Twilight was woken up by Spike, Ray, and Sunset shimmer from the bed she had ended up taking last night. As Twilight began to wake up, her mind started to catch up to where she was right now.

The night before...

"So Alli, why are you even here?" Twilight asked.

"Well, because Tia wants me to take the two of you to Golden Oaks Library tonight." Alli said. "Which means, you're getting an express lane via the digital railway!"

"What's the digital railway?" Spike asked, curious.

"Oh, trust me, you'll find out soon." Sunset said.

"Thing is, I think Celestia forgot that only one pony can be taken via the digital railways with the help of a digimon like me at a time." Alli said.

"So, your going to be making four trips?" Sunset asked.

"Nope, there only going to be two trips made." Alli said and then a second Black Gatomon appeared.

"That's because two digimon means two of you can be taken at a time." The other Black Gatomon said. "Name's Marina, I'm Alli's older sister."

"That's funny, I don't remember you saying you had a sister." Ray said to Alli specifically.

"In Alli's fairness, there probably wasn't a lot of time for me to get introduced." Marina said. "So, which two are we taking first sis?"

"We'll be taking Twilight and Spike first, since they've never been taken through the Digital Railway before." Alli said.

"Fair enough; that'll give them both more time to adjust to the jump." Marina said.

"Wait, you've taken the railway too, Ray?" Twilight asked.

"You bet. Let's just say, I wanted to explore a little of Ponyville a year ago." Ray said.

"Sunset had lessons, which is why I didn't introduce my sister then." Alli said.

"Now that you mention it, I do vaguely remember not seeing Ray around for a day last year." Twilight said.

"Yep, that'd be when." Ray said.

"Enough chatter, let's get moving~" Marina said. "...Sorry, that came off a little rude. I apologize."

"I think you were fine sis." Alli said.

back to the present...

As the group of Sunset, Twilight, Ray, and Spike came out of the Library, Twilight then remembered why they had spent the night at the Library. "As much as I hate to admit it, you were right about the Digital Railway being something you have to experience firsthand to describe." Twilight said.

"I tried to warn you." Sunset said. "Ray has the list of the things we need to check on for the preparations. I will say, that we probably see if we can get to know a few of the locals along the way."

"Actually, I believe Princess Celestia encourages you both to make some friends." Ray said.

"Not exactly sure why she's encouraging that, but if there's one thing I've learnt about Princess Celestia, it's that she doesn't say something like that without a very good reason." Sunset said.

"Fair enough..." Twilight said.

"...I know that look Twilight; what's going through your mind." Sunset said.

"It was something I read the night before in regard to the Mare in the Moon." Twilight said.

Before Ray could even think to insert his foot in his mouth, Sunset cut him off. "Why are you bringing that prophecy up all of a sudden?" Sunset asked. Twilight then gave a look that basically said "take a guess" and at that, Sunset realized. "Oh right...because this year's summer sun celebration just happens to coincide with that one-thousand-year limit." The Orange Unicorn stated.

"Well, if you ask me, all the more reason to make some new friends; in the off chance the Princess can't stop Nightmare Moon." Spike said.

"I was honestly thinking the same thing." Sunset said. "Though there's also the chance that the Princess stops Nightmare Moon, and we don't have to lift a hoof to help."

"Maybe; but I doubt the Princess would've emphasized making new friends if she was sure she alone could stop Nightmare Moon." Ray said.

"...You may have a point, Ray. Let's try to keep that to ourselves then, shall we?" Sunset asked.

The two ponies and two dragons began to head through Ponyville, and tried to approach a pink earth pony...who instantly gasped and ran off. "...Okay now that was weird..." Twilight said.

"Not to mention rude. I just hope the rest of Ponyville isn't like that." Sunset said. The four managed to get to a place called Sweet Apple Acres where the food was being prepared, and they came across an orange earth pony. "Hey there, I'm Sunset Shimmer; we're here on behalf of Princess Celestia to check up on the food prep." Sunset said, offering a hoof to shake.

The earth pony didn't just accept said hoofshake, but practically shook Sunset with such strength, it looked like the orange unicorn was vibrating. "Well, howdy there Sunset; name's Applejack. Ah can downright guarantee that we have more than enough food for the Summer Sun Celebration." The earth pony said.

"It's...very nice...to meet you too..." Sunset said, trying to recover from the force. And I thought Shining Armor had great arm strength; Applejack could easily beat him in an arm wrestle. She thought to herself.

"Say, before you leave, why don't you stay for some food? Don't worry, we've got more than enough." Applejack said.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt to get something. After all, we did all miss breakfast this morning." Twilight said.

