The following morning was quite occupying for Twilight, for lucubrating once again on astronomy resulted in a scattered mess of books and scrolls. With the consequence of waking up late as well, Twilight–––mane not brushed and dental hygiene unattended–––worked fast to clean up her cluttered mess with the help of her loyal assistant, Spike. With her horn illuminating, Twilight gathered and neatly placed scrolls in pyramid-shaped piles on her desk as well as manipulating a duster for in-between dusting; Spike took care of the books with no magical help whatsoever, and he was getting quite an ear full of frequent commands from his violet superior. (It's times like this when Twilight combines acting like a boss and being a neat-freak.)
“No, Spike. These books go in this section. Put them right there,” Twilight ordered. The baby dragon had one hand full of a stack of books, while his other hand obeyed her command. Before inserting a third book in the second shelf . . .
"No, wait!" Twilight stopped him. "That one goes on the top shelf, so go get the ladder." Spike heaved a sigh and went to get the ladder with the over-bearing column still in his hands.
"You know, why is it now that you do more work during the night than day?" Spike complained as he brought the ladder to the bookshelf and carefully angled it. "What were you doing for the past four nights anyway?"
"I told you, Spike. I'm conducting research on the history and formations of constellations," Twilight explained. "Didn't you ever notice the telescope on the balcony? Every night I find one, search their distinct shape in the "The Astronomical Astronomers' Almanac to All Things Astronomy" book, interpret them, and depict them as best as I can, with Owlowliscius helping me through and through. Each scroll contains my illustration of a constellation I found. See? Here's one I took two nights ago."
Twilight unraveled one to show Spike her delineation of the constellation Gemini. The baby dragon scrutinized at the intricacy; he'd never thought anypony could make such a perplexing design with dots and lines. Then again, knowing Twilight, any research revolving astronomy would likely be attainable by her.
"So you have found . . ." He counted the scrolls that were situated on the desk and the ones in the control of Twilight's magic. "Seventeen constellations?" he approximated.
"Eight actually," she corrected. "The rest of them are failed attempts. You wouldn't imagine how frustrated I was at doing Cancer."
"So why are you doing all of this?"
"Actually, this is an assignment given by Princess Celestia. She wants me to identify as many constellations as I can with individual and sufficient information before Saturday of next week. This is a task I shall be very diligent in." Twilight finished her clean-up of scrolls and levitated forth a hoof mirror to brush her mane.
"But aren't you always diligent when it comes to stars and formations and stuff like that?" Spike made an effort to compliment the unicorn's expert intellect while putting away the books. "I mean, stuff about time and space and planets should be a snap for you right?"
"Not exactly time and space," Twilight giggled, "but thank you for the flattering, Spike." With a few more thorough strokes of her brush, Twilight straightened her mane back to its full glory. “Aah, that's better," she smiled. There was still time to get some breakfast for her rumbling stomach. "Spike, after you're done, let's go out for breakfast," she offered. A daffodil omelet with a sunflower smoothie sounded so delicious to Twilight it excited her impatient belly to audible growls.
"Sounds good to me," Spike said as he climbed down the ladder, thinking turquoise gems should fit his appetite. Twilight approached the door, and as soon as she opened it, outside greeted her with a gray and blonde-maned pegasus coming straight at her. She gasped before being knocked back by the impromptu visitor. The ponies crashed against the bookshelf where the ladder was propped at, causing the ladder to fall down and Spike and several books to tumble down on them. Thanks to that unceremonious advent, dishevelment returned within the confines of the library.
Twilight, despite groaning and a bit disoriented from the impact, presumed it was her winged friend Rainbow Dash who lost control of herself by who knows how, but then a midnight-colored letter undulating in the air landed on her snout. Seeing this ruled out the presumption; Twilight figured out who flew in, in means of a physical and painful greeting that is. On another note, a letter in a different color? Twilight's curiosity no doubt became awake as she inwardly looked at the special envelope on her snout. Could it be something conventional? Could it be something imperative? Could it be for Twilight Sparkle? Before it compelled her to inspect it however, a groan from above diverted her attention.
"Oh my. Ditzy, are you okay?" She arched upward to see Ditzy Doo on top looking unconscious. Thankfully, the mail pegasus wasn't as she shook her head rapidly but looking terribly dizzy. Then she gasped, growing into quite serious worrying.
"Oh no. Oh no no no no!" Ditzy flew up and frantically looked back and forth, her train of thought hopelessly in a haze. "The special muffin. Where's the special muffin?"
