"GUMMY!" Pinkie Pie called out. "Where are you?! You know I can't clean your scales if you hide from me all day!" Pinkie’s head cocked to the side, and she contemplated initiating emergency bath procedure #8008135. With no sign of Gummy anywhere she sighed and reached for the parachute, only to have the little green figure of Gummy the alligator scurry across the floor.
"AHA!" Pinkie Pie screeched, leaping behind the couch and catching her scaled pet by the tail. "Gotcha!" In desperation, he started squirming and attacking Pinkie's hoof with a barrage of toothless bites.
"Gummy. Don't be fussy! It'll only take a second. I Pinkie Promise." she did the motions and spoke the words of the sacred Pinkie Promise. At Gummy’s eventual nod she carried him to the tub and dropped him inside the warm, soapy water. Humming happily she started to scrub Gummy with a special brush set aside specifically for his scales.
"Well, well, well.” a tomboyish voice called from outside a partially opened window. “I see some poor dude’s gettin’ his daily bath!"
"Heya Dashie!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"
"I was just flyin' by," Rainbow Dash grinned. "Y’know, just being awesome as usual. Now that I’m here though, I might as well ask my favorite prankster partner if she’d like to go with me to give Twilight this disappearing ink stuff. I know she said she needed some special ink front Canterlot or something, so I took the liberty of buying a bottle for her." Rainbow Dash's grin spread even further across her face as she lifted the ink bottle labeled "Wellcome Quality Ink."
Pinkie Pie laughed, "That sounds like fun! Let's go, let’s go, let’s go!" Pinkie Pie tossed the brush into a woven basket and gave Gummy a nuzzle. "Okay, Gummy, we’re all done your bath! I’ve gotta go help a friend, but I’ll be back before supper. Bye-bye!" he returned the nuzzle with an affectionate nibble to Pinkie’s nose.
Pinkie Pie shut the front door to her house and started on her way to the library alongside Rainbow Dash.
"It's so hot!" Dash complained. "The weather ponies told me it was going to start getting hotter next week." Dash's frown lit up into a grin, "Hey, once we get rid of this ink, you wanna go swimming?"
Pinkie Pie gasped, "Why didn't I think of that?! The lake right outside of White Tail Woods is so, so, so perfect to swim in this time of year!" she bellowed in excitement.
"Really?” Dash questioned. “I heard there were timberwolf sightings there recently."
“Oh snaggle-fraggle!" Pinkie stamped her hoof in disappointment.
"Hey! You know what we could do," Rainbow said. "We could always see if the gang wants to go to Winsome Falls. That place is awesome for swimming! When I went there with Scootaloo and a few others a couple of weeks ago it was great!”
"Oh. My. Gosh! Why didn't I think of that either?! That would be super duper funnerific!" Pinkie Pie bounced with excitement.
"Think the others would like the idea?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out, Dashie!" the two hurried the rest of the way to the library and knocked on the heavy oak door.
"Hey, Twilight! Open up! We got somethin’ to ask ya!" Rainbow Dash hollered.
Twilight opened the door, her face painted with mild annoyance. "Patience is a virtue...” she mumbled under her breath. With a shake of her head she looked to Dash. “What do you need, Rainbow Dash? I was in the middle of reading a simply fascinating thesis on how differently ponykind would advance were magic not readily available. In fact, did you know--”
"Wanna go swimming with Pinkie and I today?" Rainbow interrupted. "We figured it's pretty hot today and the best way to cool off would be a nice dip in the lake by Winsome Falls.”
"Come on Twilight! It'll be so funderful!" Pinkie smiled.
"Well, I have a lot of studying to catch up on..." Twilight explained. "But swimming does sound very enticing, especially on a sweltering day like this!"
"It'll be awesome!" Rainbow Dash cajoled. "We're gonna go ask the others if they wanna come, too."
"Alright," Twilight agreed, "Sounds like a plan. Ah! Wait, I almost forgot. I have to go out to Canterlot and buy some more ink. There’s only one store I know of that sells my favourite brand. I need to go today, or else I won’t be able to finish my monthly report to Celestia by tomorrow." Twilight frowned. “I guess I’ll have to pass up that offer, thanks for asking me, though."
