//------------------------------//
// Rainbow Dash 
// Story: The Last Laugh 
// by Gandalf158 
//------------------------------//


The Last Laugh
By: Gandalf158
Chapter 3: Rainbow Dash


        The next day, I was walking over to Sugarcube Corner to meet up with Pinkie for lunch. It was a clear day outside, no clouds, minimal wind, and unlimited visibility. Also known as a perfect day to go pranking. As I walked through Ponyville, everything seemed normal, birds were singing, foals were playing in the park, ponies went into stores and businesses, and the Farmer's Market was crowded as usual. I saw Spike go into Sofas and Quills, probably to get more quills for Reshelving Day. When I finally arrived at the bakery, I opened the door and went inside. Mr. and Mrs. Cake greeted me and told me that Pinkie was upstairs, looking after Pumpkin and Pound. They had been crying, and Mrs. Cake's voice cracked as she added.
"Y-you two have fun today." after she was done, she sniffled and got back to work.
        I went upstairs and found Pinkie playing peek-a-boo with the two young foals. She looked up at me after a while. She looked tired, her usually vibrant blue eyes were now dull, same for her mane and tail. She was still smiling, though. I took that as a good sign.
        "Hey, Dashie! Give me just one teensy-weensy little second to put the twins down for their nap."
        "Take your time." I said.
        She picked them up and gently placed them in their crib and sang them a lullaby. I must've fallen asleep too, because the next thing I saw was PInkie standing in front of me giggling. I started blushing and tried to save face by saying something cool, but all that came out was a nervous chuckle. We went outside and walked to the small deli across the street. After getting our food, we walked back outside and went to the park. 
        When we got there, we saw Scootaloo and her friends doing… something. All we knew was that Scoots had somehow gotten herself all tangled up in the string of a kite and Apple Bloom was trying to get her untangled.
“Come on Bloom! This is really uncomfortable!” she said.
“It’d be easier if ya held still!” Apple Bloom said.
        “Hey there, squirt. You need some help?” I asked.
        The orange filly blushed as she saw Pinkie and I walking towards them, probably embarrassed out of her mind. I helped her get untangled, then helped her get up.
        “What were you three silly fillies doing?” Pinkie asked.
        “We were trying to get our cutie marks in kite flying, but Scootaloo kinda got tangled in the string.” Sweetie Belle said.
        “Well, be careful next time. We might not be here the next time you get in trouble like that again.” I said. That was a horrible way to word that.
        The three girls got a real sad look on their faces after I stupidly said that. I didn’t mean it like that, but, that’s how it sounded. I looked over to Pinkie, and she was looking sad too. I tried to cheer everypony up with a joke, but it didn’t work. The three fillies trotted off after saying their goodbyes to us, their heads hung low.

        "Hey, I know what’ll cheer you up. How about we go and prank somepony?” I said.
        “What did you have in mind, Dashie?” she asked.
        “You’ll see. Just come with me.”

        Ten minutes later, we were ready. The trap was laid out, and our first victim, Time Turner, was walking right into it. He broke the tripwire, and received a banana cream pie in his face for his troubles. Pinkie and I fell on the ground laughing while he tried to wipe off his face. When he saw it was us, he started to chuckle too, but looked a little down as he walked away. Pinkie was right, that was a great prank. Maybe a little cliche, maybe, but funny all the same. When we finally stopped laughing, I helped Pinkie Pie up; she had lost weight, a lot of it.
        "Oh, Dash, that was so funny!" she said, still giggling to herself.
        "Y-yeah, hilarious."
        I must have had a look on my face, because she asked me what was wrong. I looked up to her, and she looked concerned, as if there was something wrong with me.
        "Oh, nothing." I lied.
        "Come on, something's wrong, you look confused."
        "P-Pinkie? Have you lost weight?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
        "Yeah, the doctors say that it's part of my condition. My metabolism is working double time, and it's burning a lot of fat," she said, looking down for a moment, then back up, "But I'm fine, really. Come on Dash, let's set this back up."
        "Alright." I said, resetting the tripwire while she replaced the pie.

        After three more ponies fell into our trap, we decided to take a walk through Ponyville. Everypony had a downtrodden look as we walked by, and Pinkie tried to cheer them up by stopping them and telling a joke or singing a song. It seemed to work, because after she was done, ponies started to look happy again, they were laughing, smiling, and enjoying the beautiful day. After a few more minutes of walking, we bumped into Derpy. Literally.
        "Sorry 'bout that. Wasn't watching where I was going. Oh hey, Rainbow, Pinkie. How are you two today?" she asked after she dusted herself off.
        "Oh, fine. How are you, Derpy?" Pinkie responded.
        "I'm great. Hey, I think I have a letter for you. Sorry it's a little late, I forgot to deliver it yesterday." she handed Pinkie a sealed envelope.
        After Derpy flew away, Pinkie opened the letter and read it.
        "What's it say?" I asked her.
        "It's from Twilight, her RSVP to the party!" she said.
        "Well, that's good. Say, do you need any help with the party?" I asked her.
        "No, I've got it handled. But thanks for asking. Also, I almost forgot! I still have some invitations to give out!"

        So for the next half-hour, Pinkie and I went around town handing out invitations. When we were done, we started walking back to Sugarcube Corner. The streets were pretty empty, the sun had set about ten minutes ago, save a few ponies going home from work and a few going in for the graveyard shift. When we got back to the bakery, the Cakes were already in bed, probably stressed out from the past week. Pinkie Pie was walking upstairs when she suddenly stopped and looked over to me.
        "See you at the party." she said.
        "Yeah, see you at the party." I said, voice cracking.
        I couldn't take it any longer. I flew back to my cloud house, and collapsed on my entryway floor, sobbing like a filly.
        "See you at the party." her last words kept repeating in my head, until I passed out...