Rainbow sighed contentedly, breathing in deeply the fresh country air. She didn’t mind being cooped up in Canterlot for long times, especially considering it involved her studies which she always enjoyed, however even she could enjoy some fresh air and nice scenery. She looked at her assistant with a smile. “So, what are we supposed to be doing?”
“Well, I think we should just walk around, get our bearings. According to the list, we have to inspect the dining and refreshments, the decorations, the weather and then the music choir.”
“Catering? Decorations? Music?” Rainbow frowned. “I thought Celestia just raised the sun like every other day?”
Spike tutted. “Oh Rainbow, I thought you were a bookworm.”
“I am! However, it doesn’t mean I study everything! I mean, I haven’t even been to the Summer Sun Celebration before...I’ve been...busy.”
The dragon sighed. “Alright, the Summer Sun Celebration is the first day of summer, but is also the anniversary of when Celestia first became princess.”
“You mean...she wasn’t always?”
“Of course not! According to legend, Celestia was just a normal pony with her sister when one day they were transformed into Princesses by...well, it varies from story to story. Anyway, the day they became Princesses and gained control over night and day was ALSO the first day of summer. Hence, all the pomp and circumstance.”
The Pegasus blinked. “That’s...you sure know more than i was expecting.”
“Hey, SOMEONE has to pick up your slack or else we BOTH will end up in trouble.”
“Wait.” Rainbow interjected. “Princess Celestia had a sister?”
“Yeah, it was while I was researching the Summer Sun Celebration that I found out. It’s a really obscure legend, but apparently Celestia actually had a sister who ruled Equestria with her, she raised the moon rather than the sun though.”
“So, why isn’t she around? I mean, Princess Celestia is still around.”
“Well, all I could find was that she went bad and Celestia sealed her away so she wouldn’t bother anyone anymore.”
Rainbow grinned. “So, Celestia fought and defeated her sister, who we can assume is equal to her in terms of power and authority. That’s....really pretty cool!”
Spike nodded, smirking. “And that is why Celestia is the sole ruler of Equestria.” He looked down. “Oh, we’re here.”
Rainbow looked down as the chariot glided down towards the ground and she had a look around, admiring the simple architecture and unpaved roads. The town was the total opposite of Canterlot: it was smaller, simpler, and on the whole felt more...cosy.
As the Chariot landed, the Pegasus and her assistant and stepped onto the ground and thanked the stallions for the ride as they flew off. Rainbow was still admiring the scenery. “So, we just walk around and see the town, and if we bump into the ponies helping with the Celebration we’ll just do the inspection?”
“Pretty much.”
Rainbow smiled at her assistant as she continued to walk, yelping as she bumped into someone.
“Watch where you are going!”
“Sorry!” Rainbow cringed, then her eyes widened as she looked at the Unicorn she had bumped into. “SHIMMER!? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Canterlot, studying under the Princess?”
The red –with-yellow-highlights maned Unicorn scoffed irritably. “Well, I WAS going to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration, however the Princess decided my time was better spent ‘making friends’ or some such drivel.”
“Hey, I’m sure the Princess knows what she’s doing, even if it does sound...weird.” Rainbow said reassuringly.
Sunset Shimmer merely gazed disdainfully. “Either way, I have more important matters to deal with, matters that are no concern of yours.” A thought occurred to her. “Why are YOU here, come to think of it? You NEVER leave Canterlot.”
Rainbow hopped around giddily, grinning ear to ear. “Oh it’s amazingly awesome! The Princess asked ME to inspect how things are going for the Summer Sun Celebration! I mean, she’s never even SPOKEN to me before, much less give me such a big job!”
Shimmer’s eyes widened, anger visible in her otherwise stony expression, her horn glowing. “What!? She ORDERED me to forgo my duties this year, but she decided to have YOU replace ME!? YOU!? A mere PEGASUS UPSTART!?!?!?”
“Uhhh...yes?” Rainbow shrugged with a nervous smile.
“Just...forget it!” She turned and walked away. “If you need me, I’ll be at the library, doing important work that is nopony’s business!” She gave a quick look at Rainbow Dash. “FYI, You WON’T be needing me. At. All.” She trotted away huffily.
Rainbow crossed her forehooves crossly. “Yeah, like I would ever ask you for help, you stuck up, no good pain in my-”
“GANGWAYYYYYY!!!!”
