"Damn it, damn it, damn it," Twilight repeated under breath as she made her way down the hallway. "Damn it, damn it, damn it," the elevator's door opened and the old lady who lived next door came out, just back from walking her hound. Twilight almost collided with her. "Sorry!" she mumbled apologetically, and ashamed.

The old lady laughed and walked away. Twilight went back to freaking out. "Damn it, damn it, damn it!" she pressed the button to the lobby. She flinched as the sound of a ringing cellphone resounded on the empty elevator, before noticing it was hers. She fished the device from the bottom of her purse and picked up the moment the doors opened.

"Yeah, I know, I know, I'm late!"

A chuckle resounded. "Seems we exchanged roles today. I arrived first thing in the morning, Twi."

"Well, that's good. Let's see if punctuality rubs herself on you."

"Don't get your hopes up."

Twilight made frantic signs to a taxi. "You have superspeed, for heaven's sake!" she half-scream, half-whispered. "Your unpunctuality makes no sense, Dash!"

"Timing never really was my thing."

Twilight groaned and jumped into the back seat of the taxi. The driver shot her a weird look as she rubbed her eyes.

"See you in a bit, Rainbow Dash."

"See ya."

She hung up and looked over to the driver.

"To Canterlot High, now!"

"You're late, slowpoke."

Twilight shot a glare to a very smug Rainbow Dash and ran to the paper sheet where she was supposed to write down her arriving time. Only her name had already a time written down. She turned to Dash.

"I've been watching your back since we talked." she shrugged. "Your perfect record is safe. You're welcome."

She still found herself crushed between the arms of Twilight, who, very thankful, almost turned Dash deaf from her screams.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squeezed her once more before letting her go. "You have no idea how much it means to me."

"Believe me, I know."

Twilight went to her locker, way calmer. "Did Celestia come in here?"

"Just once." Dash left her empty mug in the counter. "Told her you were on the bathroom." the bell rang. "Well, that's our cue." she picked up her sports bag. "I have a class with the Freshmen, what about you?"

"Math with the Seniors." Twilight chuckled as both walked out of the staffroom.

"Oh, yeah, the best way to start a Monday."

Both laughed and parted to their respective classes.

Applejack parked the red car in the alley just behind Sugar Cube Corner. The once small bakery had turned into a popular, big bakery when, after finishing her four-years long career on Event Planning, Pinkie Pie associated with the Cakes to create one huge business. This is why the Bakery had widened, the second floor becoming the Cakes' apartment and Pinkie's office. A third floor was added, which was completely occupied by an event hall.

The place had gained a lot of popularity thanks to this, and Pinkie Pie had formed herself a name in the Planning field.

Applejack checked the time on her wristwatch. Just in time to deliver the apples. Big Mac, who for once couldn't do the deliveries because of a cold, would be very proud.

"Applejack, dear!"

Said girl turned to see Mrs. Cake standing at the back door of the place, a wide smile plastered on her middle-aged face. Applejack tipped her hat as a hello and grabbed a box of apples before approaching the woman.

"Hi there, Mrs. Cake! How has it been going?"

"Just great, dear. Allow me to help you with those. I'll call Carrot too."

"Don't worry, Mrs." Applejack chuckled, stopping the woman from taking the box out of her hands. "I can handle it just fine. There's no need to bother Mr. Cake. You can go back to the bakery and I'll bring these boxes to the storage room, alright?"

"With my help!" Applejack turned to the voice. Pinkie Pie had just crossed the kitchen's door and approached both with a wide smile.

Mrs. Cake looked at her weirdly. "Weren't you talking with a bride just now, Pinkie?"

"Yup! But I'm done with her. She's a nervous wreck! Go back in there, Mrs. Cake!" Pinkie pushed Mrs. Cake back to the kitchen. "I'll help Jackie."

"You really don't have to..."

"Pshh, like that'll stop me!"

Applejack laughed, grabbed two more apple boxes and waited as Pinkie Pie grabbed one of the boxes before they went on their way to the storage room.

"Let me tell you something, Jackie," Pinkie Pie suddenly started. "this bride I'm helping right now is, like, an epitome of 'paranoid'. She finds buts and what ifs on everything!"

"Really now?"

"Really! We've been through the aisle walk eight times! And she wants something original and fun... I'm really sorry for sending her to Rarity for her wedding dress."

"I can only imagine how that'll go..."

"Right?! But I know this kind. They're actually pretty common. A total perfectionist... We'll eventually find something that suits her, so I stay patient! Ah, I think these are the last ones."

"It'll always be a mystery to me how you can keep your cool with such and stressin' job."

"Because I love what I do, silly!" Pinkie left the last box of apples where it belonged and poked Applejack's belly. "Just like you love the farm."

Applejack chuckled. "Yeah, must be that..."

"There's nothing wrong with Opal, Rarity." Fluttershy took off her surgical gloves and softly stroke the cat's white fur. "Her lack of movement is probably just because of her age. She's just getting old."

"I'm not going to question you on that one, darling." Rarity scratched Opal's ear with her perfect purple nails. The cat purred. "But since you said that I should be wary of her getting too inactive... I got worried."

"And you've done right." Fluttershy picked up Opal and placed her back in her cage. The cat didn't even put up a fight. "But you can rest assured. Opal is in perfect health, so maybe you could try playing a bit with her. Otherwise, just keep doing what you've been doing up until now, and don't forget to bring her to her monthly check-up."

"I won't, darling." Rarity picked up the cage with Opal inside. The cat hissed a bit for the sudden movement and Rarity laughed. "Well, there's the Opalescence I know! Thank you, Fluttershy. I should probably get going. I'm a bit behind schedule with the next collection, and I need to meet up with a perfectionist bride at four." she paused and chuckled. "That'll only go well..."

"Oh, good luck with that..." Fluttershy followed Rarity to the exit of the office and to the lobby of the veterinary clinic. Plenty of patients waited in there, and Rarity turned to Fluttershy.

"It seems like you have a busy day. I'll see you later, darling." she kissed Fluttershy's cheek and left with a last 'goodbye'.

Fluttershy watched her go before turning to the rest of the people waiting.

"Next patient, please..."

Sunset bid her goodbyes to the receptionist and took the stairs on her way home. Outside, the weather was nice for the small walk she had to take. The street was oddly empty for a Monday afternoon.

Sunset sighed. There were some repairs being done on the road just a few blocks away from the doctor's office, so no cars (and, especially, no cabs) crossed. She would have to walk those few blocks to take a cab back home.

At least, she thought. I don't have classes tonight. She would invest the free time in reading a good book or watching a series.

Something sounded behind her. Sunset turned around immediately, her hand reaching for her pocket where she left her pepper spray.

But behind her, no one stood. The last alley was way behind her to represent a threat.

Unwillingly, Sunset resumed walking, her pace a little faster.

Funny, this uneasy feeling was... oddly familiar.

Sunset cringed when something stung her neck. She reached for the spot and pulled out the item.

A dart winked at her.

Her vision blurred suddenly and Sunset stumbled. She reached for the nearest pole. Her head spun, making her dizzy and her tongue felt heavy when she tried to call out for help.

Slowly, she let herself slide to the floor and sat against the pole.

The sound of steps approaching topped the ringing of her ears. With the little strength she had left, Sunset raised her head to try to look at her attacker.

But all she could see was a pair of black boots that stopped in front of her, right before falling into unconsciousness.

Author's Note

My, my