Dawn's new day.

“Starlight did what!?” I pinned my ears back. Mom hardly ever yelled in anger except when things were really bad. “I’m surprised she would yell at Twilight like that.”

She and Unfettered were currently visiting for the weekend since they had been missing me just as much as I missed them. I was currently in my peagsus form so the three of us were talking on a cloud hanging over the city. Clouds make everything better. I was slightly upset the rest of the family couldn’t make it but they had work or chores.

“Okay sure asking you to herd right after getting turned down by Sunburst isn’t that bad by itself but then acting that possessive towards you and excluding your other filly friend.” Mom actually growled. Unfettered looked a bit awkward being there but stuck close by as she felt she should.

“Now you see why I’m at a loss. I really like Starlight and she was one of my first friends after we moved plus she’s cute, when she’s behaving, and a strong spell caster.” I buried my head under her wing as she gave me a comforting hug. “It’s just her attitude lately has become worrisome.”

“Oh sport, you shouldn’t have to be dealing with this at your age. Sunburst honestly might have been the smart one for letting her down gently. That filly always did give me some strange ‘obsession vibes’ every now and then. I’ve know mares like that and it’s never ended great for those herds.” She looked out over the city.

“It might not be my place but you should end things now ma-Dawn.” Unfettered tapped her hooves together. “She may be a great friend but maybe not lead mare material.” She might be right if ‘Our Town’ is any indication of her leadership preference. I just worry what will happen if she’s left alone.

“Oh did Cheerilee teach you that?” Mom asked. I had heard about them hanging out and was now curious if Unfettered might join Mac’s herd. Unfettered just smiled and ruffled her wings. “Anyway sport, whatever you do will be up to you. Your dam and I won’t control your love life like other moms but we’ll support your decision.” She ruffled my mane.

“Thanks.” I grumbled into the cloud almost wishing she had stronger opinions about the situation. ”Just wish I knew what to do.”

“So! what should we do for lunch?” Mom asked, rubbing her hooves together as my stomach growled which was the perfect excuse for changing the conversation.

“That wasn’t bad.” Mom rubbed her stomach after our filling lunch from a corner cafe. I was riding on her back but back in my normal unicorn form while Unfettered looked around, intrigued by the city.

“I bet considering how much you ordered.” I earned myself an ear flick from mom’s wing. “And hey, didn’t you see the city with the family a while ago?” I asked her jokingly, curiosity getting the better of me as she looked around.

“Yes but we didn’t have much time to just explore during the celebration, unlike like today.” Mom smiled

“And I didn’t even get to see it.” Unfettered looked excitedly towards one of the stores selling custom saddle bags.

“Well if you see anything you like let me know, we have the bits sweetheart.” Mom gave her a quick wing hug causing Unfettered to smile.

“Speaking of, how is the farm and Ponyville?” I nuzzled moms neck while asking them both.

“The farm is great some of the Apple clan stopped by not long ago to help with the Summer Harvest. Sorry ya missed it sport. As for the town, well there’s a new mail mare. She’s a bit clumsy but she has the cutest little foal just recently born and as cute as Bloom so it’s impossible to get mad at her.” Mom chuckled. “Even if we have had to replace the mailbox twice.”

That sounds like Derpy. I laughed with her.

“Other than that you haven’t missed much. A few other new foals were born so the town celebrated that. Pinkie threw a nice party.” Mom continued leading us aimlessly through the city.Sure did, they’re so cute.

“Don’t forget about the Cakes.” Unfettered chimed in and we stopped to check out a small shop.

“The Cakes?” I tilted my head. Did they already get married?

“Oh right. Pear’s friend Ms. Swirl is now Mrs. Cake her and that stallion she was crushing on shared a soulmate song. Half the town joined in on it and they got officially married just last week.” Mom shook her head. “We all thought she was rushing just a bit but quite a few mares were jealous she got that stallion to herself.”

“Mom~.” I groaned while she laughed and Unfettered blushed.

“He isn’t bad to look at.” Unfettered chimed in.

“That’s my girl.” Mom bumped her side while I wiped my face in exasperation and hopped off moms back.

“Mares.” I rolled my eyes and the two started laughing again. I am glad to see her finally fitting in with the family though. I felt bad leaving her behind in Ponyville after she asked to come to Canterlot and watch over me.

“More tea?” Feather Duster asked while rubbing up against her Princess flirtatiously. Celestia was working on a daunting stack of paperwork since she had canceled lessons with her students today.

Dawn’s family was in town so he couldn’t make it and Twilight was still not at her best so she thought family time would also do her good.

“You really are the best, you know that?” Celestia purred and gave Feather a peck on the cheek who enjoyed the spark of love as she poured a fresh cup.

