Season Z, Episodes Y-Z: Showtime

Season: Z

Episode: Y

Showtime (Part 1)

(By: Flame Runner)

A group of six friends, colorful equine mares to be exact, were chatting inside the library in the small town of Ponyville. A small dragon was moving around in the background and placing a few loose books back on the shelves along with the help of an owl.

“Girls, I’m glad you could all make it,” stated Twilight Sparkle, the purple unicorn.

“Of course, we would never miss it when somepony calls a meeting,” Fluttershy, a yellow pegasus, spoke for everyone.

“Just one question sugarcube,” Applejack, the orange farm pony, said. “Why exactly did you ask us to come here?”

“An excellent question,” Twilight replied with a smile.

The purple librarian whisked one of her front hooves into the air and held it out for all to see.

“Ta-da!” she exclaimed as she held her hoof out.

“Oooo…” replied Pinkie Pie, a bright pink pony, with wide eyes and wonderment in her voice. “…But what is it?”

“What is it?” replied Twilight. “It’s a letter. Can’t you-Ahh!”

The unicorn looked down at her hoof and saw that it was empty.

“No!No!No!No! Where’d it go? Where’d it go?”

The purple mare comically spun around in circles and generally freaked out. Then she stopped spinning around and faced the little purple dragon.

“Spike! Where did I put that letter?”

The dragon sighed.

“Owliscious?” Spike said to the owl.

The little brown bird flew off and then came back with a very crumpled letter, still unopened, in his talons and gave it to Twilight.

“Whew! Disaster averted! Thank yo-Wait a minute…Spike? Did you try to open this letter when I specifically told you not to?”

“No!” defended the dragon with outstretched arms. “Owliscious did!” He pointed at the owl.

Owliscious glared back at Spike. “Hoo hooo!”

“Ok. Ok. So we BOTH tried to open the letter. But can you blame us? A mysterious letter from Los Pegasus for ALL of you? We couldn’t stand the wait, but it’s magically sealed. We can’t open it.”

“Los Pegasus? You mean the entertainment capital of Equestria, Los Pegasus?” Rarity, a white unicorn, squealed happily.

Twilight turned around to the white dress maker. “Yes. That Los Pegasus. Now let’s see what this letter says.”

The librarian focused her magic on the crumpled letter. Both her horn and the seal on the strange letter began to glow. With a few tugs on the magical seal, it popped off and boinked Spike on the noggin. Then the letter flew open of its own accord and a transparent image of a mare’s head appeared, floating in the air.

“Greetings!” said the image.

“TRIXIE?!” the entire room gasped.

(Insert Theme Music Here)

* * * * * * * * *

“Twilight Sparkle and friends, Trixie hereby invites you to come to Los Pegasus and partake in a game show. Trixie is host of the latest and greatest craze known as ‘Bring It On!’. Seeing as you six are all at a semi celebrity status would make my show that much more popular. The grand prize is 250,000 bits. Rules are simple; you will compete against each other in various challenges until only one remains to face Trixie herself. Your call date is this weekend. I expect to see you all there.”

The letter folded itself back up. The mares stared into thin air. Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus, was the first to speak.

“SEMI celebrity status?! It’s not like we saved the world or anything!”

“Cool your jets RD. I don’t think Trix-” Applejack was suddenly and rudely interrupted by the piece of paper.

“This message will self-destruct in 5…”

“Ah, hayseed! One of these letters!”

“…4…”

“Run for cover!” Pinkie shouted.

“…3…”

The mares all dove away from the letter.

“…2…1…”

The letter lurched into the sky and then exploded in a brilliant, but short lived, fireworks show.

“That was so cool!” Pinkie declared jovially as she bounced back off the ground.

The other soon dusted themselves off as well.

“So are you going?” Spike asked enthusiastically.

The purple dragon looked around the room with excitement etched in his face, gestures, and eyes.

“Um…well, I’ve got nothing else planned for this weekend,” Twilight shrugged.

“I wouldn’t miss an all expense paid trip to Los Pegasus in a thousand years,” Rarity said. “Now I just need to figure out what to pack…”

“I like games and I like shows! What could be better than putting both together?” Pinkie giggled.

“I’m up fer it,” Applejack nodded.

“A chance to put Trixie in her place? Count me in,” Rainbow Dash responded.

“Um…yes?” Fluttershy whispered.

“Great! Then it’s all settled!” the dragon declared. “I can’t wait! There’s so much to see and so much to do! And-!”

“Er hrm,” grunted Twilight.

