Remind me how this happened again!
And why there's a giant turtle eatin' my family's entire summer crop!
Oh, dear. Mr. Tortoisnap said he was hungry.
But he promised me he would only take a few small bites.
I don't think that thing knows what "small" is.
Spikey-Wikey!
Applejack and Pinkie,
you distract him!
Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy,
let's save Spike!
Mr. Tortoisnap, I'm only asking nicely once!
Let my friend go!
And now, a simple teleportation spell should—
Halt, interloper!
Stay back, friends!
My sister and I will take care of the beast!
All the times we've actually needed their help, and they show up for this?
That's just what I was about to do!
Goodness, sister! That was fun!
No need to thank us.
To be honest, we've recently realized we like being part of the action.
Experiencing life instead of just dreaming about it.
And making a difference outside the throne room.
Y'all think they're gonna be doin' this a lot?
Oh, my.
We'd better ask somepony to fix that hole.
It seems very dangerous.
Which is why..!
we're here!
I can't read this thing.
How am I supposed to lead a Filly Guides hike
if the map makes us more lost?
Did somepony say
"lost"?
Not for long!
Oh, now, this is just terrible!
Miss Cheerilee ordered cupcakes for school today,
and I forgot to make the order!
Ah, no biggie. We could—
Students going hungry?
Not on our watch!
Let us bake, sister!
And then they carried Granny Smith across the street.
There wasn't even any traffic!
It's not that we don't appreciate their help.
But suddenly, Celestia and Luna seem to think we can't do anything on our own.
How are we supposed to learn to be rulers of Equestria
with them fixing every teensy problem for us?
Maybe the princesses changed their minds.
Maybe they don't think we're up to the responsibility of protecting Equestria after all!
Or maybe this week's just a one-time thing that'll never happen again.
A strategy meeting!
What is the danger this time?
A rampaging beast?
Evil spell?
Friendship problem?
We're ready to do whatever we can.
Great.
But is something wrong?
It's just… You've been helping us an awful lot,
and we know you have way more important ruler-y things to do, so…
We've spent more than enough time in the throne room.
Real life is happening out here.
Wait. That's what this is about?
You're sick of being princesses?
Not exactly.
Battling the Everfree Forest alongside Star Swirl made us realize what we've missed out on.
So, instead of spending the day ruling…
…and the night patrolling dreams…
…we wanted a chance to do the things you do.
Save the day!
Adventure with friends!
Shampoo anteaters.
I'm pretty sure Fluttershy's the only pony that does that.
Well, there are waaaay more fun things to do than
follow us around.
You should make a list of all the stuff you never tried but always wanted to!
There's a lotta little things out there to do!
What an intriguing idea.
Only… it's much harder to justify a vacation from the castle when it's not an emergency we're responding to.
Don't worry.
We'll cover your palace duties.
It'll be a good chance for us to practice for when you retire.
Well, if you're sure you don't mind the extra effort.
Thank you, Twilight!
What a relief to know the royal swan-ifying ceremony is in good hooves.
The what now?
"Fun Not Yet Had".
I can't wait to start planning our time off!
The chance to do whatever we want!
And you know what that means!
Relaxation!
Adventure!
Well, it's just that I…
I spend each night in everypony's intense dreams.
So I could use some real-world downtime.
I understand.
But for me, every day is real-world.
Meetings and decrees and meetings about decrees and decrees about the meetings…
I crave excitement!
I'm not sure how we can both be happy.
Unless…
We take turns doing what we like!
Sister trip!
And I have the perfect accessories for us to wear!
Wait right here!
We'll be… twin-sies.
Just like regular pony tourists.
I knew you'd love it.
I have a few things for us, too.
Sunglasses, bug spray, ice boots, hoof sanitizer, and travel snacks!
You have to add water.
What do you think?
It's perfect, sister.
And here are instructions of how to prepare for the royal swan-ifying.
If it's written down, I'm sure we can handle it.
Have fun!
One more thing.
We're leaving you in charge of raising the sun and moon while we're gone.
We have put a small part of our power in this amulet.
You can activate it with your magic at any time.
Preferably dawn and dusk.
That's not a terrifying level of responsibility or anything!
We won't let you down, princesses.
Please tell me that scroll says what the the royal swan-ifying is.
Apparently it's a celebration of all the swans in the royal lake.
We round them up, parade them through the streets, and finish with a party in the castle.
One question.
Why?!
It doesn't matter.
This is our chance to show Celestia and Luna we'll do whatever the job requires.
If they can take care of all this themselves, then I know we can.
Together.
Jolly good.
You're definitely not reading the same scroll I am.
Remember, sister. From now on, we are regular, carefree ponies!
We're leaving the princess life behind, and we're not even going to fly!
Of course.
How new and different.
It's just like Pinkie Pie said.
There's a lotta little things you got to do in this world
There's a lotta little things you got to try
Just a pack of punchy plunges other ponies all take
That a princess pony passes right by
Nopony knows you like your little sister
Nopony is a better confidante
Nopony is truer than the one you are
Nopony else here I could want
You can't saunter on a sojourn hid behind castle walls
You can't throw a throne down on a beach
So we're gonna be absconding
To a little vagabonding
And this bucket list is gonna be a peach
Nopony knows you like your older sister
Nopony is a better confidante
Nopony is truer than the one you are
Nopony else here I could want
There's a lotta little things you got to try in this world
There's a lotta little things you got to see
But just reading by a river and resting our hooves
Would practically be perfect for me
Nopony knows you like your sister
Nopony is a better confidante
Nopony is truer than the one you are
Nopony else here I could want
You can't venture on adventures if you're taking a nap
You can't check things off your checklist while you sleep
So let's take another hill
Sometimes you can be a pill
And why's the way ahead always so steep?
