//------------------------------// // The Fifth Day // Story: Well, What Now? // by Spirit Shift //------------------------------// The Fifth Day ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dash groggily woke up the next morning with a killer headache, mentally, he cursed Applejack's name for all the cider she probably paid him with, while also thanking her for the disturbing images that it must have erased. Personally, he would be more than happy just laying in bed for most of the day, maybe to be able to regain some sense of his pegasus laziness by doing so. Luckily, the smell of food was enough to get him to wake up, and drag himself downstairs. Seating himself at the table, he began eating, not even bothering to notice anything different about his surroundings, much less the earth pony that had been slightly glaring at him……. that was, until Pinkie Pie cruelly snatched his food away. “Why?” Dash asked simply. “You had one job yesterday,” she said simply. “Was that job to get a hangover, cuz’ I think I have one. Seriously, what happened last night?” “Don’t you try and change the subject here, mister!” “Then tell me what it was then, mom.” he said mockingly. “You know what this is!” “If I did, then I would know what we’re talking about then, right?” “You would If you knew, but you’re just acting like you don’t so you don’t get in trouble,” said Pinkie, flexing her logic muscles. “But, I really don’t, that’s the problem.” “So you don’t really know?” “I don’t really know?” Pinkie Pie glared, a childish glare, but still a glare. She pointed an accusatory hoof at the confused offender “You didn't bring Spike home, like I told you!” This knocked Dash out of his confusion as he instantly turned his head at the empty third seat. Quickly, his head conjured up some image of pinkie yelling something about bringing the other dragon swapped pony back with him. “S-spike’s probably still with Rarity, it was pretty late so she probably had him stay the night.” said Dash, quickly making up a valid excuse. Or at least one that sounded valid. Pinkie, leaned in closer, her narrow gaze viciously scrutinizing Dash, causing him to nearly fall from his chair. Dash arched his head to the side and noted that Pinkie had somehow managed to stretch herself clean across the table. “Okie Dokie Lokie,” she beamed, snapping back to her proper place. “But we should really find Spike though.” “You’re being…… awfully responsible about all this.” said Dash, attempting to choose his words carefully. Pinkie immediately found herself stretched across the table, her wide, sparkling eyes staring straight into Dash own draconic ones. “Really?” she squealed, “because ever since the cakes started letting me babysit the twins, I’ve been trying suuuuuuper hard to be more responsible. Then you two came over and needed help, so I figured that a suuuuuuper responsible pony would make sure that her friends were safe and sound, but since Spikes not here, I’m starting to feel like a failure, and that I’m really not responsible, and that the cakes won’t trust me to babysit anymore. So we really really really need to find Spike like right now!” Pinkie, who’s rant started out full of energy and excitement, had, at some point, dwindled down to fear and desperation. Her eyes barely holding back a few tears. “Hey, hey. It’s ok,” he soothed, regretting his word choice, “I know where he is, and I’ll get him right now. Ok?” said Dash, softly patting her mane. “O-Sniff-ok” said Pinkie, slowly retracting back to her seat for the second time. “…” sniff “Pinkie?” “Yeah?” “Can I finish my breakfast first?” Pinkie immediately brightened up as she pushed his breakfast back over. “Oh, sure, breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all.” Dash, now fully awake, greedily dove back into the lofty realm of waffled cereal and toasted juice. It wasn't as good as the chimicherrychangas that Pinkie whipped out yesterday, but it was at least better than Sweetie belle’s version. “So,” Dash began, gulping down a section of his plate, “gonna work the shop again today? I hope it’s busier than yesterday, I was soooo boraaaghh!” Dash looked up and saw the face of Pinkie Pie, once more, stretched over the table, and in his face. “W-what now?” “Pinkie seemed to realize what she was doing, and quickly backed off. “Oh sorry,” she smiled, “Well, the store, usually opens around noon today, and I don't have any, Ohh, can I come with you to go see Rarity, I need to get something back from her.” “Oh, really, what was it?” “Just a few books that were laying around my room, I wasn't using them, and Rarity needed them for something. So I said that she could use them.” “Huh, why aren't you the element of generosity again?” “Silly, Dashie, I can’t be two elements, then what would Applejack be?” “Umm, honesty?” “Wait, really? I thought she was loyalty this whole time,” exclaimed Pinkie, leaning back in her chain in realization. “Wow, you think you know all about a pony and then BAM this happens.” “Wait? Then what element did you think I was?” “Umm, honesty?” Pinkie shrugged. Rainbow Deadpanned. “Pinkie?” “Yes?” “You’re just being weird. Come on, I’m done with breakfast. Let’s clean up, and go get Spike.” “Okie dokie lokie!” ~Later o-“Wait, hold on a second!” “What is it?” asked Dash, hopping out of his chair. “All this talk about work reminds me, don’t you have a job too, Dashie?” “One problem at a time, Pinks. Plus, I have my top mare on it as we speak.” ~Elsewhere~ “Psst, Cloud?” said Blossomforth, knocking her friend