Chapter Five: Star of Laughter
“Sirius, you can’t go. I won’t let you” said a silver mare with following golden mane, great with foal, as she broke down weeping.
“I must Andromeda.” The dark blue stallion pulled out a mahogany box out of his saddle bag and set it at the mares feet. “You must use them well.” The mare opened the box. Inside there where two swords. One glowed hot like it was newly forged. The other shown like the moon. as the mare looked up from her gift and saw the stallion leaving.
“Adieu, Fair sister. May fate be kind....”
Cobalt waked with a start.
“You OK Cobalt? Sounded like you where in trouble.” Twilight asked.
“I’m fine. Just a dream.” Cobalt got out of bed rubbing the back of his head. He’d obviously hit it against the headboard “I’m going out for a flight. Maybe maxing out my speed will clear my head.”
…......
Cobalt was flying along with his pet falcon Horus when he spotted a strange sight. It looked just like Pinkie Pie only... blue.
“Hey Horus, I’m going to land to check something out.” Cobalt said. The falcon seemed to nod it’s head and began to descend. Cobalt began to descend. It was indeed Pinkie she was sitting on the ground next to Sugar Cube Corner sniffling.
“Um, Pinkie.. Are you OK? You look blue literally.” Asked Cobalt. The blue mare exploded into a flurry of tears and indescribable whines.
“She’s been like this all day.” Said Mrs. Cake coming out of her store. ”Can’t get a single thing out of her.”
“Maybe we can help.” Sweetie Bell said coming along with her two friends.
“I’ll do what I can as well” Cobalt said.
“Thanks,” said Mrs. Cake “Pinkie is like a daughter to us.”
“Don’t sweat it Mrs. Cake.” Said Scootaloo “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“I sure hope so, the shop isn’t the same with out Pinkie.” Mrs. Cake looking at the sniffling Pinkie.
….......
“So, Blue Berry Pie...” Joked Cobalt. “Get it, Blue, Blue Berry.” Pinkie remained in the same dreary appearance. The fillies didn’t laugh either.
“Dude, your jokes suck.” Said Scootaloo brutally honest.
“Let’s see if you can do any better.” Said Cobalt
“Just a minute.” Said Scootaloo. She then went in her mothers shop. There was a banging and clashing of symbols from inside.
“What’s she doing?” Asked Cobalt.
“I don’t know” Said Apple Bloom
“Don’t look at me.” Said Sweetie Bell. Scootaloo then rolled out on a bass drum with a good part of a marching band strapped onto her body.
“How do... you like...this.” Scootaloo said in between blasts on a trombone, tuba, and a variety of other wind instruments.
“Impressive.” Cobalt said. Suddenly the blue mare’s tail started quivering
“Twitchy tail, hit the deck!” Shouted Sweetie bell dashing under a vegetable cart. Apple Bloom cowered under an awning. Cobalt stood out in the open very confused.
“What was thahhhhh.” Scootaloo rolled herself into a deep ditch. The crash of instruments and the crunch of wood could be heard.
“YOU OK SCOOT? THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT HURT.” Cobalt shouted.
“IT DID.” Scootaloo shouted back.
“DO YOU WANT ANY HELP?” Asked Cobalt.
“NA, I’M FINE.” She said pulling herself out of the rubble. Then began fluttering up the sides of the ditch.
“Yah can come out, Sweetie Bell. Scootaloo fell.” Apple Bloom said.
“Will some pony explain the twitchy tail thing to me?” Cobalt almost screamed.
“Well you see Pinkie can tell the future by several different things that happen to her body.” Explained Apple Bloom. “Twitchy tail is one of the most common. It means somethings going to fall.”
“Well she doesn’t look like she’s going to tell us if she feels anything soon. So I guess we’re on our own to guess the future.” Said Cobalt. Then Pinkie’s whole body started to shake.
“That can’t be good.” Scootaloo said.
….......
“That can’t be good.” Twilight said
“That’s what I said” Said Scootaloo. The blue mare trembled and sniffled.
“First of all this is really not like the Pinkie I know.” Said Twi “Second last time she shook like this there was a big flank hydra that showed up right outside Ponyville at frogy bottom bog.”
“Well that can’t be good.” Said Cobalt
“Why do we all keep saying tha?.” Said Sweetie Bell
“Ah don’t know.” Said Apple Bloom.
