Griffon The Brush Off

by TheKing2001

Rating: teen
Tags: Gilda, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Derpy Hooves, Slice of Life, Roseluck, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Comedy, Other
Length: 16183

One of Rainbow Dash's friends comes to visit, causing chaos through the town and angering multiple townsponies.

When one of Rainbow Dash's friends comes to visit and starts treating the townsponies poorly, Sunset receives multiple complaints about the griffon from townsponies and her friends alike, leading Sunset to get angry about the newcomer and tries to sort out what to do about the griffon.

Part of the https://www.fimfiction.net/group/217456/sunsetverse

Published 2024-02-26 11:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-03-10 04:57:56 UTC

I Love A Good Prank

Rainbow Dash yawned as she rolled on her cloud she was relaxing on, closing her eyes as she sighed contently at the soft cloud under her. She always loved sleeping on clouds, even going as far as to make her bed of clouds.

“Oh Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow groaned as her ears flicked and she opened her eyes, staring over the edge at the jumping pink mare below.

“Oh sweet Celestia, it’s Pinkie Pie.”

My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
(My Little Pony!)
I used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Little Pony!)
Until you all shared its magic with me
Unwavering loyalty,
Teaching laughter,
Helping other ponies,
Being generous to all we meet,
Being honest and helpful,
Leading the way and representing everypony,
It’s an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete!
You have my little ponies
Do you know you’re all my very best friends?

Rainbow Dash took off, leaving her cloud disappearing and a rainbow trail behind her as she flew off, hastily looking back as Pinkie bounced.

“That mare is insane!” Rainbow shouted as she flew past Sprinkle Medley and Milky Way. “She never gives up!”

“Do you think we should help her?” Milky Way asked as he tilted his head and Sprinkle snickered.

“Absolutely not. She barely helps us with cloud work. She’s on her own here.”

Milky Way nodded as he and Sprinkle continued their flight to downtown Ponyville.

“I should be safe here,” Rainbow sighed as she perched on a tree, watching over Ponyville.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!”

“Gah!” Rainbow screamed and jumped as Pinkie grinned at her. Rainbow inhaled and took off as she tore off through the sky, Pinkie following suit under her on the ground. “I’m going to die one of these days trying to get away from her.”

Rainbow flew through the Residency as Sunset, Trixie and Silverspeed gave her startled looks.

“What in Equestria?” Trixie asked as Rainbow flew up the chimney and back outside as Pinkie raced inside.

“Did Rainbow Dash come in here?” Pinkie asked as Sunset pointed up the chimney. “Thanks Sunny!”

“You can use the front door-” Sunset started as Pinkie climbed up the chimney and raised an eyebrow. “Or not. We just got done cleaning this house up.”

“I’m gonna kill that mare one day,” Silverspeed sighed and shook her head as the three started picking up papers.

“Which one?” Trixie asked as she continued cleaning.

“Both, really. Maybe I should wake up Rainbow early in the morning by breaking the sound barrier flying over her house,” Silverspeed mused as she tapped her hoof against her chin.

The three shared a laugh, glancing out the window as Pinkie disappeared in a blur.

Rainbow slowed down as she dove inside the school bell, letting out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.

“This is a fun game of hide and seek,” Pinkie said next to her as Rainbow screamed and prepared to take off before sighing in defeat.

“What do you want Pinkie?”

“I wanna hang out with you. Hit the town, play pranks on my friends!” Pinkie exclaimed with a giggle as Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Harmless pranks, mind you. I don’t wanna hurt anypony or overly cruel.”

“Well duh. Pranks are to be enjoyed by all, not hurt ponies,” Rainbow said as she examined Pinkie. “Didn’t take you for a prankster Pinkie.”

“Oh I’m a big prankster. Trixie and I hang out all the time, pranking my bosses along with Cheerilee. Good times. Now that’s a pony that knows how to have fun,” Pinkie said with a grin. “But can we get out of this school bell first? Especially before it rings and makes us go deaf.”

“Yeah true.”

The pair dropped onto the roof, sliding down to the ground as Rainbow tilted her head slightly.

“Who first?” Rainbow asked as Pinkie shrugged.

“This way, come on and grab a cloud. We will need it,” Pinkie grinned as Rainbow nodded slowly. She took off to the sky and grabbed a large one as Pinkie led Rainbow to the town hall with a smirk. “Over to the right. No no, a little to the left. Oh wait, back to the right. Now a little leftish while staying rightly. Stop. Hmm. Maybe a few inches to the south. Now a couple centimeters north. Okay. One more smidgimeter to the-”

“Pinkie Pie!”

“Uh, I mean, perfect. Now wait for my signal,” Pinkie said sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her mane and Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Alright, Sparkler is coming out right now.”

“What in Celestia’s name?” Sparkler muttered as she set her scrolls down as she stared up at the cloud.

“Now!” Pinkie shouted and Rainbow bucked the cloud as Sparkler jumped.

“What the hay?” Sparkler shouted as she glared at Rainbow before hiccuping. “Nice one, you girls got me there -hic-.”

“Oh Rainbow Dash, we startled Sparkler into getting the hiccups!”

"Good one, Pinkie -hiccup- Pie. -Hiccup-, you’re always pulling a fast one hiccup on me. -hiccup- nnaa,” Sparkler groaned as she picked up her saddlebags.

“You’re not hurt are you?” Pinkie asked worriedly as she hugged Sparkler, Rainbow watching worriedly. “We never wanted to hurt you Sparky.”

“I’m fine just -hicc- got the hiccups. No biggie Pinks. And hey, at least I’m not sending scrolls randomly to Canterlot or the princess. That would be bad.”

“Yeah it would,” Pinkie admitted as she let Sparkler go. “Bye Sparkler. Give Derpy and Dinky my regards please!”

“Yeah you got it.”

“You know Derpy and her kids?” Rainbow asked curiously she landed next to the pink earth pony.

“Oh yeah I was there when Derpy gave birth to Dinky. I’m her godmother, same with Sparkler. Good filly and mare right there,” Pinkie answered as Rainbow gave her a stunned look.

Pinkie in all honesty was probably the last pony Rainbow would ever assign responsibility to. Primarily because all Rainbow saw was a chaotic force of energy that often ruined her sleep.

“Love to stay and chat but I have dinner with Derpy and her girls. Bye Dashie!”

Pinkie took off in a pink blur, leaving a stunned Rainbow Dash behind her.

“Reminder, set a plate for your aunt Pinkie,” Derpy reminded the two as Dinky paused.

“I thought she was our God mother?”

“She is but she is also doubling as your aunt. Her idea, actually. She was there when you were born,” Derpy explained as Sparkler levitated another plate and glass down with some silverware.

“How long have you even know Pinkie?” Sparkler asked as she and Dinky sat down across from Derpy.

“Long as I can remember. We had a field trip to her parents rock farm and that’s where we met. Years later, we reconnected when we both moved to Ponyville. She actually introduced me and your father to each other,” Derpy admitted as Sparkler scowled.

“What was Pinkie like as a filly?” Sparkler asked curiously as Derpy smirked.

“Pretty much how she is as an adult except she’s a bit more mature now if you can believe it. Pinkie always was the most friendly pony I’ve ever met. We just sorta clicked ya know?” Derpy said as the front door opened, closing behind a bouncing pink pony.

“Aunt Pinkie Pie has arrived!” Pinkie exclaimed with her trademark grin, setting down her saddlebags before nosing open a bag, pulling out a plastic container and a bottle of wine. “For me and you, straight from Berry Punch’s house.”

Dinky and Sparkler shared a look as Derpy licked her lips. She admittedly didn’t really drink often but Berry Punch was in her counseling group so the two became pretty fast friends. It did help that their daughters were friends as well.

“So how’s my favorite filly and teen doing?” Pinkie asked as she sat down next to Derpy, filling both glasses with wine.

“Good you?” Sparkler asked as she sipped her water. “Oh, I made pasta for dinner.”

“Not having muffins for dinner. Where did I go wrong?” Derpy moaned dramatically as Sparkler snickered.

“And I’m learning how to count up to fifty,” Dinky chimed in as Derpy made her plate.

“I expect you to eat at least that much young lady,” Derpy said sternly as Dinky nodded. “Both of you.”

“Yes mom,” the two said in unison as Pinkie smiled.

“It’s nice to see you again Pinks,” Derpy said quietly as she watched her daughters laughing and eating. “Truly.”

“Likewise Derps. It’s been too long since we’ve had dinner together,” Pinkie said as she patted Derpy on her back. “We really gotta get out for a mares night. Bring Berry, Carrot and Sunset.”

“I’m down. I’ll need to find somepony to watch my daughters.”

“Leave that to me,” Sparkler chimed in as the two older mares looked over. “I can watch them all for a few days. Go have fun with your friends mom.”

“If you’re sure,” Derpy said uncertaintly as she looked over at Dinky nodding enthusiastically. “We will see.”

“Okay,” Sparkler said with a shrug as she turned her attention back to her conversation with Dinky.

“You’re a much better mom than I think I’d ever be,” Pinkie sighed as she stabbed a noodle.

“Oh please, any filly or colt would be lucky to have you as a mom. You’re one of the most friendly ponies and best judges of characters I’ve ever met,” Derpy reassured her as Pinkie frowned.

“Clearly not a good judge of character if I never noticed your ex husband was a jerk when I introduced you two,” Pinkie said quietly and leaned closer to Derpy.

“That was not on you. Everything he did was on him.”

“Eh still feels like it was my fault.”

“Nah. And besides, I got a perfect daughter out of it. Two daughters,” Derpy smiled fondly at the other two across from them. “And if I remember correctly, you broke down his door and told him to get out of Ponyville and never come back. First time I ever saw you kick somepony out. Second time was almost Roseluck till Daisy begged you to not hurt her.”

“True,” Pinkie admitted with a blush. “That did happen. Won’t ever happen again though. And you were right, you do have perfect daughters.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

Derpy and Pinkie tapped their glasses together before each taking a sip.

Author's Note

Rainbow Dash is an extremely fast and talented flyer. Rainbow is head strong and often rushes into situations without thinking, often getting herself into dangerous predicaments. Rainbow is an aspiring Wonderbolt, later accomplishing that goal alongside her fellow weather pony co workers. Rainbow shares a fondness for danger with Thunderlane and Trixie, often being labeled as the Reckless Three. She's extremely unaware of the distrust some ponies, namely Raindrops and Sprinkle Medley have of her. Has an uneasy friendship with Trixie.

Motto: The sky is my playground.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Rainbow Dash is a fast flyer and is very maneuverable. Rainbow Dash is one of the other ponies other than Thunderlane, Raindrops, Spitfire, Soarin and Silverspeed who can break the sound barrier.

Allies: Trixie, Thunderlane, Cloudchaser, Parasol, Sprinkle Medley, Bulk Biceps, Soarin, High Winds, Milky Way, Rainbowshine, Spitfire, Silverspeed, White Lightning, Merry May, Raindrops, Sassaflash, Dizzy Twister, Derpy, Cloudkicker, Lyra, Bon Bon, Scootaloo, Button Mash, Rumble, Quibble, Clear Sky, Sunset, Shoeshine, Roseluck.

