Friends Forever

They continued to play in the park having now earned the respect and friendship of Rainbow Dash; running around and chasing her and trying their best to capture to little speedster but to no avail however Rainbow seemed to be having fun and Twilight and Fluttershy seemed to be getting plenty of exercise chasing her so all is well that ends well right? As she continued to watch over the three young ones she noticed she was being joined by a few familiar faces from the area and couldn't help but smile at the sight. While she was the best and well known babysitter in the neighborhood she was far from the only one she was just the go to babysitter however many of the families in this area has children who looked after younger siblings and one such older sibling that was visiting the park with her three little sisters right now was Maud Pie along with little Lime, Marble and Pinkamena

The three little girls were each different in their own right; Limestone Pie was the most grumpy but secretly adorable, Marble Pie was the most shy and quite yet almost overwhelmingly adorable and Pinkamena was a rather happy child and very friendly and she and Marble Pie shared the same hairstyle similar to Maud though Maud had longer hair. With her usual deadpan and emotionless expression she lead the three sisters over to the park and noticed Cadence and as usual it was little Pinkamena who spoke up first. She wore blue overhauls with a pink shirt and pinkie shoes and smiled happily at seeing Cadence; she really liked Cadence; she was fun and Pinkamena liked fun...she didn't get to have a lot of it when she was home because her parents were so strict and had her and her sisters doing chores a lot of the time...but Cady as she was told to call her; let Pinkie...as Cady called the young girl; let her have as much fun as she liked any time they were together and taught little Pinkie the value of smiling and laughter and sharing ones joy with others.

"Hi Cady" the little pink girl chirped in a chipper tone, the octave of her voice high pitch but incredibly adorable.

"Well hello there Pinkie Pie! So good to see you, how are you?" Cadence asked

"I'm okie dokie; me and the girls finished our chores early and so mommy and daddy told Maud to take us to the park." Pinkie smiled, she loved it when Cady called her by that nickname, it was so much easier than her normal name and sounded a lot...happier.

"Well that's nice of you Maud; how are you dear? School coming along well?" Cadence asked

"Yes, quite well, I've moved up into the high honors rock analyzing class...we look at really rare rocks...I'm super excited to see them all" Maud's deadpan expression would tell one otherwise but much like Pinkie, Cadence saw through all that and could tell she was excited about it

"Oh that's wonderful dear! I'm certain with your grades you'll make it into the Crystal Prep high honors society when you go and apply, I'll be sure to put in a few good words for you of course"

"Thank you; Pinkamena you go and play with Lime and Marble....please make sure Lime plays nice this time?" Maud deadpanned but sounded a bit annoyed when explaining to her sister to get the youngest to play nice with her twin sister.

"Okie Dokie!" Pinkie gave a quick nod and headed over to play with her little sisters

"Such a happy little child; it's like you can't even notice the ADHD...and your sure keeping her off the medicine is a good idea?" Cadence asked Maud whom secretly had kept the meds Pinkie was to be given from the young girl believing they weren't needed for there was nothing wrong with her little sister in her eyes, they also made her sister not smile...and Maud couldn't bare to see her baby sister not smiling. Maud may have been hard, quite and reserved but she was a very good big sister and always did what was best for her siblings given her parents were a bit (a lot) out of tune with how the modern age worked. Of her sisters Limestone was the adorable grump and so while she frowned or scowled a lot it was almost never malicious she was just insure; Marble was timid and shy but did her best to smile and look happy for others even though she was even more quite than Maud opting only to ever say 'mhm' when speaking to someone and often either Pinkie or Maud did her speaking for her.

Then there was Pinkie Pie as Cadence had grown to calling her feeling that her full name was rather long and sounded rather...dry. For such a vibrant and energetic young girl it was a wonder if she was adopted or not with how different she was from the rest of her family since she came from a family of miners and their family often worked the mines just outside of town near the Everfree Forest. Cadence always felt there was something special about little Pinkie and that's one of the many things that drew her attention to her, not to mention the fact the little one had a very special talent for getting a smile out of her and everyone she met just about and just like Maud, Cadence would never dream of allowing that loving smile to leave the girls face.

