Harmonic Shuffleby pasieka17ChaptersPinkOrangeYellowPinkLong ago, in a magical land of not-yet-Equestria All the ponies lived in peace and harmony and they partied all the time, as if they were crazy, but they really weren’t, duh! They were just as happy as a pony can be and they smiled all the time. Their life was free of worries, so they partied all the time, since it was always somepony’s birthday. In these ancient times everything the ponies ate was cake and pies and punch and flowers and pizza and whatever party food you can imagine (because there was always a party). And there was always a gramophone with my favorite record playing, because it was just so super duper outright fantastic. Gee, the good times. But then everything changed... when the... Fire Stallions attacked! The big, meanie Fire Stallions! They didn’t want the three Pony Tribes to party in harmony! They said that now the year has no days at all, so it is not anypony’s birthday! and they burnt all the streamers, and they all were like KssshHHHSShhhh, and they burnt all the baloons, and they were like Kssssss.... POPThhh!! and then they drank all the punch and changed the music to some classical music which I find okay, but I don’t like it THAT much. Well, and they were the Fire Stallions, so they breathed... FIRE! But not all the time, only when they wanted to burn something, because otherwise they wouldn’t be able to have a casual conversation. But there was a single Party Pony who wasn’t afraid of the Fire Stallions! And she (because it was a mare, duh!) was really The Last Partyattender! Because she secretly kept some streamers and confetti and baloons and partied when the Fire Stallions weren’t around. Okay, that’s enough for today, I didn’t suspect writing is soooo exhausting for my headsies. Poory, poor Thinkie Pie. And that’s how Equestria was made! (not yet, but I think it’s a good last sentence for any story) “So, what do you think? Not bad for a first try, Spikey, huh, huh, huh?!?” Pinkie Pie, the personal student and protegee of Princess Celestia finished reading her first attempt at writing anything to her number one (and frankly, only) assistant. Spike was just a baby dragon, but as he was living with Pinkie Pie all his life, he felt like a real grayscale tired with his life at times. “Geez, Pinkie, it’s three in the morning. I’m trying to sleep here!”. He turned around and covered his head with a pillow. “Sleep!?” Pinkie gasped. “Sleep?!?!?! Just an hour after the Moondancers party, and fifteen hours before the AFTERparty?” “Geez, don’t tell me there’s gonna be an afterparty...” Spike moaned. “Haha! Gotcha!” The party mare fluttered her eyes rapidly. “Oh, thank Celestia, I don’t know if I could...” “The party is in FOUR hours, not fifteen! It’s noon already! Your Auntie Prankie Pie changed the clocks... again!” Pinkie giggled. “To be honest, Pinkie, every hour spent with you is equally entertaining, so the exact time doesn’t matter.” Spike muttered and closed his eyes again. We really need to get separate beds. Hell, I’d go even with a basket. Sleep sleep sleep sleep “Oooooooh, aren’t you just the most lovely, the most entertaining, and the very very bestie best assistant in the whole Equestria, Spike?” Spike opened one eye. Just as expected, Pinkie’s face was grinning just an inch or two away from his. “Yeah. Indeed I am.” He grunted. Suddenly the pink body twitched. Spike tried to crawl away, but it was already too late. “Somepony here is suffering from need-to hug-my-assistant syndrome! It’s huggy time!” “No, Pinkie, no!” Although Spike appreciated all the sisterly love and affection Pinkie showed him daily, her need for manifesting it was close to disturbing. She almost crushed him with the embrace. “Gosh, Pinkie, give me a break. Seriously now, give me a break. Pinkie, I can’t breathe!” “That’s so sweet, Spike!” Pinkie shed a single tear of joy, not really paying attention to Spike’s words. “Pinkie, stop! Gosh, I think I’m nauseating! Pinkie, I’m about to...BUUUUUUUURRRRP!!!” A huge scroll covered with green flames materialised in front of his nose. Thank Celestia it’s not the last party. “A letter! A letter from Princess Celestia! It must be important!” Spike gathered all his strength and pushed the astonished pink pony away, making her fall off the bed. Pinkie stood up, shook the dust off her fur and trotted to the kitchen annex of the round room of the Canterlot’s Ivory Tower they lived in. Spike broke the seal on the letter, unrolled it and started to read. He frowned after a while. “Pinkie, I think it is actually pretty major! I think you should listen to it.” “Sure Spike, whatever Aunt Celestia wants must be super important” Pinkie said and took the cupcakes out of the oven. Spike cleared his throat and began to read. Pinkie Pie, my most faithful student I have a very important task for you that needs to be done immediately. Recently I’ve noticed many signs of Nightmare Moon’s return. You can know that name from an old pony tale, but I assure you, that Nightmare Moon is real. In fact, it is the twisted, evil and malevolent incarnation of my sister, Princess Luna, imprisoned a thousand years ago on the moon. I won’t get into the details (you can easily find them in the book “Predictions and Prophecies” I sent you a while back). The important thing is - all the ponies traditionally celebrate the defeat of Nightmare Moon on the longest day of the year with so-called Summer Sun Celebration. And this is exactly when the Nightmare Moon’s return is going to happen, and she will try to bring an eternal night upon all of Equestria. This year is not a good time to have that party. Now, for the love of me, listen carefully, for there is not much time left. There are some powerful forces in Equestria, called the Elements of Harmony. They are the key to defeat the Nightmare Moon. Unfortunately, I forgot where I put them, and my power over the Elements has weakened over the years. However I sense a very strong Harmony resonance from the little village of Ponyville. You’ll be delegated there immediately. You’ll find my undercover operative, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle there. She’ll aid you on your quest to find the Elements of Harmony and to defeat the Nightmare Moon. Try to get all the help you can get - if Nightmare Moon returns I’m not sure if I can defeat my sister again. You’ll be stationed in the Ponyville’s library. Waste no time and find the book “Elements of Harmony: The Reference Guide” (it should be under “E”). I’d borrow it myself, but as I recall it my library card is out of date (I send it to you along with the letter, please, renew it, as you’ll be the new town’s librarian). Over the years I observed you very carefully, and I am convinced that you embody one of the Elements of Harmony, the Element of Laughter. That can be our chance for victory, even if I won’t be able to stand against the Nightmare Moon. Find out about the other Element’s and try your best to discover ponies who stand for them. I believe that your contact, Twilight Sparkle can be the Element of Magic. She’s the town’s most recognised magician even if her work doesn’t help her develop her talents. Find her, and close shut the jaws of Eternal Night! Princess Celestia PS. The royal charriot will be by your place in an hour, so pack your things up. Try not to be overloaded. “Wow, that sounded really important. I think that we should take that book-” “Oh, Spike, Spike...”, Pinkie shook her head in disbelief, “When you will finally learn how to read between the words?” The pink pony opened her enormous travelling trunk. “Let’s see... I’ll need those...”, she said putting a huge mound of baloons inside, “definitely a pile of these babies... Oh, and you never have enough of my favorite streamers, that’s for sure... Spike, do you think there’s a half-decent bakery there, or should I bake ALL the cupcakes I need myself??” Spike cocked his eyebrow. “Pinkie, I think that