A/N: Somepony refers to others with their names from this DA gallery that I found hilarious. http://xfizzle.deviantart.com/gallery/32229062
A Broken Rainbow
Chapter 3
All of the ponies that were playing games after the party last night were still asleep, but they were all in the same room. And it wasn’t any room in the Sweet Apple Acres home; in fact, the room was quite large, much larger than the whole house they were in not long ago. The room was almost all white, color coming from the red curtains and rug going from one end of the room to the other, and stained glass windows projecting colors on the floor, along with the two larger than normal chairs at the top of some stairs. Sitting in the chairs were two ponies, two alicorns, waiting for the ten ponies to wake up.
After several minutes of silence, all of them woke up, as if by magic, at the same time. “Good morning my little ponies.” Both alicorns said in unison, grabbing the attention of the newly awakened ponies, making them all bow down to their princesses. “No need for such formalities young ones. Although this is the throne room, we are not acting as royalty this early morning.” It was Luna who said it, not Celestia. “We are sorry for bringing you here so early, but we wanted to tell you all something at the same time.”
“What is it you want to tell us Princess Luna?”
“Please Twilight, just call me Luna. You have no need to speak to us formally, being the student of my sister. Now, the reason we brought you here was to tell you something you deserve. Dear sister, you can take it from here. I need my sleep.” Luna, who did look very tired, walked away to a door behind the thrones.
“Thank you, sister. Now, as you all should know, winter is coming.” The ponies all nodded. “Luna and I thought, since you all have been working hard, you deserved a vacation.” This statement brought a smile on all their faces. “We took it upon ourselves to get you twelve tickets to a mountain lodge, so you can enjoy the full effect of winter, and get away from any work.”
Everypony started to cheer. That is, except for Twilight. “Thank you princess, but, why twelve tickets? There are only ten of us.”
“Yes, I know that my student. I also know that all but two of you have somepony special to you in this room right now. That is why there are two extra tickets. Pinkie Pie and Miss Vinyl Scratch, you get to choose who you bring with you so you are not alone. Although, I do have an idea of whom you two would bring with you.” Everypony lifted one eyebrow at that, although, somehow, Vinyl had her glasses on. “I will now teleport you back to where you were with your tickets, and I hope you have a good time.”
“Hold on just a moment!” Everypony looked at Applejack after her outburst. “What about Sweet Apple Acres? Who is gonna take care of Granny Smith an Applebloom? And Spike at the library?”
“I assure you that everything will be fine. I knew you all would want to go, so I sent a letter to your cousins Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Caramel Apple. They should be more than enough help at the farm. I also sent a letter to your parents, Twilight. They already responded, saying that they would be delighted to take care of Spike in your absence.”
“You asked my parents? Well, they do love Spike like a son…Yes, I think that is a good choice. Thank you very much princess. Oh! You never told us when the trip begins.”
“Oh yes, that must have slipped my mind. We have set it two weeks from now, for two weeks, when the first snow is to appear. There will be someponies to bring you to your location around noontime, so be in your homes then. That goes for you too Rainbow Dash. I know you are well enough to fly to your home. Although I do agree that you two look cute together, you do not need to stay with Applejack and her family.” Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash blushed at that. “Now, if there are no more questions, I will send you back.” When nopony said anything, Celestia’s horn started to glow.
There was a bright flash, and then they were back in the guestroom of the farm house, Pinkie Pie somehow upside down. Then again, it IS Pinkie Pie. All of them also had a light-blue ticket floating next to them, two next to Pinkie and Vinyl. “So these must be the tickets.” Vinyl took her glasses off to look closely at her two. “Hay, I know this place. I went there a few years ago. Nice place, good ponies, good food, heated indoor pool. A lot more things there, but I’m not gonna spoil anything. But I gotta ask this, who wants to help me bring my stuff back to my place?”
*****
The two weeks passed in no time, the ten ponies excited to go on a vacation. It was the night before they left, and they were waiting for the two last ponies to arrive at Sugar Cube Corner, the ones that Pinkie and Vinyl gave the extra ticket to. Vinyl was about to put another record on her turntable when the door opened.
Immediately after, everypony heard “OHMYGOSHYOURFINALLYHEREIAMSOHAPPY!!!” followed by “Hay, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Just…don’t…break my…neck…” Pinkie was hugging the colt a little too hard.
“Oopsie, sorry about that my little CC.” Everypony could finally see that is was Caramel. “Look everypony, he finally came! I knew he would show up, and he did! Now I am lots happier!” Pinkie hugged Caramel again, then gave him a kiss on the lips, making Rarity squeal.
