Good-byes and Hellos

Twilight woke up the next morning, to find that her sister was not in her bed. She yawned, and then remembered the previous day. "Oh, right, I'm supposed to be going to Ponyville today with Sunny," she said to herself. She then made her way downstairs to find Sunset in the kitchen.

"Morning, Twi," Sunset said.

"Morning, Sunset," Twilight responded. She then sniffed. "Are you making pancakes?"

"Yes I am, for two reasons. One, and more importantly, it's been five years since you all found me in Manehatten, and offered to take me to Canterlot for the Summer Sun Celebration. Second, we're leaving today, at least for a little bit. Might as well have one last meal as a family before leaving," Sunset said.

"Oh, right!" Twilight said, remembering. "Happy five years, sis." Twilight then hugged Sunset.

Sunset hugged her sister back. "Happy five years, Twi," she said. "Now, I think Mom, Dad, and Shiny should be up soon."

"Probably, I'll go set the table," Twilight offered.

"Thanks, Twi."

The rest of their family slowly trickled down, and when everypony was down, Sunset served breakfast. "Happy five years, everypony," she said with a smile.

"Happy five years," they all said, before digging in.

Shining looked up. "So, Ponyville?"

"Yeah. The princess wants us to help with preparations there," Sunset said.

"Even though there could be a great evil returning to Equestria," Twilight added.

"What?" Shining asked.

Spike, however, wasn't paying attention. "Thanks for these gemstone pancakes, Sunset," he said.

"No problem, Spike," Sunny said, and then turned to her older brother. "And, from what Twilight and I have read, Nightmare Moon is returning basically tonight. But, the princess told us not to worry about it."

"She said it wasn't true," Twilight said.

"Not exactly, she just told us to stop reading those dusty old books. She probably can handle it herself. And she also has the E. U. P., to help handle thing," Sunset pointed out.

"True," Shining said. "But, I haven't been notified of anything."

"Aren't you supposed to become the captain of the Royal Guard in about a month?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah, ten moons from today," he replied.

"So, it's probably fine. If not, we'll magic our way to victory," Sunny joked.

"Yeah, maybe if we can find the Elements of Harmony," Twilight quipped back.

"Well, I suppose, if it comes to that, we must go and find them," Sunset said.

"But, in the meantime, you two must be getting to Ponyville. I expect to see you in a few days, unless somehow you must stay there. Then I'm sure you'll be at my promotion," Shining said.

"I guess I'll go pack," Twilight said before heading up. Sunset, however, stayed down.

"So, when are you going to ask her?" Sunset asked Shining once Twilight was out of earshot.

"What?" Shining said.

"You've had that goofy grin on your face all morning. You've finally decided to ask Cadance, haven't you?"

"How did you? Never mind. Yes I have. She had to go do something for the Summer Sun Celebration. Said it was classified. So, when she gets back, I'm bringing her on a date and asking her then," Shining said.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to finally do it, and I'm not oblivious to that stuff like Twilight," Sunset said.

"She's too busy reading," Shining laughed.

"Yeah. At least now she'll be getting out some. As long as she doesn't close herself in," Sunset said.

"True. Where are you staying anyways?" Shiny asked.

"A library. Good thing the princess sent us a list of things to do. Otherwise, she might not leave," Sunset laughed.

"Of course. But have don't have too good of a time without me, okay?"

Sunset put her lip out into a pout. "Fine. But I make no promises."

"Sunny! Are you packed yet?" Twilight shouted from the bedroom.

"Not yet," Sunset shouted in reply. "I better pack. We're leaving in less than an hour," Sunset said to her brother.

"Okay. And don't forget to pack your toothbrush," Shiny said with a smirk on his face.

"I don't think I'll be forgetting anything. I'm going with Twilight, remember?" Sunset replied.

"Right," Shining said before Sunset headed up the stairs.

Sunset and Twilight headed to Ponyville on a royal chariot, along with Spike.

"So, do we have a plan about checking on the preparations?" Sunset asked.

"Of course," Twilight responded. "First we will check on the baking preparations, as that has the most to check beforehand. Then, the weather, though that should not be a problem. After that, we should go check on how the decorating is going. Last, we will check on the music, as that would seem to need to take the most preparations. Then we can go do some research in the library!"