Rainbow blinked and looked up and barely dodged as something large almost fall on her. She looked to her side and saw that it was actually a pony. A white pony a messy purple mane, a blank flank and covered in bruises. “Oh hay! Are you alright!?” She quickly helped mare up with her hooves.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine it happens all the time!” The Unicorn grinned, showing that she was missing a couple teeth and rainbow could see that she had a dark ring around her right eye. “I’m Rarity but everyone usually calls me...well, Rarity, to be honest.” She blinked as her grin grew wider as she looked Rainbow Dash over, the Pegasus backing away, slightly disturbed by the awkward staring. “OH. MY. CELESTIA! It’s really you!” She squeed, pressing her hooves against her cheeks and then craning over to stare at Rainbows flank and wings.
“Uh...could you...not stare at my body like that?”
“OH! I’m so sorry!” The Unicorn backed away quickly. “I was just...I’m just so excited, you know!? I mean, I’m so jealous!”
“Jealous?” Rainbow was starting to sweat nervously. “Uh, why is that?”
“Why? Whyyyy!?” Rarity gasped. “Why, it’s because of one simple reason: You managed to achieve your dream so quickly, not to mention you can do what I cannot!”
Rainbow tilted her head. “Huh?”
“Why, flying of course!” The unicorn stood dramatically, her forehooves spread wide. “I mean, ANY Unicorn can use MAGIC, but I have always wanted to be different, to be a diamond cut in a more distinct shape. My dream, Rainbow Dash, is to fly!” She gazed up into the sky, beaming.
“Uh, how do you know my name?”
Rarity gasped again. “Who doesn’t know of Rainbow Dash, the Pegasus who did what everypony thought was impossible for a non-unicorn and performed magic! I mean, you’re famous, Rainbow Dash!”
“I am?” Rainbow’s ears flattened, her eyes widening, her iris’ pinpricks.
“Oh yes!” Rarity had her foreleg over Rainbow’s shoulder. “And when I heard that, I knew that anypony could achieve their dreams, no matter what, so I trained myself hard and have tried constantly to achieve my goal of flying.” She shrugged. “Of course , I haven’t QUITE succeeded so far, but I’m not giving up, after all, you never did!”
Rainbow shook her, returning to the present. “So, anyway, Miss, uh, Rarity, you’re a local, right? I mean, you could give us a tour of Ponyville, right? You see we’re here on business for the princess you see and”
“Say no more!” The white unicorn grinned. “I, Rarity, would be too glad to help you out in any way, shape or form!” She smiled. “So, where to first?”
“Uh, you wouldn’t happen to know where the decorations are being prepared for the Celebration, would ya?”
“Oh, yes I do.” Rarity’s mood deflated and she started to walk slowly. “Right this way, just follow me.”
Rainbow shrugged and started to follow as Spike sat on her back, leaning to speak quietly into Rainbow’s ear. “Rainbow, this unicorn is nuttier than a peanut sandwich topped with hazelnuts.”
Rainbow sighed. “Spike, we don’t know her well enough to judge, and it would be better to have a guide than to wander around aimlessly asking random ponies if they’re the ones we’re looking for. Besides, she seems nice enough.”
“Yeah, yeah, still I hope the next pony we meet is not as crazy as this one.”
Rainbow sighed. “Yeah...so do I.”
-----------------------------------------
Elsewhere, Sunset Shimmer fumed as she rummaged through the shelves of the library.
The Princess had told her that she was no longer going to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration’s preparations, and instead had ordered her to go to Ponyville to ‘make friends’. How preposterous, she didn’t need friends. She was Celestia’s student, and thus the second most important pony in Equestria.
But that was fine, that just meant she had more time to focus. She hadn’t planned on telling Princess Celestia about what she had learned in the book anyway. The Princess would either laugh it off as some hoax, or more likely, take care of it herself. Finding out that her most hated rival, Rainbow Dash, had been chosen by the princess to oversee the Celebration was simply the last straw.
She REFUSED to be overshadowed by somepony who was inherently INFERIOR to her, and would prove once and for just WHY the Princess had chosen her as her apprentice in the first place.
She would prove once and for all why she was better than Rainbow Dash.
---------------------------------------
Rainbow looked up at the building.
“It’s a carousel.”
Rarity nodded. “That’s why it’s called Carousel Boutique.”
Spike blinked. “Ok, um, why is it a carousel?”
