Our Inner Ponies 2: A Race Against Time

I watched nervously as unicorn Twilight Sparkle slowly stood up, rubbing her nose. Out of all the ponies I didn't want to run into, did I seriously have to run into this unicorn? I could've run into Carrot Top and be like, "Oh, hey Carrot Top! Sorry I ran into ya!" But noooo! I had to run into my former "inner pony." I cleared my head of all those thoughts (thanks a lot Pinkie!) and tried to smile. I could tell it felt fake, but who cares?

"H-hi Twilight," I squeaked, then cleared my throat. "Uh, sorry about running into you like that. I was in a hurry and, well, you know how it goes. Do you need some help standing up? 'Cause I could—" Twilight held up her hoof, and I bit my lip to keep from asking anymore questions.

"No worries Pinkie, I'm fine," she responded sweetly, smiling. "But why were you running in the first place?"

"Running? I wasn't running! Why would I be running? I wouldn't be running in the first place for no reason!" I blurted out quickly, my eyes wide. A confused look spread across Twilight's face.

"But I saw you running a few feet away while I was walking with Spike," she continued. "You looked really scared. What happened?" She's on to you! That high-pitched voice in my head sang.

"Oh, I was just...racing somepony!" I explained a little too nervously. "But, I lost sight of them! I got so worried and thought they had gotten lost, so I was calling for them. I'm still sorry I bumped into you, Twilight." Twilight laughed.

"Pinkie, I said I'm fine," she said. " No need to apologize a million times! I'm not hurt." I grinned in relief. So far, so good! I thought triumphantly.

"Hey, where is Spike anyways?" I asked, looking around.

"Hm, I'm not sure," the unicorn replied, turning around. "I could've sworn he was on my back before you crashed into us....Oh! There he is!" My mouth gawked open when I saw the baby dragon lying motionless on his back near a fountain.

"Oh my God, I killed him!" I screeched under my breath as Twilight trotted over to him. I followed her at a distance, afraid I'd hurt him some more. I watched as Twilight levitated poor Spike onto her back. She turned to face me.

"Don't worry. He's fine," she assured me, probably noticing the worried expression on my face.

"Okay," I whispered, my throat suddenly dry. I cleared it once more. "Uh, anyways, I heard you weren't feeling so good. Everything okay?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine now," Twilight said. "Lots of bed rest can do wonders to ponies!" She chuckled a bit.

"Well that's great!" I cried, relieved and happy. "I thought you were really hurt or something. But enough of the depression here. Wanna do something fun? I don't have any ideas at the moment."

"Oh sure," Twilight replied. "I'm in the mood for some fun. Let's see...Oh, how about we—"

And that's when the most embarrassing thing for me happened. Picture a drunk, dying whale swimming along the ocean. That sounds extremely and dangerously strange, right? Well, that noise sounded especially strange to my own ears, for that was the sound of my stomach. I thought rumbling stomachs were supposed to sound like the ones in cartoons in Equestria! Short yet funny sounding. Either Pinkie was seriously starving, or she had swallowed something inedible that morning. I put a hoof on this monster once it was quiet, my eyes wide. Jesus, I thought in horror. I heard Twilight laugh a bit.

"Wow Pinkie," she said between laughs. "You won't have to worry about being lonely since you have a little friend inside." Spike, who was now sitting upright, snickered.

"Did you swallow some kind of cat with a disease or somethin'?" He joked. I looked at both of them in disbelief. Ya'll suck as comedians, I thought bitterly. You obviously don't know the definition of hungry—or seriously embarrassed. Finally they stopped laughing, though that didn't help my burning face and eyes.

"Aw, don't give me that look Pinkie," I heard Twilight say, nudging me playfully with her shoulder blade. "It's not that bad to be hungry. Want me to treat you to something at Sugarcube Corner?"

"Don't I already live at—never mind."

I began following Twilight down a concrete road, passing shops, houses, and ponies. I forget how colorful this place was. I was glad my eyes had adjusted to the bright colors two years ago. A few side characters walked past us, and I made up a game called Guess The Side Character. I guessed Golden Harvest, Berry Punch, Lyra, Cloud Kicker, BonBon, and Derpy! I got extremely happy when I saw her walk by me that I barely noticed I was bouncing—or hungry, for that matter. It was like I was already half full, but a side of my brain kept trying to convince me I needed something to eat. I'm guessing that that half was Pinkie's mind, and she was trying to encourage me to consume something edible.

"So Pinkie, are you sure you were looking for somepony back there in the field?" I heard Twilight ask. My face dropped at that question. "I mean, you looked incredibly terrified! I don't think I've ever seen you so scared."

"Uh, no need to worry Twilight," I tried to persuade her. "I'm feeling fine, honest! I'm sure that pony I was racing is somewhere safe."

"Alright. Do you Pinkie Promise you're alright?" Twilight went on, looking at me questioningly. I stopped bouncing and nearly tripped. I couldn't promise something like that, but if I didn't say anything, Twilight would keep badgering me about the subject all day.

"Well Pinkie?" I was so tempted to change the subject, but the look on Twilight's face meant that she meant all business.

"I...cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," I sighed, crossing my chest and placing my left hoof in front of my eye.

As soon as Twilight turned back around, I looked at Spike who was also staring at me. Tell you later, okay? I mouthed silently. I stared at the ground and focused on the teeny tiny designs merged into the cream cement until I bumped into Twilight, who had stopped walking minutes ago. I gazed up and smiled at the tall, pink building planted in front of the three of us. Sugarcube Corner! At last!