"Sounds good," Sunset said. "But when were we going to do the friend making we were told to do?"

"Well, I want to be prepared if Celestia isn't able to defeat Nightmare Moon. And I doubt the fate of Equestria depends on us making friends," Twilight replied.

"Says the purple unicorn who uses magic for daily use and who also has a dragon as a close friend," Sunset said.

"Just because unicorns are mythical in your world says nothing about this one. Hay, magic hardly exists there, if at all, and friendship is there. There is no way that friendship is a powerful magic that could help us defeat Nightmare Moon," Twilight replied.

"But, who is more likely to win, somebody all alone, or a group of ponies standing together?" Sunset said.

"But, there is a weakness from a group as well, that they have to worry about each other. And you said somebody, somepony might notice that," Twilight said.

"I guess both have strengths and weaknesses. And, honestly, I'm still kinda surprised that you all say somepony instead of somebody. Ponies have bodies, and, if you think about it, somepony is actually more exclusive. For example, Spike is a dragon, not a pony. Thus, he would be included in somebody but not somepony," Sunset replied to her sister, before they landed.

"True. But, you still are bound to get odd looks," Twilight said as they got off.

Sunset turned to the royal guards that brought them. "Thank you," she said, and then they proceeded to fly off.

The two mares and the dragon then began to walk. "Maybe the ponies here have some cool stuff to talk about," Spike said.

"Yeah, it is a more quaint place than Canterlot, so the conversations will be different. Probably less snooty," Sunset agreed.

"Well, I may as well give it a shot, how hard could it be?" Twilight said.

"That's the spirit," Spike said.

The three then walked up to a pink pony with a poofy mane, and Sunny nudged her sister.

"Um, hello, I'm-" Twilight started, before being cut off by a loud gasp from the pink pony, who then practically flew off, despite being an earth pony.

Sunset shrugged. "You can't win them all, I guess," she said.

"That certainly was different than what we would have seen in Canterlot," Twilight admitted, before continuing to walk.

Sunset and Spike quickly followed. "So, you said that we were checking up on food first?" Sunset asked.

"Yes, at Sweet Apple Acres," Spike said, pulling out the list.

"And we know we're headed the right way because?" Sunset said.

"Because I memorized a map of Ponyville before we came here so that way we could get everything done more efficiently," Twilight said.

"Of course you did," Sunset said, rolling her eyes.

The three then made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, to find an orange pony, who was bucking trees to get apples down.

"Good afternoon," Twilight said, and the other pony turned around. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is my sister, Sunset, and Spike," she introduced.

"Well howdy, I'm Applejack. It sure is good to meet y'all," the mare said, giving a firm but short hoofshake to Twilight, Sunset, and Spike. "So, what can I do for ya?"

Sunset stepped forward. "We're here to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. Are you in charge of food, or is there somepony else we have to talk to?"

"My family is," Applejack replied. "Would you care to sample some?"

Twilight shrugged. "Why not?" Sunset said.

"Well then, I'll introduce you to everypony, follow me," the earth pony said.

When they arrived at the house, Applejack called her family. "We just had our annual reunion last month, but some decided to stay here after learning that Princess Celestia would be coming, all thought they could lend a hoof. And they sure have."

Twilight cast Sunset a look, that basically said that she was in a hurry, and couldn't really stay, but Sunset was not having it, knowing full well that the checklist would not take them very long.

Applejack then introduced her family, ending with, "Big Macintosh, my older brother, Apple Bloom, my little sister, and Granny Smith."

"Howdy," Granny said, because she most certainly would not fall asleep while helping out with a big festival.

"Well, I can see that things are handled here, so we'll be on our way," Twilight said.

"Aren't you gonna stay for lunch?" Apple Bloom asked, with an adorable sad face.

Twilight hesitated. "How could you say no to this, Twi?" Sunset asked. "Of course we'll stay. Though, I must warn you, we had a big breakfast," Sunset said with a smile.

"Now that food is all taken care of, next up is weather," said Spike.

"I think I ate too much pie," Twilight groaned.

"I told you to go light, you already had a big breakfast," Sunset said.

"Thanks, mom."

"What? Can't I look out for my little sister?"

Twilight huffed.