"Positive...those drugs they were going to give her would've turned her into either me or something worse...and I don't want that for her..." Maud said her eyes downcast.

"Maud dear you shouldn't speak of yourself that way, you may be a bit...rough around the edges and rather...um...dull...to others but that doesn't make you any less special or important...besides your very smart, a loving big sister and if you don't mind me saying; secretly one of the most intimidating people I've ever met" Cadence said with a chuckle patting Maud on the should. "Though I do understand your reasoning for keeping her off the meds, I couldn't bare to think what she'd be like without that winning smile; though I do wish her mother would let me do something with the girls hair" Cadence pouted and huffed.

Maud gave a small semblance of a giggle and smile. "Thank you Cadence, it means a lot to hear you say that; Pinkie means the world to me...they all do, I just wish Ma and Pa would catch up to the times but they're stationed in the past like rocks."

"Indeed they are...speaking of which how are Marble and Limestone doing?"

"Marble still barely speaks and Lime still throws temper tantrums." Maud deadpanned and sighed

"Don't worry dear, I'm sure it's just a phase." Cadence smiled reassuringly. "Oh! I know; why don't you read me some of that poetry you said you've been working on..."

"Sure any requests?" Maud asked

"Um...any love poems?" Cadence asked with a smile

"I've got a few...but they can be a bit...'raunchy'" Maud said with what appeared to be a blush.

"Ooooooh do go on" Cadence cooed in a scandalous manner and would wait for Maud to begin.

Clearing her throat Maud would begin to speak. "Rock, hard; you are hard as a rock...Rocks are hard...like you...Rock"

Meanwhile at the Playground

"Marb! Catch the dumb ball!" bellowed Limestone pie in a sour tone as she attempted to play catch with her sister but the shy elder twin sister simply refused to play with her and it was making her cranky...granted she was always a little cranky but still! She just wanted to play ball and catch with big sis Marble and she was being all shy again, it was so annoying it made her wanna scream! Instead of screaming however she simply tossed the ball at her sister caring not if she caught it or not, using her little arms to hurl the red rubber ball at her older sister, for a little one limestone pie was pretty strong and sometimes didn't know her own strength what with being the daughter of a miner and all.

"Epp!" Yelped Marble Pie as she ducked the incoming ball which skid over her head and headed straight for her twin sister Pinkie Pie who was happily skipping over to the two of them her eyes closed as she hummed a gentle tune. She wanted to call out for her sister to duck but it was too late and suddenly she saw her sister toppled to the ground on her back as the ball impact her square in the face and mouth with a loud thump of the thick rubber to Pinkie's face.

Cadence with her hawk like babysitter eyes and ears instantly saw and heard this and came rushing to little Pinkie's aid along with Maud Pie whom while she didn't exactly show it was very cross with Limestone Pie who shrunk under her sisters dead stare and Marble simply looked like she was going to cry because she felt Pinkie taking that hit was her fault too since she didn't tell her to duck or look out. Hearing all the fuss, Twilight, Fluttershy and Rainbow came rushing from their playing to see what was going on and saw that some girl had gotten hurt and apparently Cady knew her and that meant she was a friend. Rushing over as fast as their little legs would carry them with Rainbow being the fastest of course followed by Fluttershy and then Twilight the three girls came to see a knocked out Pinkie Pie being tended to by Cadence.

"Oh dear; Pinkie are you okay? Please say something, anything..." Cadence was trying not to panic and was really hoping an ambulance wouldn't have to be called but she then felt Pinkie stir.

As she stirred from her mini black out, Pinkie's eyes fluttered open and the world shined back into few, she saw faces; all of them looked either super happy or super worried but then happy...Maud looked really, really, super duper happy that she was okay! Shaking her head wildly her normally straight pinkie hair which was now a bit ruffled by her tumble into the dirt was all puffy and wild more so when she shook it out, her entire head of hair almost coming to life with an audible inflation of air. Her sparkling blue eyes came to life, her smile was broad and she spoke up again as she rose up from the ground.

