I glided down onto the porch of the giant crystal tree in Ponyville. "Dusk Shine! I brought some books from Prince Solaris!"

"Ah, I'm glad you're here, (Y/N)! Elusive was asking about you earlier." Dusk said as he got off of his crystal throne near the table.

"You can't blame me, darling. Her wings are absolutely to die for and I need her to model for me."

"Model?"

"I'm starting a collection of accessories for wings. You can never look too fabulous, so why not decorate your wings?"

"I suppose I can help you, Elusive..."

"Thank you so much, darling! I absolutely must repay you!"

"No need," I smiled before trailing off, "Anyways, delivery for Dusk. Prince Solaris thought you'd really enjoy these books."

I took out the books from the bags I was carrying and gave it to Dusk.

"Oh my Solaris! I've been looking for this book forever!" Dusk squealed as he immediately started reading it.

"Why are we even here in the first place?" Rainbow Blitz asked.

Starshine Gleam sighed, knowing that Dusk wouldn't answer, "The table started to glow, but it hasn't shown a single cutie mark."

"Maybe I should wander around town for a bit. You guys seem busy anyways..."

Suddenly, I felt a weird sensation where my cutie mark was. I looked back to my flank to see it glowing.

"Cutie marks a-aren't supposed to do this... Right?" I started to panic in my head as I looked at the group.

"Oh, hey! Lookie! It's (Y/N)'s cutie mark! It's on the map!" Bubble Berry squealed.

I looked over to the map, seeing my very own cutie mark surrounding a building. Along with that, Apple Jack's and Elusive's cutie mark where there, too.

"How wonderful! And, we're going to Canterlot!" Elusive exclaimed.

Apple Jack didn't seem as excited as Elusive was, but I brushed it off.

"So, when do we leave?" I asked, not exactly knowing how this entire glowing-cutie-mark-thing is supposed to work.

"Why not now? I always have extra bags packed just in case there's an emergency!" Elusive suggested.

"Well, you sure are prepared..." I giggled.

"You can never be too prepared!" He said with pride.

We continued to giggle until Apple Jack cut in, "Just in case ya didn't know, I'm going to Canterlot, too."

"Of course we remember, darling." Elusive assured him.

"Do you need to pack? I can help you!" I offered.

"That's not necessary, Princess..." He grumbled before leaving.

"What's up with AJ?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who knows... Apple Jack is an odd one, isn't he?" Elusive sighed.

"Y-You don't think he doesn't like me, do you?" I muttered. What if he did dislike me? What if he hated me?

"I'm sure he doesn't, (Y/N). You haven't done anything wrong... I'm sure he's just in a bad mood." Dusk Shine smiled at me sincerely.

"I guess..." I looked down.

• • Time Skip • •

Apple Jack came up the path with two bags on his back. They didn't seem to be filled with much.

"There you are, darling! Now, let's get going!" Elusive hopped into the carriage right next to me.

Apple Jack stepped in grudgingly on the other side of me.

"So, what do you think is gonna be the problem?" I asked AJ.

"I don't know... There's not really a way we can tell..." He muttered, not even taking a glance at me.

"Oh, okay..."

>>>Time Skip

"Here! Wear this!" Elusive showed me a beautiful (F/C) dress with ribbons all over. The moment Elusive found out there was a tea party in Canterlot, he immediately begged to let him come. I hadn't planned on going, but now that Elusive wanted to go, I accepted. Besides, as Elusive put it, we could perhaps find out what the friendship problem is if we were there.

"Apple Jack, darling. You have to get ready if you don't want to be late." Elusive sang.

"I don't wanna go. I thought I already told you I didn't want to go to that fancy-schmancy party."

"Come on, AJ! It could help out with the mission." I chimed in.

"What if the problem is there and you don't go? Then you won't be able to help, now would you." Elusive said.

"Fine, but I ain't dressin' up for it."

Elusive laughed. "Of course you are. I already chose your outfit."

Apple Jack grumbled about something under his breath, but I couldn't hear.

Once we were all ready, we headed down to the ball room where it was being held. Prince Solaris was already there chatting with a few other ponies. Elusive found himself leaving us for a group of potential customers. As for AJ and I, we were left standing together all alone. Or, at least only for a few moments until a swarm of people crowded around us. I was hoping to get some time talking with AJ, but my plans seemed fruitless now.

"Princess! Is Apple Jack you're new special some pony?" A stallion called out who was near the front of the crowd. It wasn't until a camera flashed in my direction that I realized most of these must be reporters that thought this was the latest scoop.

I laughed nervously and nodded no, "We're just friends."