Princesses, we are here to…
We're fillin' in for Their Majesties.
What can we help y'all with?
I say. How irregular.
Well then. We offer our assistance as heads of the Royal Swan-ifying Committee.
What a relief.
Thank you, but we have it all covered.
Reeeeeally?
Well, good luck with that.
If we ask for help, it's just like admitting we're not as good at the job as Luna and Celestia are.
Besides, how hard can throwing a swan party be?
Yeah!
All we have left to do is polish the armor, bubble the punch, glitter the carpet,
puff the pastry, float the floats, and carpet every road in Canterlot!
Should I keep reading?
Celestia?
Since we're both a little tired,
m-maybe the first thing we do shouldn't be too wild.
Exactly what I was thinking.
ZIP LINE!
Now, every time we have tea, we can remember this magical day!
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.
But now, we're going to do something I've always wanted to do
but never could because of my night shift.
Is it another zip line?
No.
It's the post office!
It is indeed.
Just think!
All the mail in Ponyville goes through here!
Isn't that amazing?!
One stamp, please!
Wait for it…
You didn't need a stamp if you wer e just going to give this to me.
Yes, but I didn't give it to you.
A mailpony took it from me, searched to find who it was meant for, and gave it to you!
It's about the process!
Did you know that nopony has ever explored the bottom of these caverns?
I wonder why.
I have always wanted to try this!
Isn't this wonderful, sister?
There's a lotta little things you got to do in this world
There's a lotta little things you ought to view
And our little lotta list may be a little bit long
And might take a lotta bother to do
But I'm sure it gets better later on
And after darkest night, a new dawn
It's my turn to do the choosing
After river rapid cruising
This adventure isn't too fun to be on
Princess Twilight!
It has come to our attention that you don't intend to serve watercress at the royal swan-ifying ceremony.
There's not enough in the castle kitchens to…
Don't tell me.
Tell him.
And you must do something about the garbage piling up outside.
The street sweepers are on strike, and the royal carpeters can't do their jobs.
Did you even know there were royal street carpeters?
Oh, dear.
I do hope those aren't the final decorations for the gala.
How rude.
Thank you for your constructive criticism.
But we really don't have time to chat, so…
Well, I hope you're enjoying yourself on your super-relaxing picnic, sister.
I would be if you hadn't made us hike through a million prickle bushes!
Well, they hurt less than that horrible howling you dragged us to.
That was Ponygliacci, and it's an opera!
And you made us leave early, even though it was still my turn.
Oh, just face it, Luna. You are never happy!
Because you don't want me to be happy.
I always have to do things your way.
I bet you wish I'd never come back so you could still rule day and night!
You think I like that kind of pressure?!
Being responsible for every little thing in Equestria and you?!
What I'd like is a sister I can depend on!
You mean boss around!
Calm down, Luna!
No!
And don't you dare use your Canterlot Voice on me!
I think this adventure would be better if I did it by myself!
Fine!
I just remembered something I forgot I always wanted to do.
Be alone!
Guess we have the same thing on both of our lists then.
Pinkie! You got those appetizers yet?!
Still mashing the guacamole!
So we're just going to have to do with sequins!
Sorry for the bad news,
but the courtyard is full of swans waiting to get in!
And we're nowhere near ready!
How does Celestia and Luna rule a kingdom and get all this done by themselves every year?!
Oh, how droll.
What's the funny part exactly?
The princesses never do all the ceremony planning by themselves.
They don't?
Oh, goodness, no.
That's what the gala planning committees are for.
Nopony could handle all this.
Are those… sequins?
Still rude.
New plan, everypony! We're going to delegate!
Hey you! You're on food duty!
I need gemstones!
And purple satin!
Tell the ponies at the gates there's a slight delay on the gala!
If it's not too much trouble, I mean.
Now, who can we get to clean up all this garbage?
I'm delegating!
So this is how you rule Equestria!
Things are so much more relaxing without my bossy sister.
Who needs a gloomy sister moping around all the time anyway?
Honestly, princess, didn't you wear any sunblock?
That's a thing?
Celestia would've warned me. If she were here.
Now, was it two left turns and a right, or two right turns and a left?
Luna always handled directions.
And scared away the chickens!
I thought climbing Mount Filly-mane-jaro was on my list.
I'm not copying you!
I just wanted to watch the sunrise.
I'm, uh…
here for the moonset.
So…
how did the rest of your day go?
Oh, amazing! Yeah.
Uh, f-fantastic. Best ever, really.
Yeah.
Me… too.
You… You can walk with me. You know, i-if you want, I mean.
Well… Since we're going the same way.
This is so beautiful.
It must be amazing in the sunlight.
The night's pretty special, too.
Lucky star!
You taught me to look for those when I was a filly.
Hope I wasn't too bossy doing it.
You know, being with your sister all the time is hard, but being without her?
It's even harder.
I do know.
And I wouldn't trade you for any of the adventures on my list.
Not even your zip line?
Not even my zip line.
I'm sorry I said those things before.
Sometimes it's just tough being the little sister.
It's not always easy being the big sister either.
I'm sorry, too.
The sun and the moon together?
At the same time?
Now, where have I seen that before?
You think maybe Twilight's having trouble with the amulet?
We should probably go help her.
Okay, okay!
I think I got it!
Sunburst says we just need to reset the amulet with this!
Turn the screw on the back…
and no more than one half turn.
Does anypony have some tape?!
SCHASTLIVIY PRINCESSEC
anon2anon sunnysubs.com