"No need!" Rainbow answered. "I remember you talking about how you were getting low on ink a while ago, so I picked you up a bottle!"
"Wow! Really?" Twilight said. "Thanks, Rainbow. That was sweet of you. Hm, ‘Wellcome Quality Ink.’ I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that brand before..."
"Dashie told me that the nice stallion who sold it to her was told by his boss who was told by his supplier that it’s a super duper highly official quality inkily ink from Manehatten" Pinkie Pie laughed.
"Heheh, yeah..." Rainbow Dash uttered nervously, fearing that Pinkie gave them away.
"Well, whatever it is, it saved me from a trip to Canterlot. It may not be my preferred brand, but it should do just fine. And, it also grants me a trip to Winsome Falls!"
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Pinkie Pie jumped in the air.
"Awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed, "We should probably head over to Rarity's then."
"Alright!" Twilight smiled, "Hey, Spike! Take a note for me, please!"
Spike came out from the kitchen, a dirty pink apron tied around his waist, "Now? But I'm in the middle of making my delicious sparkling gem cake!"
"Spike!" Twilight said frustratingly.
"Alright! Alright!" Spike sighed, picking up some parchment and a fresh quill, before stopping to look around the large room for a moment, a scowl on his face. "Um… hold on a second, aren’t we out of ink?"
"It's okay Spike. Rainbow Dash was thoughtful enough to get us some more," Twilight replied.
Dash grinned even more nervously than before as Twilight handed Spike the bottle. He dipped the nib in and readied the quill over the blank paper.
“Dear Princess Celestia…” Twilight began. Spike’s quill began scrawling quickly along the page, keeping up with her quick words with practiced ease.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I will be arriving at the palace tomorrow at noon sharp to deliver my monthly oral report. I find that it will shed new light on the wonders of friendship and all that it entails. And, hopefully we can avoid having another terrible encounter with that mischievous miscreant Discord like the time before.
Looking forward to seeing you, princess.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
"All finished Twi," Spike confirmed, allowing the ink to dry before rolling up the parchment and tying it with a burgundy ribbon.
"Okay then!” Dash cried. “Let's go! Catch ya later, Spike!" Dash eagerly nudged Twilight out the front door.
"Oh. Okay. I guess I'll be back later Spike!" Twilight called out behind her.
"Sounds good! Bye!" Spike shut the door behind them. "Finally! I can make my cake in peace!" Spike licked his lips and headed back into the kitchen.
"Oh, shoot! I almost forgot! I still need to send that letter out to the princess." he turned around and picked up the scroll from where he had set it down, letting loose a green inferno from his maw and magically transporting the note to Princess Celestia herself. Barely a minute later Spike’s stomach grumbled and he belched, a new scroll flying from his mouth and into the cake batter. With a sign he plucked it from the mess and opened it.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play, but now is not a good time to fool around. Please do not send me any letters unless they are discussing the lessons of friendship you learn in Ponyville.
Your mentor,
Princess Celestia
"Huh?" Spike uttered in confusion, reading it over a few more times before tossing it on the counter with a shrug. “Ah, what ever, I’m sure Twilight knows what she’s talking about.”
Meanwhile, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were all at Carousel Boutique asking Rarity if she’d like to join them.
"Oh, that sounds just marvelous! I’ve been in the worst slump today, I can’t seem to create anything worthy to be sold in my shop!" Rarity turned her back to the torn fabrics and scattered gems on the floor. "I'd love to go!"
"Yay!" Pinkie Pie squealed, jumping high into the air again.
"Excellent!" Twilight said, "So, who should we find next? Applejack, maybe? Sweet Apple Acres is relatively close by, but she might still be working so we could stop by--”
"Wait!" Rarity interrupted. "I simply must get my newest swimsuit. I made it myself a few weeks ago, and may I just say it’s absolutely fabulous! Let me fetch it, I won’t be but a moment, darlings!" Rarity sauntered out of the room, only to return moment later with a fashionable beach bag draped across her back, and an extravagant sunhat perched upon her perfectly coiffed curls.
