At four in the afternoon, Sugarcube Corner was always bustling with activity. All of the sweetshops and cafes that lined the streets brought many ponies out to pay. Especially the Cakes's pastry shop. Mr.Cake was rushing around the kitchen, trying to put the finishing touches on near-complete pastries. Mrs.Cake was behind the counter desperately trying to take ponies' orders. All of this while the twins, Pound and Pumpkin, were crying their eyes out upstairs. The crowd of angry and hungry ponies were lining up outside the shop .
"Honey, we need that batch of chocolate chip cookies up here!" yelled Mrs.Cake to her husband. "We need them right now!"
"I am doing the best that I can!" Mr.Cake screamed back as he placed the batch of said cookies in the oven. "We need some help! Where's Pinkie Pie?"
"Here I am!" shouted Pinkie, who had just popped out of a cookie jar.
"Pinkie, you have to help us. Could you..."
"Hold that thought Mr.Cake, my pinkie senses are telling me something. Oh my! A new pony has just arrived in Ponyville! I can't wait to meet them and throw them a Welcome to Ponyville Party. I wonder where they are?"
"Actually Pinkie," Mrs.Cake began, "Rarity said she wanted you to meet someone important at the Boutique."
"Really!? That must mean whoever Rarity wants me to meet is the new pony in town. Sorry Cakes, but I have to go." exclaimed Pinkie as she jumped back into the cookie jar.
"Wait, Pinkie! You have to help us!"
Meanwhile at the train station, three siblings were walking home to the Crystal Boutique. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were pestering their brother with questions about his tour.
"So how was it? Where did you go? What did you see? Who did you meet?" Sweetie Belle asked in rapid-fire mode.
"Calm down, Sweetie." Rarity scolded. "Let Neon talk."
"Well, it was...interesting. I got to learn all of new skills. As a spotlight technician, I set up the lights at many popular shows all a round Equestria. I went to Manehatten, Canterlot, Trottenham, Las Pegasus, and even the Crystal Empire. I even met a lot of cool ponies."
"Like who?" Rarity questioned.
"I met Photo Finish, Fleur de Lis, and even a prince. His name was Blueblood, but he wasn't very nice. Enough about me. I want to know what's happened in your lives while I was away." Over the course of the way home, the three siblings exchanged stories o their adventures over the past year. Sweetie Belle told Neon about how she and her friend formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rarity told him about the adventures she had as an element of harmony. They were still in mid-converstaion when they arrived at the boutique.
"Well darlings, here we are." Rarity stated. "Neon this is where Sweetie and I live and where you will be staying."
"Cool. I don't know another pony that lives in a Boutique."
"Why thank you. I am pretty rare, aren't I." Rarity chuckled at her own joke. "Anyways, home sweet..."
"Surprise!" yelled a bouncy pink mare that popped out of the house. "Rarity, why are you on the floor?"
"Pinkie! You must not do that. It's terribly uncouth."
"Sorry Rares, but when I heard you had some pony for me to meet I had to get the girls and plan a surprise party!"
"Of corse you did. Wait! Are the girls in there?"
"Yeppers peppers!"
"Great! I'll introduce Neon inside."
"Yay!" squeaked Pinkie as she bounced back inside the house. The three siblings followed her inside and were shocked to see the state of the boutique. Streamers, gallons, and confetti were scattered around the room. Punch, chips, cake, and other refreshments were on a table in the corner. Music was playing and five ponies were dancing. Neon could see a purple unicorn with a magenta mane, the same pink mare from before, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane, an orange earth pony with a large stetson, and Rainbow Dash. All five turned to see them as they entered.
"Well howdy!" yelled the stetson wearing mare as she approached Neon. You must be the pony Rarity wanted us to meet. Although caught off guard, Neon still answered the mare.
"Uh...yes. My name's Neon Light, Rarity and Sweetie Belle's brother."
"Brother?" asked the mare. "I didn't know Rares had any other siblings besides Sweetie Belle. Nice to meet you. Name's Applejack."
"My name's Pinkie Pie, but you already met me." said Pinkie as she bounce up and down. "It's so nice to meet you!"
"Hello Neon, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm the local librarian and one of Rarity's best friends. It's great to meet you."
"Likewise." Neon said with a nod of his head.
"Hello." greeted a quiet voice that made Neon turn around. "My name is Fluttershy. It's very nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too Fluttershy." Neon responded with a smile.
"And of corse you remember me." stated Rainbow Dash.
"How could I forget you, Rainbow." Neon said while rolling his eyes.
"Okay! Enough talking. Let's party! At that moment, Rarity hit the boom box and the music increased in volume. All eight ponies had a great time dancing and talking to each other. However, it soon got dark and it was time for ponies to go home. Every pony said there goodbyes and walked out of the boutique. Soon, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Neon were the only ones left.
"Okay Neon, there are only two bedrooms in the Boutique and more importantly only two beds. I'm afraid you will have to sleep down here on the couch."
"That's alright Rarity, I've slept on worse."
"Good to hear! Here is a blanket and a pillow to keep you warm. Goodnight Neon."
"Goodnight Rarity. Goodnight Sweetie Belle."
"G'night Neon."
As his two sisters trotted up the stairs, Neon settled down on the couch. At least he tried to. Neon felt like he was lying on a rock. The stallion tossed and turned and tried to get comfortable, but to no avail.
"I was wrong when I said I've slept on worse."