Sunset awoke with the sun high in the sky. She groaned and rubbed her head. She hadn't realized how exhausted she'd been. With a light 'oof', she flipped herself off of the bed and stood on the crystal floor. She'd slept in further than she'd expected, and a glance at the clock told her it was past noon. She stopped at her door for a moment and took a deep breath before firing up her horn. Her magical aura slowly covered the handle and very gently twisted it. Face slightly damp with sweat, Sunset smiled widely. Her magic was coming back.
Twilight was in the Map Room, pouring over an old tome while furiously scribbling notes. She seemed completely focused, and yet she still snapped to attention the moment she heard hoof steps outside the door. Years of intense combat will do that to a pony. She watched as a teal aura slowly enveloped the door handle and smiled as it slowly twisted and the door swung open. Sunset stood proudly, if a bit sweatily, before the door. She was grinning wider than she had in a while.
"I did it!" she cheered, prancing in a small circle out of excitement. Twilight chuckled to herself and stood.
"You did! Sunset, that's amazing! I'm so proud of you!" Twilight exclaimed, trotting to her friend and pulling her into a hug. "We should go out for lunch to celebrate! I'm ahead of schedule with my work, so I can take a day off" she explained, stretching out her wings after releasing Sunset.
"I'm sorry Twilight," Sunset started sheepishly. "I kinda already have lunch plans..." she trailed off.
"Oh?" Twilight cocked her head, curious. "With whom?" she questioned. Sunset flushed a bit in response.
"Fluttershy" she said quietly, a small smile gracing her lips. Twilight stared at her for a moment before nodding knowingly.
"Well, you two have fun." she smiled widely. Sunset grinned at her again, thankful to her for dropping the conversation.
"We will! Try not to work too hard, Princess of Friendship."
Twilight stuck her tounge out at Sunset, who chuckled and turned, trotting to the door. Once on the other side, she turned back and channeled her magic with a moment of struggle. Still shaky and slowly, the door shut. Twilight heard a brief cheer from the other side, and smiled as she returned to the Appleloosa tax revision.
Sunset trotted through Ponyville with glee in her heart. Not only was her magic returning, she was on the way to see Fluttershy! She had gotten the directions from Spike, and made her way through the main square. She glanced briefly at a building that appeared to be made out of cookies, and stopped apbruptly as she noticed a pink pony with her hooves against the glass, staring at her intently. Sunset blinked, and the mare stood before her.
"OhmygoshIhaven'tmetyoubeforethisissoexcitngI'mPi-" she said in one breath Sunset cut her off gently.
"Pinkie Pie!" Sunset smiled and threw her legs around the pony. Pinkie returned the hug immediately. Pinkie never turned down a hug!
"How do you know my name? Are you a psychipotomus too!?" she questioned after releasing Sunset, head tilted to the side.
"A what?" Sunset questioned back, delighted to find this Pinkie wasn't too different from her own worlds.
"A psychipotomus! You know, like you know things you don't know but still know!" she beamed.
"You mean a psychic?"
"Yeah, that's what I said! A Psychipotomus!"
Sunset laughed and knew better than to argue this point. Instead, she held out her hoof.
"No, I'm not a psy... psychipotomus? I'm a friend of Twilight's from... Canterlot." she explained. "We both attended the School for Gifted Unicorns and were pupils of Celestia."
Pinkie took her hoof, shaking it so fast it blurred before Sunset's very eyes.
"That's so cool! I didn't know the Princess had another pupil! Twilight never mentioned you..." she eyed Sunset hesitantly for a moment before breaking into another blinding grin. "Did Twilight tell you about me?"
"Yes! She told me about all of the Elements. You guys have had some amazing adventures!"
"We sure have! Wait, I haven't thrown you a welcome party!" her ears folded down and she frowned for a moment before jumping up a few inches. Confetti burst from her mane while her eyes twinkled. "I know! Meet me at Sugarcube Corner and I'll have one ready to go!" she gestured to the building behind her. Sunset held up a hoof to stop her before she was able to dart back inside to set up.
"I'd love to, Pinkie. Really, I would, but I'm afraid I'll have to take a rain check. I already have plans to get lunch with Fluttershy."
Pinkie's smile had faded briefly but returned full force at the mention of her friend.
"Oh, that sounds absolutely funtastic!" she exclaimed. "I'll give you a hint, Fluttershy loves apple tarts!"
"That's actually... incredibly helpful" Sunset blinked, surprised Pinkie knew exactly what hint would help her most. Pinkie just grinned before stepping back towards the confectionary building.
"I'll hold you to that raincheck, Sunset!" she waved excitedly before trotting back inside. Sunset waved back before turning back in the direction of Fluttersy's cottage, too distracted to consider how Pinkie had learned her name.