//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Balloons and Diamonds // by HurricaneSplash //------------------------------// Drip. Drip. Drip. Tears could sometimes be funny. They were so random at times. They can be from laughter, happiness, and even pain. But usually sadness. Sadness was not fun at all. Not for Pinkie Pie. Rarity rushed to her home, the Carousel Boutique. She had to get ready. She had gotten an invitation from Pinkie Pie to come to Sugarcube Corner, and she would never dream of missing a party by one of her best friends, especially Pinkie Pie. Parties were great, but Pinkie's parties were on a whole new level. When she finally got inside, she gasped in horror. "Sweetie Belle! What have you DONE!" The entire boutique was covered from ceiling to floor in glue. A very nervous Sweetie Belle was sitting in the midst of it all. "Um, well, you see, sis, we were trying to get our cutie marks in paper mâché, but–" "Nonononono! What-wha- MY DRESSES! You've ruined each and every one of them! EVERY LAST ONE!" Sweetie Belle, in the middle of Rarity's panic attack, had snuck out of the boutique, leaving Rarity to 'wallow in pity.' "Oh my... I suppose I'll have to miss Pinkie's party to clean all of this up... Well, I'm sure she'll understand." Sighing in resignation, Rarity went to get her mop. Pinkie diligently waited by the door, her friends all looking at her with concern. "Sugarcube, wha aren't ya enjoyin' yer party?" asked Applejack. "I'm waiting." Pinkie replied. "For what? Rarity hasn't shown up after an HOUR, there's no way she's coming!" snorted Rainbow Dash. "I'm waiting." Pinkie replied. "O-oh, Pinkie, I-I'm sure she, um, has a good reason. She loves your parties. I-I mean, if that's okay with you..." Fluttershy whispered. "I'm waiting." Pinkie replied. "Pinkie Pie, please?!", begged Twilight. "I'm sure she's just running late, maybe, um, Opal is sick? I don't know where she is, but it's not healthy to sit on the floor for that long. Your circulation to your legs will get cut off and–" "Okay, that's it! Pinkie if you don't get up by the next ten minutes, then we're all leaving." exclaimed Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie broke down in tears. "I-I'm s-so sorry! B-but I can't just have f-fun without her! It-it's just... Ugh!" "Pinkie Pie, we're your friends. You can tell us anything." Twilight said gently. Rainbow Dash went over and gave her a hug. "Pinkie, I'm sorry for yelling at you like that, but Rarity wouldn't want you to just sit there waiting." "But Dashie, Rarity said that a gentlecolt always waits!" Twilight laughed. "But Pinkie, you're not a gentlecolt!" Rainbow Dash had an odd look on her face. "Girls, can you... Wait outside for a moment?" Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Whut for sugarcube?" "Pinkie and I just need to talk for a moment." Rainbow replied nervously. "Um, sure thing Rainbow," said Twilight, "Just tell us when you're finished." "I will. Later girls." Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight left the room. Rainbow turned around to Pinkie Pie. "You like her, don't you?" "Ugh! Of all the bad things that could happen, this is THE WORST POSSIBLE THING!" Rarity's new dress had been ruined by the glue. Fluttershy walked in the front door. "Um, Rarity? I wanted to tell you– Oh! Are you busy? Oh my I am so sorry for interrupting I was just–" Rarity put on a forced smile. "Oh no darling, it's quite alright! What do you need?" Fluttershy gulped. "Well, you see, Pinkie Pie is kind of upset that you missed her party and she's–" Rarity gasped. "Huh?! Oh– Is she still there? Oh dear I hope she's alright; You see, Sweetie Belle had covered my boutique in glue and I was trying to clean it all up and then I found that my new dress was ruined and I was trying to fix–" "Rarity!" exclaimed Fluttershy, "Calm down! I think she's alright, just a bit upset." Without any further delays, Rarity teleported to Sugarcube Corner. "You like her, don't you?" Pinkie Pie froze in place. There was no way she liked Rarity. Only as a friend of course. Right? She thought of all of the times when she thought about her. How she had been visiting Carousel Boutique every day. Her eyes widened. How upset she had been when Rarity wasn't there. "Um, Dashie?" she said in a tiny voice, "I'm not really sure, but if I do you won't tell anypony, will you?" Rainbow Dash smiled gently at her. "Of course not Pinks. Not a word." "You Pinkie Promise?" "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Rainbow said, doing all the motions Suddenly there was a flash of light blue and Rarity popped out in front of them. "Oh my, I didn't miss the party Pinkie, did I?" "Rarity, you're here! I was so so soooo worried that something happened to you!" exclaimed Pinkie. Rarity grimaced. "Glue." "Okay then," piped up Rainbow Dash, "I'll go get the others. Later, guys!" Rainbow flew out of the room, winking at Pinkie Pie. "Soooo... Hey, want some cake?!" Pinkie cheerfully asked. Rarity smiled and went over to the table. She could clean up the Boutique later. Right now, she would enjoy some time with her friends.