“Thank you, my Princess.” Feather gave Celestia a loving nuzzle. “Too bad I can’t help you with that paperwork.” She could, she had the skills but knew her partner wouldn’t want her to.

“Ah yes, the cost of being a princess.” Celestia slumped. She was no longer keeping up her mask around her mare friend.

Oh don’t I know it. Imago was currently directing her children via the hive mind to practice their skills while also planning her next clutch of eggs. All the excess love meant she would produce very healthy drones that would likely exceed any other hive.

“Would you have it any other way though?” Feather teased by booping Celestia’s muzzle.

“Maybe one day.” Celestia took a slow sip of her tea then sighed at the paperwork.

Feather watched her Princess. One day? Huh…

“Spike, give that book back!” Twilight yelled while chasing her baby dragon around the house. Spike had grabbed her book in his mouth and wouldn’t let it go. Her own parents were just laughing or ‘daww’ing at their daughters antics and the fact the dragon was apparently in much better shape than she was.

“Shining help me.” Twilight begged her older brother as they ran through the living room.

“Sorry Twilight, he’s your baby.” Shining snuggled up closer to Cadence who was napping on their couch after a long week of work. “And my Princess needs her guard.”

“Spike give me back my book.” They ran around the kitchen. “Right now mister.” Twilight stomped her hoof after blocking his path. Spike slowed down since he knew his mom was serious. Before he could give it back however he let out a cute fiery sneeze.

“No, my book.” Twilight winnied. Said book vanished in a puff of smoke and landed on Celestia’s desk moments later shocking her and Feather.

Spike began to tear up thinking he ruined it. “Mom.” He cried out apologetically.

“Oh it’s alright Spike I’ll just ask the princess to give it back.” Twilight hugged her young dragon. “Your breath just sends stuff to her remember?” She pet his spines while her parents watched proudly.

Pinkie trotted down Ponyville Mane street humming and waving to all her friends. “Hi. Hello.” When suddenly she was pulled into an alley. “Oh, hi Dashie what’s up?”

“Shh.” Rainbow smiled and pointed towards the fountain.

“Ohh is this a prank I love..” Pinkie found a hoof in her mouth and watched as the fountain started filling with bubbles confusing those passing by. Soon the bubbles overflowed and Rainbow fell on her back laughing.

“Rainbow Dash! What have I told you about pranking the town.” Mayor Mare had appeared behind the two.

“Eh, keep it harmless?” She laughed awkwardly.

The mayor sighed. “And miss Pie to think you had a hoof in this.” The mayor shook her head.

“No wait it was just me Pinkie didn’t help.” Dash hovered up and explained.

“I see. Well then. Ms. Dash only you will have to clean that up. Or else Forest will hear about this when she gets back.” Mayor Mare pointed to the growing bubbles and Dash groaned. The mayor had quickly learned only her town’s weather captain could keep Rainbow in check.

“Thanks for sticking up for me Dashie.” Pinkie gave her a hug.

“Of course Pinks it wasn’t your prank.” Pinkie smiled as one of her best friends flew off then got back to greeting the town.

Rainbow looked over the mess and grimaced. She hadn’t expected so many bubbles.

“I can’t believe Rainbow did that.” Pear Butter laughed as her daughter explained why her coat looked so shiny and why she was rinsing soap off apples. “At least it cleaned up the town fountain I bet.”

Applejack groaned. She had been covered in suds while working the family Apple cart. So had the cart and half the town center before Dash brought down a cloud to wash away most of the suds. “Yeah sept now we gotta rinse off all our apples else they’ll taste like mane wash.” She had already gotten started by using the hose next to the barn when Pear found her and offered to help.

“Yeah. Should we tell Forest?” Pear got a mischievous glint in her eye and her daughter smiled.

“Eeyup.” They laughed and Mac just raised his eyebrow as he passed his family members on his way into the barn.

“Mares.” He shook his head and wondered how his brother was doing.

“Come on colt keep up” I followed behind my mom and Unfettered, dragging my hooves. We had been out all day now and my colt body just couldn’t keep up even with my earth pony strength.

“How are you two still shopping?” I winced, while my legs were fine my hooves were starting to hurt from the stone. Should have worn my shoes. Even if they are heavy my hooves wouldn’t be sore.

“Oh come on think of it as training, besides I haven’t had a proper day off in weeks.” Mom ruffled my mane.

I gave her the puppy dog eyes and asked for ‘ups’ which made her relent and she tossed me back onto her back by my scruff.

“Fine colt you win. They really need to ban cuteness as a lethal weapon.” I nuzzled her mane and said thanks.

Unfettered smiled while carrying some bags filled with souvenirs for the rest of the family.