//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Ponyland Adventures // by starlightneedshugs //------------------------------// Dream Castle, inhabited by Princess Sterling and Princess Gold Lily, who watched over Ponyland with grace and dignity, was in chaos. They were nowhere to be found, first of all, leaving the kingdom to be without a leader, and therefore, no protection. The castle halls were empty, leaving behind the sounds of echoing hoofprints. The hoofprints became increasingly louder, as a cloaked figure approached the throne room. "Now with those goody-four shoes out of the way... it's time for Ponyland's true leader to shine..." The cloaked figure said with a creeping smile. Her horn lit up, and she blasted a spell out in the sky. Little does she know, that six mares will prevail and show, putting an end to her evil antics. Plumsweet grumbled as she sat at the dining table next to her twin sister Diamond Rose, who was practically perfect in every way. Her coat was as white as snow, with dazzling blue eyes, at least three shades of pink in her mane and tail (both which were currently styled in braids finished with light pink ribbons) and a Cutie Mark of a diamond colored rose. Plumsweet watched as she gracefully ate her breakfast, looking as pretty as ever, unlike herself, who silently and slowly ate. "Hello girls~" rang a sweetly sounding voice. In came a plum colored Earth Pony mare, with a puffy red and white mane and tail, sky blue eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a vanilla flavored, magenta colored sundae cup with two magenta colored hearts, a blue bendy straw, and a cherry on top. "Hello mom." Plumsweet replied in a low voice. "Good morning mom!" Diamond Rose responded with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. Their mom, Fizzypop, looked a bit concerned at Plumsweet. "Is everything alright, dear?" She asked. "Everything's... fine mom." Plumsweet replied through gritted teeth, still keeping up the glare she kept on Diamond Rose. "...Are you sure?" Fizzypop asked with a frown. "...." Plumsweet just sighed and lowered her head on the table, with Fizzypop coming to her side. "Now now, dear, I'm sure whatever's bothering you will slowly fade away," Fizzypop reassured, giving Plumsweet a small hug. 'It's not fading away enough...' Plumsweet sighed out loud as she gave back her mom a hug, though it was small and not tight, "I'll think I'll just be in my room for now," Plumsweet declared, with Fizzypop responding with a nod. "Something wrong, Plumsweet?" Diamond Rose turned her head at her sulking sister, a look of concern in her eyes. 'Hmph. Of course, just as soon as Mom comes home, that's when she shows concern for me?' Plumsweet growled under her breath as she slammed her bedroom door. Plumsweet let out a frustrated scream into her pillow. She rolled over, and looked up at the ceiling. "...Why does Diamond Rose have to be such a perfect little princess?" She asked, tears flowing down her face. She turned to her nightstand, which contained a framed photo of a younger looking her and Diamond Rose, in which Plumsweet looked happier too. She growled, then she striked her hoof at it, the frame shattering into a bunch of pieces on the floor. She broke down close by, her sobs rang the halls, leaving Diamond Rose and Fizzypop to hear the pain she currently endured. Fizzypop could not do much, as only her comfort could go so far. Now, Plumsweet could seek some professional help, although such an option is futile due to the financial situation they were currently in as well. Back in Plumsweet's room, she was still crying, although she calmed down a bit. At that, she heard something small hit her window, prompting her to look outside to see what it was. She saw another Earth Pony mare with a green coat, a purple and lavender mane and tail, hot pink eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a ladybug. It was her best friend, Bitta Luck. "Hey," Bitta Luck cried out, waving a hoof at her. "Hey... What are you doing here?" She asked. 