Gambling Away the Twilight

"Come on girls, we have to catch our train." -said Twilight.- "The 09:00 to Las Pegasus leaves in ten minutes."

"Oh, I think I may have forgotten something." fretted Rarity looking at the mountain of bags that trailed her.

Applejack gave her a disgruntled look. "Rarity, we don't have time to go over everything now, the train is leaving soon." The spicy aroma of rainbows already invading their snouts.

"So, I bet you're pretty excited about going to Las Pegasus, especially on one of the cloud trains." said Rainbow Dash, flying at a leisurely pace beside the group.

"Oh yes, I've studied their schematics. It's really interesting how they can make it run on rainbows rather than coal." -rambled Twilight.- "And how they can make the fuel last the 900 miles to Las Pegasus I will never know."

Rainbow used to hate it when Twilight talked like this, but now she thought it was.. well. Kind of cute. "Well you are a princess now. I bet you could just ask." she said.

Twilight blushed but to her relief a whistle sounded before she could give an answer, followed by the loud cry "All aboard!"

"We'd better hurry, the train is about to leave." said AJ

The group sped up the platform stairs and nearly into the conductor. "Ah, you ladies just caught us. Tickets please."

The group filed into the carriage, the soft cloud floor let their hooves sink in. They found some seats and sat down. Rainbow made subtly sure she sat next to twilight.This is the week. It's now or never.

She decided she would strike up some light conversation. "So Twilight, have read up on Celestia's Palace. I heard it's the most awesome place, they've got nearly everything there."

"Yes, I've heard they have the largest book and scroll shop outside of Canterlot there." said Twilight dreamily.

"I've heard from Fancy Pants that the fashion shopping is simply divine." squealed Rarity.

"Oooohhh, oooohhh. I've heard they have the biggest party supplies store in Equestria there. I'm gonna just have to absolutely definitely visit it." shouted Pinkie, jumping up and down.

"Well I don't know about y'all but i'm going to mah' cousin's new store." said AJ.

"You're cousin has a store there?" asked Rarity.

"Eyup, he's got a farm supplies store there. I hear that Las Pegasus has thousands of acres of pear country nearby. Mah' cousin is one of the Pear family. They're our third cousins twice removed." said Applejack proudly.

"That's really nice." -said Fluttershy in a soft voice.- "I was hoping to go to the animal and wildlife shops there. If you girls don't mind that is."

"Fluttershy, you are free to do as you wish. You are a grown mare after all." said Twilight.

"Ah but let's not forget why were here." -said Rarity as Twilight blushed.- "We're here for you Twilight. And for us, so that we can have fun together."

"Together." said everyone in sync.

"So what do you guys wanna do now?" -asked Rainbow.- "We have two hours until we reach Las Pegasus."

"I've brought some brand new books with me that everyone can read. Rarity I have a new fashion guide from Canterlot. It specializes in Fall wear." said Twilight as she handed it to Rarity who squeaked in delight.

"Fluttershy, I have got a special book on Mojave desert animals." The timid mare took it with a quiet but earnest, "Thankyou."

Applejack received a volume on Mojave crops, Pinkie received a guide to the best clubs and party areas in Las Pegasus.

"And Rainbow, this just came in this morning. Daring Do and Rosetta in the Jungle of Perils. It has very good reviews and was a nominee for the Unicorn Awards." The look of obvious delight on Rainbow's face made Twilight feel nice and happy. She liked to see Rainbow smile, more than anyone else. She didn't know why but there was something about that smile which made her feel warm especially when it was something to do with books.

"Sweet. Thanks Twi', you're the best friend anyone could have." said Rainbow.

"You're welcome. Well, I suggest we all settle down and read." the alicorn replied.

They all lay down on the soft fluffy clouds that comprised the seats. They were completely alone in their carriage save for one stallion at the far end. Twilight noted how fast they appeared to be travelling, the ground was passing below them by like lightning. However it felt like they weren't moving. Twilight marveled at the anti-g force technology used in these trains.

Rainbow looked really into the new Daring Do book. The smile on that young mare's face as she read made Twilight feel the same warmth. She looked away from rainbow and began digging in her saddlebags for her book. 'Advanced teleportation and mind link spells'.

"This looks good."

The scorching jungle was unforgiving. The screeches of wild animals filled the air, there was nothing tame about this place. The pair of ponies trudged through the heat, their coats sticky with sweat. The clank and whirr of machinery was faint in the distance but it was getting louder by the minute.

"So what do we expect to find Daring." quizzed her faithful companion Rosetta.

"I don't know." -replied Daring.- "But I don't expect it to be good."

They neared a drop, the noise of the machines louder than ever. They crept to the edge of what was apparently a cliff and looked down.

"Goats. Hundreds of them." said Daring bluntly.

"What are they doing?" asked Rosetta, shaking with fear.

"Hey! What are you two doing?" -they spun round to see three goats staring at them, weapons drawn.- "Hey it's those two from the bar. Get 'em."

Daring got ready to charge the goats ony to find Rosetta giggling.

"Rosetta what's gotten into you? We're about to be blown away!" shouted Daring.

Rosetta looked at her and said. "Rainbow. Rainbow. We're here."

"Rainbow. We're here." giggled Twilight.

"Whu' where..?" replied a groggy Rainbow.

"We're in Las Pegasus dummy. You fell asleep whilst reading your book. You must be really tired." said Twilight.

Rainbow shot up. "Oh, me? Sleeping? Be serious Twilight, I was just resting my eyes. Yeah, resting my eyes. The strain from all that reading."

"Come on y'all, hustle up. We need to be at the hotel by 12 o'clock." said Applejack.

"Coming" said Twilight who turned around.

Rainbow watched Twilight's rump sway in front of her. She walked over to the rack and picked up her suitcase. I don't know if I can do this.