//------------------------------// // Ponyville, Pink Pony, and Pranks // Story: A Broken Mare // by DJ Variety //------------------------------//             It was another good day in Ponyville and “good” meant that some ancient magic wasn’t running rampant trying to destroy the small village.  While the lack of excitement use to be considered boring or mundane, these peaceful and otherwise uneventful days have become extremely sought after by the local residents.  This was especially true for everypony’s favorite fashionista Rarity.             Rarity was enjoying the beautiful autumn day void of any worry.  Leaving her home, her pride and joy, Carousel Boutique she headed to the local market for some late morning shopping.  As she locked up her shop, hanging the ‘Be Back Soon’ sign on the front door, she hoped she would remember all the supplies crucial for her latest design.  Rarity had a tendency to “temporarily” remove items she needed from her memory; for, “ladies do NOT forget necessities” as she had said to her younger sister in the past.  Twilight Sparkle has, on many occasions, suggested Rarity simply make a checklist to avoid such mishaps.  On all of these occurrences Rarity has agreed, but alas when the creative juices get rolling there is no time for lists.             Trotting down the road towards the markets Rarity was enjoying the lovely weather, making a note to thank the weather team for this perfect day.  Celestia’s sun hung overhead with clouds sparsely decorating the sky to complete the picture.  Life was beautiful in Rarity’s eyes and for as long as it didn’t ruin her hair or affect her hooficure she was content.             Finally reaching the market Rarity quickly, but elegantly, went about gathering the supplies she’d need.  Chatting with each salespony she did business with.  No matter how eager she was to get back to doing what she loved Rarity couldn’t pass up an opportunity to socialize, and while Ponyville was no Canterlot or Manehattan she still enjoyed the company of the town’s populous.  If given the opportunity and time Rarity would converse with anypony in town about almost any subject with the exception of gossip.  Contrary to popular belief Rarity was not a fan of gossip, at least not after the Gabby Gums incident.             After gathering all the supplies needed to create the masterpiece she had imagined, she started to head back to her boutique.  Glancing at the clock tower on her way back she noted that she had only been gone for just under an hour.  Joyous at the fact that she still had ample time to work on her newest design she was halted in her tracks by a faint sound erupting from her stomach.  Quickly she glanced around checking to see if anypony had noticed.  Relieved to find nopony staring at her she relaxed; glad she’d be spared the humility and embarrassment she would have suffered from the uncouth sound her belly had made.  Once again noting the time on the clock tower Rarity realized it was noon and time for lunch. Since she was already out and about Rarity decided it would be a splendid idea to have lunch with one of her friends.  Given she was only a few buildings down from Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie seemed like the most reasonable choice.  Not only was Pinkie located nearby, Rarity felt like it had been a little time since she had spent some one on one time with the pink pony. Upon entering the bakery Rarity smiled at the sight of the over energetic pink pony at the counter. “Good day Pinkie Pie, how are you doing this gorgeous day?” “Oh, Hiya Rarity. It’s terrific! What brings you by today? In the mood for some cookies? A cake? Cupcakes? Cookie flavored cupcakes on a cake?” The hyperactive pony asked getting more and more excited with each suggestion. “While those all sound lovely darling I just dropped by to see if you would want to get some lunch with me.  I do say it has been awhile since I’ve sat down and had a proper conversation with you. Are you free?” Rarity asked with a smile. “Hmm… well I was waiting for Dashie to do some pranking but she was suppose to be here like forever ago.  Maybe she’s not coming.  It’d be rude of her to not let me know though.  Maybe she just forgot.” Pinkie pondered to herself.  It seemed to Rarity that Pinkie was more or less thinking out loud rather then actually answering.  After years of being friends with the pink mare Rarity knew it was hard for Pinkie to do something that might let one of her friends down. “If you’d rather wait for Rainbow Dash that is perfectly fine dear.  After all it would be rude of me to assume you’d drop all plans on my account.  No, if you have plans with Rainbow Dash then that is just fine.”  Rarity replied not wanting Pinkie to feel like she had to choose between two of her friends. “Well,” Pinkie said while rubbing her chin.  “I could let Mr. and Mrs. Cake know that I’ m leaving with you and if Dashie shows up to let her know where to find me. Oh oh! It’s perfect, that way if Dashie does show up the three of us can go pranking TOGETHER!” “Darling, pranking isn’t really my thing.  