Rarity shrugged. “There are a few buildings like this around Ponyville. I think it was a failed scheme by the mayor to drum up tourism, so now it’s just...something you get used to when you live here.”
Rainbow sighed. “Ok, well I suppose it could be worse.”
The door suddenly burst open as an orange earth pony with a yellow mane styled into a large, stylish bun wearing a stately green dress stepped out. “Why, greetings Rarity dahling, have you finally decided to get yourself a makeover? I keep telling you your looks are simply wasted, especially with all those injuries you give yourself.” She had a polite, refined southern accent.
Rarity gasped and ran off. “OH hay no! There is no way you are getting me to wear one of those....FROU FROU dresses!”
Rainbow blinked as her tour guide rain into the distance. “Ok then...” She turned to the frankly overdressed pony. “Anyway, I’m Rainbow Dash, and I’ve been put in charge of overseeing the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration being held here in this town.”
“Oh Ah know who you are, there is not a pony for miles who has not heard of the Pegasus who graduated from the prestigious Canterlot Academy for Magic. Not many ponies, let alone Pegasi, can boast that.” She stepped back inside. “Please, come inside and perform your inspection.”
“Uh, alright thanks.” Rainbow stepped inside, looking around. She could see mannequins dressed in full attire for both mares and stallions, as well as racks and racks filled with even more clothing and even a few mane styling stations. “Um...wow...this place is...”
“Oh, Ah know what you mean!” The earth pony called coquettishly.”Originally this was simply a clothing store, but Ah couldn’t simply limit mahself to just clothing!”
“So I take it you’re into...this kind of stuff?”
“OH mah heavens yes! Ah ADORE fashion, as well as more cultured pursuits, ever since ah was a small filly...”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “This is all very fascination however I still need to know about what you’ll be doing for the Summer Sun Celebration...”
“Oh of course!” The earth pony trotted quickly into the back room, carrying back a large bundle of cloth, clothing and various decorations decals of the sun. “Ah hope this is all acceptable? Ah also thought that, being such a big event, everypony should dress for the occasion.”
Rainbow whistled to herself, looking at every finely tailored suit, every perfectly made decoration and the very beautifully embroidered tapestry that would serve to frame the stage from which the Princess would step out and greet her subjects. “Hmm everything seems fine to me.” Her stomach rumbled and she blushed sheepishly. “Uh, you wouldn’t happen to know where I could get some food, would you. I’m starving.”
“Oh dahling of course I can help you there.” She smiled and trotted beside the Pegasus. “Oh! In all this excitement I forgot to introduce mahself!” She curtsied. “Applejack, at your service.”
“Well I already introduced myself, more or less.” She gestured to the baby dragon on her back. “And this is my number one assistant, Spike.”
“Charmed.” Applejack smiled and fluttered her eyes, Spike blushing deeply as he stared up at her as the earth pony turned. “Please, if you will follow me, we will get you some food in no time. I will warn you though; it is a fair distance from here.”
“Oh that’s fine lead the way!” The Pegasus grinned as she followed the earth pony.
-------------------------------------------
Rainbow Dash looked around the countryside as they walked beyond Ponyville’s limits. “So, ah, how far are we going?”
“A fair distance.” Applejack stated. “They’re in charge of the catering during the Summer Sun Celebration, so I thought you may want to visit them while you get yourself something to eat.”
Rainbow blinked. “I thought someone more local would be taking care of it though.”
“They did last year, but this year I managed to convince the Princess’ representatives to give these ponies a chance. Besides, they are still included as members of Ponyville, they just like to keep to themselves mostly.”
Rainbow gave her an odd look but then looked up as they came upon a rather large farmstead. He could various crops along with a small house. Her eyes widened as she saw a purple unicorn lifting apples out of their trees with her telekinesis. “Well...you don’t see that everyday...”
The Unicorn set the produce down into a cart and turned to her visitors. “Oh, it’s nice to see you again, Applejack? And who is your friend? I haven’t seen her around before.”
Applejack bowed and flourished her forelegs before the Pegasus. “Twilight Sparkle, may it is my pleasure to introduce Miss Rainbow Dash” She got up with a coy smile. “You know, the graduate from the magic academy.”
“Oh!” The unicorn moved closer, looking Rainbow over. “I have heard of you. You know, I was going to attend the academy myself when I was younger.”