"Alright!” she exclaimed, striking a pose, “Rarity is ready!" she said, lapsing into talking in the third pony.
They left Carousel Boutique and headed off to Sweet Apple Acres. The trip was uneventful, and they soon found Applejack bucking trees in the southeast field. With excited voices the four told the farm pony of their plan.
"Woo-wee!" Applejack shouted. "Now that sounds mighty fun! If Mac can handle the rest of the day’s work on his own then I’d be happy to join y’all. Just gimme two shakes and I’ll get back to y’all on it. Applejack cantered off towards the barn, emerging with a smile on her face.
“Alrighty then, Mac’s got everything covered ‘ere, so I’ve got the rest of the day off.”
“That’s so awesome, Jackie! Let’s hurry and go get Fluttershy so we can all have a super duper totally fantastically great time at the falls!” Pinkie yelled ecstatically.
With big grins the group of friends started on their way to their final friend’s house. Within a few minutes the cosy cottage came into view, and they saw Fluttershy filling some of the bird feeders hanging all around her property with seeds and nuts. Rainbow Dash flew straight at her, doing a loop-dee-loop and landing in front of her with an obnoxious, “Hey, Fluttershy!”
“Eep!” Fluttershy choked out, diving behind a tree in fear.
“Oh, relax, scaredy-cat, it’s just me.”
Twilight frowned. “Rainbow Dash, be nice.”
"Oh, it’s alright, she’s just, um, being Rainbow Dash. What're you all doing here?"
"We all wanted to know if you’d like to go swimming with us at Winsome."
"Oh my." Fluttershy began, "I'm really sorry, you guys, but I simply can't go anywhere today. Angel Bunny seems to have caught a terrible cold and I need to be here for him."
"Well, shucks!" Applejack scowled. "That's no good!"
"Yeah!" Pinkie’s smile faltered, "It’s no fun if the whole gang’s not there..."
"I must agree with Pinkie Pie," Rarity said. "We simply cannot leave Fluttershy here all on her lonesome while we’re out having a splendid time without her."
"Well, maybe we can figure something out," Twilight started, "I’m sure there will be other days as hot as this one that we can get together on."
“Well," Applejack explained, "I we should go on a day where all our friends can go. In fact, I think we should tell everypony we know, make it one big ol’ shindig! It'll be our own Winsome Falls lakeside party!"
Pinkie Pie could barely contain herself. "Why didn't I think of that either?! A lakeside party! Hey Applejack, am I contagious? ‘Cause I think you’ve caught a little bit of Pinkitis!"
"Uh, yeah," Applejack smiled sheepishly. "Maybe. You sure do seem to rub off on us."
"Well, I think Angel will be feeling better in a few days," Fluttershy spoke up meekly, "Maybe in three days or so? I should be able to go then..."
"What do you say, guys?" Rainbow Dash urged. "Winsome Falls lakeside party in three days?"
Everypony shouted in agreement.
"This is gonna be so much fun!" Pinkie Pie giggled. "But, I think we should have a fun name for it. How about..." Pinkie Pie scrunched her face up in thought. "Oh! How about the Winsome Falls Splash Bash?!"
"That sounds totally awesome!" Dash shot up from the ground and punched the air in front of her in excitement. "I can't wait! I'm gonna tell everypony that this is going down! I'll even send a letter to the Wonderbolts and invite them! Maybe they can even put on a show for everypony!”
"Then it's settled," Twilight said. "The Winsome Falls Splash Bash will be held in three days!"
Author's Note
There's gonna be a lot of characters in the next chapter and a lot more exciting stuff happening. I'm going to be choosing characters based on who you guys think I should put in. You ponies can leave your choices below! If not many suggestions come up, I'll just have to put who I think you guys will enjoy the most. You can name as many ponies as you want. Can't wait to see what I'll be working with!!
