"Oh, I don't know about this..."
"Aw, come on sugar cube."
"But what if somepony sees?"
"We're the only ones back here, and nopony saw us come in."
"But...but-"
"Shh, this'll calm you down, trust me..."
~~
Inside the halls of the Canterlot Theater, home to the largest movie screens in Equestria, ponies crowded the doors to the many films showing this lovely afternoon. The smell of popcorn and pizza enchanting the air, the sounds from the small arcade in the distance grabbed the attention of the many young ponies.
"Come on, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle plead, tugging at her older sister's hoof. "Just a couple of bits! Please!" Behind her, friends Applebloom and Scootaloo plead with puppy eyes, glimmering under the theater lights.
"Alright, alright!" Rarity said, pulling back her hoof from the excited filly and turning back to open her saddle bags. She soon came up with a small hoof full of bits. "Just be back before the movie starts, you three."
With a jump and a yay in unison, the three fillies scampered away from the unicorn and into the crowd of ponies. Rarity watched and sighed, now a little saddened she was left to wait in line alone.
"Hey, Rarity!"
Alas, her ears perked up at the familiar shout. She turned around as a smile grew on her face, seeing three of her friends walking towards her. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash circled her and enveloped into a group hug.
"It's so good to see you all here!" She said, basking in the embrace her friends gave.
"I know, it's seems like we haven't had an outing like this in a long time!" Twilight said with a chuckle, pulling away from her friends. "How have you been?"
Rarity gave a sigh and smile. "A little stressed lately, to be honest. With Sweetie Belle and daily requests in dresses and suits since the wedding, I haven't been able to catch much of a break."
"Whoa!" Pinkie said, examining her humongous bucket of popcorn. "It says if I but two more buckets, I win a prize!" She then placed the bucket on the floor and dug head first into it.
Twilight, taking a single step away from the disaster area, frowned at Rarity. "I'm sorry to hear that, Rarity. If I wasn't so busy with Sky and the library..."
"Well, I guess your glad we got you to come out here then!" Rainbow said, giving the fashionista's shoulder a shove, but pulling back as she was given a look from Rarity. "W-Well, uh, when's the movie suppose to start?"
Twilight pulled out her ticket from her saddle bags. "The ticket says six-thirty..." She then levitated a small clock out, her ears flatting. "...but it's only four-thirty."
The three mares turned to the line before them, dozens of technicolor ponies stood before them and the amp-theater of the film they were attending.
Rainbow groaned, flapping her wings in frustration. "Ugh, Great! What are we suppose to do for two hours?"
Twilight placed her ticket and clock back in her bags, then raised a lavender hoof to her chin in thought. "Maybe we can just walk around? Then come back before the movie starts?"
"But what about our spots!" Rarity said. "What if we leave and end up having to sit all the way in the back?"
"Or worst, the front!" Rainbow said, her eyes narrowing. "Man, I had that experience when I saw X-Mare 2 with Pinkie."
To this, the party mare chuckled. "We had to sit leaning our heads back the whole time!"
Twilight sighed. "Well, it looks like we'll just have to wait here then."
"Oh my Celestia, is that who I think it is?!" The three mares turned around to a small group of young ponies, their eyes nearly bugging out of their heads. Following their eyes, Twilight spotted a familiar pair of mares walking their way.
"...but if you know how it's going to end, why in Equestria are you going to see it again?" The white unicorn complained, dragging her hooves as she walked with her partner. The grey pony beside her simply shook her head.
"It's a good movie, Vinyl!" She said, smiling. "A lovely film filled with romance, tragedy, and it is a tradition of mine to watch it every year."
Vinyl lowered her shades, eyeing the mare. "Then why, pray tell, am I going?"
"Because, I go to this movie every year alone." She lowered her head. "My mother and father would take me when I was young, so I figured you and Cee would like to take part..."
To this, the DJ stared at the mare as they walked. She wrapped a hoof around her partner's neck and nuzzled it. "Aw, Octy! I was just messin' with ya! I'm sure the film's not total crap."
Octavia blushed deeply from the public affection, but smiled at the words given from her love. As she looked closer at the movie line, she spotted Rarity and began to wave. "Rarity? Is that you?"
"Octavia Philharmonica!" Rarity gasped, covering her mouth with her hooves. "What a surprise! I thought you were on tour and wouldn't be back for another month!"
The grey mare smiled sheepishly. "Well, um, I just had to stop by the lovely Canterlot theater to see one of my favorite films. I'm assuming you and your friends are here to see 'Titanic' as well?"
Rarity nodded. "Of course! This film is simply divine."
Rainbow crossed her hooves, rolling her eyes. "Please. I'm only here for the iceberg." Behind her, a loud groan was heard, followed by a shout of 'Spoiler alert!' to which she ignored.
Vinyl raised an eye brow. "Iceberg?"