"There's supposed to be a pegasus taking care of the weather, one Rainbow Dash. She's supposed to be clearing the clouds," Spike said.

Sunset and Twilight looked up. "Why just one pegasus?" Sunset asked.

"Probably because light weather was already ordered for today, but, she doesn't seem to be doing a good job, does she?" Twilight said, already annoyed that her research time had been cut into.

Just then, a streak came flying down, which Sunset narrowly avoided being run into by quickly teleporting away. However, Twilight wasn't so lucky. Though it was less of a crash, and more like a tackle. Unfortunately, with less mass to slow the impact, the two rolled into a puddle of mud.

Rainbow laughed sheepishly after getting off Twilight. "Uh, 'scuse me?" she said.

Twilight only responded with a groan, and started to get up.

"Let me help you," Rainbow said, quickly grabbing a cloud and hopping on it to allow it to rain on Twilight, though pour would be a more appropriate word, and soaking Twilight.

"Oops, I guess I overdid it," Rainbow laughed."Um, uh, how about this? My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." Rainbow made tight circles around Twilight, blow drying her, and poofing her mane up. By this time Sunset and Spike had joined in on the laughter.

"Let me guess, you're Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, even more annoyed than she was before.

"The one and only. Why? You heard of me?" Rainbow asked.

"Or maybe it was obvious by your mane," Sunset said.

"Oh, that too, but you had to have heard my name somewhere," Rainbow replied.

"We heard that you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear," Twilight said. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Sunset Shimmer, my sister, and we were sent here by the Princess to check up on everything, including the weather, which is not how it is supposed to be."

"Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing," Rainbow said, making a loop-de-loop.

"And does running into my sister count as practice?" Sunset said.

"Well, it was more supposed to be a tackle hug for the both of you," Rainbow said sheepishly. "What was supposed to happen was I tackled you and then we stopped at her, but you teleported out of the way."

"Fine," Sunset replied. "But what even are you practicing for?"

"The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"The Wonderbolts?" Twilight asked.

"Yup."

"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?" Twilight said. Sunset suddenly realized what Twilight was doing.

"Exactly!" Rainbow said.

"And you think they're just going to accept a pegasus who can't keep the sky clear for one day?" Sunset said.

"Please. I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat," Rainbow replied.

"Prove it," Sunset challenged.

Sure enough, ten seconds later, the sky was clear. "What did I tell you? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging," Rainbow said.

"Impressive. Most impressive," Sunset said.

Twilight, however, was dumbfounded.

"You should see your faces. Can't wait to hang out some more," Rainbow said, before flying off.

"Wow," Spike said.

Twilight was only more annoyed. "Sis, your mane's not bad. I've seen a lot worse. Besides, it looks kinda cute on you," Sunset said to Twilight.

"You're only saying that because you're my sister, not because it's actually true," Twilight said.

"Who's to say it can't be both?" Sunset replied.

They then walked into town hall. "Next, decorations," Spike said, before looking up, and seeing Rarity. "Beautiful," he muttered.

"Yes, the décor is coming along nicely. This ought'a be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed," Twilight responded.

But Sunset was paying a bit more attention. "I don't think he's talking about the décor, Twi," she said.

"No, no, goodness no," the mare working muttered to herself.

"How are my spines, are they straight?" Spike asked.

Twilight just continued walking. "Yes, they're straight, Spike. But don't get too caught up in looks. Appearances can be deceiving," Sunset said.

"Good afternoon-" Twilight started.

"Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were. Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Though shimmer does work too. Why, Rarity, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help yo--" Rarity said, before yelling. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

"Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your mane," Twilight said.

"Out of my mane? What about your mane?!" Rarity exclaimed, before pushing Twilight along.

"Wait! Where are we going?! Help!" she said, but continued to allow herself to be pushed.

Sunset only laughed and followed, along with a lovestruck Spike.

They wound up in Rarity's Boutique, where she was fitting clothes on Twilight, which Sunset found absolutely hilarious.

"You were telling me where you were from?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, we were sent from Canterlot, so that we could check on the preparations," Sunset explained.

Rarity gasped. "Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I... Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" Rarity exclaimed, not truly thinking.

"Quick! Let's go. Before she decides to dye my coat a new color," Twilight said.