Three days later, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy had spread the word of the Winsome Falls Splash Bash to everypony they knew. Even the Wonderbolts had caught wind of the party thanks to ponies spreading it as far as Cloudsdale to Manehatten. Word was going around that the famous aerobatic team was due to make an appearance at what was set to be the biggest party of the year.
"Oh my gosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow Dash chanted frantically, pacing restlessly across the library floor. "The Wonderbolts might come to my- I mean our party! This is gonna be beyond awesome!"
"Seems like word of our lil’ get together spread like wildfire," Applejack said, "Ah heard some of the Apple family's gonna show up, too."
"Gee," Fluttershy uttered, "It sure looks like this is getting to be a big party..."
"The bigger, the better!" Pinkie Pie shouted in delight, a ridiculous grin stretching across her face. "Like I always say, the more ponies, the more fun!" Pinkie reached behind her back and yanked a confetti cannon out of thin air, shooting it off with a great cry of “Yay!” and spraying the group with colourful shredded paper. Fluttershy yelped and shot off into the nearest bush as the boom of the cannon punctuated the air, only to realise her mistake and meekly return to the group.
"I agree," Twilight said when Fluttershy rejoined them, "Not much of a bash if it's just the six of us, now is it?"
"Oh my, I just can't wait to show off my new outfit!" Rarity giggled. "Every stallion there will be putty in my hooves, I’m sure of it!"
Twilight trotted to the door of the library and opened it for her friends. After each had filed out onto, Twilight turned and followed, pulling the door closed behind her.
"Hey, um, Twi..." Spike murmured quietly, making Twilight pause.
Twilight glanced down at her assistant. "What was that, Spike?"
A scaly purple hand lifted and scratched nervously at the back of Spike’s neck. "Um… you see… it's just..." he trailed off.
Worry seeped into Twilight’s gaze. "What's wrong, Spike?"
"Well, I was just wondering if maybe... can I come with you guys?" Spike finally pleaded. "It’s just- It can get really boring and lonely here. I kind of wanted to do something fun, too, y’know? I didn't want to ask earlier because all the other ponies were talking about it, but I never got invited..." he hung his head low and kicked a foot at the floor dejectedly.
"Oh, Spikey Wikey," Rarity answered, "You're always welcome to come with us!" Rarity moved forward and bent down, giving Spike a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"I- I- I-," Spike stuttered. “Anything for you, Rarity…” he sighed in innocent bliss.
"Well, come on!" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "We don't wanna be late to our own party!"
The seven of them departed, trotting eagerly on their way to beautiful Winsome Falls, their excitement building fast as they drew nearer and nearer to the lake.
"Ah can't wait to see who came tonight!" Applejack said. "Ah haven't been this excited for somethin’ since the last annual Marezona rodeo!" she paused, bucking her hind legs up in the air with a hearty cheer. "Ah took home three blue ribbons and a mighty big trophy after that rodeo!"
Rainbow Dash could hardly contain herself. "I can't wait to see who shows up to the party either! You think Wave Chill will come? How about Blaze?! Or maybe even Fleetfoot!" Rainbow Dash gasped, "Oh man! Her moves are so radical!"
"Honestly, Rainbow Dash," Rarity addressed, "You must learn to control yourself. You know the Wonderbolts only make appearances at events such as the Best Young Flyer Competition and important royal soirées. Why, you certainly can’t expect them to deviate from their busy schedule to attend our little affair, can you?"
"Gee, Rarity," Rainbow Dash retorted dryly, "Thanks for being so reassuring."
"Oh, anytime, darling!" Rarity simpered.
"Oooooh! I can't wait!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she hauled her large wagon of delicious treats and party supplies behind her.
"I brought cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream, chocolate, muffins, pun-" Pinkie stopped dead in her tracks and gasped. She whipped around and began desperately searching through the pile of delicacies.
"Where is it? Where is it! WHERE IS IT?!" she bellowed.
"What's wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, confusion written on her face.