the Princess was clear to take just the important stuff, we must take steps to prev-” “Oh, Spike, Spike, Spike. SPIIIIIIIKE.” Pinkie was wearing her detective hat all of a sudden. “I believe I listened to the letter carefully enough. At least to the important parts. Our instructions are clear as a day. I must go to Ponyville and make some new friends while preparing the Best. Summer. Sun. Celebration. Ever!” She put her toy pipe in her muzzle and blew some bubbles out of it. “Sunset Sarsaparilla! My favorite drink! Where did I put it? They definitely don’t have it in Ponyville.” “I wonder what letter you were listening to. I’m sure that the instructions are to seek information on the Elements of Harmony and-” “Trombone? Tuba? Harmonica? Trumpet!? I just can’t decide! I’m so excited, Spike, I don’t know if I ever was so excited in my life, well, maybe that one time when I was applying to that magic school and everypony was like “you’ll never make it Pinkie, you’re not a unicorn!”, but I qualified anyway ,and then we had pancakes to celebrate and I was all like >>OMNOMNOM<<. What the heck, I’m bringing my one-pony-band set!” Pinkie was clearly filled with glee as she jumped joyfully around her nearly full trunk. Spike sighed and put Princess’s letter in his bag. “Whatever, Pinkie.” “Well, let’s see. So there’s my crystal ball and turban...” Spike rolled his eyes. “Come on, Pinkie, nobody likes all this “Madame Gypsy Pie” mumbo-jumbo you came up with in the School For Gifted Unicorns And Royal Protegees” “NoPONY in Canterlot, Spike. We don’t know nothing about Ponyville yet. So, that leaves some empty space in the chest, just enough for the confetti. The chariot should be able to carry my Cannon, the Welcome Wagon, the balls for Ball Emergencies... I’ll probably fly with my skybike... and my baking equipment... boy, that escalated quickly!” she said looking at the huge pile of luggage and contraptions she gathered. Note to self: try to find Twilight Sparkle and let her know about the Nightmare Moon, thought Spike. "But Pinkie... what if Princess Celestia is right about Nightmare Moon? What if it is really a thousand years anniversary of her exile? What if-" "Nightmare Shnightmare, Spike. And what if Princess's count is wrong? What's the biggest number you know, Spike?" Spike blushed. "42." "The next is 43. Write it down. It's a lot less than thousand and it's still hard to count to it, right? I'm sure if I was that scary, meany thing on the moon, I couldn't tell one day from the other. I'm not even talking years, Spikey. Unless Celestia exiled a huge hourglass too. The party, on the other hoof, is a completely different matter. You don't have to guess when to have a party, you just invite everypony, bring music and a ton of cupcakes and have fun. Parties... parties never change." An armored stallion entered the ivory tower. "Miss Pie?!", he shouted, "The charriot's ready!" "Okie-dokie-lokie!!!" Pinkie yelled back. "You heard it Spike? Now get those things downstairs and cheer up! What's the worst that could happen? I'm the protagonist after all!" OrangeOne would often wonder how is it possible to ride a sky bike, talk to your friend and celebrate friday by playing your one-pony-band set all at once, but hey, it's Pikie we're talking about, don't you remember? "You see, Spike, my silly assistant", Pinkie said to the baby dragon, "Ponyville is a great, great, great chance for us to have a new start! To meet new ponies! To find love! And, as the Princess's emmisaries we'll surely live like kings! Or queens. Wait, that doesn't make sense. Why in Celestia's name isn't Celestia a queen?" Pinkie Pie stopped pedaling and the sky bike slowed down. Spike cocked his eyebrow. "Do you honestly think I will find love down there?" "Oh, why, yes! I wouldn't be that surprised if you fell in love at the first sight with somepony! Maybe even today!" Pinkie frowned. "Well, but I guess that unless both your voice and testicles are low enough, you don't have a chance for nothing more that increasing frustration and unfullfillement in your love life." "Thanks, Pinkie. You never fail to cheer me up." Spike mumbled and looked down. "Looks like we are close." The village of Ponyville was underwhelming to say the least. It appeared that the most interesting place in the town was the library, in front of which laid a huge pile of Pinkies luggage and devices. A small crowd of ponies of all sorts surrounded it. "Ah, excellent!" Shouted Pinkie. "Look Spike, our first targets!" The party mare winked at her scaley minion. They were almost right above the library, few hundred hoofs high. "I'm not sure, Pinkie... well, just try not to harm anypony." Spike sighed. "I hope I won't have to fix that bike again." "LIGHTS!?!" Pinkie shouted. "It's noon, Pinkie." "CAMERA!?!" "I don't know what camera is, Pinkie." "MUSIC!?!" "Well, you're wearing this instrument set since we took off." "FUN FROM ABOVE!!!" Pinkie yelled, took the harmonica in her mouth and the sky bike piked down. * The ponies gathered around the library were inspecting Pinkies luggage and machinery when they heard loud polka sounds from above their heads. "Is it a bird?" An orange filly pegasus asked, raising her head. "Is it a human?" An aquamarine unicorn squinted her eyes, looking at the pink comet falling down from the sky. "Is it a what?" The rest of ponies asked the unicorn in unison. "Is it a muffin?" A grey pegasus asked, pointing at the muffin lying in front of her. "Is it friday?" Asked a sleepy pony still in her nightcap, leaning out of the window of the house near the library. THWOOOOM!!! Something that looked like a love-child of a bike and a helicopter crashed almost right in the middle of the crowd, causing a mushroom cloud of confetti, baloons and streamers. "Is... is anypony hurt?" An orange mare with three apples on her flank searched the wreckage, but it looked like there was nopony there. "Up here!" The ponies raised their heads again and saw a pink pony holding a baby dragon falling down on a parachute. They landed right on top of the twisted metal along with the confetti rain. "Ehrm, 'scuse me?" The orange mare asked. "Name's Applejack. Who are you?" "Oh, I'm so glad you asked!!!" * "Well, that's very nice", said Applejack after the song finished, "But what exactly are you doing here?" "We have special orders from Princess Celestia herself! We must find a uni-mbwwmbwwmm wbbighbw..." Pinkie gagged Spike's mouth with her hoof, so he just rolled his eyes and stopped speaking. "Yes, Applejack, I have special orders from Princess to make as many friends as possible and to prepare the Summer Sun Celebration!" "Well, I'm more than okay with this." Applejack said. "The Sumsuncels are usually kinda boring, f'you ask me..." "... and that's exactly why Pinkie Pie, the Party Pony Extraordinaire is here!" Pinkie exclaimed. "So, Applejack, can you give some little hints where do I start?" Applejack thought for a while. "Well... last year the food was quite awful and there wasn't that much of it... so you should probably check Sweet Apple Acres and make sure it won't happen again." She looked at the clouded sky. "Yeah, the weater sucks as always, so you'd better get the weather supervisor to work... oh, and don't forget about decorations and music!" "Decorations... music! Got it! Anything else?" Pinkie made a checklist on the backside of Celestia's letter. "Well... if you're askin'..." "What is it, Applejack?" "A little before-and-after party would be appropriate. The official celebrations are always such a pain, with mayor talkin' and me sleepin', if you know what I mean. We aren't even allowed to have a drink there! Or even a little bit of gambling. Or even call-studs!" Applejack raised her hooves to the sky. "The horror!" Some indistinguishible voice cried in the background. "Oh, I completely get it! We'll make our own party! With blackjack! And hookers! And I, Pinkie Pie, hereby anoint you as my Party