"Ugh . . ." entered another groan but from Spike, rubbing his head and seeing himself surrounded in a mess. ”Oh, great. Now I have to clean up again," he muttered, glaring disdainfully at the gray mail pegasus.
"Can't waste time! Must finish job or blueberry muffin becomes displeased!" Ditzy doled out more irrational sentences.
The special muffin and a blueberry muffin she senselessly spoke of were arcane clues to Twilight, yet the unique color of this letter made the urgency of this situation comprehensible. The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together: this letter was made and sent by Princess Luna! Ditzy Doo was probably ordered by her to distribute it too, but who exactly was it for? Temporarily dispatching her curiosity, Twilight got up to allay the mail pegasus.
"Umm, is this what you're looking for?" Twilight gestured the letter on her nose to her. Ditzy gasped in joy as her green pupils crossed inward.
"The special muffin! It's alive! Thank you so much!" she cried.
"No problem," Twilight replied, chuckling at the brief nonsense. "But may I know who that letter is for?"
"Oh, ummm . . ." Ditzy peered at it very closely with her tongue plastered below her mouth as though trying to crack open the number code of a safe. "It's for . . . Twi-light . . . Spar-kle." She slowly yet remarkably pronounced the name correctly. Twilight had a feeling she was the recipient, and wondering what news Princess Luna has written for her definitely increased her desire to discover.
"Here's your muffin, err, I mean mail," Ditzy blushed and handed her the unique envelope.
"Thank you, Mrs. Doo," Twilight giggled at the amusement and took her letter. Spike, after stowing away the books on a table for now, looked over Twilight's shoulder to see for himself. After opening, the violet unicorn read the document.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
This is Princess Luna writing to you about something that will soon become a milestone for me. To begin, you and your friends will always have my deepest gratitude for freeing me from the malicious disposition of Nightmare Moon. Indeed I am at normalcy and top notch of my royal duty, but my dear older sister encouraged me to now work on benefiting my social skills. This is why I, Princess Luna, am holding a slumber party this Saturday exclusively for you and your friends, the ponies who possess the Elements of Harmony and saved me. As you read this Twilight Sparkle, the rest of your friends will have already been notified thanks to one of Ponyville's most trustworthy mail pegasi. I'll look forward to your reply and hopefully to your appearing.
Sincerely,
Princess Luna
P.S. I couldn't help but to listen to your wishing for a great slumber party of your own from last night. I knew this would surprise you.
"No way!" Spike spoke for a completely dumbfounded Twilight. The fact that Luna announced her own party in the same week was almost inconceivable to the unicorn, yet her inviting only of the six ponies who purified her once depraved spirit was reasonable. In fact, Twilight figured no other ponies in all of Equestria would have been chosen for Luna's affair in socializing. This may have caught her by utter surprise, but a party with Princess Luna–––and in that matter accompanied by Princess Celestia–––would be very thrilling for her and her friends.
"Looks like you have a change in plans for the weekend, huh Twilight?" Spike added with a chuckle.
"Seems as though, Spike,” Twilight managed to agree, her mind still striving compliance for this turn of an event. "But wow! I can hardly believe this: a slumber party at the royal castle with the princesses. And tomorrow, too!"
"Which means tons of more fun for you and everypony else," Spike mentioned impassively.
"Awww, don't feel sad Spike. I'm sure you can find some kind of plan while we're gone," Twilight tried to lift his spirits up.
"Then again . . ." His reptilian green eyes went wide in delight. "I can sleep as long as I want! No need to worry about me, Twilight."
"At least you have found a bright side," Twilight said, well knowing her assistant's love for sleep. "Thank you for the notice, Ditzy."
"No, no, no. You're welcome," the pegasus replied in mistake. Spike rolled his eyes while Twilight laughed, but their actions were interrupted by low growls emanating from their empty stomachs.
"Oh, my. We still haven't eaten breakfast yet! Excuse us please." Twilight beckoned Spike to climb on her back and he did. They rushed outside on their way to the nearest restaurant in town. "Thanks again!" the unicorn called to Ditzy who waved goodbye to them with her usual off-key facial expression. Before she departed to notify Princess Luna of her completed task, she realized the library door was left open due to Twilight's hastening. Seeing this compelled the innocent pegasus to mosey in.
