CHAPTER 1

THE TERRIBLE NEWS

Fluttershy finished feeding her animals, her teal eyes sparkling as she gently patted her most favourite pet of all Angel bunny. She loved animals with all her heart, they where life to her here in the castle, as her and her five sisters were not allowed to leave the palace walls without permission and that was only granted for a reason. Sighing the buttercream pegasus gently extended a wing and she pushed away a small squirrel who was trying to hug her hoof.

"I'm sorry my friends, but I have to get back now, it's time for lunch." The kind mare gingerly put down some chipmunks who had scrambled into her mane. The critters simultaneously sighed and hopped out of her way.

"Thank you my friends, don't worry I'll be back to see you soon!" Fluttershy gave a soft giggle as she gave them all one last pet and extended her wings, taking to the skies. The wind blew her silky soft mane in her face as she left the gentle breeze tug at her feathers as she gracefully flew across the blue sky. Seeing the start of the castle grounds she left the castle gardens far behind and flew down to the entrance of the grand castle. With a ruffle of feathers she tucked her wings to her sides and avoided getting in the way of some busy but content servants. She smiled warmly and started walking down the hall.

"Life is so wonderful in the palace!" She surprisingly started to sing.

"With not a problem in place,

"And with animals and trees,"

"I really do believe,"

"Life is wonderful in the palace!" The Pegasus smiled daintily and continued down the hall.

Outside the castle near the gardens Applejack was coming in from the orchard. The orange mare grinned and watched as her sister Fluttershy flew overhead towards the entrance. Racing to catch up with her she entered the grand palace and started singing herself.

"Life is grand in the palace!"

"Where nopony looks at you with malice!"

"With apple trees galore,"

"This place isn't a bore!"

"Life is truly grand in the palace!" The southern accented mare grinned she raced to stand next to Fluttershy.

In the dressing room a gorgeous unicorn was applying her regular eyeshadow when she heard her two siblings sing past the door. Rarity fluttered her deep blue eyes curiously she got out of her seat and opened the door just as they trotted past. Smiling gracefully the White mare joined in.

"Life is fabulous in the palace,"

"Where everything is tied off with lace!"

"With jewels and more,"

"And a highly polished floor!"

"Life is simply fabulous in the palace!" The fashionista giggled and her sisters joined in as they continued down the corridor.

Out of nowhere a hopping bundle of energy came bouncing down the hall, meeting with her three sisters as they continued on to lunch. The pink earth pony giggled with a wide smile and sung in her high pitched but beautiful voice.

"Life is great in the palace!"

"Where everypony has a smile on their face!"

"Where cake is eaten all day,"

"And we can just play!"

"Life is great in the palace!" The party planner princess named Pinkie Pie hopped along with her sisters.

Outside a zooming rainbow trail was left in the wake of a cyan blue Pegasus as she dashed towards the castle, it was lunch time! Rainbowdash gave a smirk and flew with all her might towards the castle entrance, just in time to hear Pinkie Pie singing all the way down the corridor. Touching on the ground the mare caught up to her four older sisters and sang herself.

"Life is awesome in the palace!"

"Where i can challenge anyone to a race!"

"Where nopony can beat me,"

"No, there is no defeat!"

"Life is awesome in the palace!" The five mares trotted along past the library.

After another round of singing the lavender mare closed her book. "I guess it's time for lunch!" She sighed and placed the book back on it's shelf. Opening the grand library door she joined the line of princesses and sang her part.

"Life is lovely in the palace!"

"I certainly love reading the atlas!"

"Where I can read all day long, and not get interrupted by a song!" The mares sheepishly smiled at this line from the youngest sister.

"Life is lovely in the palace!"

The bookworm called Twilight finished and they were nearing the door to the lunch room. The six princesses stopped and simultaneously raised their hooves and opened the large wooden doors in front of them. Immediately they were overwhelmed by the scent of glorious food cooking in the kitchen, while servants and cooks dashed back and forth. In the middle of the room sat a large round table, behind it a glorious throne which sitting upon it was a tall white alicorn, her flowing mane a series of blues, pinks and greens that had sparkles intertwined into the hair that shone like the sun in the sky. "My children!"'the Queen exclaimed smiling graciously as her kids lined up before her. "Good afternoon Fluttershy" the alicorn nodded as the butter coloured pegasus did a curtesy then moved to her spot at the table.

"Good afternoon, Applejack" she greeted her next eldest who gave a simple bow before taking her spot.

