//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A Cordial Invitation from Lord and Lady Pie // Story: The Curious Case of the Party at Pie Manor // by Diamondburn //------------------------------// Well, here goes nothing ;) My first real effort at an MLP fanfiction. Hope you won't be turned off by its admittedly wordy first chapter. It's not easy writing for six ponies without dragging out the introductions a bit ;P It'll start to heat up soon, I promise ;) Without further ado... I give you... *drumroll* The Curious Case of the Party at Pie Manor Chapter 1: A Cordial Invitation from Lord and Lady Pie Twilight Sparkle was startled by the firm knock on the door. It was still early yet and she had only just finished cleaning up after breakfast. She couldn't help but wonder who could be visiting at this time of day. When she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of a uniformed mailcolt complete with a mailbag bursting with undelivered letters staring intently at the flowers hanging beside the door. He eased in to smell them curiously before locking eyes with her, a look of guilt spreading on his face. He quickly stood at attention, nervously staring into the distance before reaching into his bag and catching a black and gold envelope between his teeth, pulling it out. "Uh, Ms. Twilight Sparkle?" He mumbled, offering the letter to her. She took it hesitantly with her magic and raised an eyebrow, looking at the flustered young pony. "Yes, that's me," she said, examining the letter. Seeing that Twilight's attention was more focused on the letter than on himself, the colt let out a deep breath and stood at ease. "I've been asked to personally deliver to you an invitation to the Biannual Ball at Pie Manor." "Pie Manor?" Twilight thought out loud, now even more curious. She couldn't help picture a pink mansion filled to the ceiling with balloons and streamers, a record player in every corner of the house blasting party music. She shook away the daydream and looked back at the young mailcolt. "What's the Biannual Ball?" "Uh, that's really all the information they gave me," he said, the look of guilt returning to his face. He straightened his bag on his shoulder and looked away again. "So now that you've gotten it I suppose I can be on my way... Mondays being busy and all..." Twilight forced a smile, though her mind was still buzzing with questions. "Oh, of course! Thank you!" The pony looked back at Twilight and blinked, as though waiting for something. She mumbled uncomfortably. "Um... is there anything else..?" The mailcolt cleared his throat indicatively before blinking again. Twilight rolled her eyes and grumbled a bit. "I don't have any change..." The mailcolt breathed out frustratedly through his nostrils and turned to leave. She sighed. "Fine... Here," she said, using her magic to pluck several flowers from the pot hanging beside her, offering them to the colt, who perked up immediately at the sight. "Sweet, thanks!" he said, wasting no time in chomping the flowers out of the air, speaking happily with his mouth full. "I've been hungry all morning!" With that, the young mailcolt turned and left, no doubt to deliver a multitude of letters all over Ponyville, and Twilight went back inside the house, closing the door behind her before opening the envelope, slowly letting the letter slip out from inside it. "Oooh, what's that??" Spike said, eying the elegant letter curiously as he hurried down the stairs. "It's an... invitation," she said, starting to read the golden print. The black paper shined brilliantly in the morning light. "An invitation? To what??" Spike, wide-eyed, rushed over to Twilight's side and stood on the tips of his toes, nibbling unknowingly on the ends of his claws while trying to sneak a peak at the letter as she unfolded it. She glared annoyed at Spike, who chuckled innocently and took a generous step aside, before clearing her throat to read the letter aloud. "Ehem. Dear Miss Twilight Sparkle." "Haha, pfffff, 'Miss'..." Spike chuckled, before biting his lip after catching another glare from Twilight. "Dear Miss Twilight Sparkle. Lord and Lady Periwinkle and Peach Pie would like to cordially invite you to the Biannual Ball, an illustrious and elegant gathering of Equestria's elite and our dearest friends, to be held this Thursday evening through Sunday at Pie Manor. You are encouraged to bring one guest, as well as any effects you may need to last you through the weekend. We will provide full course meals every morning, noon, and night, as well as individual suites for all attendees. This year's theme will be revealed at the ball itself, but please dress your best as this is a formal event. Should you be interested in attending, a train will arrive in Ponyville station at precisely nine-thirty in the morning on