"Yeah, that's what this movies about." Rainbow grinned. "The boat was built to never sink, and so they took a bunch of people on it for a maiden voyage to New York, but on the way-"
"Rainbow!" Twilight hissed, nervously turning to the line of now irritated movie goers. "You're spoiling the movie!"
The pegasus blushed and scratched the back of her head. "Oh...my bad."
"No, wait! Hold the phone!" Vinyl said, now excited. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?! That the boat hits the iceberg?!"
"Vinyl!" Octavia shouted, smacking the DJ's shoulder.
"Yup!" Pinkie said with a nod. "And Everypony on the boat starts going, Ahhh! The boat's going down, abandon ship!"
Vinyl's jaw dropped, her eyes widening behind her signature shades which were now sliding down her muzzle. "That...that's sounds so awesome!" She turned to her partner, grabbing her in a big tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking me to see this!"
Octavia groaned and struggled in the embrace. "You're...well...come!"
Twilight smiled at the couple, but then dropped it when reminded her of something. She looked around at the group then noticed what was missing, or who rather. "Wait a minute. Where are Fluttershy and Applejack?"
The unicorn's statement caused Rainbow and Rarity to join in the sudden realization. They then began to look around the large hall of the theater, but not spotting the farmer mare or shy pegasus.
"That's strange." Rarity said.
"Maybe their running late!" Pinkie said, scratching her head. "I remember seeing Applejack make her way to Fluttershy's hut before we left, so maybe they're on their way here?"
"Let's hope so..." Twilight said, looking back at her clock, which then read 4:50.
~~
On the other side of the movie theater, another film had just ended only half an hour before and it's new attendants were starting to line up and group around the entrance. The ponies dawned multi-dyed mane and black tee-shirts with letters like BvB and PTV. With just one glance, you could hardly count the numerous members with facial piercings from lip to eyebrow to dimple. Each movie goer stood shaking, grinning happily as they waited.
But by the door, stood three young colts with devilish smiles on their muzzles. One was wearing violet sunglasses and a black wool hat. Another was a red colt with his mane done up into a Mohawk fashion. The last was a purple colt with light brown mane and reading glasses.
"Wow, can you believe that Pella dies at the end?!" One of them shouts, causing the group of attendees by the door to grow silent.
"I know!" Another colt shouts. "And that the baby ends up being other guy's?!"
The movie goers all groaned, dropping their popcorn in frustration and walking away. This made the three colts burst out in laughter, leaning back against the wall to support themselves.
"Ha-ha, Cee that was hilarious!" The red colt gasped behind the laughter.
CD grabbed his stomach whilst laughing. "I can't believe they fell for it!" He said, taking off his sunglasses to wipe the tears from laughing. "Man, Sky you were right This has just been too easy!"
The purple colt sighed, his giggles dying down. "Yeah, well...now what do you guys wanna do?"
"Well what time is it?" Red asked, looking around the hall they stood in. "And when's the movie suppose to start?"
Cee placed his shades back over his eyes and took off his hat, reaching in and pulling out a small pocket watch. "It's 4:58. So, we have an hour or so to do whatever. Which is why..." He placed the watch back in his hat and pulled out a bag of bits. "...we're going to the arcade!"
"Sweet!" Sky exclaimed, pumping his hoof in the air. "If they have Time Crashers, I call dibs on the red gun!"
"What?" Red complained.
"I called dibs." Sky explained. "That how it works, I called 'dibs' on the gun. So in theory and the reality of the situation, I, Sky Sparkle, get the red gun."
"No way!" Red argued.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why should you have the red gun?" Sky asked, adjusting his glasses.
Red glared. "Cuz!...because I'm taller than you!"
"You're point?" Sky said, a grin forming on his face. "What's height have to do with anything?"
"Why do you get to have something just because you said a word?"
While this was happening, Cee sat back and did his best to hold back his laughter. Suddenly, a younger colt walked over and sat beside him.
"Hey, mister?" He said to him.
Cee turned to the young colt. "Whoa, where are your parents at kid?"
"Ova there!" He pointed behind them. "I was wondering, what are they doin'?"
Cee laughed. "Well you see, sport. This is what you would call a 'minor dispute'."
The young colt turned his head in confusion. "M-Minor...?"
"Yeah, I don't get it either. My mum said it to me once after she took my other mom in their room after argument." Cee said, shrugging. "Followed by lots of screaming. It's just something couples do." Cee smiled.
"Oh." The younger colt said, getting up. "Well see ya!"
Cee watched as young colt walked back to his parents, possibly telling them of the knowledge he had just obtained. Cee grinned, feeling as though he took part in the growth of a young life.
Meanwhile, however...
"...wow, Red. Just because it's red that entitles you to it?" Sky shot back. "What, does that mean I deserve every eggplant, every grape? Do you get to have all the the cherries, red apples, roses? I like roses too, Red!"
