A Day In The Life

by A Wild Magikarp

Who’s Party Is It Anyways?

Author's Note:

I have one more chapter planned in this story till we move on to something paced a little bit more like the first story in this series. While I have a nasty habit of dragging my feet through these SOL chapters, I have been dying to get into the next action/adventure portion. Hope you guys are as eager as I am!

Feedback is always appreciated! Tell me what I did well, and if you are so inclined, tell me where you think I can improve. And if you like what I do, then consider sending some of it to a friend, I thrive off of comments!

Enjoy!

"Excuse me! Sorry! Pardon me miss I just- Oh, that's my bad, I don't-"

If it where a few octaves lower, Rainbow Dash would have thought that Fluttershy had wandered her way into a field of poison joke. Seeing as Fluttershy had more sense than to walk through a patch of those horrible blue flowers though, not to mention a near deathly fear of the forest they where found in, that was fairly unlikely. Besides, she was fairly certain she recognized the voice regardless.

Finishing up her purchase from Carrot Top, the speed demon gave the farmer a quick 'thanks' before pumping her wings, launching herself into a hover just above the crowed.

Their she saw him, the new egghead in town, Night Sky, making his way through the mass of market going ponies like the pale horse itself was behind him. Almost anypony else and she wouldn't have given the display more than a second thought, but this was unusual for the scientist.

It was unusual, because Sky was NEVER out this early. In the last couple months since his arrival, Rainbow Dash could count the amount of times she had seen Sky anywhere but Sweet Apple Acres before noon without all four hooves Faust had given her. He slept even later than she did! The only reason she was up this early in the morning was to get her shopping done and out of the way before all the good stuff was gone. He apparently worked late into the night in that observatory of his, and slept late to make up for it.

When he wasn't sleeping off his late nights, he was up early at the farm helping out the Apples. Mostly he made his appearances in the afternoon, buying groceries and hanging out with the Sparkles at the Golden Oaks. She only ever really talked to the pony when she was getting her latest Daring Doo book from Twi (Which she had forced him to swear to secrecy. Nopony else but her closest friends and a couple of hospital ponies had any idea that's what she was there for).

She wondered what could possibly have him out here so early, and so worked up? Her curiosity piqued, she ignored the irritated looks of a few of her fellow fliers as she distractedly made a beeline through their flight paths towards him to investigate.

Oddly enough, Sky came to a stop in front of the party store of all places. He pulled what looked like a checklist out of his saddlebags and gave it a once over, before quickly stowing it back in its proper place and rapidly entering the store.

Now even more intrigued, Rainbow made her way in after him, seeing his tail disappear behind one the far shelves. Landing to avoid clipping her wings on the narrow aisles, she followed behind the stallion, who seemed completely oblivious to being tailed. He was muttering something about streamers and paper as she came up behind him and, in a moment of inspiration, gleefully made her presence known.

"Hey Sky! How's it going?!"

The stallion yelped in surprise, nearly jumping out of his cobalt blue coat as he rounded on her, his look of shock giving way to one of mild frustration as she began to laugh at his reaction.

"Good morning to you too, Rainbow Dash. Sorry if I'm not in to much of a mood to talk, I have a lot to do, and not much time to work on it."

"Ya, that's kinda why I'm here in the first place. Whats got you so worked up SO early in the morning?"

Sky arched a brow, and looked back at the shelf he had been inspecting, before turning back to her.

"Mind if we talk while we walk?" Rainbow shrugged, and Sky quickly grabbed a pack of birthday candles before setting back off, forcing the pegasus to follow.

"My little sister, Sunny Day, is coming over this afternoon. Summer break is almost over for the year, and she told me and my parent that she wanted to come and visit me sometime before I left Canterlot. Mom and Dad figured it was as good a time as any for her to stop by, so I cleared my schedule a bit and gave them the go ahead to send her over. Apparently she's been begging for a while to see me."

