//------------------------------// // I've got to get my notes, and then... Wait, where are they?! Oh, never mind, found them. // Story: Twilight has made a discovery; Applejack has super powers (or has she?) // by Andy Ray //------------------------------// With Applejack by her side Twilight could not expect her already frustrating day to get screwed. She needed just one listener (though the more, the merrier) and her notes with her. So -- back to the library they're gonna go! May nothing stop them!.. Oh! She almost forgot: Rainbow Dash. Not this close to her wish was she going to give up! Friendship, however, was a complicated matter. Yeah, can't leave friends hanging, not Rainbow Dash, the most loyal of them all! They'll help her, and then... "Well? Where the hay is that rainbow-maned varmint you dragged me because of?!" Twilight snapped out of her thoughts -- they had arrived. And, apparently, not a single rainbow in near vicinity. "I-I left her here! -- stammered Twilight, confused. -- I-I guess, somepony must've helped her, while I was gone!" AJ's expression spoke for her: "OK, gotta go back to business, Twah-i. Be sure to have a nah-ice day, or whateva it is ponies say", -- and with these words she made to turn and leave... "Wait, Applejack!!!" The one being called winced at how loudly Twilight yelled this out: "Do you wanna make me deaf or what, Twah-ilight?! The hay are ya yelling like that?!" "Before you go, Applejack... -- started Twilight, a look of pain on her face. -- Please, tell me at least, where you'll be by the time I return from the library with my notes!" Applejack sighed: "Well, sugar cube, iffin ya need to know! -- Twilight cocked her head a little. Was something wrong with the way Applejack was speaking? -- You don't fah-ind me at the market -- then Ah-i must be back at Sweet Apple Acres. Now, iffin ya excuse me, Twah-ilight!.." -- and with that Applejack headed to her affairs, slightly irritated by Twilight's wondering. She was busy as it was, after all. "Thank you, Applejack! I'll be in a moment!" -- and she dashed back to the library to take her notes with her, for this time she was not going to forget it! Oh, she would unload it all! No one was to escape! Had she been a little bit crazier, she would have cackled maniacally... but that would have been creepy, so... she didn't. "And where, you think, are you going to?!" Startled by this sudden cry, everypony in near vicinity, except for Twilight, who had already been off, turned to see... Oh-h-h, no, you don't! Not again! Sorry. Uh, what's up with the references today? "May I ask you, what's with the speech pattern today?!" -- yelled at... no one in particular a certain pink pony, who'd been chasing the unknown someone from the moment she appeared in the narrative. "Excuse me, Miss! -- some stallion addressed her, sounding very displeased. -- I don't mean to impose, but would you be so kind as to yell at no one in particular at some other place?" "Oh, I'm not yelling at anyone in particular", -- replied she cheerfully, as if she hadn't been raging just the moment before. "Well, that's what I said. You're yelling at no one in particular", -- answered the stallion, a bit confused. "No! I am NOT yelling at anyone!" -- yelled Pinkie. Huh. Heh-heh! "Well, yes, isn't it?.." -- made the stallion to ask, a bit annoyed at the misunderstanding. "In fact, I'm yelling at, -- here her demeanour, her voice and expression on her face changed back to the raging ones, -- the one, who has been messing with the way my friends speak!!! He's been wise-cracking through the whole narrative! Assigning witty descriptions to whomever he has laid his eyes upon! Bringing ponies misery!" -- she fumed more and more, her voice rising and almost becoming a shrill shriek by the time she finished. "Excuse me, Miss!" -- the stallion sounded very irritated, if not beyond extremely so. "You be gone! -- Pinkie turned to him and yelled at him angrily. -- You don't belong in this scene -- maybe, another one -- but still!" "Ex... cuse me?!" -- the insulted stallion could not believe what he just heard, fury overwhelming him. "I said!.. Be... GONE!!!" -- with that Pinkie pulled out her party cannon and blasted the stallion, only summoned to calm the pink thing down, away. Well, down goes one, more left to come! "YOU!!!" -- she had trouble breathing, for so infuriated she was. Man, it would be a pity, if she... "Oh, NO, you..." -- here she choked and burst in a coughing fit. Better to be careful and to stay cool, for who may know, if any incidents await the unwary one, who decides to try and yell at... well, who was that Pinkie was yelling at, anyway? "Khem-khem, so... -- and suddenly she spoke calmly out of the blue. -- As I was saying", -- she glanced around and noticed for the first time, maybe, in this entire scene, that an angry crowd was staring at her. "Pinkie!" -- someone addressed her, clearly dissatisfied with her recent behaviour. Why would he, though... "Um-m-m... Sorry, everypony, I must have mistaken the wrong guy for the right guy! Heh-heh!" -- she laughed nervously, for she could clearly see, she was in trouble. Though, what for, no one