"Ooooohhh . . ." She looked all around at the multitude of books in shelves, for this was her first times viewing the inside of the town library. "I've never seen so many books in one place. Does Twilight read every single one of them? No wonder she lives here." Ditzy approached the center of the floor while staring up, and then something caught her maundering eyes. She flew up to the upper level and saw the dark blue and golden-ringed telescope on a foldable tripod that Twilight has been using for her nightly task. Only one word prevailed in the unpredictable mind and mouth of Ditzy Doo:
"Muffins . . ."
“Can you believe we were invited to a nightly soirée by Princess Luna, Fluttershy?” an elegant and fashionable white unicorn began a chat with her friend before sipping more of a shared pink lemonade drink from her straw.
“Hardly, Rarity,” replied a timorous but generous yellow pegasus who took her sip from the same refreshment. “And it’s scheduled on the same weekend as Twilight’s. I hope she’s not sad about canceling her own after so much anticipation on it.”
“Nonsense,” Rarity begged to differ with a dismissive hoof. “When it comes to being a guest of royalty, anypony would sacrifice their plans for it. Knowing Twilight, I’m certain she had no problem with it. Besides, who wouldn’t want to spend quality time with a royal figure?”
“I guess you’re right,” Fluttershy agreed meekly. Putting their conversation on hold, she went for her fork and knife for another piece of their yet-to-be-finished delicious cinnamon pancakes complemented with maple syrup and a dollop of whip cream.
“Ah ah ah. Allow me, Fluttershy.” The knife and fork were illuminated in a cerulean aura as Rarity offered to serve her friend with magic. She manipulated the utensils to cut an ample triangular slice of pancake and levitated it to Fluttershy. Despite blushing from this casual treatment, she complied and ate the piece, while Rarity helped herself to two moist strawberries from a clear bowl full of them.
“Mmmmm. Thank you, Rarity,” Fluttershy smiled.
“My pleasure, dear. Anyway–––” Before Rarity could continue, she spotted the hungry pair of her friends entering the diner’s atmosphere of pleasant food aromas, and they were escorted by an amiable waitress known as Clover Charm. “Oh, look! How positively fitting to have two of our friends here. Twilight and Spike! Over here!” she called for their attention. Spike was first to hear them.
“Hey, look! Rarity and Fluttershy are here.” He pointed to the yellow pegasus and white unicorn sitting on an arch couch that can accommodate at least five ponies. “Let’s go sit with them.”
“Well, what a coincidence. Miss, we would like to sit with our friends over there,” Twilight said to the waitress as she pointed to her friends.
“Alrighty, then. Here are your menus. What would like to drink?” Clover asked after handing two of them out.
“Iced tea with a lemon please,” Twilight answered promptly.
“And I’ll have lemonade,” Spike followed suit.
“Iced tea with lemon and lemonade.” She wrote their orders down respectively. “Okay. They will be served to your table right away.” Clover went to attend, while Twilight and Spike went to join their friends.
“Fancy for you to dine here with us, Twilight,” Rarity said as they sat down on her side.
“It sure is. So you two also come here for time together?” Twilight inquired. It could have had the ponies who were here first thinking suspicion was subtle in her tone.
“Umm . . . not often,” the stylish unicorn managed to respond. “It’s only this morning that Fluttershy and I decided to eat here for breakfast, for we desired an exquisite air of quality service and satisfying food. Specifically cinnamon pancakes as you can see.”
Twilight could see what their halfway-eaten meal was: a stack of three pancakes dripping with syrup and topped with whip cream and a serving of thoroughly-rinsed strawberries. A mouth-watering meal like this could have coerced Twilight to try it, but she was sticking to a daffodil omelet and sunflower smoothie. Adding some grapes or sliced apples wouldn’t hurt though.
Returning to the conversation, Twilight replied, “Yes, I can very well see that, and it looks pretty good. I guess eating at a fancy place like this could start a morning off well.”
“Agreed,” Rarity nodded. “So on an entirely different subject, I assume you received a letter notifying you of Princess Luna’s slumber party?” she asked, wanting to quickly expel the possible notion of Twilight thinking she and her yellow companion were on a date or something similar.
“Uh-huh, just this morning.”
“Splendid! Fluttershy and I were about to talk about it not too long ago. Spending time with royalty will be so wonderful and fun but quite unexpecting as my second slumber party attended.”
“Second?” Fluttershy piped up.
