Author's Note

Outside of Twidashforever's books and tiktoks, I have not touched the main story source for a few years. I've forgotten a lot of the events that happened and I'm going off of what I remember, I hope y'all will be patient with me.

[1] The Purpose of Peace

Twilight thought the clouds were gorgeous up above. The sky was a large pool of deep blue coloring, contrasting beautifully with the yellow rays of Celestia’s sun. The breeze was just right, flowing through her mane without messing up the style. It painted a perfect afternoon.

A round of familiar laughter reached her ears, and she turned right in time to see Pinkie Pie perform a summersault and land on top of Spike’s awaiting shoulder; the teenage dragon was just barely able to steady them with how much the pink mare moved on top of him.

The sight was so hilarious that Twilight joined in on the laughter. It seemed that Pinkie was re-enacting a scene from the latest show she’d watched and umphed the production to the Pinkie Way.

Rarity had to put her glass down as she crawled out of the chaise lounge, having laughed so much that it turned into oddly spaced coughs. Everyone seemed to have found that even more hilarious; the volume was growing as Rarity tried to calm herself only to find herself as the new thing to laugh at.

The mare tried to glare and tell them off, but it didn't work. Her coughing continued to grow, somehow incentivizing the growing sound of her friends' joy.

“Careful now, sugercube,” Applejack said, smoothly coming to her side and stroking her back. There were still some giggles of her own escaping from her mouth, but she continued in a comforting way, “We don’t want you dying on us now, would we?”

Everypony agreed wholeheartedly as they wiped away the tears at the corner of their eyes.

Seeing that it would take a while for Rarity to calm from her coughing fit, Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie, who still stood on top of Spike like it was no big deal.

“You must take us for the next show, Pinkie. I need to know how much of what you’re saying is actually true or if you’re just trying to make us laugh.”

Pinkie scoffed at that, her hair bouncing as she made her way over to the alicorn and plopped down in front of her. The pink pony was shaking her hoof in front of her as she replied, “Twilight, oh Twilight, you must not know of the lengths to which the earth pony theater will go! You're being blinded by the normative rule of this country!”

“Knowing you, I think I have an idea.” She rolled her eyes fondly.

Purple magic wrapped around the pink pony that levitated her back to standing on Spike’s shoulders. The dragon simply accepted his fate, only alleviated from his woes when Fluttershy offered him a gem cupcake from the snacks in the middle of the balcony.

Rainbow Dash giggled at the sight, her face full of cookie crumbles. “You know, I think Spike would make a wonderful addition to the bakery’s entertainment corner, Pinks.”

“Please don’t encourage her,” Spike moaned through a mouthful of cupcakes.

“Yes, please don’t. I don’t want letters being constantly sent to me that complain about his new job.”

All of them shared another resounding snigger at the imagery. Spike could only grumble at the comedy at his own expense, a complaint that nulled the moment the others noticed the little quirk on his mouth that teetered on a small smile.

Pinkie Pie finally jumped down from the dragon’s shoulders and went over to the pastries, chatting with Fluttershy about the food the shy pegasus brought and how much she had improved with baking the pies. Despite Pinkie's volume, the others couldn't find a place to join the conversation.

With her mascot finished playing with him, Spike joined the two mares near the food, most likely trying to get his claws on more of the gem cupcakes.

Rarity gave Applejack a grateful nod at her help, a thanks that the farmer returned with a tip of her hat before she went back to her own seat.

The unicorn cleared her throat for the others’ attention. “You know, I’m extremely curious about the shows the earth ponies have been churning out nowadays. I think it’s a brilliant idea that we all go out to watch one.”

“There is this big one that’s going to be hosted next Sunday in Canterlot. The bakery will be catering after the show is done. It’s a pretty large event; I think one of the royal sisters had been the one that personally requested everything to be made.”

Rainbow perked up, “Holy shit, is this what I think this is? Also congrats on the gig, Pinkie.” The others immediately chimed in on their congratulations as well.

Twilight hid herself behind her wine, looking over at Rainbow to ask, "What do you mean, Rainbow?" She fought off the smile that was threatening to take over her face. She couldn't be too obvious now with the announcement so close. Despite telling herself that, she has a feeling that she's fighting for nothing.

"The Wonderbolts have been implementing crazy practice schedules the past few weeks because of this big thing going on in Canterlot next Sunday!" The cyan mare flopped down on her chair, burying her face in the pillow. "Spitfire even confiscated all my daring doo books in the buildings because she didn't want any distractions."

If even the Rainbow "Daring" Dash thought that the new schedule is crazy, then it must surely be crazy. Twilight wouldn't be surprised if Rainbow would be doing most of the heavy lifting in the show if she's been this winded from practice of all things.

Applejack tilted her head and thought for a second before muttering, “Next Sunday, the farm received a pretty big order of apple cider to Canterlot."

“Princess Luna has asked me to make dresses for her by that time as well. That's weird...”

“Are you talking about that event that’s happening in the same Sunday that I think it is happening?” Twilight asked in a voice so fake that she hid behind another sip of her wine. Her intrigue was shown in the way her eyes sparkled in a smile that didn’t show on her face.