"I don't know. Personally, I think maybe amber would look good on you," Sunset laughed.

Twilight rolled her eyes before they left.

"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike asked.

"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?" Sunset said.

Both Twilight and Spike gave her a confused look.

"Nevermind," Sunset said.

"Next up is music," Spike said. "And it's the last thing on the list."

They heard a beautiful song coming from a group of birds.

As they came closer, they saw a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. "Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, umm. Excuse me, sir? I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-" she said in a hushed tone.

"Hello," Twilight said, scaring the birds off. "Oh my, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music and it's sounding beautiful."

Sunset then stepped forward. "I'm Sunset Shimmer, and this is my sister, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike should be around here somewhere," she said, introducing them. Spike, however, was behind a bush, daydreaming. "What's your name?"

"I'm Fluttershy," the pegasus whispered.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Sunset asked.

"My name is Fluttershy," the pegasus whispered, even softer than before.

"I didn't quite catch that," Sunset said.

The pegasus only squeaked in response, leaving for an awkward moment.

Twilight also felt awkward, so she said, "sell, um, it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!" She then turned around with Sunset, and began to walk. "Well, that was easy."

"Yeah. Where'd Spike go?" Sunset asked. "Spike?"

Spike came to his senses, and walked out from behind the bush, into Fluttershy's line of sight. She gasped. "A baby dragon," she said, in a soft but excited tone, and rushed over, avoiding the sisters. "Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's sooo cute!"

"Well well well," Spike said, with some pride.

"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I, I just don't even know what to say!" Fluttershy said.

"Well, in that case, I guess we better be going," Twilight said.

"Wait, wait! What's his name?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm Spike."

"Hi Spike, I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?" she asked.

"Well, what do you wanna know?" Spike answered.

"Absolutely everything," she replied.

"Reminds me of someone else who wants to know everything," Sunset said.

"Spike, you better give her the abridged version. We don't have very long," Twilight said.

"Well... I started out as a cute little purple egg..." he started.

And so he talked, all the way to the library. " ..and that's the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?" he finished.

"Oh yes," Fluttershy said.

"I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep," Twilight interrupted.

"Twi, I don't think that will work. She does seem like an animal expert, after all," Sunset said.

"Fine," Twilight said. "But, we really do have things to do," Twilight said.

"Okay," Fluttershy replied.

Then, Sunset, Twilight, and Spike headed inside the library. But, for some reason, the lights were turned off.

The lights then turned on, revealing a ton of ponies. "Surprise!" they shouted.

The pink pony from earlier trotted up to them. "Surprise!" she said. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?"

"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet," Twilight replied.

"Ponies don't normally stay the night in libraries either," Sunset pointed out.

"Not helping," Twilight said.

"Well, being quiet would be silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all [deep gasp], remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!" Pinkie rambled.

Twilight groaned at this, but Pinkie only continued. "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went [deep gasp]! I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!"

While she was speaking, Twilight poured herself a cup of something. Fortunately, Sunset noticed it was hot sauce. "Um, Twi. You know that's," Sunset started, but, it was already too late. "-hot sauce," Sunset finished.

Twilight started to tear up, it was too hot for her.

"Are you alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"See, she's so happy she's crying," Pinkie said.

Twilight ran upstairs.

"At least I saved her from the quesadilla," Sunset muttered, before following her sister.

Pinkie then poured the hot sauce on a cupcake, and ate it. "What, it's good," she said.

Author's Note

Ah yes, the first actual chapter of Friendship Rising. I especially liked the beginning. After that, however, it got difficult. How to recapitulate events without boring the audience? It is hard to read something you have already watched. Recently, I watched the first episode. And it made me cringe so much. The characters felt so one dimensional and out of character in the first part. So, I fixed things, and made things match with their actual characters, rather than having them fit basic stereotypical molds, like Granny falling asleep. Sunset's addition also made things better. With her sarcasm, she could liven up scenes. I also had to smooth out awkward transitions, like the jumping from one scene to another but continuing the same sentence. Yes, the show did that at one point.

A pure copy paste episode with some additions can be boring. But, livening things up can make it better and more interesting. That is something "Sunset Shimmer is Mad about Everything" did well. But, whoever said that the outcome would be the same?

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys this!