Thursday to take you directly to the venue. "We hope to see you in attendance and wish you a safe journey!" "Signed, Lord and Lady Pie." By now, Spike's eyes were gleaming with excitement. He could hardly wait for Twilight to stop reading before bursting out ecstatically. "Wow!" he said, grinning, "the Biannual Ball! Sounds fancy, not to mention fun!!" He tried to shake himself out of it and shrugged plainly, feigning disinterest. "I mean, you know, if you're into that stuff." Twilight couldn't help but giggle. "Wow," she said, slipping the letter back in its envelope. "It does sound fancy. I just wonder why we were even invited..." "Isn't it obvious??" Spike piped in again. "Lord and Lady Pie... They have to be related to Pinkie!" He smiled proudly. "She probably put in a good word for us!" "Hmm... I suppose that's possible," she said pensively, "but before we make any plans, let's see if anypony else was invited." Spike groaned. "Awww, c'mon, Twilight! We're gonna go, right??" Twilight giggled again, smirking. "I thought you didn't want to go," she said teasingly, pulling on her shoulderbag and slipping the invitation inside, "besides... who said you were going to be my plus one..?" With that she opened the door and trotted out confidently, still smirking. Spike hurried after her, closing the door behind him. "Ha-ha, very funny, Twilight... But seriously, we're gonna go, right??" ---- "I can't believe we've all been invited to the Biannual Ball!!" Rarity squealed in delight as she started sewing together a new set of dresses, watching the elegant fabric through her work glasses. Apparently the other ponies had the same idea that Twilight did, and they all -- save for Pinkie Pie, who was nowhere to be found -- huddled together inside Carousel Boutique, waiting for the high society pony to shed some light on the situation. "Um..." Twilight started, "what exactly is the Biannual Ball?" Rarity stopped working and looked at her with her mouth agape. "What is the Biannual Ball??" Rarity's shock faded away as her eyes glossed over in fantasy. "Why, it's only the most exclusive, elegant, and elite gathering of all of Equestria's finest ponies! Anypony who's somepony will be there, and it's the only gathering in Equestria that could rival the Grand Galloping Gala in sheer glamor and clout, except that the Biannual Ball is far more exclusive and it only happens once every two years! I've always dreamed of attending, and... squee! Now I am!!" She hurried back to work, once again ignoring the group of ponies standing cluelessly around her. "Sounds like a pretty big deal..." mumbled Twilight nervously. As though on cue, Pinkie Pie burst into the shop, trying to catch her breath as the other five ponies looked at her, surprised. "I. Have. Been. Looking. Everywhere for you guys!!" She rushed over and looked around. "Did you get your invitations??" "To the ball?" Applejack said, nodding. "Yup, sounds like we all got one." Pinkie Pie perked up, hopping in place delightedly, apparently forgetting that she had just been out of breath. "Yay!" she said, her voice bouncing with each hop. "I can't wait! This is going to be so much fun!!" Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie curiously. "Pinkie, do you know Lord and Lady Pie?" "Well, of course I do!" Pinkie declared, smiling brightly. "They're only my auntie and uncle! I used to love visiting my uncle Periwinkle when I was a filly. Periwinkle. Isn't that just the funniest name?? It always made me think of Peary Wrinkle, like a wrinkly pear? And then I always wondered, 'who would want to be named after a rotten fruit??' But, then again, I guess no one really gets to choose their own name... Unless they were a really smart baby or something..." By now, the other ponies had tuned out Pinkie Pie's signature rambling. "Aunt and uncle, huh?" Twilight said. "Well, that would explain why we were all invited..." "Who knew Pinkie Pie had such rich and famous relatives?" Rainbow Dash added, surprised. "I'm... still not sure about this..." Twilight mumbled hesitantly. "After what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala, I'm not sure I need another fancy party to ruin..." "Oh my gosh!" Pinkie Pie shouted, ignoring Twilight and remembering why she got excited in the first place. "You guys finally get to come with me to the Biannual Ball! This is so exciting!! Now this will be a party to remember!" Rarity delighted in finally having someone that was just as excited as she was. She sprung to Pinkie Pie's side and pressed her cheek against hers, looking blissfully into the distance as she spoke dreamingly. "Won't it be, though..? Think of all of the sophisticated ponies... All of the handsome stallions and beautiful mares... All their eyes will be on us! And they will know how truly captivating six ponies