Plenipotentiary!" Pinkie put her forehoof on Applejack's hat. "When I'll be handling the official Summer Sun Celebrations, you'll invite everypony to the library for the most epic homemade party ever! Now, do you know any respectable beverage suppliers in Ponyville?" "As a matter of fact, ma'am", Applejack blushed a little, "Ah got it completely covered. The Applejack's Swig is one of the finest businesses in town." "I see!" Pinkie smiled. "That is most relevant to our interests." Pinkie hoofed Applejack a set of keys and a thin book. " Here are the keys to the library and the manual for my Party Cannon. Okay Spike, let's go!" she shouted and ran into random direction. "Pinkie wait! You don't even know where are you going!" Spike yelled, but the pink mare was already too far to hear him. Spike turned around. "Now, miss Applejack, as a matter of fact we are looking for a unicorn named Twi-" He broke off in mid-sentence, as the orange mare was already gone too. He sighed and started going wherever Pinkie ran. Yellow„Can you at least promise me that after we’re done with this party we will try to find Twilight Sparkle and do what the Princess told us to do?” “Spike, but we ARE doing what Princess told us to do. She depends on us with the Summer Sun Celebration! Now let's go to the Apple Acres, our food supplier!" “Pinkie, how do you even now we are going in the right direction? It’s not like you asked anypony!” “Auntie Pinkie has her ways! And here we are!” Pinkie suddenly stopped her mix of running and jumping which caused Spike to fall off her into bushes. “Gee, Pinkie, try to warn me the next time you do that!” Spike stood up and rubbed his head. “And where exactly are we?” He raised his head. “Oh… Pinkie… are you really sure we’re gonna find anything here?” They were standing by an old, black and spikey metal fence covered with vine and spider webs. The rusty, wide gate was half-open. The wind was swinging it back and forth, making a loud creaking sound every few seconds. “Welcome to… something… apple… Pinkie, it’s all blurred. I don’t think anypony lives here!” Spike said trying to read an obscurred sign that was hanging over the gate. “Oh, my silly scaly assistant! Where else are we going to find enough food for the party if not in this lovely apple orchard? And if I am sure of something, it’s that I sure do love apples!” Pinkie exclaimed and pointed her hoof at the old, twisted apple trees behind the fence. “I… I don’t know. These apple trees don’t look like any apple trees I’ve seen in my life…” Pinkie sighed. “Well, my number-one-kill-all-the-fun assistant, what is wrong with these trees? Because the way I see it, they are just heavy with the most sweet, big and delicious looking apples I’ve ever seen! And if something looks delicious like those apples, then for 99% they really ARE delicious!!” Pinkie reached to open the gate, but Spike was fast enough to catch her and pull her back. “Wait!!!” He shouted. “First of all, those trees are black. Black, Pinkie! Secondly, what apple trees loose their leaves in summer? And finally, there are Celestiadamn huge ravens sitting on these trees!" There were, indeed, huge scary-looking ravens in the trees' upper branches, staring at them menacingly. One of them cawed loudly and Spike felt shivers down his spine. "Sheesh, talk about discouraging!" Pinkie rolled her eyes. "There's nothing to be afraid of you poltroon!" She opened the gate and approached the nearest tree. Suddenly, the wind howled. "You see, Spike? Nothing happened. Now, I just need a proof of these apples' deliciouseness!" Pinkie stood on her hind legs. "Now I'm just going to give this tree a little sha-" "CAW, CAW, CAW, CAW, CAW!!!" The raven flock surrounded Pinkie and cawed at her furiously. Two ravens landed in her mane and started to peck her. "Aaaaaah, fiddlesticks!!! " Pinkie backed away from the tree and the ravens left her immediately, flying back on the trees. "Well, you see Pinkie? There's nothing for us to do here." Spike turned around and started to walk away. Pinkie Pie nodded. "That's really odd, but this time you really can be right! Wow, I can't believe it is happening! I think this can be the day!" Pinkie's body started to tremble. For the first time in their relationship, Pinkie was going to listen to the voice of reason. "Yes Spike, let's go aw- WHAT IS THAT?!?" Something small and white shimmered in the distance. "What, Pinkie?" "Out there, deep in the orchard!" She pointed the white object with her hoof. "I think it is... Oh my gosh, it's a rabbit! A cute, cuddly little white rabbit!". The snowy ball stopped on the path between the trees and indeed turned out to be a white rabbit carrying a somewhat oversized clock. The creature looked at the clock, shook it's head in an angry manner and run behind the trees out of their sight. "Let's follow it!" Pinkie commanded, and began a series of hops, skips and jumps to where the rabbit has dissapeared. "Pinkie, wait! Don't follow the white rabbit!" Spike shouted as he ran after Pinkie. How come she is so fast even if she jumps so... casually, he thought. "Pinkie!" * "Finally! I thought I'll never find you. Now let's go back!" Spike said. He finally caught up with Pinkie on a small glade in the orchard. "Shhh!" Pinkie said, putting her forehoof on Spikes mouth. "Lookie there!" A couple of empty baskets was lying under the apple trees. "Now listen!" She commanded. There was a distant, but increasingly loud sound of a mare singing. "I think she is coming here..." Pinkie whispered. The nearby bushes shook and a yellow pegasus came out from behind them, followed by the rabbit they've seen before. The rabbit was shoving a clock in front of pegasus's snout. "Angel, I know we are a little late, but I really need to... Oh." The pegasus noticed Pinkie and Spike standing in the glade. "Um, hello?" "Hello! I'm Pinkie Pie, the personal student of Princess Celestia, and this year's Summer Sun Celebration supervisor!" The pink pony took the pegasus's forehoof and shook it zealously. "Also, I'm your new friend, and I'm soooo looking forward to hang out with you, because I know just everypony, I mean, not yet, but I'm going to VERY soon. And you are?" "I'm... I'm Fluttershy and this is my pet bunny, Angel." The pegasus walked to the baskets. "Now excuse us. We are in a little hurry." "In a hurry? Why?" Pinkie asked. "Well, we have a little family reunion. I need to pick some apples and get back to the farm as fast as I can." Fluttershy approached an apple tree, and turned her back at it. "Now... carefully... one... two.... three!" She closed her eyes, gasped and gently pushed the tree with her hind legs. Nothing happened. Wow, this must have been the weakest buck ever. thought Spike. Fluttershy blushed and smiled. "Well, sometimes you need to be a little rough. One... two...and..." , she gasped again, "... three!" This time Pinkie and Spike could hear something similair to a knock on the door when Fluttershy's hooves made contact with the tree's trunk. Two huge apples trembled on the tree and fell down into a basket. "Two apples! Oh my, I think that it equals my personal best!" Angel, obviously impatient, walked over to the tree and delivered few powerful kicks. The baskets quickly filled with huge apples. "Well ", Fluttershy forced a smile on her face, "I guess I need some practice." Angel put one basket on Fluttershy's back and took the other one in his paws. "Well, you are probably in a hurry, so we won't stop you any-" "Can we come?!?" Pinkie fluttered her eyes rapidly. "Well..." Fluttershy smiled, "I don't see why not. I'd like to hear all about you... and that cute baby dragon of your's. I didn't know that dragons can talk." Spike frowned. "Please excuse us for a minute." They walked to the side and turned their backs at the pegasus. "What is it, Spike?" "Something is very wrong here, Pinkie. Why the ravens didn't attack her when she touched the tree? They are still all over here." "Oh, Spike, she