would know. "Oh, come on, it's just me, Pinkie! Your very best party planner! Come on, would you get upset with your favourite party planner?" Silence. Unwelcoming, if allowed to add. "I-I... I'll make it up for you all! Just... please, forgive me and allow me to move on!" All stood still. Nopony moved. Nopony spoke. If one got closer, one would notice, they didn't even breathe. Now, whatta h... "Um... Hello? Anypony?" -- silence answered her. She approached one of the citizens and examined him closely. The pony hadn't moved an inch. He was frozen in the pose he was in. "Huh, artificial? Now, I know, that you hear me and all and that you control everything, but for some reason I'm pretty sure, it wasn't your hooves' deed... or whatever you've got there instead of hooves". That's right, whomever Pinkie was addressing to was not responsible for that! But what the hay is going on?.. Uh-h-h... you would ask. Yeah, what the hay is going on? -- you'd ask. Well, worry not, for everything is going to be explained... as soon, as we move to the actual story! "Oh! Well, apparently, whatever is happening, does so on somepony else's demand. Oh, well. Sorry I attacked you! -- she made a very joy-filled face, smiling peacefully and almost apologetically. -- He-he-hee! What an accident! Oops! -- clearly, she couldn't be more embarrassed by herself. -- I-I'll make it up to you too! Well, time for me to get bouncing! He-hee! Fun awaits me!.. -- her painfully stretched smile and embarrassed expression spoke for her. -- Uh-h-m-m-m... Remember: reality's an illusion, the universe is somepony's fiction! Check out my cupcakes, by-y-y-ye!.." -- with those words she dashed down some street to... make it up to everypony, to have fun, to write some fiction and, apparently, to bake cupc... Wait? What'id she just say about reality?? As soon, as Twilight got to her library, she made a mad dash to her workplace. "Notes, notes, come out, wherever you are!" She searched for them everywhere... She rummaged through the entire library... ...but they were gone. "No. Th-this can't... -- for a second there she couldn't remember, how to breathe. -- N... no... H-how am I supposed to remember?.. it?.." In utter shock she plopped onto the floor, eyes wide in disbelief and staring off into distance. Nopony would know now, what she had discovered! And there was no one, who could help her! ...Well, could anyone? W... wait a minute, that's right! Bang! -- the door to the library slammed open. "Twi-i-ili-i-ight!!! -- in burst none other, than our lovable pink random pony -- Pinkie P... -- Are you here?!!" -- she yelled loudly, unable to contain that shriek until the time for her to actually state her remark. What a rush, geez! Not wasting any more time, she zipped to her, once her eyes registered a purple smear: "There! Phew, here you go! -- with that said she slammed with a smack, what she was holding, down on the table before Twilight, almost fainting from an apparently long time spent running. -- You... gah!.. may... gah!.. be... needing... this one! Gah!.." -- and, rolling her eyes, she flopped on the floor, unable to stop panting. Now, as one would imagine, Twilight had been so shocked she wouldn't even have been going to have a look at what Pinkie had brought to her, but one quick glance was sufficient for her to immediately recognise, what it was: "I-isn't it?.. -- she brought herself forward with a speed even Rainbow Dash would have been jealous of, and took a closer look. -- This... can't be!.. -- to make sure, she flipped through several pages. Sure, these were what she had immediately recognised as... -- My research!" There were no words in whole Equestria to describe, just how happy Twilight was! Had Pinkie not been being busy catching her breath, she would have totally joined Twilight in her expressing the amount of joy that was filling her at that moment. For Twilight grinned from ear to ear, hopped in place with her eyes closed, squealed in delight, dashed from place to place; she even bounced off of walls, as if she had been made of rubber! Who knows, what else she would have done, had Pinkie not come to her senses and finally regained her breath. "Well, -- she panted a bit, -- who's to say, we need to move to what, now?" W-well-l-l... Y-yeah, Pinkie's d-definitely right... Some lost notes won't keep us from, ahem, proceeding with the story. He-hee, a little bit of tension won't harm, though, will it?.. "Uh-huh. What a sight to behold. He's smiling embarrassedly, -- she grumbled a little, her tone flat and a bit taunting; though, to whom she was speaking, was unclear. -- Yeah-yeah, right, well, I helped you not to get stuck with..." Here a still joy-filled Twilight interrupted whatever Pinkie was about to say (but didn't, for definitely is no fourth wall breaking allowed): "Oh-h-h!.. Thank you, thank you, thank you, like, a lot, Pinkie! Who knows, what I would do, were it not for you-u-u!" -- she squealed loudly in delight, grabbing the caught-off-guard Pinkie and hugging her as tight, as she could, and as close to her, as possible, face snuggled against the other's pink cheek. "W-well, -- after the first shock wore