from our quaint Ponyville can be..." "Whoa, now," Applejack interrupted, stepping closer. "I'm sorry, girls, but I'ma have to side with Twilight on this one. I've never been one fer those fancy-type get-togethers, so I think I'ma sit this one out..." "Yeah, same here," Rainbow Dash agreed. "Dressing up all fancy just to spend a few days with a bunch of uptight ponies doesn't exactly sound like a good time..." "Um, yes..." Fluttershy peeped, barely audible. "I, um... don't do well with crowds..." Rarity, Pinkie Pie and even Spike all stared back, heartbroken. "You guys have to go!" Pinkie Pie begged, looking at the others. "I promise it'll be worth it!" She turned her attention to Rainbow Dash. "Every year the Wonderbolts are invited, and since the Biannual Ball is lots more exclusive than the Grand Galloping Gala was, you can have a lot more one-on-one time with them!" Rainbow couldn't help but smile longingly at the thought. "And, Applejack," she said, turning to the blonde maned pony, "there are always tons of rich ponies there every year. If you bring some tasty samples with you, I know there are lots of ponies that would be happy to donate to Sweet Apple Acres. Just consider this a big fundraiser!" Applejack, too, perked up a bit, letting the corner of her mouth curl into a smile. "And my uncle and auntie have tons of exotic pets for you to meet, Fluttershy. Critters that I bet you've never even seen before!" Now Fluttershy, too, looked on in subtle excitement. "Not to mention the heeeuuuuge library that's there just waiting for you, Twilight." The purple pony widened her eyes, imagining seeing it for herself. Pinkie pleaded one last time, her eyes extra glossy in the light of the room. "Please come with me to the ball..? It would be extra special if my best friends were there... And I promise that if it doesn't turn out as amazing as you all hoped, I'll never ever ever ask you to go again." She crossed her heart with a hoof and pressed it gently against her eye. "Pinkie promise." Twilight looked at the other ponies before looking back at Pinkie, smiling. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that... If it's that important to you, Pinkie, of course we'll all go." "Yeah, you done convinced me!" Applejack said, smiling brightly. "A weekend with the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow Dash said, grinning smugly. "How could I pass up an offer like that??" "Oh my," Fluttershy said, smiling shyly as they looked at her. "New animal friends for me to meet..? Gosh, I'm so excited... I could just.. Fly to the mountaintops!" She hopped a few inches off the ground and flapped her wings, hovering for a few seconds before settling down to the ground again. Everypony in the room couldn't help but laugh; even Fluttershy giggled as her cheeks turned a rosy red. "Yippeee!" Pinkie Pie shouted, hopping up and down again. "This is going to be awesome! I can barely wait!" Pinkie stopped in mid-hop and looked around. "Wait... If you guys are going to come, shouldn't you start getting ready? I mean, we've only got three days until we have to leave!" "Pinkie's right!" Rarity declared, turning to her work again. "By the way Rarity," Twilight said curiously, "what is it that you're working on so... obsessively..?" "Why, our dresses for the ball, of course! You didn't think I was going to let you all go without a beautiful, eye-catching dress, now did you? Did you even read the invitation?" "Well, why don't we just wear our dresses you made us for the Grand Galloping Gala?" asked Twilight. "Those things??" Rarity said almost in disgust. "Those are so last year. We need something fresh! Something new!" She got up and began gathering her supplies, using her magic to carry bundles of fabric and stretches of thread. "Now, if you'll all be dears, I'm going to need as much time as I can get if I'm going to finish these in time." "Okay, okay, we get the hint," Twilight said, making her way to the door. "Come on, Spike, we've got some packing and list-making to do." "Awesome!" Spike said happily, hopping onto Twilight's back as they left. "See you ponies soon!" Twilight called. "I better get goin' too," said Applejack, following suit. "I better get some extra buckin' in if I'm gonna take the weekend off. See y'all soon!" "And I'm gonna go practice my moves for when I get to show them off to the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow added before dashing out of the boutique. "Oh goodness," Fluttershy squeaked. "I need to make sure to gather up plenty of food for my little friends to eat while I'm gone..." And with that, Fluttershy left, quiet as a mouse. An awkward silence fell upon Pinkie Pie and Rarity, the last inside the shop. "I've already been packed for weeks!" Pinkie said proudly. "So I can spend all day helping you