“Oh yeah?” Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. “Then why aren’t you in canterlot instead of out here in the boonies?”
“I didn’t get to attend.” Twilight lead them into the farm. “Mom and Dad used to be low-level nobles, but our family was beset by scandals and extortion, and eventually we lost everything.”
“Oh I’m so sorry...” Rainbow muttered, frowning at the Unicorn in sympathy.
“Oh, don’t be, it worked out for us. Dad decided that we should try and find a new way to get back our old estate, and so we set up a farm on the outskirts of Ponyville, and here we are. I’ve found I enjoy farm work far more than anything else and I can’t imagine what life would be like if we never lost everything and I ended up becoming some magician or something.”
“Hey, magic is amazing!” the Pegasus retorted.
“Oh don’t get me wrong, we’re Unicorns, we’re naturally inclined to use magic, especially since it’s really helpful in farm work, but sometimes...I just gotta feel dirt on my hooves and actually use my muscles to tend to the land, Y’know? It’s hard to top the feeling of finishing the day and knowing that you did a good day’s living with what nature gave ya.”
Applejack turned her head away, scoffing. “If you ask me, a lady should never allow anything to mar her appearance.”
Rainbow shrugged. “Look, I’m just here on behalf of the princess, I kinda need to make sure the catering is well prepared and everything is up to par, not to mention I kinda need some lunch and I’m a bit low on money at the moment.”
“Oh don’t worry about a thing!” Twilight grinned. “We’re more than welcome to help a pony out in that regard.”
“As long as I’m not imposing...”
“Oh not at all!” Twilight lead rainbow over to a medium sized table set up behind the house. “It’s the least we can do for a new arrival to the town! Not to mention you’re already doing a big job for the princess and all!” She sat the Pegasus down at the table as a unicorn stallion with a burgundy mustache and darker purple coat stepped forth, placing plates of freshly cooked vegetables on the table in front of Rainbow Dash.
“Dig in, it’s on the house!” Twilight smiled cheerfully.
The Pegasus chuckled and smiled wide. “Gee thanks! You’re not too bad, Miss Sparkle!”
“Oh, Twilight will do, friend!”
“Alright, thanks Twilight!” With that, Rainbow Dash started to indulge her tastebuds in the assortment of food given to her.
--------------------------------------------------
Rainbow burped, making her escort, Applejack, frown in disapproval. “Well Ah never! Miss Dash, you really should practice proper etiquette. It never hurts to be polite.”
Rainbow blushed, grinning sheepishly. “Hehe, sorry Applejack, even in Canterlot I wasn’t exactly known for being really polite and courteous. So, anyway, next is...Music, right?”
“Yep!” Spike answered.
“Oh, that would have to be Fluttershy.” Applejack smiled. “She’s not too far back, Ah’d be happy to show you the way, but that’s the last Ah can do for you, I have to get the decorations set up soon!”
“Hey that’s fine, we can handle ourselves, it’s our last stop after all.” Realization hit the Pegasus. “Wait, I knew a filly back in
Cloudsdale named Fluttershy. She was always a shy, timid little thing.”
Applejack giggled lightly. “Oh mah stars, we simply CAN’T be talking about the same Fluttershy here!”
“We can’t?” The Pegasus raised a brow incredulously.
“Oh heavens no! You’ll see for yourself in a minute, here we are!”
Rainbow Dash looked up at the small cottage that now stood in front of them. She trotted over and carefully knocked on the door.
The door FLUNG open as a yellow Pegasus with long pink mane hovered out, singing excitedly in a wordless song.
“Oh welcome Applejack!” the Pegasus called out excitedly. “Are you here to model me again?”
The earth pony shook her head. “No, not this time. Actually, somepony needed to see if you were ready for the Summer Sun Celebration tonight?”
“Oh that’s tonight!? Oh silly me, I’m so EXCITED!” The Pegasus grinned wide. “So, who wanted to visit me? I’m always up for meeting new ponies!”
“Uh,” Rainbow Dash started, causing Fluttershy to look over at her, her eyes widening in recognition. “Hey, Flutters.”
“DASHIE!!” Fluttershy squeed and hugged her childhood friend tightly, making the other Pegasus gasp for breath. “Oh it’s been so long! I missed you! So did you finish your studies!?”
“Y-yeah more or less...” Rainbow Dash managed to crawl out of her friend’s grasp and brush herself off. “What about you? You seem...different. When I last saw you, you were scared of your own shadow, let alone talking to other ponies. In fact, it took me three whole weeks just to get you to say hi to me!”
