//------------------------------// // Updates and Cupcakes, So Sweet and Tasty // Story: Metroid V: Equestrian Frontier // by OmegaMetroidBrony //------------------------------// "So far nothing unusual," Celestia telepathically reported from her invisible perch above the dessert table. "Though the food looks dangerously tasty." Luna suppressed a groan. "We're not here to eat cupcakes, we're here to keep an eye on that thing." "Well cupcakes provide the energy to sustain these stealth spells for extended amounts of time," the elder playfully argued. "Not to mention all this telepathic communication. I'm starved." "You'll freak out any pony who sees one being eaten by nothing," the younger reprimanded. "You need to keep that sweet tooth in check and take this more seriously other wise we'll cause a huge scene and everything will go down hill from there." "How can you be serious at a Pinkie Pie party?," the solar princess demanded to know. "Can you not feel her party magic emanating from, well, everywhere? It really removes the weight from your shoulders." "No, I cannot, but-- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Luna had to hold her jaws shut to keep her from screaming as she witnessed her sister swoop down and snatch a cupcake from the table. "See? No pony noticed," the invisible snacking alicorn said happily. "Alright, that's it, you need to either restrain yourself or leave," the Princess of the Night ordered. "I'm sorry, I know you usually aren't so... reckless... but I can't risk you giving us away." "Oh Lulu, you really need to just relax, have a cupcake, and listen to the music," Celestia advised. "Maybe when Equestria isn't in danger," the younger sister growled. "But right now you need to leave and let me continue observing the thing." "Fine!," the elder pouted and silently made her exit. "Finally," a relieved Luna muttered to herself. "Now, what are you really up to?" The alicorn decided to do a little eavesdropping, but her target was at the other end of the hall. She needed to to be closer to hear anything but getting there would be rather difficult as the spell didn't make her intangible nor completely silent. Luna started her way towards the human, keeping to the more open spots in the crowd. The princess was nearly close enough to listen to it's conversation when she felt her consciousness brush with one that was familiar, yet still alien. The Princess of the Night froze in place as the human also took notice of the invisible bump. It quickly looked left and right, looking for her. "Something wrong Samus?,"Luna heard Twilight ask. "No," Samus responded. "I'm alright." "How could I forget one of the most basic laws of telepathy?! Once connected the two minds can feel the other. Great, now she doesn't need to see me to know I'm here. I better put some distance between us." The hidden alicorn started a slow retreat, while the human still darted its eyes around the room, searching for the slightest detail that would expose her. She didn't take more than two steps before a loud gasp locked her in place. "OhmygoshyoumustbenewtoPonyvillebecauseI'veneverseenyouaroundherebefore!HimynameisPinkiePieandIjustLOVEmeetingnewponies!" Luna loosened her muscles, relieved she wasn't discovered. She glanced at the new arrival out of curiosity. The pony was a bright white unicorn mare with a grey cotton candy cloud mane, not unlike Pinkie's own magenta one. Her cutie mark was covered by a travel garment. Her eyes appeared to be purple. "So Dusty Feathers, what brings you to town,?" the pink party hostess asked with her usual enthusiasm. "Dusty Feathers? Why does that name ring a bell? I feel like know her, but I just can't remember how or why," The princess watched the unfamiliar, yet familiar mare trot towards the table stacked with all the baked goods and pick out a heavily frosted cupcake. The pony quickly took a bite of the pastry and turned her head in Luna's direction. The alicorn couldn't help but feel a little unnerved. "Of all the places to stare at, why stare here? Isn't there anything more interesting than this spot?" Dusty Feathers then gave the invisible princess a wink. Luna shot a glance behind her just in case there was a decent looking stallion behind her that the other pony was winking to. She discovered nothing but the wall. "She knows I'm here?! But how..." The pony gave the alicorn mischievous smile as she levitated another cupcake off the table. Luna's eyes pin pricked when she remembered exactly who Dusty Feathers was. Samus knew the Princess was hiding some where. Her eyes scrutinized every detail for any sign of the dark blue equine. "What are you looking for?" The Hunter turned her head to find an unfamiliar pony standing next to her. "Oh, where are my manners," chuckled the equine. "I'm Dusty Feathers, it's nice to meet you." "Samus Aran, likewise," the bounty hunter responded. "Though you can just call me Samus." "Samus, I'm sorry if I sound rude but, I've never seen any thing like you before," Dusty said. "My head is just buzzing with questions for you to answer." "I'm sorry but I've had enough questions for a while," the human said to the unicorn. "But I won't let you go empty handed, well hooved in your case, I'll tell you this. It's a big place out there. You'll meet new friends, enemies, and intergalactic communities. You'll go through thick and thin with them, learning all kinds of stuff, but," Samus paused, "You'll need to also keep yourself and your community in check. Internal corruption will doom everyone." "Wow," the pony whispered in awe, "I wonder why none of them have come to visit, well the friendly aliens at least." "I couldn't tell ya," the bounty hunter answered. "Oh well," Dusty sighed. "I guess I've bothered you enough for now, thanks for your time." Samus gave the unicorn a little wave before she returned to the sea of ponies. "I can't shake the feeling that there's something odd about that pony. She seemed so unafraid, considering all the others' reactions, and what's with the bags? Hrm... I need a cupcake to help me think." The Hunter made her way to the table piled high with desserts. Everything looked equally delicious whether it was a slice a cake or a cup of pudding. "If I were you I'd go with one of those." The human turned around to find Dusty Feathers behind her. Her hoof was pointed to a group spectacular rainbow frosted cupcakes. "Yeah, one of them right there. They're really good!," Dusty recommended enthusiastically. "Visually appealing and perfectly sweet. You couldn't ask for a better treat." Samus picked up one and took a bite. "Not bad." Remembering her earlier thoughts, she decided to press a few questions on the matter. "Hey Dusty," the Hunter casually called out. "Yeah?," responded the unicorn. "Sorry about being nosy but, why are you carrying those bags around? Take a load of your shoulders and rest up for a bit," The bounty hunter suggested. "It's a party after all." "Oh, my saddlebags?" Dusty responded a little embarrassed. "I'm afraid that I might leave them somewhere around here and go on my merry way later without them." "Seems reasonable," the human agreed. "So, where are you going?" "Canterlot," the pony answered happily. "My sister recently gave birth to a lovely daughter. I'm just making my way there." Dusty suddenly gasped. "Oh dear, I need to find an inn for the night! I need to catch the earliest train to Canterlot!" "Then you'll want the Jolly Donkey Inn," Pinkie Pie informed as she appeared from nowhere. "It's right across the street with a big sign of a laughing donkey. It's nicely lit up so you can't miss it." "Thank you so much Ms. Pie," the relieved pony gratefully thanked the hostess. "Don't mention it, your smile is all the reward I need," Ponyville's pink party thrower said with a smile of her own. "Also, tell them Pinkie Pie sent you, it'll make your already enjoyable stay even better." "Thanks again," Dusty gratefully spoke. "I hope I'll see you two again soon!" Without further ado the unicorn quickly made her way to the door. "Oh darn, I forgot to tell her to say to her sister I said congratulations," Pinkie pouted with disappointment. "Oh well, no point in crying over a dropped cookie." The pink pony promptly trotted off to take part in some more party antics, leaving Samus to herself once more. "Well, tonight has been interesting so far with all the fainting and strangeness, but most importantly I've built bridges and maybe, just maybe, increased my chances for survival. Hell, maybe if I can get things back to normal I could visit every now and then," Deciding to continue the positive trend, Samus finished her cupcake and made her way towards the crowd. She has a lot of ponies to meet.