Twisted

CHAPTER SIX

Pinkamena got up again and groaned, flipping onto the floor. She'd rolled out of bed and simply fallen, not an ounce of her usual energy put into it. She slowly trudged to the bathroom and looked at the mirror. A gorgeous face looked back at her, an irresistible face that her friends really shouldn't be able to resist. A face that looked even better with her hair, eyes, and beautiful new smile.

"Happy Birthday Pinkie," she sang, "Happy birthday to you! Your friends are all losers, and they look like losers too!" Pinkie cackled maniacally at her new rhyme, singing it over and over again as if her life depended on it. She began to dance, sporadic jerking movements beginning to take rhythm. The wild pony snuck away from her lovely reflection and into her dining room, where a large assortment of her favorite foods had been prepared. Pinkie laughed, her snooty little friends never knew what kind of foods were Pinkie's favorites! Now Pinkie Pie was surrounded by new, better friends. The kind of friends that would stick with you forever and ever and ever. Rocky, Madame LaFlour, Sir Lintsalot, and Mr. Turnip. True blue. Sadly for Pinkie, Gummy had grown too big and went to live with the other alligators in the pond. She often wanted to visit him, not even caring if she got bitten. That might be fun.

"Oh thank you, Rocky, but you mustn't ask a girl her age," she said as a sick smile formed, "it's quite rude!" she laughed.

The wind felt really good against Rainbow's face. There was nothing like the comforting embrace of the air around you when flying at top speed. The way it ruffled your fur and flowed through your feathers. It was almost cleansing. All the dirt and grime that caked her soul crumbled away. Then she slowed down, stopping, and it all returned.

Rainbow Dash needed an audience... but she wasn't going to risk the marketplace again after she was arrested last time for public disturbance. Well, she would risk it if she couldn't find any where else. She heart Scootaloo flapping her wings eagerly to keep up with her. Deep down beneath the layers of filth that had developed recently, she was proud of Scootaloo, but her own need for attention outweighed the attention that she'd give her freely. She looked down with a smile to see that the sunny day had brought out a few picnickers.

"You ready, Scoots? We have our audience. Remember what I told you yesterday? Fly as straight as you possibly can. Deviate too far and I might hit you. Just head straight down to the ground and stop as close as possible," Rainbow said stiffly before pulling placing a pair of goggles over her eyes. With that said she flew up high into the air and waited for Scoots.

Scootaloo nodded, listening intently to Rainbow's every word. Scootaloo loved the limelight, just being near Rainbow was enough. She knew how badly her "older sis" need attention, and complied with her every need. If she needed this, then Scoots would volunteer!

"Got it, Dashie. Just give me the word."

Scootaloo followed Rainbow higher and higher up, into the clouds. She couldn't wait to swoop down to earth, watching the amazed faces of passer-bys. She knew it was those very moments that gave Dashie such a thrill. Of course, Scootaloo could never really keep up when she went so fast!

Rainbow Dash gave Scotaloo a wink and the orange pony began to barrel towards the ground, followed by a sparkly purple trail. Rainbow Dash stretched her wings outward and smiled. She burst from standing still to rocket fast in under a second, and reached Scootaloo. She then began to twist around the falling pegasus and fly around her. Her customary ray of rainbow light followed her as she orbited Scootaloo. To the onlookers below it looked like a bright, shining meteor trailing purple encased in a prismatic prison of ever-changing colours. Ponies below began to cheer.

As soon as Rainbow was sure she could hear cheering, she let herself go. She closed her eyes and let the sheer rush of speed and danger fill her with adrenaline. Her heart beat faster to give the muscles in her wings the extra energy while also carrying their adrenaline payload. The rush was almost orgasmic, as Rainbow let the waves rush over her. This was what she lived for. This all occurred within the space of three seconds. As soon as her mental clock pinged, her eyes shot back open and she ricocheted off of Scootaloo and into the air. She spiraled around, flipping and twisting, creating a star-pattern of rainbow color in the sky. She hovered just in front of it victoriously for a second, then whipped behind it and blew a strong burst of wind that showered the below crowd in rainbows. Everypony turned their eyes upwards and cheered wildly. Rainbow swooped back down again and hovered just above the crowd.

"Who do we love?" she shouted, grinning.

"Rainbow Dash!" some of the crowd who recognized her shouted.

"Was that a cheer? My grandma could do better than that!"