“Hey,.. Where’s Pinkie Pie?” Asked Scootaloo. They all looked all over but they couldn’t find the once pink mare.
…......
“If I was Pinkie Pie where would I be?” Cobalt asked himself as he paced on Twilight’s lawn.
“Oh, I know!” Exclaimed Sweetie Bell “Sugar Cube Corner.”
“Remember, Pinkie isn’t acting like her self.” Said Cobalt. “I guess this would qualify as a search and rescue mission. Now how long has it been since I been on one of those?” Cobalt looked into the distance like he was remembering something
“Cobalt, you OK?” Scootaloo asked
Cobalt snapped out of his daze“Yah, I’m fine. Hey do you think you could help me with with a fly over?”
“Fly over? Uh, that's a no go chief.” Scootaloo backed away nervously.
“Why?” Asked Cobalt “I thought most pegasi loved to fly.”
“‘Most’ is the keyword there.” Scootaloo said. “I guess I’m one of those rare cases like Fluttershy and Private Pansy. A pegasi coward who’s afraid of heights.” Scootaloo
turned her head away ashamed.
“You’re not coward Scootaloo” Cobalt comforted “I only know a couple ponies that are as brave as you. And they were always afraid of something. One of the most brave pegasi I knew was afraid of snakes”
“Who was that?” Scootaloo said coming out of her corner.
“I don’t know.” Cobalt said cheerfully smiling. “I’ll do the fly over with Horus. You can look for Pinkie on the ground with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell.” After that comment he took off.
“I see why you like him.” Scootaloo said to Sweetie Bell.
“Hooves off!” Snapped Sweetie Bell.
…......
The wind was running thought Cobalt’s hair. But he had no time to enjoy this gliding flight. He had to find Pinkie.
Who knows what the depressed mare might do to herself Cobalt thought to himself . When he spotted Pinkie the three fillies with her. He quickly landed next to his friends.
“We probably should have grabbed a couple walkie-talkies from The Doctor before we set out.” Scootaloo said.
“Walkie-whaties?” A confused Cobalt asked.
“Walkie-talkies. They’re these small devices you talk into and it makes your voice come out on a different one.” Explained Scootaloo. “The Doctor tried to explain it to me once and I didn’t get much past that.”
“Remind me to take a tour of his building sometime.” Cobalt said. There was a sound of carnival rides and squeals of delight from just outside the town. Cobalt flew up to get a better look.
“What is it?” Asked Apple Bloom.
“Looks like...” Cobalt eyes seemed to zoom in like a camera would “A traveling fair! Perfect!”
“I don’t see how the fair is going to help this.” Scootaloo said indicating to the shaking mare.
“If she gets out of her doldrums she might tell us what the shaking's about.” Cobalt landed again.
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” Said Apple Bloom.
“Second best was my plan to ask The Doctor to probe her mind right?” Asked Scootaloo
“If it comes down to that, we’ll use that for plan B.” Cobalt said. “But first we have a fair to go to.”
…......
“Five tickets, Please.” Sweetie Bell said said.
“Hurry up your getting heavy.” said Scootaloo with both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell on her shoulders.
“That will be ten bits.” Scootaloo pulled out her purse and tossed it up to Sweetie Bell.
“Tell me again why I had to be on the bottom.” Cobalt strained under the weight of all three fillies.
“‘Cus, your as strong as an ox.” Apple Bloom said.
“Here are your tickets.” The sea foam green pony behind the glass handed Sweetie Bell the tickets right as Cobalt’s legs gave out.
“Ahh!” the tower of young ponies collapsed.
“Being on the bottom really sucks.” Cobalt groaned. The tangled pile unraveled It self
“That’s what she said” came a very familiar voice.
“Oh, Reese... how long have you been there.” Asked Cobalt.
“Long enough.” Reese walked up to the ticket counter. “One ticket, Lyra. Five tickets? whose the fifth?”
“Pinkie Pie.” Said Cobalt.
“That is not surprising. That mare loves fun. Thanks Lyra.” Reese Said taking his ticket.
“Your welcome Reese.” Lyra giggled
“Well you see...” Sweetie Bell started
“Pinkie’s not really acting like herself lately.” Scootaloo interrupted.