off, Pinkie smiled a bit, almost chuckling at how excited her friend was, -- not at all, Twily! -- she reached to return the hug, ruffling Twilight's mane... for some reason... in the process. Uh-h-h... -- Just had to make sure the sto... Erm!.. -- becoming aware of what she had almost said, she got one of her fore hooves close to her muzzle and coughed. -- I meant, your notes don't get scattered all over Poniville... no, over the whole of Equestria!" -- and she threw her hooves up at that, as she cried the last part out. Finally Twilight stopped snuggling with Pinkie and looked directly in her face: "Oh! Pinkie! -- and she hugged her once again. -- You can't possibly imagine, how much... horror you spared me! Thank you again!" -- as she said that, she finally unhugged Pinkie Pie, one foreleg still on the latter's shoulder, and stood on all fours. "Well... -- Pinkie's glance fell to the floor, and she smiled embarrassedly, for she was pleased with Twilight's gratitude. -- You're welcome, my friend!" With that they hugged once more, and then Twilight -- finally! -- got to the task at hoof: "Now, that I've got my notes with me, I can finally present you all what I discovered last night!" And nopony would be able to hold her back from doing this, for nothing would stop her now! "S-sorry, Twilight, but... I just remembered..." "Y-ye-e-es, Pinkie?" -- asked Twilight, and instantly did Pinkie get nervous, for so crazy did Twilight sound! But knowing, there was going to be a whole scene, where she'd talk about how she had stuck her nose into Twilight's notes and familiarised herself a bit with the material, all the while gathering them... where she'd be able to get the narrative flow back to track, if she tried... Knowing, she just could do it, filled her with determination! And so she tried to explain, why Twilight needed not to tell about it to the first pony she had met, but to go tell that to Applejack (of course, no fourth wall breaking allowed): "Back here, after you first met me this morning and I ran to check for an example of a good writer, who wrote about pony lives, I sensed... someone!.." -- here her tone changed to one of displeasure of someone. Had that someone been present, he would've sighed in frustration, slight though it might have been... "Yeah, but they escaped PDP! But not for long! But, before I could get to chasing them, I decided to wonder, what you'd wanted to say to me, but you'd been gone!" "Wait, so you heard what I was trying to say?" "Um... No, that's, why I tried to find you, but you were nowhere to be seen, so I almost gave up on searching for you, but then I went to the SPA, 'cause I sensed that someone again! Sure they were there to... well, I can't blame them, but they've been jamming everypony's speech pattern and making all sorts of things happen to everyone at their whim!" Well... If you put it that way -- sure, whatever you say, Pink One. (Gosh, will she just stop the fourth wall thing and behave like all characters? Why cannot an author have a story with an (as much, as possible) ordinary Pinkie Pie?! Huh, a pretty thick wall will be needed in a next story, apparently.) "...and I couldn't defeat them and scared all of you, -- went on Pinkie, -- which upset me very-very much, so I ran away in tears; but Rarity consoled me soon after! Thanks, Rarity! So I bounced back happily, all eager to meet you, Twilight, and to ask, what you'd wanted to say, but found Dashie, who was laughing, like there was no tomorrow!" "Oh, so you were the one to help Dash, while I was busy fetching Applejack to help me to help Rainbow! That clears it all! And now I've got my notes, and I won't even need Applejack to listen to me, 'cause I've got you!" -- with that said she started to approach Pinkie, that same unsettling grin plastered on her face, as if it were a part of that face. Now, it seems, it might just become a part, should Twilight overdo this. Scared down to her guts, but staying determined, Pinkie pressed on, as she neared the point, where she'd say, she had read Twilight's notes: "Yeah, I helped her to calm down from her guffaw, which was all because of you, Twilight, by the way, but never mind that!" "Oh", -- was all Twilight could answer with. "I tried to ask Dashie, if she'd seen you, but... then Dash laughed really ha-a-ard, and I had to calm her dow-w-wn somehow, but messed u-u-up, and then she became super upset because of me-e-e... He-he-hee! So I tried to make amends with her, but she left... so I decided to ask for an advice, and then I remembered, I still needed you, so I ran to the SPA again... but then there was that someone I'd sensed before, and... we got in a bit of an argument... He-he-hee! But then we were all good... but everypony was super-really cross with me for my yelling... Whoopsie, he-hee! So I ran to apologise to everypony, and, while doing so, I ran past your library and saw every sorts of sheets flying away, as if they had been a flock of birds, which they obviously weren't, but if they had been, that would have been amazing! And funny! He-he-ha-ha! Oh, right! So I'd gotten myself a very, incredibly, super impossible task to perform: to catch them