It's a nice day in Ponyville, no scheduled raining and Celestia's sun shinning brightly, the usual cliché stuff. We reach the Carousel Boutique, Rarity is finishing up a dress she was making for some clients. "Almost done, then just two designs left and the outfits will be ready", Rarity said as she carefully sewed the proper pieces of the dress.
Also at the Boutique was Rarity's sister Sweetie Belle, who was thinking up some ideas for when she meets the Crusaders later on, "Hey Rarity any chance we'll be able to-"
"Not now Sweetie, I need to finish up here"
"But I was just gonna ask-"
"Sweetie! I'm busy! Ask later" Rarity didn't want to shut her sister off but she really needed to concentrate.
Sweetie groaned, she just wanted to know if they can try some kart racing to earn their cutie marks, figuring it would be fun, Apple Bloom would like to come up with the desgins and Scootaloo enjoys extreme stuff so she'd love it. The only obstacle they had was the 4th Crusader Rumble, the younger brother to new friend of the Mane 6, Thunderlane.
It's been a while since Thunderlane has been officially entered into the inner circle of friends to the elements, despite a few rough patches, especially with Applejack, things are all good, Thunderlane has been a good friend so far to each pony, often hanging out with Pinkie at Sugarcube Corner, helping Fluttershy with her animals, helping Applejack with her apple harvest, occasionally modeling clothes for Rarity, and also spending time with Twilight, she liked his company and liked occasionally messing with him, all in good fun.
With each of those occasions, he was usually with Rainbow Dash for all of them, she had taken to Thunderlane a bit more than the others, as he has with her, especially the rumor that Thunderlane and Rainbow had a thing for each other, yet were either, in Thunderlane's case, too nervous to admit or in Rainbow Dash's case, doesn't know how to do it without sounding sappy.
Thunderlane of course always kept Flitter & Cloudchaser within his Social Group as well, with Flitter becoming best friends with Fluttershy in the process.
Due to Thunderlane's relation with Rumble, he was invited into The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo had appointed him a member without consent from the others, much to Sweetie Belle's annoyance, Apple Bloom however took kindly to him due to his cuteness and sweet nature. Sweetie wants to dislike him, but in all honesty, even she can't deny those traits, but for her own personal reasons she doesn't care much for Rumble, doesn't matter, if she says anything she usually gets in trouble with Rarity for being a spoil sport or she gets yelled at, sometimes even hit, by Apple Bloom.
Rarity herself has taken kindly to Thunderlane and was one of the few ponies to really like him from the start, along with Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. Applejack was the most work but over time she eventually came to care just as much, which was good since Rarity didn't like being at odds with Applejack about the situation. Plus she finds him to be a handsome stallion so it's a pleasure on her eyes as well.
Rarity then heard the doorbell ring, she trotted to the door and greeted, "Welcome to The Caro-oh Derpy, I take it you have a letter for me?"
Derpy Hooves, the ponyville Mailmare, nodded and pulled out a letter, "The pony who sent this wanted to make absolutely sure you got this letter", she handed the letter to Rarity, "So here you are".
Rarity took the letter with her magic, "Why thank you Derpy, you're always a reliable mailmare", then Rarity spoke under her breath, "some of the time".
Derpy nodded, oblivious to Rarity's statement, "Thank you Rarity, well I need to go, more letters to deliver"
"See you soon Derpy", she closed the door, "Nice pony, despite her occasional clumsiness", she went back to work.
Sweetie noticed the letter, "Looks like Derpy is doing her routes, hopefully nothing got broken this time", Sweetie had a little attitude saying that.
Rarity glared at Sweetie's attitude, despite her similar thinking earlier, "Be nice Sweetie, she means well, besides she's proven to be excellent when it comes to watching over young foals, speaking of which, since you're little group's been expanding with that darling little Rumble joining you, ever consider letting Dinky join too? I don't believe she has her cutie mark yet"
Sweetie sighed, "We're still trying to get used to Rumble, we don't really have any room for Dinky".
Rarity furrowed her brow a bit, "I do hope you're getting along with him, I don't want to hear you having more issues with little Rumle, he's a real sweetheart after all"
"I try", Sweetie said, barely any emotion.
Rarity glared a bit, "I'm serious, he seems like a sensitive young colt, don't upset him"
Sweetie rolled her eyes, "Whatever, look if I'm not gonna do anything here, I'm gonna go visit my friends", she then walked to the door.
"Just stay out of trouble", Rarity warned.
Sweetie didn't answer, she simply left.
Rarity groaned, "That child sometimes", she then read the letter that Derpy said was important.