“In what way?” Asked Reese.
“Well she’s...” Sweetie Bell started again.
“Blue.” Scootaloo finished again.
“Blue? As in emotionally or literally?” Asked Reese.
“Um, well...” Sweetie Bell started again
“Both” Scootaloo said.
“STOP DOING THAT!” Sweetie Bell snapped angrily.
“Plus her pinkie sense is making her shake like crazy.” Apple Bloom said.
“That can’t be good.” Reese said a bit worriedly.
“HA! I knew you would say that.” Cobalt pridefully.
“Spare me the gloating.” Reese said. “I get enough of it at home ever since Trixie moved in.”
“Gotcha, no gloating.” Said Cobalt taking a mental note. “Shall we go in?” Cobalt indicated towards the gate.
“Might as well. We did buy tickets.” Reese said. “Come along Pinkie.” Pinkie did walk with them but she kept her head down and was absolutely silent.
“So... What do you want to do first, Cobalt.” asked Sweetie Bell
“I don’t know can’t remember going to a fair before.” He said.
“Then how come you knew exactly what it was.” Asked Scootaloo.
“Well remember a couple weeks ago when I was sick?” Cobalt started “Well I basically spent all my time reading about every possible subject in that library. That's how I found out about fairs.”
Reese stomach growled. “Well I don’t know ‘bout you guys but I’m hungry!” He stated loudly. “Do they still have the place with deep fried everything?”
Cobalt cocked his head. “Deep fried?” Reese and the fillies looked at Cobalt with shock.
“I thought you read about every subject, man.” Reese said
“Well most subjects.” Cobalt explained meekly
“Well I can’t really explain the glorious process which is deep frying.” Reese started. “But all you need to know it makes foods 20% tastier.”
“Hey, Reese.” Scootaloo started.
“Yeah, Scoot?” Reese said back while he was looking up at a directory
“Um... Where’s Trixie.” She asked.
“Oh, she said something about taking a stroll and that she’d meet up with me later.” Reese said.
“Okay, that’s cool.” Said Scootaloo.
“Oh look a pony dunking booth.” Sweetie Bell squealed excitedly.
“Wait for me Sweetie Bell.” Cobalt yelled. He cantered over to the white filly
“Young love is as a seed underneath the winter’s blanket of snow. Not yet visible, but there. It will soon blossom into a beautiful flower.” Reese said so that the other two fillies did not hear. Then he also made his way towards the game along with Pinkie and the two fillies.
“Step right up and win this giant stuffed teddy bear.” A stallion in a red and white striped shirt with an megaphone cutie mark called out. Sweetie Bell and Cobalt slid right up to the rig.
“You there, Young alicorn with the fantastic mane.” The barker said loudly
“I know right.” Sweetie Bell snuggled up to Cobalt without thinking. This made Cobalt a bit uncomfortable. But he didn’t want to appear rude so he didn’t say anything.
“How would you like to win a stuffed bear for the little filly?” The barker continued. “four balls for one bit.”
“Sure why not.” Cobalt said pulling out a few coins from the money Twilight gave him. He flip one to the barker. He in turn rolled a ball to Cobalt.
“Now the object of this game is to hit the bulls-eye and dunk my beautiful assistance over there.” A cross eyed pegasus mare sat on what appeared to be a diving board above a tank of water smiled an waved happily ignorant of there imminent soaking. “You can’t cross this line.” He pointed a hoof towards a white line in the grass. “And no using magic. Good luck.”
Cobalt picked the ball up in his mouth and tossed it to wards the target. It hit the bulls-eye strait on. But the derp eyed mare still sat on her perch happily smiling an waving.
“Tough luck kid want to try again?” Asked the barker in a laid back manner.
“I don’t see why not.” Said Cobalt through clenched teeth. He flip another coin the barker’s way and picked up the ball again. This time he picked the ball up in his hoof and tossed it towards the target with greater speed and power. It again hit the bulls-eye dead on. But still no splash.
“Are you going to hit the target or what?” Asked the barker.
“It hit the bulls eye dead on!!!” Protested Cobalt.
“Well obviously it didn’t.” The barked returned
“Come on Cobalt don’t waste your bits on this rigged game.” Reese said tyring to pull the colt away.