probably lived here for a long time, and they just got used to her. She looks okay to me. She is so... kind. Besides, we need to talk about food with her. And I'm starving too." Pinkie turned around. "Is there something wrong?" Fluttershy asked. "Nothing at all! Please, lead the way!" * "Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! The dinner should be already prepared." The farm consisted of an old house clearly in need of some repairs, a big barn, a tool shed, a croft and a hen house. They headed to the backyard, where a dining table full of different foods was. "Now, would you kindly sit down." Fluttershy took few apples out of the baskets and put them in a bowl. "Now, you must excuse me. I need to put those baskets back, and feed Angel. He is very picky when it comes to food." "Isn't that great, Spike? Look at all the food here! I bet it is amazing, and I'm ready to chow down!" Pinkie said in excitement, when Fluttershy left them. Spike moved his chair closer to Pinkie. "I don't know. This place gives me the creeps. Didn't you notice the house? It looks deserted, as if nopony lived here for a while. And I'm not touching that food either!" "Mmmmm.... delishoush!!!" Pinkie said, scattering crumbs of cake all around. "You should really have some of this! I've never tasted apple pie like this one!" "Don't you think it's a little bit suspicious? That pony was able to knock down two apples! And yet she is serving us tons of foods here! How long did she prepare this dinner? A year? And why we are the only guests, if it is a family reunion!?" "Geez, Spike, they are probably late, that's all!" "And what about that bird over there?! What is it!? Why is it staring at us since we arrived?" Spike pointed a large, black bird with a bald head, sitting on a fence nearby. "Spike, it's just a vulture! A harmless scavenger! I think you're seeing patterns where there aren't any! You're being rude, Spike!" "And you're getting us into trouble!" Spike went down on his knees. "Pinkie, I'm begging you, let's get out of here!" "Is there anything wrong?" Fluttershy's soft voice surprised Spike who sprang to his feet. Apparently, the yellow pegasus was back with them. "No, nothing at all! I just need... to use a bathroom! Yes! I'll just leave you two for a while! I'll be right back!" Spike practically ran away from the table. * Spike entered the house and, jues as he suspected, it was empty. Everything was covered with dust - the floor, the furniture, even some of the spider webs which added to the eerie atmosphere of Sweet Apple Acres. "Hello? Is anybody here?" Spike shouted and went a few steps deeper. The floor under his feet creaked after every step. Suddenly Pinkie Pie's assistant saw that the dust on the floor was thinner in some places, forming a kind of slightly cleaner path. Spike gulped. Now carefully, let's see where it leads us, he thought while the trail took him past the saloon and kitchen to a closed doors with numerous hoovsteps imprinted in the dust near them. The dragon reached for the door and pushed it firmly. Please, be the toilet, or a wardrobe, or a broom cupboard, just don't be a creepy dark- It was a cellar. Everything Spike could see were the steep stairs, leading into the darkness. Okay Spike, now you must be brave, he thought and took the first step down. All of a sudden, he heard something goind up the stairs at great speed. The ball of white fure ran past him like a lightning bolt, knocking the dragon off balance and making him fall down the stairs. "Aaaaa!" *THOMP* "...AaaaA!!!" *THOMP* "AaaaaaAA!!!" *THOMP* *SPLAT* When Spike stood up, the first thing he noticed was a terrible smell. He was feeling dizzy after hitting the floor, but as soon as he returned to his senses, his ears were attacked by a horribly loud noise composed of grunting, snorting and oinking. Spike's eyes quickly accustomed themselves to the surrounding darkness, and the dragon noticed a chandelier hanging on the ceiling. Not thinking much, he breathed fire at it with all his strength, lightening the candles and the whole room in the process. The cellar has been utilized as underground pens for pigs. There were tens of them, of different sizes and colors, all staring at Spike and grunting. One pig in the front caught the dragon's attention. Spike approached the fence separating him from the animals, and looked at the big, grey boar with a white spot on it's rump. The grey pig looked Spike deeply in the eyes, as if it tried to tell him something. Spike looked at the pigs rump and froze in horror. This is not just a white spot. It is a snowball. That pig has a Cutie Mark! There was just one thought in Spike's mind - to run like hell, get Pinkie and leave this place forever. "Fluttershy is not a witch", Spike mumbled to himself while backing away from the pigs, "Fluttershy is not a witch, Fluttershy is..." "...I'm right behind you, sweetie." The soft, gentle voice of the yellow pegasus made Spike's heart stop beating. * "Now look, who's lost here, Angel." Fluttershy spoke to the white rabbit next to her. "Isn't he like the cutest thing in Equestria? I think he is so cute that I could just eat him." "PINKIE!!! PINKIE!!!" Spike was screaming his lungs out and looked for a way to escape, but the way to the stairs was blocked by the pegasus. "Um, I think that your friend ate too much and is a little bit heavy on the stomach." Fluttershy smirked. "Now aren't you a tad hungry yourself? There's plenty of food up there, you know." "Forget it! I'm not touching your food! It's all about the food, right? Where's your family!? It was supposed to be a family reunion!" Spike shouted. "Oh, we are all a big family. Me, Angel and all our friends. And you and your friend too. Now please, follow me." "No! I'm not going anywhere except away! And only if Pinkie comes with me!" Fluttershy frowned. "I don't think I made myself clear, mister." Suddenly, she open her eyes unnaturally wide and stared right at Spike's eyes. As the pegasus pupils dilated, the dragon felt like a strange kind of power compels him to obey, weakens his will, just as if he became a puppet without noticing it. "Now please. Follow me, would you kindly." "Y... Yes ma'am." Spike's mouth spoke the words almost without his help. Fluttershy turned around and walked up the stairs. Spike followed her unwillingly, thinking that this is the end, that his life as a dragon ends and he and Pinkie will spend their last days in that cellar, before getting slaughtered, their meat baked and their bones fed to a vulture, thinking about Pinkie and that the life he led by her side wasn't bad after all, that... * "Here we are, mister!" Fluttershy said and Spike felt that he is not under any charm any longer. "W... What? Where are we?" Fluttershy cocked her eyebrow. "You were looking for a bathroom, didn't you? Here it is!" She pushed the door they were standing by, revealing a perfectly clean and tidy bathroom. Spike's eyes went wide. "N-no I think I d-don't need it a-a-anymore", he stuttered. "And don't mind if I do!!!" Pinkie exclaimed, walked between the two and shut the door behind her. "So, um... are you hungry? Pinkie said that you didn't eat anything." Fluttershy asked after a minute of awkward silence. "I think I'll pass." The bathrooms door opened wide, and Pinkie jumped out, immediately shutting it back. "You probably should not be going there for a while!" she explained. "Wow, Fluttershy, your food was so delicious! Please, bring some to the Summer Sun Celebration! And see you at the before-and-after party!" "Oh, I'll definitely be there, Pinkie." "Ah, it was fun. We definitely must han- what is it, Spike?" The purple dragon repeatedly pulled Pinkie's hair. "Can we go now? Please! We need to find Twilight Sparkle!" Spike moaned. "Oh yes, that reminds me. We need to take care of the weather! See you around, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie and her dragon assistant Spike left the Sweet Apple Acres, accompanied by ravens' cawing.
