Lazy Bones

~2: Tension Rising~

“My apologies my faithful student, ”Celestia said looking up from her paper work, “I’ve been a little distracted with a troubling matter, but that’s no excuse for not coming to greet you and your friends.”

“Not at all princess,” Twilight stressed, she didn’t want the princess to feel guilty on her behalf, “if you’re having trouble maybe I could help.”

Celestia smiled, “I have no doubt you could help, but you deserve time off for everything you and your friends have done.”

“But…” Twilight began.

“No buts, now I’ve arranged for you to travel to Panchea by airship, once there you’ll continue by carriage to where you’ll be staying in Hamlet,” she explained walking around her desk and leading Twilight out of her study.

“Thank you again princess,” Twilight said for (easily but not really) thousandth time, “but this troubling matter…”

Celestia sighed, she knew Twilight wasn’t going to let it go, “I assure you, I’m more than capable of dealing with it, it’s just one of the high wizards went missing a few days ago.”

“Missing?” Twilight asked shocked.

“yes, he was studying in the archives when he was suddenly called away on an urgent matter,” Celestia continued as they walked through the castle, “he simply told his apprentice ‘he was required urgently’ and that was the last he’s been seen.”

Twilight thought about this, she knew this vacation had been in the works for some months and all her friends were looking forward to it, but she didn’t feel right walking away in the middle of something like this.

“Don’t worry Twilight; I have every faith in Glyph.” Too late did Celestia realise her mistake as Twilight came to a sudden definite halt.

“Glyph! Glyph is missing!” Celestia sighed at Twilight’s panicked expression.

Twilight remembered as she lay in her bed in Hamlet. The sun had risen and was now shining light thorough her thin curtains. She trusted Celestia’s judgement, and she trusted Glyph not to get himself into a situation he could get out of, but still… she thought back fondly of the old unicorn who had so often snuck restricted books out of the Canterlot library for her to read, he’d always encouraged her desire to learn, even areas which other unicorns argued she was too young or inexperienced for. She smiled at this thought; he’d always stuck up for her.

Pulled back to reality by Spike’s yawning, she pulled herself out of bed and went about getting washed up. Stepping out of the bathroom she wasn’t surprised to see Spike still snoring away in his cot, but enough was enough. Summoning her magical energy she reached out to Spike, lifting him from under the covers and floating him with her down stairs. He woke up as she stepped onto the second floor.

“Uh, Twilight, put me back in bed,” he moaned, Twilight was about to respond when they heard a shout from downstairs.

They rushed down the last flight of stairs into the kitchen where Rainbow Dash stood at the open fridge. Curious Twilight and Spike both walked over and immediately saw what had shocked and angered Dash, all the food they’d brought was gone, all that was left was empty containers and crumbs. Hearing hoofsteps Twilight looked up to see Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie walk in.

“What in the hay’s goin on in here?” Applejack demanded, looking more irritable than usual.

“Someone ate all the food,” Spike said, now looking properly awake.

Applejack marched over to examine for herself, followed closely by Rarity. Twilight however noticed that Pinkie hung back, and meeting her eye Twilight saw the guilt.

“Pinkie, how could you?” she exclaimed causing the others to look up.

“I… I got hungry, I only meant to have a little but…” she began, she didn’t look like the happy go lucky Pinkie Twilight knew so well, she looked ashamed and scared.

Applejack stormed up to her causing her to cower in fear, “do you ever think about anypony sides yourself?” she demanded.

“Yeah, think about me for a change,” Dash exclaimed still standing at the open fridge. Pinkie was now blubbering pathetically, still stammering out her explanation.

“But… but I… couldn’t help myself, and I’m… I’m… still hungry!” with that she burst into a fresh wave of tears and curled up on the floor clutching her stomach in obvious agony.

Applejack began mouthing wordlessly before turning and leaving the sobbing pink heap. Rarity rushed over and cradled Pinkie in her lap, whispering assurances.

“It’s alright everypony,” Twilight said desperately to the room, “we’ll go shopping, this isn’t a big deal.”

Applejack looked murderous at her but at that moment Fluttershy walked into the kitchen.

“What’s going on…” she began, but then she caught Applejack’s eye and both stared at their own hooves.

Twilight stared in utter confusion at the scene, what was going on? Applejack was furious, Pinkie had an eating disorder, Spike was already leaning against the wall, his eyes lolling shut, Fluttershy was trying not to make eye contact with Applejack, and Dash was… examining herself in a mirror so nothing out of the ordinary there. It seemed the only normal one in the room was Rarity, but as Twilight looked down at her she felt a familiar feeling, and couldn’t stop herself from thinking ‘perfect normal Rarity’, the bitterness apparent to herself.

~

Pinkie sniffed in Spike’s cot as Twilight went through book after book, Spike was supposed to be helping her but he’d dozed off on her bed and she’d long since given up trying to keep him awake. She looked out the window of the attic and not for the first time found herself thinking this vacation wasn’t turning out to be the break any of them needed.