"Gee Limey that was some toss! Hehehe it was all zoom and then nailed me like BONK! hehehe just like in the cartoons with the mouse and the kitty!" Pinkie giggled and smiled happily not the least bit upset that her little sister just accidentally pegged her with a ball.

"Y-Your not mad at me?" Lime asked hesitantly, she should have known Pinkie wouldn't be mad but still.

"Of course not silly; it was just an accident, nothing I can't laugh off" Pinkie giggled with a smile but then one of her front teeth was seen dangling loose.

"Oh my her tooth came loose...does it hurt Pinkie?"

"Hm? Nope not really." Pinkie said as she ran her tongue along her loosened tooth and just yanked it out as if her tongue were some kind of third appendage

"Ewww" Fluttershy and Twilight said watching

"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash cheered with a chuckle

"All better heheh, now the tooth fairy is gonna come!! Yay! heheh I'm ready for her this time; lets see her get past the new traps I set up; all those coins shall be mine!" Pinkie giggled enraptured .by her imagination which seemed to now be kicked into hyper drive as her levels of excitement and cheer were far high than normal and it was very noticeable to both Cadence and Maud.

"Well if your sure but how about we get you cleaned up a bit huh?" Cadence offered Pinkie a hand

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie chirped

"Oh my you girls haven't met...formally yet have you? Flutters, Twily, Dashie; this is Maud Pie and her little sisters; Limestone, Marble &..." Cadence began to name off the different girls but when she got to Pinkie, the little bubblegum pink girl stepped forward, smile broad and hand extended in friendship.

"I'M PINKIE PIE! Pleased to meet cha!" Pinkie said with a big smile and big levels of enthusiasm

"Heya; I'm Rainbow Dash, but my friends call me Dashie" Rainbow proclaimed with a kind grin

"I'm Fluttershy" Fluttershy said with a small smile

"I'm Twilight Sparkle; I just moved here with my family" Twilight said introducing herself to the newest girl.

"Really? Your new in town?! That's soooooooooo great! Oh oh oh! We should do something to welcome you...OOOH! I KNOW!!" Turning to Cadence with a big smile she looked up at her with sparkling blue eyes and hopped on her heels in excitement. "CAN WE THROW TWILY A PARTY? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?!?!?!"

"A party?" Twilight, Shy and Rainbow all said in unison.

"uh huh, uh huh; a welcome to the neighborhood party! It'll be ubber fun! Pleeeeeeease Cady?!" Pinkie begged with the most adorable puppy dog pout that was almost good enough to rival Twilight's either way how could anyone say no to that face?!

"Wellllll I'unno Pinkie; Twily would you like a-"

"YES!!" Twilight cheered with a broad smile

"Well that answers that; okay Pinkie we can throw Twily a party later tonight at my house; the adults are all having a housewarming party at Twily's new house so it'll be a big sleepover at my house tonight, in fact I really should go pick up Apple-"

"WINONA YOU GIT BACK HERE GIRL!" The southern voice of a well known cowgirl bellowed from beyond the park as she chased a little puppy with a brown and white coat who had instantly taken a liking to Fluttershy and pounced on the small girl causing her to yelp in surprise and wiggle around on the floor giggling as the little adorable pup licked at her face.

"heheheheheheh awww well hello there."

A young girl dressed in what could only be described as cowgirl wear complete with a brown stetson and brown cowgirl boots she ran over to grab the little pup in her arms and calm her down chuckling sheepishly as she helped up the pink haired girl. Her southern accent was thick clearly indicating that she was of southern heritage.

"Consarnit Winona! Ahm mighty sorry ya'll; she's just really excited ta be outside today fer some-Oh howdy Cady!"

"Hello Applejack; I was actually going to come by the farm and get you, how lucky that you happen to find me here."

"Yep; Big Mac n I got done with our chores a might early and Granny went ta take a nap so ah figured I'd bring Winona out to stretch her legs but I guess I shoulda used that collar we got 'er cause soon as I go to grab a quick apple lil tyke runs off and tackles some poor girl ta the ground...I'm sorry bout that sugarcube." Applejack explained giving her apologizes to Fluttershy using the southern drawl she'd picked up from the rest of her family.