and to help everypony to become friends with me again, because, you know, I'd screwed up and all, and I'll just spare you the details, because I feel, I need to gasp for air, because I can't say everything in a single breath, contrary to what everypony is thinking about me because of my ability to speak in long strings of words..." She went silent, only making noises, when a gasp for air would come. Had she not eaten a very sugary meal that morning, she would no doubt have collapsed on the floor breathless. "W-wow, Pinkie. I don't know, why everypony is making that remark. It's not, like you were talking without needing to take one single breath for a whole minute and 31.92 seconds, because that would be just ridiculous. Come on, nopony can even handle speaking for so long... unless they have a very large chest, but still. Speaking without taking a breath is hard. But of course you knew it all this time, so you wouldn't even consider trying to speak for such large an amount of time, now would you?" Sarcasm was clear in Twilight's voice, but it disappeared without a trace, when she heard Pinkie wheeze: "N... not... funny... T-twah... light..." -- gasped Pinkie, for she had run out of any air her already not so much large lungs could contain. In fact, every muscle responsible for squeezing air out of her lungs hurt so much she had to thank whatever supreme force that had decided to take pity on the poor thing and to leave her with at least some ability to breathe. And that's not to mention, she needed to breathe intensely, which caused her even more pain, for her breathing muscles hurt like nothing could! Plus, the lack of oxygen in her blood from not inhaling for such long a time sure caused her problems, because she would black out any minute! Why does the Universe hate this pink mare so much? Even considering, it is watching her intently and actually controlling everything that happens in the story! Why can't it just let Pinkie not have a near-death experience?! Does it not know, Death isn't supposed to appear in this story, because it wasn't planned for it?? She'd know, she was welcome, by seeing the "Death" tag, but does this story really need some death? Heck, this story isn't even about such a tragedy, it hasn't even the "Tragedy" tag! Not even "Sad"! Come on, what's happening to this innocent tale, everypony! Hello-o-o! Let's make it happy and cheery again! Let's say, Pinkie was not going to die, because that would be inappropriate, to say the least! Let's say... ...But suddenly it didn't quite hurt that much already. Suddenly the air became all crystal-clear and very enjoyable to take in. The pain in the muscles suddenly ceased, causing trouble breathing no longer. Pinkie still needed air badly, and she kept on gasping for it, but that would be just a matter of time, before she fully regained her ability to breathe. The breathing muscles were going to hurt notwithstanding, but that was nothing a pony couldn't handle. "Yeah? Well... I... -- tried Pinkie speaking, but panting still interfered with that. -- I... I need to... catch... gah, my... gah... breath!.. -- she panted some more. -- Ouch. Every... thing... hurts!" "Oh, poor Pinkie! -- exclaimed Twilight, forgetting for a minute, she had something to tell. -- Do you need something?" Still panting, Pinkie replied: "You... to leave... me... alone for some... time... Gah! -- for, you see, that would leave Twilight only with Applejack to talk to. Just as planned. -- Oh, and... please... bring me... a glass... of water..." "J... ust a little glass of water? You sure you don't want anything else?" -- asked Twilight, a bit of suspicion in her voice. "I am... not, gah... singing... that, Twilight... Just... bring... the glass... And put it... down... please..." "OK", -- with that she left for the sung glass of water, a memory of Discord, requesting that same thing once, not improving her mood any. "Wow, Pinkie, -- she said upon her return with a glass full of requested drink and seeing, Pinkie had lain down. -- Next time, please, try to remember to breathe, when you're talking! I don't want to see you like this ever again!" -- she put the glass down beside where Pinkie was lying and hugged her to comfort her: "There you go, Pinkie! Please, be alright, OK!" "Gah! Sure thing... Twilight!" -- forced out Pinkie. Apparently, her breathing had improved, for she could say more, than just one word, without as much as a struggle. "Would you like to listen to what I discovered last night, maybe? -- remembered Twilight nonetheless. Oh... -- I've been itching to pour it out since the morning! Not literally itching, of course", -- she smiled. "Ga-a-ouch! No, please... Twi!.. Don't!.. Gah! Not laughing!.." -- pleaded Pinkie almost with tears in her eyes. "Ouch! Sorry, Pinkie! Sure, no laughing for you, until you breathe properly". Then she tried again: "OK, joking aside. Would you like me to busy you for a moment? Please, Pinkie! If you don't, I might just explo-o-ode!" Pinkie felt uncomfortable under Twilight's pleading gaze. She didn't want to listen to what Twilight was going to tell, not before she achieved her goal. Which was asking Twilight, what