Enemies: Sunset (formerly), Parasol (formerly), Sprinkle Medley (formerly), Nightmare Moon (formerly), Discord, Tirek, Sombra, Chrysalis, Wind Rider, Misty (formerly), High Winds (formerly), Rarity (formerly).

Weaknesses: Rainbow's ego often turns ponies off of her and is widely considered as lazy by her co workers, often leaving her to do everything by herself.

I'm also using that song intro thingy DerpyLover made. It does seem cringy to use, so you guys don't like it, let me know and I'll edit it out.

She Sucks

Pinkie tied her apron as she sat behind the register at Sugarcube Corner, idly pony watching. Most ponies didn’t know Pinkie liked to watch ponies, it’s how she learned about how what most of the town folk liked. Hobbies, crushes, dislikes and favorite ice cream flavors.

“The usual?” Pinkie asked as Sunset and Silverspeed trotted in. “One chocolate chip muffin and a cream filled donut? One coffee with hazelnut creamer and a chocolate milk?”

“Yes ma’am,” Silverspeed nodded with a smirk. “How exactly do you always know what we all want all the time?”

“It’s my job. Plus it’s a secret,” Pinkie giggled as she started getting the requested breakfast items ready.

“You go sit down. I’ll get it ready for you,” Sunset said as Silverspeed nodded with a shrug.

“Here on a date or friends?” Pinkie asked as she slid the two cups across the counter.

“Friends as usual. I don’t really see her that way,” Sunset answered as she counted out some bits. “Why does everypony think we’re dating?”

“You two get along pretty well,” Pinkie answered as she pushed the bits into the register. “I ship it personally but it’s cool if you don’t date her. Silverspeed has never really dated seriously, off and on here from what I remember. Oh, she dated what’s his name? Uhh, Cherry Fizzy! Cherry Berry’s ex. Nice stallion. Anyway, I don’t really have a ship name for you two.”

“Thanks?” Sunset said as she glanced back quickly at Silverspeed.

“If you think something is there, I’d say go for it. I can give you all the details on Silverspeed and her past love life. Last time I heard, her most recent relationship was some mare at West Hoof.”

“Wait, she took officer training?” Sunset asked as Silverspeed flicked piece of plastic into a garbage can. “She never mentioned that to anyone. Then why isn’t she an officer in the guard and a cadet in Ponyville?”

“Don’t know,” Pinkie shrugged. “But I think she wants to work her way up the chain, not have it all hoofed to her like she used to as a filly. Silverspeed was always a bit more shy about her wealth unlike her sister Silver Spoon.”

Sunset levitated the cups with the two pastries, trotting off with a wave as she sat down across from Silverspeed.

“So what were you two talking about?” Silverspeed asked curiously as Sunset sipped her coffee with a content sigh.

“Oh, nothing.”

“What do think Pinkie is doing?” Carrot Top asked as she and Raindrops leaned against a fence, the latter chewing on a Carrot.

“Who knows with that mare. She’s nice but crazy as heck. Though not too different from the crazy I’m used to with Trixie,” Raindrops said as she continued eating her carrot.

“Bet you got some stories about that mare, eh?” Carrot Top asked with a smirk and nudged Raindrops.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

The two watched Pinkie drag a trampoline out of a barn along with some weird contraption with pedals and blades on the top.

“What in Equestria is that?” Carrot Top asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s one of those flying things that Cherry Berry talks about often. Yo, Pinkie! What’s up?” Raindrops called out as Pinkie trotted over.

“Hey girls. What’s up?”

“What are you doing with the trampoline and the helicopter?” Raindrops asked as Carrot Top dug out a carrot of the bag, offering it to Pinkie who took it with a grateful smile.

“Pinkie sense tells me I’ll be needing it today. Don’t know why but I know to trust my Pinkie sense. Bye girls, thanks for the carrot!” Pinkie galloped back to her helicopter and flicked one of the blades.

“I will never understand that mare,” Raindrops muttered as she shook her mane.

“Me neither.”

“It’s nice to hang out with you on my breaks,” Raindrops said and nudged Carrot with a wing. “We background characters gotta stick together after all.”

“Damn straight.”

“Rise and shine Rainbow Dash! It’s a brand new day and we got a lot of pranking to...oh hi!” Pinkie waved as a bird like creature peaked over the edge of Rainbow’s cloud house. “Well, not exactly morning but it’s eleven fifty nine so still morning technically!”

“Mornin’, Pinks. Gilda, this is my gal pal, Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow said as she joined Gilda.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Pinkie, this is my griffon friend, Gilda.”

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion as she stared at the two. She admittedly didn’t know exactly what a griffon was, but Pinkie knew she did love meeting new ponies. Or well, griffons in this case.

“What’s a griffon?” Pinkie asked finally as Rainbow chuckled.

“She’s half-eagle, half-lion,” Rainbow explained as Pinkie nodded rapidly.

“Ooooooh coolio! Can you roar like a lion or make eagle sounds?”

“Uh yeah?”

“Gilda’s my best friend from my days at Junior Speedster flight camp. Hey, remember the chant?” Rainbow asked with a grin as Gilda rolled her eyes.

“Shit, they made us recite it every damn morning. I’ll never get that lame thing out of my head,” Gilda scoffed as Pinkie cracked her neck.

“Sooo you’ll sing it for me? Right?” Rainbow asked as Gilda groaned.

“Fine.”

“Junior Speedsters are our lives, sky-bound soars and daring dives. Junior Speedsters, it’s our quest, to someday be the very best!” The two sang as Pinkie giggled.

“That was ridiculous. I loved it. Oh that was awesome, and it gave me a great idea for a prank. Gilda, you game?” Pinkie asked hopefully as Gilda shrugged.

“Huh. Well, I groove on a good prank as much as the next griffon. But Dash, you promised me we’d get a flying session in this morning.”

“Yeah, uh, well, Pinkie Pie, you don’t mind, do you? Gilda just got here. We’ll catch up with you later. I promise you, we can go prank someponies later.”

“Oh. Um, well sure, no problem. Have fun you guys, I’ll, uh, just catch up later,” Pinkie sighed sadly as the two flew off. “This blows.”

“What’s up with you?” Trixie asked as she and Roseluck trotted up to Pinkie slumped over on a table in Sugarcube Corner. “Got any peanut butter crackers?”

“Third cupboard on the left.”

“Thanks,” Trixie said as she wandered off and Roseluck sat next to Pinkie.

“You’re deflecting the question. What’s going on?” Roseluck asked as she wrapped her tail around herself. “You’re not your normal happy self.”

“So one of Rainbow Dash’s old friends from some flight camp is visiting,” Pinkie started a Roseluck nodded.

“Sounds normal so far. She always has friends visiting. What’s the catch?”

“Anyway, yeah. She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off. I’ve never met a griffon this mean. Well, actually, I’ve never met a griffon at all, but I bet if I had, she wouldn’t have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda. I’m about to say something I’ve never said but she is a meanie pants,” Pinkie said as she inhaled. “Wow, that was a lot to say.”

“That was a lot to take in,” Trixie chimed in as she slid next to Roseluck. “Trixie has met a griffon once. Not a nice creature. Bit of an asshole really.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Roseluck said as she sighed. “I haven’t met this Gilda yet but now I’m worried. Especially if she crosses Shoeshine or Sunset. Those two are serious and don’t play around if somepony disrespects em. I can’t imagine how Lily will react if she meets her. Lily is terrified of griffons.”

“Has she ever met one?” Pinkie asked and Roseluck froze.

“Well, uh not really but I’m sure she would be terrified if she met one,” Roseluck said finally. “Hell, I’m terrified too. So is Daisy.”

“Trixie is sure she would be,” Trixie commented dryly as she inhaled a peanut butter cracker. “Trixie is personally not happy about Gilda being here. Griffons in general are bad news. We should do something.”

“Trixie, we can’t just run out somepony because we don’t like them. You haven’t even met her yet-”

“Don’t plan on it either,” Trixie interjected as Roseluck slammed her head on the table.

“-As I was saying, if we could do that, Sunset would have ran Rainbow Dash out of town on Sunset’s first day in town. It’s not with Trixie and we all three know it.”

“Fine fine,” Trixie sighed as she ate another cracker. “Trixie will save her burning pitch forks for another time.”

“You have those?” Pinkie asked in a stunned tone. “I don’t any yet. My order hasn’t been delivered.”

“I don’t even know what to say,” Roseluck said finally as she sighed. “Like honestly.”

“Nothing maybe,” Trixie suggested with a grin. “Pitch forks have lots of uses.”

“Name three.”

“Gathering hay,” Trixie started as Roseluck raised a hoof.

“Term is pitching hay but go on.”

“Runinng ponies out of town and drum roll please,” Trixie said as she pointed at Pinkie who started pounding her hooves against the table. “Pitching leaves.”

“Pitching hay and leaves are too close in similarity in my opinion,” Roseluck stated as Trixie flung her forelegs up in the air.

“Fine, killing somepony. There. Happy?”

Roseluck choked on air as Trixie and Pinkie high hoofed, laughing as Trixie patted Roseluck on the back.

“I can’t even believe you just said that,” Roseluck muttered as Trixie pushed a peanut butter cracker her way.

“Why do you think Trixie owns one?” Trixie asked with a smirk as Roseluck froze with the cracker halfway to her mouth.

“You’re joking, right?”

“That’s for you to decide,” Trixie commented with a shrug.

Roseluck shoved the thought to the back of her mind as she popped the cracker in her mouth.

“Huh, not bad.”

Well, That Happened

Dinky swung back and forth on the swing set as Ruby, Noi and Rumble all three were building a game of Jenga next to her as Dinky idly watched. Dinky admittedly didn’t really care for Jenga, too boring in her opinion. Dinky watched Noi pull out a block as the tower started leaning.

“Damn hooves!” Noi snarled as the tower collapsed and slammed a hoof on the ground hard enough to crack the ground. “Must be freaking nice to be a unicorn and wings. You can use those to place the blocks gently. Better than earth pony hooves.”

“Language Noi!” Cheerilee called out as she turned a page of her book.

“Sorry Miss Cheerilee!” Noi called back as Rumble snickered. “Shut it Rumble.”

“Oh but of course,” Rumble mocked as he picked up the blocks again. “Earth ponies are kinda cool, not gonna lie. Sure, flying is cool and all but earth ponies are stronger.”

“They can make things grow,” Ruby added as she examined the Jenga box. “Mom and Aunt Junebug can work wonders with their hooves. Don’t even get me started on Aunt Cherry, Cheerilee and the flower trio.”

“Must be nice to be related to Miss Cheerilee. Bet she gives ya all the answers,” Noi commented as she flopped on her back.

“Not even remotely close. She’s harder on me than anything else,” Ruby scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “Mommy and her sisters seem to be on iffy ground, kinda like they’re always walking on glass around each other. Junebug or mom often take me out of the house whenever the three started arguing.”