“Oh, silly me. I’ve never even told you about my first. Remember that dreadful downpour about two and a half weeks ago? You see, I, along with Applejack, was unfortunate enough to get caught in it while assisting in the park." Rarity explained to her pegasus companion all about the dissensions between herself and the farmer pony and the incompatible conditions during the inclement weather (plus lacing her speaking with drama). “So we were trapped, under the unforgiving rain, with inadequate shelter, until we heard a faint call from our sincere friend Twilight. Thanks to her, my wonderful mane was saved.”
Twilight blushed at the acknowledgment. “Well, I had to. There was practically no place else closer for you two to go.”
“Oh my. I wouldn’t like to have my hair wet either,” Fluttershy added.
“And that’s the unvarnished truth,” Rarity coincided. “Anyhow, Applejack and I ran to her home before any more damage was done to my hair, and we pretty much had to stay there. That’s when Twilight decided it was the perfect opportunity to throw, well, a slumber party. Now I wasn’t against it, but . . . Spike, what are you doing?”
“Uhhh . . .” The baby dragon was caught sneaking a strawberry into his open mouth, his visage melting into an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, but I’m really hungry. May I please have one or two?”
“Actually, you may have the rest of them,” Fluttershy permitted with a smile.
“Just make sure you ask like a gentledragon next time, darling,” Rarity admonished.
“Will do.” Spike gladly took the whole bowl and ravenously munched the fruit.
“So, you were saying?” Twilight asked Rarity to continue.
“Oh, yes. I wasn’t against it, but Applejack was the only reason I wasn’t so engaged in it. She and I had many differences we couldn’t cope with, so we didn’t get along so easily. In the end however, we made Twilight’s first slumber party successful despite the arguments and a . . . little, messy problem.”
“A little problem?” Twilight conveyed disagreement.
“Okay, a huge problem, but it was initially Applejack’s fault. She ferociously pulled in half of a tree! Everything became a complete mess; but nonetheless, we interceded and took care of it.” The disdainful thoughts of her glorious coat defiled by mud and leaves nearly made her shiver in detest. It was the second time in her life Rarity had to sacrifice a beautiful aspect of herself, and she hoped to Celestia she will not come across that again. "I'm just glad she and I didn't fall into an altercation. Goodness knows the results had it happened."
“Oh, what a relief. I’m so happy for you two,” Fluttershy smiled, her closed eyes adding cuteness to the complexion.
“Thank you, darling, and what a relief it was for me and Applejack to get along together.” Rarity went back to eating more pancakes along with Fluttershy before her appetite was wasted.
“Your drinks are here,” said a voice remotely familiar to only Twilight. She saw Clover Charm gingerly carrying their drinks on a white tray on her back.
“Ah, thank you so much,” Twilight appreciated and raised her iced tea directly to her mouth with her magic. Spike thanked the waitress as well and took his smaller glass of lemonade.
“Are you two ready to order?” Clover asked and was ready to write.
“Yes. I’ll have a daffodil omelet and a sunflower smoothie . . .” the violet unicorn replied but then considered balancing her meal with luscious fruit. “And I guess apple slices too,” she finished.
“And I’ll have turquoise gems,” Spike applied his order.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t carry turquoise gems. However, I personally could make a gem salad for you,” the waitress generously offered. “It’s a mixture of rubies, emeralds, topazes, and so much more, all seasoned with paprika and coriander. Trust me, I am good with spices.”
Merely hearing all of this made Spike’s mouth water insatiably. “A gem salad? I am definitely trying that!”
“Alright. One gem salad for the young dragon, and a daffodil omelet, sunflower smoothie, and apple slices for the young unicorn coming right up,” Clover rechecked and went off to the diner’s kitchen.
“Well, aren’t you two fortunate to have such a nice waitress?” Rarity stated.
“I guess we are,” Twilight concurred, “especially one who was willing to satisfy her customer by means of making a delicious meal herself.”
“I’ll say. I can’t wait to try it!” Spike conformed as well before drinking more of his tangy lemonade.
“Oh, by the way, my sister Sweetie Belle is also having a little sleepover with her two friends,” Rarity mentioned. “But since I won’t be able to supervise them, I need someone trustworthy to be with them. Someone like you, Spike.”
Spike nearly choked on his drinking. Him? Watching over three fillies having their own slumber party? Letting his plan of reveling in sleep be ruined?
“Umm, me?” Spike asked in case he had heard wrong.
“Yes, you. Twilight regards you as trustworthy, so why not?”
