At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie is hard at work crafting delicious pastries and treats for the Cakes. “Here you go: one lingonberry pie.” Pinkie handed a box to a purple mare at the counter. The customer takes the box and leaves the payment before walking out the doors. “Another satisfied customer!” Pinkie Pie said proudly. “Breaktime!” She put up a “GONE FOR LUNCH” sign on the counter.
As she leaves the counter, the ringer bell rings as purple hooves walk in. “Wooow… it looks as delicious on the inside as on the outside!” a mare’s voice squeaked in awe.
Pinkie Pie looks at the customer: a purple unicorn with a curly blue mess of a mane, a heart-shaped pincushion Cutie Mark, and wearing a friendship bracelet on her left hoof. “Oh, hi there! Sorry, but we’re closed for lunch.”
“What is this place?” the pony asked.
“This is Sugarcube Corner: Ponyville’s favourite, and only, bakery!” Pinkie Pie answered. “We’ve got tasty treats from cakes to pies to macarons to cupcakes! If it’s got sugar, we can bake it!”
“A bakery? I thought it was a life-sized gingerbread house!” the other pony commented.
“Believe me, it’s not edible. I tried.” Pinkie Pie responded. “Say, I’ve never seen you before. What’s your name?”
“I’m Izzy, Izzy Moonbow!” Izzy introduced herself. “I’m new here, and I was just taking a look around the neighbourhood!”
“Hi, Izzy! It’s nice to meet you! I’m Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie Pie introduces herself. “If you’re new, then it’d be my pleasure to show you around!” she offered.
“Aw, you didn’t have to.” Izzy responded.
“Well, I’m doing it anyway.” Pinkie Pie said proudly. “C’mon, follow me!” Pinkie Pie rushed out the door, dragging Izzy along. They turn a street corner, when arriving hurriedly to Sugarcube Corner is a yellow earth pony stallion with a short-cut aquamarine mane and a sheriff badge pinned to a sash
“Izzy! Izzy! Where are you?!” the Sheriff called out. “I’ve seen too many time travel movies to know what happens if I don’t find her in time!” he panicked before trotting off.
Pinkie takes Izzy to the spa, gazing at its tent-like architecture. “This is the spa. If you ever need a new do, a hooficure, or a nice relaxing sauna, come here and let all your worries wash away.” Pinkie Pie summarised.
“Wow, a real spa! Y’know, I went to a dungeon one time, and it was just like a spa.” Izzy said.
“Where’d you go for a dungeon to be that nice?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Zephyr Heights. My friend Sunny and I went there to meet the pegasi, then they locked us up.” Izzy answered.
“What’d you do?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Dunno, but they were real nice about it.” Izzy answered. “Their dungeon had a massage chair, warm towels, and those cucumbers they put on your eyes for some reason.”
“I wish I went to a dungeon that nice. Last time I went to a dungeon, well, it was more of a room with a speaker, but still, I almost went nuts.” Pinkie Pie added.
“If you ever come to Zephyr Heights, uncover state secrets and you’ll get a ticket to a relaxing time in the dungeon.” Izzy said.
“C’mon, the next place I’ll take you’s really fun!” Pinkie Pie said before they move along.
Just as they trot off, the spa doors open and the Sheriff is kicked out by Buff Biceps. “No peeping!” Bulk Biceps yelled before closing the door.
“I thought for sure she would be here!” the Sheriff said.
Pinkie Pie takes Izzy to Carousel Boutique, observing Rarity fitting a blue jacket onto a blue colt with a long blonde mane. “This is Carousel Boutique. My friend Rarity makes dresses for any occasion, from Cute-Ceañeras to Grand Galloping Galas.” Pinkie Pie summarized. “Hey, Rarity! Look at my new friend!”
The white unicorn looks to Pinkie Pie and waves back, but she accidentally pokes her client with a pin. “Ow!” the colt yelped.
“Oh, sorry, dear.” Rarity apologized. “Sorry, Pinkie, but you’ll have to introduce her later.”
“Oooh, she makes dresses? I like making things too!” Izzy told Pinkie Pie
“Like what?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“I do arts and crafts, like this painting I combined with one of those weird clocks with eyes going side-to-side.” Izzy answered. “I also made high-tech goggles for my friend Zipp with stuff I fished from the dumpster.”
“You gotta be one mad amazing craftspony to make those. What else can you make?” Pinkie Pie asked Izzy.