“Damn,” Rumble said as he fluttered his wings a bit.

“Rumble!”

“Sorry Miss Cheerilee!”

“Anyway, what’s it like having two moms?” Dinky asked Ruby as the unicorn jumped off the swing and landed next to her.

“Oh it’s good. Minuette is pretty nice, super serious about always being on time and never late. I haven’t seen mommy this way in a long time,” Ruby answered as she idly built another tower. “Next topic.”

“Where’s Button Mash?” Noi asked as she lifted her head barely.

“Oh you mean your boyfriend?” Ruby asked with a smirk.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Noi corrected instantly and shoved her face into the dirt to hide her blush.

“And the sky is purple. Anyway, I think I saw him talking to Sweetie Belle,” Ruby said and pointed over to the slide.

“What?” Noi snapped as she shot up. “Oh, I’m going to kill that annoying upstart. That little brat of a unicorn, wannabe pop star.”

“Oh boy now you’ve gone and done it,” Rumble muttered under his breath as Noi galloped off with a furious expression.

“What about you Rumble?” Ruby asked as she sat up straighter. “Anypony you interested in?”

“Keep this a secret,” Rumble started as the two nodded, making a zipping motion over their lips. “But it’s Lily. You know, Roseluck and Daisy’s sister? She’s actually really awesome, pretty and nice.”

“O-oh,” Ruby said as her face fell and she looked down. “Gotcha. Isn’t that illegal though?”

“I don’t know. Love is love, right?”

“That sounds like a bad excuse from adults to make it right,” Dinky said as she pointed a hoof.

“Eh. Anyway, recess is almost over. I’ll see you two at lunch,” Rumble said as the two waved, watching the colt fly across the yard.

“Colts are stupid,” Ruby muttered as she kicked the blocks. Dinky watched as she shoved the blocks back into the container and sighed.

“Got that right. We still on for milkshakes later?”

“Yep.”

“What in Equestria is that thing?” Noi asked as she pointed a Gilda walking down the street.

“Mom said it’s a griffon. Friend of Rainbow’s,” Dinky answered as she picked the cherry off her shake. “I was told she’s kinda rude and to stay away. Apparently she was treating Pinkie poorly or well, according to Pinkie that is.”

“Huh. Never thought I’d see the day somepony didn’t like Pinkie,” Button Mash mused as he yawned.

“Tired?” Noi asked as she took his Gameboy and set it on the center of the table.

“Up late playing video games. I tell you, Maretendo is like an abusive freaking step mom with how they treat their consoles,” Button grumbled as he reached for the Gameboy and Noi smacked his hoof away. “Hey!”

“You can play with it later when you talk to me and the others for awhile. Primarily me,” Noi said as Ruby and Rumble rolled their eyes.

“Fine, fine. Talk about what?”

“I don’t think he knows,” Rumble muttered and Ruby raised an eyebrow.

“I can think of somepony else who doesn’t know when somepony likes them,” Ruby commented casually under her breath as she stuck the straw in her mouth.

“Easy,” Dinky told her fellow unicorn as Ruby nodded. “Anyway, so we should come up with a name for our group.”

“Cutie mark crusaders?” Pipsqueak suggested as Noi shook her head.

“That’s taken by Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.”

“Sweetie Belle is pretty cool,” Button said as Noi smacked the back of his head and he winced. “Ow! What was that for?”

“For opening your mouth I think,” Rumble said as he smirked. “Anyway, none of us have our cutie marks so how about the cutie markless crusaders?”

“What?”

Button and Pipsqueak blinked as the fillies raised their eyebrows.

“That was the worst thing you’ve ever said,” Button said flatly as he sighed. “How about uh we’re fur real? Because we have fur and all?”

They all stared at him as Button turned red and he shrugged.

“I like it,” Noi announced as Pipsqueak stared at her.

“You only like it because he suggested it.”

“Shut up Pipsqueak!”

Ruby stifled a groan as she looked away. While she did love Noi like a sister, the earth pony could get on her nerves like no pony she has ever met.

“Ponies I see too often?” Pipsqueak suggested. “I mean, it’s funny and a bit true. I see you at school, I see you all after school, I see Ruby at home because she and Button are my neighbors.”

“I think it’s pretty good,” Ruby said after a moment. “I don’t see anypony else making suggestions. So far we got we’re fur real which was down right awful, cutie markless crusaders which is borderline copyright infringement-”

“What’s that?” Noi asked as Ruby shrugged.

“No clue but mom said it’s like theft I think. Anyway, we also have ponies I see too often which is my personal favorite because it’s a bit accurate.”

“Ooh what about the pipsqueaks?” Pipsqueak suggested as everypony stared at him flatly. “What?”

“All in favor of not picking that name, raise a hoof,” Ruby said and all the others hooves shot up in the air as Pipsqueak crossed his hooves. “Maybe one where it’s not your name with an added letter.”

“Fine. Anypony got straws?” Pipsqueak asked as Pinkie tossed some straws onto the table as she trotted past. “Well that was uh convenient?”

“It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it,” Dinky said as they all nodded. “Trust me, it’s gonna keep you sane.”

“Damn right,” Ruby nodded as she froze and stared at the frowning teacher in front of her.

“Ruby!”

“Does Miss Cheerilee have an alarm that tells her when I curse?” Ruby muttered as they all watched Cheerilee trot away.

“We sleep on name ideas later and meet at lunch. Deal?” Button Mash said as he reached for his Gameboy and Noi sighed as she hoofed it to him. “Yes thank you!”

“Yeah yeah you can make it to me later with dinner,” Noi said as she twisted her mane around her hoof.

“Uh why?”

Noi slammed her head on the table as she cursed into it repeatedly.

“What’s with her?” Button Mash asked as Rumble and Pipsqueak both gave him looks.

“Nothing!” Dinky said hastily as Noi lifted her head and continued drinking her shake. “I have to head home. Thanks for paying for me Pipsqueak.”

“Anytime Dinky.”

“I have a question,” Ruby said as she stared at Silverspeed across the desk. “Mommy trusts you after you and Sunset helped her in Canterlot so I need advice. Let’s say your friend really likes somepony but the pony she likes is incredibly oblivious. How exactly do I go about telling the pony my friend likes that she likes him?”

“Well uh,” Silverspeed started as she scratched the back of her neck. “I’m not really the best one to talk to this about. My love life hasn’t necessarily been the best either. Does your mom know you’re here?”

“Well no but-”

“You should probably head on home. It’s getting late kid. Need me to walk you home?” Silverspeed offered as Ruby shook her head.

“No thanks. I live next door so I’m fine. Thanks for trying to help at least,” Ruby sighed as she stood up and started to leave.

“For what it’s worth, I think your friend is lucky to have you as a friend. Maybe talk to your friend and see what she wants you to do. Sometimes the best thing is to let her speak for herself. When push comes to shove, only she will know what’s best,” Silverspeed said as Ruby nodded. “Maybe ask Derpy. She’s good at these things.”

Silverspeed trotted to the window and watched as Ruby trotted to the house next door and opened it, disappearing inside. Silverspeed originally was going to turn the filly away primarily because it was past office hours but well, Derpy had convinced her to hear her out before the mailmare had to go home to her own daughters.

Silverspeed left the window and trotted up the stairs to her room where Sunset was passed out on the left side as Silverspeed paused. She still didn’t entirely expect Sunset to continue sleeping with her. Sure, she still had her nightmares and all but Silverspeed had figured Sunset would get tired after the first week.

“She looks peaceful, does she not?” Princess Luna asked and Silverspeed jumped. “Sorry. We did not mean to scare you.”

“You’re okay Princess Luna. Just didn’t expect to see you tonight. How can I help you?”

“We see your dreams and they do worry us,” Luna said as Silverspeed sat down. “You think you’ve done wrong.”

“I killed somepony. Of course I did something wrong.”

“Technically not,” Luna corrected as Silverspeed gave her a flat look. “Celestia was taken by well, us. Those deer took our niece and her friends. You did what you had to do and frankly, the fact you feel guilty is good. If you didn’t feel guilty we’d be more concerned.”

“I guess so,” Silverspeed sighed as she glanced at her helmet sitting on her nightstand. “What’s that?”

Princess Luna levitated a paper in front of her and Silverspeed picked it up curiously as Luna waited.

“It’s a pardon,” Luna answered finally. “From Tia and I. You’re cleared of all wrong doing. You were doing your job and keeping Sunset safe. Like you were ordered.”

“Thank you. It means a lot,” Silverspeed admitted as she wiped her eyes and Luna levitated it to the desk. “Is this a dream or are you actually here?”

“That is for you to decide,” Luna smirked as her horn glowed. “We must be going now. Goodbye for now.”

“Goodbye princess,” Silverspeed bowed her head slightly and looked away as Luna disappeared with a pop.

“Who was that?” Sunset asked as she rubbed her eyes and Silverspeed yawned as she laid next to the mare.

“Just a friend helping me out. Now go back to sleep.”

“Mhh okay.”

Silverspeed yawned again as she hesitantly flung a foreleg over Sunset and closed her eyes.

“Goodnight Sunset,” Silverspeed muttered as Sunset snored quietly. “Heh, looks like she was out of it. Must be nice to be able to fall asleep that fast. Wish that was a skill I had as a filly.”

Silverspeed pressed her muzzle into Sunset’s mane and passed out.

Author's Note

Noi is the daughter of Golden Harvest and is easily irritable when she sees something she doesn't like or somepony, primarily Diamond Tiara. Noi currently has no cutie mark alongside her friends Dinky, Rumble, Pipsqueak Button Mash, Liza and Ruby. She is one of the original members of Dinky's friend group and often needs to be calmed down by the unicorn or Rumble when she gets angry. Currently at odds with Sweetie Belle over who gets claim over Button Mash. Noi enjoys spending time with her friends or reading a book, primarily mystery novels she steals from her mom's book case. Noi often gets suspended from school for fighting, often Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon when Noi decides the earth ponies have annoyed her enough, to her mother's anger. Noi often gets angry when seeing ponies she cares about mistreated, often scaring away other potential friends and classmates which only serves to make her angrier and sad.

Motto: Anger gets me going better than any other thing else.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Noi is a capable earth pony filly who is quite strong after constantly helping her mom in their rows of carrot fields. She is good at making plants grow along with her mom.

Allies: Golden Harvest (Carrot Top), Berry Punch, Ruby, Liza, Cotton Cloudy, Pipsqueak, Dinky, Rumble, Silverspeed, Shoeshine, Trixie, Roseluck, Derpy, Sparkler, Sunset, Lyra, Bon Bon, Cheerilee, Cherry Berry, Junebug, Luna.

Enemies: Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon (formerly), Tirek, Discord, Nightmare Moon(formerly), Chrysalis, Storm King.

Weaknesses: Her anger issues often scare ponies away, leaving her upset till Cotton Cloudy or Dinky helps her.