Pinkie whirled around and faced Applejack. “‘What’s wrong?!’ I forgot the super, ultra, delicious, yummy, fruity punch!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "We can't have a party without the super, ultra, delicious, yummy, fruity punch!"
"Don't worry," Fluttershy calmed Pinkie Pie down, "You can go back to pick up the punch while the others take the stuff we already have to the party. I’ll even come with you, okay?”
"Pinkierific!" Pinkie Pie cheered,
“Pinkie,” Twilight scolded. “That’s not a word.”
"I know! I just made it up! I figured, what would be more fun than the word ‘terrific’? Then it hit me! Pinkierific! I mean, a lot of stuff can sound more fun than ‘terrific’, because sometimes ‘terrific’ sounds like ‘terror’, and terror’s bad! But what's more fun than Pinkie Pie and ‘terrific’ put together? Pinkierific's just-"
Applejack grabbed a muffin from the wagon and shoved it into Pinkie's open mouth;. "Alrighty then! That sounds good, you two. Just hurry back, will ya? Don’t wanna miss the party!"
Pinkie Pie nodded her head rapidly in consent.
With that, Pinkie and Fluttershy turned and headed back to Sugarcube Corner.
"Now where's that punch?" Pinkie said after they’d both hurried inside the sweet smelling Sugarcube Corner. "I can't believe I left it here! How super-duper-über forgetful of me!"
"Oh, Pinkie! Is this it?" Fluttershy lifted up a huge glass bowl filled with a chilled, pink, sugary smelling liquid.
"That's it!" Pinkie grinned. "Nice job, Shy! Where was it?"
Fluttershy smiled, "I found it in the cooler."
Pinkie threw her hoof to her face "I can't believe I didn't look there!" "Well, at least we found it!"
"Yeah," Fluttershy agreed. "We should probably get going though, we don’t want to be the last ones to arrive."
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie nodded happily in reply. The two of them headed outside, their pace hurried. "WAIT!" Pinkie Pie shrieked, putting her hooves on the top of her head in an exaggerated manner.
"I should bring some back-up!"
"Umm..." Fluttershy managed nervously, "Back-up? For what?"
"Back-up sugar, silly!" Pinkie grinned. "I never go to a party without back-up sugar! It’s like, the number one rule in ‘Pinkie Pie’s Perfect Party Planning Pamphlet, complete with Prompts and Pointers for the Perplexed Party Planning Pony!’"
"O-okay," Fluttershy stammered, "You go get your, um, ‘back-up sugar’, and I'll wait out here."
With a grin on her maw, Pinkie Pie bounced gaily back into the bakery and opened up a cabinet above the fridge. After a few seconds of browsing inside, she caught sight of a brown sack filled with sugar. She grabbed it with her teeth and carried it back outside with her.
"Here we go!" Pinkie said happily. "Now let's go party!" Fluttershy and Pinkie left Sugarcube Corner and cantered to Winsome Falls, arriving at the lake barely ten minutes behind their friends.
The water was clear, the sky was blue, and the ponies were eager and excited to get the Winsome Falls Splash Bash underway. The food Pinkie Pie and Applejack had supplied looked nothing short of delicious; there was everything from apple fritters and apple pie, to devil's food cake and buttermilk berry muffins, all laid out on display on the enormous buffet table Pinkie had brought over earlier that day.
"All of this looks just delectable!" Rarity exclaimed, drooling over the piles of food before her in a very unlady-like manner. Her eyes focused intently on one particular item. "I simply cannot wait for everypony to arrive so I can indulge in a bite of that cake!"
"I'll be honest," Applejack chuckled, "Everythin’ does look pretty hoof-lickin' good, if I do say so myself!"
Twilight interrupted the drooling ponies. "Look! The first party guest is here!"
A unicorn pony with blue hair, a mirror of two beamed eighth notes for a cutie mark, and the coolest shades you'll ever see in Equestria approached the six ponies with a grin.
"Are you ponies ready to bring the house down?!" Vinyl Scratch cheered.