PinkLong ago, in a magical land of not-yet-Equestria All the ponies lived in peace and harmony and they partied all the time, as if they were crazy, but they really weren’t, duh! They were just as happy as a pony can be and they smiled all the time. Their life was free of worries, so they partied all the time, since it was always somepony’s birthday. In these ancient times everything the ponies ate was cake and pies and punch and flowers and pizza and whatever party food you can imagine (because there was always a party). And there was always a gramophone with my favorite record playing, because it was just so super duper outright fantastic. Gee, the good times. But then everything changed... when the... Fire Stallions attacked! The big, meanie Fire Stallions! They didn’t want the three Pony Tribes to party in harmony! They said that now the year has no days at all, so it is not anypony’s birthday! and they burnt all the streamers, and they all were like KssshHHHSShhhh, and they burnt all the baloons, and they were like Kssssss.... POPThhh!! and then they drank all the punch and changed the music to some classical music which I find okay, but I don’t like it THAT much. Well, and they were the Fire Stallions, so they breathed... FIRE! But not all the time, only when they wanted to burn something, because otherwise they wouldn’t be able to have a casual conversation. But there was a single Party Pony who wasn’t afraid of the Fire Stallions! And she (because it was a mare, duh!) was really The Last Partyattender! Because she secretly kept some streamers and confetti and baloons and partied when the Fire Stallions weren’t around. Okay, that’s enough for today, I didn’t suspect writing is soooo exhausting for my headsies. Poory, poor Thinkie Pie. And that’s how Equestria was made! (not yet, but I think it’s a good last sentence for any story) “So, what do you think? Not bad for a first try, Spikey, huh, huh, huh?!?” Pinkie Pie, the personal student and protegee of Princess Celestia finished reading her first attempt at writing anything to her number one (and frankly, only) assistant. Spike was just a baby dragon, but as he was living with Pinkie Pie all his life, he felt like a real grayscale tired with his life at times. “Geez, Pinkie, it’s three in the morning. I’m trying to sleep here!”. He turned around and covered his head with a pillow. “Sleep!?” Pinkie gasped. “Sleep?!?!?! Just an hour after the Moondancers party, and fifteen hours before the AFTERparty?” “Geez, don’t tell me there’s gonna be an afterparty...” Spike moaned. “Haha! Gotcha!” The party mare fluttered her eyes rapidly. “Oh, thank Celestia, I don’t know if I could...” “The party is in FOUR hours, not fifteen! It’s noon already! Your Auntie Prankie Pie changed the clocks... again!” Pinkie giggled. “To be honest, Pinkie, every hour spent with you is equally entertaining, so the exact time doesn’t matter.” Spike muttered and closed his eyes again. We really need to get separate beds. Hell, I’d go even with a basket. Sleep sleep sleep sleep “Oooooooh, aren’t you just the most lovely, the most entertaining, and the very very bestie best assistant in the whole Equestria, Spike?” Spike opened one eye. Just as expected, Pinkie’s face was grinning just an inch or two away from his. “Yeah. Indeed I am.” He grunted. Suddenly the pink body twitched. Spike tried to crawl away, but it was already too late. “Somepony here is suffering from need-to hug-my-assistant syndrome! It’s huggy time!” “No, Pinkie, no!” Although Spike appreciated all the sisterly love and affection Pinkie showed him daily, her need for manifesting it was close to disturbing. She almost crushed him with the embrace. “Gosh, Pinkie, give me a break. Seriously now, give me a break. Pinkie, I can’t breathe!” “That’s so sweet, Spike!” Pinkie shed a single tear of joy, not really paying attention to Spike’s words. “Pinkie, stop! Gosh, I think I’m nauseating! Pinkie, I’m about to...BUUUUUUUURRRRP!!!” A huge scroll covered with green flames materialised in front of his nose. Thank Celestia it’s not the last party. “A letter! A letter from Princess Celestia! It must be important!” Spike gathered all his strength and pushed the astonished pink pony away, making her fall off the bed. Pinkie stood up, shook the dust off her fur and trotted to the kitchen annex of the round room of the Canterlot’s Ivory Tower they lived in. Spike broke the seal on the letter, unrolled it and started to read. He frowned after a while. “Pinkie, I think it is actually pretty major! I think you should listen to it.” “Sure Spike, whatever Aunt Celestia wants must be super important” Pinkie said and took the cupcakes out of the oven. Spike cleared his throat and began to read. Pinkie Pie, my most faithful student I have a very important task for you that needs to be done immediately. Recently I’ve noticed many signs of Nightmare Moon’s return. You can know that name from an old pony tale, but I assure you, that Nightmare Moon is real. In fact, it is the twisted, evil and malevolent incarnation of my sister, Princess Luna, imprisoned a thousand years ago on the moon. I won’t get into the details (you can easily find them in the book “Predictions and Prophecies” I sent you a while back). The important thing is - all the ponies traditionally celebrate the defeat of Nightmare Moon on the longest day of the year with so-called Summer Sun Celebration. And this is exactly when the Nightmare Moon’s return is going to happen, and she will try to bring an eternal night upon all of Equestria. This year is not a good time to have that party. Now, for the love of me, listen carefully, for there is not much time left. There are some powerful forces in Equestria, called the Elements of Harmony. They are the key to defeat the Nightmare Moon. Unfortunately, I forgot where I put them, and my power over the Elements has weakened over the years. However I sense a very strong Harmony resonance from the little village of Ponyville. You’ll be delegated there immediately. You’ll find my undercover operative, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle there. She’ll aid you on your quest to find the Elements of Harmony and to defeat the Nightmare Moon. Try to get all the help you can get - if Nightmare Moon returns I’m not sure if I can defeat my sister again. You’ll be stationed in the Ponyville’s library. Waste no time and find the book “Elements of Harmony: The Reference Guide” (it should be under “E”). I’d borrow it myself, but as I recall it my library card is out of date (I send it to you along with the letter, please, renew it, as you’ll be the new town’s librarian). Over the years I observed you very carefully, and I am convinced that you embody one of the Elements of Harmony, the Element of Laughter. That can be our chance for victory, even if I won’t be able to stand against the Nightmare Moon. Find out about the other Element’s and try your best to discover ponies who stand for them. I believe that your contact, Twilight Sparkle can be the Element of Magic. She’s the town’s most recognised magician even if her work doesn’t help her develop her talents. Find her, and close shut the jaws of Eternal Night! Princess Celestia PS. The royal charriot will be by your place in an hour, so pack your things up. Try not to be overloaded. “Wow, that sounded really important. I think that we should take that book-” “Oh, Spike, Spike...”, Pinkie shook her head in disbelief, “When you will finally learn how to read between the words?” The pink pony opened her enormous travelling trunk. “Let’s see... I’ll need those...”, she said putting a huge mound of baloons inside, “definitely a pile of these babies... Oh, and you never have enough of my favorite streamers, that’s for sure... Spike, do you think there’s a half-decent bakery there, or should I bake ALL the cupcakes I need myself??” Spike cocked his eyebrow. “Pinkie, I think that the Princess was clear