"Daaaw, that so sweet!" Rainbow said in a cheeky, overly enthusiastic voice.

Sky rolled his eyes, unseen by his slightly aggravating tag-along. "Yea, yea, mushy and cute, whatever. Anyways, it was her birthday last week, and I missed it. I didn't feel it was prudent to take vacation days and leave the observatory unmanned so soon after it was built. Then destroyed. Then rebuilt. Got to show something for the time I've been here after all."

Sky stopped, briefly looking between two different packs of balloons before grabbing the bright yellow ones and moving on.

"Decided I would make it up to her by hosting a little party for her when she stopped by today. I know that sounds ridiculous, considering she doesn't have any friends in town and it would be just us, but... I've been there for everything, ever since she was a foal, and missing out on her birthday for work just felt... wrong. Had to make it up somehow."

He grabbed a thing of colorful napkins, groaning.

"But then I messed up. Went to help Applejack with the fence on Saturday, was so exhausted I accidentally fell asleep before I could go get supplies afterwards. Anywhere I could get the stuff I needed was closed yesterday, so now I'm trying to purchase, set up, and bake for a celebration that I am trying to host in around seven hours."

Sky expected a response. A smart remark on how he had goofed this one up, how crazy an idea this was, heck, even an offer to help with some ribbing involved. Instead, there was absolute silence from Rainbow Dash. He stopped his march, looking back to see she was not even looking at him, instead she had sat herself down in the middle of the store, one hoof on her chin as she looked down at the tile contemplatively.

"So your telling me, your sister is coming to town, and not only are you throwing her a bash, but a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY bash?"

"I wouldn't call it a bash, but it's definitely proving to be a surprise to all parties involved, so... ya."

Rainbow looked up at him with his response, and he saw the cocky grin he had been expecting early form on her face. Preparing for the snark, he was surprised when she instead turned around, running out of the store, yelling behind herself on the way out.

"Don't go anywhere Sky, I'll be right back!"

"Don't go any-! Rainbow Dash, I have seven hours to be at the train station! I can't... just... *sigh*."

Looking back at his saddlebags full of party supplies, Sky sighed again before making his way to the cashier, who was looking between him and the door with a look of confusion. He didn't mean to leave Rainbow high and dry, but he REALLY didn't have the time to spare. This had a high chance of being a disaster, what with his baking skills. He couldn't afford to wait around and see what the flighty mare had in store. Dropping his bags on the counter, be began emptying them for the stallion at the cash register.

"Please don't ask, I'm as confused as you are."

---

"Eggs eggs eggs... Fluttershy? No, feeding time at the cottage. Barnyard Bargains, faster, in bulk."

Sky was feeling frantic at this point. He had only a couple hours left till Sunny was due at the station, and he was STILL out getting supplies. His bags had not been up to the task, and he was forced to make a second trip out. He was on his way to his final stop, but he still had to set everything up, be their for the train to arrive, not to mention figure out how to bake a respectable cake in that time. If he left it in the oven when he went to the station, would it be fine on its own?

"Skyyy-"

His ear twitched at the distant buzz, but Sky was too caught up in his own planning to pay any attention. Others around him, however, began looking around in alarm.

-yyyyy-

Both ears now turned to the growing sound, as the stallion realized it was not a fly or some other pest. It was a voice, and it was getting closer. Looking over his shoulder, Sky saw what was coming to late. A large, pink blur, blazing its way straight towards him. Muscles locked up in preparation for what was to come.

"-YYYYYY!"

"NOT AGAIN!" Sky wailed.

*wump*

To Pinkie Pie's credit, he did not roll far. She had learned the first time that he did not enjoy high speed tag/hide and seek quite as much as Rainbow Dash did. After only three tumbles the two of them came to a stop, Pinkie on top, muzzle to muzzle with the scientist.

"Night Sky! WHY am I hearing the most important news of the day, possibly the last thousand years, from Dashie and not from you?!"