“I’m very proud of friendship bracelets.” Izzy shook her left hoof’s bracelet.
“Hey, I like making friendship bracelets outta rock candy! I can show you sometime!”
“Oooh, sounds delicious.” Izzy commented.
“Let’s not bother Rarity any more. Lemme take you to a place with some real history in it.” Pinkie Pie guided Izzy to the door.
A moment after they leave, the Sheriff enters the boutique. “Excuse me, miss? Have you seen a purple unicorn mare with a blue mane?” he presents his badge.
“Oh, a sheriff!” Rarity said in surprise. “She was with my friend, Pinkie Pie. Is my friend in danger?” she asked in concern, pricking her client again.
“No, miss. She’s just a friend of mine. You can continue with your day as usual.” the Sheriff assured her before leaving.
At Sweet Apple Acres, Pinkie Pie and Izzy observe Applejack and Big Mac bucking trees. “Those trees are gonna feel that in the morning.” Izzy commented.
“The Apple Family helped to settle Ponyville forever ago! Since then, Sweet Apple Acres provide Ponyville with apples and apple stuff.” Pinkie Pie explained.
“So Ponyville was founded by earth ponies?” Izzy asked.
“Yep, but other ponykinds are just as welcome. That’s the kind of town Ponyville is: a ville for ponies!” Pinkie Pie answered. “We’ve even got a couple dragons, a changeling, a griffon, a hippogriff, and a yak living here.”
“I know a little baby dragon, and he’s called Sparky!” Izzy said. Suddenly, a pile of apples fall from a tree and bury Big Mac, which Applejack laughs at.
“Hahahaha!” Pinkie Pie and Izzy join in the laughter.
“Say, wanna see those other creatures I mentioned?”
“Do I?!” Izzy agreed.
“Then, follow me!” Pinkie Pie rushed away from Sweet Apple Acres with Izzy following behind.
After Applejack pulls Big Mac out, the Sheriff peeks from behind a tree. “Excuse me, have you seen a purple unicorn around?” he asked them.
“Oh sure, Pinkie an’ some other pony like that were jus’ ‘ere.” Applejack answered. “They mentioned goin’ to see other creatures, so I assume they’re goin’t the School of Friendship.”
“Where’s that?” the Sheriff asked.
“North side’a Ponyville, next to the princess’ castle.” Applejack answered.
“Thank you so much, miss.” he thanked her.
“Applejack t’ya, sheriff.” Applejack tipped her hat.
“Need some help with these apples? I’ve got a neat apple-picking trick.” The Sheriff offered.
“Can’t be much faster than ol’ fashioned buckin’, but I’d like to see you try.” Applejack agreed.
“Here goes.” he said before doing a little dance next to a tree. The apple tree glows with green aura before it bends towards Applejack. She looks in shock before the canopy smacks on top of her before rebounding, leaving her in a pile of apples like Big Mac just now. Her older brother laughs as Applejack emerges from the pile and looks at the Sheriff in surprise. “Well, that’s all the time I had!” the Sheriff said before running off.
Walking through the orchard, Pinkie Pie and Izzy are deep in conversation. “If you hang around at the right season, you can drink a fresh cup of apple cider straight from the tap!” Pinkie Pie said.
“My friend Sunny’s also in the beverage-making business. She makes the greatest fruit smoothies in Maretime Bay.” Izzy said.
“Is that where you’re from?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Nah, Maretime Bay’s an earth pony town. I’m from Bridlewood, a little forest town of unicorns.” Izzy answered.
“Which forest?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Eh, I dunno. I’m not really a map kinda pony. I just go with my gut.” Izzy shrugged.
“Oh my gosh, same!” Pinkie Pie smiled.
“We have so much in common!” Izzy added when a rainbow flash zips above them, followed by an indigo blur.
“Ha, I win!” a mare’s voice said as the rainbow flash stops, revealing to be none other than Rainbow Dash.
The indigo blue brakes, and looking at Rainbow Dash in irritation is a cream-coloured pegasus mare with slicked-back dark blue hair and a yellow lightning bolt Cutie Mark, wearing a pair of goggles. “False start! There was a stick caught in my wing!” she growled.
“Uh-huh, sure there was, Indigo Zap.” Rainbow Dash hung in the air confidently before Indigo Zap lightly tosses a stick from her wing.