“Ohh, you two are just so perfect for each other! How long have you…you know?”
“You mean you haven’t noticed? I mean, we’ve been together for, like, two years, and I mean, come on, how do you not notice that?” Vinyl was the only one whose jaw didn’t drop, since she was listening to her own personal music. In fact, she wasn’t even facing their direction. But she did notice somepony outside that seemed to be sneaking around carrying something large through the back window.
About a minute after that, said pony walked into the bakery. She let out a curse to the bell, wanting to be quiet. Pinkie was the only pony who noticed the bell though, but her famous gasp gave it away that a pony came in. “W-w-what are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to come by for another few months!”
“Whatever do you mean Pinkamena? I was invited by a good friend of mine, and I could not refuse such an offer. Now, where is-”
“Yo Tav’! Glad ya made it! I thought I saw something familiar out the window. What kept ya?”
“If you must know, Violet, I had a session to go to, but it got cancelled because two of the players got sick. I do hope they get better.” Octavia gave her version of ‘the stare,’ although it did not work on Vinyl. “Now, what is the full reason you told me to come here?”
“You know I hate when you call me that!” ‘Although, the way you say it DOES kinda turn me on…’ All the ponies between the two started giggling at the name Octavia gave Vinyl. “Well, I just thought you would like a vacation. I know that you need it.”
“A v-vacation? Whatever is that? Does it hurt? What does it look like?” The room was quiet for several seconds, but everypony started laughing at Octavia. “What are you laughing at!? What is so funny to you?!?! Tell me!”
Pinkie was somehow the first to stop laughing. “You really don’t know Tavi? I guess is doesn’t help that you are working all the time. Well, a vacation is, like, a really long break. You know, relax, have fun, and don’t work!”
“D-don’t work? Relax? How can I do that? I must do something daily or I might go crazy! And it must be easy for you, since you are always having fun.”
“But you DO do stuff Tavi! That is why we are all going together, to have fun and relax! As friends should do once in a while! Besides, I don’t always have fun. I get sad and depressed sometimes.”
“Oh yeah, we all know how that goes.” Rainbow Dash remembered that one time they all stayed away from her all day to get her surprise birthday party together.
“But how will I survive? I can’t go anywhere without my work! It would destroy me!”
“That’s why you bring your cello with you Tav’. Or should I call you-”
“NO! Do not call me that. But you do bring a good point.”
“Feh, whatever you say…June…”
“WHAT WAS THAT?!?”
“Nothin’! Now calm your pretty face and let’s get this thing started already! I’m starved!”
Twilight was confused at the last few seconds. “I don’t know what Vinyl said, but Octavia definitely does not like it. And Pinkie never said anything about NOT eating anything while we waited. You could have had anything you wanted while we waited.”
The DJ’s glasses dropped a little. “Uh, really? Wow, that’s…embarrassing…” Now she was getting laughed at, but not like when they laughed at Octavia.
Over the next few hours, someponies came and went, wanting to see what the party was about. Some stayed for the whole duration of the party. Lyra and Bon-Bon came by early and stayed the whole time after hearing that all of them were going to the same place as them at the same time. The mayor stopped to learn about the party, and Twilight told her they were going to be in the plaza, and for her to tell them when it was almost noon.
*****
That morning, everypony was doing something with their ‘partner’. Rainbow and Applejack were bouncing a ball on their head, seeing who could get it to stay longer, while Rainbow did it in the air. Twilight and Booke were playing card games. Rarity and Arden were talking about what they wanted as their ‘masterpiece’. Big Mac and Fluttershy were talking about animals. Pinkie and Caramel were telling jokes and silly stories, joined by Lyra and Bon-Bon, while Octavia was lecturing Vinyl for the umpteenth time about classical music.
As she promised, the mayor came to the plaza and informed them all that it was half-past eleven. Caramel went with Pinkie, and Octavia went with Vinyl to their homes. Twilight sent a letter to Princess Celestia asking if they could get Lyra and Bon-Bon to come with them, since they were going to the same place. Of course she agreed, saying that she would send somepony to their house along with the others. Applejack bid farewell and kissed Rainbow Dash when they had to leave, since Rainbow had to go to her house for the first time in a long time.
***
When Rainbow got to her cloud home, she just stood in the doorway, looking at the inside, memories of her making it coming back to her. After several minutes, she finally went inside and closed the door. She had almost no time to relax when there was a knock on the door. “Hay Rainbow CRASH, haven’t seen you in a while. Got scared that we were better than you?”
