Cupcakes (Anniversary Edition)
The air is unsurprisingly warm as the sun shines down on each and every pony in Ponyville. And the sky is spotted with randomly placed clouds and honestly looks nicer than ever. All around this feels like a good day. It wouldn't hurt to do some tricks? I smile as I ready my wings, and break into the seemingly endless blue sky. Gravity threatens to tear me apart as I soar higher and higher, but its threats are empty as I rip open the vast sky. I look down at town square and notice how overly crowded it is as busy ponies fill in every gap of the streets. Everypony seemingly has a place to be, except me, but I don't mind. I like it that way.
I tear feely through the air, making quick turns one way and the next, racing over treetops and doing a random stunt every now and then. I do a quick trick over the school playground which undeniably causes the students to cheer in delight. Everything stops as I finish the trick and look down. Out of all the kids, out of all my fans, I immediately recognize Scootaloo, I recognize her proud look, but most of all… I recognize her potential. Sometimes, I wish moments like these could last forever but they sadly have to end.
I haven't really talked to Scootaloo ever since my huge breakdown last week. Everypony was shocked and confused, while I was hurt and baffled. Everypony avoided me, probably cause they didn't know what to even say. But Scootaloo was different. She stuck with me the whole time. Heck, she even let me cry on her shoulder. I literally cried on her shoulders, and Scootaloo didn't push me away, she hugged me. I can't even imagine how that must've impacted her. For her to watch her hero fall apart, the one pony that taught her to be strong. I helped keep her dreams alive and then I let her see me go nearly insane. I never really thought about it but she's my prodigy in a way. She's everything that I am but better.
I zoom away from the playground and climb into the sky for what seems like forever before diving. I streak downwards gaining intense speed, at that moment I see a familiar layer of air surround me. The ground comes rushing at me at an unreal speed before I opens my wings and bounce into the clear blue. As I do I hear the familiar shake of the sonic rainboom and I see the bright colors fly off me. I feel amazing! I feel… alive.
Last week I felt dead, Twilight might as well have killed me that day. Because a smart part of me died last week and I just revived it. And that's my courage. I felt weak and destroyed but flying out here feels good. I feel better than ever. I have zero problems and nobody to let down!
Wait… wasn't I supposed to meet Pinkie at Sugar Cube Corner right around now? Crap. I mean I could always blow her off, she didn't even tell me what we were gonna do, and its probably not that important. But… she trusts me. Also how would I be the element of loyalty if I ditched a friend?
Plus, it would hurt her feelings if I didn't show up and probably damage our friendship. And I recall Pinkie saying it was going to be something special only for the two of us. Well, honestly why not? I don't have anything to lose? It may even be more pranking! Pinkie may have come up with some new tricks to pull on some of our friends, it was fun last time. I kick into overdrive hoping I'm not to late and race to my appointment.
I land outside Sugar Cube Corner and smile at the familiar store. The thing looks like it was ripped straight off of a foals movie. I walk into the bakery and am immediately greeted by Pinkie Pie who, like always, is bouncing in joy. "Yay, you're here! I've been waiting allll day!" Says my bouncing host.
"Sorry if I'm late, Pinkie. I was flying around and got caught in the adrenaline." I apologize.
Pinkie giggles and responds in a gleefully reassuring tone, "Oh, that's okay, you're here now. What's a few more minutes? I've been sooo excited thinking about all the super duper fun stuff we're gonna do, I haven't stopped bouncing since I woke up. I mean, I almost forgot to breathe, I've been so happy."
I give her a slightly uncomfortable laugh. I always liked Pinkie's friendly, comedic way of life, but something about all of this enthusiasm she is showing is kinda creepy. But I shouldn't show any discomfort, because then I would just be plain rude. Plus if she's this enthusiastic she must've planned something good.
"So, you ready to get started, Dashie? I've got everything all ready," She says.
I get myself psyched up. "You betcha, Pinkie. So what do ya got planned? We gonna prank somepony? I got a couple of good ones I've been thinking about. Or maybe you've got some stunts you think I should try! Or perhaps…"
"MAKING CUPCAKES!" Pinkie happily announces.
"Baking? Your serious?" I can't help but feel a bit disappointed, I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. "Pinkie, you and I both know I'm not good at cooking. Remember last time?"
"Oh, that's not a problem at all. I only need your help making them. I'll be doing most of the work," Pinkie explains.
I still don't understand how I'm going to help in all of this. Am I just going to tell her the ingredients while she cooks? And why is Pinkie acting so weird. Sure, she's almost always excited but this is a new high for her. Not to mention her excitement in making cupcakes is abnormal. But I trust her.
I sigh. "Well, alright, I guess that's not too bad. What exactly do you need me to do?"
"That's the spirit. Here you go." Pinkie hands me an odd cupcake from a nearby counter.
I glance at the cupcake in my hooves. It looks like an ordinary chocolate cupcake but it doesn't feel like it. Its heavier, like way heavier. Not only that but the frosting is oddly off color, its way darker than usual. Not to mention the all around vibe of it is off. It just doesn't feel right. This place doesn't even feel right. None of this feels right.
"I thought I was helping you bake?"
"You will be. I made this one just for you before you got here."
"So, is this like a test-tasting or something?"
"Sorta," Pinkie says.
Why'd she say sorta? This whole entire situation feels weird I mean even Pinkie is acting weirder than usual! This place is giving me a really bad vibe. Well, its not like I can turn back now. I hesitate twice before popping the cupcake in my mouth. It's oddly squishy and has a strange minty flavor. But its not as bad as I anticipated. But that doesn't mean it's good.
"OK, now what?" I ask suddenly feeling a bit lightheaded.
Pinkie sighs."Sorry, Dashie. Your gonna have to take a nap."
Then just like that the world begins spinning. I try to speak but I can't. I feel drugged. Wait, did she drug me? She wouldn't, would she? I collapse on the hard floor while wondering if this is some cruel joke. Then everything slowly fades to black…
