“I can’t believe Rainbow Dash is gone.” Twilight said.
“I can’t believe she’s the type that gets depression like that.” Pinkie added.
“I can’t believe Derpy Hooves is actually Rainbow Dash’s cousin.” Fluttershy also added.
“Ah can’t believe Rainbow Dash would jus’ leave us like this.” Applejack said.
“I can’t believe how far we have to walk!” Rarity complained. “How come we couldn’t take a train?”
“Because, what if we see Rainbow Dash somewhere? We need to find her.”
“Oh fine. Well, we’re here anyway. Do you have that picture of Dash, Fluttershy?” Rarity asked her.
“Yes, I do.” She reached in her saddlebag. She took out a picture that was framed. “Here.”
“Thank you dear.”
“Now, y’all know the drill. We’re going to set up a table at the entrance of the city. Write down any information about her.”
The five set up the desk and Fluttershy was to man the front desk while the others searched through the city. It was about two hours until one pony came to the front desk.
“Hello. May I ask, what’s this desk for?” He asked.
“Um...well, we’re trying to find our friend.” Fluttershy said.
“Oh, well, good luck to you. Who is she, by the way?”
“Here’s a picture.” She pointed at the frame.
“Her? Oh she’s a wonderful cook!” He said happily.
“You know her?!” She asked surprised. “Wait, cook?”
“Yes, she works at Lignin Diners, a very fancy restaurant. I was served by her yesterday night. She is excellent! But, she did seem a little upset.”
“Um, excuse me. Can you stay here please?” Fluttershy asked.
“Certainly.” He said.
She went inside her saddlebag and took out a walkie-talkie. She clicked the button. “Girls, I got something. There’s a pony who says he’s seen Dash.” She put it back inside. She turned around and smiled.
“So, what’s this all about? Why are you trying to find her.” He asked curiously.
“We…Um, did something we probably shouldn’t have done, and now she’s gone, leaving no trace.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” He said sadly.
Twilight and the others came running to the desk. “Is this him?” She said gasping for air.
“Yes, this is him.” Fluttershy said.
“So?”
“She works at Lignin Diners. She is one of the cooks.” He said.
“Where is that?”
“It’s not far. About three minutes from here, in that direction.” He pointed his hoof west.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Twilight said. “What’s your name?”
“It’s Ester.” He said.
“Thank you Ester. Thank you for taking time out of your probably busy schedule. Here’s 20 bits.” She handed him the money.
“Oh, thanks. Happy to help you girls, but I don’t need the money.” Ester said.
“Keep it. You deserve it.” They ran towards the restaurant. “Bye Ester!” She called out.
They ran as fast as they could. When they got there, they noticed it was a very big place. They stepped inside to be greeted by a waitress.
“Hello, do you have a reservation?” She asked.
Twilight looked at the nametag. “Um, no Kizuki. I’m looking for the manager of this establishment.”
“Certainly.” She said. She picked up the mic. “Newell, there are several ponies who are asking for you.”
“I’ll be right there.”
A couple of minutes later, Newell came to the front desk. “Hello, how may I help you?”
“Hi, we were looking for our friend. Somepony told us that she worked here.”
“Who is that?”
Fluttershy took out the frame. “Her name is Rainbow Dash.”
“Ah, Miss Rainbow Dash. She is an odd one.” He said, smiling.
“Odd?”
“Certainly. Yesterday, she came looking for a job. She is a marvelous cook. One of the best in the business that I have seen.”
“Is she still here?” Applejack asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry to say, but she left this morning. I gave her a couple hundred bits for her service.” He explained.
Twilight sighed. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No, she didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Twilight put her head down. “Well, thanks anyway.”
“Good luck finding her.” Newell noted.
Twilight smiled. “Thanks.”
As they left the restaurant, the gang felt disappointed. “Well, that wasn’t much good news.” Pinkie said. “But at least we know now she’s not in Canterlot anymore. Maybe-”
“Girls! Girls!” Somepony called from behind them. They turned around to find Newell with a large bag. “Girls, I’m glad I caught up to you!”
“Hello Newell.” Rarity said. “What do you need?”
He smiled. “Oh, I just forgot to say that you girls looked hungry back there.” He lifted the bag he was carrying. “I have some food if you’d like. Free of charge.”
Applejack took the bag. “Thanks.” Her stomach growled. “Ha, ah didn’t think we were hungry until now.”
“By the way, Rainbow Dash made that.” Newell said. “Bye now.”
“Bye Newell.”
The five ponies started walking away, thinking about where to search next.
“I never knew Rainbow Dash could cook.” Pinkie said.
“Ha, remember the last time when we were over at my place,” Rarity started, “And I asked Rainbow to cook, and it came out burnt, and Sweetie Belle said ‘I burnt it too!’”
Everypony started laughing. “And then we tasted it, and it tasted like rubber!” Pinkie Pie added.
They continued to laugh, and then it stopped slowly. They looked at each other and started looking glum. “I…I miss Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy sadly said.
“Me too.” Applejack said. “Ah don’t think we should have done this to her…”
“Yeah.”
“Agreed.”
“Yep.”
Fluttershy smiled. “Anyway,” she looked at the food, “it doesn’t look burnt.” She slowly took a bite. “Mmm! This is really amazing! Try it girls!”
They all grabbed what seemed to look like fish, and took a bite. “Hm, what a unique taste.” Rarity said.
“If Newell didn’t say that Rainbow Dash made this, I wouldn’t have expected her to make this.” Pinkie said.
“Well, it’s much better than the burnt food she served us.” Applejack noted.
Twilight thought about something. “Maybe she doesn’t want us knowing that she cooks great, because she’s, well, a rebel.” She looked around. By the way, the next city near here is Manehattan, so we should go there next.”
As they were walking, Fluttershy looked around nervously. “Hey…Um, girls…can I, um, confess something?...”
“Sure darling.” Rarity said. “What’s bothering you?”
“Well, um…you know how I know Rainbow Dash for the longest?” She said softly.
“Yes?”
"Um…well, I’m kind of…well, I’m…sort of…in love with her.” She was blushing madly.
“Really?” Rarity asked surprised. Fluttershy squeaked. “Well, that’s great!”
“Ah didn’t know you were that way Fluttershy.” Applejack said.
Everypony was happy for her, except Twilight. “I don’t get it.” She said confused. Pinkie Pie went up to her and whispered in her ear. After, Twilight looked like she got it. “What? But that doesn’t make any sense.”
“Hey Twi,” Applejack said, “Remember that book we got ya?”
“Of course, you girls made it.”
“Yeah, um, why don’t you read it sometime?”
“Okay.”
“Anyway, that’s great Fluttershy.” Applejack continued. “When we find her, you could tell her how you feel.”
“…Thanks. I feel so happy to have that off my chest.” Fluttershy said, relieved. “I can’t believe I kept this from her all this time.”
“Well, don’t worry darling.” Rarity said. “Well find her in no time.” She smiled. “Just you watch.”