“Twilight,” Pinkie whispered, but Twilight hadn’t heard her, she was staring out the window at a couple walking through the town square, holding hooves.

“Twilight,” Pinkie said again, louder this time, but Twilight was so entranced by the couple she’d never met before that again she ignored her. When at last she turned around, Pinkie was gone.

Nopony spoke as they walked down the street to the market, Rarity considered briefly making a joke to try and lighten the mood, but decided against it. They reached the Saturday market and found it bustling with life, easily the most ponies they’d seen gathered in Hamlet at any one time. Rarity began sweeping the stalls checking for things they needed to get. When at last she found a green grocer stall a few aisles in, she turned to address her friends.

“Alright we’ll start with…” she began, but realised she was talking to thin air. She wasn’t sure when but at some point the other three had walked off to do their own thing.

“fine!” she exclaimed to herself causing passing ponies to look at her in confusion, “I’ll just get the shopping done myself.”

As she browsed through the stalls and began packing bags of various food items she began to have a feeling of déjà vu. Looking around she realised she was in the same street her, Twilight and Fluttershy had walked along the day before, and sure enough, there was the craft store.

It couldn’t hurt to take another look inside, after all everypony else had gone off to do their own thing, why shouldn’t she? Handing over the bits for the few groceries she’ already gathered she left the market and entered the cramped store. The sales assistant she’d met the day before glanced up upon hearing the bell above the door.

“Oh, it’s you,” she said sounding delighted, “I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”

“Well I had some free time and thought I might have another browse,” Rarity explained looking across the stacks of materials.

Of course nothing had changed since yesterday, but as she walked her ears pricked up at the sound of bits rattling in her saddle bags. She had the money, why shouldn’t she buy something if she wanted it? Settling on some rolls of silk she approached the counter, she could easily make a nice shawl from these.

“Will that be all?” the assistant asked sounding as friendly as she could.

“Yes that should be…” Rarity began, but then her eyes landed upon an impressive antique sewing machine behind the counter.

She didn’t need one, but… she really wanted it. Leaving the craft store with considerably more random items than actual groceries, she began walking towards the market again.

“No more distractions,” she told herself, but no sooner had the words left her mouth than something glinting in the sunlight caught her attention. Turning her head she recognised the jewellery store they had passed the day before but had not entered. She could take a quick look.

Fluttershy had been examining a natural remedies stall before realising the others had walked on without her. By the time she realised this they were already swallowed up by the crowd. She gulped looking at the throngs of ponies, it might be better if she waited outside the market for them. Turning she walked towards a deserted street corner and perched herself on a public bench. It was a glorious day, for all that had gone wrong so far, the weather seemed to be on their side for the time being.

Basking in the warmth of the sunlight, Fluttershy closed her eyes and leaned back. She hadn’t even realised she had dozed off until she was being shaken awake. Blinking rapidly she looked up at the stallion leaning over her. She squealed in surprise and leapt off the bench. The figure just laughed slightly.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said walking over to help her up, “it’s Fluttershy right?”

Hearing this Fluttershy looked up and recognised the guard Twilight introduced them to the day before, what was his name again? Iron Head?

“It’s okay I shouldn’t have been sleeping there I know,” Fluttershy said trying to hide behind her pink curtains.

“Really? I don’t know of any law that states you can’t rest on a public bench.” Fluttershy looked up and noticed him smiling at her; she couldn’t help but smile back, and knew she was blushing heavily. They began talking casually about their vacation and Iron’s work, all the while Fluttershy’s eyes occasionally swept over his toned body and his exquisite armour.

“That’s really interesting,” he said sounding genuine, “my brother is really into animals, you probably wouldn’t know him, he lives in Van Hoover.”

“No I probably wouldn’t then,” Fluttershy admitted. They stood in silence for a brief minute, neither of them sure what to say. But then Iron broke the silence, causing Fluttershy’s heart to sink slightly.

“So how’s Twilight doing?” she was about to answer, when they heard a scream from the market. They both snapped around, Fluttershy ducking behind the bench for safety, Iron didn’t notice however, he was already running in to see what the commotion was about.

Applejack still wasn’t talking to Fluttershy, while she had calmed down since the actual incident; she still remained uncomfortable around her. All morning the logical half of her brain had insisted there would be a perfectly reasonable explanation for it if she’d just ask, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so, afraid she’d only have her fears confirmed. So when she noticed Fluttershy lagging behind, she foolishly decided not to inform the others and instead follow Rarity and Rainbow Dash. The market was so busy that morning they it was easy for Applejack who was taking up the rear to see how they got separated, but she easily spotted Rainbow’s mane through the crowd and made her way over to her.

Dash was bored senseless of their trip already, and now she was angry at her best friend on top of that. It’s like none of the others stopped to even think about her when planning this vacation. At least she was alone now though, Rarity hadn’t even noticed herself separating from the others. At least this gave her an excuse to do a little flying. Weaving through the crowd until she found an open area, she stood and did a couple stretches. She didn’t normally bother with this, but she noticed the looks she was getting from passer-by’s, and couldn’t help giving a complementary flick of her mane, savouring the ‘ohhs’ from ponies who’d stopped walking and taken an interest in her.

