“Everypony loves parties, so of course I was upset that I wasn’t getting invited to the bigger one.” Pinkie started as the four of them sat down in Sugarcube Corner to talk things out. “And then, I thought, since Fluttershy wasn’t going to invite me to the bigger party, I should just make this smaller one a big party too! After all, two big parties are better than one small party! Parties always make ponies smile, and I love making ponies smile!”
“That big party startled nearly all the animals in Ponyville.” Fluttershy said with an annoyed look.
“And yet you were going to throw another bigger party too!” Pinkie retorted as Sunset just sighed.
“Ok, enough. Pinkie Pie, you said you heard about this big party from Rarity, who told you she was making costumes for it?” Pinkie nodded.
“Uh-huh! Well, not Rarity. I actually heard it from Sweetie Belle! She said Rarity’s so busy nowadays, and when I asked with what, she told me you were making costumes for this big party Fluttershy wanted and-”
“I can assure you, darling, that I most certainly did not tell anypony what I was working on.” Rarity interrupted. “I have no idea why Sweetie Belle would tell you that, since I didn’t exactly tell her anything as well.”
“But it’s clear this Sweetie Belle is involved in the conflict between you three.” Sunset pointed out.
“That’s true. I’m so sorry, Fluttershy. I should’ve clarified with you before just blindly believing Sweetie like that. I will make sure that girl is properly scolded for spreading lies. That is an absolutely un-ladylike thing to do! And I must apologise to you too, Pinkie, for the trouble she’s caused you.” Pinkie shook her head.
“It’s ok. And I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I shouldn’t have just thrown a big party like that and scared all the animals. That was inconsiderate of me.” Fluttershy just gave both of them a gentle smile.
“I forgive both of you. You didn’t know the truth. And I’m sorry too, for just getting angry like that.”
“Apology accepted, darling. Although, you must allow me to make it up to you.” Rarity said as Pinkie gave a cheer and pulled both of them into a hug.
“Yippee! I’m so happy we’ve made up and are friends again!” Sunset smiled to them before frowning.
“I still don’t understand how she was involved in the fight between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, though.”
“Well, I hate to drag any more ponies into this mess, but Sweetie is very close friends with Applebloom and Scootaloo. It’s possible that they might have something to do with this too.” Rarity mentioned as Sunset just tilted her head.
“Who?”
“Applebloom’s Applejack’s younger sister, and Scoolatoo’s Rainbow Dash’s younger sister figure! She idolises Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie piped up.
“Well, if they were the line of communication between the two, and both lied like Sweetie Belle did, then that would explain why those two are fighting.” Sunset said. “I guess, only one way to find out.”
“You know, you have a point.” Rainbow Dash said thoughtfully. “Scoots was the one who told me that Applebloom told her to tell me that the Apple Sale was going to be delayed by a week.”
“I most certainly did not say that to Applebloom and the Apple Sale was definitely not delayed either.” Applejack said. From a distance far enough such that the two had enough privacy to talk, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy smiled at seeing their two friends share a hug.
“Ooooo~ Hugs! Hugs are always good!” Pinkie explained as Rainbow Dash and Applejack came up to them.
“Hey, girls. Sorry to make y’all worry like that, but Dash and I talked it out and we’re cool now.” Fluttershy nodded to it.
“That’s good.” She said softly. “I hate seeing you fight.”
“Aw, don’t worry, Shy! That won’t happen again!” Rainbow Dash comforted with a pat on her back before turning to Sunset. “Your name is Sunset Shimmer, right?” Sunset nodded.
“And from what I gather, you’re Rainbow Dash, aren’t you?” Rainbow Dash grinned.
“Right on! I just wanted to thank you for what you did for us. That was really awesome of you, and we were just strangers too! So thanks a lot!” A series of ‘thanks’ chorused from the girls before her, which just made Sunset smiled a little.
“No problem at all. Honestly, all of these could’ve been avoided if you girls just talked to one another.” They had sheepish grins on their faces.
“Yeah…guess we had to learn that the hard way.” Rainbow Dash chuckled before straightening up, her face solemn. “Speaking of talk, I have a certain squirt to talk to.” Rarity and Applejack sported similar frowns on their faces.
“Oh, right. And that reminds me, us as well.” Fluttershy had an unusual frown on her face, as did Pinkie.
“I have to say, I’m mighty disappointed in you, Bloom.” Applejack said crossly. Applebloom shrunk back at her gaze.
“What were you thinking, Scoots?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “Why’d you wanna break us up like that?” Scootaloo hung her head.
“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. It was just a prank!”
“A prank? Was turning the whole Ponyville against one another your idea of a prank?” Fluttershy asked.
“We didn’t mean to take it this far!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you own up to the prank before it got this far? That is simply unacceptable for a lady, Sweetie!” Rarity said as Sweetie looked down.
“I know. I’m sorry, Rarity. And I’m sorry to you too, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.” Applebloom looked down as well.
“I’m sorry, Applejack.” Applejack just sighed.
“It’s alright, sugarcube. Just don’t do this again, ok?”
“I forgive you too, Sweetie.” Rarity said, giving Sweetie a hug.
“Don’t do that again, Squirt.” Rainbow Dash sighed as well, placing a wing over Scootaloo. Sunset just watched them with a smile before a thought suddenly came to mind, making her frown.
“What’s wrong, Sunset? You’re frowning!” Pinkie mentioned as everypony looked to her.
“No, I was just thinking, Pinkie. With this hostility in Ponyville going on, why didn’t Princess Celestia step in?” The ponies shared looks. “I mean, she’s never one to leave things like this. If there was a problem, especially one this big, she’d step in to fix in.”
“What are you talking about, sugarcube?” Applejack asked as she walked up to Sunset, a confused look on her face. “There aren’t any Princesses. Princess Celestia is just a myth.”