"It's okay hehehe she's adorable" Fluttershy smiled scratching a finger under the puppy's chin

"Why thank ya kindly; she was born only a week ago on the farm...My names Applejack by the way; whats yours?" Applejack asked finally putting the pup down so she could probably address everyone.

"I'm Fluttershy; my mommy actually knows your granny; um she works with flowers." Fluttershy said, her mother was a florist and often did business with granny smith and sweet apple arces.

"Oh yeah I remember seein' ya around; mighty pleased ta meet cha Fluttershy".

"Hi um; I'm Twilight Sparkle I-"

"Just moved into town right? Yeah your family must be the ones Big Mac is helpin' out right now; mighty kind of yer folks to pay my big brother for helpin' ya'll move in and its right fancy ta meet cha Twilight, Cady actually talks bout cha quite a lot." Applejack said with a smile as she addressed the much talked about Twilight Sparkle that her babysitter often told her about when she came over for visits.

"R-Really Oh well it's nice to meet you Applejack; Cady brought me some of your family's fizzy cider a few times; it was really good" Twilight said with a kind smile remembering the delicious drink

"Well thank ya Twilight; the family prides ourselves on our cider; hey hows about I bring some over to Cady's house tonight?"

"We were actually throwing a party so that's perfect!" Pinkie cheered. "I'm Pinkie Pie by the way; nice ta meet cha Applejack! hehehe you have the same name as that one cereal; Hm, I think I'm gonna call you AJ!" Pinkie giggled as she addressed the cowgirl, chortling at the fact that the girl shared the name of cereal and one of her favorites too!

"Hehehe yeah Big Mac and Granny tease me 'bout it all the time; Pa was the one who came up with it though." Applejack pouted a little bit but it was so adorable one couldn't care to take it seriously.

"And I'm Rainbow Dash; but Dashie is cool, so your a cowgirl huh? That's pretty cool" Rainbow said with a smile as she addressed the cowgirl herself.

"Yes ma'am, proud of it too! Ma and Pa said once I get older they'll start teachin' me more bout how to tend ta farm so me n Big Mac can take over one day....I've seen you and yer pops around a few times but always been too busy with my chores; ya'll are mighty fast I gotta say."

"Hehehe Yep! They don't call me Dash for nothin'! I'm the fastest kid 'round these parts!" Rainbow boasted with a broad smile

"Oh yeah? Betcha I could whoop ya" Applejack grinned

"Ooooooooh" The other girls minus Maud exclaimed

"Pft oh yeah? That a challenge cowgirl?" Rainbow grinned cracking her knuckled and tapping her foot to the ground ready to race if she wanted to

"Only if'n yer acceptin' and ready ta get burnt." Applejack said grinning still.

"Oh your on!" Rainbow bellowed.

"Hehehe well it appears we have a friendly compeition on our hands girls...winner gets a free sundae; sound fair?" Cadence decided to raise the stakes.

"Totally!"

"Darn tootin'!"

"Well alright, at the starting line! First one to the fence and back wins!"

The two girls took their place at the imaginary starting line where Cadence stood and has her hand raised. Kneeling down ready to take off both girls gave a determined look and grin.

"On your marks...get set...GO!" Cadence threw down her hand and the two girls sprinted forward

Taking off at top speed Rainbow Dash was of course ahead at first but was surprised when she saw she hadn't exactly left Applejack in the dust; in fact the blonde cowgirl was actually keeping up quite well with the young speedster and that was a feat in of itself, not even something that her father could boast. As they dashed across the grass, kicking up the dirt and blades of grass and their little feet pounded through the path before they them reached the fence almost at the same time turned around and took back off toward Cadence. They dashed forward at top speed, neck and neck they went and for a moment it seemed like it could go either way and Cadence had her hands extended out as if for one them them to highfive her to confirm they crossed first. When the two girls finally reached their babysitter they each slapped her hand and it was up to Cadence to decide who won but that wouldn't keep the two girls from bickering about who crossed first.

"I totally won!" Rainbow said

"Pft as if; I totally got to her hand a second before ya"

"Did not!"