Ruby is the unicorn daughter of Berry Punch and Minuette. Ruby is often called Pinchy by her friends and mom. Ruby is a friendly filly who often helps make juice with her family members, opting to use her hooves like her earth pony relatives instead of magic like normal unicorns. Ruby is a member of Dinky's friend group and is one of the original members alongside Rumble and Noi. Ruby often gets annoyed at Noi over her random comments, often having to break up fights between Noi and Diamond Tiara. Currently trying to go out with Rumble.

Motto: When the going gets tough, the tough get moving.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Ruby is physically very strong due to her earth pony heritage, almost strong enough to rival Noi and Pipsqueak. Ruby is smart and can identify different berries and drinks by simply sniffing them.

Allies: Dinky, Pipsqueak, Noi, Rumble, Button Mash, Berry, Minuette, Silverspeed, Shoeshine, Trixie, Roseluck, Derpy, Sparkler, Sunset, Carrot Top, Cherry Berry, Cheerilee, Junebug, Lyra, Luna, Silver Spoon, Cotton Cloudy, Screw Loose.

Enemies: Diamond Tiara, Nightmare Moon (formerly), Tirek, Discord, Chrysalis, Storm King, Blueblood.

Weaknesses: Ruby often has to defend her mom Berry Punch from her more ruder classmates, often leaving her upset. She sometimes can react aggressively if pushed hard enough which makes most ponies wary of her.

Well, there's a tornado on the ground and I'm listening to the sirens go off. Chapter updates will be delivered if I lose power.

If My Sister Doesn't Like You, I Don't Like You

“I tell you, that Gilda is bad news,” Pinkie said as she galloped to catch up to Shoeshine, narrowly avoided some nurses in the hallway.

“I heard you the first dozen and a half times Pinkie but I don’t know what you expect me to do about it. I don’t know the griffon and quite frankly, if she’s as bad as you say, then I don’t want to know her.”

“She is!” Pinkie insisted as Shoeshine entered her sister’s room. “Oh hey Screwy!”

“Bark!”

Shoeshine sighed as she got the leash down and paused as Screw Loose shook her head.

“Well uh that’s a surprise,” Shoeshine admitted as she hung the leash on the door knob. “Usually you refuse to leave without the leash. Are you sure?”

“Bark.”

“Okay. Well let’s go. Pinkie are you-” Shoeshine paused and looked around curiously at the lack of the pink mare next to her. “Guess you’re not coming with. We can make our own fun, eh Screwy?”

“Bark!”

Shoeshine paused as she tossed Screw Loose a cracker, sitting on a bench next to a green unicorn sitting straight as Shoeshine raised an eyebrow but kept quiet. She did her own weird things so she was in no position to judge.

“Hey,” Lyra said as she looked over. “What’s up?”

“Not much. What about you?” Shoeshine asked as she watched her sister sitting next to a dog.

“Not much. Name is Lyra.”

“Shoeshine.”

“I know who you are. You’re friends with Sunset Shimmer,” Lyra said as she placed her hooves on the back of her head.

“You don’t sound too happy about that,” Shoeshine noted dryly as she glanced over at the unicorn.

“Not my business.”

“You’re damn right it isn’t.”

The two sat in uncomfortable silence as Lyra flipped a hat on the ground in front of her with a sigh as Shoeshine tilted her head curiously.

“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it. Sunset and I never really got along, I don’t think she even knows I live in Ponyville. I went to school with her at Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. She was a few grades ahead of me but we both shared magic studies. She’s a unique mare,” Lyra said finally as she placed her hooves in her lap. “Think we got off on the wrong foot.”

“Hmph.”

“Anyway,” Lyra coughed hastily. “You’re friends with Bon Bon?”

“Acquaintances would be more accurate than friends. We went to school together before she moved away when we were fillies. You know Bons?” Shoeshine asked as she watched Screw Loose chase and squirrel.

“Somewhat. Has she uh ever mentioned me or talked about me at all?” Lyra asked as she blushed and Shoeshine smirked.

“No sorry. But if I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Looks like somepony is interested in the candy maker,” Shoeshine teased as Lyra hid her face in her hooves. “Relax, it’s cool with me. Here’s a secret about Bon Bon, she’s into mares too so you’re in luck. I won’t say too much because it’s not my place but good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll need it,” Lyra muttered as she levitated a lyre onto her lap and dragged a hoof across the strings.

“You don’t use your magic to play?”

“Nah,” Lyra answered as she shook her head. “I’m a hooves on mare. Sure, magic is useful but you get a type of sound with hooves that magic just can’t quite get down. Wish I had fingers though. Would make things easier.”

“What are fingers?” Shoeshine asked as Lyra grinned and Shoeshine internally wondered if she made a mistake.

“Come by sometime and I’ll show you my research on humans. I whole heartedly believe we aren’t alone out here. Equestria is large. Lots of places to hide. We don’t know what’s out there, let alone what’s in the Everfree that’s in our own backyard practically.”

“Ooookayyyy.”

“Hey is this your sister?” The two looked up at Gilda standing in front of them pointing a claw at Screw Loose.

“Yeah what about it?” Shoeshine asked as Lyra set her lyre down warily.

“What, she thinks she is a dog? Shouldn’t she be in a kennel then?” Gilda asked as Shoeshine narrowed her eyes and stood up.

“You wanna say that again?” Shoeshine asked quietly as Lyra’s eyes flicked warily between the two.

“I think you heard me perfectly clear,” Gilda said coolly as Shoeshine glared at her and shifted her weight slightly.

“Alright that’s enough,” Lyra sighed as they both looked at her. “This is a park. Go beat your brains out somewhere else, you’re scaring away my customers.”

Gilda rolled her eyes and kicked the hat, sending bits flying as Lyra’s eyes widened.

“H-hey!” Lyra said as she wiped away a tear. “I worked hard for those bits.”

“Tough,” Gilda shrugged and flew off as Shoeshine started picking up the bits.

“Here,” Shoeshine said as she placed the bits in the hat. “There’s no need to cry, I got all of your bits.”

“T-thanks,” Lyra sighed as Shoeshine hoofed her a tissue. “Stupid griffon. Minuette or Berry definitely wouldn’t have let her treat them that way.”

“You know Berry?” Shoeshine paused as Lyra finished wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.

“Yeah, she’s dating Minuette. I grew up with Minuette too. Good friend, nice ponies.”

“Start with that next time. Berry and I go way back,” Shoeshine commented as she patted Lyra on the back. “Now wanna keep playing? I’ll toss some bits your way and then I’ll go talk to Sunset about Gilda.”

“You’d do that for me? I’m a complete stranger who just bawled her eyes out over thirty bits getting thrown on the ground.”

“Yeah, yeah I would. Now play me a song, this park could use some entertainment,” Shoeshine said as she watched Lyra resume playing with a smile.

“What in Equestria is happening here?” Shoeshine asked as she stared at the large line of ponies coming out of Sunset’s house as Silverspeed waved her forward.

“Ponies complaining about Gilda,” Silverspeed said simply as the pegasus stood next to Sunset’s office. “Ponies have been coming in all day. Is that what you’re here for too?”

“She kicked a mare’s bits all over the ground, insulted my sister and said she should be in a kennel. My sister loves everypony and if Screw Loose doesn’t like somepony, well that’s a pretty good sign I shouldn’t like them either. She was pretty damn rude,” Shoeshine answered as Silverspeed nodded.

“Got that right!” A stallion in the crowd shouted as Shoeshine stood quietly next to the bookshelf as a grey earth pony with a purple music note cutie mark sat in front of Sunset.

“Look Adagio-” Sunset started with a groan.

“Octavia.”

“Right, Octavia. I’m sympathetic, truly I am but I can’t just kick a pony out of town for being rude and disliked. If that was the case, I’d have kicked Rainbow Dash out but I didn’t. I can’t and won’t throw somepony out. My hooves are tied here Octavia,” Sunset said as Octavia sighed.

“Truly nothing you can do love? What if she causes damage or hurts somepony?” Octavia asked as she placed a hoof on the desk.

“Then Silverspeed will arrest her, she already has my sign off. But don’t you framing her because of this conversation,” Sunset warned as Octavia gasped.

“I would never. That is beneath me,” Octavia snapped indigently as Sunset nodded.

“Thank you. And tell Vinyl I’m sorry that Gilda made fun of her for how she talked, I’m trying my hardest to make this work for everypony. She should be leaving in a few days the weather pony friend’s I have are saying. Just tough it out for a few more days,” Sunset promised as Octavia nodded and trotted out the room as Sunset rubbed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

“Tough day?” Shoeshine asked sympathetically as she stood behind the unicorn and placed her hooves on her back.

“You have no idea. It’s like a never ending line. I should really got a complaint box, I need a drink and I’m stressed the hell out. What’s up?”

“Just checking up on you,” Shoeshine answered as she grinned. “If you want, you can come take some stress out on me later. Carrot Top is delivering carrots to a nearby town and Noi is spending the next few nights with Berry so the house is mine.”

“Tempting,” Sunset admitted as Shoeshine rubbed her back and Sunset sighed contently. “Thanks. Alright, everypony it’s five pm. We’re closed, vacate the premise before you annoy me!”

The ponies grumbled as they reluctantly trotted out as Shoeshine dropped back to all four, trotting past Sunset and flicking her tail as the unicorn turned red.

“Think about my offer,” Shoeshine called out as she smirked and walked out.

“Hey Silverspeed! You can go stay with Silver Spoon tonight I’m uh going to a friend’s house,” Sunset said as she closed her desk drawers. “Just lock the door after you leave please.”

“You got it,” Silverspeed promised as she hung up her helmet. “Heading to see Trixie?”

“Yeah sure,” Sunset nodded hastily as she levitated some saddlebags on as Shoeshine disappeared from her sight from the window.

“Have a nice night,” Silverspeed waved a wing as Sunset nodded before disappearing with a pop.

Sunset stared up at the carrot farm as she approached the door, knocking a few times as the door opened and a blue hoof yanked her inside.

“Hey,” Shoeshine said as she shut the door. “That was fast.”

“Yeah well it was tempting and I did say there would be a next time,” Sunset answered as she set her saddlebags down. “Bed?”

“Bed,” Shoeshine agreed with a smile.

The two looked back at the door before shrugging and galloping up the stairs.

Author's Note

Lyra is a compassionate unicorn, often devoting her time to perform for the fillies and colts around Ponyville. Lyra is a wildly loud and reckless mare, often embarrassing the more laid back Bon Bon. Lyra enjoys drinking with her friends, often stumbling home drunk or vomiting. When Lyra isn't at home or playing at the school, she's performing for bits in the local park. Lyra prefers to use her hooves over using magic to play her lyre. One of the few ponies at Celestia's school who never truly disliked Sunset. Was one of Cadence's bridesmaids.

Motto: I was born to be wild.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Lyra is incredibly flexible and talented with her hooves. She can sit straight up and is talented with a lyre. She is very knowledgeable about mythology and humans.