The bookworm looked over at Spike.

“Oh, that is, if I’m allowed to come?”

“Spike.”

“Oh please! Oh please! Let me come! Please Twilight? I’ve never been to Los Pegasus!”

“Spike…we’d better start packing if we want to get there in time.”

“Whoopee!”

The dragon leaped into the air joyfully. He then scampered off and began to pack, mumbling things about what books Twilight would want to bring and how cool it would be to get on a real game show. Twilight simply smiled at his antics before turning back to her friends.

“I suppose we should all git to packin’ too,” Applejack stated.

“Agreed,” Rarity nodded her in approval.

“All right, catch you all on the next train to Los Pegasus!” Rainbow Dash waved a farewell and then sped out into the bright noonday sunshine.

* * * * * * * * *

The train came to a stop and six mares, plus one dragon, stepped out into a beautiful evening. The sun was about to set and the glory of Los Pegasus was on display for all to see. Lights, dazzling and bright, filled the sky and were plastered on every building. Red, blue, yellow, green, pink, and everything in between were shining and exclaiming that their place of residence was the best there could ever be.

Food shops with their neon signs displayed proudly that they were open, hotels declared themselves to the world, and many different forms of entertainment proclaimed their presence through the Technicolor lights.

The party gaped in awe at the wonder of Los Pegasus, entertainment capital of Equestria. The group was soon walking around and admiring all of the little intricacies of the town. Each pony had their own saddlebag packed full of items for their time in the city. Rarity was dressed fabulously, as usual.

“Los Pegasus was originally founded by pegasus,” Spike read a brochure from atop Twilight’s back. “It was built on the clouds, much like Cloudsdale, but as more and more earth ponies and unicorns came to the city a grounded metropolis was built right below the original cloud city. Los Pegasus is now a two structured city. Wow! That’s so cool!”

Spike folded the brochure and stuck it in Twilight’s bag.

“Pegasus can visit both the cloud city and the grounded city, but what about the others who can’t walk on clouds? Are they stuck on the ground?” Fluttershy asked.

“Not at all,” Twilight replied confidently, “Look.”

The purple mare pointed toward the heavens. Above the throng of ponies and neon signs were blimps and balloons of many shapes and sizes. These floating vessels moved through the skies carrying hundreds of passengers. Floating restaurants, hotels, and even stadiums buzzed through the night sky.

“They’re a bit gaudy, but magnificent none the same!” marveled Rarity.

“I also read that some ponies pay unicorns to enchant their feet so they can walk on the clouds,” Spike added.

“That’s nice and all, but where’s Trixie’s game show?” Rainbow Dash asked flippantly.

“I could be mistaken, but is that it?” Fluttershy pointed at a large blue building with a gigantic blow-up of Trixie, in all her performer gear, hailing all those who walked by.

“When I win, I’m going to buy a blow-up of myself like that to welcome everypony into Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie declared.

“Let’s get a move on! We’ve only got an hour before show time!” Dash urged.

The group walked along the busy streets of Los Pegasus, still caught in awe by the extravagance of the two tiered town.

* * * * * * * * *

As the group came near the building where Trixie’s game show was to take place, they were greeted by a swarm of ponies. Some burly guards were holding back the mass of equines. It took a good deal of skill and some luck on the part of the seven to even reach the large double doors which lead inside the gigantic structure. The group was soon stopped by some of the guards, but after explaining their situation they were let through.

Now that they were inside, it was much less crowded and much less noisy. Still screaming and a jumble of muffled voices leaked through the structure’s walls and into the ears of the seven. They were in a common room of sorts where the mob outside would soon be standing to wait for yet another set of doors to open where the main stage and their seats were held.

“Welcome!” a nasally voice greeted the party.

All heads turned toward the noise. Out from the shadows walked a blue mare wearing a star-stitched wizard hat and a flowing cape held together by a large blue gemstone.

“Trixie!” Twilight smiled at the mare.

“Yes, that is my name, please don’t wear it out. Now, follow me and I’ll show you around.”

The group walked forward as Trixie turned and walked down a small side passage.

“Yeesh, her ego seems even bigger than last time,” Dash whispered to Applejack.

The friends passed by a few doors. One had a golden star on it with Trixie’s name imprinted on it. They all took note of the door as the star was hard to miss. Another door was labeled “guests” with a smaller star on it.

“That will be your waiting room,” Trixie shrugged toward the door, but continued her march down the hallway.