out!" Rarity faked a smile and looked up, desperately searching for an excuse. "Wh-why thank you, Pinkie! That's very sweet of you... But... Don't you have... dance... moves... to work on..? You know, for... The... inevitable dancing contest they'll have at the ball..?" Pinkie Pie widened her eyes. "Oh my gosh!" she shouted before hopping her way to the door. "You're right! I almost forgot! Thanks for reminding me, Rarity! Sorry I couldn't help, but I know you'll do a great job even without me! See you soon!" Everypony went on their way, trying to hide their excitement for the illustrious yet mysterious gathering that awaited them. ---- Twilight stood and glanced at the clock at the Ponyville Train Station nervously every few seconds, carrying large bags on both sides, one for her, and the other for Spike. She tried not to let her anxiety show while she waited with Spike on the platform. "Ohhh," she said, tapping her hooves on the wooden floor nervously as the clock struck 9:29. "Where could they be??" Spike shoved his hand into a bag of potato chips he picked up from the convenience store as a travel snack and tossed a handful into his mouth, chomping on them contently. "Beats me," he said, his voice muffled by the fragments of chips filling his mouth. "They're probably just running a bit late, Twilight. Relax a little..." Twilight tapped her hooves more. "Relax??" she grunted anxiously, "a little late?? The train's supposed to be here in less than a minute and there's no sign of th--" Twilight was cut off by Rarity's boisterous voice, and she and Spike turned to look at the white pony as she trotted toward them, followed by a troupe of colts carrying her pink luggage obediently. "Ah, so we're not too late!" Rarity stood beside Twilight and gave her mane a quick shake, letting her curls bounce weightlessly, before eying the colts. "Thank you, boys," she said as they set her numerous bags and cases on the platform. She batted her eyelashes. "That will be all." "No problem, Rarity!" One said before smiling and walking off. "Yeah, any time!" said another before walking away with the rest. Rarity let out a sigh. "Who would've thought this would be so much work??" asked Rarity rhetorically. Twilight tried not to roll her eyes, but gave in, managing to catch herself before Rarity noticed. "Do you... really need all of that?" Twilight asked, looking at the bags warily. "Why of course I do!" Rarity defended. "I only took the sheer necessities!" After getting a judgmental glance from the others, she turned her snout up coyly. "What can I say? A lady deserves to be pampered." Twilight bit her tongue to keep herself from saying any more on the subject. "So," she started casually, "do you know where the others are? The train should be getting here any second..." "I'm afraid I don't know," said Rarity, looking around the platform as though just noticing that they were the only ones there. "Perhaps they're just running a bit late..?" Spike smirked at Twilight in a 'told-you-so' manner as he slipped another chip into his mouth. Twilight scoffed inwardly and went back to tapping her hoof nervously. "Hold on y'all!" "Yeah, wait fer us!!" The three of them turned to face the loud voices and even louder sound of thundering hoofsteps as a group of ponies hurried toward them. Applejack and Apple Bloom took the front, while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew close by. Pinkie Pie trailed behind them, hopping carelessly and happily. They all stopped in front of Twilight, Rarity and Spike, smiling proudly while they tried to catch their breath. "Told you we weren't gonna be late!" Rainbow Dash said confidently before settling down on the platform along with Fluttershy. "So you're coming too, huh, Apple Bloom?" Spike asked, trying not to smile too much. He was secretly happy he wasn't going to be the only young one there. "Sure am!" she answered delightedly. "Big sis offered her guest ticket to me, and I took it in a heartbeat!" Rarity gasped. "B-but! I'm afraid I only made dresses for the six of us! Whatever will you wear?" "Oh, don't worry, Rarity," Apple Bloom said passively, "AJ let me borrow one of her old dresses from when she was a filly. I'm sure it'll be plenty fancy for the party." Rarity nodded hesitantly. "Alright... If you... say so..." "Speaking of..." Twilight said, looking at the group. "Who did the rest of you bring as guests?" "I didn't bring anyone," Rainbow Dash asserted. "I don't need anyone distracting me from the Wonderbolts!" "Um... I didn't either," Fluttershy added quietly. "I just couldn't decide between all of my animal friends..." "I brought Gummy!" Pinkie Pie said, turning her head to the side to reveal a baby alligator latched on to her mane with his toothless jaws. "What about you, Rarity?" Twilight asked. Rarity was fussing