'Well, I sensed you were feeling down, so I came to pick you up." Bitta Luck replied. "....Thanks," Plumsweet nodded, before she opened up her window and jumped out of it. Paradise Estate was a diversely populated town, housing a mixture of earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi alike. The town was brightly colored with pink practically everywhere, making you wonder if this was the result of a little girl's dream. In the middle of Paradise Estate, was Rainbow Wishes Amusement Park, whose name can describe it all. Bitta Luck and Plumsweet were walking around, this being a way to ease Plumsweet's mind off of things. "Wow... I feel so much better now..." Plumsweet said, just loud enough for Bitta Luck to hear. "That's great to hear, Plumsweet!" Bitta Luck beamed. The two mares still continued walking around. They passed by Starsong's Dance Studio and decided to rest on a nearby bench. Bitta Luck glanced at her best friend. "Plumsweet, seriously man, what's wrong?" Bitta Luck asked the still sort of sulking Earth pony. "It's ju-" "There's multiple things wrong with her," Plumsweet was interrupted by a voice. She looked up and saw a light pink unicorn mare with an aqua, orange, and pink mane and tail styled in curly twintails, teal colored eyes with orange eyeshadow (which clashed with her coat alongside everything else) and a Cutie Mark of a dual colored pink and blue ice cream cone. "What now, Sweetie Swirl?" Bitta Luck frowned, groaning a bit as the unicorn mare approached them. "It's just that, are you seriously asking Plumsweet what's wrong with her?" Sweetie Swirl asked. "Let's list that off, shall we?" chimed in another unicorn in a weird sort of dreamy tone. She had a light blue coat, a pink mane and tail with yellow highlights in them also styled in twintails, but this time they were more flowy and she had bangs, purple eyes with yellow eyeshadow, and her Cutie Mark was a lime green and pink umbrella with hearts. "Her manestyle is hideous," Sweetie Swirl started, as she began to circle around them, similar to how a predator circles around their prey before attacking. "Not to mention that anger," The other unicorn, Dewdrop Dazzle taunted. "And her mental state, I mean, she should be examined for how much she spends in her head, don't you think?" Sweetie Swirl sneered, tilting her head at her two victims. "..." Plumsweet's head was lowered, and a dark expression was slowly creeping up on her face as she heard the insults being thrown at her. "It's a shame," Dewdrop Dazzle began. "Really is, it's a wonder how her sister and mother put up with her..." Sweetie Swirl gave out a cruel laugh as she and Dewdrop Dazzle walked away. "...." Bitta Luck only glared at the two unicorn mares. She reached out to Plumsweet, whose expression had not changed for that entire time, "It's best to just ignore them, Plumsweet. They don't know you well enough to make those claims." She explained. 'Well, it's true." Plumsweet responded, her voice was heard cracking, 'It is true that there's something wrong with me..." She began, tears starting to form. "But they'll never understand..." Plumsweet sighed as she got up, "I think we should head home," Plumsweet stated, noticing how the sun was almost about to set. Bitta Luck nodded, before she hugged Plumsweet. Plumsweet hugged her back, and they both went their seperate ways. Plumsweet arrived home not shortly after, but was surprised to find the dining room empty with minimal lighting. It wasn't unusual for both Fizzypop and Diamond Rose to be gone from the house, and they at least let her know. Plumsweet was about to head into her room, until she heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. She flinched and turned her attention to the noise; what could possibly be inside their house right now? She was just going to book it upstairs, until the noise became increasingly louder, and it almost sounded like somepony crying. Plumsweet's anxiety turned to bewilderment as she approached the source, the crying coming from inside of a cabinet. She hesitated opening it, and her curiosity got the best of her, and flung the cabinet door open. "...Diamond Rose??" She gawked. Indeed it was Diamond Rose inside their kitchen cabinet, who was all shaken up. "P-Plumsweet,,,?" She asked. "Uh huh, it's me," Plumsweet answered, "...What are you doing in the kitchen cabinet?" She asked. "....T...T....They... they took..." The shaken Pegasus mare started. "What?" Plumsweet asked, not being able to understand her. "They.... took...." Diamond Rose started again, tears flowing down her face. 'They took who?" The white earth mare asked again, in hopes of getting a clear answer. "...They took Mom away.... the guards did...." Diamond Rose finally said. Plumsweet felt her heart stop. "What?" "These guards took Mom away, and these guards were different. They weren't working for Princess Sterling and Princess Gold Lily..." Diamond Rose explained. "Well, who would they be working for?" Plumsweet inquired, getting a bit annoyed with these vague answers. "Queen Majesty." Diamond Rose answered, as a chill went down Plumsweet's spine.