“One more time!” Cobalt almost yelled. He gave the barker his coin and picked the ball.l with his hoof. But this time reared up on his hind legs and spun his arm so quickly that it looked like a blue disk on the end of his shoulder. When he released the ball it speed towards the target so quickly It caught fire on it way. When it hit the target the diving broad finally dumped Derpy in the tank.
The barker was in awe. Nopony had ever bested his carnival game before. He handed over the giant bear to Cobalt.
“Here you go Sweetie Bell.” said Cobalt setting the stuffed animal by her
“I have no idea how to get this home.” Said Sweetie Bell.
“You have my mom’s saddle bag with you right?” Scootaloo asked
“Of course.” Sweetie Bell said.
“Well open it up.” Replied Scootaloo. Sweetie Bell did as she was told.
“Cobalt, Help me stuff this over-sized toy into the bag. Cobalt was able to to fit the head in the saddle bag but that was it. Scootaloo the fluttered up and started jumping up and down on the bears plush backside. Slowly but surely the bear went in.
“Oh, that’s what you meant when they where bigger on the inside.” Apple Bloom said.
“Well that solves that prob-ahh.” Reese was tackled by a wolf that looked like the sky on a clear night.
“A Cains!” Cobalt said excitedly. “My sister had one of those as a pet.”
“WELL I’M GLAD YOU REMEMBER THAT BUT I’M KINDA GETTING MAULED HERE!” Reese shouted while trying get the panting Cains off this stomach.
“NO, Bad Cains, That is no way to treat your new master.” Trixie scolded the sparkling beast. The Cains whimpered then hopped off Reese.
“What was that for” Reese said brushing himself off.
“I’m so sorry Spir.” Apologized Trixie. “He’s only a Cains Minor, and needs some obedience training.”
“Is he yours?” Asked Reese.
“Well no, not really. But I was hoping he could be yours.” The Cains looked at Reese wagging his tail and panting.
“How do you like the name Balto?” Reese asked the Cains. The Cains barked happily.
“D’awww come here you big lug.” Reese said scratching his new pet behind the ear. Suddenly Pinkie broke out into tears and whining.
“What’s wrong with her.” asked Trixie.
“I don’t know.” Cobalt said shrugging his shoulders. “She’s been acting like this acting like this all day.”
Reese’s stomach growled. “Excuse me while I get some food.”
“I’ll go with you.” Cobalt said. His own stomach was growling.
Once they where out of earshot Apple Bloom asked. “So, Trixie I can’t help but notice you call Resilient Spirit Spir instead of Reese.”
“Yeah, You like him or something?” Scootaloo added.
“NO!” Trixie protested “The great and powerful Trixie doesn’t call ponies by their usual nick names... What would be a nickname for Scootaloo besides Scoot?” Asked Trixie
“Chicken?” Suggested Apple Bloom
“You know I don’t like that nickname!” Scootaloo shouted
“Sorry Scootaloo but it’s really caught on.” Apple Bloom said.
“I’ve got deep fired cheese cake.” Said Reese. Cobalt was holding the seven golden brown wedges with his signature fiery white magic.
“And so no one felt left out we got one for every one.” Cobalt said while handing out the food.
“What... is this.” Trixie said prodding the cheese cake.
“Eat it. It’s good.” Reese said while taking a bite of his own piece. Trixie did take a bite and almost immediately her eyes swelled up to the size of saucers.
“THAT IS GOOD.” Trixie said not taking time to swallow. Pinkie pushed hers away as if she wasn't hungry.
“Aren’t you going to eat your cheesecake Pinkie?” asked Sweetie Bell.
“Well if she won’t eat it,” Trixie swallowed. “I will.” Trixie grabbed the brown wedge an started to snack on it as well.
“Well, I don’t know ‘bout you but I came to cheer up Pinkie.” Cobalt said addressing Trixie and Reese.
“There’s one thing that cheers me up better than anything.” Reese said. “a good old adrenalin rush.”
“Rides it is then.” Scootaloo said.
“Let’s try that one.” Cobalt said referring to the one that looked like a spinning UFO.
“Jugging by it’s design it uses centrifugal force to pin you against the wall while tricking your mind your standing still.” Said Cobalt putting his hoof on his chin. The rest of the group looked at him like he just spoke a forging language.
“Dude, I think you’ve been hanging around my sister a bit to long.” Reese said.
