//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Letting her mane down // by Valtyra //------------------------------// Twilight opened the door to Sugarcube Corner, its unoiled hinges squeaking slightly as she pushed. Various noises could be heard, most of them she could make out even before she saw what was making them, such as Rainbow Dash exaggerating her flying tricks to Scootaloo, or Rarity talking to Fluttershy about her the new ideas she, “just had to make.” Twilight trotted up to the counter and looked about, the delectable treats making her mouth water. Suddenly, a pink blur appeared in front of her, blocking her vision, “Twilight!” “Ahh,” Twi jumped back, “Pinkie Pie, what have I told you about doing that.” She scolded. “Sorry...,” Pinkie replied, “ But anyway, what news do you have for me?” “How did you...” Twilight scrunched her muzzle up in confusion before rolling her eyes, “Let me guess, your Pinkie sense told you?” “Yeperoony, I had a twitch, a shake and a bounce,” Pinkie went through the motions, “That told me you were coming to speak to me about something important.” Pinkie bounced up and down in front of Twilight, making her dizzy. Twilight shook her head and sighed, “Yes, Princess Luna sent me a letter asking for you to go to Canterlot. It seemed urgent, so I came straight over.” She levitated the letter out of her saddlebag and over to Pinkie. Pinkie took the letter and read over it, flipping it upside down and around to make sure she didn’t miss anything, “Well, if it’s the Princess, who am I to refuse.” Pinkie grinned, her whole body shaking, “Wow, I guess this is a doozie.” “Do you know what it means?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow. “Nope, but I should catch a train if it’s a doozie.” Pinkie replied. --- Pinkie Pie arrived at the castle well into the afternoon, the stars were starting to awaken from their daytime sleep, signalling Princess Luna’s time to rise. Thankfully Pinkie, being Pinkie, is always full of energy, meaning that she easily made the journey without getting tired. She trotted into the Castle’s throne room, her hoofsteps clicking on the marble floor and echoing in the large room. “Pinkie Pie, how nice to see you!” Princess Luna shouted from high up on her throne. She unfurled her wings and jumped, floating down to meet Pinkie in the middle of the room. Pinkie immediately bowed, causing Luna to roll her eyes, “Please, one of my six saviours need not bow,” Pinkie rose and nodded “I trust you had an uneventful journey?” Luna asked, looking down at Pinkie. Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes and bounced on the spot, “Duh, It’s a train from Ponyville, nothing exciting ever happens on it.” She started spinning while bouncing, “It’s just soo boring, being cooped up in the cart for so long...” Luna’s smile grew, this was the Pinkie she was hoping would arrive. “So, I’m sure you would like to know why I have summoned you?” Pinkie nodded and stopped moving about,looking up at her princess,“Uhhuh.” “Well, My sister has been working so hard lately and hardly ever has time to relax and simply take some time out for herself. Thus, I knew I had to get someone fun to help her with that.” “So... you chose me, to help your sister...” Luna grinned, “Obviously, who else would I call than the element of laughter?” Pinkie’s smile widened, “Clever girl...” --- Luna pushed open the door to Celestia’s chambers ever so slowly, taking care not to make any sound. She motioned for Pinkie to move closer to look through the crack in the doors, “See, this is what she does every night, she barely sleeps.” Pinkie’s eyes widened at what she saw. Celestia was sitting at her desk, writing on multiple parchments and documents, mumbling to herself about tax returns. Pinkie turned around, face to face with Luna and whispered, “I’ve seen cases like this before, I can do this.” She stood up straight and put on a determined face, “Don’t worry, Twilight’s studied me and found out that sixty percent of the time, I work every time.” Luna stared at her, shook her head and sighed, “Alright, I trust you... I think?” She backed up, “I hope you can get her to relax, I’ll be in the throne room. Come and see me when you’re finished.” Pinkie grinned, nodded and saluted, “Understood cap’n.” Luna turned and trotted off at an unusually fast pace, as she rounded the corner, Pinkie turned around and faced the door, this would be her biggest challenge ever.