"May I refill your cup, Princess?"

"Uh no, that's...that's fine."

"Well then Your Majesty, as I was saying..."

Twilight didnt hear what the Mayor of Manehattan said. Actually, she hadn't been listening for the past half hour. At some point between her speech and the dozens of waiters eager to refill her cup, Twilight had just stop listening. Instead, she was looking for her friends.

She didn´t find them.

She found five ponies with lives of their own. Applejack sitting with the Oranges, Rainbow Dash with the press and other Wonderbolts cadets, Pinkie Pie doing some sort of stand-up routine and Rarity surrounded by all the best designers in town. Even Fluttershy was involved in a passionate talk with the staff of the zoo. All of them happily chatting.

"So, regarding those taxes Your Majesty..."

"Excuse me, Mayor."

Ignoring the next two waiters, Twilight grabbed Spike with her magic, dragging him away from the food stand and walked over to the balcony. She looked over at the ocean at her right and then at the hills on her left. Ponyville was barely visible, a few dots that were supposed to be her house and those of her friends. She sighed while Spike kept gulping sandwiches behind her.

"What´s happening, partner?" Applejack asked, approaching her. "Catching on the Statue of Equinity? Yes sir, she´s a piece of work! Ah remember first time ah saw it, ah almost fell on mah hooves."

"Pfft, that´s nothing! Last month Spitfire tooks us to the Neighara Falls for a training session, now that´s something to see!" Rainbow Dash bragged.

"Still, I wouldn't trade it for Manehattan. While it may not have the regal status of Canterlot, this city has plenty of treats. Especially this wonderful weather. With not a single speck of breeze, I feel rejuvenated!" Rarity said.

"You can say it makes you feel breezy?" Pinkie Pie joked and they all laughed.

"Twilight, is something the matter?" Fluttershy asked, noticing the sad look on her face.

"It´s nothing. I'm probably just tired," she lied.

"I bet you are after having to deal with that old geezer! I never heard a pony talk that much!" Spike said, jumping on Twilight´s back.

"I bet you can say he´s a horse-mouth!"

They laughed again at Pinkie´s laugh but Twilight was unable to give more than a smile. After taking a good look at them, Twilight asked:

"Have you noticed how much we have changed?"

The sudden question left them with no words, they just looked at each other confused.

"Well, I noticed Applejack is wearing a new hat. And I must said, it does looks great on you," Rarity said.

"And Fluttershy is wearing pigtails tonight!" Pinkie pointed causing the pegasus to blush.

"And my Wonderbolts uniform is awesome!"

"We noticed. Yah´ve been bragging about it all night..." Applejack said.

"It´s not bragging when you're this awesome."

More laughs that Twilight didn't joined. Concerned, Fluttershy placed a hoof on her shoulder, encouraging Twilight to speak. Once the laughs went quiet, she said:

"I guess I haven't adjusted to the changes yet. It´s funny, looking back at seeing how different we're from just a year ago. I can't believe how much I shunned others, spending all the days with my books. It´s funny in a way, I think I like books that much because they never change. No matter if I don't like the ending of a book, I can´t change it. Guess in a way, I have always been afraid of change."

By this point, they have got closer to Twilight. Applejack placing her arm over her. But before any words could be said, a loud crash came from the saloon.

They peaked and saw three little fillies running away from the kitchen, being chased by an angry cook. After a few seconds they crashed against the desserts table, getting covered with cream and chocolate. One of the fillies got up and cleaned up, causing her friends to gasp. She blew her mane way to see and her freckled face lighten up upon watching her flank.

"I got my Cutie Mark!"

Her happiness was cut short by the angry cook and so the Manehattan Crusaders resumed their escape.

"Then again, some changes might not be so bad in the end," Twilight said.

The seven friends shared a group hug.

"Everypony, the Summer Sun Celebration is about to begin!" the Mayor announced.

They moved back to the balcony to watch Princess Celestia from her spot on an island raise the sun. Twilight wa sure that the Princess waved at her just before raising up and invoking her magic.

As the sun rose from the horizon, signaling the beginning of the summer, Twilight Sparkle´s smile grew. She looked again at her friends, all different and yet the same.

Things have surely changed this last year but she wasn't worried anymore.