Red took a step back. "I never said I was entitled to it! I don't even know what entitled means!"
Sky scrunched his muzzle in frustration. "Entitled means-"
"Are you mares just about done?" CD asked the bickering two, looking down at his watch. "As adorable it is to watch both of you argue, and as much of a time killer it is, I'd like to get to the arcade before we have to watch that boring movie."
Both colts glared at each other before turning back to CD, then sighed into eventual laughter. "Fine." They said in unison.
~~
"Quick! Press the red button!"
"No, no! The green one!"
"Press all of em'!"
Several ponies stood around the Dance Dance Revolution game station as Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom jumped around and spazed about the machine, doing their best to hit the correct colored arrow at the right time. Pink, blue, green, and red lights flashed all over the arcade, most of which coming from the different game stations and screens. Over the speakers, techno and house blared.
From the Dance Dance Revolution game however, a different song blasted over the arcade's ambiance, followed by the panics of the fillies and cheering the small crowd around them.
Sweetie jumped at a pink button just as an arrow of a similar color appeared on the screen, scoring an excellent. "Nice!"
Scootaloo leaped from a blue button and landed, cartwheeling to the red button just as Applebloom hop over her onto the blue one once again. The crowding ponies watched on in amazement at the fillies' skill in the game, their score reaching past the ten-thousands to the hundred-thousands and gaining speed with every leap.
"Come on! The song's almost over!" Applebloom shouted over the song, just barely missing Sweetie Belle's hoof as it hit the red button.
Just before the song came to a finish, the Cutie Mark Crusaders lept at the very same time, all with intentions of landing on the middle pink button. Sweetie's hoof came first, with Scootaloo's landing on top of her's, and finally Applebloom's.
"N-N-N3W H1GH SC0R3!!!" The machine exclaimed, followed by the cheers and howls of the gamers crowding around. The fillies looked up at the machine's screen, seeing their score gliding past the many above at lighting speed. As it landed in first place, a name input came into view.
Sweetie approached the small keypad with Applebloom and Scootaloo close behind, they scanned it just before hitting only two keys. "C...M...C. There!"
As the game saved the name, each filly turned to check their flanks with gleaming eyes. After a few seconds, their faces fell and they groaned in disappointment.
"Shoot!" Applebloom exclaimed. "Looks like we can't get our cutie marks here either!"
Sweetie Belle kicked the side of the machine. "Dumb game!"
Scootaloo sighed. "C'mon, let's try that flying simulator game again."
"Well look who it is!"
The crusaders all turned and grimaced at the two fillies entering the arcade, grabbing the attention of the many gamers surrounding. I mean, how many fillies played video games?
Diamond Tiara walked ahead of Silver Spoon, each glaring the staring crowd. "Ugh, this place smells like nerds and geeks."
"Which in turn, doesn't surprise me that we find the blank flanks in here." Silver Spoon said, haughtily. "What, are you three trying to get your cutie marks in wasting time?"
"Wow, nice one Silver." Applebloom mocked. "Ah really felt that one."
"Whatever, Buck-a-billy." Another filly came in between Diamond and Silver, her dark orange hair tied back into a ponytail. "Can't believe we're spending our day off in a boring movie theater, and especially surrounded by a crowd of losers."
Diamond chuckled. "Very true, Coraline."
Sweetie Belle stomped her hoof. "Why do you three always have to be so mean? What have we even done to you?"
"Exist." Silver Spoon said, and then joining in group laughter with her two friends. "C'mon, girls. Let's leave." The three mean fillies turned and left the crusaders in their wake, the surrounding gamers glaring at the exiting three then turning back to their games.
"Darn rotten fillies!" Applebloom spat. "Ah can't stand 'em!"
Scootaloo gritted her teeth, her wings buzzing in burning anger. "Just wait until I get my hooves on them!...I swear, if only...Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo turned to her side to see her crestfallen friend, her head low and her curly mane fallen over her shimmering eyes.
"Why do they have to do that?" She asked, her voice cracking. Scootaloo came closer and wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. "What did we even do?"
"Forget them, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo said, patting Sweetie on the back.
"Yeah! Nopony likes them anyways!" Applebloom added, sitting on Sweetie's other side. "Don't let them get you down."
Sweetie Belle raised her head, looking from Applebloom to Scootaloo with a smile growing on her lips. "Thanks, you guys."
Scootaloo's wings fluttered slightly, Sweetie's smile warming her cheeks and left fuzzy feeling in her chest. She quickly stood up from the unicorn and shook her head. "W-Well, uh...How about we go try that game over there? The one with frogs?"
"Ah think their toads, Scootaloo." Applebloom said. "Frogs are skinnier than that."
"Ugh, whatever." Scootaloo sighed, making her way to the game, followed by her friends.