"Rainbow Dash!" The entire crowd shouted this time.

"I'm sorry. I thought this was a crowd of winners, now was I wrong?"

"NO!" The crowd protested, appalled that Dash would say something so offensive.

"THEN WHO DO WE LOVE?!"

"RAINBOW DASH!" The return was almost deafening.

"And don't any of you freaking forget it!" Rainbow shouted triumphantly as she basked in her own glory for a bit. But this time, Scootaloo wanted a bit of the spotlight herself. The crowd ADORED Rainbow Dash, and of course they did, there was nothing to hate! Well, nothing much. Scootaloo wanted some sun.

Scootaloo had a few tricks up her sleeve, even if they weren't a rainbow star or aerial flips at top speed. She flew a bit higher and hollered,

"HEY EVERYBODY! WATCH THIS!"

The crowd, hearing the filly's cries, stopped in awe. They gasped excitedly about a new flyer, and Scootaloo couldn't wait for some attention. Rainbow KNEW that Scootaloo was a good flyer, she had taught her! She knew Dashie would be proud of her!

"Hey guys! My name's Scootaloo! I'm Rainbow Dash's little sister, and she's teaching me how to fly! I'm gonna show you something!"

Rainbow's right eyebrow began to tick angrily as Scootaloo started to steal her show. Her limelight. Scootaloo. The little bitch. She maintained the smiling façade to preserve her own face, but it wasn't easy. Thoughts of punching her face in the second they got back to the house had to tide her over for now.

The crowd murmured, unaware that Rainbow Dash had a little sister. They were excited to see a new trick, and Scootaloo wasn't going to let anypony down. She soared higher and higher into the sky, landing on a small storm cloud not too far up. The eyes of the crowd followed. Scootaloo gripped onto a small piece of cloud, and began to tug. She immediately jerked into the sky, leaving a purple streak in the air and a crowd of sparkles trailing behind it. She suddenly folded her wings in and yanked her hardest on the storm-cloud. It let out an enormous clap of thunder, lightning shooting all surrounding sky and falling to earth dramatically. Right before hitting the ground, Scootaloo's wings re-opened and she made a smooth landing. She then pushed up and blasted herself back into the sky, kicking the storm cloud into non-existence with one smooth buck. She grinned, the trick finally successful after months of practice!

"WHO LIKED THAT?!" Scootaloo hollered.

The crowd roared in response, cheering and screaming. A tiny part of Rainbow Dash wanted to cheer alongside the crowd, it wanted to congratulate Scootaloo for coming into her own. Rainbow clenched her hooves and shut the voice up. This was HER time, not Scootaloo's!

"WHAT'S MY NAME!?"

"SCOOTALOO!" The crowd screamed.

"I CAN'T HEEEAR YOU!"

"SCOOTALOO!!" The crowd screamed once more.

Scootaloo landed proudly next to Rainbow Dash and gave her a big, loving hug, much to Rainbow's shock. Cries of "Aww!" and even louder whooping filled the air. Scootaloo's veins were rushing with adrenaline and her heart raced. She finally understood why Rainbow always hunted so far for attention. It felt amazing! The crowd seemed to love the two as a pair. Maybe they could stay a pair, Dash thought. She was lost in thought as she ruffled the kid's mane slightly too hard and laughed hollowly to keep up the image.

"How'd I do?" Scootaloo asked, looking up at Rainbow with hope in her eyes. She hoped that Rainbow believed in her potential. All she ever wanted was to make her proud.

Rainbow still felt conflicted. Her face remained impassive as she said, "let's head back home for a bit."

Scootaloo nodded excitedly and the two took to the air again. Scootaloo wasn't sure what to think. Rainbow Dash had given her no praises, but had hugged her back and tussled with her mane. Scoots couldn't tell if that was just for show, but she hoped not. She was so proud of her performance that day, and she loved that Rainbow Dash supported her, even if it was totally fake.

Scoots quickly took the lead and Rainbow let her eyes wander over her for the first time in a while. Her lustrous orange coat, and rich purple mane that fell in truly awesome ruffles. She really had grown up. Rainbow still remembered the day she asked her to move in. The happiest day of her life, and not soon before she lost all of her friends. Rainbow's life had been drawing up aces, while all her friends' had fallen into the proverbial dumps. Today was fun, maybe it was her turn to...

