Dawn's new day.

“It’s alright little ones. Come on out.” Fluttershy coaxed the creatures in the Ponyville veterinarians office. “I know it’s not always pleasant but you’re all here to get better right?” Slowly but surely small bandaged or sick animals came out of hiding.

“Fluttershy wonderful work as always.” Dr. Fauna praised her young apprentice for her work causing the shy filly to blush. Fluttershy was like an angel to the older mare. She had been taking care of every animal in town on her own before she came along and it was no easy task. “They always listen so well to you.”

“Oh, they just need some extra kindness now and then.” Fluttershy stroked a squirrels’s back before setting it on the examination table. “I know just what it’s like to be scared. It hasn’t been so bad lately though.” Fluttershy gave a slight smile.

“That wouldn’t be because of Rarity would it?” Dr. Fauna had already heard about their trial herd and was glad she had found ponies in her life.

Fluttershy nodded. “We started going to that new spa for dates once a week when we’re both free. We haven’t convinced Rainbow to join us but she’ll still go on weekend picnics to show us her flight tricks she’s been practicing.”

“That sounds nice.” Dr. Fauna found the parring of those two a bit odd but said nothing about it and instead focused back on her patient. “Alright all done now. You take it easy.”

“Pinkie darling. Could you please go pick up some eggs and milk from the Apples. Our delivery pony didn’t bring enough.” Ms. Cake sighed as her husband, the former delivery pony chuckled.

“It’s because you married the good one dear and now I’m working in the store with you.” Mr. cake earned a playful tail swat for the joke.

Pinkie left with a big grin on her face as she made her way to the Apples stall.

“Well howdy Pinkie. Didn’t you have work today?” Applejack who was mareing the stall today asked.

Pinkie gave an enthusiastic nod. “Yep. We need some more supplies though. Our new delivery pony messed up the order so we didn’t get enough eggs or milk. She’s not as experienced as Mr. Cake.”

Applejack chucked. “Well shoot sorry about that. Sadly we don’t keep milk at the stall so you’ll have to stop by the farm. One of my moms should be home though so they can help ya out. Want an Apple for the road?”

“Thanks!” Pinkie ate the whole thing in one massive bite and gave Aj a nuzzle before heading off to the farm.

Applejack shook her head in disbelief and waited for her next customer.

As soon as Pinkie had left Mrs. Cake sauntered past her husband while heading towards the stairs and brushed her tail under his chin. “You know dear, Pinkie should be gone for just long enough.”

Mr. Cake took the hint, eyes filled with hearts, and he followed behind his wife’s swaying hips. He was more than happy to continue practicing for when they were ready for foals.

Pinkie felt a shiver in her back right leg and blushed. Guess I better walk a bit slower.

Pinkie began humming a happy tune to herself as she walked through the apple orchard.

“Hey, Pinkie. What are you doing here on the farm.” Pinkie looked up and found Mrs. Breeze hovering not far away.

“Oh hi Mrs. Breeze. The cakes ran out of eggs and milk because of the new delivery mare so I came to buy some but now I’m taking my time since my Pinkie sense told me they would need it as some ponies were getting cuddly back home.” Pinkie managed to say all in one breath.

Forest tapped her chin then blushed when she realized what Pinkie said. After a shake of her head she followed up with, “Oh, good for them. Well Dew is back at the farmhouse doing some paperwork with Mac so they can probably help you out while I get back to the weather.”

“Okie dokie.” Pinkie gave her a wave as she flew off then began happily humming and trotting towards the farmhouse.

“What was that about mam?” Rainbow asked as her weather captain returned to the skies.

“Just Pinkie stopping by. Apparently the cakes needed some alone time so sent her on an errand.” Forest chuckled to herself.

Rainbow blushed a bit. “I see, we’ll what’s next for us to do?”

“Next.” Forest smiled. “Is working on your flight skills. You still want to join the Wonderbolts don’t you.”

“Really?” Rainbow flipped over in the air. “Sweet. My tricks are getting so much better with an actual coach. I still can’t believe you raced with Spitfire before and won. She may not be the captain but she’s the best in my opinion.”

