It was a normal day for Princess Twilight Sparkle. She was sitting in her throne room, writing a report to her former mentor, Princess Celestia, about the magic in Ponyville, and how it was benefiting other ponies, even those who weren't unicorns.
Her friends were also occupying the throne, with Rarity trying out some new makeup, Applejack eating her lunch, Rainbow Dash playing with a soccer ball, and Fluttershy practicing a new musical piece with her bird choir. The only one who wasn't anywhere to be seen was Pinkie Pie, who was helping to plan the first birthday party of the Cake twins, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake.
Just as Twilight was about to finish her letter, the doors to suddenly burst open, and in bounced a pink pony with a very curly pink mane.
"TWILIGHT!" she yelled, super excited.
The other ponies were so startled that Twilight spilled her ink, Rarity messed up her makeup, and Applejack swallowed part of her apple because she could properly chew it, and started coughing. Rainbow Dash lost control of her soccer ball, and it went flying, crashing into a wall and knocking down a picture, as well as breaking a vase. Fluttershy's birds suddenly took off, scattering all around the room, looking for a place to hide.
"PINKIE!" the other ponies whined.
"Sorry," Pinkie Pie said, not looking sorry at all, "I'm just so excited that I can hardly contain myself!"
"What's got you so excited?" Twilight asked
"I-" Pinkie said in her usual chipper self. .
"I-" she said, less energetic.
"Argh! I forgot!" Pinkie growled, curling up in a ball and holding her head, "I was so excited I forgot what I was thinking!"
"Maybe we could help you remember?" Applejack suggested in her usual Southern accent, after having stopped coughing thanks to Fluttershy.
"No, no! I've got it! I know it! It's right on the tip of my tongue!" Pinkie whined.
She suddenly shot up, with a gasp and the biggest smile on her face.
"I remember now! A bunch of new ponies are moving in here in Ponyville! We should throw a "Welcome to Ponyville" party!" Pinkie shrieked
"That's what you interrupted me practicing my awesome soccer skills for?! Some new ponies are moving here?!" Rainbow Dash complained.
"Rainbow!" Twilight snapped.
"Sorry." Rainbow Dash said.
"I heard there are six of them, and they're all moving from Canterlot! That means we're going to have 6 new friends!" Pinkie squealed.
"Canterlot!" Rarity exclaimed, "Why, they must be some of the most sophisticated ponies out there!"
"I doubt that, given how they're moving to Ponyville. This isn't exactly the place for sophisticated ponies. Except for you, of course." said Rainbow Dash.
"I wonder what they're like." Fluttershy said in her usual quiet manner.
"I guess we'll go have to see for ourselves." said Twilight, turning towards the door.
"What about your letter to Princess Celestia?" Rarity asked.
"It can wait. The princess isn't expecting the report right away. Let's go show the new ponies around. They'll probably be disoriented, moving to Ponyville after living in Canterlot for years." said Twilight.
The rest of Mane 6 nodded, and Pinkie Pie asked "Can I bring my 'Welcome to Ponyville' cart with us?"
"I think that might be a bit too much." Applejack said.
"Okay." Pinkie Pie shrugged.
As the Mane Six were walking through town, they couldn't help but chat about their hopes for the new ponies.
"Given how they're from Canterlot, they probably have a good sense of style," Rarity guessed, "Maybe they'll be willing to model whatever new outfits I design!"
"I just hope at least one of them's a pegasus." said Rainbow Dash, "Tank and I have been dying for a new flying buddy!"
"I hope they're nice, and love animals as much as I do." Fluttershy murmured.
"I just want them to be fun and come to all my parties!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, hopping up and down.
"I want them to be honest ponies with big hearts, and maybe some strong legs in case I ever need help on the farm," said Applejack, "What are you hoping for, Twi?"
"I just hope their good, moral, upstanding ponies who are willing to do whatever it takes to stand up to evil." she said.
The other ponies nodded and said their agreements, abut got off when Pinkie gasped and yelled "LOOK! I think one of the new ponies is coming here right now!"
The others turned their heads and saw a unicorn coming their way, with her belongs in cart she was pulling, and using her magic to hold a piece of paper in front of her.
"What the hay?" Applejack asked, "Pinkie, I thought you said there were 6 of them moving here."
"Maybe the other 5 fell behind?" Pinkie Pie suggested.
"Wait a minute…" Twilight mumbled, "Is that…?"
As the pony got closer, her features became visible. She was turning occasionally to greet ponies who were welcoming her, but mostly she was focused on what looked like a map.
Twilight gasped, and tensed, and her friends turned to her, concerned.
"Uh, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Are you okay, darling? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Rarity exclaimed.
"It can't be…" Twilight murmured.
The light purple coat...the brown, braided mane and tail...a cutie mark of a crown of green laurel leaves...
The new pony suddenly looked up and saw them. Instantly, her golden eyes turned cold. She quickly put her map away and started trotting toward the group.
Twilight felt her body go rigid as she realized who had come to Ponyville.
"Laurel Wreath…" she whispered hoarsely.