"Did too"

"Did not!"

"Did too"

"Did not!!"

"Did too!"

"Girls, Girls; no need to fight...you actually tied..." Cadence grinned

"Tied?" They both said and Cadence nodded to affirm

"Sooo...who gets the free sundae?" Rainbow asked

"Hehehe you both do silly!" Cadence said with a smile and lead all the girls back over to the snack truck where Mrs. Cake was eagerly waiting with a knowing smile.

"Hehe we're gonna need a few things Mrs.Cake; Party at my house tonight!" Cadence cheered and the other girls cheered with her.

"Not you Lime...your grounded." Maud deadpanned looking at Limestone Pie who instantly scowled and began stomping her foot throwing a tantrum. In response to this Marble Pie tugged on Maud's jeans and whispered something to her and then Maud spoke again. "But you can have your own small little party with Marble at home if you want." She said which instantly got Limestone to calm down.

"Well that settles that." Cadence chuckled and turned to Mrs. Cake as she began to tell the plump cake seller what she wanted in terms of snacks and such for the little sleepover party she was going to be hosting at her house tonight. Cadence lived with her foster parents but they were very kind and loving folk and had full faith in Cadence and he ability to handle children so having a big sleepover at the house wasn't a big deal for her to ask. It was just rare that she did such things with so many of the kids she babysat, though given how friendly all these girls were becoming with one another? It wouldn't be a rarity for that much longer...and then as if right on cue, from behind her a posh and elegant voice called out to her.

"Cadence; yoo hoo darling" a woman with indigo hair and pink skin called out, with her was a young alabaster skinned girl with violet purple hair and the most adorable little sundress on. In her hair was a clip in the shape of three perfectly cut blue diamonds.

"Oh Mrs. Cookie! How are you? Hi Rarity! Hows my favorite little lady?" Cadence said with a smile turning to the posh young female

"Greetings Ms.Cadenza; I'm very well thank you" Rarity said in her usual polite and almost regal tone of voice and she then noticed the five other girls that were with her babysitter. "My and who are all of you? Does Ms.Cadenza babysit you too?" Rarity asked tilting her head some in curiosity.

"Uh huh! My names Pinkie Pie!"

"Rainbow Dash!"

"Names Applejack; pleased ta meet cha sugarcube"

"I'm Fluttershy..."

"I'm Twilight Sparkle; I'm new in town, it's nice to meet you."

"Greetings to you all! my name is Rarity; such an honor to meet others that Ms.Cadenza knows" She gave a cute curtsy bow.

"Heheheh you talk funny! Oooh I like your hair! It's so fancy and nice!" Pinkie said smiling and admiring Rarity's perfectly kept head of hair.

"Why thank you; I just had it done today" Rarity giggled with a smile

"So what's up Mrs.Cookie? Night out with the hubby again?"

"Heheh don't you know it honey; we've been on a streak lately! I dare say if this keeps up lil Rare is going to be a big sister!" Chuckled Cookie Crumbles behind a hand.

"Oh my goodness well that would be quite eventful I'm sure; well I'm holding a sleepover party at my place tonight if you want to drop her off." Cadence informed Cookie of her plans this evening

"Splendid! I'll bring her over in about an hour sound good?" Cookie began to walk off with Rarity in toe

"Perfect; see you then Rarity" Cadence waved "Well girls looks like we've got another party guest so how about you all go home and pack an overnight back and let your parents know you'll be sleeping over at my place tonight; any of you who have school in the morning don't worry I'll take you okay?"

"Okay!" The girls all cheered after having grabbed all their respective snacks and such. Rainbow went back to her father who was sitting on a nearby bench enjoying a fresh bottle of hard cider like he always did. Applejack took Winona back toward the farm, Pinkie went with Maud and her sisters and that left Fluttershy and Twilight with Cadence. Cadence took Fluttershy home to grab her some PJ's as well as her school backpack and whatever other items the girl might have needed and then went to Twilight's house to grab her things but kept the little girl out of the house or rather the parts that weren't ready for her to see just yet so they'd remain a surprise and grabbed her things. Once they had everything they'd make their way to Cadence's house where Maud waited with Pinkie, Rainbow Blaze waited with Dash, Cookie waited with Rarity, Ms.Shy with Fluttershy and Applejack was on her own having been to Cadence's house many times before.