out of her sexy daydreams. “What’s up?” “Does the Captain look…… different to you?” said Blossomforth, gesturing over to the off blue pony currently handing out orders. Cloud Kicker looked at her Captain seriously for what must have been the first time that wasn't just ogling. Slowly, she began to take in all the small details, such as the taped on rainbow lightning paper cutie mark. The sky blue coat, slowly dripping away to reveal a gray one underneath, and even the rainbow mane wig with strands of gold sticking out. “She must have rushed this morning,” Cloud Kicker surmised. She turned back to her fellow weathermate and whispered “her mane and coat are dyed, you know, not natural. Just act normally, like you don’t notice anything odd ok? Ok.” “But, she wants us to make it rain muffins!” “Why do you say it like it’s a bad thing?” said Cloud Kicker, clearly offended. “What? Do you have a problem with how I run things?” said ‘Rainbow Dash’, now directly in front of Blossomforth. She stiffened immediately, not daring to look the Captain directly in her skewed golden eyes. “No, ma’am not at all, muffin rain’s a great idea!” she babbled nervously. “That’s better! You will respect your Captain, that's me, who is Rainbow Dash…… who is also me.” said ‘Rainbow Dash’, strutting away proudly, her snoot high in the air. “Oh, Captain, you’re cutie mark fell off again!” said one of the other weather team members. “Oopsie,” she said, dropping the act. She hurriedly picked up, and re-tapped the picture to her side. “Thanks!” “No, problem, Derpy! Keep at it, you’re very convincing!” she exclaimed, causing the mare to squeal in excitement, and Blossomforth to glare at her troll of a friend. ~Back at Sugarcube Corner~ “Yup, everything's fine, that mare’s practically a changeling when it comes to disguises.” Dash said proudly. “Oh, okay then!” said Pinkie, hopping over to the sink to begin to wash the dishes. ~Later on~ Knock Knock Knock “Rarity!” …….. Knock Knock Knock “RARITY!” ………… BAM BAM BAM “RARITY!” Still silence. “Ughhh,” Dash groaned as he tossed his claws into the air, “this is why I hate doors. If I was a pegasus, then I could just go in through the window like normal. Hmmm, maybe as a dragon, I could burn the door down. What do you think, Pinks.” Dash turned around as noted the lack of random party ponies behind her. He was about to comment and search around, but a random thought passed through his head just then. Wordlessly, he turned back to the door, took a breath, and knocked once more. Knock Knock Knock “Pinkie Pie!” Dash called, only for the door to immediately open to reveal the pastry pony herself. “Yes? Oh, hi, Dashie, whatcha doin out there, the window’s wide open?” Dash only deadpanned and walked inside. “I’m not even mad” he muttered. Pinkie Pie shrugged and followed the irate dragon inside, stopping next to him as he briefly scanned the interior of the shop. “Looks, like they aren't home right now, maybe out shopping?” “Nahhhh, I checked the fridge. Rarity actually has a lot of sweets, it’s like a mini Sugarcube Corner in there!” said Pinkie, excitedly hopping up and down. “How does that tell you that she’s not here?” “Well duuhhhh, her kitchen already has all the food she needs, why would she go buy more?” “Pinkie, you know that there's more to food than cupcakes and candy, right?” Pinkie instantly backed into the nearest wall, pointing a shaking hoof at the confused dragon. “BLASPHEMY!!!! Thou Speaketh the Words of Tirek!” “Oooooookaaaayyy,” Dash said, nervously backing toward the stairs. Due to his sensitive dragon ears, he fairly heard the soft sounds of quiet munching from upstairs. “Hey, come here,” he whispered, causing Pinkie to cease speaking the princesses english, and quickly trot over. ”I hear something.” Pinkie let out a large gasp, quietly though. “But, Rarity isn't here, is she being….. robbed!?” “I don’t know, but lets go find out.” “Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie said menacingly, pulling out an frying pan that she had stolen from the kitchen. The two creeped up the stairs, and Dash tracked the sound to a room on the far corner of the hallway. Dash quickly slapped Pinkie, quietly told her to stop bouncing, and the pair quietly sneaked up on the door. Dash counted down on 3 talons before bursting through the door. Pinkie rose up to her hind legs, and held the pan in a pseudo ninja pose. Trying his best to look threatening, Dash tried to look as big as possible while showing as many sharp teeth as he could. Overall they looked hilarious, Pinkie ended up standing on one leg with the other bent in the air. One of her front hooves covered the bottom of her face like a ninja mast and the other held out the pan backwards in front of her. Dash looked like he had on a smile far too large for his face to hold. He stood up on his toes with his arms raised above his head. Sitting in a corner of the room in a cardboard box was Sweetie Belle, simply staring at the two weirdos that burst into her room while she was enjoying the first meal that she had in at least 2 days. Both Pinkie and Dash relaxed at the sight of the solitary Cutie Mark Crusader. “It’s not a robber. It’s just a pony in a box!” Pinkie observed. Sweetie bell promptly spat out what was currently in her mouth to properly address the unwelcome guests. “Excuse me, I’m trying to eat here!” “Dashie, I know that you said that there's more to life than cupcakes, but does cardboard count?” “No, it does not” “This isn't cardboard! This is the finest in Egyptian