Ponyville

At the same time, Twilight and her friends we're out enjoying themselves at the Town Square. Today was Farmer's Market Day and Applejack was thrilled to set up her stand selling delicious apple treats and had made quite a profit.

"Hoo wee! Today's Farmer's Market is going great!" Applejack said adding more coins to the chest.

"Well, I did say that people would be thirsty on a hot sunny day." Twilight said grinning "Good thing you brought a barrel of apple juice."

"Yeah!" Spike said gulping down another cup of juice "Walking around in the heat will make anyone thirsty."

"You could have told me and Fluttershy to not clear as many clouds today." Rainbow Dash said floating over the others alongside Fluttershy. "But we did do a good job..." Fluttershy said calmly

"I don't mind you two." Applejack said reassuring Fluttershy "We need some good sunshine here in Ponyville."

"Well I don't need it!" Rarity said walking in with a large decorated garden hat shading her head. Pinkie Pie came along too with her colorful umbrella hat.

"This heat is making me sweat and become all smelly and I just had my mane tanned!" Rarity continued.

"Sunny days are the best!" Pinkie Pie said cheerfully as ever "There's nothing better than being able to go outside and have fun!"

"Yes Pinkie Pie, but must we go out when the heat ruins our looks?" Rarity asked "I don't want to walk around smelling like a wet cat from a ponies' own drip."

"Why don't you have a cup of apple juice?" Applejack suggested "That should help cool you down."

"Oh thank you." Rarity said taking a small cup for herself "One must always be cool and refreshed. Especially among guests!"

The Farmer's Market had attracted many ponies outside of Ponyville, including those from Canterlot. All was doing ok until…

VROOOOOOOOOMMNNN!

"What was that noise?" Applejack asked "I don't know." Rainbow Dash answered

"That sounded like a horn." Twilight guessed "But it can't be the Princess, she didn't give me a notice or anything!"

"Calm down Twilight. I'm sure Princess Celestia just came down for a short visit to the market!" Spike said gobbling down some more treats. "It wouldn't be the first time."

"I don't remember the Princess coming with this many stallions" Rainbow Dash replied in response to Spike's justification. At least a dozen armored stallions had galloped into Ponyville at the sound of the horn and more came in after horn sounded several more times. Many of the local residents of Ponyville we're in awe at the number of armed stallions that had just arrived in their town. Then out of the large crowd of armored ponies came a single silvery-white stallion also covered in armor, wielding a tall banner with an unknown marking of the sun upon it. It looked very similar to Princess Celestia's own cutie mark, with the only difference being that the sun's tips we're sharp and pointed.

"You there!" the white armored stallion said to Twilight in a strong but young voice "This is Ponyville correct?"

"Yes. This is Ponyville" Twilight said puzzled at the question "And you are…?"

"Never mind that." The white stallion responded "My fellows and I have journeyed a long ways and we seek shelter for a night."

"Of course, anyone is welcome in Ponyville." Applejack said walking from around her cart. "Where you boys headin?"

"We're on our way towards Canterlot madam." The white stallion said who then stopped to sniff something that caught his nose. "Do I smell apples?"

"Yes indeed!" Applejack said excited "I'm Applejack, and I'm selling all kinds of apple related treats at today's market."

"Well Applejack I think I can take at least a dozen apple pies. My boys haven't gotten a treat for a long time" The stallion said opening his helmet part way to reveal a unicorn horn which nobody would have really noticed and proceeded to levitate a small bag of money from his bags.

"Much obliged sir." Applejack said handing out the pies. At that moment, Spike who was still chewing down on his food not far away choked up a message from the Princess. He made a VERY loud burp in the process.

"Sorry…" Spike said embarrassed "I was having a snack."

"The Princess sent a letter?" Twilight said puzzled "What does it say Spike"

"Ahem ahem" Spike declared clearing is throat "Her Majesties, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna of Equestria extends an invitation to Twilight and her friends to the royal castle of Canterlot on a special matter."

"Oh it's a party!" Pinkie Pie screamed exactly when Spike stopped talking, hopping up in excitement

"Should I dress up?" Rarity asked "This isn't like the Gala is it?"

"I don't think so." Rainbow Dash said "She said 'special matter' so maybe is something like what happened with Discord!"

"If that tongue twisted got his hands untied from that knot we put him in, we could notice!" Applejack said

"It could just be an invitation to enjoy some tea?" Fluttershy said in a low voice.

"Whatever the case" Twilight declared "We've been asked to come to the castle by the Princesses so we will head over right away."

Without a second though Twilight took one apple from Applejack's stand and made another carriage out of it. "Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, think you can fly us there?"

"Leave it to me!" Rainbow Dash said without hesitation. "I'll try." Fluttershy said trying to be confident.

"Spike!" Twilight said "Stay here and introduce our guests to town. As long as you're here I can send messages between Canterlot and Ponyville."

"Aww but I wanted to come along…" spike said disappointed

"I'll write for you to come over if we need you. Let's go girls."

*Right after the six ponies leave*

The silver-white stallion approaches a small ornate carriage that was hiding just outside of town.

"You know my liege?" he asked through the window of the carriage.

"Of course…" a hidden stallion said inside "She's always gone to liven up things. Even when she was young…"