Happy Hearths warming, Sunset

    The coronation was so terrible. Sunset had to sit for hours in an uncomfortable seat, listening to pony’s faun over her and having to see all of the beautiful pastries that had been set out from afar. At one point, she tried to get up, but was quickly mobbed. Finally, Twilight showed, and the two embraced tightly.

"Where have you bee-" asked Sunset, but got cut off when her stomach gave a loud growl.

"I can see you're hungry" said Twilight with a giggle.

"Yeah, I haven't been able to get up and get some food" she said, rubbing her belly.

"You want to know what you should do? Fly right on over there! Give the ponies what they want. A fly-by and they'll go wild"

"Hmm that sounds like a good idea, but you need to come with. I need two plates, but I don't want to look like I took two plates. And also, I don't want to go alone" she said with a blush. Twilight laughed and pulled Sunset up with a hoof. The two spread their wings and took off. They soared high above the others, most of whom looked up and pointed. Sunset laughed and did a twirl, wisps of multi-colored fire flying off of her as she did so. Many ponies gasped in surprise.

  Sunset smirked at Twilight, who giggled. The two finally reached the food table, where they each loaded a plate before taking to the skies again. They both sat in their thrones that had been placed next to each other. While eating, many ponies followed their examples. The entire party took a lunch break, and Sunset noticed that they were watching what she was eating and her reaction to them very closely. More often than not, they would replicate her choices and reactions. Twilight also noticed, and leaned in with a giggle and whispered

"The nobles will copy you all the time" she whispered, making Sunset give a very un-princess like snort. A symphony of loud snorts rose from the crowd.

"Oh dear Celestia, this is creepy" whispered Sunset.

"I know, right? I hate it" replied Twilight. The coronation went on for another few hours before Luna and Celestia finally showed up. Twilight and Sunset strolled back into the castle, (the coronation was held outside; it was a nice, clear day, though still cold) and both went straight to the kitchens. The chefs had already prepared a platter of tomato and dandelion sandwiches. Odd combination, I know, but the bitterness of the dandelion goes well with the sweet tomatoes. The two devoured the sandwiches and thanked the chefs before heading back to Ponyville. When they arrived back home, they were shocked to find a new castle. Well, not another castle, but the old castle had been... redone. It now featured warm colors in the crystal, like red and orange. A replica of Twilights Cutie mark was on the right side, one of Sunsets on the left. Cadence was flying around, adding glimmering lights all around the outside. It was beautiful.

"Surprise!" Yelled the five ponies and dragon in unison, startling Cadence.

"S-surprise!" Said Cadence, flapping slowly down to them.

"It's... amazing!" Gasped Sunset, still gawking at the beautiful building. She finally tore her eyes off of it to look at her small group of friends, tears in her eyes. Without a word, they all grouped together and hugged tightly.

    A few minutes later, Pinkie, wearing a purple suit and top hat with chocolate bars poking out of her pockets, was leading them through the castle. It was mostly the same, save a few rooms. Her bedroom had been re-decorated, and now was built 'for a princess', as Pinkie put it. They also now had a staff. Five chefs, ten maids, and twelve guards, had all been sent by Celestia and Luna from Canterlot castle.

  The kitchen was also re-done. It was bigger now, and had better equipment. They also had a pool! And a hot tub! The balcony also had new thrones, one for Sunset, and the other for Twilight. That night, they had another party. Everyone was exhausted by the time it was over. Twilight and Sunset fell asleep easily that night, both wrapped up in each other’s hooves.

***

    Sunset woke up and went to the kitchen, where she found Twilight angrily ripping up a letter. She looked up startled when Sunset trotted in and quickly hid the pieces of paper behind her back. Sunset furrowed her brow and walked to the coffee pot, picking up a mug and pouring the coffee. She walked out of the room, giving Twilight a kiss on her cheek as she passed. Sunset walked to the library, where she picked up her book on the history of Equestria and found her place in it once more. The banishment of Discord. She sank into her usual spot and read until lunch time.

"Sunset!" Said spike as he walked into the room. Sunset looked up and smiled warmly.

"Hi Spike. What's up?"

"You got mail" he said, handing her a black envelope. "I had to argue with the butler for a few minutes until he finally let me bring it to you. Also" he said, leaning in and lowering his voice. "There are guards standing, well, guard outside"

"Yeah, I know. They wait outside and 'protect us'" she said, gesturing out the window.

"No, I meant outside this room" he stressed, pointing to the door.

"Oh! Really?" Asked a shocked Sunset.

"Yeah, they barely let me in. I fell down and they laughed. Like, in a mean way" he explained, glaring harder at the door. Sunset stood abruptly and walked to the door. As she poked her head out, the guards stiffened.

"Did you laugh at my friend?" She hissed. The guards didn't answer, so she lit her horn. "To the moon!" She bellowed as one of the guard’s disappeared. The other guard screamed and hid behind a plant, shaking violently. Sunset glared towards him, and he wet himself. Sunset turned tail and trotted back into the library, where Spike was staring in shock. "That guard that disappeared is probably on his way back up here. I only sent him to the kitchen" she explained, taking her place on the couch and picking up the thick, black envelope and opened it. Inside was a rough, light green piece of paper. It read:

    Dear Princess Sunset Shimmer,

I am contacting you today on behalf of the changeling queen, Queen Chrysalis. Her daughter, Princess Locusta, has been missing from our kingdom for many weeks. We have been able to track her, and she seems to be following you and Princess Twilight. We have tried contacting her many times, but have gotten no reply. We would like to meet and retrieve the Princess. Yours truly,

Volant

Sunset stared at the letter a few seconds more before carefully folding it and replacing it in the envelope. She turned slowly to look at Spike.

"W-what is it?" He asked nervously, wringing his tail.

"The-the changeling queen... she wants to meet with Twilight and I" she said slowly, as if rendering it for the first time. "Her daughter... has been following Twilight and I"

"What?" Said Spike loudly. "Chrysalis!? Here!? In Equestria!?"

"Shhh!" Shushed sunset, looking at the door. "Can you grab me some parchment and ink from over there?" She asked, gesturing to a nearby desk. Spike retrieved the items and Sunset quickly wrote a letter.

  Dear Volant,

I would first like to thank you for your previous letter. Princess Twilight and I would be honored to meet with your queen. Please let us know as soon as possible when and where we are to meet. Sincerely,

Princess Sunset Shimmer

Wrote Sunset hastily before stuffing it into an envelope and sealing it with wax. She levitated it to Spike, who gave her a questioning look before blowing fire onto it.

"Well," said Sunset, standing quickly. "I had better go explain this to Twilight"