Without further ado, she spread her wings and shot into the air like a missile. This was her element, the wind, the adrenaline, it made her feel more alive than ever, but this time it just wasn’t enough. Glancing back down to earth she noticed many more ponies had stopped to see what she was doing. Taking the attention in her stride she dived, causing some ponies to gasp in horror, but at the last second she pulled expertly up firing into the air once more, immediately following it up with as many of her best moves she could tie into together. By the time she slowed down enough so the wind wasn’t whistling in her ears as much she could make out the unmistakable sound of cheering coming from the crowd of ponies who’d gathered to watch her.

Deciding it was time to soak up the glory she drifted back to the ground, blowing kisses to her adoring fans.

“Thank you everypony,” she announced to the crowd, “but don’t feel bad that none of you could ever hope to be as incredible as me, after all, be honest, I am the one and only Rain…”

She was cut short as she felt something yank her tail, and was dragged into a heap on the ground.

“What in the hay do ya think your doin?” Applejack demanded leaning over her, not looking the slightest amused.

“Hey it’s not my fault if these ponies know talent when they see it,” Dash said hopping gracefully to her hooves and taking a little bow to the audience.

“Ah outta knock you upside the head,” Applejack fumed, “then everypony’ll see how amazing you are.”

“whoa AJ,” Dash said backing away slightly, but then regaining her cool she marched forwards and pulled Applejack into a one hoofed hug, “I see what the problem is.”

“Do ya now?” Applejack said menacingly.

“It must be hard being friends with somepony as awesome as me, knowing you’ll only ever be second best,” Dash said, loud enough so everypony could hear.

“Dash,” Applejack whispered, venom dripping from her voice, “get your hoof off me, right now…”

Iron Heart arrived just in time to see Rainbow Dash smashing head first into a fruit stall. Quickly regaining her composure she dived into Applejack, ramming her off her hooves. Applejack didn’t hesitate in flipping around and driving her powerful apple bucking legs squarely into Dash’s shoulder. The resulting crack made everypony gathered cringe. Iron Heart had seen enough, as Dash and Applejack charged head long into each other they were both grasped in a blue aura and forcibly restrained some distance apart.

Fluttershy just arrived to see Iron Heart putting both the bruised and bloody ponies in shackles. Running forward she desperately asked what was going on.

“It’s alright Fluttershy, just some hooligans brawling,” he explained dismissively.

“But… but… they’re my friends,” she tried to explain desperately.

“Really,” he said, not even attempting to hide his surprise, “well in that case you’d better come with me to the barracks to discuss the charges.”

Fluttershy looked like she wanted to say more but at that moment Twilight ran into the scene.

She quickly took in everything before her, shook her head to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, and deciding she wasn’t ran forward to them.

“Sorry Twilight, your friends got in a bit of a scrap,” Iron Heart informed her.

“I can see, but that’s not what I’m here about,” she explained sounding panicked.

“Something wrong?” Iron Heart asked sounding concerned.

“Another one of our friends has gone missing.”

~

Pinkie wandered the streets, weak with hunger. It was so hard to put one hoof in front of the other; it was so hard to think straight. She was nearly crying from the pain in her stomach. She was so distracted she didn’t even see the building she had arrived next to, but as luck would have it, the shop keeper saw her as he was adjusting the sign outside.

“Oh, hello again Pinkie,” he said causing her to look up, it was Mr Cookie, the owner of the bakery, and he could see something was terribly wrong with her. “My dear, what’s happened to you?”

“I’m… really hungry,” she said weakly through her tears. She felt the baker take a hold of her and lead her through the door.

“This will not do at all, wait here and I’ll fetch you something immediately,” he said sitting her down at one of the tables inside. No sooner had he left than he was back carrying a tray of éclairs.

“I don’t have any money,” Pinkie said miserably, remembering she left her saddle bag back at the house.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said waving it away, “you eat as much as you need to, my treat.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, something glinted in Pinkie’s eyes, and the insatiable hunger in her gut became stronger than ever.

Mr Cookie lived a normal life; everyday was the same as the day before. He would open his shop, and he would spend the next several hours either attending the customers or working in the kitchen. He liked his normal, ordinary life, and he definitely was not used to anything strange happening. But after an hour, maybe two, he found himself pressed against the wall of his shop, watching in horror as the pink demon finished the last scraps of anything that could be considered food, and still licking the crumbs off every plate.

“I… I…” he stammered, completely at a loss for words. Pinkie looked over at him smiling.

“That was all really great,” she said sounding again like the mare he met yesterday; he smiled politely at her, “so what else have you got? I’m starved.”

Mr. Cookie’s eyes widened in shock at this, starved! How could she possibly be hungry?

“I… don’t have anything else,” he admitted, “You ate everything.”

Pinkie looked like she was about to cry again, she fell to the floor and pouted, “But I’m still hungry…”

Then she looked up at Mr. Cookie, a sudden idea in her head, whatever it was, he didn’t like the way she was looking at him…