//------------------------------// // Clear skies from here on out // Story: The Final Sunset // by Wonder //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer looked down at the ground below them, watching as they crossed over endless fields and orchards. Up ahead she could see their destination. The town was slightly larger than she had expected but it was still only a minor village. Sunset turned to Spike. “This is it? This is where she plans to hold the celebrations?! It’s a dump!” Spike looked up at Sunset. “I’m sure the Princess has her reasons.” “What possible reason could she have for dumping us in this place?” Sunsets raised her voice. “It doesn’t even look like they’ve been preparing for the summer sun celebration.” The chariot was just passing over the town hall and was going down to land. With a shudder the chariot made contact with the ground, slowing just outside of the town hall. Exiting their ride, Sunset thanked the guards before they returned back to Canterlot. Ponyville consisted of many plain two story house with straw thatched roofs, with only a few buildings standing out from the rest. The one next to them stood in the middle of the town. The large building was circular in shape with white walls and brown timber supports. From where they stood they could also see a similar building in the distance which was a lot more colourful. Spike looked at his surroundings, noticing that Sunset was right. He couldn’t see any decorations or anything. It looked just like a normal day. “It doesn’t look too bad, at least the weather is nice.” Sunset glared at spike. “Nice! Spike, this is the most important event of the year. Do you think the Princess will settle for nice? Just look!” Sunset pointed to a cluster of clouds. “What does it say on that list of yours? Does it say anything about clouds!?” Spike fumbled with the list he had been carrying, unfurling it quickly. His eyes scanned the words until he found what he was looking for. Clearing his throat he spoke clearly, reading from the scroll “The weather scheduled for tomorrow’s ceremony is to be clear skies.” Spike looked up from the page and looked at Sunset. “So then who’s in charge of the weather around here? Does this place place even have a weather patrol?” It was at that moment they heard a high pitched yell come from behind them “LOOK OUT!” Spike turned to look but only saw a streak of rainbow cross his vision and heard a yelp from Sunset as she was tackled to the ground by the aforementioned rainbow. Now covered in mud Sunset stood up, staring at the other mud covered pony in front of her. Giggling the pony with the rainbow mane spoe. “Um, 'scuse me?” Looking at Sunset’s mud soaked mane, the mare unfurled her wings and flew onto a nearby cloud. “Let me help you with that.” She then proceeded to jump repeatedly on the cloud. Within moments the cloud had released the water stored inside it entirely onto Sunset, soaking her from horn to hoof. The rainbow maned pony looked down from her cloud at the now drenched pony below her. “Oops, I guess I over did it. Hang on a sec.” The pony took to the yet air again and flew towards Sunset Shimmer but before she could reach the pony she was seized as a blue aura surrounded her body. “Hey, what are you doing?!” She stared at the unicorn levitating her, confused at what was happening. “I think you've done enough.” The pony responded. “Are you the pegasus in charge of the weather around here?” The cyan pegasus felt the magic holding her dissipate and landed in front of the unicorn. “I sure am! Why, who's asking?” “I'm Sunset Shimmer. I was sent to oversee the preparations for the celebrations but judging by the weather it seems you haven't been doing anything.” Rainbow looked up at the sky. “Don't worry, I'll get round to it later. Right now I have to practise.” She went to fly off but the unicorn kept talking. “Practise? Practise for what?” The pony raised her voice. “What could possibly be more important than celebrations?!” “The Wonderbolts of course.” The pegasus exclaimed. “If I can get this move perfect, than they'll have to let me join them.” “You think the Wonderbolts will let you join them. Please, I've seen unicorns fly better. The Wonderbolts are the elite fliers of Equestria. You can't even keep the sky clear for a single day.” The pegasus glared at the pony in front of her. “What makes you so qualified to judge me! You don't even have wings.” Rainbow Dash advanced on the unicorn. “So if you excuse me, I have practise to do.” The pegasus went to take off again but the unicorn kept talking. “Well I'll just have to tell the Wonderbolts of your ineptitude.” The pegasus stopped in mid take-off. “Inepti-what?” Rainbow Dash looked at her confused. “It means that you don't know how to perform simple tasks and I imagine that they would never let you join if they hear about this.” “And why would the Wonderbolts ever listen you?” Rainbow announced smugly. The orange unicorn smiled. “Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I'm the princesses protégé and the fact that I'm close friends with their leader, Spitfire.” When Sunset stopped talking she could see that her words had had the desired effect. Rainbow's jaw dropped in surprise. “Y-you wouldn't. You can't!” Rainbow was in shock. How could this pony be friends with the leader of the Wonderbolts. “P-please don't! I'll clear the sky, just watch.” The pegasus shot into the sky, going from cloud to cloud, each one disappearing soon after the other. Within seconds the whole sky was clear. The pony landed back in front of her with a thud. “See! Clear skies. everything is fine.” Sunset looked around with a smile. “I don't know. I still think Spitfire would like to hear about your poor conduct.” “NO! Please don't tell her.” The pegasus jumped forward and hugged Sunsets forelegs. "I beg you." Removing her hooves from the pony's grasp she continued. “Okay. If you keep the skies clear, I'll think about it.” With that the orange pony left, leaving a distraught pegasus in the middle of the road. “That was kind of mean of you.” Spike said, tailing behind the pony. “Now she's gonna be worried the entire day.” “Oh, stop worrying Spike. Besides, I had to do something. Otherwise the skies would never get cleared.” “And why didn't you tell me you were friends with the Wonderbolt's leader. You could have got us free tickets to their races.” “You fell for that too? Spike, when have you ever seen me with the Wonderbolts?” Spike looked at his friend, confused. “You were lying... Okay, that wasn't mean, that was just cruel.” Spike knew Sunset could be a bit underhanded but he had never known her to be so cruel before. “Are you sure you can handle this, Sunset?” Spike asked, concerned for his friend. “I'm fine, just a little anxious, that's all.” She turned to look at Spike. “What's next on the list?” Spike took a look at the scroll he was holding. He muttered as he read. “Next we have to check on the food. According to this we need to head over to Sweet apple acres.” The mare sighed. “Is there anything closer that we need to do. I don't feel like walking that far.” Spike checked the list again, searching for something that sounded like it would be close. “Aha, found something. Town hall. There's supposed to be a pony there in charge of decoration.” “Okay then. Decorations it is.”