A growl coming from bellies of Twilight, Sunset, Ray, and Spike confirmed that. "...I knew we forgot to do something this morning..." Sunset said with emparrassment.

"Hey, no one's perfect; not even the Princess." Ray said. "You and I have both seen the white alicorn make her own fair share of mistakes."

"If you ask me, if ya don't make mistakes, ya ain't going to learn anythin'." Applejack said.

"That sounds like sound advice; I'll have to keep that in mind." Sunset said. I honestly don't know what the personalities of the ponies are for the rest of Ponyville, but so far, I think I like Applejack the most.

"Ugh, I ate way too much pie..." Twilight said.

"Well, at least we can safely say the catering is well taken care of." Sunset said.

"Speaking of which, did you notice that filly. What was her name again? Apple Bloom?" Spike asked.

"Her name was Apple Bloom, yes." Ray said. "Don't tell me you're still looking for one of those younger fillies for girlfriend material."

"We did just pass a school on the way back into to town so we can talk with some pony named Rainbow Dash." Sunset said. All of a suddenly, a cyan pegasus crashed right into her; knocking Sunset into some nearby mud.

"Heh. Excuse me." The Pegasus said. "Here, let me get that for you." There was then a series of events where the Pegasus made it rain on Sunset before proceeding to whirlwind around the unicorn which made her mane all messed up.

"A perfectly cared for mane...ruined by mud, rain, and wind." Sunset said.

"So, are you Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked.

"That's me. Glad you know me." The pegasus commented.

"What exactly were you doing?" Twilight asked.

"I was practicing some stunts I want to show off to the Wonderbolts. I hear they're going to be at the Summer Sun Celebration, it's been a dream of mine to get in." Rainbow Dash said.

"Really now? Because the sky still has some clouds in it, and last I checked, the Wonderbolts don't tolerate slackers." Sunset said.

"I could clear these skies in ten seconds flat; but what does a unicorn know about the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The current captain of the Wonderbolts; Spitfire; just happens to be my cousin." Sunset said.

"Dang. I didn't know Spitfire had a cousin. Now I'm really sorry for laughing at you after the blow-dry." Rainbow Dash said.

"It's fine; I can get it fixed later." Sunset said. "More importantly..."

"I pick up what you're putting down; watch closely." Rainbow Dash said before she quickly cleared out all the clouds.

Sunset's jaw dropped. That ten seconds statement wasn't a boast...it was a fact. She thought to herself. My cousin is fast, but not that fast...

"See, told you I'd do it." Rainbow Dash said.

"I um...think I'm going to have a chat with my cousin about you. She usually visits me once a month, and I think I just found something to chat with her about outside the usual banter..." Sunset said.

"You'd really do that for me? Despite the blow-dry?" Rainbow asked.

"I told you, I can fix my mane later." Sunset said, and then pointed to the sky. "But that...was something even my cousin would say was top tier." She added. "Name's Sunset Shimmer by the way."

"We should probably get going to town hall now." Twilight said.

The foursome headed for Town Hall, where they found a white unicorn hanging decorations. As soon as they saw her, Spike looked in awe of her.

"...Don't tell me you find her attractive." Ray said to Spike.

"How can I not? I really hope she has a younger sister." Spike said. "My dragon smell is picking up a faint whiff of something that I can't exactly explain."

Ray paused before he gave a little sniff. "...Huh. What do you know?" Ray asked. I can easily recognize the scent of a claimed mare by now, so this must be Spike's first time smelling it.

"All done, now--" The white unicorn shrieked when she turned to face the foursome.

"Oh um...sorry. Do you know where I can find some good Mane Care products?" Sunset asked.

"No need to waste time finding any! I'll fix you up at my boutique free of charge!" The White unicorn said. "Name's Rarity; Rarity Belle to be precise."

"It's nice to meet you, but I--" Sunset wasn't able to argue as Rarity practically dragged the amber unicorn away with magic; forcing Twilight and the two dragons to quickly follow after.

Sometime later, Sunset was astonished. "...Huh. I would like to apologize to you Rarity; you got my mane back to just the way I usually keep it." She said. "I didn't think any pony could easily copy the way I do it."

"I won't argue: It's a very 'you' mane style." Rarity said. "And I had a feeling; something I'm very good at in my work as a fashonista."

"What's going on down here?" A new female voice said. It was then that a unicorn filly that was a different shade of white from Rarity came into the room.

Normally, when Spike was looking at fillies, Ray would berate the purple dragon for looking; except Ray was staring too. Okay, whoa. Just whoa. If I wasn't aware that Spike would want this filly himself, I'd be more than willing to take a chance on her. Ray thought to himself.

"Um...hi there. What's your name?" Spike asked, playing it cool.

