head as they all nodded at her before Indigo trotted up with who she suspected was Sour Sweet.

“So you’re the new boss huh?” Sour eyed Luna up and down. “Oh, this is gonna be so fun!”

“Ignore her. She’s a pyscho,” Indigo told Luna as the pegasus ignored the death glare Sour gave her. “Anyway, Indigo Zap. Nice to meet ya after, what a thousand years of banishment? Gotta say, huge fan. I don’t care for manes much but yours is nicely colored.”

“Show some respect. She’s a princess,” Sunny Flare growled and bite the pegasus on her ear. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“She’s a grown mare. She can speak for herself,” Indigo groaned and gave Luna an admiring look. “I’ve read the stories on you. You are more than capable of handling yourself. I meant it when I said I’m a huge fan.”

“Uh thanks?” Luna said in confusion as Twinkleshine and Lemon watched in confusion.

“I’m stuck with these idiots,” Sugarcoat grumbled under her breath. “And my helmet is too freaking big.”

She pushed it back up and gritted her teeth slightly. While they did irritate her, she did view her friends as family. Indigo may be arrogant but she was admittedly more fearless than Sugarcoat had ever expected when she first met her.

Lemon Zest was definitely the most playful of the group and Sugarcoat grudgingly had to admit the unicorn was good at her job. Lemon Zest had been the first to befriend Sugarcoat and the two always were hanging out together.

Sunny Flare was the more fashion oriented one and constantly got on Indigo’s nerves about her mane style. She seemed to be more friendly with Sour Sweet. Sugarcoat was just glad the mare wasn’t as stuck up as she was when the two first met.

Sour Sweet was the hardest for Sugarcoat to get a decent read on. The mare always seemed to be in a mood and stayed to herself. The only time the mare was with others was when she was with Sunny or sleeping during the groups various outings.

“Why don’t I show you all around?” Celestia offered finally as the others shrugged. “You’ll be staying here in the castle permanently. Unless you have homes in Canterlot. Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts, why don’t you two go home for the night?”

“I would but I have the night shift princess,” Lemon Hearts brushed some of her mane out of her eyes.

“It’s okay Lemon Hearts. Go see your friends for the night. You deserve a day off,” Celestia smiled warmly and placed a hoof on the smaller mares shoulder. “This place wouldn’t run without you, Lemon.”

The mare blushed and looked away before nodding in defeat. Compliments had always been the fastest way to her heart. As soon as Minuette had found out about said weakness, she quickly took advantage of it to get the mare out and about more.

“Let’s go Twinkle. I think Minuette might be passed out on her couch again with her clocks again.”

“With her what?” Lemon Zest giggled as Twinkleshine blushed and Indigo laughed.

“Clocks nimrod,” Sour snorted with a smirk. “Not the other thing you were thinking of. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

Twinkleshine shot a look back at Luna who was watching the bickering royal guards who occasionally each laughed.

“I really hope she is up for that,” Twinkleshine mumbled to herself as she shut the door quietly.

“What Twinkie?” Lemon asked as she levitated her saddlebags on.

“Nothing Lemon.”

Twilight and High Winds trotted down the street with a map in the unicorns magic held up to her face.

“Sunset said her job interview was at a cafe down here,” Twilight commented as she looked around. “There’s a million cafes. She should have been more specific.”

“Felt that. Why does she even need a job? She gets that money from Celestia, remember?”

“She doesn’t like just sitting around doing nothing she claimed. So she’s looking for a job. Think she said this one was a records keeping job with some construction company,” Twilight answered as the two stared at Sunset waving enthusiastically with a grin. “That was fast.”

Two ponies with unreadable expressions sat across from Sunset, one with a briefcase sitting on the table closed as Twilight and High Winds sat at a table a few feet away.

“So what exactly does this job entail?” Sunset asked curiously as she levitated the papers in front of her. “Forest Incorporated? Weird name for a construction company.”

“You’ll be doing organizing files and all. We’re a well known company up in the Trottingham area,” the stallion answered. “I’m Hard Hat. I’ll be your boss.”