Presently, the party came to the end of the hallway. There was a big black door at this end which Trixie pushed open. It lead to the back of the main stage. Large red curtains were draped in front of the seven and in the dim lighting the velvet red looked almost black. Trixie shoved the curtains aside and lead the group out to the front stage.

Looking from the front of the stage the friends saw hundreds, if not thousands of seats, lining every square inch of the place. An upper balcony held even more of these plush seats. Dim greenish colored lights lit up the tiny aisles. Trixie flapped her cape around as she waved out over the soon to be crowded auditorium.

“This is where you will be performing. Thousands of ponies will be watching you tonight to see who will get the honor of competing against me.”

“Th-Thousands?” trembled Fluttershy.

“Yes, quite impressive, I know. Trixie has certainly made a big name for herself in such a short time.”

The haughty mare was looking down at her blue gem and polishing it.

“So-?”

“You will be performing in groups of two tonight,” the magical unicorn interrupted Rainbow Dash. “Three groups will compete in different competitions with only one winner moving on. These events will take up all of our show time tonight so the event will continue tomorrow. I have already arranged suitable lodgings for you.”

She turned to face the ground and then began to pace around the stage as she continued her explanation. Rainbow Dash didn’t look very pleased with the host.

“The groups will be randomly chosen come show time. The events you will compete in will also be chosen randomly. This way there can be no cheating and no preparation beforehoof.

I have shown you all that you need to see. You may head back to the waiting room if you so desire. I will send some guards to bring you back on stage when the show starts.”

The friends took one last brief glance around the large auditorium and stage before turning around and heading back to the guest chambers. Trixie remained on stage and looked out toward the myriad of seats hungrily.

* * * * * * * * *

“Is it just me or does something seem a bit…off to you about Trixie?” Rarity asked as the group pushed their way into the spacious waiting chamber.

A small table with a few magazines, most with Trixie on the cover, sat in the middle and some plush couches and seats were scattered around.

“Nope,” replied Dash curtly, “just as haughty as ever.”

“Rainbow!” chided Twilight. “That’s a bit harsh isn’t it?”

“After what she did to Ponyville, I’m pretty sure that I have good reason to be ‘harsh’.”

“But we forgave her for that. Remember?”

“Well maybe you did,” Dash pointed at her purple friend, “but I’m as loyal to my grudges as to my friends.”

The pegasus slumped moodily into a plush seat and crossed her front legs.

“I’ll tell ‘ya what I think,” Applejack broke into the conversation. “I think all this success has gotten to her head.”

Before the group could continue any further conversation, a loud knocking came from the door. In stepped two muscular guards.

“Show’s in 20 minutes. Time to get on stage.”

“Eeep!” shrieked Fluttershy, who took to hiding, unsuccessfully, behind one of the couches.

“Very well,” Rarity replied to the guards respectfully, “we will be there in a few moments. Give us but a couple seconds to prepare ourselves.”

The guards looked at the shivering Fluttershy and then at the plastered smiles of the others in the room. They shrugged and then left. Then the group turned on Fluttershy. For such a shy pegasus she had an incredible grip on the sofa’s legs and she continued to drag it down the hallway as her friends pulled her backstage.

“There you are!” Trixie stated sharply. “Oh, you brought something to sit on. Hmm…that’s a new one. At any rate, the house is almost full already and I will be the opening act. When your name is called head through the split in the curtains right there and come on stage. Best of luck!”

The show host put on a fake smile and then trotted off to check on some last minute preparations. The group, minus Fluttershy, then decided to take a quick peek out. They pushed their heads ever so slightly out from behind the curtains.

A large crowd was having hushed conversations from their seats. Many were laughing and more were still filing into the building. The lights above were the same greenish tinted color as the dim floor lights.

“Whoa! That’s a lot of ponies!” Spike whispered.

Applejack simply whistled as she looked over the room.

“What a nasty shade of lights,” commented Rarity.

They then moved away from the curtains as the muffled whispered of the crowd continued to grow and swell. They found Fluttershy with her head smashed into a pillow and shivering on the couch. Pinkie Pie bounced over to the frightened pegasus and poked her gently.

“Fluttershy?”

“Meep!” Fluttershy was in the air faster anypony thought possible and had grabbed hold of a hanging backstage light.

“What’cha doin’?” Pinkie called from below.

“Uh…um…I don’t know if you know this or not. But…I’m a bit nervous.”

“Mares and Gentlecolts!” Trixie’s voice boomed from the front stage.