to take just the important stuff, we must take steps to prev-” “Oh, Spike, Spike, Spike. SPIIIIIIIKE.” Pinkie was wearing her detective hat all of a sudden. “I believe I listened to the letter carefully enough. At least to the important parts. Our instructions are clear as a day. I must go to Ponyville and make some new friends while preparing the Best. Summer. Sun. Celebration. Ever!” She put her toy pipe in her muzzle and blew some bubbles out of it. “Sunset Sarsaparilla! My favorite drink! Where did I put it? They definitely don’t have it in Ponyville.” “I wonder what letter you were listening to. I’m sure that the instructions are to seek information on the Elements of Harmony and-” “Trombone? Tuba? Harmonica? Trumpet!? I just can’t decide! I’m so excited, Spike, I don’t know if I ever was so excited in my life, well, maybe that one time when I was applying to that magic school and everypony was like “you’ll never make it Pinkie, you’re not a unicorn!”, but I qualified anyway ,and then we had pancakes to celebrate and I was all like >>OMNOMNOM<<. What the heck, I’m bringing my one-pony-band set!” Pinkie was clearly filled with glee as she jumped joyfully around her nearly full trunk. Spike sighed and put Princess’s letter in his bag. “Whatever, Pinkie.” “Well, let’s see. So there’s my crystal ball and turban...” Spike rolled his eyes. “Come on, Pinkie, nobody likes all this “Madame Gypsy Pie” mumbo-jumbo you came up with in the School For Gifted Unicorns And Royal Protegees” “NoPONY in Canterlot, Spike. We don’t know nothing about Ponyville yet. So, that leaves some empty space in the chest, just enough for the confetti. The chariot should be able to carry my Cannon, the Welcome Wagon, the balls for Ball Emergencies... I’ll probably fly with my skybike... and my baking equipment... boy, that escalated quickly!” she said looking at the huge pile of luggage and contraptions she gathered. Note to self: try to find Twilight Sparkle and let her know about the Nightmare Moon, thought Spike. "But Pinkie... what if Princess Celestia is right about Nightmare Moon? What if it is really a thousand years anniversary of her exile? What if-" "Nightmare Shnightmare, Spike. And what if Princess's count is wrong? What's the biggest number you know, Spike?" Spike blushed. "42." "The next is 43. Write it down. It's a lot less than thousand and it's still hard to count to it, right? I'm sure if I was that scary, meany thing on the moon, I couldn't tell one day from the other. I'm not even talking years, Spikey. Unless Celestia exiled a huge hourglass too. The party, on the other hoof, is a completely different matter. You don't have to guess when to have a party, you just invite everypony, bring music and a ton of cupcakes and have fun. Parties... parties never change." An armored stallion entered the ivory tower. "Miss Pie?!", he shouted, "The charriot's ready!" "Okie-dokie-lokie!!!" Pinkie yelled back. "You heard it Spike? Now get those things downstairs and cheer up! What's the worst that could happen? I'm the protagonist after all!"
OrangeOne would often wonder how is it possible to ride a sky bike, talk to your friend and celebrate friday by playing your one-pony-band set all at once, but hey, it's Pikie we're talking about, don't you remember? "You see, Spike, my silly assistant", Pinkie said to the baby dragon, "Ponyville is a great, great, great chance for us to have a new start! To meet new ponies! To find love! And, as the Princess's emmisaries we'll surely live like kings! Or queens. Wait, that doesn't make sense. Why in Celestia's name isn't Celestia a queen?" Pinkie Pie stopped pedaling and the sky bike slowed down. Spike cocked his eyebrow. "Do you honestly think I will find love down there?" "Oh, why, yes! I wouldn't be that surprised if you fell in love at the first sight with somepony! Maybe even today!" Pinkie frowned. "Well, but I guess that unless both your voice and testicles are low enough, you don't have a chance for nothing more that increasing frustration and unfullfillement in your love life." "Thanks, Pinkie. You never fail to cheer me up." Spike mumbled and looked down. "Looks like we are close." The village of Ponyville was underwhelming to say the least. It appeared that the most interesting place in the town was the library, in front of which laid a huge pile of Pinkies luggage and devices. A small crowd of ponies of all sorts surrounded it. "Ah, excellent!" Shouted Pinkie. "Look Spike, our first targets!" The party mare winked at her scaley minion. They were almost right above the library, few hundred hoofs high. "I'm not sure, Pinkie... well, just try not to harm anypony." Spike sighed. "I hope I won't have to fix that bike again." "LIGHTS!?!" Pinkie shouted. "It's noon, Pinkie." "CAMERA!?!" "I don't know what camera is, Pinkie." "MUSIC!?!" "Well, you're wearing this instrument set since we took off." "FUN FROM ABOVE!!!" Pinkie yelled, took the harmonica in her mouth and the sky bike piked down. * The ponies gathered around the library were inspecting Pinkies luggage and machinery when they heard loud polka sounds from above their heads. "Is it a bird?" An orange filly pegasus asked, raising her head. "Is it a human?" An aquamarine unicorn squinted her eyes, looking at the pink comet falling down from the sky. "Is it a what?" The rest of ponies asked the unicorn in unison. "Is it a muffin?" A grey pegasus asked, pointing at the muffin lying in front of her. "Is it friday?" Asked a sleepy pony still in her nightcap, leaning out of the window of the house near the library. THWOOOOM!!! Something that looked like a love-child of a bike and a helicopter crashed almost right in the middle of the crowd, causing a mushroom cloud of confetti, baloons and streamers. "Is... is anypony hurt?" An orange mare with three apples on her flank searched the wreckage, but it looked like there was nopony there. "Up here!" The ponies raised their heads again and saw a pink pony holding a baby dragon falling down on a parachute. They landed right on top of the twisted metal along with the confetti rain. "Ehrm, 'scuse me?" The orange mare asked. "Name's Applejack. Who are you?" "Oh, I'm so glad you asked!!!" * "Well, that's very nice", said Applejack after the song finished, "But what exactly are you doing here?" "We have special orders from Princess Celestia herself! We must find a uni-mbwwmbwwmm wbbighbw..." Pinkie gagged Spike's mouth with her hoof, so he just rolled his eyes and stopped speaking. "Yes, Applejack, I have special orders from Princess to make as many friends as possible and to prepare the Summer Sun Celebration!" "Well, I'm more than okay with this." Applejack said. "The Sumsuncels are usually kinda boring, f'you ask me..." "... and that's exactly why Pinkie Pie, the Party Pony Extraordinaire is here!" Pinkie exclaimed. "So, Applejack, can you give some little hints where do I start?" Applejack thought for a while. "Well... last year the food was quite awful and there wasn't that much of it... so you should probably check Sweet Apple Acres and make sure it won't happen again." She looked at the clouded sky. "Yeah, the weater sucks as always, so you'd better get the weather supervisor to work... oh, and don't forget about decorations and music!" "Decorations... music! Got it! Anything else?" Pinkie made a checklist on the backside of Celestia's letter. "Well... if you're askin'..." "What is it, Applejack?" "A little before-and-after party would be appropriate. The official celebrations are always such a pain, with mayor talkin' and me sleepin', if you know what I mean. We aren't even allowed to have a drink there! Or even a little bit of gambling. Or even call-studs!" Applejack raised her hooves to the sky. "The horror!" Some indistinguishible voice cried in the background. "Oh, I completely get it! We'll make our own party! With blackjack! And hookers! And I, Pinkie Pie, hereby anoint you as my Party Plenipotentiary!" Pinkie put her forehoof on Applejack's hat. "When I'll be handling the official Summer Sun Celebrations, you'll invite everypony to the library for the most epic homemade party ever! Now, do you know any respectable beverage suppliers in Ponyville?" "As a matter of fact, ma'am", Applejack blushed a little, "Ah got it completely covered. The Applejack's Swig is one of the finest businesses in town." "I see!" Pinkie smiled. "That is most relevant to our interests." Pinkie hoofed Applejack a set of keys and a thin book. " Here are the keys to the library and the manual for my Party Cannon. Okay Spike, let's go!" she shouted and ran into random direction. "Pinkie wait! You don't even know where are you going!" Spike yelled, but the pink mare was already too far to hear him. Spike turned around. "Now, miss Applejack, as a matter of fact we are looking for a unicorn named Twi-" He broke off in mid-sentence, as the orange mare was already gone too. He sighed and started going wherever Pinkie ran.
