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As Sunset continued walking through Ponyville, accompanied by Maud, she began to feel somewhat curious at how much Equestria had changed since the time she was accustomed to living as a unicorn. Not only did Ponyville have so many new and fancy looking buildings scattered throughout the populated area, but there were even creatures besides unicorns, pegasai, or Earth ponies casually hanging around. Sunset’s first major notice was how there were seemingly even griffons and dragons residing here in Ponyville, which was rather surprising, to say the least. She was no expert on these creatures, but knew for certain that back then, they lived in other places, Griffonstone and The Dragon Lands, respectively.
 
Although Sunset was used to the idea of Spike hanging around ponies and Ponyville, after learning more about him through various letters from Princess Twilight, she just wasn’t expecting matured dragons to be living among ponies, especially given how Twilight’s only mention of dragons aside from Spike, referred to one particular dragon named Garble. Needless to say, Twilight didn’t really write many kind things to say about him from her and Spike’s personal experiences, which made Sunset imagine that they preferred to stay separate from ponies. As such, seeing other dragons besides Spike living with ponies gave Sunset the impression that at one point, Twilight managed to unite every species of Equestria, to where diversity and acceptance were now everywhere, regardless of one’s species. There were even other species Sunset had never seen before, which raised her enthusiasm in checking out more of Equestria. Being gone for so long meant that she had a whole new world to explore, despite the fact she was actually born and raised here to begin with. This excitement made Sunset question Maud about anything she might know regarding this massive change to Equestria since she was last residing in Canterlot.
 
“So, Maud?” Sunset began asking, as she trotted along with Maud to the train station. “I am admittedly wondering if you have any idea what changed here in Ponyville in the last few years? I am noticing all sorts of other creatures living here besides just ponies.”
 
Maud continued to trot along, but blankly stared at the ground before answering Sunset’s question. “The soil around here used to contain sedimentary fragments of gravel before it eroded. Now everything appears to be kept toward the properties of igneous.”
 
“Oh… that’s interesting.” Sunset said, somewhat confused. “But I mean, did you have any ideas on the history of Ponyville? Mostly as far as what happened that founded all these new buildings, or how so many creatures besides ponies united?”
 
“Not really, Sunset.” Maud replied. “I didn’t grow up here in Ponyville, and I don’t really know myself why other creatures currently live alongside ponies. The closest I have to an answer is perhaps from Pinkie. She mentioned something about Twilight Sparkle doing something to encourage them in accepting ponies?”
 
“Oh, well I guess that makes sense.” Sunset said, feeling that her theory from earlier was valid. “It’s just that… I’m walking around Ponyville, and I’m really seeing all these major differences that make me wonder what could’ve happened to get us where we are now.”
 
“Didn’t you say you were new around here, though?” Maud questioned.
 
“Well, yes and no, actually. I did live here in my days as a filly, but went away to another… town for quite some time. “Sunset replied, trying not to bring up living in another world, as she didn’t want to come across as crazy to Maud. “Coming back all these years later, it’s really a lot to take in. I’m overall feeling like there’s a lot more to do here in Ponyville, and that I truly missed out on a lot.”
 
“I’m more accustomed to going on rock research trips, so I don’t really take notice of everything that goes on around here. It is a pretty nice town though, according to Pinkie.” Maud noted, as both she and Sunset had finally arrived at a nearby train station. “I do have to make a quick trip at the rock farm to pick up the rest of my family, so I’ll be taking the east train. If you wanted to head to Canterlot right now, take the west.”
 
Sunset decided it would be in her best interest to not show up late to the coronation, so she agreed with Maud’s suggestion to go to Canterlot now by herself. “Alright, then I’ll be taking the other train, thanks again for keeping me company for a little while, Maud. Hope to see each other again soon.”
 
With that said, Sunset and Maud went their own separate ways, as Sunset had walked over to the ticket booth to pay for admission. The tickets certainly felt a lot more expensive compared to the prices Sunset remembered as a filly, but she didn’t think much of it, as it was common knowledge to become accustomed toward living in a world with inflation. With 7 bits coming out of her saddlebag’s pocket change, Sunset sat atop the train platform, waiting for the next westward train, which was expected to come within a few minutes.
 