She sounded hurt, but looked mad. Sky was too busy trying to stop his eyes spinning to properly respond to either, and responded with intelligence befitting his position.

"Bwa? Wahawhat?"

"No time for guessing games, you silly pony!" The Pink Menace responded in a tone that brooked no argument. "We have two hours, four minutes, and twenty five seconds until the twelve o'clock from Canterlot arrives! That leave me with two hours, four minutes, and twenty- NO, FIFTEEN! Fifteen seconds to set up this 'Happy Welcome To Ponyville Birthday Party!' It will be a close one, but I've dealt with worse."

Not waiting for a response, Pinkie grabbed Sky's fallen saddlebags, with her tail no less, and flung them into the air, where their arched perfectly to settle themselves on her own haunches.

"YOU go get the observatory ready! Let Auntie Pinkie deal with everything else! Two thirty! Sugar Cube Corner, you and your plus one! Be there, or be a chair, and not one of the fun swively kinds either, the boring, school-desk kind!"

Without another word, or a chance for the stallion to get a thought in edgewise, the frantic fuchsia filly was gone in a puff of confetti. Sky blinked in utter bewilderment for a few moments, before his brain caught up with what had just happened and he bolted upright, searching the crowd of witnesses that where already dispersing, having grown used to Pinkie's antics long before him.

"What?! WAIT, PINKIE PIE! THAT'S my stuff-oh forget it..."

Deciding it was more time and energy to track down the crazy ball of sugar than it was worth, Sky heaved a tired sigh and decided the only course of action left to him was to do as she had said. He still had to fix the guest room up for Sunny after all, and the living room could do with some tidying while he was thinking about it. He only hoped Pinkie could manage the birthday party for a filly she had never even met before.

Oh who was he kidding? If there was a pony in all of Equestria that could set up a party Sunny Day would love, it was Pinkie Pie. He only hoped he could remove the two once the party came to an end.

---

"First stop, Ponyville! Next stop, Dodge City!"

It wasn't hard to find Sunny once the train had finally arrived at the station. The doors swung open to reveal only a half dozen ponies stepping off in Ponyville today, and of those few only one in particular was practically bouncing on her hooves out of excitement as they stepped out into the worn wooden platform. Sky had missed that irrepressible smile she always wore, the sparkling blue eyes that never seemed to run short on joy. He couldn't help but smile himself at the simple joy she radiated. She had a way of spreading her happiness wherever she went.

It was good to see some things never changed.

Those eyes finally fell on him, and all that energy finally had an outlet. Her smile growing even wider, the yellow filly dropped all pretenses of self control and made a run for it.

"SKY!"

Being charged for the second time today, Sky handled this one much better, as the pony in question was not as big as he was, or going mach one for that matter. Sky only grunted as the energetic little unicorn leaped at him, latching onto his leg in the biggest hug she could manage. He quickly returned the favor, reaching around her for a gentler hug and nuzzling the top of her head.

"Hey there, Little Sunbeam! How's my favorite filly in the whole world doing? How was the trip?"

Sunny looked up at him, giggling at his own personal nickname for her. "It was great! I've never been on a train before, it's so loud and rumbley and it felt so funny when we went down the hill on the way here! We went through a tunnel and we were moving so fast and when I was getting on the conductor was all like 'ALL ABOARD' like everypony says and stuff!"

The conductor in question looked briefly at his fob watch before closing it, turning too both ends of the station with one hoof to the side of his mouth, shouting; "ALL ABOARD! ALL ABOARD!"

Sunny giggled and nodded. "Yeah! Just like that!"

Sky chuckled and gave his sister's mane a little ruffling. "Sunny, you've been to the train station before when Dad or I went out of town. You know what the conductor sounds like."

"I know, but its just so much cooler when he's talking about you, isn't it?"

"Heh, I guess it is. You ready to go? We can go drop off your bag at the observatory, then we can go to the bakery, Sugar Cube Corner, for something to eat."

