On the other side, the ponies found themselves outside in a barn. They checked their surroundings and were a bit confused.
" Did that portal take us to Sweet Apple Acres?" Rainbow Dash asked.
" No, it didn't. I know my Sweet Apple Acres and this isn't it." Applejack answered as she checked out the barn.
" Then what's going on? I thought that portal was suppose to take us back to Equestria."
" We're not done yet Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, turning to her and her friends.
" The book said that we needed twelve jewels. We have one. I think based on the jewels powers, we collect them individually from different princesses and in turn, create a portal. Once we get to the final jewel, it should send us straight home."
" Sounds great!" Fluttershy said.
" I guess that means we'll be doing a lot of traveling." Rainbow Dash replied.
" Hey; at least we have a plan figured out." Applejack pointed out.
" Princess road trip!" Pinkie Pie squealed in excitement.
" Okay girls, now that we fully understand our task, let's see where the princess is." Twilight told them.
" Here? Darling, I don't think a princess would live on a farm." Rarity commented.
Just then, as she was walking, a net from the ceiling fell on top of Rarity, trapping her.
" What's going on!?" She said, panicking as she struggled to free herself.
" Stay still Rarity!" Twilight told her, she and the rest coming to help her.
" We got you." Rainbow Dash assured her before noticing another net ready to drop.
" Heads up!"
But it was too late and it dropped on Pinkie Pie.
" It's got me!" She shrieked, tossing and turning around in it.
" How many of those things are up there?" Fluttershy said, anixious as she looked above.
" Rainbow Dash; make sure everything's fine before another net falls on us." Applejack ordered.
Rainbow Dash flew to the top and checked everything.
" We're good." She said, giving her friends the okay.
" These nets are tied really tight." Applejack mumbled, trying to untie Rarity's net.
To make matters worse, the ponies heard footsteps coming in their direction.
" Someone's coming!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
" Quick; get Rarity and Pinkie out of these nets so that we have a chance to escape!" Applejack yelled.
The ponies desperately tried to free their friends, but the footsteps just kept getting louder and louder until finally, it stood outside the barn.
" Well, well...what do we have here?" It said.
The voice that they heard wasn't menacing or evil, but gentle and kind. The figure came into their sight. Standing before them was a slender, blond girl, smiling at them. The ponies were still.
" Please don't hurt us." Fluttershy pleaded.
" Hurt you? Now why would I do that?" The girl calmly replied and walked over to the frightened Rarity and Pinkie Pie.
" Don't be frightened. I just want to help."
Ever so carefully, she untied and got the nets off of the two ponies.
" Thanks!" Pinkie thanked her, smiling.
" Indeed." Rarity replied, giving her thanks.
" It was nothing." The girl grinned.
" Hey, how come you're not startled that we are talking?" Rainbow Dash asked before she and her friends saw a bunch of mice run up to the girl.
" Cinderelly!" Said one wearing a red hat and jacket.
" Mice!" Rarity squealed, hiding behind Applejack.
The mouse took notice of the ponies and was confused.
" Who's they?"
" Some new friends. Now, what is wrong?" The girl asked.
The ponies watched as she talked to the mice.
" Well; that explains why she didn't mind us talking." Applejack said.
" Do you think there are other animals that talk around here?"
" Maybe..." Twilight replied, feeling unsure.
When the girl had finished, she turned back to the ponies.
" Now then..."
She bent down to their level.
" Do any of you have any names?"
The ponies weren't prepared to answer questions, but Twilight had no issue with delivering.
" Of course! I'm Twilight, and this is Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. What's your name?"
" I'm Cinderella." The girl answered, introducing herself and shook hands with all of them.
" I'm awfully sorry about the traps."
" It's okay. You were just trying to protect your house." Pinkie said, forgiving her instantly.
Twilight then approached her.
" Excuse us, but we have to ask, are there any nearby castles around here?"
" Why yes. The Prince's castle is just a little past the village." Cinderella answered.
" Prince's castle? Isn't there a princess that lives there too?" Twilight asked, she and her friends looking very confused.
" No. Just the Prince."
Not the best news they wanted to hear, but they understood.
" Well, thanks anyway." Applejack said, trying not to sound too disappointed, but Cinderella noticed their let down.
" Would you girls like some tea?" She offered, making them perk.
After their previous adventure, it would be nice to relax a little. Plus, tea sounded really good right now.
" We would love to have some." Twilight spoke before a loud, ringing noise was heard.
" Cinderella!" It hollered.
Cinderella looked at the ponies with a sorry-looking face.
" I guess the tea will have to wait." She tried saying before her name was hollered again.
" My stepmother and stepsisters can't see you out here. Quick, get up into the attic and into my room. You'll be safe there. Jaq will show you the way."
" Who's Jaq?" Pinkie asked.
" A small friend of mine. Jaq!"
On the ground, the ponies saw two mice run to Cinderella.
" Yes, Cinderelly?"
" Could you help our new friends to my room? They need a place to hide."
" Sure thing Cinderelly!" Jaq nodded and started tugging at Twilight's leg.
" You ponies follow us. We'll show you the way!"
Rainbow Dash leaned towards Twilight's ear.
" How about just teleporting us there instead?"
" Not this time. Cinderella kindly offered us a room and he's offering to take us there, so I say we follow the mouse." Twilight replied, not wanting to use too much of her magic.
Once Cinderella left, Jaq and his friend Gus led the ponies to Cinderella's room.