Prologue: What's an 'Arcade?'
It was a crisp, Fall afternoon. Leaves flew through the air on gentle wind gusts, giving the air a nice scent. Nightmare Night was about two weeks away at this point, and some ponies were going around, getting their supplies for parties or costumes. A small crowd of ponies was beginning to form at a corner building. A sign was posted on the door and it read:
New Arcade Coming Soon!
"What's an ar-ca-de?" One pony asked, trying to pronounce the word.
"I don't have a clue." Another responded.
"Maybe it's a new salon of some sorts?" A pretty mare suggested.
"Possibly. We'll see." Another pony said, and with that, the small crowd dispersed, leaving six mares standing there. Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack all stood there, a bit perplexed. Rainbow Dash had her face to the window, trying to get a peak inside.
"I'm not seeing anything in there! It's too dark!" She groaned turning back to her friends.
"I hope it's a new animal clinic. Sometimes I'm not able to handle all of the injured creatures." Fluttershy said hopefully.
"Maybe it's a thang for farm ponies like mah'self." Applejack suggested.
"Maybe it's a party store!" Pinkie said happily, bouncing in place with excitement.
"Perhaps a jewelry store?" Rarity asked. "A lady such as I is always looking for a new piece of jewelry." She added.
"Actually, you're all wrong." Twilight said playfully, her nose in a dictionary that floated in her magical grasp. "An arcade is a place where ponies can go to play a variety of games. Usually, the only customers are young fillies and colts, and the occasional teen, but it's a fun place." She explained, closing the book and teleporting it home.
"So, like, we could all go in there and play some games?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Pretty sure that's what I just said, so yes!" Twilight said with a smile. The other girls began chattering with mild interest.
"Looks like we'll all haf' ta' wait fer' a bit before it opens." Applejack said looking at the sign. "Day afta' Nightmare Night." She added.
"Alright! We gotta be here for opening day!" Rainbow Dash said, her excitement rising. "I'm always up for a good game!"
"That sounds like a good idea. What do you say girls?" Twilight asked the others.
"I wouldn't mind testing my skills with the games provided." Rarity said.
"Ah'm up fer it." Applejack said with a small smile.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Pinkie said, a smile stretching across her face.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try..." Fluttershy said a little meekly.
"Then it's settled. We'll all meet here the morning after Nightmare Night for the opening of the arcade." Twilight said writing down their plans in her planner.
"Alright! Are you ready for some competition AJ?" Rainbow asked the farmpony.
"Don't get ahead of ya'llself now. 'Sides, Ah'm gonna be kickin' yer flank all over them games!" Applejack retorted with a smirk.
"Oh, we'll just see about that!" Rainbow said turning to go home. "See you girls later!" She called after flying off.
"Ah best be gettin' back to tha farm. Granny Smith said she needed mah help fer somethin'." Applejack said starting off in a happy trot. "See ya'll later!"
"I must get home as well. Sweetie Belle is having another sleepover and I do not need them destroying the place like last time." Rarity said with a slight shudder at the thought of past events. "Bye girls." She said taking her leave.
"Come on Fluttershy! Don't you have to get Angle some treats?" Pinkie Pie asked as she started to walk away as well, stopping only to look back at the Pegasus.
"Oh, my! You're right Pinkie! Angle would be just angry with me if I don't refill his treat container." She said in slight realization.
"Then let's go! You said he likes Daisy Biscuits, right?" Pinkie asked as the two walked away.
"Bye girls!" Twilight said waving after her friends. She turned to the soon-to-be Arcade and smiled. She could tell her friends, including herself, may like this place when it's up and running. Smiling, she turned and began a happy trot back to her home at Golden Oaks Library.