"Yea! Can we go see that farm you were talking about in your letters too? I bet the apples are even better when you get them right off the tree! Or the library you said was MADE out of a tree? That sounds so cool! Did you say there's a pony in town that-"

Sky simply smiled and started making his way towards home. Sunny continued to talk, following after him with a hop in her step.

Yep. Some things never change.

---

"-and she was all like 'there's no way you can get twenty of them up there!' So I got Silver Stream to help me put them up when I focused on balancing them and we got too like, thirteen or fourteen, then the whole tower kinda just started to tip, so I tried to follow it right? But I guess that was the wrong thing to do, cause then Silver panicked and his magic kinda flared and sent all the cookies flying! One hit Marble right in the face and it got crumbs and chocolate all over her mane! She wasn't mad though, and Misses Margarine thought it was really funny when she found us, so everything was okay. I still think we could have done it, but we didn't have enough cookies afterwards to try again, so we just ended up eating them all."

Sky chuckled at the latest story in a series of exchanged tales that he and his little sister had been trading. Life back in Canterlot did not stop as soon as he left, obviously, and there was only so much one could fit into a bi-monthly letter exchange. She would tell him about life in Canterlot, her latest adventures and what the family was doing when he was away. He in turn told her of his time at Sweet Apple Acres, of his visits to Fluttershy's cottage and all the animals she took care of, and of the different antics that would go on in town, most of them involving either a certain chromatic pegasus or a particular party pony.

Sugar Cube Corner looked no different on the outside than it normally did. Of course Sky knew from experience that Pinkie loved her surprises, so it was no shock that the exterior would not give anything away. Despite the concern he had voiced during their 'encounter' a few hours ago, Sky had to admit he was feeling much more hopeful for what was on the other side of the bakery's doors.

Sure, Pinkie and Sunny had never met before, but if one took that out of the picture, Sky could not think of a better pony to plan a party at such short notice. He had attended two parties since getting to town, the first being on the night he had arrived, the second a few days after his release from the hospital. The bizarrely titled 'Welcome To The Cast' party. He hadn't worn a cast at any time during his time in our out of Ponyville General. None of her friends could tell him what it meant either, and had suggested he just role with it. 'It's just Pinkie being Pinkie,' as they had told him.

Regardless, the party itself had proven that the first had not been a fluke. Not to mention she was a baker, and his time in town since then had shown him that the energetic mare was capable of doing things he had once thought, quite frankly, impossible. If anypony was going to pull this off, it wasn't going to be him, but Pinkie.

With that in mind, Sky hoped for the best and opened the door for Sunny, who trotted in without a second thought.

There was something akin to a cannon going off, confetti and streamers suddenly clouding the entryway. Sky had been much more prepared this time than the last, and took the opportunity to witness his younger siblings shocked reaction as she jumped at the noise, eyes wide and shooting around in confusion.

"SURPRISE! WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!"

Brother and sister both looked to the source of the cheer, finding to Sky's surprise not one, not two, but SEVEN ponies and a young drake gathered around a snack table.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were to be expected. They where the reason this was all possible after all. Who Sky had not been expecting was the full force of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sweetie Belle, Apple Boom, Scootaloo, Nyx, their friend Twist, if he remembered correctly, and Spike, who oddly enough had a party favor in one hand, and a feather duster in the other.

Pinkie took the opportunity to charge the pony of honor, who to her immense credit did not flinch back at the sudden advance.

"Hi there! My name is Pinkie Pie and I heard that a certain somepony had a birthday not soooo long ago?"

"I-I um... Yes?"

"Well that's just funtastic! Yasee, my friend Dashie here-" Pinkie said, reaching a ridiculous distance to hook Rainbow and pull her in close, "-heard from my other good friend Sky (Nickname Pending)-" Sky found himself pulled up cheek to cheek with the Pink Powerhouse, "that a certain somepony was feeling bad about missing a very special day for a certain somepony, and wanted to make it up to them! The silly pony that he is though-"

"Hey!"