This, of course, made Fluttershy release her hold on the light and caused her wings to clamp to her sides. Pinkie Pie caught the falling pegasus and giggled at her friend’s antics. Fluttershy looked at her confident friends and smiled sheepishly.

“Welcome to ‘Bring It On!’,” continued Trixie from the other side of the curtains.

A roar of applause and cheers echoed through the thick curtains. Unable to contain themselves, Spike, Twilight, and a few others popped their heads back through the red velvet. Fog covered the entire stage and bright neon lights blazed and spun every which way as Trixie paraded on the stage, followed by a large spot light. Flaming rings flew through the sky and the showmare deftly jumped through them as if they were of no concern.

“Tonight I, the Great and Magnificent Trixie, bring you not two, not three, but six competitors in a special two day event that none will soon forget!”

This elicited another cheerful round of applause.

“Tonight we shall pick the top three competitors and tomorrow the stakes grow ever higher as ‘Bring It On!’ reaches new heights as has never been seen before! Tomorrow is a night you will not want to miss! Not only will one lucky competitor get to face off against Trixie for 250,000 bits but the show is totally and completely free!”

The crowd was now in an uproar. A shower of multicolored water shot from the front of the stage and dripped down into a bright mist.

“Now without further ado, allow me to introduce your first competitors of the evening!”

Behind the magical Trixie a giant wheel rose from the stage with the names of Twilight and the other mares printed on it. A quick spin soon had the host calling, “Rainbow Dash!”

“Aw yeah!” The cyan pegasus pumped her hoof victoriously and then shot out front and center.

The crowd continued to cheer as Dash performed a quick flip in the air. Trixie rolled her eyes but spun the wheel once more. It came to a stop.

“And Fluttershy!”

A few colorful hooves could be seen pushing the yellow pegasus out from the curtain. She had been trying to push away from the stage, but when she turned and saw the crowd she gulped, took a deep breath, and then waved with her shy and winsome smile on her face.

She was instantly awarded with some encouraging cheers and claps from the audience. This seemed to boost her confidence somewhat as she slowly skipped onto center stage to stand by Dash. Trixie positioned herself between the two and then continued on with the show. The wheel behind Trixie turned around to reveal many different competitive events.

“And now to choose the event that you will compete in! Fluttershy, would you spin the wheel?”

The yellow mare gingerly stepped up to the wheel, placed her hooves on it, and spun with all her might. The wheel barely spun, but spin it did. After a few tense seconds, the game was chosen.

“Pie Fight! Pie Fight! Pie Fight!” chanted the crowd excitedly.

“You have chosen the Pie Fight!” roared Trixie.

The crowd was going completely nuts. The wheel disappeared into the ground from whence it had come and some stagehands began to shove large barriers onto the stage along with two tables filled with steaming hot pie, which they placed on opposite ends.

“Rules are simple; contestants will fling pie at one another. Whoever is the gooiest, stickiest mess at the end loses. But there is one instant win shot. If anypony can manage to land a pie in their opponent’s mouth the game is over. Oh and one more thing, I wouldn’t eat these pies if I were you.”

At this, the crowd broke out laughing. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash looked at each other in confusion. Dash shrugged.

“Now, contestants, take your positions!” commanded Trixie.

Rainbow Dash moved to the table closest to her and Fluttershy did the same. Soon the two were faced off against one another with a myriad of scattered barriers between them and steaming pie in either hoof.

“And…BEGIN!”

Pie instantly whizzed through the sky and splattered on barriers. As the fight started, Trixie moved backstage.

“Wow!” Spike said to the showmare. “The crowd loves you!”

“Yes, it’s true. I know.”

“But Trixie,” Twilight broke through the haughty mare’s self praise, “where are all the fireworks?”

“Hmph,” snorted Trixie. “Fireworks are beneath the Great and Magnificent Trixie.”

With that, she pointed her noise up and huffed off the stage into the small hallway. Those backstage watched the blue unicorn walk into her room and slam the door shut.

Back on the front stage Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were in the heat of gooey pie-induced combat. The crowd had already signaled out their sides with cheers for one or the other. Fluttershy was currently cowering behind a large barrier with a single pie clutched in her trembling hooves. Dash, on the other hoof, was high in the air and searching for her yellow friend. A flicker of excitement burst into Dash’s eyes. The athletic mare flung her piebomb at poor Fluttershy.

“Meep!” wailed Fluttershy as she attempted to zip to the other side of the barrier.

But it was too late. Splat! She took one full force on her gluteus maximus and the pie painted over her cutie mark with a bright orange goo.