“Yeah Spits and I raced a few times but while my passion was in weather work and starting a family she had the dream of becoming Wonderbolts captain.” Forest thought back. “Now let’s get practicing.”

As Rarity walked through the market she smiled and waved at her fellow towns ponies. While her shop still didn’t see the most business it had been picking up. She didn’t sell many custom orders but repairs were plentiful. Luckily her special talent, her gem finding spell, allowed her to supplement her income even if she wished it wasn’t her primary source.

“Well howdy there Rarity lovely day isn’t it, what can I do for you today?” Rarity quite enjoyed Applejack’s rustic accent. She found it charming after spending time with her. She still debated inviting Applejack into her trial herd after all the help she had given around the boutique but didn’t know her and Dawn’s relationship well enough.

We’re they siblings only or possibly more. “Hello Applejack. Yes your mother and her team did a lovely job. As for what I need just a half bushel of apples and a pie if you’ve got one left?” Rarity tilted her head.

“Ah, sorry sugar cube fresh out of pie.”

“Oh.” Rarity hung her head as she had been looking forward to pie.

“But, we do still have some fritters left.” Applejack pulled a few out from under the counter.

“Oh excellent. How much?” Rarity pulled out her bit bag but Applejack waved her off.

“Rares considering how hard your working on our families dresses, it’s on us.”

“Are you sure darling it’s no trouble.” Gem finding had been going extremely well and shipping them off to Canterlot made Rarity quite a few bits she didn’t mind sharing with friends.

“Course I do, the farms doing pretty great thanks to mom and dam standing up to Filthy and re-negotiating our contracts.” Applejack frowned a bit. “While I know he wasn’t intentionally getting one over on us it still stings a bit thinking about it.”

“Well then Darling thank you. On a side note how would you feel about joining Fluttershy and I at the spa some time?”

Bon Bon waved off her last customer and began wiping off the counter. It was only a few moments later when the door opened again. “Welcome to Bon Bon’s Bon Bon candy shop… oh hi Derpy, here to bring the mail?”

“Yep. Got any muffins?” The walleyed mare smiled and passed over a few letters.

“Sorry Derpy I don’t make muffins here. How about some candy or getting some at Sugarcube Corner?” She grabbed her mail and looked it over.

“Oh~, but I can’t. Sugarcube was closed when I went to deliver their mail but I did hear some funny sounds from upstairs.” Derpy hung her head.

Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. “I see, well you could always bake your own?”

“I can? I can!” Derpy flew out the door leaving Bon Bon a bit stunned that Derpy had never thought of that before. She shrugged and looked over her mail. Most were order forms to be filled later or bills from buying supplies.

“Oh, Lyra wrote me.” She opened up the letter and began reading.

‘Hey Bonnie what’s up? Not much as been going on here at CSGU. Dorm life is really nice still and classes are going well. I don’t know if you’ve heard yet from the Apples but Dawn and Starlight broke up. It was really sad but is it wrong to feel happy?

Anyway,Human club still hasn’t gotten any new members even with the new students which is also sad. Hope you can write back soon.

Love Lyra.

Ps: send candy.’

Bon Bon chucked to herself at the haphazard writing of her filly friend. She then noticed one more letter, this one from S.M.I.L.E and she became more serious.

When she opened the letter the paper was blank until she felt a scanning spell and wording appeared when it finished.

‘Update for agent Sweetie Drops.

Primary Mission: unchanged.

Information update: Unicorn Balanced Dawn, who lives in your town, has ascended into becoming an alicorn. This information is not yet officially public so do not bring up first. Your new side mission is to discreetly protect him while he is in town. Dawn should not be aware of your status unless the Princess told him personally.

End message’

Bon Bon reread the letter until the ink disappeared and she crumpled it up.

“Another Alicorn?” She whispered under her breath.

“Everything alright darling?” Bon Bon hadn’t noticed Rarity had entered her shop. “You didn’t look happy with that letter.”

“Fine Rarity, just some unusual information from a family member. What can I help you with today?” She donned a more professional smile.

“Just some of your delicious Bon Bons, my little sister loves when I send her some.” Rarity set some bits on the counter.

“Coming right up.” Bon Bon gave Rarity an assortment of flavors and watched the unicorn leave. “Just another day in Ponyville.”