"-Seemed to forget that he had a premier party planning pony in the neighborhood, and didn't even bother asking for help! Buuut since I throw a 'Welcome To Ponyville' party for every new pony in town anyways, and we're such good buddies and all that jelly, I figured I would let it slide just this once and give him a helping hoof! Then I got a couple more friends I thought might want to meet you real fast, but I mean, who doesn't like being invited to a party?! Sooo, welcome to your 'Welcome To Ponyville Birthday Party!'"

Releasing her two captives, Pinkie launched into the air and blew into a party favor she had pulled from... somewhere. The invisible cannon went off again at the same time, filling the air once more with a cloud of confetti and streamers. Sunny had begun to connect the dots through Pinkie's explanation, and once it was finished looked to Sky with equal parts joy and curiosity. His response was to simply grin and nod his head in agreement with what the mare had already said.

"Eeee! This is so awesome," Sunny cheered and began bouncing on her hooves with excitement. "How many ponies can say that they got TWO birthday parties?! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Sky! You're the best!"

Sunny launched herself once again to his leg, giving the biggest thank you hug she could muster. Sky couldn't help but smile at this, but felt a small amount of discomfort at being giving all the credit. While the idea had been his, Pinkie had been the one to set everything up. Looking up at the pony in question however, and seeing the satisfied smile on her face as she looked on at the two of them, he got the impression that she didn't mind. Noticing his gaze, the party pony looked him in the eye and gave a knowing wink. She was perfectly fine with how things had played out. He would have to think of a way to thank her for this later.

The ecstatic yellow filly removed herself from Sky's and acknowledged the other ponies in the room. Sensing an opportunity for introductions, Sky guided her through his small crowd of friends.

"So you've already meet Pinkie Pie. She's the town's local Party Pony and a baker here at Sugar Cube Corner. That's Rainbow Dash, resident weather captain and aspiring Wonderbolt," Rainbow puffed out her chest as she was introduced before doing a quick backflip through the air and striking a pose. A quiet 'wow' could be heard from the direction of the snack table. "Then over there we have Spike the Dragon, he works at the library as the assistant librarian. And finally we have the Cutie Mark Crusaders. This is Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx Sparkle, Apple Bloom, and Twist, right?"

The frizzy haired filly nodded an affirmative, and all the aforementioned waved a hoof/claw in greeting to Sunny, who was trying to split her time staring at a proud looking Spike, and Nyx, who was looking distinctly uncomfortable with all the attention. Sunny didn't seem to notice however, and was all smiles.

"Hi everyone! My name is Sunny Day, I'm Sky's little sister, and It's SUPER great to meet all of you! You're a dragon huh? Like the real, fire breathing, rock munching kind? That's so cool! And are you an alicorn?! That's amazing! You look kinda like Princess Luna! Is she your mom or something?"

Nyx reeled back as if the question had physically hit her.

"W-What? No, Luna isn't my mom! She's my... she's... I'm... But she... um..."

A moment of silence came over the room as the young alicorn's eyes glazed over, apparently considering the confusing nature of her conception. She pale for a moment, her mouth moving up and down as she talked quietly to herself, before shaking free from her stupor and squaring herself in a show of confidence.

"No, Princess Luna isn't my mom. Twilight's my mom. Princess Luna is... more like my... sister?"

Sunny's wonder took on a whole new level, eyes wide and mouth open.

"Whoa! Does that make you a princess or something too?"

"Well, she WAS queen for a couple weeks. Ow!"

Scootaloo glowered over at a stern looking Apple Bloom, drawing a giggle from the watching birthday girl. Seemingly unconcerned with what Scootaloo's comment actually meant, Sunny carried on to the next in her long line of questions.

"So what is a 'Cutie Mark Crusader?'"