"You bet we are!" Rainbow Dash said, "But I'm not sure 'bringing the house down' is the right way to put it. We're at a lake."
Vinyl and Rainbow laughed, "Well, whatever you wanna call it, I'm planning on packing some oomph tonight!"
"Awesome!" Dash exclaimed. Vinyl set her equipment up under the gazebo by the rushing waterfall. She checked her levels and started to play a track, listening closely to the music and adjusting things accordingly. The amplifiers were booming with intensity as the beat crescendoed into a rhythmic breakdown.
"That sounds great, Vinyl! Now we just need to wait for everypony to get their flanks on up here!"
Soon enough, ponies were arriving to the Winsome Falls Splash Bash in a frenzy. Lyra and Bon Bon were the first out of everypony to show up, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Big Macintosh, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Lotus Blossom and her sister Aloe, Octavia with her concert band, Trixie, Wellshire Saddle, Blue Bonnet, Professor Bill Neigh, Berryshine, Cobalt, and countless other ponies. After a while, even Zecora showed up.
"Glad to see you could make it, Zecora!" Twilight greeted with a smile, the air around booming with music and voices. "I didn't think you'd come with all the stuff you usually have going on."
Zecora laughed, "I have many things to do, and many to be done, but what's the point of all that if you can't have some fun!"
Mr. and Mrs. Cake waved for Zecora. She nodded to the others and headed off towards the bakers.
"Wow, you guys!" Spike started, "I can't believe so many ponies showed up. This party is a huge hit!"
"I'm astonished as well," Rarity smiled, a drink clenched in her magic. "We did quite well if this many ponies decided it was worth their time to attend.”
"Yeah, it's great..." Rainbow Dash muttered.
"What's wrong, Dashie?" Pinkie inquired, catching the sour note that lingered in the pegasus’ voice. "I thought you out of all ponies would be the craziest about this party! With this many ponies, it's hard to not have fun!"
"I know, I know..." Rainbow replied. "I just- I really would've liked it if the Wonderbolts had shown up..."
As the words left her mouth the entire party ground to a halt, a collective gasp sounding throughout the masses as they gazed skywards to watch as three blinding fast pegasi whipped past Rainbow Dash. She started, and jumped into the air to see what went by her.
"No way, it can't be… Is that…? Oh my gosh! It is!"
Three of the Wonderbolts landed a few meters away from Dash and the crowd went absolutely wild as Spitfire, Soarin’ and Fleetfoot waved and smiled to everypony around them.
"I can't believe the Wonderbolts are at our party!" Rainbow Dash said, utterly awestruck. The three ‘Bolts turned to the six ponies and drew closer. They were even wearing the official Wonderbolts uniforms, Dash thought excitedly.
"Say," Spitfire began, "You’re Rainbow Dash, right?"
Rainbow Dash snapped from her daze, "Yeah! The one and only! Ahem, uh, ma'am." Dash smiled sheepishly.
Spitfire shook her head, "No need with all the formalities. Call me Spitfire. By the way, I didn't get to congratulate you on your graduation from the Wonderbolts academy. You had some of the best stuff I've ever seen!"
"Gee, thanks ma’- um, Spitfire..." Rainbow blushed. "I only wanted to do my best, so, y’know, that's what I did."
"I agree," Fleetfoot continued, "I haven't seen moves like that since I was first inducted into the gang."
"We'll definitely have to discuss this more at a more proper time," Soarin’ added. "Who knows? Maybe one day we'll see you in a Wonderbolt suit." he nudged her side gently. “Bet’cha you’d look real good in one, too.” he said with a cheesy wink.
Rainbow Dash's eyes lit up with pure joy and a wide grin bloomed on her face.
"Alrighty," Spitfire told the other two. "Let's go have some fun then, shall we?" The other two nodded their heads in eager agreement and broke apart, Soarin’ making a beeline for the pie section of the snack table.
"Well, what the hay are we waiting for?" Applejack exclaimed, "Ain't nopony stopping us from partying! Let's go!"
Author's Note
Please know that the next chapter is when things get steamy *wink* I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!!