the latter had wanted to say to her. So how does she make Twilight stop and let her, Pinkie, ask that? Does she offer her a new topic to talk about, so her unlimitedly persistent friend forgets about her discovery altogether? Pinkie shook her head mentally at that: although Twilight was often eager to talk on various topics, she seemed to be very determined to speak of this particular subject. Plus, she needed to speak to someone. Pinkie might not know it (or she might, who knows?), but Twilight had been dying to share her discovery! As a good friend Pinkie Pie didn't want to upset her. It seemed, changing the subject was not a good idea at all. "Then how about just turning Twilight down? It's just the matter of telling her, I'm not inclined to listen to her right now. That might just work... But wouldn't that upset Twilight as well? Wouldn't it be offensive of me to do that?" -- thought Pinkie to herself. Then she shook her head mentally at that as well: no, that would be even more offensive, than trying to slip out of it. It would definitely simply not do. Then how about something as inoffensive, as can be? What, if she just pleaded Twilight to stop trying to flood her with what she had discovered, for a time being? But Twilight didn't seem to be going to stop any time soon. Oh, no, she wasn't! Not when she was so close to her goal! Pinkie was left with few options. If she didn't make Twilight stop, then the only thing left for her would be breaking down, for she wouldn't be able to fight off what Twilight tried to assault her with. And Pinkie didn't want to succumb, knowing, that the story being told was going completely off track. Well, that's an actually good point, you know. After all, this is a story about Twilight dumping (or rather trying to dump) her discovery on a busy Applejack, and that's not even the best part of it! No, this story is not going to stall! Pinkie is clearly needing somepony's help! So how about this somepony being someone... Er, well... someone a lot more competent in story-telling and the basic narrative flow, than her? "Plea-a-ase, Pinkie!" -- pleaded Twilight, unwavered by her friend's prolonged silence. Pinkie watched her friend's almost puppy-dog eyes, and then closed her own eyes and drew in a breath, letting out a small sigh: "Listen, Twilight... -- she said calmly and serenely. -- Why does it have to be me?" "I-if you don't want to, y-you probably don't have to, Pinkie!" -- said Twilight hastily, although not very wanting to concede just yet. "Then why? -- carried Pinkie on, still not opening her eyes and remaining just as calm, as before. -- Why me?" "W-w-well, if you don't want to... then, I guess... But you are the only pony around! I simply have to tell it to someone! -- her voice started to fill with pain. -- Pinkie, I've been wishing for somepony to listen to me! -- she was close to starting choking with tears. -- You won't believe, for how long I have been running about Poniville just to get one of you, girls, to hear it! -- she was on the verge of tears now. -- And I only got to get you and Fluttershy! And she hadn't even a chance of l-listening to me!.. because I, damn it, forgot what I was about to tell! -- tears now flowed down her face, unrestrained by anything. -- Th-the only one, who promised to pay me attention, was Applejack, b-but... n-now I've got y-you, and... I-I-I'm desperate, desperate for somepony's close ear!" -- she cried out and broke down. Ow! Who could expect that to happen! As for Pinkie... well, she was at the verge of breaking down herself, ready to let it out as soon, as her last resolve broke. Tears swelled up in her eyes, and... Ah, gosh! No, really, gosh! What has happened to this little story?! Why's everypony crying?? That was not supposed to be that! That's it! Pinkie Pie is leaving the stage this very instant and gets herself something to cheer her up, because a sad Pinkie is most definitely the worst (and most saddening) Pinkie! Then, without her friend to listen to, Twilight Sparkle... well, sh-she... Gets... outside?.. And then what? Her head hung low, she drags her... self?.. to where AJ is supposed to be?.. Well... But then things would get, like, really, really awkward! A-all of this isn't even s-supposed to be happening!.. Now, chin up, everypony! Why so long f-faces? Come on, this is not funny, and if it is not, it's not welcome here! Random? Sure! Funny? Absolutely! Sad? Seriously??? ...You know what? No. There is no point in simply pushing the story to the intended ending! If Twilight wants so badly to take it off her chest... then... Then she may as well do just that! Just may she do so at Applejack's, OK! "Well, -- whispered Pinkie almost inaudibly, a large (but not literal) knot in her throat. -- Here goes..." She rose onto her hooves, still panting a bit, and approached an inconsolable Twilight. Once she got closer to her, she patted her weeping friend's back: "Th-there, there, T-Twilight! L-look, I... I can't see you all l-like this! You shall not be upset any more! Or my name is not Pinkamena Diana Pie!" -- still trying to fight her yet unshed tears back, she lifted the sobbing Twilight, so she