Allies: Bon Bon, Berry Punch, Sparkler, Ruby, Derpy, Dinky, Sunset, Shoeshine, Screw Loose, Trixie. Silverspeed, Roseluck, Daisy, Lily, Vinyl, Octavia, Raindrops, Sassaflash, Dizzy Twister, Parasol, Sprinkle Medley, White Lightning, Thunderlane, Bulk Biceps, Rumble, Liza, Ruby.

Enemies: Discord, Gilda, Tirek, Chrysalis, Sombra, Storm Kings.

Weaknesses: Lyra isn't that strong and possess basic knowledge of magic and teleportation. She ignores the townsfolk talking about her and is a happy, friendly mare.

Picking Sides

Sunset stretched out on the bed as sunlight broke through and Sunset sighed contently as she felt a hoof on her side.

Sunset shifted to look behind her at a sleeping Shoeshine with a smile on her muzzle as Sunset smiled back faintly, gently moving Shoeshine’s hoof off her as she quietly climbed off the bed.

Sunset watched as the mare rolled over to where Sunset had been sleeping as the unicorn quietly snuck into the living room as she paused, staring down at a small yellow filly.

“Uh hi,” Sunset said as Noi stared at her. “Noi, right?”

“Yeah. Why are you coming from Shoeshine’s room?” Noi asked as Sunset inhaled.

“We were having a sleep over is all. Where did you uh get home?” Sunset asked nervously as she shifted on her hooves. She really hoped it wasn’t when they were busy last night.

“About twenty minutes ago.”

Sunset sighed in relief as she nodded, starting to trot to the bathroom to shower.

“Are you dating Shoeshine?” Noi asked and Sunset froze.

“What?”

“Mom and Shoeshine both talk about you a lot. You heard me the first time. Are you dating Shoeshine?” Noi repeated as she crossed her forelegs.

“We’re just friends,” Sunset answered as Noi nodded slowly. The way the filly stared at her made Sunset feel like she was in an interrogation room.

“Okay.”

Sunset watched as Noi wandered into the kitchen, listening to the fridge open as Sunset sighed and trotted into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and stepping into the shower.

“Why so many shampoos?” Sunset muttered as she turned the shower on, yanking the curtain shut as she stared at the rows of shampoo bottles on the shelves. “This is why I always sneak out after getting laid, it’s aways awkward explaining to roommmates.”

Sunset picked up the cheapest bottle of shampoo she recognized and squirted some into her mane, rubbing it in with her magic in an attempt to get rid of the evidence from last night.

“I’m uh in here,” Sunset called out as the door opened and she listened to hooves on the tile as the door shut, a pony stepping in behind her.

“I know,” Shoeshine said with a yawn as she stood in the shower and shook her mane. “Morning.”

“Mornin,” Sunset said as she nuzzled Shoeshine quickly. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“A bit. I got cold and well, you weren’t there,” Shoeshine admitted as she stuck her mane under the hot water. “Hope you don’t mind the company.”

“After last night? Of course not,” Sunset smirked as she placed her head on Shoeshine’s neck. “Thanks for letting me stay the night.”

“Anytime,” Shoeshine said as she rubbed the shampoo on Sunset’s mane. “So uh how often should I expect you staying the night? You’ve said only once yet this is the forth or fifth time.”

“Who knows? I do like spending the night with you,” Sunset admitted as she hugged Shoeshine. “You’re definitely one of my better partners.”

“Likewise. So we’re in a enclosed space together,” Shoeshine said with a grin as she traced a hoof over Sunset’s cutie mark.

“Noi is home. We can’t do anything,” Sunset reminded her and shook her head.

“I sent her to go play on the playground for a few hours,” Shoeshine said casually as Sunset kissed her before dropping on her back with a smirk. “Well, that was easy to convince you.”

“I really love you, but you talk too much,” Sunset commented as she pulled Shoeshine down with her magic and kissed her.

Sunset locked the bathroom to be safe and hugged Shoeshine.

“You look relaxed,” Silverspeed noted as she leaned against the wall of Sunset’s office as Sunset continued writing. Mayor Mare sat in a chair across from Sunset, examining the office. She had only been in here a few times.

“Yeah,” Sunset said as she shifted her weight and crossed her legs.

“So what happened with you and Shoeshine?” Silverspeed asked curiously as she winked at Sunset. “I’m a guard, I’m trained to notice when things happen.”

“Nothing,” Sunset said and Silverspeed gave her a flat look as Sunset sighed. “Fine, we had sex maybe once or twice last night but that’s about it. That’s all.”

Mayor Mare turned red and looked away to look out the window.

“Oh,” Silverspeed commented and looked away.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing. I’m uh gonna go talk to Derpy and you can handle this meeting with Rainbow,” Silverspeed said hastily and flew out the door as Rainbow trotted in a moments after.

“What was that about?” Rainbow asked as she jerked a hoof in Silverspeed’s direction.

“I have no clue,” Sunset said honestly and stared at the space where Silverspeed had stood. “Anyway uh thanks for coming Rainbow.”

“What’s up?”

“We’re here to talk about Gilda,” Sunset said as she placed her forelegs on the table.

“What about her?” Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow.

“She’s been raising hell all over my town,” Mayor Mare cut in from the other chair next to Rainbow. “Being an absolute menace to the townsponies, treating random ponies poorly, harassing them.”

“That’s not Gilda,” Rainbow scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “She’s the nicest griffon I know.”

“We have different definitions of nice,” Sunset cut in. “You need to control her before she hurts somepony and seriously.”

“Gilda won’t hurt anypony,” Rainbow answered as she glared at the two. “I know her.”

“Do you?” Mayor Mare asked flatly. “I’m not going to be held responsible if somepony is hurt.”

“She won’t!” Rainbow slammed a hoof on the desk.

“You’re already on thin ice Rainbow,” Sunset said quietly as the two glared at each other. “With your job. You’re on the clock right now, I’m not stupid and I checked the schedule. Don’t say anything you’ll regret.”

“I would listen to her,” Mayor Mare said coolly. “Just talk to your friend. For us please.”

“Fine I will talk to Gilda but I know her. She would never hurt anypony. She was the nicest griffon in flight school. I’ve known her my whole damn life. I hope you’re wrong about this,” Rainbow said as she stood up.

“Me too,” Sunset said as Rainbow trotted out. “Me too. Thank you mayor.”

“Anytime. Thank you Sunset,” Mayor Mare nodded and followed the pegasus out as Sunset sighed.

Derpy and Sparkler watched as a arrow thudded into a tree as Silverspeed sighed, setting down her bow.

“I don’t know why I feel so I don’t know, weird right now,” Silverspeed said as she sat down on the grassy hill.

“Maybe you have feelings for Sunset?” Sparkler suggested as Silverspeed scoffed.

“Absolutely not. She’s my boss and I’m her guard, that’s unprofessional. She could in trouble and I could too if it got out,” Silverspeed answered instantly. “It’s stated in the rule book, guards are not allowed to date or sleep with their representatives.”

“She has a point Sparkler,” Derpy said as she looked at the two. “But so does Sparkler. You’re the closest of us to Sunset outside of Celestia, you live with her-”

“She sometimes sleeps with me,” Silverspeed admitted as the two gave her stunned looks. “Not like sex, I mean I have uh nightmares?”

“About?” Derpy asked as Silverspeed stared at her.

“You know what.”

Derpy sighed as she got up and wrapped a wing around Silverspeed, the silver pegasus leaning into the hug.

“For how long?” Derpy asked as Sparkler stared in confusion.

“Ever since the night of the summer sun celebration. Princess Luna helped me out and gave me an official pardon. Sunset suggested sleeping with me and that Princess Celestia did the same with Sunset as a filly when Sunset had nightmares of her own,” Silverspeed explained. “And now Sunset is well, sleeping with Shoeshine.”

“And that upsets you?” Derpy asked though it sounded more a statement.

“I don’t know. I love Shoeshine like a sister, we all went through a lot of stuff that night. I love Sunset like a sister too. You know that. I don’t know what I feel,” Silverspeed slammed her head into her hooves.

“Let’s entertain the possibility you are ignoring the rules and you have feelings for Sunset. Which is perfectly okay,” Sparkler said hastily. “What’s that saying you always say mom?”

“The heart wants what the heart wants,” Derpy recited as Sparkler nodded. “I look at myself as the mom of the group. So I’m going to give you free advice and I won’t even charge you muffin tax.”

“Muffin tax?”

“Don’t worry about that,” Sparkler told Silverspeed.

“When me and Dinky’s dad was first introduced to each other by Pinkie, there was a lot of feelings going on. A lot that I didn’t understand at your age. I can tell you that just by spending five minutes with you and looking at you, you’re going through the exact same thing I did back then,” Derpy said as she placed a hoof on her thigh. “The more you keep this inside, the more confused you feel.”

“I love you but I have no feelings like that for Sunset. It is a strictly boss employee relationship and a friend relationship off the clock. That is to the extent of our relationship,” Silverspeed said as Derpy raised an eyebrow.

“If that’s true, then why are you upset about Sunset having a sexual relationship with Shoeshine?” Sparkler pointed out as the unicorn laid on her back.

Derpy normally wouldn’t have Sparkler here for a conversation like this but Sparkler was growing up and wasn’t the same filly she had adopted years ago. Sometimes teaching them life skills like handling uncomfortable situations is important and Derpy was proud of how Sparkler was handling it so far.

“I- I don’t know,” Silverspeed admitted as she picked up her bow, notching an arrow and the trio watched it fly through the air.

“Sparkler, over here,” Derpy said as she jerked her head to the treeline.

“What’s up?” Sparkler asked as she and Derpy watched Silverspeed continue shooting her arrows.

“What’s your gut telling you?” Derpy asked curiously as Sparkler inhaled. Derpy had been encouraging Sparkler more to trust her gut for a while now and well, tests are important.

“My gut is telling me there’s a lot more going on here than she’s admitting. Maybe she likes Sunset and is afraid of getting her in trouble which is admirable. Maybe Silverspeed is afraid of both of them getting in trouble but who knows. What about you mom?”

“Same here,” Derpy agreed as Silverspeed flew to the trees to gather her arrows. “I’m proud of you. You’re done good today. Silverspeed is the element of loyalty so it does make sense she wouldn’t act on her feelings to keep Sunset’s job safe.”

“I agree. What exactly can we do though?”

“Nothing. We can’t force her to be honest to Sunset about it. Trust me on this one, only she can do that. Not us,” Derpy answered as she placed a hoof on Sparklers back.

“Okay. Do we go back now or?” Sparkler trailed off as Derpy nodded.

“Yeah.”

The two glanced at the setting before joining the silver pegasus to help pick up the dozens of arrows.

Trixie Really Hates Griffons

Rainbow trotted down the trail leading to the Ponyville pond and park, pausing to examine the sight of the water before trotting up to Gilda sitting on a nearby bench.

“Hey Gilda.”

“Hey Dash,” Gilda said as she looked up from her bench at the park, looking at the ducks in the pond. “How’s it hanging?”