“Because, umm . . .” He twiddled with his fingers. He really didn’t want to waste this chance of acquiring all the sleep he can subconsciously enjoy in. However, this is a request from the most beautiful creature Spike had ever laid eyes on, and a feeling of chivalry inside impelled him to not reject it. He shall be the sole supervisor of Rarity’s little sister and her filly friends. He shall do this. For Rarity.
“Be-cause I am trustworthy,” he resumed, "and I’ll be the caretaker of your sister’s sleepover. I can teach them how to bake my homemade triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla-cream cookies. You can count on me, Rarity.”
“Wonderful! Thank you ever so much, darling.” Rarity craned forward and kissed him on his forehead as a token of appreciation. One kiss from the unicorn of his dreams was all it took for the baby dragon to lose himself in a stupor of warmth and hopeless love. A lengthy sigh matched the ardent blush on his face as he slowly slumped under the table. Twilight idly looked at the ridiculous reaction and sighed in full knowing: Spike will never be over Rarity.
“Well, then,” Twilight spoke to dispel the awkwardness, “it seems he’s more than happy to comply with you. He’ll be up when he smells his gem salad on the table.”
“Then Fluttershy and I hope you two will enjoy. It’s time for us to leave.” All that’s left on their plate were thin trails of the sweet, viscous sauce as they had finished their cinnamon pancakes. The white unicorn placed about seventeen bits on the table as payment for it and got up. “It twas a lovely morning eating here and talking to you two, but we must begin our impending afternoon affairs. Right, Fluttershy?”
“Oh, yes. I still have to tend and find a home for a cute little ferret,” the tender pegasus mentioned with glee.
“Goodbye, Twilight and Spike,” Rarity waved as they went their way to the exit.
“Bye, girls! And best of luck with your furry friend, Fluttershy," Twilight bade her friend good luck.
“Thanks, Twilight,” Fluttershy replied as she and Rarity left the fancy diner. As soon as they entered outside, they smiled to each other as though in a telepathic consensus.
“We should really do this more often,” Fluttershy insisted happily.
“Indeed,” Rarity conceded. “If only we weren’t hindered by our daily tasks though. We could spend even more time together at the spa or any other place.”
“But we will definitely see each other at the slumber party tomorrow.”
“Definitely.” Their smiles induced hopefulness into each other, their eyes linking in perfect concord. Then, after being certain nopony seemed to be watching them, Rarity went for the kill and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. The short, surprising moment had the pegasus taken aback in complete shock and wide eyes as she blushed furiously. As for the unicorn who impinged this effect, she winced in regret, thinking she might have encroached on her. Thankfully, she didn’t, for a smile blossomed on Fluttershy.
“Th-thank you, R-Rarity,” she replied, the action still taking its toll.
“Oh, did I overwhelm you? I’m very sorry,” Rarity apologized.
“Oh no, I’m fine. Really. What you just did was very sweet. I . . . really liked it.”
Fluttershy's decisive affirmation relieved Rarity, and she was thankful it didn’t go wrong. Before she could speak, the sweet winged pony shared her affection with a soft nuzzle. It was now Rarity's turn to blush as she easily took the impending warmth in. With that done, Fluttershy slowly walked away, leaving her friend in peaceful content. It happened: the two had conclusively conveyed their liking for each other. Of course dining in a favorite eatery, sharing–––and feeding–––a delightful breakfast with a friend, and having a conservation with that friend can make anypony’s morning, but what just happened won over everything.
And thank Celestia it didn’t go wrong.
“Woohoo! I win again!” proclaimed a feverish pink pony as she had won yet another Horseshoes game against two of her friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash–––neither of them believed it was sheer luck.
“I dunno how ya do it, but that’s seven games in a row,” Applejack pointed out, amazed of course. “What are ya a secret expert at this game, Pinkie Pie?”
“Nah. I just have really good aim from throwing licorice into Gummy’s mouth,” she explained. “He really likes those.”
“Looks like somepony has another skill besides throwing parties all the time,” Rainbow Dash quipped and received laughs for her facetious comment. “Now, who’s up for best four out of ten?”
“Hmmmm . . . nah,” Applejack declined. “Besides, I’m hankerin’ for some fresh apple juice. Ya’ll want some?”
“Sure!” Pinkie Pie agreed.
“Okay,” Rainbow Dash complied as well.
“Three apple juices comin’ right up.” The orange pony dashed to her apple cellar to fetch the refreshments. The two ponies that were left alone decided to hang around a nearby shady tree until their rustic friend comes back with their cool drinks.