Rainbow shook her head, propelling such thoughts far, far away. What was she thinking! No! She needed this! And If Scootaloo can't understand that, then maybe she should leave! Rainbow was still fighting internally as she swooped into the window and landed on a clear patch of floor. She looked up to see Twilight Sparkle sitting on her sofa. Her confusion quickly left to be replaced by seething rage. She was staring at the two like the egghead mule she was, mouth gaping open. Scootaloo never did like Twilight too much, she was a naggy perfectionist who never listened to anything but the sound of her own voice. She was always lecturing the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and still did when she got the chance. She acted like a queen. And her dragon was annoying, no matter how in love Apple Bloom was with him. Fucking Apple Bloom didn't know anything. You can't marry a dragon, nor can you have sex with it. Dragons will kill you. Although, Scootaloo might like to see Apple Bloom crushed.

"What the buck are you doing here?!"  Rainbow Dash shouted at the purple unicorn.

"Hey bitch! This is our house!" Scootaloo chimed in, maintaining a fighting stance. She was ready to beat the crap out of Twilight if push came to shove. She'd always wanted to anyways.

Twilight couldn't believe how bad the two "sisters" were taking her arrival. She knew from the start that this wasn't going to be easy, and with the two of them throwing insults at first sight it might as well be impossible.

"I'm just here to talk with Dash, we don't need to start throwing insults." she said calmly, but she could smell danger in the air. Twilight had read lots of books on psychology, and by the way that Scootaloo was standing she could be receiving a hoof to the face any moment.

Normally Rainbow Dash would just kick Twilight back out of the window, but she felt her rage subside almost as quickly as it started up to be replaced by overwhelming tiredness. She just had a glimpse of something she thought she'd lost a long time ago. She had felt...happy for Scootaloo. Happy for somepony who wasn't herself. She hadn't truly felt tired in so long. She eased out of her threatening position and just let it all loose. "What do you want, Twilight? I thought..." Rainbow sighed loudly, "...I thought I made my feelings clear yesterday!" A purple bruise on Twilight's hip was visible proof of how successful yesterday was. "Look. We both know why you're here. Why don't we just cut the melodrama, and you go home. I think I need to get some sleep."

Twilight took a second glance at Scootaloo, who hadn't let up her fighting stance. She shuddered to think that adorable little Scootaloo had grown into such a dangerous almost-mare.

"I'd just want to talk to you, Dash," she said nervously, Scootaloo starting to threaten her a bit more than she first expected, "Can we just have a talk...in your room? Or at least somewhere private?" she didn't want to hurt anypony, but she didn't realize Dash's sudden need for sleep "I wont be long, I promise!" She looked at her, eyes full of hope for the two friends. Rainbow Dash stopped and sighed again. She waved her hoof casually at Scootaloo.

"Hey, Scoots. You did good today. Why don't you go out to town. You haven't done anything I haven't wanted to do in ages. There's bits on the counter. I'll see you back here later," she then turned back to Twilight, "Fine...just make it quick."

Scootaloo's heart filled with pride. She HAD done good today! And as much as she hated to leave Dashie alone with such a bitchy mare, she loved going out to town. And she was going to go cause some serious mischief!

"Okay, I'll leave you two alone," Scootaloo said, picking bits up off the counter and placing them in her saddlebag, "Bye. I love you, Dashie."

She flew out the window, exhilarated, knowing that Rainbow hated clingy emotional things. But maybe Rainbow actually felt for her. She hadn't been mad at Scootaloo for stealing the spotlight! It was going to be a GREAT day, and as Scootaloo rushed into town she saw eyes following her, commenting on her previous performance. She was becoming a local celebrity, respected! The thought sent tingles down her spine, and an undefeated smile pasted onto her face.

Pinkie Pie realized with shock that her very-super-special birthday feast was missing one very essential item: chocolate milk! She LOVED chocolate milk, chocolate milk was the WORLD to Pinkie Pie! When it fell from the sky she hoped dearly that the reign of Discord would never end! She trotted happily outside and into town once more, waving at ponies on her way. They usually ran from her, but some waved back. Oh joy! She was so loved!

Twilight watched Scootaloo leave and sighed with relief.