“Rematch!” the pegasus demanded.
“Okay, then. We’ll start here, circle ‘round my place, to the train station, and back.” Rainbow Dash planned.
“You’re on!” Indigo Zap agreed before the two zoom away.
“Woah, who was that?” Izzy asked Pinkie Pie.
“That’s Rainbow Dash. She’s, like, the fastest pegasus in history!” Pinkie Pie explained. “She’s known for her signature move: the Sonic Rainboom!”
“She must be an amazing flyer! All the pegasi I know can barely glide in a straight line, except for Zipp. She’s really fast! I bet she can go hoof-to-hoof with Rainbow Dash in a race!” Izzy suggested.
“Next time you come around, bring her and we’ll find out.” Pinkie Pie smirked.
The two laugh and trot out of the orchard, when the Sheriff emerges from the trees behind them, holding paws with a bear. “We’ll find her soon, Harry.” the Sheriff assured the bear. They walk down the orchard when Fluttershy comes their way.
“Harry!” she called out to the bear before coming to him. “I was so worried when I lost track of you!”
“This is your bear, ma’am?” the Sheriff asked her.
“Yes, he is. Thank you for finding him.” Fluttershy thanked him as Harry comes to her side.
“It’s part of the job, ma’am.” the Sheriff responded.
“My name’s Fluttershy. What’s yours?” Fluttershy asked.
“Uh, I’m sorry, but I’ve got somepony to find. See ya!” the Sheriff said nervously before running off.
Pinkie Pie takes Izzy through the town to their next exciting destination. Izzy looks around the town, seeing different kinds of ponies mingling with one another. “This place is just like Maretime Bay, minus the sea. I always liked the ocean view after living deep in a forest all my life.”
“What kinda place is Bridlewood?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“It’s full of trees, and crystals, and unicorns, and…” Izzy listed off. “Well, can I be real honest with you?”
“Sure!” Pinkie Pie agreed.
“Bridlewood can be a little… gloomy, and I mean really grey kinda gloomy.” Izzy continued. “For all my life, I never saw a single pony smile, let alone be happy.” For some reason, these words resonated with Pinkie Pie. “But that all changed when I found this little lantern with a letter in it. It said I had friends in Maretime Bay. I’ve been putting off going there for years, but when I did… it was the best decision of my life.”
Pinkie Pie thinks about Izzy’s account, then remembers her own childhood. “I grew up in a rock farm with my family. All our life was just rocks, rocks, and rocks. No time for talking or smiling.” Pinkie Pie recounts. “That all changed when I saw the most wonder-tastic, fan-beautiful thing!”
“What? What did ya see?” Izzy asked, anticipating the surprise.
“A rainbow!” Pinkie Pie answered to an amazed Izzy.
“Wooow…” Izzy said in awe.
“When I saw it, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear! Since then, I wanted to spread the same happiness to ponies all over Equestria, and that brought me here to Ponyville.” Pinkie Pie continued. “I thought from that moment I’d never be happier, but I was proven wrong when I made friends here; Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.”
“Wow, I knew we had a lot in common, but I didn’t expect we had the same backstory.” Izzy commented.
“Everypony’s got a lotta things in common, you just have to find out what they are.” Pinkie Pie said as a lavender gleam falls upon them from above.
Izzy looks up to a towering crystalline tree where a purple castle rests upon the branches, made of purple crystal and gold shingling the roof. “A crystal castle!” Izzy pointed.
“This is the Castle of Friendship!” Pinkie Pie welcomed Izzy.
“Who lives here? Is there a real princess in Ponyville?” Izzy asked Pinkie Pie excitedly.
“Woah, woah, this isn’t the main attraction.” Pinkie Pie walks past the tree, leading Izzy to the other side. “This is.” Pinkie Pie points to a massive, castle-like school campus built into a mountainside, under a waterfall parting past its doors. Outside the school, chatting, playing, and rushing into the school are ponies of all different races. “Welcome to the School of Friendship.”
Izzy approaches the place, awestruck at not only its architecture, but the diverse groups of ponies. “It’s… it’s amazing.” Izzy tried to find words to describe the place, but could only speak those few words.
“Here, ponies from all over Equestria come to learn about the Magic of Friendship. I teach here part-time for my Laughter curriculum.” Pinkie Pie introduced the place.