Rainbow took one look at the alicorn to know exactly what was happening: “Twilight... ”

Immediately, all eyes were on her. The alicorn was unabashed, continuing to take her time tasting every ingredient that made up her drink. Her eyes were closed, but the smile that she was hiding was starting to grow more evident to her friends. She knew she couldn’t actually hide the fact, but she continued to stall anyway.

After all, it was still a secret requested by one of the princesses of Equestria. While she could overrule it, Twilight wasn't the type unless, of course, she's being pinned to the corner by her friends.

Rainbow hovered over her, the cocky grin on her face growing more as she inched forward to the princess, “Hey, Twilight?”

Twilight glanced at the others before batting her eyelashes at the cyan mare. “Yes, Dash?”

“You not telling us something?”

She hummed as her horn glowed to summon a long scroll that she began skimming through, “No, I don’t think so.”

Ignoring the fact that Twilight Sparkle literally summoned an extremely lengthy scroll that contained information that, when leaked, could cause ruin to the lives of many ponies and creatures, Rainbow pressed on without missing a beat. Their faces barely space apart. “Really?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Are you sure sure?"

"I'm sure sure, Rainbow."

"Don't lie to me, Twi—”

“Get a room!” Spike cut her off, throwing the wrapper of his cupcake square on Rainbow’s face.

The mare didn’t even get mad. She belly-laughed and went upside down in the air, her laughter disturbing the nearby clouds that decided to hang around. Twilight found herself giggling along.

Rarity raised an eyebrow at Twilight’s now obvious ploy, “Spill it out, dear. What is it that you’re not telling us?”

She thought about it for a moment, taking another sip from her wine as she did so. “I do not know what you’re talking about. As I see it, it’s a healthy coincidence that we’re all going to Canterlot next Sunday.”

“Healthy coincidence? Even the personal invitation from one Princess Twilight Sparkle that asked me to conduct an avian chorale as an intermission for a royal baby shower party next Sunday,” Fluttershy joined in, taking out a sealed scroll from her pack.

""Fluttershy!""

Came the indignant whine from Twilight and the happy chorus of their other friends. Everypony immediately gathered around the yellow pegasus, opening the scroll and reading through the contents like a bunch of little chicks being attracted by their favorite seeds.

“You’re breaking a contract,” Twilight accused with a pointed hoof and an upset face.

Fluttershy raised her eyebrow, showing the contract to Twilight, “I’m not breaking anything that I haven’t signed.”

The others' reaction was to amplify the tension between the two by 'oo'-ing at the situation instead of trying to get the bottom of this.

The situation was enough for Twilight to stop being annoyed at being caught red-hoofed. She giggled and pulled the letter out of Fluttershy's grip with her magic, joining the others around the pegasus. “I thought you already signed this a week ago.”

“The letter stated to take my time. I didn’t think that I would be good enough to be able to take such a large responsibility.”

She placed a reassuring hoof on her friend’s shoulder and said, “I personally requested you because I know you can do it. After all these years, you doubt just how much I trust you to do things that I’ve already seen you do before?”

“Twilight’s right. If they wanted a choir, then they couldn’t find anypony better for the job than you are," Rarity said. Despite the crumbs that now covered his whole face, Spike was nodding seriously at the side.

"Are the my super special pinkie's bestest friends only parties not enough to convince you, 'shy?! You performed beautifully each time I invite you!"

"Where'd all your confidence from yesterday go, sugercurbe?"

She shook her head at their insistence, “This is different from yesterday or any other party. It's a huge royal event that hasn't happened for a few years now.”

Rainbow scooped Fluttershy by the shoulder and onto the air as she pointed to the sky. “While nobody would be as awesome as the Wonderbolts performing at the event, yours would be the perfect thing to balance all that awesome. Like what Twi said the other day... What was it again?”

Pinkie jumped to their height by the bounce of her fluffy tail. “There would always be darkness that accompanies light!”

Rainbow clapped her hooves together, “Yes! That! Yin yang shmabbles. You should really take the opportunity, Flutters.”

When Rainbow finally placed her back on the castle’s balcony, Fluttershy seemed to have found her response with a small smile and a grateful look to all of her friends: “Yeah. I guess you’re all right.”

The whole group loudly cheered. They made sure to drown Fluttershy with affection that would last decades on other ponies but a few days for this one. The pegasus has really come into her own throughout the years. While she remained quiet in most cases, there was an air of confidence around her that could not be mistaken for anything other than the sureness of oneself.

Applejack bumped her shoulders with Twilight. “So you were just going to leave us in the dark about a royal baby shower?”

A rainbow was immediately in Twilight’s face with red eyes that peered into hers. “Yeah! What’s that about? Even the Wonderbolts didn’t know that this was a baby shower until now!”

She affectionately pressed a hoof to Rainbow’s nose and pushed her away to address the rest of their friends. “It’s a secret that Princess Cadence personally requested. However, the musicians needed to be aware of the songs they'd be performing. The announcement is ready to be printed for tomorrow; you girls didn’t have to wait that long.”