Besides Carousel Boutique will be waiting for me, but we can still have lunch together and enjoy each other’s company.  If Rainbow Dash comes looking for you we will simply part ways till another day.” “Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie replied bouncing up and down with a huge grin on her face.  “Let me just let Mr. and Mrs. Cake know I’ll be heading out.” As the two friends sat down for their meal they chatted about their day and anything new or exciting that had happened to them.  As per usual Pinkie would break off into long tangents about adventures and antics that seemed farfetched but with Pinkie Pie you can never truly know what is reality and what is her imagination.  Pinkie had just finished telling Rarity about this prank she had set up for Applejack.  Long story short the farm pony was less then amused by the outcome but upon hearing her friend’s laughter chuckled right along side her. “And with how perfectly that prank went I thought of a super duper awesomely spectacular prank for later today but I’m going to need Dashie’s help because it’s quite the doozy.  And I maybe good but even I can’t pull it off alone.” Pinkie proceeded to tell Rarity.             Rarity chuckled, “that does sound quite amusing.  You’ll have to let me know when this ‘super duper’ prank is taking place because if it’s half as good as that last one I want to witness it for myself.”             “It won’t be half as good it’ll be like a zillion times better!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly, “and don’t worry you will totally be there!”             “Marvel… wait, come again?” Paused Rarity as the realization of totally being there started to settle in.  “Pinkie, darling? When you say and I quote ‘don’t worry you will totally be there’ what are you implying?”             “Sorry Rarity it’s a secret.” Replied Pinkie with a nonchalant smile on her face.             “Well if I was to be in this master plan of yours then why did you invite me to prank with you?  Wouldn’t that have ruined your plan?” Rarity questioned a little worried about what the pink pony was planning.             “I would have just saved it for later silly.” With that reply Rarity knew with almost certainty that she was going to be the target of some future prank.             “Well if you would be so kind to hold off until after this evening it’d be much appreciated.  I do have a lot of work I want to get done before the day is done.  Besides I’m sure there are plenty of other ponies to be pranked.” Rarity answered excepting her future fate.             “Ahhh…” Pinkie whined.  “But it’s going to be so good.”             “Pinkie promise me,” Rarity said with a confident smile feeling like she had just announced checkmate.             “Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye,” Pinkie recited while performing the necessary actions including sticking a cupcake that had previously not been there in her eye.  Satisfied with her friend’s actions Rarity switched subjects and the two continued their meals in pleasant moods.             After saying their farewells Rarity proceeded to head back to her boutique.  Glad to have spent some time with her friend she was ready to begin working on her latest design.  Even though more time had passed then Rarity would have liked her latest design was still fresh in her mind and what little parts weren’t quite as fresh in her mind got re-jogged back to her memory after looking at the sketch she had made before she had left that morning.  The irony of Rarity finding time to sketch her ideas down to the finest detail but not make a list of materials needed was not lost on the unicorn.  It was simply her process she reasoned but in reality she knew it was because she simply didn’t think she’d need it.             As the sun was setting in the sky and dusk started to fall upon Ponyville Rarity smiled upon the work she had put in.  While not quite finished her latest dress was divine and marvelous.  Giddy with excitement about the reaction that the Canterlot elites would have upon seeing such an elegant gown Rarity started to clean up her workspace a little in preparation for dinner and later sleep.             Rarity levitated some red silk up onto a rack when a knock was heard at her front door.  Rarity always made time for costumers even when she was in the middle of actually making a dress but given the hour she would have to let the patron know that she’d be more than willing to help them tomorrow with whatever it was they needed.  Approaching her front door she hollered, “I am terribly sorry but I am closed for the evening. But if you wouldn’t mind coming back tomorrow I will be more than happy to help you with anything, I’ll even through in a discount for the inconvenience.” Finally reaching the door and grasping the handle in her magic Rarity opened the door to see which pony it was in need of her special talent. “Rainbow Dash?”