That actually made Ray snicker a little. Well, I can't say I never taught Spike anything~ Ray thought to himself.

"Oh this? This is my sister Sweetie Belle." Rarity said.

Sunset looked hard at Rarity suddenly. That was obviously forced. Nice try, but you can't fool me. Sunset thought to herself.

Twilight noticed this. "Um, as much as we'd love to stay and chat, we're here from Canterlot to check up on preperations, so we'll be going now."

When Rarity opened her mouth, Sunset put a hoof in it. "Don't. Even. Start." Sunset said. "Let me just say for the record as someone who practically grew up in Canterlot, the city life isn't exactly as glamorous as you think it is."

"I...I understand." Rarity said. "It's just, I've always wanted to open a store in Canterlot."

"...That's actually sensible. High traffic at least." Sunset said. "I've seen some of the fashion stores in Canterlot but--" That's when on her way out she saw them: Rarity's hoofmade dresses. Sunset began to drabble incoherently.

"...I think Sunset just broke. We best go now." Twilight said, and dragged Sunset out of the building.

"By Sweetie Belle." Spike said.

As soon as the four left, Sweetie Belle spoke up again. "...I think Sunset knows you forced that sentence." Sweetie Belle said.

"...I think you may be right." Rarity said.

"Geez, I thought it wouldn't be possible, but what do you know: Rarity had a younger sister, a filly Apple Bloom's age no less! Maybe give or take a month." Ray said.

"I know we live in Canterlot, but if Spike really wants to have a go with Sweetie Belle, I may have to ask the princess for a transfer." Twilight said.

"While that is very nice of you Twilight, I'm not so sure Sweetie Belle is Rarity's sister." Sunset said.

"Ray and I could smell something from Rarity. I'm just not sure what." Spike said.

"What you were smelling; Spike; was the scent of a mare whose lost her virginity." Ray said.

"Wait, how does Ray know what that smells like?" Twilight asked.

"Honestly, after spending so long in Canterlot, I've grown used to that smell. I could smell it on a lot of the wives of any male nobles, and even a couple of the female nobles." Ray said.

"Well, all that's left now is music and..." Sunset was saying when she heard something. This forced Twilight, Spike, and Ray to follow Sunset as she led the group to a yellow Pegasus who was using some birds to sing. The quartet just stopped and let the music play out for a while, before the yellow pegasus started talking with a red bird of the group.

"Um...excuse me, but would you mind lowering your voice mr. red bird; it's a little too loud for the composition." The pegasus said.

Sunset blinked. Huh? I didn't hear...wait... She had to rewind her brain a little. H-how did she catch that? And I thought Rainbow Dash was impressive.

Speaking of Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus suddenly flew by overhead, and without saying anything to the quartet, she then gently tapped the yellow pegasus's back. "Huh? What is it Rainbow?" The yellow pegasus asked.

"Hate to interrupt your musical, but you have other visitors." Rainbow Dash said. "They're here to check on how the music's coming along."

"Oh! Thank you Rainbow." The yellow pegasus said.

"See you later, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said before flying off.

"Huh. So, would your name happen to be Fluttershy?" Sunset asked.

"Um...well, yes. it is..." Fluttershy said.

Realizing quickly what kind of mare Fluttershy was, Sunset smiled and gently began to comfort the pegasus. "Breath. Just breath." Sunset said.

The amber unicorn helped Fluttershy through a breathing exercise for a bit. "That actually helped. Thank you." Fluttershy said after.

"No problem. Name's Sunset Shimmer by the way." Sunset said.

"It's very nice to meet you, Sunset." Fluttershy said.

"And this here, is Twilight Sparkle." Sunset said. "Judging from what I was hearing and just witnessed, you got a real good handle on the music."

"Oh. Thank you very much." Fluttershy said. It was clear, Sunset was doing wonders for the Yellow Pegasus already.

"Since you got a good handle on the music, I think we can safely go back to the library now." Sunset said.

"Yeah, it was a pleasure to meet with you." Twilight noted.

On the way out, Fluttershy noted Ray & Spike. "Ooo! Baby Dragons. Hi there. My name's Fluttershy."

"Oh, well, I'm Spike and this is Ray." Spike said.

"Pleasure meeting you." Ray said.

"Oh my goodness, they are very polite and they talk too." Fluttershy said.

Sunset couldn't help but notice how all the anxiety Fluttershy was displaying before suddenly melted away. Starting to wonder if she's a pony that can talk to animals or something. Sunset thought to herself.

"You simply must tell me everything in your lives up until now; absolutely everything!" Fluttershy said.

...Okay maybe it's just that animals make a switch flip in her head or something. Sunset thought to herself.

To be continued...

Author's Note

This episode has been reformatted and is now much longer then before.