//------------------------------//
// Catching Up 
// Story: Ponyville Sunlight 
// by RS-Belle14 
//------------------------------//

"Sorry for just dragging you away like," Twilight apologized as she led Sunset down the castle's hallways. "I panicked."

"It's all right. I didn't want to explain it to Spike, neither," Sunset joked. Sunset looked around and admired castle's interior. "Nice place you got here."

"Thank you. I had the castle cleaned up for your visit."

"I appreciate it," Sunset nodded. "It sure is different from Canterlot's castle. It's much more crystalline, and it feels a lot less...occupied for some reason."

"Haha. Yes. That might be due to the castle's lack of royal guards."

"Wait, you mean you really don't have any guards? Any? Doesn't that kind of leave you...I don't know, vulnerable for attack?"

"Hmm. I suppose it does, but I don't think it's really a problem. I've lived here for a while now, and nopony ever seems to attack here directly."

Sunset raised her eyebrow. "Didn't you tell me that Starlight broke in here and took you on a dangerous adventure across time and space?"

Sunset's words stopped Twilight right in her tracks. "...Okay, maybe I am vulnerable for attack."

"See?" Sunset playfully elbowed Twilight. "Maybe Your Majesty should invest in some guardsponies to help protect her royal flank. We wouldn't want anything bad happening to it."

"Sunset!" Twilight lightly scolded Sunset for her last remark. "I see your point, and while I appreciate your concern, I still don't think I'm hiring any guards."

"Why not? You just agreed that you're not completely prepared for a direct attack."

"I know, but...I just prefer living in a more vacant home," Twilight began to trot again. "I like visitors. Really, I do. I like having some company, but I also like to having some peace and quiet while I'm at home. I won't have much of that if there's a bunch of guards trotting around the halls all day and night."

"But what if somepony tries to attack you again?"

"With our combined magic, I'm sure Starlight and I can handle any threat that comes our way or, at the very least, hold them off until the others arrive to help."

"Hmm. I guess so. Still, with just the three of you living here," Sunset looked at all the doors across the hallways. "It kind of seems like a good waste of castle space."

"It really is," Twilight nodded. "With big tall ceilings, shiny cold floors, and long empty hallways, this castle wasn't my first choice for a home."

"Yeah. Now that you mention it, this castle doesn't really seem like your style," Sunset looked a little concerned. "Do you mean to say that you don't like living here, Twilight?"

"What? Oh no, of course not," Twilight chuckled. "It may not have been my first choice, but I've definitely grown attached to this castle."

"Really?"

"Of course! It has plenty of charm to it. For one, the castle's library is much bigger than the Golden Oaks Library ever was. I haven't had to worry about the shelves overflowing with books since this place popped up, and re-shelving day has become even more fun!"

"Haha," Oh, Twilight. "That does sound like fun."

"Oh, it is," Twilight dreamily said. "But there is much more to the castle than that."

"Do tell."

"Well, there's the scenic view, the chandelier, and the Cutie Ma-" Twilight cut herself off. "Actually...how about I tell you later?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I want to save your tour of the castle for end of the day."

"Why?"

Twilight blushed. "You'll see."

Sunset noticed the shade of Twilight's face and smiled. "All right, fine. But it better be good. I was really looking forward to exploring this place."

"It will be. I promise," Twilight and Sunset stopped in front two large, golden doors. "But right now, I want to give you a tour," Twilight's horn began to glow. "Of this," Twilight's magic aura surrounded the doorknobs and opened the doors.

Sunlight flowed through the doorway as it slowly creaked opened. From where she was standing, Sunset could see many trees and buildings standing under a clear, blue sky. She could also a dark forest in the distance. What caught Sunset's attention the most, however, were the many colored, little citizens trotting about.

Ponies. Sunset grinned.

"Sunset," Twilight waved her hoof toward the town. "Welcome to Ponyville."

Sunset shook her head in disbelief. "Wow...It's looks exactly like the way you described it."

"Haha. Well, I do like to making my notes specific," Twilight lightly pulled Sunset out the doorway. "Why don't we take a closer look?"

"Lead the way."

Sunset followed Twilight down the pathway into Ponyville, eager to see what sights the town had to offer. From what Twilight said in her messages, Ponyville may have been a relatively small town, but it had plenty to offer. Of its many charms, Sunset found one particular quality of Ponyville to be quite interesting.

"There are so many different types of ponies here. When I lived in Canterlot, the population was almost exclusively unicorn."

"Indeed," Twilight nodded. "I've traveled all across Equestria, and Ponyville is still the only place I've seen that's populated by all three kinds of ponies."

"Ha. Don't you mean four?" Sunset lifted one of Twilight's wings.

"Oh. I guess you're right," Twilight giggled. "Have you really never been to Ponyville before, Sunset?"

"No, I haven't. I've seen it a few times from room in Canterlot, but I've never actually been here before."

"Well, what do you think of it so far?"

Sunset looked around and gave Twilight a little smirk. "Not bad," She winked. "So, what's first on the agenda?"

"Well, I was thinking we-" Twilight was interrupted by the sound of what appeared to be the growl of a lion. "Gilda?"

Sunset rubbed her belly in embarrassment. "Ha...Sorry," She squeaked.

Twilight giggled. "Okay, how about we start by getting some breakfast, instead? My treat."

"It's okay, Twilight. I'm not that-" Sunset's stomach growled again. "Well, if you insist."

"Come on. I know a good place to eat that's not too far from here."

Twilight led Sunset to a nearby restaurant in Ponyville's marketplace. The two friends seated themselves on the outside patio where a waiter soon came by and gave them menus. After the waiter had gone, Twilight and Sunset were left to decide what to order.

"Wow," Sunset read the menu. "It's been a long time since I've seen a menu with actual Equestrian cuisine. Everything looks so good."