'Dear Miss Rarity, I've sent this letter to invite you to a special party for fashion-enthusiastic ponies, it will be located in Manehatten, the precise address on the back of this letter, I will be attending but I would really like you to be here as well, I have some things I'd like to show off but I'm a little nervous about doing so, it would be easier if you were here to be by my side, plus I'm sure you'd like to show off your designs too, you may bring all of your friends if you'd like, especially Pinkie Pie, this party is being partially planned by her friend Cheese Sandwich, I'm sure they'd love to see each other again, party is on Saturday around Noon, I hope to see you all there, Sincerely, Coco Pommel'.
Rarity smiled, "This is great, I get to see Coco again, it's been a while, I'd love to catch up, plus this party sounds exquisite, I better go tell everyone", Rarity said and made her way out her door.
As she walked through ponyville to find her friends, she saw some of them head into Sugarcube Corner, those being Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, Cloudchaser, Spike & Twilight Sparkle.
"Good, I'll be able to tell a good chunk of them". She went inside where she was greeted by Pinkie Pie from the counter, "Hi Rarity, wow more friends here"
Rarity waved, "Hello Pinkie, hello Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane & Cloudchaser"
Everyone waved to Rarity.
"Sup Rarity, here to join us for some milkshakes?" Rainbow asked.
"Actually I've come to invite all of you to a nice little trip to a fancy party in Manehatten"
"Whoa, a party in the city?" Thunderlane asked, a bit excited at the idea.
"That's right, it's a fashion enthusiastic party".
Rainbow gave a bored expression, "Um Rarity, none of us are that into fashion, why would we go to some snooty party?"
"I'll go Rarity, I'd be more than happy to!" Spike said eagerly.
Rarity grinned at the eager Dragon, "Thank you Spike, but I'm inviting all of you because Coco will be there and she would like a little support in showing off her clothing line, I would be able to pitch some stuff myself".
"I suppose we should go to help support Coco, she's such a sweet mare, but very shy, I think we should all go", Twilight said.
"I don't know, what do you think Thunder?" Rainbow asked.
"I think we should, she could use support, besides a nice fun little trip to the city wouldn't be bad".
"Thunderlane's absolutely right", Twilight stated, "We don't need to go just for the party, we can do other things, maybe catch a show there, it should be fun"
Rarity spoke again, "Also Cheese Sandwich will be there, I'm sure he'd love-"
"CHEESE WILL BE THERE!? I'm gonna go pack my bags!" Pinkie raced upstairs before any of them could blink, leaving them speechless a moment.
Rainbow was the first to break the silence, "Cheese Sandwich huh? Well he's a fun guy so I'm in"
"When's the party?" Cloudchaser asked.
"4 Days from now at noon, I'd say we should leave in 3 days and spend the night so we won't risk being late"
"That'll be fine, lets let everypony else know", Twilight said.
"Hopefully this time Applejack won't have an episode", Spike said, before getting glares, "What, what did I say?"
"Applejack knows better this time around, she's really proven herself again", Twilight said.
"A bit much honestly", Thunderlane stated, looking a little annoyed.
"How so?" Rarity asked.
-Flashback-
Thunderlane is carrying some bags from the grocery store when Applejack comes.
"Hey partner, need help?"
"That's fine, I don't need-"
Applejack simply grabbed a bag, "It's no trouble", she walked off, Thunderlane sighed but was kinda happy she helped.
*Then*
Thunderlane is flying and practicing his routes when an Apple Brown Betty hit him in the face, causing him to swerve around in the sky before regaining his control. He looked down to see where it came from.
"Hey partner, thought you could use something to eat!" Applejack shouted, holding more Apple Brown Betties nearby.
Thunderlane groaned but flashed a smile to Applejack.
*Then*
Applejack had noticed Thunderlane had cut himself after grazing a tree.
"Thunder! What happened!?" she rushed over to him, worried for his cut.
"Oh nothing, I guess I scraped myself a little when-"
Applejack lifted him onto her back, "Don't worry partner I'll help yah"
"But Applejack it's not that big of-"
Too late, Applejack had taken off, Thunderlane blushed from the awkwardness.
-End Flashback-
"She's just trying to make amends with you, she doesn't mean to annoy you after all", Twilight stated.
"But I already forgave her, she doesn't need to do this".
"Well she just needs the reassurance", she then put her arm around him in a friendly hug, "This will pass"
Thunderlane sighed, "I Hope so".
Meanwhile in another part of Equestria, Lightning Dust received a letter of her own.
"Could this be who I think it is?" Lightning asked and read the letter.
'Dear Lightning Dust, I found a little gig for you and your friends, there's a huge party going on in Manehatten Saturday at Noon for Fashion ponies, that could be Suri's little ticket, I would like to help promote you if you could help promote me, I will be performing that weekend myself, meet me at the address on the back of this letter the night before around evening, and prepare your wings, I have a little spot for you in my show, Yours Truly, The Great and Powerful Trixie'
Lightning folded the letter, "I'm glad you pulled through Trixie", Lightning put the letter away and went to find Suri.