with her mane, barely bothering to look at the others. "Well, I did give it a fair bit of thought," she said, "but I couldn't think of anypony with whom I wanted to attend the ball, so I just reserved my extra room for all of my bags and luggage. Besides, it will make an excellent dressing room." Spike sighed inwardly in relief and smiled to himself. He knew how jealous he would've been of Rarity's date. Her eyes brightened suddenly. "And who knows?? Maybe I'll even meet my very own Prince Charming there? This could only be destiny!..." The others collectively rolled their eyes, each one thinking 'oh, great, here we go again,' though Rarity didn't seem to notice. She was, however, startled out of her daydream by the blaring whistle of the incoming train, heaving its way toward the platform. Even louder was the scraping of the wheels against the tracks as its brakes were engaged. Everyone on the platform perked up happily, once again filled with excitement. "It's finally here!" Twilight said, making sure her bags were strapped tightly to her shoulders as she trotted to the nearest entrance onto the train. Rarity did the same, stepping gracefully past her bags, calling behind her. "If you could all be so kind as to lend a hoof..? Thank you kindly..." The others grunted a bit before slinging Rarity's bags and cases on top of their own, hauling the load to the train, but were all soon beaming with excitement again under the weight of the luggage. "I'm so excited!" Apple Bloom said happily. "I gotta say," Applejack replied, "I am too! They managed to lift all of their luggage, except a particularly large case that Rarity insisted on bringing with her onboard, into the storage compartment of the train. Once the bags had been safely packed, they all hopped excitedly onto the train as invited by a uniformed usher. "Right this way ladies," he said, grinning at the ponies. Spike huffed, annoyed, and followed Twilight. Even the train seemed bigger and more amazing than any they had ever been on, yet everywhere they looked, elegantly-clad ponies sipped wine and ate off of silver plates. It didn't take long for the Ponyville group to be humbled. "Wow!" Pinkie Pie said ecstatically. "So many fancy ponies!" "You can say that again," Twilight mumbled uncomfortably. The usher, picking up on their uneasiness, offered a bit of solace. "This is the dining car," he said, smiling. "We have a full menu to choose from should you ever get hungry on the journey. It will be a long one, I'm afraid." He gestured to the back door of the car with a hoof. "The private Ponyville car is just three cars down. It should be more than large enough to accompany you all, with plenty of space to spare." The ponies smiled at the usher and nodded their thanks before awkwardly making their way down the aisle of the crowded, noisy dining car. "E-excuse me, miss." "Pard'n us. Comin' through." "Umm... If I could just, maybe... squeeze through, if it's alright..." "Hey, watch it! I'm tryin' to walk over here!" "Oooh! That looks yummy! Twilight! Hey, Twilight! Look at what that guy's eating! We should get some of that!!" "Pinkie, my dear, please, not so loud... We're trying to represent Ponyville with grace and elegance, remember..?" "Ooops, sorry!" Two full cars and about a hundred apologies later, the ponies, as well as Spike and Gummy, were all slumped down lazily in the Ponyville car's admittedly comfortable seats. Rarity had even gone so far as to pull out her seat into a relatively large bed, sprawling herself out on it, her case comfortably next to her. The other ponies opened the curtains and looked out the windows. Just then, the train's booming whistle sounded, and they could just barely make out the shouts of the conductor. "All aboaaaaaard!!" Several ponies hurried onto the train, though Twilight and the other ponies weren't able to recognize them. Perhaps they had just gotten off to stretch their legs. It wasn't long after that when the train shifted forward abruptly before starting to heave itself along the tracks again, the whistle blowing once more. Even Rarity sat up to look out the window with the other ponies. "Oh my gooooossshhh!" Pinkie Pie shouted before wrapping her arms around the two ponies closest to her, which happened to be Twilight and Fluttershy. "This is so exciting!! This. Is. Going. To. Be. AWESOME!!!" Twilight chuckled and let her, staring out the window as the train started moving. "You know what, Pinkie? I think you're right... This is going to be awesome." The hulking train finally caught a rhythm and was flowing smoothly along the rusty tracks. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and even Apple Bloom and Spike let their minds quietly daydream, and tried to piece together what exactly might be in store for the quaint little group from Ponyville.