The walk to the town hall was uninteresting at best, Sunset paying little attention to the citizens or buildings, only focusing on going to the hall and ensuring that the decorations are put in order. Despite this momentous occasion, the homes of the townsfolk were surprisingly empty on the decor. The sheer sight of this made the egocentric unicorn snicker.
‘’At least they feel the same way I do about today. Mare in the Moon is supposed to be coming back, but I’m having my time wasted checking the decorations.’’ She rolled her eyes at this. ‘’Speaking of which, I’m guessing that’s the next thing on the checklist?’’
‘’Yup! Next is-’’ Spike looked at the list, but then stopped in his tracks when they got into the center location of Ponyville. ‘’Decorations…’’
‘’I’ve seen better even if it does little somewhat neat.’’
‘’Beautiful…’’
‘’I wouldn’t really call it-’’
‘’Not the decor!’’ He interrupted, pointing to a white mare levitating strings and ribbons around her while saying ‘no’ frustratingly. ‘’Her!’’
Following the gesture of the baby dragon, Sunset looked in confusion as she saw the mare, trotting towards her with Spike spinning his tail like a propeller. ‘’Good afternoon. I am Sunset Shimmer and I.’’
‘’Just a moment, please! I’m ‘in the zone’, as it were. Oh yes!’’ She said in a voice that made Spike’s heart soar. ‘’Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity you are a talent.’’
‘’Now, um, how can I help yo-’’ Rarity’, as her name was, looked over to Sunset and quickly screamed in horror, leading to Sunset looking behind her in a feeling of danger. However, her head was grabbed and face directed at Rarity. ‘’Whatever happened to your coiffure?!’’
‘’My ‘coiffure’ was ruined by a pegasus clumsily crashing into me.’’ Sunset huffed while pushing her away.
‘’Well, that just won’t do!’’ Going around Sunset, she pushed her towards the back. ‘’Come along, we have a mane to fix!’’
‘’Wait, what? No, I can fix it on my own!’’ She tried to stop herself, but it was no use. Rarity just pushed her. ‘’NO!’’
And so they went, Rarity trying various outfits and mane styles on Sunset as the latter grew more and more annoyed. From green and yellow to poofy and shiny, the fashionista did everything she could to ‘fix’ her.
‘’Okay, okay.’’ Using her magic, Sunset got the dress off. ‘’I get it, you love fashion and you have the decorating under control, now can you please just back off?’’
‘’Well, you don’t have to be so rude about it.’’ Rarity turned around and started pushing different materials inside of the drawers. ‘’Now, where are you from, my dear?’’
‘’None of your business.’’ She tried saying, but was stopped from Spike getting in front of her.
‘’We’re from Canterlot!’’
‘’CANTERLOT?!’’ Rarity squealed as she bolted over with glistening eyes and a happy smile. ‘’Oh, I am so envious!’’
‘’Seriously, Spike?’’ Sunset snarled at Spike slightly, who chuckled nervously.
‘’The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! ‘’ Rarity clapped her hooves together and patted the head of her unicorn guest. ‘’I can’t wait to hear all about it! We’re going to be the best of friends, you and I..’’
‘’Friends? I don’t do friends.’’ Celestia’s pupil spat as Rarity galloped away, doing so after looking at something on her. ‘’Wait, what are you-’’
‘’Emeralds?!’’ Rarity shouted in panic. ‘’What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!’’
‘’Yeah, no.’’ Sunset lifted a sighing Spike onto her back and left the building before anything else could happen.
‘’Wasn’t she wonderful?’’
‘’Focus, Spike.’’ Sunset snapped. ‘’What’s next on the list for this? And hopefully, it’s the last.’’
Clearing his throat, Spike read up. ‘’Oh, uh, music! That’s the last one!’’
‘’Finally!’’
The sound of singing made them look at a yellow pegasus pony with a pink mane. This pegasus in particular seemed more peaceful than the one encountered earlier as she spoke quietly to a choir of birds.
‘’Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, umm.’’ The pegasus looked at a blue bird. ‘’Excuse me sir?’’
As Sunset and Spike looked at each other, they began to approach the quiet pegasus.
‘’I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off.’’ She flew away from the birds silently before extending a hoof. ‘’Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-’’
‘’HEY!’’ Sunset shouted, scaring the birds off as the pegasus yelped and looked at her, ears drooping slightly. ‘’Are you the one for the music?’’
No response.
‘’Hello? Can you hear me?’’ The unicorn asked again, her tone lowering slightly, but a minor change. However, this also failed to get a response out of the pegasus. ‘’Okay, that didn’t work. I’m Sunset Shimmer and I am here to observe the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration.’’
The very words she spoke resurfaced the anger she had, but she’d rather not show it here. If she wants to get answers out of this pegasus, it would be best not to overly shout or vent in front of her, especially when she’s supposed to be getting a job done.
‘’I’m...Fluttershy…’’ The pegasus finally said quietly, so quietly Sunset couldn’t understand her.
‘’...I’m sorry?’’
‘’Um...my name is Fluttershy.’’ She said again, even more quietly. This baffled Sunset as it seemed she was getting more quiet with each response she gave the mare.
‘’One more time, please..’’
The next response came out as more of squeaks if anything, causing Sunset to groan in annoyance and trot over to Spike. ‘’Spike, the music is settled, let’s go.’’
With a shrug, he started following, only for the pegasus to spot him and gasp.
‘’A baby dragon!’’ She shouted in amazement before bolting over to the two, knocking Sunset over and sending her flying into a bush. ‘’Oh, I’ve never seen a baby dragon before. He’s so cute!’’
‘’Uh….’’ Spike stepped back a bit., looking at a dazed Sunset, the orange unicorn groaning.
‘’Oh my, did I scare you?’’ Her smile quickly gave way to a look of guilty. ‘’I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean-’’
‘’Okay, time to go!’’ The baby dragon was wrapped in blue magic and put on Sunset’s back again. ‘’Spike, say goodbye, we’re heading to the library and now!’’
‘’But Sunset-’’
‘’No buts!’’ A snap from the unicorn, who started heading off.
‘’Okay...I’m Spike.’’ Spike sighed and shrugged at the pegasus.
‘’Hi Spike. I’m Fluttershy.’’ Fluttershy cooed. ‘’Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?’’
‘’Well, uh, what do you want to know?’’
‘’Absolutely everything.’’ This response made Sunset speed up.
‘’No, not dealing with that.’’ She galloped away, wanting to get as far from Fluttershy as she could.
Getting inside, Sunset bucked the door in Fluttershy’s face, causing her to yelp and fall down as Sunset breathed in satisfaction. ‘’Peace and quiet.’’
‘’That wasn’t really needed.’’ Spike hopped off as they looked around.
‘’Nightmare Moon is returning and we have to prepare for her return, now where’s that light switch?’’ However, Sunset’s question was answered, the room full of everypony from the town. ‘’Huh?!’’
With all the ponies shouting ‘SURPRISE’, Sunset’s ears flattened.
‘’Oh no…’’