hung off Pinkie's shoulder, and continued to pat her back in consolation. "W... w... will y-y-you l-listen t-to m-me?" -- asked Twilight, yet unconsoled and sobbing, face wet, but hope sparkling throughout this all nonetheless. Pinkie looked at Twilight, as the latter stared into her eyes desperately. It was painful to watch her stare like this! Pinkie could almost feel her heart shatter, as what Twilight felt rained at Pinkie's soul, hitting it, almost as if her soul had been literally left out for a storm to beat it! Tears swelled in her eyes once again: "Only if you stop being so blue, Twilight". "O-okey... -- she sniffed. -- I-I'll try..." Pinkie then contemplated her next move. "Say, Twilight... -- she started warily. -- W-why don't we go and... well... f-find s-somepony else, y-you know... to... well, join us? What do you say? Sound good?" Twilight just might buy it. If she did, then the story would be back to what had been originally intended! "Y-you... know where th-they are?" -- she sniffed again. "Well... I mi-i-ight know where Rainbow Dash could be... but..." -- her face distorted slightly at the mention of the upset pegasus. She certainly shouldn't have mentioned "baking cupcakes" prank she'd pulled on one of her best, no, bestest friends! She needed somepony's advice on how to approach it best! That just might be Twilight, but... she'd got a problem that prevented her from advising, so-o-o... Then again... What, if?.. Nope. "B-but sh-she is-sn't th-there a-any m-more, r-right?" -- still choking with tears (and swallowing lumps), asked Twilight. Pinkie immediately felt Twilight's despair rising again and hurried to hug her: "Well, -- she said, stroking Twilight's m... mane? Wait, what's she doing? -- if we can't find her anywhere, we might try somepony else". Twilight started to get better, as Pinkie's strokes comforted her. Her mood was improving steadily. Then a thought occurred to her: "Hey, Pinkie, -- she sniffed, -- now, that I think about it, -- another sniff, -- I do know where Applejack is, so... -- she sniffed again, her mood improving with each passing second, -- ...how about we go to her place and... well, you know, -- she sniffed again and smiled gently, -- involve her into my little presentation? After all, the more, the merrier, isn't it? And couldn't you, please, gather everyone else?" -- she asked, getting even more excited, hope filling her heart to the brim once again. "Erm-m-m... N... no, I... d-don't believe I know where the others are... well... beside Rarity, but she might have already not been there, so let's... go to Applejack's?" -- offered Pinkie with an unsure and uneasy smile, as if something had been wrong; but Twilight didn't seem to notice that. "Then to Applejack's we go!" -- exclaimed Twilight and, her mood improved to the degree, where one couldn't even say she had cried, made a dash to the library's door. "Hey! Twilight! -- chuckling, a grin on her face, Pinkie called out to Twilight. -- Haven't you left something behi-i-ind?" Twilight stopped dead in her tracks and turned: "Oh, really? What? Oh! -- and then she almost facehoofed herself. -- Of course. How could I forget about my notes!" Chuckling to herself as well, she walked up to the table she'd left her notes on at one moment, and picked them up. Then, having made sure, she hadn't forgotten anything, she cantered happily outside, Pinkie following her immediately after, as much happy, as the former. "Well, you owe me nothing, Mr The One Behind It All!" -- whispered she with a grateful grin, as she followed the happy Twilight. And had that One Behind It All actually been there to hear her, he would've... "Oh, quit playing a narrator, Mister! You know I know, you're right there... -- she lowered her voice to a barely decipherable whisper, -- ...behind the Fourth Wall!" Oh! Well, that was a mighty, mighty blow! Were it not for the readers, the One Behind It All would most definitely answer to Pinkie with a voice of his own, but, since Pinkie's inside, and she's not supposed to see past the Fourth Wall, giving the One... the OBIA a voice of his own would make the OBIA a character. This is not to happen, when an author is pulling a Fourth Wall breach, so-o-o... "So make him a character, then!" Pinkie. "Ye-e-es-yes-yes, I know, I know! -- she smiled almost playfully. -- Bad Pinkie, I know". Now, don't make it sound as something awkwardly... Uh, well. Although, you know... You might end up in one of the stories to be published. You know, as a reward. "You're getting off track". Oh, really? Well, uh-h-h... And so the two of them trotted merrily... "Cantered!" ...merrily to the very culmination of this tale! For Applejack was the only one left to tell to, and if she had not been, then Twilight would have had to go through all of it again! And that would be boring. "Yeah, totally!" "What was that?" -- asked Twilight, who led the way and so trot... fine, cantered ahead. "Oh, nothing, Twilight! Just was thinking: what, if Applejack were not there, so you'd have to relive this day all over again!" Now, wait just a... No way! "Ugh! Pinkie! How could you?.." -- gasped Twilight, completely at a loss of