"So Twilight," Fluttershy said and looked at her friend. "What do you think Pinkie Pie has planned?"
"I don't know," the unicorn said and looked up at the sky. "But I don't really know if I want to know. I mean, we're talking about Pinkie Pie." She shook her head and lead the way across the town square. "I don't know, I guess I shouldn't worry too much. It's not like she's gonna surprise us with a supersized party cannon, right?"
"Oh, I hope not," Fluttershy said back and shuddered. "The one she normally uses is more than enough for me..." She gave a quick look around to make sure before she focused on a blue pegasus appearing between the clouds. It was Rainbow Dash, as always practicing her new tricks for the Wonderbolts. This time she had got the idea it could be of interest to try darting lines in the clouds, to make up shapes. This once she made an attempt at the logo of the group she wanted to impress.
"Hey Rainbow!" Twilight called and looked up at the flying mare. "Wanna take a break for a bit?"
Rainbow Dash looked down at her two friends and smiled before she quickly descended before she set hoof on the ground before them. "Hey, girls," she smiled. "Whatcha doing?"
"Pinkie Pie sent me this letter," Fluttershy said and unfolded a wing that held a piece of paper. "She wanted us to meet her at Sugarcube Corner for a surprise. Twilight and I are trying to figure out what it could be."
The pegasus chuckled. "Well I guess I could tag along," she said. "I guess I could use the rest, since I've been spending the entire morning trying to make that emblem in the sky." She then pointed a hoof up at the shaped cloud she had processed. "Whatcha think?"
"Oh, it's great!" Twilight smiled and examined the fluffy Wonderbolts emblem that adorned the otherwise clear sky. "I'm sure the Wonderbolts will appreciate it."
"I sure hope so," Rainbow sighed and nodded. "I might need to work a bit more on it, though, to make the edges a bit smoother."
Fluttershy placed a wing over the other pegasus' back and smiled. "Rainbow," she said. "It's good as it is. They will like it. I promise."
The blue pegasus smiled back at Fluttershy and gave her a light nuzzle. "Thanks," she said.
In the same moment, the entire square of PonyVille got pulled into a big rumble that shook the ground, accompanied by a loud bang from a distance. Twilight and Fluttershy quickly darted to the ground, while Rainbow looked up at the sky, letting her jaw drop by the sight. The cloud she had spent time and effort shaping was now divided in two, with a narrow stripe dashing through the middle, from bottom to top.
"What the hay was that?!" she shouted angrily and flew up in the air. "Who ruined my token for the Wonderbolts, and why?!"
Twilight looked up and around at the other ponies who had also seeked protection by staying low. What I would like to know is what's going on, she thought to herself. She pointed her ears up and listened. For starters, what's that rumbling noise that's getting closer?
Soon after, a figure bounced along the road and up behind the two mares. "Hey girls!" she squeaked and giggled.
Fluttershy jumped up and turned to face the one who scared her. To her comfort, it was just Pinkie Pie.
"Did you hear that loud bang?" the pink mare smiled and bounced a bit more on the spot. "That was super duper loud! I didn't know somepony else wanted to start a party!"
Twilight turned to her and cocked an eyebrow. "Wait," she started. "You didn't cause that?"
"Well duh!" Pinkie said and gave off a silly smile. "I'm standing right here, silly. How in Equestria would I be able to fire a cannon waaaaaay over there, and be here at the same time?" She then gasped wither her hooves to her cheeks. "Maybe I did it with some sort of remote, and banged my head against something that removed my memory! Or maybe-"
The mare was quickly muffled by one of Rainbow's hooves before she finished what was now mumbling.
"Pinkie!" Twilight shouted and scowled at her. "Did you cause the explosion?"
"Mh-mh!" Pinkie Pie closed her eyes and shook her head.
The unicorn's eyebrow stayed put. "Well then who did?" she continued.
As she finished her question, she could feel the ground shaking again. This time it was more gentle and consistent. She turned around and looked around towards the square.
"Fillies and gentlecolts!" a male voice boomed over the central square. "Please allow us to take a little of your time to show you fruits you have never seen before!" Soon after, the shaking became stronger, accompanied by a gradually louder noise. Ponies turned to the main gate and opened their eyes in great fascination.
In through the marbled stone gate, shining in the bright sun, rolled a row of big metal cages on tracks. Most of them painted in green, some in white and a few marbled with shades of the colours in the Everfree forest. Every pony gazed at the big boxes that entered the square and formed a circle around the fountain.
"Tw-twilight..?" Fluttershy stuttered in a whispering tone. "Wh-what's going on..? What are those..?"
"Twi," Rainbow said and walked up to the unicorn's side. "Are those..?"
Twilight nodded. "Yes," she said back. "Those are tanks."
Author's Note
So, this was a fairly short chapter (like many first chapters are these days), mainly to see if anyone caught interest in this little idea that I got.
Feel free to let me know what you think, whether it's fantastic or mediocre (Or in between for that matter)
Looking forward to hear your opinion on this!
-James