Yellow„Can you at least promise me that after we’re done with this party we will try to find Twilight Sparkle and do what the Princess told us to do?” “Spike, but we ARE doing what Princess told us to do. She depends on us with the Summer Sun Celebration! Now let's go to the Apple Acres, our food supplier!" “Pinkie, how do you even now we are going in the right direction? It’s not like you asked anypony!” “Auntie Pinkie has her ways! And here we are!” Pinkie suddenly stopped her mix of running and jumping which caused Spike to fall off her into bushes. “Gee, Pinkie, try to warn me the next time you do that!” Spike stood up and rubbed his head. “And where exactly are we?” He raised his head. “Oh… Pinkie… are you really sure we’re gonna find anything here?” They were standing by an old, black and spikey metal fence covered with vine and spider webs. The rusty, wide gate was half-open. The wind was swinging it back and forth, making a loud creaking sound every few seconds. “Welcome to… something… apple… Pinkie, it’s all blurred. I don’t think anypony lives here!” Spike said trying to read an obscurred sign that was hanging over the gate. “Oh, my silly scaly assistant! Where else are we going to find enough food for the party if not in this lovely apple orchard? And if I am sure of something, it’s that I sure do love apples!” Pinkie exclaimed and pointed her hoof at the old, twisted apple trees behind the fence. “I… I don’t know. These apple trees don’t look like any apple trees I’ve seen in my life…” Pinkie sighed. “Well, my number-one-kill-all-the-fun assistant, what is wrong with these trees? Because the way I see it, they are just heavy with the most sweet, big and delicious looking apples I’ve ever seen! And if something looks delicious like those apples, then for 99% they really ARE delicious!!” Pinkie reached to open the gate, but Spike was fast enough to catch her and pull her back. “Wait!!!” He shouted. “First of all, those trees are black. Black, Pinkie! Secondly, what apple trees loose their leaves in summer? And finally, there are Celestiadamn huge ravens sitting on these trees!" There were, indeed, huge scary-looking ravens in the trees' upper branches, staring at them menacingly. One of them cawed loudly and Spike felt shivers down his spine. "Sheesh, talk about discouraging!" Pinkie rolled her eyes. "There's nothing to be afraid of you poltroon!" She opened the gate and approached the nearest tree. Suddenly, the wind howled. "You see, Spike? Nothing happened. Now, I just need a proof of these apples' deliciouseness!" Pinkie stood on her hind legs. "Now I'm just going to give this tree a little sha-" "CAW, CAW, CAW, CAW, CAW!!!" The raven flock surrounded Pinkie and cawed at her furiously. Two ravens landed in her mane and started to peck her. "Aaaaaah, fiddlesticks!!! " Pinkie backed away from the tree and the ravens left her immediately, flying back on the trees. "Well, you see Pinkie? There's nothing for us to do here." Spike turned around and started to walk away. Pinkie Pie nodded. "That's really odd, but this time you really can be right! Wow, I can't believe it is happening! I think this can be the day!" Pinkie's body started to tremble. For the first time in their relationship, Pinkie was going to listen to the voice of reason. "Yes Spike, let's go aw- WHAT IS THAT?!?" Something small and white shimmered in the distance. "What, Pinkie?" "Out there, deep in the orchard!" She pointed the white object with her hoof. "I think it is... Oh my gosh, it's a rabbit! A cute, cuddly little white rabbit!". The snowy ball stopped on the path between the trees and indeed turned out to be a white rabbit carrying a somewhat oversized clock. The creature looked at the clock, shook it's head in an angry manner and run behind the trees out of their sight. "Let's follow it!" Pinkie commanded, and began a series of hops, skips and jumps to where the rabbit has dissapeared. "Pinkie, wait! Don't follow the white rabbit!" Spike shouted as he ran after Pinkie. How come she is so fast even if she jumps so... casually, he thought. "Pinkie!" * "Finally! I thought I'll never find you. Now let's go back!" Spike said. He finally caught up with Pinkie on a small glade in the orchard. "Shhh!" Pinkie said, putting her forehoof on Spikes mouth. "Lookie there!" A couple of empty baskets was lying under the apple trees. "Now listen!" She commanded. There was a distant, but increasingly loud sound of a mare singing. "I think she is coming here..." Pinkie whispered. The nearby bushes shook and a yellow pegasus came out from behind them, followed by the rabbit they've seen before. The rabbit was shoving a clock in front of pegasus's snout. "Angel, I know we are a little late, but I really need to... Oh." The pegasus noticed Pinkie and Spike standing in the glade. "Um, hello?" "Hello! I'm Pinkie Pie, the personal student of Princess Celestia, and this year's Summer Sun Celebration supervisor!" The pink pony took the pegasus's forehoof and shook it zealously. "Also, I'm your new friend, and I'm soooo looking forward to hang out with you, because I know just everypony, I mean, not yet, but I'm going to VERY soon. And you are?" "I'm... I'm Fluttershy and this is my pet bunny, Angel." The pegasus walked to the baskets. "Now excuse us. We are in a little hurry." "In a hurry? Why?" Pinkie asked. "Well, we have a little family reunion. I need to pick some apples and get back to the farm as fast as I can." Fluttershy approached an apple tree, and turned her back at it. "Now... carefully... one... two.... three!" She closed her eyes, gasped and gently pushed the tree with her hind legs. Nothing happened. Wow, this must have been the weakest buck ever. thought Spike. Fluttershy blushed and smiled. "Well, sometimes you need to be a little rough. One... two...and..." , she gasped again, "... three!" This time Pinkie and Spike could hear something similair to a knock on the door when Fluttershy's hooves made contact with the tree's trunk. Two huge apples trembled on the tree and fell down into a basket. "Two apples! Oh my, I think that it equals my personal best!" Angel, obviously impatient, walked over to the tree and delivered few powerful kicks. The baskets quickly filled with huge apples. "Well ", Fluttershy forced a smile on her face, "I guess I need some practice." Angel put one basket on Fluttershy's back and took the other one in his paws. "Well, you are probably in a hurry, so we won't stop you any-" "Can we come?!?" Pinkie fluttered her eyes rapidly. "Well..." Fluttershy smiled, "I don't see why not. I'd like to hear all about you... and that cute baby dragon of your's. I didn't know that dragons can talk." Spike frowned. "Please excuse us for a minute." They walked to the side and turned their backs at the pegasus. "What is it, Spike?" "Something is very wrong here, Pinkie. Why the ravens didn't attack her when she touched the tree? They are still all over here." "Oh, Spike, she probably lived here for a