I looked over to Apple Jack with an apologetic smile, but all this seemed to have brought was an eye roll from him. I assumed he wasn't amused by the paparazzi, and understandably so.

"Should we expect to see you two together more often?" Another reporter called out, this time it was a mare.

"Uh," I started, hesitant on how to answer this. I wasn't even sure if I'd see him more often, "I would hope so. Now, enough questions everyone. We'd like to go out and spend some time enjoying the party if you don't mind."

--- Apple Jack's POV ---

"Can we get a panel then, Princess?" Another one of those paparazzi asked. Looks like she'd be getting her spotlight anyways.

I looked over to (Y/N), expecting her to wear a happy expression as she accepted the offer. Instead, she looked hesitant as she spoke, "I don't know if that'll be possible. My schedule is already-"

"Please, Princess?" A stallion interrupted her. How rude.

She looked at me then sighed as she looked back at the reporters, "Okay. I'll speak with my assistant about setting up a date, and I'll get back to you all. Now, please, let Apple Jack and I go around the party."

And with that, they spread out and left us alone. I could almost find an ounce of respect for this prissy princess. Almost.

--- (Y/N)'s POV ---

I let out a sigh of relief. At least they were out of my mane for the time being. "Why don't we go meet up with a few ponies? I'm sure if you told them about your amazing farm, some may be willing to sponsor you?" I suggested.

"I suppose that's fine." He gave a quick nod of his head.

"Great!" I trotted along to a group of business ponies I knew, Apple Jack following behind.

"Princess! Great to see you! What can I do for ya?" A business pony who I was well acquainted with greeted me, tipping his champagne glass towards me with his magic.

"Good to see you too, sir. I've brought along a friend to talk business with you. His family owns a farm!" I said, trying to talk AJ up.

"A farm boy, huh?" He chuckled, "What's your name, boy?"

"U-Uh, Apple Jack, sir." AJ stuttered.

The two made conversation, a few other stallions butting in to ask their own questions. Things seemed to be going well, and I couldn't be happier. After nearly an hour of talking, the business pony who had led most of the conversation spoke up again and pulled out a card from his suit pocket, "Here's my card, kiddo. Call me whenever you can."

AJ took the card in his hoof, quickly studying it before looking up. "Thank you, sir! I will!"

I grinned at his future business deal, taking the card in my magic, and slipping it in his suit pocket. "Make sure you don't forget it's in there." I whispered to him.

"I hope I'll see you two soon." The stallion said in his deep voice.

"Same for you, sir! Thank you for your time!" I reached my hoof out to shake it with the stallion.

"Of course," He took it and smiled, "Goodbye you two."

"Goodbye," AJ and I said in almost complete unison before walking away from the group.

"Want to get some fresh air? The party is beginning to get a little stuffy." I asked him as we walked through the crowd.

"Please." He nodded.

I lead him away from the main event over to the garden. No one was out surprisingly which I was thankful for. As much as I'm happy to help AJ, all of that business talk was tiring. "Isn't this nice?" I exhaled as I felt the cool breeze swirl around my body.

"Very." He said, and stayed silent for a few moments, "Thank you for that."

I turned my head, finding my eyes meeting with his. "Of course. I know we didn't start off on the right hoof, but I wanted to do something nice for you."

"About that..." He started, looking up at the stars before looking back at me, "I'm sorry for treating you so harshly. I just thought you were like one of those famous ponies who always wanted to be in the spotlight. After Elusive met that one princess, it's hard to tell what royalty has good intentions."

I giggled, "I'm guessing you're talking about Princess Blueblood?"

He laughed and nodded, "Yeah, her."

"Trust me, I'm nothing like her. She acts like that even to her own family."

"I can tell. You're much nicer." He smiled at me.

I giggled, "I try to be."

AJ shifted closer towards me, then took a deep breath as he looked up at the sky, "Princess..."

My ears perked up and I felt my face heat up. In the moonlight, he actually looked incredibly handsome. I mean, I knew he was handsome before, but the light landed on just the right places of his face, accentuating his good looks. I snapped myself out of my thoughts, "Yes?"

"If you'll allow me, may I have a second chance?" He asked, turning his head toward me. With his small shift, our noses were unexpectedly close to each other.

"Of course..." I breathed out, flustered by our close proximity. It didn't take long for me to close the gap and touch our snouts together. This felt nice... This sensation was soon replaced by Apple Jack leaning forward and nuzzling his cheek on my own. Before he backed up to a normal distance again, he planted a kiss right on my cheek.

"Maybe this time as even more than friends?" He suggested, almost looking as equally flushed as I.

"That'd be great."

---