“Kevin? Billy? What are you doing here? Wait…you aren’t the messenger I’m expecting, are you?” The two bullies from flight school looked at her confused.
“Messenger? What are you talking about? We just wanted to challenge you to a race, unless you’re too scared!”
“Sorry boys, but I’m gonna have to give you a rain check on that race. Somepony is supposed to be coming by soon, so scram.” Rainbow Dash didn’t even want to talk to them, much less look at them.
“HA! I knew it! You’re just scared of losing to us! Come on Kevin, let’s go. We don’t waste out time with losers.”
“Now, what is this about Miss Dash being a loser? Scared? That isn’t the Rainbow Dash I know.” Both bullies stopped and turned to the newcomer. Rainbow stood there, trying to remember whose voice that was. She couldn’t put a hoof on it, so she turned around to see her idol standing there.
“OHMYGOSHITSSPITFIREWHATAREYOUDOINGHEREITHINKIMIGHTFAINT!” She was hyperventilating and had a huge smile on her face.
“Greetings Rainbow Dash. I see that you can fly well again. Anyways, I was told by a certain someone to tell you something that is for your ears only. Mind if I come in?” Rainbow Dash was still standing there awestruck, but managed a slight nod. Both mares went inside, and the bullies finally left. “So Rainbow, I heard what happened to you. I speak for all of the Wonderbolts when I say that I am sorry we couldn’t have been there for you.” Spitfire gave Rainbow a hug, making her blush a little. “But you are better, and that is all that counts. Now, what I have to tell you is simple. I am this ‘messenger’ sent by Princess Celestia to tell you to go to Town Hall with some things for your trip. Have fun Rainbow Dash, I’m sure you need and want it.” She gave her fan another hug. “Well, I must go now, important Wonderbolt business. See you after your vacation.”
Spitfire left, and Rainbow Dash stood there dumbfounded. ‘Celestia chose Spitfire as my messenger…’ She finally shook herself back to reality and started packing things she could find in her house. Before she could leave her house, she heard Celestia’s voice in her head saying ‘You are her messenger now. Go to them.’
***
The library door opened after a knock. “Hello Twilight. Is your daughter here?”
“Oh, hello. You must be the messenger? Yes, she is here, reorganizing the library…again…And you should know to call me Star, not Twilight. It isn’t right to be called my daughter’s name. Anyways, would you like to come in?”
“That would be nice.” Both unicorns walked into the library. After her mother called to her, Twilight came downstairs to see who the messenger was.
“What?! B-bastion Y-yorsets? You’re the messenger?”
Bastion just stared at her with his usual uncaring gaze. “No, I am your messenger. Others have been sent to go to your friends. Now, I have been informed to tell you that you must pack several items you are to bring with you and meet at the Town Hall, where you will see your friends. Now, I must go back to the school, for I am missing a very important meeting.” Bastion started walking back outside to teleport, but turned around before doing so. “Before I leave, I want to say this. Have fun young Twilight, you need it.” For the first time since Twilight knew him, she was shocked by his last action before teleporting. This was the first time she saw him show any emotion. He was smiling.
***
It took a while for her to interpret what she was told, but Rainbow Dash realized that she had to go tell Applejack and Big Mac. When she got to the farmhouse, she didn’t bother knocking, since it was practically a second home to her. All the members of the house were in the kitchen, waiting for the messenger. “Rainbow? What are you doin’ here? Aint’ ya supposed ta wait for a messenger?”
“That’s why I’m here. I already got my messenger, and I was told to tell you what to do.”
“Come again? YOU are our messenger? Aint’ that just a little…odd?”
“Yeah, I thought that too. Well, I was supposed to say something like ‘pack some stuff and go to Town Hall,’ or something.” Rainbow started tapping a hoof on her chin. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” Rainbow trotted over and gave Applejack a kiss.
The three Apple cousins looked at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Braeburn spoke up, speaking for all of them. “Applejack? You didn’t tell us you and Rainbow Dash are…together…”
“Ya got a problem with that Braeburn?”
“N-no! It’s just…a little odd that you wouldn’t tell your cousins.”
“That’s jus’ cuz’…Uhh… Ah guess it jus’ slipped my mind…Sorry ‘bout that.” Applejack started to blush and look away from them.
The whole time they were talking, Big Mac was standing still, staring blankly out the window. “Yo Big Mac, you okay? You haven’t moved an inch since I said what you two are supposed to do.”