---

The party had been going on for a couple hours now. Songs had been sung, the cake cut, and games were merrily underway. Sky found himself watching contentedly from the corner as Sunny and her newest group of friends gathered around the board game they had pulled out. Spike had stayed for some cake, but had excused himself and his feather duster soon after to continue with the chores he had been in the middle of when Pinkie had whisked them away. Rainbow had left just a few minutes ago too get some extra sleep before the early morning shower she and her weather team had planned tomorrow.

Taking another sip of the punch, the sound of approaching hooves drew his attention as Pinkie moved in an uncharacteristically normal fashion towards his table. She had a grin on her face as apposed to her usual face splitting smile, and Sky realized he had never seen Pinkie Pie smug until this very moment.

"Sooo, what have we learned today?"

Sky let out a surprised laugh at that. Pinkie was always so straightforward in her endeavors. At least, in their purpose, if not execution. He hadn't thought it possible for her to use sarcasm. Shaking his head with amusement, Sky put up his hooves in submission.

"Alright, alright, I get it. This town isn't big enough for two party ponies. I'll be sure to ask for assistance next time I have a celebratory emergency."

Her regular, overly cheerful smile made its way back to her face as Pinkie giggled at his response, petting him on his head like a dog.

"Just don't be afraid to ask for help, silly! You got ol' Pinkie here in case of any bash, birthday, blowout, or bar mitzvah! It's what I do, no trouble at all!"

Sky blinked, cocking his head in confusion.

"What's a bar-"

"WHAT?!"

The two ponies jumped in surprise at the sudden commotion. Fearing the game may have gotten out of hoof, Sky turned to remind Sunny to watch her volume when he noticed that all eyes where on him, Apple Bloom pointing his direction. Sunny looked between him and the offending hoof before shooting up and rushing over to Pinkie and his position. She quickly made a scene of jumping up on the stool next to him and grabbing at his face, prompting the larger pony to jerk back in shock.

"Lemme see! Lemme SEE!"

"Sunny?! What are you-?"

Finally grabbing a hold of his mane, Sunny brought her older brother to a halt long enough to get what she wanted. Staring intently at the right side of his face, her eyes lit up in a strange mixture of wonder and horror at what she found. A jagged, somewhat faded scar running up from his eyes towards the bottom of his ear. It had faded with time, as the doctors had said it would, but it still stood out somewhat, a slightly lighter shade of blue against his dark coat.

"Sweet Celestia, you weren't lying! Sky, YOU FOUGHT A DRAGON?!"

"Inside voice please, Sunny. I'm right here you know..."

Of course, even as he admonished her, he was kicking himself. Naturally it would come up sooner or later if she and the Crusaders got to talking. He should have asked them to keep quiet before leaving them to their own devices! The last thing he needed was for his parents back home to catch wind of his little adventure the first week in to town. Mom would have a panic attack if she knew all the details. As far as his family needed to know he had dropped a shelf on his face or some such. Knowing Sunny however, it looked like that secret wasn't long for this world.

"Sky! Sky you fought a dragon?! H-How? When? How big was it?! Is that a claw mark?! THIS IS SO COOL!"

"S-Sunny, please, calm down! It's not as big a deal as it sounds, really."

"Not that big of a deal?" Scootaloo asked, sounding affronted. "Sky, I woke up just in time to see you charge that giant lizard and kick it right in its ugly face!" She turned and gave a mighty buck for Sunny's reference, forcing a glaring Nyx to duck under her friend's strike. "I think you gave it a black eye or something, it screamed and everything! You saved Pinkie Pie and Applejack! Then you got it to chase you almost all the way around the field before it got you and sent you flying! Then you got up and stared it in the face and we all teleported away! It was like, the seventh coolest thing I've ever seen anypony do!"

Sky shrunk lower and lower at each heaping of praise. He knew a fair portion of that was highly exaggerated, but there was no way for Sunny to know. There was no way the story was NOT getting spread around Canterlot now. He could already imagine the amount of suffocating attention his mother was going to bury him in when she got wind of all of this.