"Glad you like the choices. Order what you like, Sunset. I've got it."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to be burden."

"It's fine, really. Besides, I still owe you for the café, remember?"

"Ha. How could I forget?" Sunset smiled. "Thanks, Twilight."

The waiter returned, holding a pen and notepad. "Have you made your decision?"

Sunset and Twilight looked up. "Yes. I'd like a daisy and daffodil sandwich, please," They simultaneously answered.

"Two daisy and daffodil sandwiches. They will be ready soon," The waiter wrote down their orders, took their menus, and left.

Sunset and Twilight stared at each other in disbelief and began to laugh.

"Good to see that your pony form has good taste," Twilight joked.

"Likewise," Sunset chuckled. "So, what have you been up to, Twilight? Anything new happen?"

"Oh yes, plenty. Have I told you about the friendship summit in Griffonstone?"

"Yes, actually. You messaged me about it the other day."

"It was such a-oh. Really? Um...What about the overnight goodwill tour of Yakyakistan?"

"That too, Twilight. In excruciating detail if I may add."

"Hmm," I've got to be less specific in my messages. "What about the cookie-zombie apocalypse?"

"Yea-" Sunset cut herself off. "No," Sunset re-registered what Twilight just said. "Whaaa?"

Bingo. "It's true."

"Wait, wait, wait. You mean you actually encountered zombies?"

"Haha. Well no, not exactly."

Sunset stared at Twilight in disbelief. "I'm listening."

Twilight sat up and began to tell her story. "Well, it all started a few days ago when Fluttershy told the others and me that Rainbow Dash had really scared her with one of her pranks. We called Rainbow for a meeting at the castle to discuss her lack of consideration for Fluttershy's feelings. She knows how timid Fluttershy is, and she should know she shouldn't prank her like that."

"I tried to tell Rainbow that she should make an effort to make sure her idea of a funny prank matches the pony she's pranking, than she pranked me with a whoopee cushion," That made Sunset giggle, making Twilight roll her eyes. "Yes, she got me, but it wasn't that funny."

"You sure about that?"

"Sunset!"

"Haha. Go on."

"Anyway," Twilight continued. "That whoopee cushion was the last straw. We told Rainbow Dash that if she wasn't going to put the effort, then she shouldn't prank anypony at all," Twilight sighed. "Unfortunately, she took our message the wrong way and vowed to put more effort into her pranks rather trying to understand the other pony's feelings. She left and went on a pranking rampage. Rainbow Dash pranked half the town, and not one of her victims enjoyed her pranks!" Well, except for Pinkie Pie.

"The madness had to stop. Since talking to Rainbow Dash didn't work, the townsponies and I went to Pinkie Pie. We were hoping that Pinkie could reason with Rainbow since they both have an affinity for pranks. Pinkie understood and left to talk to Rainbow. When she came back, she told us that Rainbow didn't listen and was even planning to prank the entire town later that day. The townponies and I were concerned. It didn't look like anything could stop Rainbow, but then Pinkie Pie said she had an idea," Twilight leaned and began to smirk. "That's when things got real interesting."

Sunset raised her eyebrow and smirked as well. "How so?"

"Well, Pinkie Pie suggested that if reasoning with Rainbow Dash wasn't working, than showing her how wrong she was might," Twilight mischievously smiled. "Pinkie thought we should prank Rainbow."

"Nooo."

"Yes! She even had the prank already planned out. You see, the Filly Guide Cookie Drive was coming up, and Pinkie Pie told us that Rainbow Dash's next prank was to replace the Filly Guide cookies with some joke cookies she ordered that covered your face with a rainbow-colored cream. Pinkie said we should all eat the cookies, keep our faces rainbow, stay indoors until sundown, and when it was finally dark out, we would slowly trot around Ponyville acting like mindless, cookie-eating zombies looking for more of her joke cookies, which Rainbow Dash was of course carrying."

"Whoa," Sunset chuckled. "Did it work?"

"Oh, it worked, all right. Rainbow Dash was scared out of her wits," Twilight looked smug. "Needless to say, she's been much more considerate with her pranks ever since."

"Haha. Wow," Sunset shook her head. "That's quite the story, Twilight."

"Thank you," Glad I still had a story. "Speaking of stories, it sounds like you had one not too long ago."

"Hmm. Which one?"

"Your trip to Camp Everfree, of course."

"Ha. Oh yeah. There's a story."

"Now, you've been pretty vague in your messages, Sunset. I'm a little curious; just what happened?"

"Well, it all started with-"

"Your meals, ladies," The waiter returned carrying two plates holding Twilight's and Sunset's sandwiches.

Sunset lit up when she saw her sandwich. "Oh, finally!" She levitated the sandwich to her mouth and took a bite. "Mmm. Thank you."

"Thank you, sir," Twilight levitated her sandwich.

"My pleasure, madams," The waiter trotted away.

"So, you were saying, Sunset?" Sunset didn't appear to hear her. "Um, Sunset?" Sunset continued eating her sandwich. "Hello? Sunset? You were telling me about-" Sunset took another bite, completely unaware of Twilight's voice. At first, Twilight was a little annoyed; she really wanted to hear Sunset's story. As time went on, however, Twilight soon found Sunset's little nibbles and squees of delight to be a little cute. She's like a filly eating her first apple. Twilight giggled and decided to drop the subject and eat her own food.

Sunset gulped down the last her sandwich and smiled in satisfaction. Mmm. Flowers. "Okay Twilight, so it all started with...Twilight?" Twilight was ravenously eating her own sandwich, taking one colossal bite after another. Huh. I guess she wasn't that interested after all. Sunset sat back and patiently waited for Twilight to finish eating. Hmm. We've really got to work on her table manners.

~End Chapter~