Shadow Equestria: The Poisoned Curse

Applejack

Ok, I'll admit that I didn't want to leave the farm, but after Big Mac had assured me that he could handle the rest of the trees I grudgingly left to get Fluttershy, since she lived between my house and Lyra's. Maybe I should ask her what's got pinkie planning yet another party for the mare.

I took note of all the great things about Ponyville as I trotted to my friend's house, the crisp air, the vibrant plantlife, even many of the locals looked like they were already in paradise. I gave a happy sigh as I approached the cottage, after I knocked on the door I was greeted by the familiar sight of Flutter's pet bunny.

"Well howdy Angel... Is Fluttershy here?" I asked, he gave a few squeaks and a nod before he let me walk by, I noticed Fluttershy just past the door of the kitchen.

I call out to her, "Hey Fluttershy, Pinkie wants us all to go to Lyra's house for a surprise party... Let's go." She looks out the door at me and gives a smile that could melt ice.

"Ok, I just need to finish cooking some fish, I think that Lyra would really appreciate having something for her cat to eat... She told me that she wouldn't be able to get anything for him for a few days, as kind as she is I've noticed that she doesn't think a lot of her decisions through..." I gave a chuckle as she nervously scraped a hoof on her floor.

"That's fine, just make sure you get there soon." I gave her a wave goodbye and made my way toward Lyra's home... at least, until I was hit by the force of a train coming out of the sky.

When my senses came back to me I noticed the prismatic-maned cyan pegasus that I always seemed to find an annoying side to, so I proceeded to do what I usually did when she crashed into me... I teased her.

"Yeesh Rainbow, if you keep crashin' into me like that Ponies are gonna think you and I are in a relationship." I had a playful grin on my face as I watched her quickly right herself.

"You wish! besides, I'm not into mares, so that only defeats your logic, HA!" I could only laugh at the blush on her face, it even took much of my willpower to not fall on the ground and laugh.

"That blush on your face would say otherwise..." I say between chuckles and a new wave of laughter wells up inside of me as she desperately tries to cover the blush, or... at least tries to hide it from me. I walk up to her and let my tail flick her nose, I chuckle as she gives a snort, "...Besides Rainbow... What's a little playful banter between friends?"

I simply continue to trot while I listen to Rainbow lift herself into the air and grumble something at me for teasing her. It's actually several seconds before she is able to say a question at proper volume.

"So, why are you headin' this way? isn't it gettin' toward the end of harvesting season?" I give her a smile as I walk on.

"I was invited to a Pinkie Party and I stopped by Fluttershy's house on the way to Lyra's, I was thinkin' that Pinkie already told you that you were invited... but if you didn't see her yet it's a good thing you saw me-" I was cut off mid-sentence as two scrolls burst into existence in front of Rainbow and I. I quickly unrolled it and read it, chuckling slightly as I realized that it was a party invite for the surprise party at Lyra's house. "Well..." I chuckle, "...It seems like I just had to go to Lyra's and you woulda been invited anyway."

Rainbow had given an exaggerated sigh as she read the invite but she flew behind me nonetheless.

You know those odd moments where you just seem to black out and not remember how you got to where you are at the time when you regain your thoughts? Well, that happened to Rainbow, Fluttershy and I as we suddenly found ourselves in the darkness of Lyra's empty house being explained to by Twilight.

"Ok girls, Here's the plan... First, we have to make everything work just like a real party... Pinkie, Rarity and I have a hunch that a changeling may actually be disguised as a cat in order to drain her of love. I have developed a spell that will tell me whether a creature has been disguised or not. Pinkie will lock the door and I want the rest of you girls to lock any windows you find, I don't want this thing getting out to the rest of Ponyville. Is everypony ready?" We all gave a nod to her before jumping into several different hiding spots.

Lyra

Hikaru was sleeping on my back as I trotted toward a local cafe, as I ordered a coffee to go I noticed Hikaru do something that made me just want to hug him again. I could hear him purring like a real cat as he slept, I heard passing ponies talk about how they wished they had a pet that was like Hikaru; Didn't misbehave, and never ran off so that he didn't need a carrier.

As much as it filled me with pride that so many ponies were giving me positive attention, it also kinda stung that I had to hide Hikaru's true nature from them. I had to silently trod home as I levitated my drink for fear that the stress would get to me.