A deep red pegasus, mottled so her fur seemed to flow like liquid as the wind blew over it, took note of the "Welcome to Ponyville" signpost on the hill underneath as she flew over it. Her shadow was the only shade the signpost would see on this clear day. Looking ahead, she took in the town. It seemed nice and peaceful, with a mild hum of activity as its residents - mostly a mix of the three pony types, but she could see an occasional griffon, donkey, or bull - went about their lives. Town hall over there with a large space around it, probably for gatherings and festivals; the large tree that served as town library over there; and houses and shops and more than a few tents scattered around. Most of the buildings proper seemed to be wooden with straw roofs, and white walls where the red-brown support beams were not visible. As in most towns, the majority of the buildings seemed to be residential in nature, with most of the few recognizably commercial buildings loosely gathered near the center. Food smells - mostly hay and spices - came from every direction; she had apparently arrived just in time for lunch, a conclusion reinforced by the sun being directly overhead. But food could wait: she had a pony to find.
And so a pony found her, dropping from higher in the sky to coast next to her. A pegasus like herself, but a couple hoofs larger: clearly an adult, instead of still losing the "filly" title as she was, and colored to nearly match the sky if not for a rainbow-hued mane and tail. "Hey! Newcomer?" The other pegasus's voice spoke of boundless energy.
She regarded the other flier. "I just arrived, yes," she answered in a bored voice - actually resigned to her fate, not that she felt a need to broadcast it. "I'm under orders from Princess Celestia. She says I need to find the bravest pony in town - the one who can handle anything."
"Well you found her!" The cyan pegasus indicated herself with one hoof. "What's your name?"
She blinked. Having been prepared to spend hours searching the entire town, for the object of her quest to just greet her as soon as she arrived was quite convenient. "Just call me Sanguine. Pleasure to meet you, Fluttershy."
Rainbow Dash came to a stop.
Sanguine did as well. "Is something wrong?"
"That's not funny!" Rainbow Dash frowned.
"Huh?" Sanguine took out a sheet of parchment. "But Princess Celestia said..."
"Let me see that." Rainbow Dash snatched up the letter and read aloud, clearly annoyed.
"Sanguine Spray,"
Rainbow Dash gave Sanguine a quick look over, and decided she must have been named for her coat.
"For the next part of your sentence you are to report to Fluttershy in Ponyville and tend to her for at least one week. She will let you know when you may return.
"Fluttershy, ask her in private what she did and you will know what I need you to teach her. My apologies for the short notice. Feel free to have her help with your firewood problem, and send her back once you think she's safe.
"With regards,
Princess Celestia."
Rainbow Dash shook her head. "That's Celestia's hornwriting and seal, alright. Guh. I take it you don't know anything about Fluttershy?"
Sanguine stammered, "Well...err...I'm sure if she can help me then she must be-"
Rainbow Dash held up a hoof. "Alright, alright, I get it." She handed the letter back and pointed. "Fluttershy's cabin is over there, next to the Everfree Forest." She tried to get a look at Sanguine's cutie mark, but could only make out something about a pony head before Sanguine swiveled to face Rainbow Dash head on, making cutie mark observation difficult. "Did Celestia sentence you to community service?"
"Something like that, yes." Sanguine put her letter away.
Rainbow Dash soon gave up on spotting Sanguine's mark. "Fine, be mysterious. But I'm pretty sure Fluttershy doesn't have a firewood problem. It's mid-summer."
"Maybe it's for a cooking fire?" Sanguine offered.
"Maybe. Anyway, go on, I've got to get back to cloud patrol." Not waiting for a reply, Rainbow Dash zipped back up, aiming straight for a cloud and ramming it so it dissipated. Sanguine watched the seek-and-destroy for about a minute before heading off in the direction indicated.