"What's got you so worked up?" She asked tentatively. Applejack groaned in exasperation.
"It's this new fella that we met today, says his name's Ulysses." She said frowning. "Ain't a name Ah ever heard before."
"What's so bad about that? Ah bet he's real freindly once we get to know him." Applebloom said with surprising wisdom. Applejack gave her sister a stern look.
"Ah'm sure he is, but something about him just says trouble. Now Ah ain't gonna judge a pony before Ah rightly know'im, it's just that Ah get this ominous feelin' 'round him, like maybe he's hidin' somethin'." she said. Apple bloom gave a meek shrug.
"Ya'll said that 'bout Zecora when we first met her. Maybe ya'll will have to give this Ulysses guy a chance." she said.
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Applejack gave a sigh.
"Still," she started. "Ah'm gonna keep an eye on him. Make sure he ain't no threat."
Big Mac gave Applebloom a quizzical look.
"Aww Shuck's, Rarity told me earlier we're gonna have a picnic. Ah best get goin'." Applejack said flustered. "Gotta go make sure the rest didn't forget either." she galloped out the door.
"AH'LL SEE YA'LL LATER!" She shouted back toward her siblings.
Meanwhile
Rainbow Dash peered over the edge of the cloud she was laying on, looking at the actions happening below. More specifically she was watching Ulysses. Something in her gut told her to watch him, And watch she did. She watched as Zecora handed an eagle topped staff to Ulysses. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but a creeping suspicion made her think it was something about the staff.
"I'm watching you, new guy," Rainbow said to herself lowly. She watched as Twilight and Ulysses turned back into the library, Zecora turning around to leave. Rainbow huffed a little. The library concealed her view of Ulysses, something that would prove inconvienent to Rainbow Dash. She looked toward a different direction for some unknown reason, and saw Applejack galloping down the road.
Rainbow took off from her perch, flying quickly to intercept Applejack. Unfortunately, Rainbow wasn't very good at stopping her flight, And crashed int the side of Applejack. Both ponies tumbled to the ground in a mess of limbs.
"Rainbow Dash, Just what in the hay are you doin'?" Applejack scolded. Rainbow stood up and dusted herself off. Applejack did the same.
"Oh, you know, just clearing the skies." Rainbow said sheepishly. Applejack gave her a condescending look. "Ok, I was spying on the new guy. He's with Twilight in the library. What are you doing here?"
"Ah'm remindin' all our friends about the picnic Rarity planned," Applejack said. Rainbow looked confused. "Today." Applejack added.
"Oh." Rainbow nodded in realization. "We better tell Twilight"
"That's what Ah'm tryin' to do." Applejack huffed. She turned and approached the door to Twilights Library. She hesitated before knocking three times. Twilight opened the door almost immediately.
"What's up girls?" She asked. She looked exasperated. "I was just talking to our new friend here." She pointed a hoof to Ulysses. He just stared at them.
"Sorry to bother ya Twi, But We're here to remind ya about the picnic Rarity planned." Twilight waqs caught off gaurd.
"Is it today?" She asked.
"Yeah, Might be happenin' right now. So get a move on, sugarcube." Applejack stated. Twilight shook her head quickly.
"Ugh, How could I forget the picnic." She turned around and headed back inside. "Let me grab the blanket." Applejack gave a sigh and turned her attention to Ulysses. He continued to stare at her, which made the orange colored pony slightly uncofortable. Twilight returned moments later with a checkered blanket clenched in her magic aura.
"I'm ready when you are," Twilight stated. She turned her head to Ulysses. "Do you want to come too?" she asked. Ulysses nodded. Applejack pulled Twilight to the side of the room.
"Are ya sure ya want to bring him with us?" She whispered. Twilight nodded.
"He's new in town and doesn't have any friends," she replied. Applejack gave a stern look.
"What if he tries something bad with that eagle pole there?"
"I'm sure he won't try anything,"
"...Ok, But Ah'm keeping an eye on him." she finished. Twilight turned and walked to the door.
"Lets get moving then," She said nodding to Ulysses.
Later.
The soft blanket felt almost alien to Ulysses, who sat on his haunches overlooking Ponyville. The other ponies were chatting about matters he didn't much care about. His thoughts drifted to the mark on his flank. In his past he would have shown the bull proudly. But now he wanted nothing more than to see it burn. He looked over his shoulder, and caught eyes with Fluttershy. She gave a meek whimper and turned from his gaze. Ulysses turned his attention back to where the town laid.
"So anyway, that's how I became the best flyer in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash boasted proudly. Twilight rolled her eyes.
"You tell that story all the time. Don't you ever get tired of it?" she asked. Rainbow huffed in annoyance.
"Well I thought the new guy would've liked it," She said, nudging Ulysses. "Right?" He stared at her blankly.
"No," He said flatly. Rainbow Dash glared at him.
"Ugh, Way to ruin the mood new guy." she said. Ulysses ignored her, instead he focused on the form of Spike running up the hill where they sat.
"TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT!" He yelled as he ran. He tripped as he reached the picnic area. "Twilight, You got a meesage from the princess!" He said out of breath. He handed the letter to Twilight.
"Thank you spike," She cleared her throat. "Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot."
"Wedding?" They all wondered.
"I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music." she continued.
"Oh my goodness, what an honor." Fluttershy Squeeked. Twilight continued.
"Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception."
"Yay!" Pinkie Pie screeched.
"Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception."
"Yeehaw. Ah'll make the best darn pastries them ponies've ever eaten." Applejack Cheered.
"Rainbow Dash-" Rainbow Dash yawned, bored.
"I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do's." Rainbow jumped in the air.
"Booyah!" she bellowed. "Best. Wedding. EVER!"
"Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids." Rarity promptly fainted.
" And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia." Twilight finished. She looked up to the smiling faces of all the other ponies. All except Ulysses, who had a monotonous gaze fixed on her.
"Another Old World festivity. a conjoining of lives through love." Ulysses said. "I'm coming too." All the ponies were startled at his declaration. Applejack glared at him
"Look here, pardner. Ah don't know what you want to do there, But you can't come, Ya'll weren't invited." she said. "Besides, Why do you want to go?" Ulysses gave her a stern look.
"I have questions, need answers. Your leader would answer them." He said. "Need to know this world. Know it's history." Applejack continued to glare at him. "I know you don't trust me. Have every reason not to. I will come along, only to know the truth. Need to see it."
Applejack sighed in defeat. Twilight gave everyone a confused look.
"There's one thing I don't understand though. Who's getting married." Twilight asked. The ponies shrugged.
"Oh, I was probably supposed to give you this first then." Spike handed Twilight a different letter.
"Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and-" She gasped. "My brother?"