“Yes!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she hovered in the air, chuckling happily to herself.

The crowd seemed to agree with the sentiments of the rainbow maned mare. Fluttershy wasn’t out yet though. The yellow pegasus heaved her pie high into the sky with the cutest little “ugh!” It fell dismally short of her target and even landed on the tin without even damaging the pie. This only caused Rainbow Dash to laugh even harder.

Another bombardment of pie came whizzing at Fluttershy. The shy pony deftly dodged left and right, barely missing the oozing missiles. Then her luck ran out and one of the projectiles smacked her clean on the side. She was beginning to look more like Applejack with all of the orange goo clinging to her beautiful yellow coat.

With time quickly running out Fluttershy ran back to her table. There was only one pie left and only one last chance to win. In a desperate attempt, the pie covered pegasus took careful aim and fired at Rainbow Dash’s mouth. At the same time, Fluttershy tripped and the pie instead flew straight above the shy competitor and then came down on her own head.

Dash watched the whole scene. Both she and the entire crowd began to laugh uncontrollably. In fact, Rainbow laughed so hard that she stopped flapping her wings and, holding her sides, came tumbling back to the ground head first. Splat!

The laughing mare managed to land directly in the pie Fluttershy had first failed to throw. The cyan pegasus had her mouth full of the orange goop. In shock, the crowd stopped laughing until somepony shouted, “She ate it! Fluttershy won!” This elicited both laughter and uproarious cheers for the pie plastered pegasus.

Soon afterward, Trixie burst back on stage. The entire place was an orange mess, which didn’t faze her even slightly, but seeing Dash with her face smashed into a pie tin brought forth a roar of laughter.

“W-We h-have a winner!” giggled Trixie as she held up the front hoof of the gooey Fluttershy.

Cheers, stopping hooves, and sharp whistling split the air as Fluttershy stood blushing and smiling her winning smile. A few stagehands came out to clear away the mess on stage and a guard came out to escort Rainbow Dash backstage. The guard had a large green bucket in his hooves which he handed to Dash. The cyan pegasus grabbed for the bucket and began to hurl chunks. She clung desperately onto the green container even as she felt herself lifted into the air and carried away by the muscular guard.

“Mares and gentlecolts,” Trixie continued as the stage was being cleared, “tomorrow Fluttershy will again compete! Will she be the lucky mare who gets to challenge Trixie?”

The crowd cheered once again for Fluttershy and for Trixie. The blue unicorn smiled and motioned for the pie splattered pegasus to go backstage. Fluttershy was only too happy to oblige and soon she found herself being cleaned off by her friends and listening to Trixie continue speaking and entertaining. Spike swiped a claw full of the orange goop off of Fluttershy and put it to his mouth.

“Um…I’m not sure I would eat that if I were you,” warned Fluttershy.

Spike looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was busy puking into her bucket, and flung the orange substance to the ground.

“Congrats on winnin’ sugarcube!” Applejack said as Fluttershy began to look more like her normal yellow self.

“Thanks. I just feel bad for poor Rainbow.”

“Blurgh!” the cyan mare puked once again.

“The next competitor is…Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie roared from the front stage.

“Twilight! That’s you! Good luck!” Spike wished as the purple mare went out to entertain the masses.

“And…Pinkie Pie!” Trixie called next.

“That’s me!” giggled the pink pony as she bounced out to the stage.

Most of what Trixie said next was indiscernible thanks to the gagging noises coming from Dash as she hurled up everything in her stomach. Those still backstage went over to their sick friend.

“What was in those pies?” Rarity asked no one in particular.

“I have no idea,” replied Fluttershy. “I’m really sorry Rainbow Dash.”

Trixie walked by the group and chuckled as she glanced at Rainbow. Dash stared daggers at the showmare who headed back to her room.

“It’s not YOUR fault,” the cyan pegasus managed to breathe out and then hurled once again.

Luckily, she stopped puking soon afterward but still looked just as green. A few minutes later Trixie walked back past the group and to the front stage. Rainbow Dash never stopped glaring at her.

“And the winner is Pinkie Pie!” they heard Trixie declare.

Twilight walked backstage even as the crowd continued to cheer. A rubber chicken was plastered to her horn and she had a tuba wrapped around her torso and her back legs.

“What happened out there?” Applejack asked as Twilight shuffled over to the group.

“Just…don’t ask.”

“Whee! That was fun!” Pinkie shouted gleefully.