words. Naturally, for suggesting such a horrible (but let's just be honest here: boring) idea to a pony, who'd had an awfully frustrating day, seemed as something nopony would tolerate. Nor should. "Oh, come on, Twilight! Why fuss over nothing?" At first Twilight couldn't even come up with a proper reply. She only sputtered, unable to get a word out of her mouth, her indignation boundless... before Pinkie snorted, and then burst into merry laughter. Uh, o-o-o... kay... "Oh. Ha, ha, ha, Pinkie, -- said Twilight, her face expressing absolutely no amusement. -- Very funny". However she couldn't stay mad at a friend she'd almost lost, and then had been rescued and even consoled by. Still she found it appropriate to grumble a little: "Celestia my witness, Pinkie, you were the very reason I even visited the SPA with Rarity! And to think, I was even going to relax at your place!" At this Pinkie gasped a lungful (two ones, actually): "You were?? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, THEN?!! WE'D HAVE HAD A PARTY!!!" Twilight's expression changed a little, when she heard the cues of an upcoming celebration, and made a motion, as if to step back from the overexcited party planner, who seemed to be planning as huge a party, as one Equestria had never seen before! "Ooh! -- squealed Pinkie in delight. -- Oh, oh, oh! Can't wait to get started with arranging it! It's gonna be super exciting!!!" With that she made to dash in a blur to her place and to arrange a party, whose glory to come no words would do justice to describe! And they neither would, nor will. 'Cause that party shall be cut short, even if it isn't even planned, much less started! For, if Pinkie is so reluctant to go to Applejack's at the highest speed possible... Well, then Applejack's going to appear at their place right this instant! "Woah-ah!" Bam! -- and, before Pinkie could dash to anywhere, a very inconveniently passing-by Applejack appeared, returning from the market to the Sweet Apple Acres, just as she'd promised to Twilight back when they'd talked. And, as she appeared, Pinkie Pie dashed from her place to arrange a party of unimaginable proportions -- and crashed into her. "Ouch! -- exclaimed Pinkie. -- What gives?!" "For sweet cida's sake! Who in tarnation doesn't watch where they're goin' to?! Curse you, you varmints!" "Wait! Applejack?" "Huh? Pinkie?" "Oh, oh, oh! Applejack, we were exactly going to you! D'you know where everypony else is? Do ya? No? Well, OK, doesn't matter any more, though the more, the merrier, but scratch that! We needed somepony to make us a company! You see, two aren't a company, now are they? And three? Duh, three's a crowd! Well, I don't blame Discord for ruining the perfect quality time Twi and Princess Cadance were about to have, but can one argue the old proverb, can they, can they, uh-uh-uh?" Any further excitement, expressed through inconceivable blabbering, got, unfortunately, cut short by an apple shoved unceremoniously into Pinkie's mouth. This, however, didn't stop Pinkie from proceeding her speech even with her mouth blocked. For some time she was running without any fuel, but then finally came to realise, she was not heard, so she slowed down to a complete stop, and only then did Applejack speak: "Now, would ya kah-indly promise me to spare mah-y ears from any more onslaught coming from ya, Pinkie?" -- and she squinted expectantly. Realising, how displeased Applejack was, Pinkie felt all of the situation's seriousness. Her face, for once in her life, became less smiling and more serious, and she nodded. "Good", -- responded Applejack and allowed the apple to leave Pinkie's mouth. Then her eyes bulged, as she saw, the apple lacked one of its sides, apparently swallowed by Pinkie's mouth's fellow, Pinkie's throat. "The HAY, Pinkie!?? W... why didja?.. Uh..." -- Applejack lost every word she had, for so shocked she was. After she found the words she wanted to say, she managed: "Pinkie! That was a bad apple! Do ya?.. do ya even know where this rotten apple came from?!" "Nope, -- eyes closed with joy, replied Pinkie, seeing absolutely nothing wrong in biting an apparently rotten apple. -- Have no idea!" "Well... uh... Do y... Have ya eva even thought, why one shouldn't eat 'em bad apples?!" "We-e-el-l-l... Y'know... -- Pinkie smiled mischievously, as if planning something. -- I haven't until the day I did, and that day I thought: why are bad apples not to be eaten? To answer that question, I needed an apple, for how can a pony say, if an apple is bad, without taking a glance at it? Perhaps you know? I headed to your orchard, so I could interrogate some of the bad apples, why they're so bad. You won't believe, quite what a fascinating and enlightening story those thugs told me!" Here Applejack opted to shove her hoof into Pinkie's mouth instead of a rotten apple to stop this nonsense: "The hay in tarnation are ya, silly filly, shooting the breeze about?! Ah-i ain't in no mood for your silly granny's tales!" Pinkie tried to say something, but words wouldn't get out, for so great was the sturdiness of Applejack's hoof. Well... was it? No sooner did Applejack say anything more, than her