“It should be around here somewhere...” Spike looked at the area around him. “It says so on the check-list.”
Sunset sighed to herself, exhausted. They had been looking for over half an hour and still hadn't found the pony in charge of the music. “Hoof over the list Spike, you're probably reading it wrong.” Obediently the dragon passed the scroll to her. She read aloud, a habit that she had developed from years of studying with Celestia. “Music practise being held in Ponyville park?" She looked up from the scroll. “Well that doesn't help us. There isn't even any music here.” She continued walking through the park.
They walked for a few minutes, neither of them talking, Sunset looking at the scenery as she walked. For such a small town, she had to admit, it was quite charming. The trees were waving softly in the breeze and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. She winced as she remembered why. It was truly a beautiful day, even the birds were singing in harmony. The unicorns found herself being drawn towards the melody the birds were singing.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a claw waved in front of her face. “Sunset! Are you in there? Hello!”
“I can hear you Spike! Stop with the yelling.” She acknowledged. “What is it.”
“You've been zoning out a lot lately, are you ok?”
“I'm fine, it's just... that music is so beautiful.” She continued her trot towards the music.
“You mean the birds?” Spike listened carefully and noticed how the chirps and trills mixed together. It was a nice melody he had to admit. As they rounded a bush, they could see an assortment of birds standing of different branches of a tree, all whistling the same tune. In front of them hovered a yellow pegasus mare.
“Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, um,” At her command all the birds ceased their singing. The pegasus flew up to one of the birds and continued. “Excuse, sir? I mean no offence, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off.” The bird nodded to her and she flew back to the ground. “Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-”
“Wow! That sounds amazing!” Sunset exclaimed. The yellow mare's eyes widened in surprise at the interruption and watched as the birds flew off, startled. “Oh, I am so sorry.” Sunset blushed in embarrassment. “I didn't mean to interrupt, but the music was just so beautiful.” The yellow flew over to Sunset and landed in front of her, hoofing the ground nervously.
Sunset waited for the mare to respond but she just stood there, anxiously looking at the ground. “I'm Sunset Shimmer... you must be the one in charge of the music.” Another length of silence followed. “Do you have a name?”
The mare didn't look at her but responded. “Um, I'm...” The last word was whispered and Sunset couldn't make it out.
“Sorry, I didn't quite catch that.”
“Um, my name...” She said, the whole sentence in a whisper.
“Your going have to speak up.” Sunset responded restlessly. The mare tried to respond but the words only came out as a squeak. The birds returned to their branches one by one and soon the tree was full again. “Well... um. Looks like your birds are back. I'll just leave you to it then.” This was met with another squeak. Sunset turned and walked towards spike to leave. “Well that was a waste of time.”
The yellow mare turned towards Sunset as she lefts and saw a small purple shape walk towards the orange mare. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Ah, a baby dragon!” Her cheer startling the birds again. The previously timid pegasus leaped into the air and flew towards the pair, knocking Sunset out of the way and skidding to a halt in front of Spike. “Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute.” A wide grin spread across her face.
Spike looked at Sunset and grinned. “Well at least someone knows it.” He turned back to the pegasus.
“Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I... I just don't even know what to say.” She flew into the air, still smiling.
A aqua aura surround Spike as Sunset levitated him and moved the dragon onto her back. “I'm glad that you like him, but we really have to head off.”
“Wait! Wait, what's his name?” The yellow mare followed them.
“I'm Spike.” The dragon quickly answered, happy with the attention he was receiving.
“Hey Spike. I'm Fluttershy.” Great! She talks to him but not me! Sunset thought to herself. “Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?”
“Well... what do you want to know?”
“Absolutely everything.” The pegasus smile grew even wider.
“Well, I started out as a cute little purple and green egg.”
They were now almost to the center of town and Spike was still talking to the enthralled mare. “And that's the story of my whole life.... up until today that is.”
“Oh, can you tell me about today?” Fluttershy asked excitedly.
“Sure! Well, I got up today and felt like a snack so I went to th-” Spike was interrupted by a grey pegasus mare.
“Are you Miss Shimmer?” The grey mare a addressed Sunset. The orange mare looked up to see a mare with bland grey fur and a shiny blonde mane hovering in the air above the trio. Sunset couldn't tell if she wall looking at her or the ground on account of her wall eyed stared. Two saddle bags filled with mail at her sides.
“Yes... I am.”
“Got a letter for you from Canterlot.” She ruffled through her bags and brought out a letter for Sunset, holding it between her teeth. Sunset took the letter with her magic. “See ya later! Hope you enjoy the surprise... oops!” The mail mare flew off with a strange grin plastered on her face.
“What was that about?” Sunset asked.
“I know right!” Spike declared. “Did you see those eyes... freaky.” Sunset rolled her eyes and opened the letter, reading to herself.
“Oh come on!” She yelled, making Fluttershy flinch. “Are you kidding me?”
“What is it?” Spike asked, curious as what could have caused the outburst. “Who is the letter from?”
“It's from the royal guard. Apparently they're,” She put on a sarcastic tone. “too busy too send us a chariot.”
“So what do we do until tomorrow.” Spike asked.
“They organised for us to sleep in a library.” Sunset scowled. “This must be some sort of prank from Shining Armour.”
Fluttershy's smile grew even wider. “I know where the library is! I can take you there.” She started talking to Spike again. “And then we can talk some more.”
Sunset sighed. “Fine, just take us there.”
“Yay. It's this way.” She announced as she trotted down the road towards a large tree in the distance. “It's not that far from here. So, Spike, how are you enjoying Ponyville?”
“It's really cool, but I haven't really had time to explore it much.”
“Maybe I could give you a tour before you leave tomorrow?”
“Here we are.” Fluttershy smiled, looking at the large oak tree in front of them which had been converted into a building. There was a balcony extending from the tree as well as a few windows. It was very different to the rest of the buildings in Ponyville. In front of the tree was a sign with a open book painted onto it.
“Well thanks for taking us here but we really have to get going.” Fluttershy went to talk again but the orange mare continued. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Quickly Sunset opened the door to the library and trotted in, carrying Spike with her, before closing the door with a slam. The inside of the tree was dark and two two could barely see each other.
Spike glared at her. “Rude much?”
“Sorry Spike but I'm really not in the mood. We've been going around this silly town for hours and I really need some sleep. Now help me find the lightswi-”
“SURPRISE” A chorus of voices yelled. The room exploded with light. Revealing a large group of ponies in the room. It looked like the entire town was there, even the grey mail mare from before. So that's what she meant by surprise!
From the crowd jumped a pink pony with a bouncy pink mane. “Surprise! Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie and I threw this party just for you!”