She had a lampshade strapped upside down to her forehead and a gaggle of balloons holding up her flank. She was using her front hooves to crawl over to her friends.

“Guess that means we’re up next Rarity,” Applejack stated.

“Yes, the show must go on!”

The two stepped over to the opening in the velvet curtains and both had soon been called on stage. Rainbow Dash puked again.

“Still sick from that pie?” Twilight asked.

“She stopped throwing up for a few minutes,” Spike said.

Trixie waltzed calmly backstage and passed by the friends.

“Hey!” shouted Rainbow with all the strength she could muster, “What did you do to me?!”

Trixie only laughed arrogantly, walked to her room, and shut the door behind her once again. Dash growled and ground her teeth.

“Calm down Rainbow, that’s bad for your teeth,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Urgh! I can’t stand that Trixie! I hope you humiliate her tomorrow Fluttershy.”

“Whoa!” Twilight gasped. “Look, I know you don’t exactly like Trixie all that much but it’s just a game show. Can’t you forgive her and move on?”

“No. No I can’t.”

Rainbow Dash folded her legs over her chest trying to look angry, but soon puked again and totally ruined it. The next few moments were a bit tense. Nopony really said anything but they all looked around nervously, with the exception of Dash who never took eyes off of Trixie’s closed door. Then Trixie slid past them and went back on the front stage.

“I wonder why she keeps going back to her room,” Spike finally broke the silence as Trixie blabbed something to the crowd.

All heads turned toward Trixie’s room.

“I guess that is a bit odd isn’t it?” Twilight agreed.

Soon Rarity walked back behind the curtains. She seemed a little frazzled and muttered to herself, “Dreadful, simply dreadful.”

She actually walked straight past her friends and over to the guest room.

“Does that mean that Applejack won?” Pinkie called after the white mare.

Rarity never replied, but soon Applejack stepped behind the curtain. She was covered, hoof to nose, in a brown slimy substance.

“Ch-Chocolate puddin’,” was all she could mumble out.

She shivered uncontrollably and her eyes were as wide as a dinner plate.

“So. Much. Puddin’.”

She managed to stumble over to the guest chambers.

“I guess Rarity won,” Pinkie shrugged nonchalantly.

“That wraps up day one of this exciting two day event!” Trixie’s voice could be heard bellowing from the front. “Remember that tomorrow is completely free! Also, I will be signing autographs and taking pictures in my room tonight. Please drop by!”

The crowd cheered and then Trixie stepped backstage and headed, as usual, directly to her room. This time she left it open a crack. Twilight and the others still backstage decided that it would be best to gather everypony together and head out for the night. They dropped by the guest room and found Applejack cleaned up and somewhat less shaky. Soon they departed, but were caught by a long line of ponies.

The line lead straight to Trixie’s room. A bright green flash blazed forth from behind the closed doors and then a small filly walked out with a smile plastered on her face and an autograph in her hooves.

“Even her camera flashes that horrid green,” Rarity remarked as the group walked away from the building.

Outside the sky was clear and beautiful. The stars were barely visible in the lighted city with its many flashing signs and lights. Wearily the friends trudged along the walkways, looking for the hotel where they would be spending the night.

“Stop!” Rarity screamed.

Everypony froze in their tracks.

“I forgot my hat back at the game show.”

“Can’t ya’ jus’ pick it up tomorrow?” Applejack yawned.

“Not at all! Somepony might take it or throw it out! Oh, you girls go on. I’ll meet you at the hotel later.”

The white mare trotted back toward the massive building as the rest of the group continued the search for their hotel.

By the time Rarity made it back, the place was deserted and the lights were out. She smashed her face into the glass to get a peek inside, but nopony was to be seen. Trying her luck, she tugged on the front doors. Luck was apparently on her side as they weren’t locked and she quietly slipped inside.

“It’s sitting on that table in the guest room,” she whispered to herself as she trotted back into the small side hallway. With out another thought, she slipped into the guest room, nabbed her hat, and then walked back out.

“And I’ll lock the door on my way out,” she said aloud, “Then some poor janitor won’t get in trouble.”

But as she passed by Trixie’s room she stopped and noticed a feint green glow oozing from the frame. She knocked quietly and the door creaked open.

“H-Hello?”

The glow seemed to be coming from beneath Trixie’s desk. As the white mare moved closer and closer to the glow it sudden became blindingly bright and a piercing scream echoed all around. Rarity screamed too and ran out of the room as quickly as she could. She bolted from the show building, not taking a second glance behind, and forgot to lock the doors.