“Good, you?” Rainbow sat next to her and sighed, tucking her forelegs under her. “Listen, we have to talk. Have you uh, been treating any ponies poorly?”

“Whaddya mean?” Gilda asked as she looked at Rainbow.

“Ponies have been apparently been saying you’ve been rude or bullying them. You haven’t been doing anything like that, have you?” Rainbow asked as Gilda paused before shaking her head.

“Nah Dash. You know me,” Gilda said as she bumped shoulders with the pegasus. “Now come on, let’s go flying. I’m in the mood to feel the wind in my face.”

“Okay.”

“Trixie hates that Celestia forsaken flying rat,” Trixie grumbled as she lifted her wagon in the air. “Alright, please put my wheel back on.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said as he, Caramel, Cloudkicker, Raindrops and Parasol placed the wheel on the axle.

“Now just be careful with it,” Caramel warned as he tightened the bolts. “I recommend getting a new one. Hell, I’d recommend getting a whole new wagon.”

“Don’t even start,” Raindrops said with an eyeroll. “Trixie-”

“Trixie loves her wagon. It’s her home, her second best friend on the road. She can’t just abandon all the memories she has made with it,” Trixie proclaimed as Raindrops nodded.

“You seriously still talk like that?”

The five turned to look at Gilda as Trixie shoved them aside, narrowing her eyes as her horn glowing light pink.

“You vandalized Trixie’s wagon, you annoying rodent of the sky!” Trixie snapped as Raindrops glared at Gilda.

“I think it’s best if you go,” Raindrops suggested as she flared her wings out and Cloudkicker nodded.

“You’re annoying,” Cloudkicker noted as she hovered above the two. “And an asshole that doesn’t know when to quit being a jerk.”

“Don’t do anything stupid Trixie,” Raindrops whispered in the magicians ear. “Let it go.”

“Absolutely not!” Trixie exclaimed as she stood on her hind legs. “Trixie will be pressing charges against Gilda for destruction of her beloved wagon. Can you deny it?” Trixie flung a hoof in Gilda’s direction angrily as Gilda raised an eyebrow.

“Can you prove it?”

The two glared at each other as Trixie dropped to all four and stepped closer as Big Mac and Parasol hastily separated the two.

“Alright enough. Go,” Big Mac gestured with his head. “Take ya attitude and rude self elsewhere cause we ain’t want ya here.”

Gilda paused and looked the clearly stronger earth pony up and down before looking at the other four looking at her angrily.

“Fine. You win,” Gilda shrugged as she walked off with a groan and Trixie canceled the few defensive spells she knew.

“Stupid ass griffon,” Trixie growled as she shook a hoof in Gilda’s direction. “Trixie will turn her into toast the next time she’s around Trixie. Toast damnit, toast!”

“I’m sure you would,” Raindrops said as she folded her wings at her side. “Just ignore the jerk, you’re awesome and she’s a punk ass bitch.”

“I don’t really know you well but uh Rainy is right. Just stay away from her. She should be leaving Monday Dash said,” Parasol said as the light yellow pegasus stretched out her hind quarters.

“That’s like five days away!” Trixie groaned as she flopped dramatically on her back. “We all can’t survive that long with the tyranny of Gilda here.”

“Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” Raindrops asked as she stared down at her friend. “And it’s not like five days away, it is five days away.”

“You saw what she did!” Trixie snapped as she sat up. “Trixie hates griffons, especially that griffon! Rainbow Crash needs to control her friend.”

“I’m going to ignore that comment because Rainbow is my friend,” Cloudkicker said as she overlooked Trixie’s wagon. “But agreed, Gilda is a mess. I’ll talk to Dash, we went to flight school together.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded as he and Caramel trotted off as Trixie waved to the two with a blush.

“He’s single you know,” Parasol said casually with a smirk.

“Who?”

“Big Mac,” Cloudkicker clarified with a grin. “Good luck getting past Applejack though.”

“Trixie isn’t afraid of anypony. Except maybe Nightmare Moon,” Trixie admitted after a moment of silence. “And she’s not looking right now for a relationship.”

“Yet you still went into the forest the other five,” Parasol pointed out with a tilted head.

“Adventure! Popularity! Ponies will be talking about the heroic deeds of Trixie and her friends for generations to come!” Trixie proclaimed as she stood on her hind legs and held her forelegs above her head.

“Can’t argue with that logic,” Raindrops admitted after a moment. “You have a window dedicated to you six in the Canterlot castle I saw during the Gala.”

“What was the Gala like?” Parasol asked as she sat down.

“As Sunset put it, a political landmine,” Trixie answered as she leaned against her wagon. “It was kinda boring. Best part for Trixie was hanging out with Raindrops and having donuts with Princess Celestia and the othe elements at a donut shop.”

The four looked up at Pinkie screaming as her helicopter spun out of controller with black smoke following her as the three pegasus took off to catch her as Trixie galloped after them.

“What in Equestria happened?” Cloudkicker demanded as she and the others set the helicopter on the ground.

“I hit a bird or something,” Pinkie said as Trixie examined the tail rotor and pointed at the claw marks.

“Did the bird have claws?” Trixie asked as the others joined her and Pinkie laughed nervously.

“Well we do live near the Everfree and a lot of weird creatures that fly have claws there it’s a pretty good chance,” Cloudkicker mused as she traced a hoof over the marks. “But I don’t think so. None of these claw marks match any known animals we went over in West Hoof before I dropped out before my graduation.”

“There is one creature here who has claws,” Parasol pointed out as they all looked at each other.

“Gilda,” they all groaned as Raindrops looked around.

“Hey, where’s Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie closed her door behind her, locking it before pulling a book on her book shelf, sliding down a slide into her basement planning center and sitting down at a desk.

“I need party games, hats, bake a cake, gifts and I need to get Dash to help send invitations and I have to do this in two days.”

Pinkie rolled the chair across the floor to a filing cabinet, opening it and yanking out a file.

“Plan F. It’s perfect,” Pinkie muttered to herself. “Now to convince the others and more importantly, Rainbow.”

With her trademark large smile, Pinkie slide back up the slide and galloped down the stairs.

Author's Note

Parasol is a member of the weather team in Ponyville and works in the Weather Factory during the winter to help make snowflakes. She has a cutie mark of three umbrellas and is a talented weathermare. She prefers the quietness of her own home instead of going outside, but is incredibly friendly when she is with her friends and meeting new ponies. She once went on a Hearts and Hooves date with Silver Script which went well for about ten minutes. She is a Wonderbolt reservist and was led against Tirek alonside Sprinkle Medley, Derpy, Cloudkicker, Cloudchaser, Bulk Biceps, White Lightning and Thunderlane.

Motto: Victory reigns from above.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Parasol is a focused weathermare and is talented with making snowflakes. She is a decent flyer enough to be accepted into the Wonderbolts.

Allies: White Lightning, Sassaflash, Sprinkle Medley, Dizzy Twister, Derpy, Sparkler, Spitfire, Fleetfoot, Soarin, High Winds, Cotton Cloudy, Sunset, Trixie, Cloudkicker, Raindrops, Milky Way, Helia, Blossomforth, Rainbow Dash, Rainbowshine, Roseluck, Shoeshine, Silverspeed, Caramel, Big Mac, Rumble, Thunderlane, Cloudchaser, Flitter, Button Mash, Pipsqueak.

Enemies: Tirek, Discord, Nightmare Moon (formerly), Chrysalis, Storm King, Silver Script.

Weaknesses: Parasol's reluctance to change up how she makes her snowflakes takes her longer than other ponies, making her slower. No other known weaknesses.

Revenge Is Sweet

Trixie paused as she stared at the motel Gilda was allegedly staying at as Snips, Snails, Strawberry Sunrise and Thunderlane all stood in front of.

“What in Equestria are we doing here?” Strawberry Sunrise asked finally as the pegasus trotted back and forth between the two colts.

“Gilda hurt you all right?” Trixie asked as Strawberry Sunrise nodded.

“She stole a few cases of strawberries off my stall at the market the other day,” Strawberry said as she sighed.

“And she insulted my brother for crashing into a cloud,” Thunderlane added as he glared at the motel. “I remember Gilda from flight school. I don’t know what happened but she changed and not in a good way.”

“And she pushed us aside,” Snails said as the three adults looked at the two. “And I thought Diamond Tiara was annoying.”

“Why are they here?” Thunderlane asked as he gestured to the two.

“Because I couldn’t freaking get them to leave me alone,” Trixie hissed quietly to the two. “Nor could I get them to shut up until they came along.”

“Gotcha,” Strawberry Sunrise said with a grin. “So you’re getting blackmailed by kids. Tell me why I shouldn’t leave right now and back out of this Celestia awful idea?”

“Because you get to destroy apples,” Trixie said simply as Strawberry froze and looked at her. “Trixie knows of your feud with the Apples. She has a proposition that Big Mac agreed to. He allows you to have their spot in the market for two days in exchange for you helping Trixie out deliver a strongly worded letter to a certain Gilda. Big Mac has already shook on it with Trixie and you can trust her.”

“You got me excited. Thought I was gonna be able to destroy the farm but you do have a tempting offer. Four days.”

“Three, no more than that,” Trixie countered as Thunderlane looked back and forth between the two. “Big Mac figured you’d try to negotiate for more days.”

“Fine. I will help you deliver this letter but you have to help me run the stall for a day. Plus my sister loves your shows so you have to give her a private one at my house for her.”

“Deal,” Trixie said instantly as she and Strawberry shook hooves. “Trixie loves meeting fans.”

“What about me?” Thunderlane asked as Strawberry examined the letter Trixie had given her.

“You know Gilda since you were a colt. You and these two are gonna distract. They’re gonna run into her and you’ll catch her, and then recognize her and strike up a conversation while Trixie and Strawberry finish putting up the letter.”

“Hold on, I thought we were delivering the letter directly to her?” Strawberry interjected with a raised hoof.

“You seriously think we can out run her? You see the signatures telling her to leave. She’s a griffon and Trixie has seen how capable they can be first hoof. It’s not worth the risk,” Trixie explained as Strawberry nodded. “Now break, Roseluck unknowingly told me she walks from the fountain everyday around this time.”

“Okay. Come on you two and I’ll show you how a distraction,” Thunderlane said with a grin and gestured the two colts forward with a wing.

“That stallion is something else,” Trixie muttered as she and Strawberry snuck up to a motel door.

“Do I even wanna know why you know which room Gilda is sleeping in?” Strawberry asked as Trixie levitated a hammer and nail to the door, hammering softly.

“Trixie kindly asked the motel owner to direct her to Gilda’s room. Said she was an old friend of Gilda’s and wanted to leave her a surprise gift,” Trixie answered as Strawberry stared at her. “Okay, fine. Plus Trixie was given Derpy’s mailmare uniform. Bit loose, especially around the flank but it helped seal the deal so to speak.”

“Uh huh. I’m surprised Derpy went along with this.”