“Big Mac nodded and started to walk outside. “Ah’ll be right back, gotta tell Fluttershy.”
“Why do you—wait…voice in your head too?” Rainbow asked, and Big Mac responded with his usual ‘Eeyup’ and walked out.
“Voice in ya head? What do ya mean by that sugarcube?”
“It’s what told me to come to you. Come on, let’s get you packed, it’s almost noon.”
***
A little more than a minute after he left, Big Mac got to Fluttershy’s cottage near Everfree Forest. Like Rainbow Dash, he didn’t bother knocking and walked right in. “Flutter? Ya in here? Ah got somethin’ ta tells ya.”
“Big Bunny? Aren’t you supposed to be home waiting for a messenger? Or did they already come?” Fluttershy loved calling Big Mac their little name for him, since it always makes him blush visibly through his red coat.
“The messenger did come, an it was Miss Rainbow, sayin’ she was told to come tell us, an a voice told me ta come to ya. Ah’m jus’ supposed ta tell ya to pack things ya want ta bring with ya.”
“Oh…Is that all you came by to say?” She had a sad look on her face.
“Don’t worry Flutter, it’ll jus’ be for a small ‘mount a time. ‘Sides, two weeks together with no distractions. Ah also still hafta pack. So jus’ pack some of your things an come ta Town Hall, where we supposed ta meet.” Big Mac went up to Fluttershy and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “It’ll jus be a few minutes. See ya soon Flutter.” Fluttershy nuzzled Big Mac before he left, making him blush at endless affection for him.
***
“Sorry, but will have to leave! The Carousel Boutique will be closed for two weeks!” Rarity yelled down without even opening the door. When she did open the door, she was face-to-face with one of her idols. “S-Sapphire Shores!? Oh dear, I am truly sorry, but I cannot help you. I will be away for quite some time, so-”
“Oh Rarity, don’t you worry yourself. I know about that, and that’s the reason I came to you! Get some stuff together and some to Town Hall. Your friends will be there waiting. I, personally, will also be there waiting. See you soon Rarity, and I will be waiting for your return.”
Before Rarity could respond, Sapphire Shores was gone and the door was closed.
***
“Frederic? What are you- Never mind. Let me guess, you are this messenger we are supposed to expect?” Octavia was not amused by one of her music partners knocking on the door.
“You don’t have to be so cruel about it. But yes, I am said messenger. I did not want to do it at first, but Princess Celestia said she would give our group compensation for you being gone for so long. All we must do is play for her every day. There is no set time, just when she calls for it. But I am getting side-tracked. I was informed that I must tell you and that crazy DJ to-”
“Who the hell are you calling crazy!” Vinyl Scratch came downstairs just in time to hear the insult. “Just because I don’t like classical music, it makes me crazy? Just because I don’t listen to it a lot, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate coming from certain artists.”
“Oh, so you DO listen to it. Tell me, who is it that you--”
“Don’t make me use this.” Vinyl was pointing her horn at Frederic. “Just tell us what you are supposed to and leave. I don’t like you in my presence.”
“Okay, okay! Just don’t point that thing at me! We all know what unicorns can to other ponies with their horns, especially with one as sharp as yours.” Vinyl pushed her head closer, the point of her horn mere inches from his face. “IwastoldIneededtotellyoutwotopacksomeofyourthingsandmeetattownhall! Just don’t do anything to me!” Frederic ran off, scared of Vinyl. She didn’t let him go for free, of course. She sent a small jolt of electricity at him, which she gathered from rubbing her hoof on the carpet for the whole conversation, which hit him in the flank, making him jump.
“Honestly, I can’t tell how you can put up with him Tav’. He is just such a wimp, but he tries to act cool. That kind of pony disgusts me.”
“Oh Violet…” Octavia giggled at the angry blush on Vinyl’s face. “To tell the truth, even I do not know. I must be used to it. Let us go do…whatever it is Frederic said. What you have told me about these vacations…I feel…excited? Is that a normal feeling?”
“Completely normal. What did he even say? I could barely understand him. Something about packing and the Town Hall?”
“I think that is what he was trying to say. But why do you always have to scare away the players? Just because I work with them doesn’t mean I want to date them, because I have you.”
***
Just a few minutes after noon, all twelve ponies were in front of Town Hall. Pinkie, being the pony she is, somehow knew exactly what she had to do, and went to Caramel’s house after she was done. Booke and Arden had one of their friends arrive at their houses, while Lily and Daisy came to Lyra and Bon-Bon.