"Alright everyone is here; thank you all so much for letting them stay with me tonight; I promise they'll all have a blast; isn't that right girls?"

All the girls voiced their approval with a big cheery 'Yes' and this made each of the parents smile in earnest. Each parents said their goodbyes to their children and left them in Cadences care and one by one Cadence filed the girls into the house and as she was about to go inside she heard someone calling out to her.

"Wait! Excuse me!!" A female voice called out

Cadence turned to see a woman with peach color skin and fiery red hair running toward her from the park which wasn't far from her home. She wore a long red dress and had pearl earrings and a necklace on along with a pair of black heels.

"Yes? How can I help you? Is something the matter ma'am?" Cadence asked

"O-Oh no, not really; I just; well um you see my husband and I just moved to this neighborhood from Canterlot Heights last month and our usual babysitter canceled on us at the last minute and we've got a very important party to attend tonight; I heard from many around here that your the best and go to babysitter and I was wondering if it wasn't too much trouble-"

"Ah bup bup! So no more ma'am! Of course I'll help! Why I'd be hard pressed not too! My names Mi Amore Cadenza but everyone calls me Cadence or Cady."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Cadenza; my name is Bright Dawn" The woman said extending her hand to shake with Cadence in a very professional manner. "I do thank you for wanting to help and I assure you money is no object and I can pay up front."

"Oh don't worry about it Mrs.Dawn it's no trouble; in fact I'm having a little sleepover at my place tonight; oh um boy or girl?"

"Girl" Dawn answered

"Ah perfect then; and where is the little sweetheart?"

"Hm? Oh dear um eheheh sorry she can get a bit distracted...SUNSET!!!! COME HERE!" The woman called out to her daughter whom was in the park sitting under the old oak tree with a book in hand.

The girl known as Sunset came over from the tree she was under and walked over to her mothers side holding her book in her arms and looked at Cadence with a look that was between indifference and shyness. She wore a orange skirt with streaks of yellow and purple, the image of a red and yellow sun stamped on the side and the same kind of symbol showed in a hair-clip that held her long fiery red and yellow hair into a ponytail. She also wore a purple short sleeve shirt and red shoes.

"Um...Hi." Sunset said her eyes downcast

"Well hello there sweetie; whats your name?"

"Didn't my mom just call my name?" Sunset huffed

"Sunset don't be rude!...I am so sorry..."

"Oh don't worry about it"

"Apologize and properly introduce yourself young lady..." Dawn scolded

"My name is Sunset...Sunset Shimmer...and...i'm sorry for being rude..." Sunset said but didn't sound like she wanted to say it; she could tell this girl was going to be a tough one to crack, she certainly had a few walls up, she seemed about Twilight's age if not about a year older and in fact she could see a lot of shades of Twilight in Sunset, so many it was almost scary.

"Well it's very nice too meet you Sunset; and it's alright I forgive you; would you like to come in? It is a party after all..." Cadence gave Sunset a warm and gentle smile

"Um...Ok...sure; I guess..." Sunset said a bit apprehensive

"Good; I'll leave her with you and bring by a few of her things in about 20 minutes" Dawn said

"Excellent, I'll be sure to take good care of her." Cadence nodded ushering Sunset inside.

"Thank you; now Sunset...behave" Dawn said sternly

"Yes mother..." Sunset said as she walked inside.

Upon entering the home Sunset felt something...different...it wasn't like her home, lonely, boring, just full of books and expensive things that her parents brought with them from Canterlot Heights from their much bigger home. Sunset hated that they had to move away from the fancy life they once had to live in this boring little community and she was working so hard to get into the Crystal Prep early starter program but now that would probably have to be put on hold because of the move which irked something something fierce but at least it wasn't all bad. This community had a pretty big library and for the most part was pretty quite and no one bothered her; often times she had time to herself to be with her books because her babysitter never paid her much attention opting to just goof off with their friends while Sunset sat all alone in her room reading or studying. It's not like she wanted to hang out with them anyway...they all called her an egghead and a spoiled rich brat and made fun of her for liking Power Pony comics...she didn't need them or anyone else but her mom and dad were insistent on getting her a new babysitter after the last one 'canceled' more like quit; stupid if you asked her, her parents were more or less rich! Why give up such a job? Probably because they got bored watching Sunset and because now they lived too far away for them to commute.