"Good afternoon Rarity" Celestia smiled towards her third child who did an elegant curtesy and hurried off to her seat.

"Good afternoon Pinkie" the pink earth pony have a wave and a giggle before bouncing towards her spot.

"Good afternoon Rainbow" the alicorn extended a wing and Rainbowdash gratefully slapped her own wing against it in a kind of mother daughter greeting. The blue Pegasus then rushed to her chair.

"And good afternoon Twilight" The Queen bowed her head down, her long horn touching her youngest child's. Retracting from the unicorn greeting Twilight spoke "Actually mother we still have twelve minutes until it's officially afternoon... But never mind" the lavender mare sheepishly hurried off to her seat while her mother chuckled at her behaviour.

"Dinner is served!" A chef backed into the room, carrying seven trays using his magic. Instantly the six princesses started drooling at the prospect of delicious food. The chef used his magic and delivered each tray to their respected princess.

"Enjoy!" He bowed before backing up into the kitchen. The six mares removed the lids off their meals and ate ravenously. Celestia was surprised by her daughters' hunger but wanted to let them eat however they wanted, after all she had to break the news soon. The alicorn waited until the eating of food had slowed slightly before coughing to get their attention. Six pairs of eyes stared at their mother wishing for her to make her declaration.

"Children, I have some...interesting news..." The queen paused before continuing.

"You are to get married." It was sudden, out of the blue and the six mares were all silent before they all spoke

"m-married?" They all shouted in chorus and Celestia nodded unhappily. It was silent until Rarity cried

"but mother, we are barely of marrying age!" The unicorn said distressfully and the others yelled in agreement.

"M-marry, but why?" Pinkie's mane deflated slightly and Rainbowdash angrily growled.

"Yeah, why the hay would we have to get married?

Celestia nodded respectfully. She knew this was how they would react, and rightfully too. Using her magic the alicorn grabbed a crystal off of a pedal stool and put it in the middle of the table. Alighting a spell, she hit the crystal and it turned into a exact replica of the kingdom she ruled over. Her children gave cries of awe. Using another spell she zoomed in until they could see one of the streets.

"Wow the city!" Pinkie pie exclaimed and crouched so she could get an eye to eye view of the street.

"Yeah, but why are the buildings so old looking?" Rainbowdash cocked her head confusedly.

"An' where's all the ponies?" Applejack asked, confused herself. "There they are! But oh my, the filthy old rags they are wearing, so last season!" Rarity exclaimed disgustedly while Fluttershy leaned closer to the replica. "B-but why are they wearing those old clothes when they could just get some new ones?" Fluttershy asked while sympathetically looking down on the street. Celestia gazed over at her eldest daughter before sighing.

"They can't... They are too poor." The alicorn exclaimed while her children looked at her worriedly.

"Can't we just like, give them bits or something?" Rainbowdash pointed towards the street frustratedly.

"There is no bits to give, it Is an endless loop, they give us bits so we can keep their water and electricity running and the bits go towards helping maintain the city, but it seems there is not enough work for these ponies to get the bits they need..." Celestia sighed deeply.

"This is why you must marry." The queen took the crystal away, putting it back on it's little pedal stool.

"I'm sorry mother, but I don't think I quite understand..." Twilight blinked up at her mother with her deep purple eyes.

"You have to marry, but you have to marry rich noble ponies from other kingdoms." The alicorn frowned and the children gasped.

"You mean, we aren't even allowed to marry for love?" The gentle pegasus squeaked and their guardian nodded.

"That's just stupid!" Rainbowdash growled, lashing her rainbow tail angrily.

"But mother, we donn't even know any rich colts form other kingdoms!" Rarity spoke up huffily.

"That is why I'm sending the other kingdoms like Canterlot a message now."

"Ya'll are sendin' us off to get married to some snooty noble pony we don't even know?!" Applejack cried in a fit out outrage that was quickly joined in with her sisters. The noise got louder and louder until Celestia interrupted.

"QUIET!" The Queen bellowed and silence fell on the dining room.

"The only way to save this Kingdom is for at least one of you to get married to a rich pony who we can join our kingdoms together with!" Celestia cried, standing up on her throne with her large wings outspread it make herself look more demanding.

"Do you understand?" The Queen whispered dangerously and the six princesses chorused

"Yes mother..."

"Now leave, enjoy your time here as we may have to send you off to meet suitors." The alicorn watched as her six children left one by one heads drooping in depression and as soon as the door slammed shut behind them the Queen crumbled, laying against her throne, a sob escaping her lips.

"I am so sorry my daughters..."