Izzy spots a group of unusual, non-pony students talking to a green earth pony near the entrance. The group is composed of a petite orange dragon, a yak with braids, a blue griffon, a pink hippogriff, who just jumped into the water and turned into a seapony, and a teal changeling. “I’ve never seen those creatures before.”
“These are the creatures I mentioned earlier. They came from outside Equestria to learn about friendship.” Pinkie Pie explained.
“That there is Smolder from the Dragon Lands. She can be rough and crass, but she’ll eventually warm up to you.” she points to the dragon.
“That’s Yona from Yakyakistan far north! She’s getting used to pony culture, but so are the rest.” She points to the yak.
“Gallus is a Griffon from Griffonstone. He’s trying his hardest to get used to being friends, and it’s going really well.” Pinkie Pie said as Gallus pushes the green pony into the water beside the seapony, and everyone laughs.
“Right there is Silverstream.” Pinkie Pie pointed to the seapony. “She’s from Seaquestria.”
“Seaquestria?” Izzy repeated.
“It’s a lost undersea kingdom. My friends and I discovered it a while ago. Long story.” Pinkie Pie explained. “With her necklace, she can transform from seapony to hippogriff and back!”
“What’s that?” Izzy pointed to the insectoid creature.
“You don’t know what a Changeling is?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Nope!”
“They’re shapeshifting bug ponies who live far away. They used to be ruled by the evil Queen Chrysalis, but our friend Thorax replaced her after she was driven away. We’ve been cool ever since.” Pinkie Pie explained. “That’s Ocellus. She’s really shy, but her friends have been helping her get used to company outside changelings.”
“Last, we have Sandbar. He lives here in Ponyville, and he’s been a big help to these creatures understand the Magic of Friendship.” She points to Silverstream and Smolder helping the pony out of the water.
“I never even thought these creatures even existed!” Izzy said excitedly. She looks around the school, admiring the friendship between these different ponies. “Sunny would love it here.”
“Say, there’s one more friend I’d like to introduce to you.” Pinkie Pie said as she turns to the castle behind them. “My break’s almost up, so I’ll go fetch her quick.” Pinkie Pie said before running into the giant, golden front doors. “Twilight! Twilight! I’ve got somepony here who’d like to meet you!”
As Izzy smiles at the tree-like castle, the Sheriff finally catches up to her. “There you are!”
“Hitch!” Izzy said in surprise. “Don’t scare me like that!”
“Me?! Scare you?! You’re the one who jumped into that portal without even knowing what’s on the other side!” the Sheriff scolded her.
“What can I say? I’m adventurous.” Izzy shrugged before Hitch snatches her away.
“Let’s leave before we cause anymore trouble!” Hitch said before they dash away from the scene.
Just after they leave, Pinkie Pie returns with Twilight Sparkle and Spike. “…and she’s got a sad backstory, and she’s right over here!” Pinkie Pie gestures to an empty patch of grass.
“Is she using an invisibility spell?” Spike asked as Pinkie Pie hurriedly scrambles all over the grass.
“But she was just here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Izzy! Izzy Moonbow! Where are you? I got a princess here!”
“Pinkie, I don’t doubt that you made a new friend. Maybe she had somewhere to be.” Twilight Sparkle told Pinkie Pie.
“Aw, and she was a really cool pony. I wished she could’ve met you.” Pinkie Pie sighed.
“Everypony’s bound to meet the same pony twice. I’m sure you’ll see her again.” Twilight Sparkle assured her.
“I guess you’re right.” Pinkie Pie smiled. “But just in case she’s still in earshot…” she said before taking a deep breath.
At the Ponyville outskirts, Izzy is being escorted by a frustrated Hitch. “Do you still have your phone? It’s bad news if we leave it behind.” Hitch asked Izzy.
“No worries, I got it right here.” Izzy presents him a rectangular device with a glass panel, when they hear something from the town. “Izzy Moonbow!” Pinkie Pie’s voice echoed.
“Pinkie?” Izzy turned to the town.
“Izzy, if you can hear me: you’ve been an awesome friend, even if I only knew you for an hour tops!” Izzy listened with a smile. “I hope we meet again sometime, and that you’ll bring your friends too!”
“I will, Pinkie!” Izzy yelled back.
“That’s unlikely, Izzy. Now c’mon, we gotta leave.” Hitch said before walking away. Izzy looks back to the town with a smile and follows Hitch away to parts unknown.
THE END