hoof was suddenly jerked out of Pinkie's orifice with a bit of laughter. When she calmed down, her face was a sight to behold! "The HAY didja just lick my hoof, Pinkie?!! Ah-i did not put it in your mouth for ya to lick it!!!" Pinkie... well. To put it shortly -- she giggled silly, so amused she was! Has any of you ever licked a hand pressed to your lips as to keep your mouth shut? No? Well, Pinkie just did. Funny, isn't it? No? OK... The scene would have gone on endlessly, had Twilight not intervened: "Uh-h-h, I don't mean to interrupt, but... don't you all suppose, you could all hear a bit or two of words from me?" At that everypony stopped sharply whatever shenanigans they were busy doing, and snapped their necks to turn in her direction: "Yes?" -- they both said simultaneously. "Thank you. OK, so, as I intended to say this ages ago... -- and she paused, memories of what she had experienced still alive in her mind. -- Well... here goes..." And she flipped her precious notes to start it all off. While doing so, she smiled to herself contentedly: since the very morning had she wished to share her incredible discovery with her friends, and now has she got a chance! "Ahem. Before I get to the bottom of it: what do you consider most unshakable in the whole world?" "Uh... well..." -- Applejack made to say... "Oh! Oh! That's an easy one! -- cried out Pinkie. -- An unripe or rotten fruit!" Uh. Now, if only there had been some background music playing, it would have stopped with a stock vinyl scratch sound. Everypony stared at Pinkie, obviously having no clue, as to why she had suggested such a ridiculous answer. Then again, she was Pinkie Pie. "Yeah, I mean, duh! If I were not Pinkie Pie, then who would I be? Hm-m-m... Come to think of it... who indeed?.." "P... Pinkie?.. -- asked Twilight, incredulous. -- Wh... what are you talking about?? Wh... what has the answer to my question to do with you being none other, than you??? A-and... why exactly is it a fruit out of the blue?! -- but her incredulity wasn't going to last longer, than needed. -- Huh-h-h. You know what? Never mind. I should have not expected anything else from you. I mean, Pinkie! Even that randomness was wa-a-ay over your everyday definition for "randomness"!" Boy had Twilight been triggered! Her reaction would have been called "adorkable", had there been someone to call her that. Because, you know. Dorkiness made adorable? Come on, she was, wasn't she? "Oh, Twilight! -- Pinkie giggled and gave her a playful noogie. -- Relax! Just tell me I was right! Was I? Was I?! Is that a fruit?! Is-it-is-it, uh-uh-uh?!" This time Applejack durst not to shove objects Pinkie could possibly munch over into her mouth, deciding instead on something really inedible: "Will ya stay quah-iet for a minute, Pinkie! Ah-i am pretty sure, it was not what Twah-ilight meant, when she said "unshakable"!" "Pft!.. Bleh! What are you, insane?! -- shouted out Pinkie, spitting out a hoofful of dirt Applejack had previously shoved into her mouth, as to stop her blabbering. -- That was not even TASTY!!!" "Sorry, sugar cube, -- grinned Applejack slyly, -- would ya lah-ike to have some of 'em bad apples?" -- and she pointed to a cart she had come with, which contained a basketful or two of those. "Thanks a lot, Applejerk! -- grumbled Pinkie, obviously angry with her, and, her gaze away, made to head off to somewhere not even near Appejack. -- I had my share!" "Honestly, -- muttered she under her breath, -- that must've been what Rainbow Dash had felt, when I had mentioned "baking cupcakes" prank to her. Guess, I won't even need Twilight's advice regarding that". "Pi... Pinkie! Where're you going to?" "Say, Twilight, -- replied Pinkie gloomily, -- by any chance, weren't you going to say, "reality's an illusion" or something like that?" To say, Twilight's eyes bulged, would be saying nothing: in addition to that her jaw dropped so hard it actually hit the ground. "H-h-h... How?!" "Huh-h-h. Twilight, remember my rant back in the library? When I was saying, I was gonna need to take a breath?" ...but everypony was super-really cross with me for my yelling... Whoopsie, he-hee! So I ran to apologise to everypony, and, while doing so, I ran past your library and saw every sorts of sheets flying away... So I'd gotten myself a very, incredibly, super impossible task to perform: to catch them and to help everypony to become friends with me again, because, you know, I'd screwed up and all, and I'll just spare you the details, because I feel, I need to gasp for air... "...I mentioned running to apologise to everypony for my yelling, and then stumbling upon your library and seeing every sorts of sheets flying away -- those were these notes! I read them, while I was gathering them for ya! I don't need to listen to this, if this is what you've wanted to say to me for the whole time!" Intention to leave, she turned and walked away: "Sorry, Twilight, but I have some more important tasks to do, like making up with Rainbow Dash for what I said, -- she shifted her eyes, so her glare was directed at Applejack. -- You, Applejerk, are encouraged to do that too!" And with that she was gone.