Shortly after they all arrived, Princess Luna came, with three Pegasus drawn carriages. “Hello there my little ponies. I can see that you are all ready to go.”
“It would appear that way, Pri-uh, Luna.” Twilight was still not used to talking to the princesses like equals. “But where is Celestia? Don’t you two go places together?”
“Yes we do, and my sister is quite busy over another feud. She sends her apologies for not being able to come and see you off, and hopes you well and have fun. And as you can see, there are quite a few carriages for you. All of these pegasi volunteered to bring you to your destination, and I trust them all. I’m sorry to say this, but I must leave now before seeing you off. I am also quite busy today. But I will see you all later tonight, for the resort is part of my nightly flight path. Farewell young ones.”
Luna started to fly away, but one unicorn wouldn’t let her leave yet. “Hay Luna!” Luna turned around, with an expression on her face that said ‘What is it?’ Vinyl Scratch opened her saddlebags and started looking for something, which didn’t take long. “Take these, and give one to your sister.” She tossed two small rectangular objects at Luna, who caught them with magic. “You two need some music to relax to when you’re not busy. Both of those have the same music on them.”
Luna looked at the black one, which also had her cutie mark on the back. “My, how did you know what we liked?”
“I’m just that good. And the fact that I know what everypony likes.”
“Well…I thank you for this. I must go now, farewell my little ponies.” This time, Luna flew off without being stopped.
Each of the carriages could hold four ponies, and one could hold six, so they took a minute to decide who would go with whom. Big Mac, Caramel, Booke and Arden would all go together; Lyra and Bon-Bon would go with Octavia and Vinyl, and the mane six together. They were all standing outside the carriage they would take when Vinyl spoke up again.
“Okay everypony, before I forget, I have something for you all that I know you will enjoy.” She pulled out similar rectangular objects with magic, similar to the ones she gave Luna, and walked over to the males, giving them on as she said their name. “Big Mac, I got you some of your country music. For Booke and Arden, some classical, and Caramel some techno.”
When Vinyl started walking over to the mane six, she pulled out more, which is when they all realized each one had one of their cutie marks on the back, along with being the same color as their coat. “I see from your faces that you noticed. I had these specially made for you all, along with putting your favorite music in them.”
“You can’t possibly know what everyponies favorite music is.”
“You are wrong there Rarity. Just look and see.” Vinyl levitated the white device to Rarity and turned it on. Rarity looked through the music, then her eyes got large and pulled her head back. “Told ya so. I know everything music related, even what other ponies like. In fact, I have the largest music gallery in all of Equestria! Almost up to one million hours of music! That’s over a hundred years, in case you wanted to know.” All the ponies, even Octavia, stood aghast, their jaws practically on the ground.
“I know, crazy right?” The only thing they could do was a slight nod, but soon recovered. “I thought so. Now, Rarity has hers, so I’ll continue on. Twilight… sigh…More classical music. It took me so long finding stuff for you all. Had to look everywhere for the stuff. Alright, Applejack, you got some country as well. Rainbow Dash, I like your taste in music, fricken hardcore stuff. Complete opposite of Fluttershy here. Took a while to get yours, since it’s all ambience. Nice calm stuff, like you. Now Pinkie…I don’t know what to say. Next to everything on yours, mainly techno, trance, rave and party music.”
“You didn’t have to do this…” Octavia said as Vinyl walked over to their carriage, taking out four more, one slightly larger than the others.
“But I did, and that’s all that matters to me. I mean, what do you think I do when I’m not doing something? I put stuff together for others. Hell, these past two weeks, I practically put together music for everypony in Ponyville. Continuing on…Octavia…I’m not gonna say anything…” ‘Fricken classical music…’ She whispered under her breath. “Lyra and Bon-Bon…Yeah…Exact same as Caramel.”
“What about you Vinyl? What kind of music do you have on yours?” Pinkie was practically hopping in Vinyl’s face.
“Good question Pinkie. My personal favorite songs, over one thousand hours of techno, trance, rock, metal, hardstyle, rave and dubstep.”
“Wowie, that sounds like a lot! How much do I have?”
“You all should have around two hundred hours. I couldn’t fit much more in them, but that is still a lot of music.”
“But why does yours hold so much more?”
“That’s easy Twilight. First, it’s larger, having more memory and battery life. Second, I had it specially made for me, but they got it wrong. I asked for a one terabyte memory, but didn’t get it.” Twilight was the only pony shocked at the requested memory, since she knew a lot about science and the others didn’t. “But we are taking too long! Come on, let’s go already!”
*****