Fluttershy waved her foreleg dismissively. “Oh THAT. Well, you see, after you left the bullying got worse, but at the time I got a visit from somepony very special.” The Pegasus started to sing.
“She told me that the bullies
Were just having their own fun
And didn’t mean to be so mean
So she said just smile and laugh and sing
And then you’ll find they aren’t so bad!
So the next day when they called me names
I just laughed along with them!
At first they were confused and a little puzzled
But the more I laughed and sang, the more they sang with me
Giggle with the bullies
Make them smile with you!
Cause in the end
Not everyone is as bad as they seem!”
Rainbow Dash blinked and stared at Applejack. “I-Is she...going to do this for a while?”
“Oh yes, I do believe she’ll be at this for at LEAST an hour.”
Spike grumbled. “Aww man...”
The yellow Pegasus gasped and flew right into Spike’s face. “Oh boy! A-are you...a-a dragon...?”
“Y-yeah...” The baby dragon gulped nervously.
“YES!!” Fluttershy cheered. “A real live dragon! And. He. Talks! This. Is. So. Awesome!”
Rainbow stared, utterly flabbergasted. This pony was so unlike the Fluttershy she had known back when she was a filly, and now she wasn’t sure who this was, or whether or not this was a good change or a bad change. Spike meanwhile blushed and looked away bashfully, unused to someone giving him any positive attention.
“Well uh...you really think I’m cool?” He rubbed the back of his head, grinning bashfully.
“Oh yes! Dragons are so amazing! I’ve always wanted to meet a real dragon even if they are super dangerous.” She smiles wider.
Rainbow Dash quickly pulled Spike into her forehooves, grinning nervously. “Well, we can clearly see you’re well prepared for the Summer Sun Celebration so we’ll see you there!” Rainbow Dash said quickly before running off, dragging Spike with her.
“Aww come on Rainbow she’s the first pony apart from you to actually compliment me on being a dragon!” Spike whined.
Rainbow glared. “Look, something isn’t right with her! I’m just...I just wanna go home right now alright? I can’t handle all these weird ponies...especially since I remember one of them being so different...almost...normal...for her at least.”
Spike sighed. “Alright...well, at least we finished the job the Princess gave us so we should find someplace to stay for awhile until the Summer Sun Celebration later tonight.”
“Yeah...Yeah I suppose that’ll be fine...”
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that night, a large party was gathered in the City Hall, where everything had been set up for the Summer Sun Celebration. Rainbow Dash and Spike waited in the audience.
“So...when you think it’ll start?” Spike asked, fishing for conversation.
“Hey I haven’t been to this thing before either so how should I know?”
A pink pony with a long pink mane and that draped down from her head like a curtain looked at them with a dead eyed stare. “You are kidding right? You don’t look like a baby, so how can you not have been to the Summer Sun Celebration before?” Her voice was a dull monotone.
Rainbow Dash blinked and smiled nervously, unnerved by the newcomer. “Well you see I’ve been up in Canterlot for the past...years, you know, studying magic and whatnot, so I never really had time to attend certain holidays.”
“Ah. I see. You’re antisocial. Or perhaps you’re just an outcast and don’t realise it. Don’t worry. You and my family are just the same.” She turned away slowly.
Spike raised a brow. “Well that was...weird.”
“Be quiet, the both of you!” Applejack hissed from in front of them. “It’s about to start!”
“Fillies and Gentlecolts,” The mayor began, standing on top of a heavily draped balcony overlooking the audience. “It is my pride and pleasure in welcoming a most important pony visiting us here in ponyville...I bring you, Princess Celestia!”
The curtain behind her drifted open revealing...empty space.
The mayor blinked, looking flustered. “W-where in the...How...Where is the Princess!?”
Rainbow blinked. “I...don’t think this is part of the ceremony.”
Suddenly a loud cackling laugh filled the room and a cloud of dark smoke filled with star twisted and coiled into the room, coalescing into the form of a tall, dark winged unicorn clad in armour, her eyes green with slitted reptilian pupils, her mane and tail made of the same star filled smoke as what she had previously appeared as. The being smirked.
“Hello, citizens of Ponyville. Bow down before your new Princess.”
Rainbow Dash gulped. “Definitely not part of the ceremony.”