“She uh didn’t exactly know Trixie was using it for this. Trixie just gave a vague answer so it wasn’t lying nor really taking advantage of one of her best friends.”

“Oh sweet Celestia.”

The two paused at a loud crashing sound and what sounded like a wall being slammed into before giving each other worried looks.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry!” Snip’s voice traveled around the corner as the two hastily went back to work.

“Yeah yeah whatever!” Gilda snapped as Strawberry gritted her teeth.

“Hurry up!” Strawberry hissed as Trixie levitated the letter up to the door and hung it up.

“Oh hey Gilda haven’t seen you since flight school. How’s it going?” Thunderlane asked as Trixie and Strawberry galloped away, tossing quick glances behind them.

“Those three are a bit dramatic,” Trixie noted as Strawberry gave her an incredulous look.

“You’re joking, right? That’s rich coming from you!”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Trixie demanded as she gave Strawberry a dirty look.

“It means you are pretty dramatic yourself,” Strawberry answered as she sat down next to some bushes. “How did you ever get Big Mac to agree to let me have their spot?”

Trixie grinned at the mare as she patted her on the head condescendingly before shrugging.

“Oh you know, mainly just us in the orchard for an hour with Trixie saying harder,” Trixie commented casually as she leaned back.

“You and Big Mac? Surprised Applejerk allowed that to happen.”

“Trixie doesn’t need permission from sisters. It’s not Trixie was sleeping with their dad,” Trixie scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Their parents are dead,” Strawberry said flatly as Trixie paused.

“Oh. Trixie retracts her previous statement.”

Strawberry huffed as the pegasus shoved her muzzle into her wings, biting a few broken feathers and pulling them out, spitting them onto the ground. She didn’t necessarily have the greatest friendship with Trixie but they both had a common enemy at the moment.

“Trixie was joking by the way. She didn’t actually sleep with Big Mac. She helped get some apples off some trees in exchange for being helped with her wagon earlier. Applejack wasn’t happy about it but Big Mac is older than her so she had no room to fight,” Trixie said as she watched Strawberry preen her other wing.

“Well now you get to help me. Fucking Apple family is too damn big and arrogant. You don’t see me having hundreds of ponies helping me out with harvesting my fruits, do ya? At least a good majority of ponies use strawberries for baking a lot in the world,” Strawberry grumbled as she finished preening her wings. “I’ll find you when I want your help. And to come to my house. Don’t bring Applejerk, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith or Big Mac.”

“Okay.”

Shoeshine hummed to herself as she stirred the soup she was making for her, Noi, Dinky, Sparkler and Derpy as she listened to the front door open.

“Sunset?” Shoeshine called out as she looked to the doorway as Noi took off towards the door.

“Mom’s home!” Noi called back as Shoeshine nodded.

“Why did you think I was Sunset?” Carrot Top asked as she trotted into the kitchen with Noi attached to her foreleg. “Can you let go Noi please? It’s hard to walk with you holding on for dear life. I’ll hug you after I sit down.”

“Because Shoeshine and Sunset have been having sleep overs,” Noi answered before Shoeshine could speak for herself.

“Yeah it’s true,” Shoeshine admitted after a moment. “It’s been going uh well. Sunset is a nice mare.”

“I see. After Noi goes to sleep, you’re going to tell me all about it. In detail,” Carrot Top said as she stared into the pot. “Don’t forget to add pepper and salt, carrot and potato stew isn’t decent without it.”

Shoeshine tossed a mock salute as she complied.

“Aye aye captain,” Shoeshine commented sarcastically. “Anything else?”

“Nope!”

Shoeshine nodded as she picked up her beer and took a long sip before setting it back down.

She had a feeling she would drinking a lot more than just one tonight.

Author's Note

Strawberry Sunrise is a proud pegasus who is a loud, braggert which makes her and Trixie naturally great friends. Strawberry Sunrise is the younger sister to Holly Dash, a unicorn with a strawberry cutie mark. Strawberry Sunrise despises apples and the Apple family for having all the good land, workers and equipment similar to some other farmers in Ponyville. Strawberry is a strawberry farmer, rare for a pegasus. She is a hard worker and devotes most of her time at the market when she isn't loudly berating Applejack for her own amusement. Strawberry is a morning pony, often up before the sun is in the sky. Strawberry helped make a tornado when Ponyville was selected for tornado duty to get Cloudsdale water and has extensive plans on getting Caramel to work for her farm instead. Big Mac is one of the few Apples Strawberry has a grudging respect and affection for. While she comes off as rude and a bully, she deep down cares about her fellow ponies and has put her feud aside with the Apples to defend Ponyville a few times. Strawberry is widely admired for her slim body from working in her field, accepting compliments from mares and stallions alike about her body and flanks.

Motto: Revenge is sweet, victory is sweeter.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Strawberry is good at growing plants, surprising for a pegasus. She is physically very strong and is blunt about her opinions. She is in very good shape. Strawberry is good at baking, most often with strawberries being the main ingredient.

Allies: Merry May, Holly Dash, Trixie, Thunderlane, Rumble, Pipsqueak, Dinky, Sparkler, Sunset, Golden Grape, Silverspeed, Roseluck, Derpy, Shoeshine, Carrot Top, Junebug, Daisy, Lily, Berry Punch, Ruby, Big Mac, Caramel, Cloudkicker, Blossomforth, Bulk Biceps, Featherweight, Sunflower, Quibble, Written Script.

Enemies: Applejack, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, Apple Cider, Apple Fritter, Tirek, Chrysalis, Storm King, Nightmare Moon (formerly).

Weaknesses: Strawberry Sunrise doesn't know when to let go of grudges, but nor does her rival Applejack. Her loud and obnoxious personality often annoys most ponies.

Pinkie Is Surprisingly Organized

Three pegasi stood in the doorway of Sugarcube Corner, idly watching Pinkie work as Cloudchaser tilted her head slightly.

“I’ll hoof it to Pinkie, she is scarily good at planning,” Derpy commented as the mare watched the earth pony moving around as a pink blur.

“True that,” Thunderlane agreed as they watched from the door of Sugarcube Corner. “What do you think she is planning?”

“Your guess is a good as mine Thunder. I just hope it isn’t as crazy as that welcome to Ponyville party she threw for you,” Derpy commented with a smirk and bumped her flank against his.

“Yeah I remember that. I may have gotten a bit drunk,” Thunderlane admitted sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head and Derpy snorted.

“A little is an understatement. Cloudchaser and I had to help you into your house at like three am.”

Thunderlane winced as Derpy smiled faintly before tilting her head.

“Do you think we should offer to help Pinkie?” Derpy asked as Thunderlane snd Cloudchaser shook their heads.

“Nah, we’d probably just get in the way accidentally. Pinkie Pie is the best one in Ponyville at planning other than Sparkler. She’s got this.”

“Yeah touche.”

“I’m going to head towards the school to get Rumble,” Thunderlane sighed and shook his head as the pair started trotting away. “I kinda can’t wait for the day he’s old enough to walk home alone. When I was a colt, our parents forced me to. Definitely helped make who I am today.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” Cloudchaser snarked with a grin. “You’re kinda an asshole at times.”

“You’re only saying that because Cloudkicker and I pranked you with that thundercloud the other day.”

“Derpy, are you going to say anything?” Cloudchaser asked as she glanced at the blonde pegasus who shook her head.

“Same principle as my kids. I’ll intervene if it goes too far but ultimately this is your guys situation to sort out. Easy as pie,” Derpy explained with a shrug. “Thunder has been pranking me since flight school so it’s just who he is. The fact that Cloudkicker is helping him is scary, those two are a force to be reckoned with.”

Cloudchaser was inclined to agree there. While she did enjoy a prank here and there, she didn’t enjoy screaming like a little filly in front of others due to a thundercloud hidden in a normal one. She didn’t even know that was possible until after.

Derpy jumped as a loud roaring sound echoed through the town as Thunderlane and Cloudchaser froze as a terrified looking yellow pegasus galloped away.

“What in Equestria was that?” Cloudchaser asked finally as some stunned townponies and an equally stunned Cloudkicker looked at her.

“Gilda screamed at Fluttershy for backing into her accidentally and flew off after calling us lame. Again,” Minuette explained as she glared up at the sky. “Fluttershy was just helping some ducks cross the road and didn’t even know Gilda was there.”

“And stole an apple,” Sprinkle Medley chimed in as she shook her head. “I’m going home, I don’t have the energy to deal with that shit today.”

Cloudchaser was inclined to agree as she sighed.

“Let’s just hurry up and go get your daughter and brother, I don’t wanna stay out here any longer than I have to,” Cloudchaser announced as her fellow pegusi both nodded.

“Why do I have to go to this?” Sunset huffed as Trixie continues pushing her forward with her head. “If you don’t get your horn and head away from my ass this instant, we will fight in the street Trix.”

“Because Trixie hears a Pinkie Pie party is a party that lasts for hours and Trixie enjoys a good party. Besides, all the others are going to be there,” Trixie explained as she ignored Sunset and continued pushing her.

“Will there be alcohol?” Sunset asked curiously and hopefully, face falling as Trixie shook her head.

“No because there is gonna be colts and fillies there. And drum roll please, the guest of honor is Gilda!” Trixie proclaimed with a grin as Sunset dug her forehooves into the dirt.

“Absolutely not. I’m going home, goodnight,” Sunset said as she turned around. “Tell me how it goes.”

“You’re gonna wanna come to this. Trixie was told about Gilda being tested by Rainbow Dash,” Trixie said casually as Sunset quit trotting away and turned slowly to face her.

“How so?”

“Oh you will see,” Trixie said casually with a mischievous grin. “You will see.”

“Oh I don’t like where this is going,” Sunset muttered to herself as she sighed, following Trixie. “I don’t like this one bit.”

“This way,” Trixie said as she pointed a hoof at Sugarcube Corner.

“I know where that is, thank you,” Sunset scoffed as she shoved the doors open and Roseluck waved the two over to a table in the corner. “What in Equestria is going on here?”

“Don’t know,” Roseluck shrugged. “All I know is Pinkie was having a party and I was here. Trixie was hoping to get really drunk and was kinda sad there wasn’t any alcohol when she came to see me.”

“Yeah me too,” Sunset sighed as she sat down between Silverspeed and Shoeshine. “Did I miss anything entertaining yet?”

“Nope,” Silverspeed answered as she nosed her saddlebags open and subtly set down a bottle of whiskey on the table. “Figured you’d want some alcohol so I brought some for us all to share.”

“Oh thank Celestia,” Sunset sighed as she flung a foreleg around Silverspeed and hugged her. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Silverspeed hugged her back as Shoeshine and Roseluck stared at the pair with faint smiles as Derpy coughed into a hoof.

“Yeah no problem,” Silverspeed said before inhaling. “It’s the good stuff too, straight from Berry’s cellar. It took a bit of convincing but she caved after I agreed to take Ruby for a flight.”

“Fair enough,” Sunset commented as she poured them each a glass that Silverspeed had added to the table. “Why the hell is Gilda a guest here? Doesn’t Pinkie hate her or something?”