"Thank Celestia...I thought she was going to try and punch my lights out!" she said jokingly with a small smile appearing on her face. "Look Dash, we really need to get the group back together. Why have we been apart so long?" she asked her, a more serious face returning. It was time for serious matters, no time for jokes. Twilight placed a gentle hoof on her old friends shoulder "We've all become wrecks! I mean, you have been with every mare in Cloudsdale! Partying every night! We need this to stop." She smiled reassuringly to her. "We can do it together. Are you with me?" she asked, hoping this might just be easier than she thought.

Rainbow Dash snorted loudly and pushed her hoof away.

"You're joking, right? This is your pitch? I finally give you the fucking time of the day, and this is all I get? It's no wonder the others won't listen to you! Why should I stop partying? I have fun! The ponies I bring back with me have fun! I'm having the fucking time of my life right now. Why should I quit? Me and Scoots are about to clean shop at the Cloudsdale paired stunts event. Another shot at the Wonderbolts. My life is fucking amazing right now. Scootaloo is really coming out on her own, and I'm having a whale of a time. Why don't you go work on Pinkie, or Fluttershy? Those sadsacks are the fucking wrecks that need help right now." Dash began to walk away to her bedroom, not caring whether Twilight Sparkle even had more to say.

Twilight froze, she was sure that what she said would work! How could it not work!? She'd planned everything! Dash was meant to break down and cry! The unicorn dipped her head down and slumped. "You're meant to show loyalty, Rainbow Dash! To your friends!"

She stomped her hoof in frustration and flew out the window in a rage, another plan foiled! As she muttered to herself she managed to see a pink tail hang out the local grocers. Pinkie! Of course! Twilight landed just outside and un-summoned her wings, trotting inside to see pinkie having some kind of argument with the cashier.

"Pinkie!" she hollered, trying to draw her attention. Pinkie froze, then turned to see Twilight Sparkle.

Her heart filled with rage. Twilight had been her very best friend and then she suddenly LEFT. When Pinkie had tried talking to her, Twilight turned her away. And now Twilight had come to talk to poor little Pinkie on her BIRTHDAY. She sneered and turned, smiling angrily at the dumb mare.

"Oh wow, the great and magical Twilight Sparkle comes to a lowly pony like me!" she slammed down bits and grabbed her carton of chocolate milk, making for the exit. She tried to avoid Twilight as best she could.

"What is today?!" she demanded of Twilight.

Twilight was taken aback from pinkies remarks; she knew that her friend had gone off the deep end but she never expected her to lash out!

"W-Well I..." she managed to muster as pinkie stormed past her and out the shop door. A tear ran down her cheek at the feeling that she had well and truly lost all her friends. She hadn't heard from AJ in ages because of all of her work, only Celestia knows where Fluttershy was! Pinkie hated her, Dash hated her, and Rarity has become some kind of anti-food monster! There just seemed to be no point. No hope.

"Wait, Pinkie, please!" Twilight begged, frustrated beyond belief. Pinkie turned quickly and stared Twilight down with eyes that wouldn't even look at her right.

"It's my birthday, Twilight Sparkle, my birthday!" Pinkie shouted, infuriated. She then snorted in strange contentment. "Congratulations, Miss Never Misses a Date. Now what do you want?"

Twilight walked over to pinkie and placed a concerned hoof on her old friends back.

"Pinkie, I...I came because I'm worried about you. We all are, and we want the old Pinkie back! You and your 'new friends' really are starting to creep us out! What happened?" she rubbed pinkies back softly, hoping that she would see what she had become and change for the better. She knew the old Pinkie was in there but she was hoping it wasn't too late to save her. Out of all the ponies that Twilight missed she couldn't help but miss Pinkie the most. Her cheery smile and infectious giggle always warmed her heart.

"But...but..." Pinkie felt defeated, and immediately decided what she wanted. "I'll make you a deal, Twilight, I want Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Bring them so I can hang out with them, then I will try my hardest to bring 'the old' Pinkamena Diana Pie back," she pulled away from the mare's touch and sighed. "Now please go."

Twilight got a warm feeling inside, a feeling she hadn't had in a long time. The feeling of accomplishment! Twilight left Pinkie with her head held high. She needed to go back to Dash's because she was going to be her biggest challenge. Twilight felt like that her and Dash had never been the best of friends, they were never really very much alike and sometimes she felt like Dash was just 'coming along for the ride'; but she always respected Dash, for her loyalty that she had now lost and her courage and strength. But this wasn't for Twilight, this was for Pinkie. Surely Dash would come to celebrate Pinkies birthday! Right?