“So, Rainbow Dash,” Pinkie began chatting with the blue pegasus, “Aren’t you excited to go to Princess Luna’s slumber party? I am! I mean I’ve been to tons of parties, but this one is a slumber party!”
“That’s because you throw those tons of parties,” Rainbow Dash corrected in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Oh, right, but still! It’s a party at night! Thrown by Princess Luna! And as her guests we shall give her the most greatest and funnest time ever.” She added a hoof salute to her declaration. “Plus, this’ll be my chance to tell my ghost story.”
“You really have a ghost story?” Rainbow Dash queried as they had entered the shady borders of a tranquil tree.
“Mmhm! I’ve been saving it for a special time, and tomorrow night will be the time. I guarantee it’s gonna scare everypony! Do you wanna know what it’s about?”
“Scare me? Hah! I’m not scared of anything you or anypony else throws at me. Nothing at all.” Rainbow Dash enhanced her hubristic attitude with a whip of her flamboyant mane and a bold pose.
“Except for dragons,” Pinkie Pie objected, disconcerting her friend’s superficial affirmation. Rainbow Dash glared listlessly at Pinkie as the memory of the pink pony frightening her by imitating dragon roars replayed in her mind. A casual joke at best, but it wasn’t that funny. It made her scared stiff for pony’s sake! Just like Fluttershy's reaction to add to that.
“Oh, whatever,” she replied impassively. “And nah. I don’t wanna be spoiled, but I know I won’t be scared whatever it’s about.”
“Okie dokie lokie then!” Pinkie Pie said, her happy-go-lucky demeanor lacing each word. She further displayed it with carefree rolls on the grass and humming a cheerful tune. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at her sanguine friend. Doesn’t that pony ever take a break from being too happy? That Pinkie . . .
Rainbow shook her head and flew up to a sturdy branch to rest and relax a bit, but not to cease their talk.
“But do you know what I wanna do at the slumber party?” she asked the buoyant earth pony while casually laying back. Stopping on her back, Pinkie Pie took a minute to guess.
“Hmmmm . . . is it trying makeovers?”
“Yeah, wait, no! You know I don’t like that girly stuff!”
Pinkie giggled at her friend’s careless reply. “Then what is it?”
“Owning every single pony in a pillow fight,” Rainbow Dash professed. “I've learned expert maneuvering skills from playing Air Dodgeball; it’s like regular Dodgeball but it takes place in the sky and the balls are made of clouds. Anyway–––“
The brash pegasus went on and on about how she dominated her opponents in every match with speed, reflex, power, and even strategy. She emphasized her story-telling with lively and correlative actions in the air, and she especially included her biggest comeback ever when all odds were against her.
“So there I was: solo against three other pegasi who were ready to take me out, but I was more than ready to take evasive action. They covered their left, right, and center fields as they prepared their move. I said ‘Bring it on!’ and they brought it alright. A ball came from the left, I dodged right; a ball thrown from the right, I quickly dodged left. As soon as I did, another one was coming straight at me from center. I acted fast. I raised my hooves and caught it in a split-second. Then it was down to two. With two dodgeballs and two targets, it was time for my finishing move. I ran up to the dividing line, sprung up high in the air, unfurled my wings to release the balls, and to trick them, I criss-crossed the shots! Before they knew it, wham! Direct hits!”
“Oooooohh,” Pinkie Pie marveled at the falling action.
“It, was, over. Yours truly was, and still is, the Air Dodgeball champ.” Finishing with a fluent flip, Rainbow Dash landed next to Pinkie, curving her hoof as part of another dynamic bearing. “So you see, I can rule a pillow fight just like in any sport. Nopony is a match for me.”
“In a match of what?” As if on cue, an audible voice intruded the statement. The ponies turned to see Applejack pushing a cart with three bottles of apple juice and straws on top. All she heard was the boastful statement, but one (especially from the rainbow-maned pegasus) would never fail to capture her interest. "What's this yer goin' on about now, Rainbow Dash?"
"She said that she can own every single pony in a pillow fight," Pinkie Pie cut in with the exact words previously spoken by Rainbow.
"A pillow fight?" The orange pony wasn't expecting an activity so . . . unprofessional. "Now why in tarnation would you honk your horn about somethin' that's not even a real sport?"
"While you were gone, Dashie told me all about how she won an Air Dodgeball match with her awesome skills. She was all 'whoosh' and 'zoom' and 'pow!' Pinkie spun around, waved and flailed her front hooves, jumped in the air, and fell straight down as she vivaciously explained. "She said she'll use those skills in the pillow fight at Princess Luna's slumber party."