Sunny, on the other hoof, only got more and more worked up with every proclamation. Following Scootaloo's defense of his 'coolness', the unicorn seemed to glow with excitement. Bouncing up and down on her stool, Sunny squealed.

"Why didn't you write any of this in your letters?! You had a big adventure book style quest your first day here and you didn't TELL us?! You fought a DRAGON, like Flash Magnus! Well he fought two, but still. Was it anyone Spike knew? How many dragons live around here anyways?"

"Just two." Sweetie Belle offered. "Spike and some big one out in the Everfree. The third one got scared away by Fluttershy a while ago."

Sky was about ninety percent certain he had heard that wrong, but decided he could ask the animal whisperer herself at a later date. Right now was damage control. Rubbing his head, Sky let out a sigh.

"First off it wasn't a dragon Sunny. It was something called a drakon. A lot smaller than you're probably thinking. Also, all I really did was distract it for a moment when Twilight finished her spell. I'll tell you about it later, but you have to promise me not to tell Mom, alright?"

"Why not?"

"... Why don't we talk about it on the way home? It's getting late, and everyone here was there for it already. Lets get out of the Cakes' manes and I can explain when we work on getting your stuff unpacked."

Various sounds of distress came from the gathered fillies at the news.

"Awww, do you guyth really hafta go?" Asked Twist with a sad look. "We were in the middle of our game..."

Sky looked to the game of Monopony sitting unfinished on the floor of the bakery. It was obvious by the large pile of leafs in front of her why Twist wanted to finish the game before they parted ways. The game didn't look too far from over though, so Sky nodded his agreement. Leaving could wait a little while longer.

"Alright, you all can finish your game when I help Pinkie Pie clean up, then we can go."

More groans floated around the room with the exception of an excited cheer from Twist, as Sky made himself busy gathering silverware and lose garbage from the festivities. Hopefully he could convince Sunny to at least keep the story on the down low.

---

The game ended predictably, with one bespectacled filly reigning supreme across the game board. While there was some grumbling to be had the other foals were generally good sports and stuck around till the end, allowing Twist her fun, but more likely just attempting to milk out a little more time together.

Alas, the game had been finished, the tables cleared, and the trash thrown away. Pinkie had excused herself to clean up the last of the dishes before taking the other fillies home. All that was left was to bid company farewell.

"I'll still be in town for tomorrow! Well I mean... I'll be spending most of it with Sky of course, but you guys could come and hang out too if you want! That's okay, right, Sky?"

"Yea! We hang out with Sky all the time, he's totally down to chill!"

"Well I don't know if I'd say-"

"And besides! With you leaving in two days, that only leaves us ONE DAY to work on finding your cutie mark together! We'll have to pull all stops, no mountain too high, no valley too deep, NO ROCKET TOO-"

"I THINK Scootaloo means it would be great to hang out and do some fun, safe, and not at all dangerous things together before you go. Would that be alright Sky?"

Sky looked down at the midnight alicorn with a worried look. Nyx generally had a good head on her shoulders, but considering the amount on shenanigans the crusaders still managed to get into in the few months he had been here, the scientist wasn't to sure whether she was being serious, or just attempting to appease him.

Still, if he was there, he could at least mitigate the risks. Better to have them supervised than not, right?

Before he could respond, Sweetie Belle lit up and bounced excitedly.

"Oh yea! I almost forgot, Sky! My sister Rarity said that she wanted you to come by her shop tomorrow! She would have gone and asked you herself, but she had something she was working all day that had her busy. I was going to go tell you when Pinkie got me."

Well, from what little experience he had with Miss Rarity, she seemed a level headed kind. If he were to go and visit her tomorrow, it would give the foals a place to meet up and play while he discussed whatever it is Rarity wanted. Nodding his head in agreement, Sky smiled.