“It’s all the way in Trottingham?” Sunset simply raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, no thanks. I don’t want to leave my marefriend or family or my friends. I wish you guys luck.”

“There’s a sign on bonus,” the mare hastily interjected. “We’ve heard a lot about the famous Sunset Shimmer. You’re reputation precedes you. You’re exactly as we expected and we could really use you. Some ponies at the Canterlot Castle have spoken highly of you. Especially a Raven.”

“You talked to Raven?” Sunset gave them a startled look as Twilight and High Winds both gave each other stunned looks.

“Yes,” the mare answered with a shrug. That was a lie, naturally. None of them even have been to Canterlot. She opened the briefcase and Sunset’s eyes widened at the gold coins inside. “Fifty thousand bits sign on bonus. You could solve all of your sister Blazes college costs. And pay for anything else you want.”

“No thanks,” Sunset pushed the briefcase away. “I know a bribe when I see one. And a construction doesn’t seem to offer fifty thousand for a sign on bonus. I’m out of here.”

“One hundred thousand.”

Sunset paused pushing her chair out and scowled at the stallion.

“I said no. You should learn what the word means.”

Sunset continued to stand up and trotted out with a scowl on her face.

“Woah,” High Winds whistled with an impressed look on her muzzle. “Talk about not taking their shit.”

“I know, right?” Twilight agreed as the two stood up to follow. “I think the next place on the list we made was some fast food restaurant. I really need to bring that along in the future.”

High Winds rolled her eyes before following the unicorn with a indifferent look on her face.

She didn’t necessarily want to be here but anything was better than doing constant drills.

Spitfire had been in a mood recently and as a result, worked her team harder. To her knowledge, Surprise did say she was going to attempt to calm the mare down.

With a groan, High Winds spread her wings and pushed herself off the ground after the mare.

After all, she had wings. Why not use them? Walking was boring.

Author's Note

Name: Lemon Hearts.

Age: 29.

Job: Head of staff at Canterlot Castle.

Nicknames: Lemon, Lem, Hearts, Beaker.

Bio: Lemon Hearts is a stern unicorn who is the head of staff at the Canterlot Castle. She helps organize official functions for Celestia and Luna, answering directly to the two and considers them to be close friends. She is a good baker and is a lover of all things lemon flavored. Lemon Hearts is considered sour and cold to most, but is far from it. She is to the point and has a good heart. She attended Celestia's School alongside Twilight, Lyra, Minuette, Twinkleshine, Moondancer, Sea Swirl, Amethyst Star and Sunset Shimmer. She graduated at the top of her class and was offered a job my Celestia immediately after which Lemon Hearts accepted instantly. She encouraged Lyra, Twinkleshine and Minuette to meet Princess Cadence prior to the Canterlot Wedding and personally blamed herself for the three being mind controlled. She spent most of time in the hospital with the three afterwards with Luna.

Motto: Prepare for war, but strive for peace.

Abilities: Lemon Hearts may be lacking in magical abilities and physical strength, but she is highly intelligent and a hard worker. She is a good baker and often brings baked goods to the castle for her fellow staff.

Allies: Celestia, Luna, Twinkleshine, Moondancer, Sea Swirl, Amethyst Star, Lyra, Minuette, Bon Bon, Berry Punch, Written Script, Shining Armor, Kibitz, Plate Worthy, Donut Joe, Blue Streak, Thunderlane, Thundercracker.

Enemies: Chrysalis, Tirek, Sludge, Changelings, Blueblood, Megatron.

Weaknesses: Lemon Hearts doesn't have many magical abilities other than levitation and a few other common spells. She is physically not very strong.

Notable quotes:

"Get back to work."

"I swear, that colt is gonna drive me nuts one day."

"I'm not violent unless it's necessary. Violence sucks."

"Well, Cadence is in town for her wedding Lyra. Surely she can assist you with your love problems. I got work but Twinkleshine and Minuette might be down to come see her? She's the Princess of Love after all."

"I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen."

"If I hear about that damn beaker one more damn time Minuette!"

"My name is not Beaker, Twinkleshine!"

"W-what is that?!"

"My magic..."