"And that no pony is a match me. Including, you," Rainbow Dash added with an intimidating grin. Applejack would be darned if she let this slide by. There was no way she would allow this flaunting pegasus have all of the glory.
"Is that a challenge? Well, Rainbow Dash, you better bring yer best, cause I'll be the one ta win th' pillow fight. An' when I do, you'll jus' be a bark wit' no bite."
"Oh yeah? Well bring it, Applejack! Me and my skills are gonna take you down!"
"I bet my right hind leg that stuff about you getting yer skills from winnin' a Dodgeball match is just a bunch of hay. I think yer head was literally in th' clouds."
"Well, why don't we find out tomorrow night at the royal castle?"
"You, betcha." Applejack and Rainbow Dash did the ritual: They spat on their hooves and steadfastly clashed them together, thus finalizing their reciprocation. Thereafter, a childish but eager voice detracted them from their audacious inclinations.
"Applejack! Hey, Applejack!" it cried. Everypony turned to see three fillies galloping towards them, a determined cohort in discovering their individual talent, the leading one being the orange pony's little sister.
"Hey, Applebloom," Applejack greeted. "What brings ya'll up 'ere?"
"We jus' wanted you ta know that our Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover has a new location," she informed.
"But what's wrong wit' yer treehouse? Ya'll spic-n'-spanned that place faster th'n a pony cleanin' the cobwebs in mah apple cellar. An' haven't ya'll found somepony ta look after yerselves?"
"But our new spot is waaaaay better," Sweetie Belle interjected. "Besides, the treehouse is more of our headquarters for crusading plans."
"And we have found somepony to be with us. Well, actually, somedragon," Scootaloo included.
"Dragon? Yer talkin' about Spike, right?" Applejack wanted clarification on the supervisor in case they possibly asked an unknown dragon by Celestia knows how.
"Yeah! He's gonna be our caretaker at Twilight's place: Ponyville's library," Applebloom specified the location of their sleepover. Applejack raised a skeptical brow. Her little sister may be competent in behaving herself, but being in another pony's home was a whole different story in Applejack's perspective. A filly's curiosity is never quelled–––she knew good and well Applebloom would be compelled to touch their property and possibly break or damage them, let alone her two comrades causing the same problems.
"Ah dunno if th' town library is a good place for ya'll ta have a sleepover at," her voice carried forthcoming disapproval, "especially fer a filly wit' sticky hooves. Remember?"
“Thank you two again for helping me gather honey and almonds for my recipe,” Fluttershy smiled at her rustic friend as they walked into the pegasus’ cottage. "There's so much, I could make almost seven batches!"
“Nothin’ to it. It was a good thing the bees weren’t at their hives, or we would’ve been leavin’ wit’ bumps on our rumps,” Applejack quipped, the two sharing a chuckle at the rhyme.
“How about some nice lemonade for you and Applebloom?”
“Much appreciation, Fluttershy. Speaking of my li’l sis, where is she?”
Crash! The answer came in the form of a sound with such disturbing volume that it made the mares wince, and it came from the kitchen. It sounded as though something huge (and valuable) broke into a hundred pieces. Fluttershy gasped as instinct told her to inspect the accident, while Applejack bit her lip from letting out language that should neither be heard nor known by anypony outside Apple kin.
There sat Applebloom in a heavy quantity of the golden, natural, and viscous substance with interfusing fragments of one of Fluttershy's large, ceramic storage containers (now broken). Her scarlet bow drooped due to the sweet content, but not as much as the excitement in the poor yellow pegasus. All of the forwardness to making her treats: shattered and scattered just like this unfortunate mess.
"Applebloom!" Applejack yelled, grinning angrily.
"Hehe," the honey-coated filly uttered nervously. "Oops?"
"Okay, okay," Applebloom huffed. "Ah know Ah shouldn't have climbed Fluttershy's counters ta reach for that huge pot o' honey that Ah thought was sugar, but Ah was jus' tryin’ ta help."
"Exactly. It took hours ta getcha fully clean an' outta that mess, not ta mention how sad she was fer wastin' her honey like that."
"But Ah was very sorry about that, and Ah learned my lesson of keepin' yer hooves to yerself. Please trus' me on this one, sis. Ah promise Ah won't be touchin' anythin' at Twilight's house; in fact, Ah Pinkie promise! Cross mah heart an' hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye."