While waiting around, it looked like there were other ponies awaiting this particular train as well, likely also with the intent of reaching Canterlot to be part of the coronation. Just like before when Sunset was randomly looking around Ponyville, there weren’t many ponies that seemed familiar, or caught her attention. That was, until, she did take note of a blonde haired gray pegasus standing nearby, who looked like Derpy, one of her cross-eyed classmates back at Canterlot High. Sunset never really talked with her much, but was aware she was mostly a kind student who really enjoyed muffins.
 
While she continued to wait around, Sunset eventually noticed another pony behind her, also waiting for the exact same train, who looked familiar in an unpleasant way. She didn’t really recognize her at first, but the orange glasses definitely stood out, creating the realization that this was the pony Sugarcoat. Sunset didn’t particularly feel motivated to talk to her, especially after how rude the Shadowbolts acted toward her back in the human world. Unfortunately for Sunset, she must’ve stared behind her for a bit too long, as Sugarcoat took notice of this and began a conversation with her.
 
“Ahem. Can I help you, ma’am?” Sugarcoat said in the same snarky tone of the human Sugarcoat, which Sunset was used to. “I’m gonna be blunt here, if you aren’t somepony I know, kindly put your eyes toward something else. Cause you are coming across as a total weirdo right now.”
 
“Oh, pardon me.” Sunset said, albeit in a somewhat sarcastic manner. She did feel that Sugarcoat had a point, in that it was a little unusual that this seeming stranger was just randomly staring at her for a prolonged period. Out of the blink of an eye, Sunset thought of a quick cover up to explain her faux pas. Due to Sugarcoat’s white hair, blue coat, and lavender eyes, she did remind Sunset of another one of her classmates. “It’s just that… you reminded me of somepony I’m friends with. Something about your coat and eyes immediately made me think of my friend, Trixie.”
 
“Trixie… Lulamoon?” Sugarcoat asked before rolling her eyes. “Don’t even compare me to that obnoxious, egotistical, teacup obsessed magician. I went to one of her magic shows once, it was incredibly disappointing. I’d have only given her a rotten onion as her performance salary.”
 
“Well, I can certainly tell you’re not one who likes to… sugarcoat things.” Sunset said in a somewhat humorous manner.
 
“Ugh, you’re seriously making jokes about my name now too?” Sugarcoat grumbled. “You’re so annoying, I am so taking a separate coach from you!”
 
With that, Sugarcoat trotted away to a further distance on the platform, before Sunset had simply shrugged things off. “Eh, some things really never do change.” She muttered under her breath. While Gloriosa seemed rather friendly and inviting, Sugarcoat seemed consistently irritable and blunt like the human Sugarcoat, which admittedly made Sunset wonder if this just varied from pony to pony. After all, these ponies were technically completely separate entities with different lives, meaning it was expected that there would be differences. Though in Sugarcoat’s case, she did overall still seem to be the type of pony who’d do anything but sugarcoat, despite her name.
 
As Sunset was about to go back to waiting around, she felt a hoof on her, before turning around to see Derpy, with a sympathetic expression.
 
“Sorry you had to deal with that, I’ve actually met her on a few of my mail routes.” Derpy said, sharing her experience. “She can be a real Mrs. Grouchy Pants.”
 
The silly nickname Derpy just gave to Sugarcoat amused Sunset enough to where she was able to completely forget the pure negativity Sugarcoat just displayed on her. Sunset snickered a bit before speaking up. “That’s a pretty appropriate name for her instead of ‘Sugarcoat’, not gonna lie. But thanks, it’s always cool to know that nice ponies exist too.”
 
“Indeed.” Derpy replied. “It certainly does feel nice to be accepted and treated like anypony else, even if you do have an odd feature that makes you… stick out.” Derpy finished, as her eyes crossed a bit to exemplify her point.
 
“Yeah, acceptance has been one of those things that’s stuck with me throughout my whole life. Treat others the way you would want to be treated, after all. You seem like a nice pony to hang with for a bit, wanna share seats on the train?”
 
“Sure thing! The name’s Derpy. I haven’t used that name in a while since I was accused long ago of it being offensive. But hey, it’s just a creative nickname with no harm to it.” Derpy explained briefly.
 
“Oh, interesting.” Sunset replied before introducing herself and shaking Derpy’s hoof. “Sunset Shimmer, and nice to meet you.”
 
Sunset and Derpy smiled at each other before they had both heard the westward train arriving at the platform from behind them. As expected, Sugarcoat entered a coach much further away from the one Sunset and Derpy went into, but it seemed inconsequential. Neither of them would’ve felt compelled to stick around a pony of constant overall negativity and impoliteness.