//------------------------------//
// iii. Separation is for the Strong 
// Story: The PDP Files 
// by Starburst_Penstroke 
//------------------------------//

iii. 19 June - "Separation is for the Strong"

By now, I was used to cries of help, screams, and normally dashing out after my friends to see what was wrong and how we could help. However, last night's situation had been different. A guard had came in to check on us and let us know that he and some others were scouting the area for signs of what could have happened, after a while coming back and saying there was nothing to worry about.
I was also familiar enough with these situations that I knew he was lying.
You can't just hear a screech like that and it be over something silly like a spider. Something was definitely wrong, and everypony sitting at that table knew it. However, it was insisted that we made it back to our rooms and got a good night's sleep for celebration preparations today.  
Still. I tried not to think too much about what had happened, but it never seemed to slip my mind. Maybe I had some kind of detective instincts. Maybe that was why I was writing all of this down.
Eventually I concluded I was writing this journal to keep my memories safe and sound, maybe let ponies in the future know how I felt and know about all the awesome adventures my friends and I had. I may have my Pinkie Sense, but this one thing that would have to unfold on its own.


Morning had come by extra fast today - at least, I thought it had. We would have to get a pretty good start on the preparations today in order to finish up and actually have some quality "best friends all gathered together in Canterlot with hopefully no problems" time. Sure, my friends and I did have normal days together, but nothing was ever truly problem-free in Equestria. 
Now that I knew my way - fully - around the castle, I didn't have to worry about getting lost, making it a whole lot easier to make it outside. Breathing the fresh, outdoor air was relaxing and comfortable after being inside for almost the entire day. Skies were clear all around when I gazed up, and of course, the all-too-familiar matching rainbow mane and tail caught my eye. I guess Rainbow had been asked to reprise her role with clearing the skies this year.
Reprise. It seemed funny to be saying that for once, especially with it feeling the Summer Sun Celebration hadn't been that long ago. I still remember the first time I saw Twilight walking into Ponyville, instantly knowing that I had never seen her before and dashing off to plan her a welcome party. A few days ago it would've seemed like so long ago, but here we were, setting up preparations once again as if it were the same year. I wondered what surprises this year would have in store.
I had already seen one of them. At least, I'd like to think that box was a surprise. You can't just have a random box with six locks for six keys sitting randomly in the middle of a castle filled with royalty and guards. I just couldn't help but wonder about that box. 
"Oh, there you are, Pinkie," I blinked as Twilight came bounding up to me with a smile. "Nice to see you made it. Have a good sleep last night?"
As much as I wanted to ask if she knew anything about the box, I kept my mouth shut and gave her a nod. "Yup."
"Great. Princess Celestia wanted to know if you could start setting up in the castle courtyard."
"Got it." With that, I made my way over to the courtyard, grinning at just how amazing I knew I could make it. I was already picturing banners placed up in the taller hedges, turntables in one corner, banquet tables off the side, tons and tons of balloons...I was determined to make this celebration the best I could. This time we wouldn't have to worry about delays; Nightmare Moon, either. I knew Princess Luna was faithful to her subjects, and I knew it was going to be great to see her return celebrated by Equestria. 
"No, Twi, aim your wings to your left!" I flinched as Rainbow Dash shouted, causing me to turn around to see Twilight spinning around near the ground. 
"Your other left!" She called out again just as Twilight slammed face-first into the hard ground. I couldn't help but sigh and wonder how hard it must really be on Twilight. It couldn't be easy dealing with wings after being just a unicorn all your life. I know I wouldn't want wings. I prefer balloon travel just fine.
Instead of just watching, I bounded over to Twi, outstretching a hoof to help her up. "You okay?"
Twilight murmured something and lifted herself up, right wing lazily flapping. "Just practicing for the princess routine," she replied huskily, seeming to be in at least some sort of pain. "Hey, shouldn't you be organizing in the courtyard?"
"Oh, right," I felt my face flush as I turned away and trotted back over to the courtyard. I was only trying to help her. Then again, I guess it would be better off for me to leave the assisting to Rainbow Dash. She was the most experienced flyer here, after all. 


After a few hours, I had the courtyard nicely done up with decorations everywhere and enough room for dancing and hanging out. We couldn't have a celebration without a functioning after party, after all. There were only a few spots left to fix up, so feeling content, I bounced out back to where Twilight and Rainbow had been training. Neither of them were there now, Fluttershy and Rarity out of sight too. Had I really taken that much longer than everyone else? Maybe Applejack had arrived and everyone else had went inside, or the princesses had another task for us to handle. But why forget me? Everything seemed too misplaced these past few days. Hopefully the Summer Sun Celebration could be normal, just like any other year - except last.
Curious as to where the others went, I went back inside the castle and wandered a bit. I could hear the small talk between a few guards and assistants wandering around muttering to themselves, but I couldn't hear my friends anywhere. I had plenty of different ideas as to where they could be, but it seemed like everywhere I turned, they just wouldn't appear. 
Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime of searching, all of my friends appeared inside the castle, Applejack padding in the center of the group. Grinning, I bounded over to give her a great, big, signature Pinkie Pie hug, causing her to giggle. "Hey, Pinkie."
"You finally made it! Thank Celestia for that. Speaking of making it, where were all of you?" 
Fluttershy blinked, shifting her hooves awkwardly. "I thought we told you. Rainbow Dash and I flew to the train station to pick Applejack up while Rarity, Twilight, and you were still preparing."
"Twilight and Rarity weren't there when I finished." 
"Sorry, Pinkie. It's just with all these preparations that we don't exactly have time to chat," Rarity responded, blowing her curl over to the side of her face innocently. She had a legitimate point, though. Our duties for the princesses came first, no matter how much we wanted to spend time together. That would just have to wait until after the celebration had finished, or maybe, just maybe, there would be enough time before or after the celebration to have some quality time. How else could we celebrate our friendshipaversary? Celebrating the day after would just be a complete bust.
The six of us stood there awkwardly for a bit, no one really sure what to say or do. All of our tasks were pretty much finished except for checking in with the princesses and doing our daily business, of course. To save us, thankfully, came Princess Celestia out of one of the several doors which I remembered as the assistants' workshop. 
"Hello, girls. How have you all been getting along?"
"Just fine, Princess," Twilight responded with a slight bow of her head, Celestia shooting her an annoyed - yet friendly - glance. I don't think Twi would ever get out of the habit of respecting royalty. It was a Twilight thing.
Celestia gave us each a slightly disappointed look as she continued. "As much as I hate to say it, I'm afraid that all of you, save for Twilight, will have to return to Ponyville in a few hours time. There are some things Princess Twilight and I must prepare for. You will be welcome to come back tomorrow, I promise."
"Why can't we stay?" Rainbow instantly challenged, flying up in fury before her face bursting red as she fluttered back down to the ground. 
"It's okay, girls. We still have a few hours," Twilight reassured, using a much calmer tone than I had expected. 
The remaining five of us exchanged conflicting nods as we turned to go back to our rooms to begin packing. I thought for sure we had been invited to stay for much longer than just two days. That's how the invitation had made it seem, at least. We couldn't have everything our way, though, and boy did we know that. 
"Here," Twilight began once more, trotting towards the front doors. "Why don't we all just go outside for a bit? I want to show you guys something."