Prologue: Preparations

The first day of summer was always significant in Ponyville. The flowers sprung up and the trees had grown most of their leaves back. Since the schools let out on the day, the young fillies were blissfully outside playing. Ponies took walks in the park and chatted with each other over lattes.

For Twilight Sparkle, it meant another day of studying.

She didn't complain, but there were times when she looked outside and yearned to be enjoying the sunlight and fresh air. The first day of summer each year seemed to be almost the same as any other for the unicorn. However, this year would be very different from the rest.

A knock came from the door around noonish. Twlight sighed and put down her book, Regeneration Spells. She opened the door and Pinkie Pie was standing in front of her.

"Oh, hi Pinkie. What's up?"

"Hey Twilight!" the jovial pony exclaimed, jumping up and down with added emphasis.

"Why are you so excited?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I was wondering if you could come to my Summer Bash party today at 2! All of our friends are going to be there!"

"Oh, gosh, Pinkie. I wish I could, but I'm way behind in my studying. Thanks for the invite, though." She smiled.

"I understand! You're missing a great party, though!" Pinkie had stopped jumping but still sported a wide grin.

"I know. Later, Pinkie." The door closed and Pinkie was left staring at the painted wood that made it up.

Pinkie sighed. "Twilight's been studying a lot lately! She needs some serious funification!" she said to no one in particular.

The party was indeed held at 2 that afternoon in the park. It was a massive celebration. Nearly all of the ponies in Ponyville attended. There were tons of sweets, cases of soda by the dozens, and lots of games. Four of the mane 6 were talking under an oak tree when Pinkie arrived. "Hi girls!" she enthusiastically waved.

"Well, howdy Pinkie." Applejack returned the favor. "Say, ya seen Twilight around?"

"Actually, that's just what I came to talk about! She's been so busying studying, she's missed 4 of my last 5 parties! Even my Festival of Fun!" the other ponies knew this was serious; Pinkie's Festival of Fun was one of the biggest festivals thrown this side of Equestria. Even the Princesses attended.

"Well, she obviously needs some way to unwind. I just hope it isn't pouring over any of her books." Rarity replied.

"I wonder if she needs, you know, a vacation?" Rainbow Dash cocked one eyebrow up. Pinkie gasped. "She DOES need a vacation!"

"I wonder where she wants to go…" Fluttershy pondered this quietly.

"It doesn't have ta be just her. Maybe we could all go on vacation with her?" Applejack wondered. Pinkie gasped even louder than before.

"I know! A road trip! From coast to coast!" she bounced up and down again.

"Well…I've always wanted to examine the fashion boutiques in Manehatten…." Rarity's eyes brightened.

"And I've always to swoop around the Grand Canyon in Arizoneigh!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Ah've heard they have some might nice farmin' goin' on in the central states. Like in Nabrayska! Ah'd love to check it out!"

"Well, if it's not too much trouble, I've heard of the Fillydelphia Zoo. Apparently, they have some rare and exotic animals there. I'd love to see them…" Fluttershy pawed at the ground.

"And I'd love to go to Los Poneles! It's this huge, exciting city! I might even meet my most favorite movie star of all time, Fireball Flash!" Pinkie gushed.

"But…how in the hay are we gonna make it to all of them places b'fore summer's over?" Applejack's question cast a look of mild nervousness over the ponies. Then, Pinkie snapped back to attention.

"I know! Rarity, don't you have a driver's license?"

"Well, yes, but I don't have a car large enough to accommodate all of us…"

"That's okay! Mr. and Mrs. Cake have their RV They use it sometimes to go on vacation themselves! I'm sure they'd let us borrow it!"

"An RV? Pinkie, that hardly seems like a form of transportation I'd go on…" Rarity began.

"Come on, silly! It's like a mobile house! Besides, we're not living in it forever, just for the summer!" Pinkie grinned.

"Okay! Then it's settled? A road trip from coast to coast! That's awesome!" Rainbow Dash spread her wings.

"Wait!" Pinkie shouted at her. "We still need to know when we're leaving!"

The group remained silent, until Fluttershy piped up. "Um…how about Saturday?"

"Saturday? Hm…that's in five days, so sure! That works!" Pinkie was bouncing up and down yet again.

"I'll go ask Twilight A.S.A.P!" Dash took off in the direction of the library as fast as she could. The other ponies watched her go.

Twilight was almost finished with her book when the second knock of the day erupted from the door. She sighed again and opened the door using her magic.

"Hiya, Twi!" Rainbow Dash greeted.

"Hi, Dash. What's up?"

"Well, me and the girls have been thinking. You have been studying a lot lately, so maybe you need a vacation?"

"A vacation? Hm…well, I guess I have been studying a lot lately, and it's been a while since I've gone someplace fun…" Twilight considered. "Well, when is it?"

"We leave on Saturday. Actually, it's not as much a vacation as it is a road trip from coast to coast! We're using the Cakes' RV!" Rainbow Dash almost yelled with glee.

"A road trip? Hm…yes, I'll go. It sounds like a lot of fun. Besides, I've always had a secret desire to visit the space center they have down in Foalida."

"Awesome!" Dash didn't realize it, but she had sported a wingboner. "Start packing! We'll see you on Saturday!" with that, she turned around and flew speedily back to the park. Twilight closed the door and went back to finishing her book, smiling like she won the lottery.

[[A few things:

I know I said I would start on "Saving Private Macintosh", but I'm stuck with the basic training chapter. If anyone could PM me with what the U.S.A. Air Force basic training is like, I'll give you a shout-out at the end of SPM.

Sorry for all of the ridiculous pun names of states and cities. It was the best I could do.

I have a head cold right now, so I probably won't update this as fast as I have been with my previous fanfics. Sorry.

~DD~]]