Our Inner Ponies 2: A Race Against Time

I kept my vision focused on the dry and leafy path, doing an amazing job not to snap again. I was thinking about happy stuff now, since I didn't want the princess to see me like this, yet that was very difficult to do. I kept thinking about time being shredded, what I had done to Dashie, how Zaria was starting to fear me, and how this was all gonna effect the actual Pinkie and Applejack. I pushed that all aside and let my gaze wander toward the trees. Finally, after a few minutes of unwanted silence, someone finally spoke.

"What was with you back there?" I let out a sad sigh.

"Rainbow, not now," I replied, trying to relax. "I'm really not in the mood for a lecture right now."

"Are you sure about that?" Rarity countered. "I mean, really, you attacked Rainbow Dash out of nowhere."

"Yeah, and for what?" Spike joined in. "For makin' you angry?" I felt my shoulders slump and I nearly collapsed out of exhaustion.

"Well, wouldn't you be angry if someone didn't believe you?" I asked calmly.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't turn psycho!" I heard Zaria say. "That was scary, and you know it!" I had to agree. Partially.

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear," I began to state. "When someone doesn't believe you, you'll feel very disappointed. If it sounds ridiculous to your own ears, that'll make you even more disappointed!" Rainbow groaned.

"Maya, you were acting—"

"AND if a certain somepony won't believe you," I interrupted, walking faster, "they can just say, 'I kinda find that hard to believe. I'll think about it, okay?' That would be the smart thing to do, wouldn't it?"

"I agree dear, but you—"

"And I know I'm Pinkie Pie and all," I interrupted once more, raising the volume of my voice, "but you forgot one important detail: I happen to be a human as well. I may be crazy sometimes, but I'm also very calm and understanding. And if someone gets me upset, you can guarantee they'll be some consequences! So take that to the bank. Now what were you two going to say?" Everyone was quiet. No, silent. I smiled triumphantly, giggling softly. I had managed to get half of my anger out, and I think my hair was starting to get frizzy! And frizzy led to curly in Pinkie's book!

"Well?" I asked again, looking over my shoulder. "Anything to add?"

"Yeah," Rainbow spoke up slowly. "I think you're a new definition of crazy. You really scared the feathers off of me back there. I have never seen a pony fight like that." I looked down at the ground in shame. I could feel the frizziness fade away immediately.

"Ugh, fine. Dashie, I'm sorry," I apologized flatly. "I couldn't control myself, mmmkay?"

"And do you wanna know why I was doubting you so much?" Rainbow continued a bit harshly. I nodded.

"Why?" I mumbled.

"Because I knew you were scared about this, but I had to calm you down first." I let those words sink in. They didn't fit in with my brain whatsoever.

"So, you thought it was okay to keep doubting me just so I could calm down?" I cried, whirling around to face the rainbow-maned Pegasus. "How does that work?!"

"First off, I didn't just say 'I don't believe you' right off the bat," Rainbow explained, "and second: I couldn't just think for a fact that what you were saying was true. I mean, think about it. You're in Pinkie and—"

"But Pinkie wouldn't joke at a time like this!" I blurted out. "And neither would I!"

"I know, relax!" Rainbow replied, settling a hoof on my shoulder. "Now look. I'll admit that I was a bit harsh on you, and I was doubting you, but...I just had to make sure you were telling the truth. Yet it was still wrong of me to doubt you like that. It's who I am, and I hope our friendship isn't broken." I gave Rainbow a look.

"That was really corny Dashie," I admitted. "Like, dangerously corny it made my ears bleed. But I will give you another chance. It's slim, but hopefully it'll expand."

"I'll take that," Dash said. She held out her hoof, and I bumped it back happily. Then Poof! My hair went back to being curly and fluffy! That was fast.

"Woo hoo!" I cried, bouncing up and down. "Everything's back to—Hey!" I was rudely interrupted when Spike spat out a piece of parchment right at my face. How does this guy not get paper cuts in his throat?! Rarity used her magic to pick it up.

"Oh thank goodness. It's from Princess Celestia," she announced. I looked over her shoulder. The letter read:

To Maya and Zaria: I may have come up with a plan to deal with this catastrophe, but you and the others must meet me in Canterlot to discuss some information I have learned. This may shock you as well girls. Time is running out. Literally!

Yours Truly,

Princess Celestia.

It took us a great amount of time, but we finally arrived back in Canterlot. I was lucky that the guards didn't question us any further; we just showed them we had a letter from the princess and they let us through. When we finally reached the palace, we were all breathless. The princess herself was pacing back and forth beside a wide table with a single circular crystal ball. Gypsy-themed much? When she saw me and Zaria, she looked the tiniest bit relieved.

"Girls, I must show you something immediately," she stated, all business. "This is very disturbing news." Celestia pointed a hoof at the crystal ball.

We all crowded around it. The center began swirling until it showed a clear blue sky. But in a second, the sky turned black and crimson red. There were cracks forming in the sidewalks as people walked by, unaware of what was happening. Though there were some panic-y people who were screaming their heads off at the sky and running around like deranged chickens. Lightning was flashing, and a ferocious wind nearly swept some little boy away from his father!

"Oh my GOD!" I screamed in horror. "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?" I turned to Zaria, who had the exact same expression as me.

"That...doesn't look too good," she muttered.

"No crap, Sherlock!" I shot back. "What are we gonna do?"

"Leave that to me," Princess Celestia spoke up. "I haven't found out what's doing this, but perhaps we can communicate with it. Other than that, I've found a portal that'll send you girls back home to save it. I'll explain the plan in a little while."

"Hey, I know how we can communicate with this thing!" Rainbow blurted out suddenly.

"How dear?" the princess wanted to know.

"Maya, of course!" the Pegasus answered, pointing at me.

"What? No I can't!" I cried quickly. "That only happened when I least expected it! If I try it now, then—"

"Dear, can't you at least try?" Rarity asked dramatically. God, I wanted to go Cupcakes on her next...

But, that's not what I did. I let out a small sigh and squeezed my eyes shut and willed my strange abilities to work again. Come on! I thought. Pinkie, help me out! I took in a sharp breath and thought harder. Then something just...snapped. Not in a crazy way, in a really silent way. When I opened my eyes, it was way too quiet. Zaria bumped me lightly and asked me something, but I didn't even hear her! Either she'd gone mute, or I was deaf now. Though I don't think that was the case. Because my whole body warmed up, and there was this bright light that shook the whole palace. Around me, I heard frightened screams. Then, as you guessed, everything went silent. What was this, a freakin' library?!