The bakery was always buzzing with activity. Ponies filtered in and out at impressive speeds, although not every single one of them was making purchases. Many were simply dropping off their heartfelt thank you's and other such methods of gratitude towards Ponyville's resident party planner, who never seemed to be able to sit still for more than a minute. Pinkie was outside selling lemonade, or Fun-Ade as she had it advertised, eagerly trying to make a few extra bits to fund her party supplies.
"Hi, Applejack!" She waved. "Did you come to try my super delicious Fun-Ade too?" In a moment she had bounced out from behind the counter and whispered in the country pony's ear. "I make it myself with special ingredients. Do ya wanna know the super secret ingredient?"
"Actually," Applejack began, "That's not why why ah'm..."
"It's an extra dose of fun," Pinkie whispered. "But shhh, don't tell anypony."
"Ah promise," Applejack said. "But ah gotta talk to ya. We got a problem. Somethin's rotten in Ponyville."
"Oh, no! Is it the batter? I thought it smelled funny... and not the good kind of funny, either." The party pony quickly put up a 'BACK SOON' sign on her stall, politely explaining to those in line that a friend was in trouble and she was needed. Friends came before bits!
"No, it ain't that. It's a new pony ah ain't never seen before."
Pinkie gasped. "New pony?! Why was I not informed?! Who is it? Tell me tell me tell me!" Pinkie vibrated slightly as the two walked further away from the
"It's an alicorn, and now ah don't usually use language like this, and ah ain't proud of it, but there ain't any other way to put it. He's a no good yellow bellied rock licker." She made a face. "Ah feel dirty already. But there it is."
"Hope you don't talk like that with foals around," Pinkie warned. "Are you sure it's an alicorn? They're supposed to be super duper rare, but it seems like they're all over lately. What with Cadance and... okay, that's really the only example I have, but still. Next thing you know one of us is gonna be an alicorn."
"Ah highly doubt that," Applejack assured her. "That's jes' silly. No, his name's Bloodrunner or Bleeding Heart or some awful name like-"
"Bloodrayne?" Pinkie asked.
"...Yeah, that's it. How in the hay didja know that?"
Pinkie had gone very quiet, and the color drained from her face. She had stopped moving, and stood still, as if someone had frozen her.
"Ah don't think ah've ever seen ya stay in one place that long, y'alright?"
Pinkie didn't answer.
Applejack waved a hoof in front of her face. "Hey, y'alright?"
"I have to go," Pinkie said suddenly. "I can't help you right now, sorry." And with that she bolted inside with lightning speed, leaving a perplexed Applejack to follow her.
"Now wait just a minute!"
***
Fluttershy's Cottage
Ponyville
1:37pm
***
The gently singing chorus of birds which resounded within the cottage was nothing new, especially not for the animals which resided there. Fluttershy had spent the better part of the afternoon trying to convince a wounded otter to eat, and hadn't had any luck whatsoever.
She sighed. "Maybe you'll feel better in a few hours, I'll try again then," she said.
"Maybe he just doesn't like the food," Rainbow Dash offered, curled up on the couch with Daring Do and the Lost Expedition.
"Everypony has to eat things they don't like sooner or later, and lots of times things that are good for us don't taste that good."
"Can't you just give him fish or something?"
"He needs more than fish to get better, Dash!"
"Alright, alright, sorry."
A buzzing at the door echoed throughout the cottage, and caught both ponies off guard. Fluttershy looked alarmed. "Dash, would you get that? I still have several salads to prepare." Angel stomped his foot irritably and glared upwards at her.
"...and an ice cream sundae," she added.
Rainbow shrugged and closed her book, much to the annoyance of the small chipmunks who had gathered nearby and subsequently had their chair disturbed as Dash rose to get the door and swung it open.
"Can I help you?" She asked. "Oooh, nice wings. Not as good as mine, but they're alright."
"I would hope you can help me," Bloodrayne said. "I'm getting married soon, and I need your help."
"Uh... I think you have the wrong pony, pal." Rainbow Dash said. "Who are you getting married to? Maybe I can point you in a different direction."
Bloodrayne just smiled. "You," he said, in an all too calm manner which gave Rainbow Dash such chills that she slammed the door in his face.
Fluttershy jumped. "Who was it?"
"Just a crazy pony. Creep."
A loud banging came from outside the door.
"I won't rest until the ceremony is over, Rainbow Dash! Just say yes now, make it easier on yourself!"
Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I'm going to kick him SO hard..." she said. "Fluttershy, get Twilight. And pray she gets here before that creep gets in."
"Can't we just ask him politely to go away?"
"Now, Fluttershy! Go!"
With a squeak, the pegasus bolted out the back door, flying as quickly as she could towards town. She had to get to Twilight, and fast. Rainbow Dash had that look again, and she knew very well what that look meant.
Somepony was getting hurt today.