A gasp of delight from Pinkie Pie remarked Applebloom's citation, for hearing her infamous and unconditional promise from a filly gave her pride. She knew anypony who pledge those words are serious to keep their vow and maintain it. Hearing how adamantly she professed it, Pinkie knew right there and then she deserved to go.
"Applejack!" The pink pony popped up in front of Applejack and squeezed her cheeks. "Your little sister just said my Pinkie promise. You have to let her go. No one who says it has ever broken it. Well, except Twilight one time when she was trying to keep a secret for Rarity and Fluttershy, but still!" She inched her face closer. "Let, her, go."
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash went with Pinkie Pie on this. "She even said she learned her lesson. Come on, AJ. Give her a second chance, and let her have a blast with her friends."
After her face was free from contortion, the orange pony sighed in contemplation. A tinge of doubt still clinged to her, but her decision was taking a positive path. Maybe Applebloom was worthy of a second chance. Maybe they were right. Applejack considered that everypony can learn from their mistakes and prove themselves that they have. She realized that in order for her sister to prove herself justified, she had to give consent. And for once Rainbow Dash had a great point: everypony deserves a second chance. As much as possible risks were digested, it would be worth the try.
"Well . . . alright, Applebloom. Ah'll letchall go," she decided, ruffling with the filly's scarlet hair. "Ah can trust my li'l sis ta control herself."
"Really? Ya mean it?" The filly gave a short jump in glee.
"As sure as sweet apple pie, but ya had better learn yer lesson. No touchin' things wit'out permission, or trouble will be await'n for ya, missy. Got it?"
"Got it," Applebloom nodded and faced her friends to share the high spirits. "Didja hear that? Our Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover location is now confirmed."
"Awesome!" Scootaloo cheered. "I can't wait to chow down on those triple-crazy, vanilla . . . cream . . . whatever those cookies are called."
"You mean triple-deckernut-crazyvanilla-creamcookies?" Pinkie Pie helped define with remarkable speed, winning baffled looks from Applejack and Rainbow Dash behind her.
"Yeah, those!"
"Oh my gosh! Those cookies Spike makes are the absolute best! I would love it if any of you save some for me! Please, please, pleeeeease?" She flashed several blinks in a needless attempt to convince the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Applebloom giggled at her begging. "Sure thing, Pinkie Pie. Ah guess if is wasn't fer yer promise we wouldn't be goin', so we owe ya one."
"Aww, it's no problem. I just hope you all will have as much fun and excitement as we do!"
After smiling at the pink mare's indestructible positivism, the yellow filly sought determination among Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"Ya'll rarin' fer tomorrow night's sleepover?"
"More than raring!" the orange filly pegasus contended peremptorily.
"So am I!" the white filly unicorn responded with the exact same promptitude.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SLEEPOVER AT TWILIGHT'S LIBRARY! YAY!"
And they dashed off, leaving Applejack and Rainbow Dash with their ears and eyes shut painfully tight; as for Pinkie Pie, not a single flinch or twitch prevailed. Either she was used to such loudness (probably thanks to the continuous resonance of the music in her parties) or the elation coursing within her body made her invulnerable to it. All in all, knowing a group of fillies who will have a slumber party concurrent with hers tomorrow easily brought happiness to Pinkie. They were just as excited as she and her friends were.
"Ugh. Shoulda heard that one comin'. Looks like they gotta knack fer cheerin' together as loud as a whole crowd of ponies goin' wild," Applejack noted.
"But aren't they a great bunch of fillies?" Pinkie Pie grinned, oblivious to the lackluster attitudes her friends exhibited.
"Yeah. Those three are a charm together," Rainbow Dash snorted as her eyes rolled.
"An' now Ah'm concerned about somethin'." Changing the subject, Applejack walked up to Pinkie. "What's this thing about Twilight keepin' a secret for Rarity and Fluttershy? Ya'll should know keepin' secrets from others is never a way ta solving things."
A lapse discommoded the contentment in the pink pony as a guilty grin replaced the smile on her face. Judging by Applejack's tone, she thought it was some sort of a solecistic act of friendship that once happened. Pinkie Pie's "fastest way of losing a friend forever" notion had parallel aspects, but what she said was true (and it was that fact that brought Fluttershy and Rarity into a cherished cognizance back then).
"Of course it is, silly!" Pinkie steadfastly reanimated her sprightly demeanor. "It's a looooong story, but here's how it all began."