“Pinkie doesn’t hate anypony,” Derpy commented as she examined her muffin. “She’s literally incapable of hating anypony.”

“Well speak of Gilda and the devil arrives,” Sunset muttered bitterly as she knocked back a shot and watched the griffon intently.

“I’m so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties! And I truly sincerely hope you feel welcome here amongst all us pony folk!” Pinkie said as she held out a hoof and Gilda hesitantly shook it before jumping as her body convulsed before Pinkie let go and Gilda groaned.

“That was funny,” Trixie snickered as she took another shot. “Trixie liked that one.”

“What the hell did I just watch?” Roseluck demanded as Trixie snickered again.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, the old hoof shake buzzer,” Rainbow laughed as she trotted up with a grin as the others watched. “You are a scream.”

“Ha yeah good one,” Gilda forced a laugh as Sunset raised an eyebrow.

“Come on G, I’ll introduce you to some of my other friends,” Rainbow said as she trotted away.

“She has those?” Sunset asked incredulously.

“Yeah apparently. Now I’ll be back. I’m gonna get us something else to drink so we don’t get wasted,” Derpy said as she stood up.

Sunset nodded as the pegasus trotted away.

Sunset had to admit while she didn’t get out much a few years ago, parties weren’t so bad. And the pranks that Gilda kept getting were secretly amusing Sunset who didn’t approve much of the griffon.

She had met a few others before and wasn’t entirely impressed to begin with.

“Oh can I have the purple tail?” Rarity asked hopefully as she reached for it and Gilda shoved her aside as Mrs. Cake narrowed her eyes slightly. She had never seen Rarity angry really but apparently even the fashionista unicorn wasn’t impressed based on the glare Rarity was giving.

“I’m the guest of honor so I’ll have the purple tail,” Gilda answered as Pinkie nodded eagerly.

“Gilda is right. She should totally have the purple tail. Now we just need to blind fold you,” Pinkie said as she gestured Scootaloo to blindfold Gilda and the two ignored her protests as Scootaloo finished tying the blindfold and Pinkie guided Gilda to the poster. “Now just walk straight ahead over here and you pin the tail on the pony! Easy as pie!”

“Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail on the pony,” Gilda scoffed as she turned around. “Yeah right, this probably another prank. I’m going this way.”

“H-hey wait!” Pinkie called out nervously as Gilda walked away. “The poster is over here!”

“Yeah right- woah!” Gilda screamed as she slipped on icing and slid out the front door, crashing into the ground as Sea Swirl and Sprinkle Medley winced along with the others.

“Uh Gilda? You pinned the tail on the wrong end,” Pinkie commented as the other ponies burst out laughing and Trixie was all too happy to join in. She had helped Rainbow set up the pranks for Gilda, except she had a more cruel reason of wanting to see Gilda suffer.

“Is this your definition of a good time?” Gilda screamed as Sunset stood up angrily as Pipsqueak hid behind her, all the others ponies watching with jaws dropped and wide eyes. “I’ve never meet a bunch of lamer dweebs in all my life-”

“Who says dweeb anymore?” Star Tracker called out and Gilda glared at the stallion.

“-And Pinkie Pie, you’re queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks. Did you really think you could make me lose my cool? Well Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together! Now come on Dash, let’s we’re bailing on this pathetic scene,” Gilda said as she stepped away from Rainbow glaring at her. “I said come on Rainbow Dash, we’re leaving!”

“It was me who planned all those pranks,” Rainbow snapped as she narrowed her eyes. “Well, Trixie helped too. It’s just dumb luck you set them all off, they weren’t all meant for you.”

“You’re joking.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Rainbow asked as she flared her wings out and raised an eyebrow. “So I guess I’m queen lame-o.”

“I should have known!” Pinkie called out with a smile. “That dribble cup had Rainbow all over it!”

“No way, i-it was Pinkie Pie! She set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me.”

“Me?” Pinkie asked as she stared. “I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down!”

“And you sure didn’t need any help making a fool of yourself. You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else,” Rainbow pointed a hoof as Sunset and the other ponies watched quietly as White Lightning spread her own wings out.

“You’re such a flip flop, cool one moment and lame the next! When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call,” Gilda scoffed as she flew out the door and slammed it shut behind her.

“Silly, she can’t call you! We don’t have phones in Equestria!” Pinkie shouted as the other ponies started talking to each other quietly.

“Um, what just happened?” Merry May asked aloud.

“Really awkward.”

“I’m sorry everypony, for bringing Gilda here. I didn’t know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie, I’m really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her,” Rainbow said as she faced the others and sighed.

“Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that’s your business,” Pinkie commented as Rainbow grinned and flung a foreleg around her neck.

“Actually, I’d much rather hang out with you,” Rainbow admitted as Pinkie smiled back. “No hard feelings?”

“No hard feelings,” Pinkie confirmed as the two shook hooves and yelped as the convulsed, letting go to reveal buzzers on their hoof.

“Hey wanna get out of here?” Sunset asked as she glanced at Silverspeed. “I’m partied out and drunk, can you walk me home.”

“You got it,” Silverspeed nodded.

Sunset yawned as she wrapped a hoof around Silverspeed, the pegasus sighing.

“Surprised you asked me to sleep with you. Nightmares again?” Sunset asked as she closed her eyes and the blinds in the room.

“Y-yeah nightmares!” Silverspeed confirmed hastily as she nuzzled the back of Sunset’s mane. “They’re awful, ya know? Hate em with a burning passion.”

“Yeah me too,” Sunset admitted as she felt Silverspeed wrap a wing around her. “Oh, soft. Goodnight Silvie.”

“Goodnight.”

Silverspeed let out a final yawn before she passed out.

Author's Note

I got an update on the fanart and i wanted to share it with you all. Someone on reddit is
doing it for me and Shoeshine is who they're starting with first. It looks really good so far.

Also, I checked the transcript for this chapter as always and it actually credits Merry May for speaking the line "Um,what just happened?" Which is cool, she's an awesome background pony.

Letter To The Princess

Sunset gave a smile as she tapped her quill against her chair on her balcony overlooking Ponyville as she idly watched Silverspeed, Shoeshine and Derpy playing with Dinky and some other foals as Roseluck and Trixie watched from nearby as well.

“Hey,” Rainbow said as she hovered next to her before setting down on the other chair. “Got a minute?”

“A few. What’s up?”

“It’s about Gilda,” Rainbow admitted and Sunset looked over at her.

“I’m listening.”

“Ya know, when I first met her it was a complete accident. I had just started walking through the hallway of my flight school when I accidentally ran into her. She wasn’t mean or anything, she was the nicest pony or well griffon I’ve ever met. She helped me up, walked me to my classroom and was damn near my best friend. She didn’t really hang out with anypony else other than me. I tried to get Fluttershy to meet her once but that mare is so damn shy,” Rainbow shook her head and chuckled dryly.

“So what changed then? Ponies don’t normally just become assholes unless you’ve been through some shit.”

“I have no idea. We stopped talking after she had to go back to Griffonstone and we only reconnected a few years ago on accident when we flew past each other. Who knows what happened. I know Griffonstone isn’t a decent place based on what she told me,” Rainbow admitted as Sunset listened. She had heard similar things from the princess. “I can confirm I don’t ever plan on talking to her again. She was such a bitch to a lot of good ponies. Fluttershy, Shoeshine, you, don’t even get me started on how she treated Pinkie. She could have easily killed Pinkie that day when she crashed her helicopter.”

“I’m still entirely new to this friendship thing,” Sunset started as she glanced down at her waving friends and smiled before waving back. “And I still have a lot to learn but I’m lucky to have a damn good group of ponies to learn from and I love them.”

“Eugh, sappy.”

“My point is, I think you shouldn’t just outright cut ties. I don’t know, maybe try to bring the old Gilda back?” Sunset suggested as Rainbow stared down at her lap.

“Who knows? I gotta get going. It was uh nice talking to you where we aren’t shouting at each other,” Rainbow admitted as she spread her wings to fly.

“Yeah I suppose it was. See ya around,” Sunset said and watched the pegasus take off for a few moments. “Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned to not judge a book by it’s cover and doing what’s right isn’t always easy. You never know when a pony or a griffon could be hiding it’s true colors of being a bully or a pony who doesn’t want to see their friend becoming a jerk. Though it’s impossible to control who your friends hang out with, it is possible to control your own behavior. In the end, the difference between a false friend and one who’s true will surely come to light. Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer.”

Celestia sat on her bed as she read Sunset’s latest letter before levitating it onto her desk alongside a stack of folders containing backstories, strengths and weaknesses of all of Sunset’s friends and other ponies the unicorn has met as Celestia levitated a quill and piece of paper in front of her.

“Dear Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia started and started writing as the ink disappeared. “Oh, wrong ink.”

She gave a quiet laugh before levitating the correct ink in front of her and started writing as a pink earth pony and a blue pegasus snuck away from the window where they had been watching.

“Surprised we actually pranked Princess Celestia,” Pinkie giggled as she jumped out of Rainbow’s hooves.

“I’m not, we’re awesome!” Rainbow boasted with a grin. “Who next?”

“Princess Luna?” Pinkie suggested with a grin.

“Oh I’m so down. Let’s go!”

Pinkie watched Rainbow fly away before grinning again and galloping after her partner in crime. She should have pranked Princess Celestia ages ago now that she thinks about it.

Pinkie idly reminded herself to thank Sunset for the idea.

Author's Note

Cloudchaser is the twin sister of Flitter (by five minutes) and is protective of her baby sister as she teasingly calls Flitter. She is a decent flyer and a Wonderbolt cadet later on alongside her friends. Cloudchaser is the foal sitter of Rumble occasionally with Flitter and is fond of the colt. She was the marefriend of Thunderlane prior to the Summer Sun Celebration before the two separated on good terms. She was teamed up with Bulk Biceps at Wonderbolt camp and lead against Tirek by Spitfire. She is one of the few Wonderbolts who successfully landed a hit on Tirek before losing her flight. She, Cloudkicker and Soarin willingly sacrificed themselves in a failed attempt to distract Tirek to allow Derpy to get to Ponyville.

Motto: You have to stay on course if you ever want to get anywhere.

Status: Alive.

Abilities: Cloudchaser is very flexible, enough to rival her friend Blossomforth and is a strong flyer.

Allies: Flitter, Rumble, Soarin, Spitfire, High Winds, Surprise, Rainbow, Raindrops, Bulk Biceps, Big Mac, Caramel, Milky Way, Sunset,Shoeshine, Trixie, Roseluck, Silverspeed, Derpy, Pipsqueak, Dinky, Sparkler.

Enemies: Gilda, Tirek, Chrysalis, Storm King, Discord, Nightmare Moon(formerly).

Weaknesses: Cloudchaser is easily intimidated by stronger ponies such as Spitfire. She unknowingly sometimes hurts her sister by talking about herself and pushes herself too far at times to look after her sister and beats herself up if Flitter gets hurt.