long time, and they just got used to her. She looks okay to me. She is so... kind. Besides, we need to talk about food with her. And I'm starving too." Pinkie turned around. "Is there something wrong?" Fluttershy asked. "Nothing at all! Please, lead the way!" * "Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! The dinner should be already prepared." The farm consisted of an old house clearly in need of some repairs, a big barn, a tool shed, a croft and a hen house. They headed to the backyard, where a dining table full of different foods was. "Now, would you kindly sit down." Fluttershy took few apples out of the baskets and put them in a bowl. "Now, you must excuse me. I need to put those baskets back, and feed Angel. He is very picky when it comes to food." "Isn't that great, Spike? Look at all the food here! I bet it is amazing, and I'm ready to chow down!" Pinkie said in excitement, when Fluttershy left them. Spike moved his chair closer to Pinkie. "I don't know. This place gives me the creeps. Didn't you notice the house? It looks deserted, as if nopony lived here for a while. And I'm not touching that food either!" "Mmmmm.... delishoush!!!" Pinkie said, scattering crumbs of cake all around. "You should really have some of this! I've never tasted apple pie like this one!" "Don't you think it's a little bit suspicious? That pony was able to knock down two apples! And yet she is serving us tons of foods here! How long did she prepare this dinner? A year? And why we are the only guests, if it is a family reunion!?" "Geez, Spike, they are probably late, that's all!" "And what about that bird over there?! What is it!? Why is it staring at us since we arrived?" Spike pointed a large, black bird with a bald head, sitting on a fence nearby. "Spike, it's just a vulture! A harmless scavenger! I think you're seeing patterns where there aren't any! You're being rude, Spike!" "And you're getting us into trouble!" Spike went down on his knees. "Pinkie, I'm begging you, let's get out of here!" "Is there anything wrong?" Fluttershy's soft voice surprised Spike who sprang to his feet. Apparently, the yellow pegasus was back with them. "No, nothing at all! I just need... to use a bathroom! Yes! I'll just leave you two for a while! I'll be right back!" Spike practically ran away from the table. * Spike entered the house and, jues as he suspected, it was empty. Everything was covered with dust - the floor, the furniture, even some of the spider webs which added to the eerie atmosphere of Sweet Apple Acres. "Hello? Is anybody here?" Spike shouted and went a few steps deeper. The floor under his feet creaked after every step. Suddenly Pinkie Pie's assistant saw that the dust on the floor was thinner in some places, forming a kind of slightly cleaner path. Spike gulped. Now carefully, let's see where it leads us, he thought while the trail took him past the saloon and kitchen to a closed doors with numerous hoovsteps imprinted in the dust near them. The dragon reached for the door and pushed it firmly. Please, be the toilet, or a wardrobe, or a broom cupboard, just don't be a creepy dark- It was a cellar. Everything Spike could see were the steep stairs, leading into the darkness. Okay Spike, now you must be brave, he thought and took the first step down. All of a sudden, he heard something goind up the stairs at great speed. The ball of white fure ran past him like a lightning bolt, knocking the dragon off balance and making him fall down the stairs. "Aaaaa!" *THOMP* "...AaaaA!!!" *THOMP* "AaaaaaAA!!!" *THOMP* *SPLAT* When Spike stood up, the first thing he noticed was a terrible smell. He was feeling dizzy after hitting the floor, but as soon as he returned to his senses, his ears were attacked by a horribly loud noise composed of grunting, snorting and oinking. Spike's eyes quickly accustomed themselves to the surrounding darkness, and the dragon noticed a chandelier hanging on the ceiling. Not thinking much, he breathed fire at it with all his strength, lightening the candles and the whole room in the process. The cellar has been utilized as underground pens for pigs. There were tens of them, of different sizes and colors, all staring at Spike and grunting. One pig in the front caught the dragon's attention. Spike approached the fence separating him from the animals, and looked at the big, grey boar with a white spot on it's rump. The grey pig looked Spike deeply in the eyes, as if it tried to tell him something. Spike looked at the pigs rump and froze in horror. This is not just a white spot. It is a snowball. That pig has a Cutie Mark! There was just one thought in Spike's mind - to run like hell, get Pinkie and leave this place forever. "Fluttershy is not a witch", Spike mumbled to himself while backing away from the pigs, "Fluttershy is not a witch, Fluttershy is..." "...I'm right behind you, sweetie." The soft, gentle voice of the yellow pegasus made Spike's heart stop beating. * "Now look, who's lost here, Angel." Fluttershy spoke to the white rabbit next to her. "Isn't he like the cutest thing in Equestria? I think he is so cute that I could just eat him." "PINKIE!!! PINKIE!!!" Spike was screaming his lungs out and looked for a way to escape, but the way to the stairs was blocked by the pegasus. "Um, I think that your friend ate too much and is a little bit heavy on the stomach." Fluttershy smirked. "Now aren't you a tad hungry yourself? There's plenty of food up there, you know." "Forget it! I'm not touching your food! It's all about the food, right? Where's your family!? It was supposed to be a family reunion!" Spike shouted. "Oh, we are all a big family. Me, Angel and all our friends. And you and your friend too. Now please, follow me." "No! I'm not going anywhere except away! And only if Pinkie comes with me!" Fluttershy frowned. "I don't think I made myself clear, mister." Suddenly, she open her eyes unnaturally wide and stared right at Spike's eyes. As the pegasus pupils dilated, the dragon felt like a strange kind of power compels him to obey, weakens his will, just as if he became a puppet without noticing it. "Now please. Follow me, would you kindly." "Y... Yes ma'am." Spike's mouth spoke the words almost without his help. Fluttershy turned around and walked up the stairs. Spike followed her unwillingly, thinking that this is the end, that his life as a dragon ends and he and Pinkie will spend their last days in that cellar, before getting slaughtered, their meat baked and their bones fed to a vulture, thinking about Pinkie and that the life he led by her side wasn't bad after all, that... * "Here we are, mister!" Fluttershy said and Spike felt that he is not under any charm any longer. "W... What? Where are we?" Fluttershy cocked her eyebrow. "You were looking for a bathroom, didn't you? Here it is!" She pushed the door they were standing by, revealing a perfectly clean and tidy bathroom. Spike's eyes went wide. "N-no I think I d-don't need it a-a-anymore", he stuttered. "And don't mind if I do!!!" Pinkie exclaimed, walked between the two and shut the door behind her. "So, um... are you hungry? Pinkie said that you didn't eat anything." Fluttershy asked after a minute of awkward silence. "I think I'll pass." The bathrooms door opened wide, and Pinkie jumped out, immediately shutting it back. "You probably should not be going there for a while!" she explained. "Wow, Fluttershy, your food was so delicious! Please, bring some to the Summer Sun Celebration! And see you at the before-and-after party!" "Oh, I'll definitely be there, Pinkie." "Ah, it was fun. We definitely must han- what is it, Spike?" The purple dragon repeatedly pulled Pinkie's hair. "Can we go now? Please! We need to find Twilight Sparkle!" Spike moaned. "Oh yes, that reminds me. We need to take care of the weather! See you around, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie and her dragon assistant Spike left the Sweet Apple Acres, accompanied by ravens' cawing.