However this house...this place...this babysitter named Cadence...she was different; and all these girls...she hadn't known them and while she was in the mood to rather just go sit in a corner and read by herself she promised her mother she'd behave so that meant she'd have to socialize even if it was just a little bit. It was then her ears were met with an earsplitting

"HIYA!" The girl with poofy pink hair shouted

"gyah! Not so loud geez!" Sunset snapped

"My whoopsy! I didn't mean to scare you..." Pinkie smiled sheepishly

"Whatever...and you are?" Sunset asked snarkly

"My names Pinkie Pie! Pleased to meet cha! Whats your name?"

"S-"

"Oh, oh oh lemme guess!! Oh um...Sunburst Shine?"

"No"

"Sunlight Glimmer?"

"No..."

"Starlight Twinkle?"

"No!"

"uuuuuh...Sundown Sparkle?" Pinkie tilted her head

"No you big dummy! It's Sunset Shimmer!" Sunset snapped but pinkie didn't seem affected at all

"Ooooooh that makes a lot more sense hehehe; that's a really nice name!"

"Um thanks..."

"Why hello there Sunset; so nice to meet another new face; my names Rarity"

"Hi;my names Sunset but I guess you knew that already"

"Hehe why of course dear, and might I say I absolutely love you hair! Such a lovely design and so well done too!" Rarity said with her usual level of posh politeness

"Oh um...thanks...I like yours too" Sunset said with a small blush on her face

"Howdy sugarcube! My names Applejack; right fancy ta meet cha!" Applejack said taking Sunset's hand and shaking it vigorously

"H-Hi...um nice too meet you too?" She said, she'd never met a country person before. This girl smelled like apples

"Sup; Names Rainbow Dash, but since your cool with Cady that means we're gonna be friends and my friends call me Dashie" Rainbow said with a proud smirk and extended her hand.

"Um yeah sure ok" Sunset said shaking the cyan girls hand

"Um I'm fluttershy-" the meek girl mumbled in an almost inaudible tone.

"Huh what did you say your name was?" Sunset asked looking at the pink haired girl

"Fluttershy" She said again, her octave a bit squeaky

"Speak up will ya!" Sunset snapped and caused the girl to recoil and give a small 'meep' and sunset merely rolled her eyes. "Ugh whatever"

"That's Fluttershy, Sunset; she's um...well...you get the idea..." Cadence told Sunset

"Oh...I see..." Sunset felt like she should say sorry but then had her attention drawn to the last girl in the group who had her nose in a book. "And you are?"

Coming up from her reading she blushed to see the newest girl to join them "Um...T-Twilight...Twilight Sparkle..."

"Sparkle...Sparkle...Twilight...hm...wait! Your mom wouldn't happen to be Twilight Velvet would she?" Sunset asked quirking a brow

"Mhm...my mommy is a publisher and a writer..." Twilight nodded, her cheeks a tint of pink

"Cool! I have a few of her books back at home." Sunset said with a genuine smile. This girl seemed really smart and seemed to have a love of books like herself...hm wait is that? "Say is that Daring Do and The Thieves Gauntlet?" Sunset asked pointing to Twilight's book

"Uh huh! I love Daring Do! She's so brave and cool and smart and funny and fearless and-" Twilight began to gush and squee over her favorite adventure historian.

"Neeeeeerd" Rainbow teased.

Both Twilight and Sunset responded at the same time blowing a raspberry at Rainbow Dash.

"Oh please Daring Do is totally amazing I'll have you know Dash. I have my copy of Daring Do too but I have read that one yet."

"Oh? what copy do you have?"