“It’s a good thing I don’t happen to live with her.” Cobalt said sarcastically. The line was not what you call bad but it wasn’t good either. It was three times round before they got on but still the unseen force peeling back your face followed an overwhelming feeling of motion sickness was quite enjoyable. But still no smile from Pinkie. Next they tried a ride that was basically a roller-coaster loop repeated over and over again. Still no smile. They then went into a fun house. with a hall of mirrors and one of those moving floors. Still no smile. Around this time the group was both bored and desperate.
“Pinkie,... Can you just tell me whats bothering you.” Cobalt said out of breath.
This time there was some decipherable words in between the frantic whines of the blue mare. “Gummy...gone...Everfree forest.”
“Well that answers that question time to into the Everfree forest.” Cobalt said.
“Cobalt wait, one does no simply walk into the Everfree forest.” Reese said.
“Really? I go in there all the time.” Apple Bloom said.
“Good point.” Reese said.
“Plus, I got a feeling I’ve been in there before.” Said Cobalt.
“But you’re not sure.” Trixie pointed out.
“I’m never sure about anything Trixie.” Cobalt said. “I just have to go with my gut.”
“I hope your system holds up.” Reese said.
….......
“A little alligator? I believe I’ve seen, one clamped on a griffin. That’s terribly mean.” Zecora said. Pinkie turned from a deep blue to a fiery red.
“THAT MEANIE GILDA STOLE GUMMY!” Pinkie shouted.
“Now Pinkie you really shouldn’t jump to conclusions!” Reese tried to warn her as she ran past.
“Who’s Gilda?” Cobalt asked.
“I’ll tell you later later. Right now we should follow pinkie.” Reese said.
“Right.” Cobalt said.
…......
“I told you I didn’t take your lame alligator. He followed me.” Gilda said confronting Pinkie Pie in a clearing. When Reese and Cobalt finally caught up they were quite out of breath and collapsed on each other.
“Well I still don’t care what you say. I’m taking him back with me.” With that pinkie picked up the green reptile which immediately clamped on to her mane. Then she started her way back to Ponyville.
“Wait... for … us.” Cobalt panted.
“Who’s the lame-o.” Gilda asked Cobalt.
“Well nice to meet you too.” Cobalt said.
“Come on Cobalt she’s just a jerk. No need to waste your breath.” Reese said. Suddenly Gilda pounced and grabbed Cobalt and held his forelegs behind his haunches behind his back. Reese charged at The griffon. When he got close enough Gilda raked his right eye. Cobalt flinched as visions of dark claws and sharp pain went though his memory.
“I know someone that will pay a pretty penny for this colt here.” Gilda said
“Well I have a specific set of skills.” Reese said. “And if you take him I will find you and I will kill you.” Gilda started to look worried. But then smiled.
“You wouldn’t dare use combat magic.” Gilda smirked. “You’d risk hitting you lame buddy here. “
“Who said anything about magic?” Reese said. He slid under Gilda taking out her legs. When set trip she had to release Cobalt. Before she could get up again Reese pined her on her back, then finished with a throat chop.
“Nice moves.” Cobalt said rather impressed.
….......
“I’m sorry I was acting real funny but I felt really down when I couldn’t find Gummy.” Said Pinkie when they where outside the Everfree. “You know what this calls for? A PARTY!”
“Sounds good to me. How ‘bout you Balto.” The Cains barked happily.
“I’m in.” Cobalt said.
“Cobalt.” Sweetie Bell said
“Ya, Sweetie Bell?” He said.
“Check your flank.” She said. Cobalt craned his neck so he could look at his own backside. Instead of one small star now he had two.
“Oh, another star. interesting.” Cobalt said matter of factly.
“OK, that can’t be natural.” Reese said. “I think we may need to talk to my sister ‘bout this.”
…......
“Well cases like this are rare but not unheard of.” Twilight said with her nose stuck into a book. “It’s called a segmented cutie mark. They are found when a pony has A. more than one talent or B. there is more than one part to there talent. This will be an interesting experience.”
“So wait, we’re going to observe me like I’m some sort of experiment?” Said Cobalt.
“Well not exactly we’re just going to see if there’s any more segments that will come later.” Said Twilight.
“I’m pretty sure that there’ll be more.” Said Cobalt.