“The name's Sunset Shimmer and this is my assistant Spike the dragon.” said Sunset Shimmer while pointing her hoof at Spike.
“Nice to meet ya.” said Spike.
“It is pleasure to meet you both.” said Octavia in a polite tone, “Now, may I ask why you are here?”
“Oh, well I was curious what you were all doing. I'm new to Manehattan and its a bit crowded here at times...” said Sunset in a calm tone.
“I fully understand Miss Shimmer. I prefer quieter places myself. However, crowded places like this are better for publicity unfortunately.” said Octavia with a slightly annoyed face.
“I understand.” said Sunset.
“Anyway, we are about to play some practice music. Would you like to listen?”
“Yes!”
Meanwhile, Twilight had just arrived in Ponyville. She exited the train with her disguise ring on. She had to make sure nopony recognized her. She then made her way to Rarity's boutique. There she entered the building.
“Hello? Is anypony here?” said Twilight.
“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! I'll be with you in a moment.” said Rarity while she was finishing a new dress.
“That's fine. I'll wait.”
Rarity soon entered the room and saw the pony that entered her store. It was Twilight with her disguise ring still active. Rarity gave a kind of confused look and asked, “Um, are you...?”
“It's me Rarity, it's Twilight.”
Rarity's face went from confused to delighted, “Well, this is a surprise! It's so good to see you Twilight! Are you here to try on some of my new dresses?”
Twilight's face went to a no nonsense face, “Um, no Rarity.”
“Oh...” said Rarity with a depressed look.
“Um, Rarity...I...um....am here because I need some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes, something has come up and I don't know what to do...or even think...” said Twilight with a depressed look.
“Oh my...Well let me put up my store break sign up and make some tea.”
“Thanks...”
A few minutes later, Rarity put the sign up and some tea for the both them. They then went to her dinning room and sat down to talk. There Twilight told Rarity about meeting Sunset Shimmer, the missing case and how the missing case changed from her parents and Celestia to Cadance. Rarity listened intently and then began to talk to Twilight.
“And that's the story Rarity...” said Twilight at the end.
“I see....So what advice do you want Twilight?” said Rarity with a concerned look.
“Huh?”
“Look Twilight...have I ever told you about my parents?”
“No.”
“Well, to be personally honest, my parents are completely different from me. My parents don't understand fashion at all. But, they never minded that I was different, instead they let me pursue my fashion dreams.”
“That's totally different from my parents.”
“According to what you told me, your parents are much different than mine. In fact, I'm surprised you asked me for advice.”
“What do you mean? I needed advice.”
“Well, if you want to talk about family and how to get along with family...I thought you would have gone to Applejack. She talks about her family all the time...and apples.”
Twilight slumped down in the chair, “Well, I thought about talking to her but...me and Applejack don't always get along. I thought she would tell me to instantly go to my parents...and I don't want to do that....or at least I don't think I want to...”
“Twilight...” said Rarity as she got up and put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, “Are you scared that going there would put us, the other Rainbooms in danger?”
“........Yes.”
Rarity sighed and sat back down. “Twilight, I can't give you the right answer...The only thing I can tell you is...” Rarity then looked directly at Twilight. “Don't worry about us, we're your friends Twilight. You know we'll support whatever decision you make.”
“....Thanks.” said Twilight with a small smile.
“So, what are you going to do Twilight?”
“Well, I can't meet my parents...I don't want to meet them just yet. However, I think I will go meet Cadance. I've made a new type of disguise ring that won't be detected by Canterlot's barrier. Not only that, I know I can trust Cadance.”
“Okay, be careful Twilight.”
“Thanks Rarity, I'm going to go ahead and go to Canterlot. I can get a hotel room when I get there. Tell Fluttershy and Applejack I said hi!” said Twilight as she began to leave Rarity's house.
“Will do darling.”
Meanwhile, back in Manehattan. Sunset and Spike had left the musicians and continued to explore Manehattan. When she began to leave, Octavia began to talk to Lyra.
“You wanted something Octavia?” asked Lyra.
“Yes, Bon Bon is close by, correct?” asked Octavia quietly.
“Yeah, why?” said Lyra, now quietly as well.
“I have a job for her.”
“A job?”
“Yes, tell her to follow that unicorn.”
“Follow her? Why? She seemed like a nice unicorn.”
“Well, you should know by now that I am a very paranoid leader Lyra. I want that unicorn followed till I know we can trust her. Or until we can't trust her, either result is fine. Tell Bon Bon to start following her this instant.”
“Okay okay... I understand. I'll ask Bon Bon to do it...”
“Lyra! Our lives are all about being careful! Get serious here!” said Octavia, raising her voice.
“Sorry. Though I think you're totally wrong.”
Lyra then left the makeshift stage they had made in the small park in Manehattan. She went to Bon Bon who was sitting on a bench nearby, reading a newspaper. Lyra explained what Octavia wanted to her to do. Bon Bon sighed and got up to begin her mission of following Sunset Shimmer.
Meanwhile at the train station in Canterlot....
Twilight got off the train. She looked at her disguise ring with a huge grin on her face. She then said to herself, “Alright, the ring works. Good.”
Twilight then looked around and saw a hotel close by. She then went in and got a room thanks to some extra money she brought with her. She went up to her room and unpacked her bags she had with her. Twilight sat down on the hotel room's bed and thought to herself, 'Now what do I do? I guess....I guess I start with finding a way to meet Cadance in private...'