Chp. II: Guest of Honor

"You wield a sword to battle and I shall carry a shield. Threats be your preference but words of compassion shall be mine. Your eyes cast hatred and recognize me as the enemy but I only see a friend who has lost his way."

-Star Swirl the Bearded

"Thanks again for helping me girls! I can't wait to see the look on Twilight's face when she comes back!" Said Pinkie Pie, filling up the balloons in Sugarcube Corner.

Applejack finished the final batch of apple fritters and sat back as her friends took care of the rest of the decorations. After finding out that Twilight's near death experience was due to stress over her exam, Applejack and everypony else felt it was wise to throw her a party to calm her nerves.

Seeing her friend stress over magic tests made her proud to be an earthpony that lives a simple life. In Sweet Apple Acre, it was just soil, apples and livestock-none of that fancy spell books and exams.

"Me too! All of that studyin' can make a pony go bananas if they don't catch a break. What time did she say she was coming back?" Applejack asked.

"I think she said three O'clock but I'm not too sure." Said Rainbow Dash. "Anyways, I better go wait for her at the train station. I'll see you gals later!"

And with that, the cyan Pegasus bolted out of the Sugarcube Corner to wait for Twilight's arrival.

"Well, the final preparations are done and everypony's here. Now for the guest of honor to arrive." Said Rarity, using levitation magic to put on the large white banner that read "Welcome Back Twilight Sparkle."

The hours passed by and the sky made its transition from day to night yet still no sign of Twilight Sparkle anywhere. Applejack and everypony else began to grow hungry since nopony ate any of the food. No longer hiding, the ponies began to trot around the sweet shop.

"Where on earth are those two?" Asked Applejack.

"Maybe her train was delayed?" Fluttershy suggested.

"Well whatever it is, they better hurry up because I'm so hungry I can eat this whole banquet by myself!" Said Pinkie Pie.

Then, the doorknob was rattling and everypony quickly hushed. When the door opened, they all yelled "surprise!" but was only met by Rainbow Dash.

"What happened to Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"She wasn't in her train. The train from Canterlot arrived on time but she never got off." Said Rainbow Dash.

"That's funny… I could've sworn she came back today." Said Spike.

Applejack put her hoof around the young dragon's shoulders, "Don't you worry 'bout a thing! I reckon she probably just decided to spend a bit more time in Canterlot. She'll be back by tomorrow or the day after at most!"

Everypony gathered at the center of the Sugarcube Corner.

"Yeah, you're right! She'll be back." Said Spike.

Five Days Later

Applejack ran back home and saw Rainbow Dash, Spike and Rarity waiting for her at the barn. Both ponies looked exhausted as though they bucked the entire apple orchard in Sweet Apple Acre by themselves. Applejack, herself, even had to stop to catch her breath.

"Anythin'?" Asked Applejack.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nope. I did a whole check around the entire town and no sign of Twilight."

"Spike and I checked all the restaurants and even the school and we couldn't find a trace."

The four then waited for Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy to regroup with high hopes that they find their friend. It wasn't like Twilight to miss her train ride, let alone overstay and not write to Spike. After an hour of waiting, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy arrived at the barn.

"Any luck, girls?" Applejack asked.

Pinkie Pie shook her head, "She wasn't at the train station."

Rainbow Dash frowned, "Okay, this is getting weird. First, she misses her train. Then she never writes back to Spike and now this! Girls, I say we go to Canterlot and find out what the hay is going on!"

"What about work?" Asked Applejack. "We can't just leave and not say a word."

"Our friend is missing. Are you that much of a workaholic to not make time?" Rarity replied.

"Look, I'm just sayin' there's gotta be a logical explanation to why she hasn't come back. I ain't saying forget about her now!"

"She was supposed to be back here five days ago. She hasn't responded to any of our letters. That's a clear sign something's not right, cowgirl! Now are you with us or are you not?"

Applejack sighed, "Well, I guess I can ask Big Macintosh to take over for me while I'm gone…"

Rainbow Dash clapped her hooves together, "Good! Everypony meet at the train station in one hour. Don't be late!"