"Daring Do The Wrath of Ahuizotl the complete 3 volume edition..." Sunset beamed

"NO.WAY! I've searched all over for that book! Can I borrow it? Oh please, oh please, oh please, please, pleeeeeeeeeease!?!" Twilight begged and whined wanting Sunset to let her borrow such a precious book

"Weeeeeell....maybe...I haven't finished the last volume yet and i tend to want to read books over when I finish them just to-"

"-make sure I get the full experience!" twilight finished for her and Sunset finished at the same time and they both shared a look.

"My my my aren't you both just cut from the same cloth?" Cadence said with smile

"I've never met anyone who likes to read as much as I do before; I um...don't really have any friends around here..." Sunset said down casting her eyes again. "Often times I'm just alone with all my books at home while mom and dad go out..." Sunset said with a pout and obvious frown.

"Awww it's alright Sunny! You don't have to be lonely anymore! We'll be your friends! Right girls?" Pinkie said with a smile

"Indeed;I know how difficult it can be moving, I moved here from Manehatten two years ago and haven't really gotten to spend much time with anyone besides Cadence, besides that I'm at home drawing up dresses and practicing my sowing." Rarity said gathering around Sunset with the others.

"Yeah sugar ah remember when me, ma, pa, granny and big mac moved to this here spot, we used ta live all the way up in Appleoosia but pa wanted ta find better land and such, had ta leave a whole lot of the family behind and I don't get ta see em as much so I spend a lot a time helpin' on the farm." Applejack added

"Yeah back home me Limey Marb and Maud all have lots and lots and lots and LOOOOOOOTS of chores to do all the time and its really hard work and we don't get to have a lot fun or smile; when I'm with Cady or any of you I feel like I can't stop smiling!" Pinkie said giggling and bouncing on her heels

"But...you just met me..." Sunset said

"And the rest of us for that matter" Twilight affirmed

"Well yeah I know that you sillies but your my friends and my friends make me smile! That's all there is too it!" Pinkie affirmed with a nod

"I agree with Pinks; I only just met all of you but you are all super cool if you ask me, I've had it rough trying to make friends with other boys and girls around here so it's nice to know I can hang out with all of you especially since you know Cady....and don't worry Sunset; you're gonna love Cady! She's the best babysitter around!" Rainbow boasted Cadences awesomeness. "Imagine something that's like really awesome; well Cadence is that thing but 20% cooler!" she exclaimed

"Hehehe my Rainbow your such a charmer" Cadence giggled covering her mouth with a hand blushing at Rainbow's barrage of compliments of how good a babysitter she was.

"Well it's true! Your the best!"

"Thank you Rainbow."

"Hey um....Fluttershy; was it?" Sunset said walked over to the shy girl who hid behind her wall of hair

"Y-Yes?" Fluttershy asked

"I'm um...sorry I snapped at you like that...I didn't mean too...heheh mom says I have her temper." Sunset said sheepishly

"Oh um...it's okay...I know that I can be really shy sometimes...I can't help it; but I'll try to do better, and it's okay...you apologized and I forgive you...thank you" Fluttershy said with a kind smile.

"You're Welcome" Sunset said kindly

"Well now that the ice is broken...WHOSE READY TO PARTY!?" Cadence said with a grin pulling out her phone. "I've got Ace's Pizza on speed dial!" Cadence gave a devious smile

As the sun dipped into its set position the girls had all settled in and were ready for a night of fun and games. Sunset had never thought it possible since she'd moved and her passed babysitter ditched her...she actually had...friends. It was strange, before she felt making friends was a waste of time; why socialize with others when you could increase your own knowledge. Besides most people ignored her anyway; she was 'a bookworm' as they called her, she always was studying or reading something and given her temper and tendency to be snarky she came off as rude and mean when that wasn't entirely the case. The concept of friendship and other such relationships up till now were foreign to Sunset Shimmer however just like any book or lesson she sought now to learn it. She didn't have to end up being a stuffy rich spoiled brat like her mother had been or follow the same path as either of her parents, Sunset wanted for simpler things; sure she wanted to be successful but she wanted to do it her own way...perhaps with these friends...she might be able to do just that.