"Alright. I'll stop by tomorrow and you all can meet while I talk with Rarity. You both live in that tall building near the market, right? The one with the ponyquins on it?"

"Yep, the Carousel Boutique! You can't miss it!"

"Sounds like a plan. Alright everyone, now that we know what's going on tomorrow, it really is about time for us to go. It'll be dark soon, and I can't imagine your parents would be too happy if you stayed out much longer either. Pinkie?" Sky called. "Are you still alright bringing them all home?"

"Don't worry about it Sky, aunty Pinkie's got it aaall taken care of. You just go home and get lil' Sunny here settled in."

It was to Sky's credit that he only flinched in surprise when Pinkie put her arm around his shoulder, seemingly from nowhere. Deciding simply to move on rather than try and understand the enigma that is Pinkie, Sky smiled nervously at his eccentric friend.

"You know, I'm pretty sure I'm at least a couple years older than you."

"DETAILS! Now go on, enjoy the rest of your night!"

"Alright, alright. Let's go Sunny. Goodnight everypony, see you all tomorrow."

With that, a round of farewells were exchanged as with little sister in tow, Sky made is way back home.

---

"So I really have to keep it a secret?" Sunny asked pleadingly as she adjusted herself into her bed. She could understand Sky didn't want anyone to panic, but it wasn't like he was fighting monsters ALL the time right? He had beaten ONE monster. Surely nopony would be TOO scared of that?

"Yes Sunny, I would REALLY appreciate if you kept this just between us. I can't imagine mom would be to keen on me staying in Ponyville after hearing about what happened in my first week here, and while I don't plan on leaving my job here anytime soon, I also don't want to cause her any undue stress. Please?"

"Yea, I guess that makes sense."

"Great, thank you for listening. You really are the BEST SISTER EVER," Sky said, laying it on thick while pulling the covers over her and giving her forehead a vicious nuzzle. Sunny giggled as his behavior, lightly pushing him away.

"Don't let Autumn, Mel or Green hear you say that!"

"So you're not the best little sister in the whole wide world? Is that what I'm hearing?"

"Weeell..."

The two shared a laugh before Sky gave her one more nuzzle and moved towards the door. As he was about to say his last goodnight, Sunny spoke up, her voice somewhat... subdued.

"Sky? You beat it right? That means it's not, you know... coming back?"

Sky's beaming smile softened into a more comforting one as he turned back to his sister, taking in her nervous expression. Sitting down next to the bed Sky shook his head.

"No, Sunbeam, it isn't coming back. Princess Luna made sure that it wont be coming back to bother anypony anymore."

"But there are other things like it still out there, aren't there? Out in the forest?" Sunny looked out to the treeline, visible from the bedroom window, with visible uncertainty.

"Don't you worry, Sunny, we're safe as can be right where we are. And besides, if you ever need me, I'll be right across the hall, alright?"

"... Okay," She responded, not sounding all that convinced. Sky frowned slightly at that, trying to come up with some way to assure her. Finally, his smile returned as he thought of the simplest solution. Getting back on all four hooves, Sky made his way to the other side of the bed, the side closest to the window, before gently getting up himself and laying atop the covers next to her.

"Tell you what? I'll stay right here with you till you fall asleep, just to make sure everything is A Oh Kay. Does that sound alright to you?"

Sunny rolled over to her side, checking his eyes for any sign of fear or deceit, before finding none and letting her nervous look give way to a grinning one like his own.

"Yea. Yea that sounds okay. Thanks, Sky."

"No problem, Sunbeam."

Scooting closer, Sunny put her head against his chest as she finally closed her eyes and made her attempt to enter into the realm of dreams. Feeling a warmth in his chest at the sight, Sky smiled down at her before a thought came into his head and, almost unbidden, a song came to his mind.

Humming it quietly to himself, Sky closed his eyes and simply relaxed.

They stayed that way until the peace of the moment, and his own tune, finally sent both of them to sleep.