“Yeah right! Just say you pick favorites instead of trying to placate our feelings, Twilight Sparkle!” Rainbow dramatically flew to the corner of the balcony, her wings limp on either side as she buried her face on the cold crystal walls. The sight was something, alright.

Spike seemed to agree, approaching the mare and patting her on the shoulder. He turned and placed a claw to his temple, exaggerating as he massaged the migraine away. “She’s truly the worst...”

Applejack shook her head at the display. “That’s enough outt'a you two. I think both of you had too much wine and cupcakes, respectively.”

“You got Rarity beat with your dramatics.”

"Excuse me?!"

Pinkie Pie snorted and elbowed the yellow pegasus. Her composure didn't last for another second, immediately bursting out in laughter. The earth pony was on her back before anyone could blink, laughing her confetti and balloons out, literally.

Fluttershy shook her head. With the knowledge of their shared past and a single glance to the clocktower, she knew that the pink mare would take far too long to calm down. “I should get Pinkie back to the bakery. She promised to let me use her new oven today, and I'm not about to let her reschedule because she laughed too hard."

Her words seemed to have been enough to snap Pinkie out of her fit. The mare was about to protest that they were leaving too early, but a yellow hoof stopped any words from forming, the innocent smile on her face telling the others that this was a matter she and Pinkie needed to talk about later. The same couldn't be said for the 'victim' who was practically screaming by the time that her body was out of the balcony.

“Spike? I have a few gem pastries that I want to try to bake; do you mind tasting them for me?”

Spike was out of his position in seconds, running in front of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie as if racing them to the bakery would make the pastries bake any faster. "Count me in!"

"I'll have him back before bedtime." She ignored Spike's indignant protest. "Thanks for today, girls. I'll see you soon."

Twilight and the others, save for the still-sulking Rainbow Dash in the corner, crowded the leaving pair to give out good-bye hugs. When she turned around, she found Rarity and Applejack were starting to pack up and leave as well.

She must have frowned openly if it made the two chuckle when they looked at her.

Rarity walked up to her to give her light kisses on both cheeks. “Don’t worry, dear. I have a feeling that we’ll all be going to Canterlot in a few days to prepare for the event." The knowing look she gave the alicorn and the sheepish grin that Twilight replied with was enough indication that her theory was right. "We’ll have plenty of time to hang out in between. For now, I need to pick up Sweetie Bell from school and help her pack to stay with the Apples for a while.”

“Oh?” Twilight’s attention immediately zoned in on a blushing Applejack beside them.

The farmer tried to hide her blush behind a cough: “Applebloom wanted a crusader’s sleepover, or whatever it is that they’re doin’.”

“Right,” Twilight said, unconvinced.

Applejack rolled her eyes and started leading Rarity out of the balcony. “I got a few chores to take care of after picking up Applebloom. I’ll be heading out.”

Rarity waved at the alicorn, “I’ll see you soon, darling!” She trotted to follow Applejack’s hurried pace.

Twilight watched the two ponies from the balcony as they walked toward the school, barely leaving any space between them as they talked to one another animatedly. She continued to do so until they turned a corner and they could not be seen despite the height of Twilight’s Castle.

That left only one friend. That one friend who was still sulking in the corner.

The sight was enough to have brightened her mood, giggling as she approached. She could tell that Rainbow was also smiling the moment she neared, her muzzle barely sealed by the single hoof covering them.

“You’re not leaving yet, Dash?”

“Oh, but how could I leave? When the Princess of Friendship herself is choosing favorites!”

Twilight could agree wholeheartedly that this display of dramatics beat that of Rarity’s worst breakdowns... Alright, maybe not the worst, but it’s up there. The redness of her cheeks agreed that it did a lot to how she perceived the mare.

“Well, if you’re not going to stop whatever it is you falsely accusing me of, I’m going to start cleaning up.”

Twilight didn’t get a chance to pick up the first plate before a rainbow trail zoomed past her and cleaned the whole area in a single blur. Rainbow Dash stood proudly at the edge of the balcony as she balanced a dozen plates on each hoof.

Her chest puffed up even more when she noticed Twilight’s eyes on her, and the cocky grin on her face couldn’t have been wider than in that moment. Twilight patiently waited for her to perform as she always does, sitting on the incredibly well-cleaned floor. She should really start repaying Rainbow for helping her clean up every time they hang out.

Rainbow cleared her throat. “You don’t need to concern yourself with these, Princess. I shall take care of them.”

The attitude was a complete 180 from earlier, but it was what made Twilight giggle. A feat that satisfied the cyan pegasus that she flew down from the balcony. As soon as she was in range, Twilight brushed up to the pegasus, her coat caressing Dash’s as she passed her.

“Thank you, Rainbow. That would have taken me an hour,” she muttered in the small space between them. Twilight started to make her way inside the castle. “Come on. Since you cleaned up here, I’ll wash the dishes, and then we can hang out in the lounge. How does that sound?”

She appeared right beside Twilight, a toothy grin on her face. “You got yourself a deal!”

Twilight took a moment to appreciate the balance and skill that Rainbow had as she continued to hold the dishes on either side. The mare was truly an extraordinary thing.