cuisine!” "Oh really!” exclaimed Pinkie as she began to hop toward her. “I wanna try some!” “It’s cardboard,” Dash deadpanned, holding Pinkie back by the tail, “You’re eating the box that you’re sitting in” Dash finished. Sweetie Belle looked at her surroundings, and noted the various bite marks that decorated her prison. She sheepishly giggled as she spit out bits and pieces of cardboard that were still in her mouth. “Oh, hehee, right.” “Sweetie Belle, why are you in a box anyway” asked Pinkie. “Rarity put me in here for absolutely NO reason!” “You don’t get in trouble for no reason, silly filly,” giggled Pinkie. “No, seriously, she burst in here, demanded to know why I went through her stuff, and put me in this box. I didn't even go into her room, she’s got all sorts of locks on it and stuff!” “Well, you shouldn't have broken in anyway, that’s just not cool,” Dash stated simply. “BUT I DIDNT-” “Anyway, we’re looking for Rarity and Spike, have you seen them?” Sweetie Belle grumbled angrily for a bit before answering properly. “I don’t know about Spike, but my sister did bring home a strange mare yesterday. They talked practically all night. I think they said something about going out, just the two of them. “What!” they both said simultaneously. “Yeah, now that I think about it. They left a few hours ago. She also said that I could have some…….. of……. the pastries….. downstairs……..” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened in realization that she could have eaten at any time. She violently burst out of the box and pushed past the two, toward the stairs. “OUT OF MY WAY! FOOD!!” she cried. The dragon and the party mare stood together, both in shock at this recent development. Dash, slowly glanced over to Pinkie Pie, whose eyes had already began to water up. Her lips were quivering and she was shaking like a leaf. Her mane began to flatten out little by little. ~In the Library~ Gently placing down the book in front of her, Twilight yawned and stretched as she sat up from her couch. The feeling of the bones in her back cracking into place caused moans of relief to escape from her mouth. She looked up the clock to check the time. “Only noon?” she murmured, looking around, she hopped off the couch and headed for the nearest magic calendar. “I could’ve sworn that I was reading longer than-” her eyes grew wide at the sight in front of her. “This can’t be right? I know that I was reading for a while but it couldn't have been more than a day or so.” Looking at the calendar, she realized that she had been reading for almost 5 straight days. That fact alone had stunned her. “YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!” she cheered, hopping in circles all the while. “I beat my record! I don’t know how but I finally beat my record for straight reading! Maybe it has something to do with being an alicorn….. would that be considered cheating?” Twilight abruptly ceased her hopping in order to give that notion some serious thought, before almost immediately brushing it off, and hopping over to the stairs. Spike” she called, “could you bake a cake please? I want to celebrate this moment!” “Spike, are you asleep? It’s already noon.” “Spike?" she said, becoming slightly concerned, usually he would be home, lazing around the house, cleaning, or going through her stuff. Still receiving no answer, Twilight finally decided to go up there herself. As she trotted into their room, she noted that someone had, indeed, gone through her stuff. But other than that, Spike was no where to be seen. Twilight began to march around angrily, horn alight as she fixed up her room. “Who went through my stuff!? Couldn't have been Spike, he’s more discreet than this, must have been Rainbow Dash again, the windows open too.” Twilight instantly paused as a brief memory flashed through her mind. The memory of being chased by a certain pegasus. “That’s weird, why was Rainbow chasing me again,” she wondered briefly, “and why was Spike riding on her back waving a stick around?” Taking another look around, another few memories came back to her. This time of both Rainbow and Spike sitting on her bed. “AHAH, I knew it was Rainbow Dash….. wait, why was she with Spike in my room, this is really weird. What happened a few days ago?” Twilight took one last look around until her eyes stopped on one particular object. Lifting it closer she recognized it as an ancient spell book that she had borrowed from the library in the castle of the royal pony sisters. “Oh, this is the book that gave me the spell to turn us into breezies………. wait…. hold on.” Instantly, every memory from 4 days ago flooded back into her head. Rainbow had bothered her relentlessly about turning into a different race. Spike joined in. They had an awesome high speed chase through town. They flooded her house. Twilight gave up, then she cast the spell. As Twilight struggled to re-absorb all that she had already knew, one thing stuck out the most in her mind. “I told them, that they had a week,” she whispered, “Oh no, ohno ohno. This is bad this is very bad!” she began to panic, her body moving despite not knowing what to do. Quickly securing the book in her magic, She swiftly ran down stairs. “I have to get to them before it’s too late!” she exclaimed as she ran out of the house, “Ok, think, where would they go? Not Rainbow Dash’s place, that’s obvious. Fluttershy’s? No too cramped, how about-” She was rudely interrupted by the sound of an explosion. Looking around she found herself staring in the direction of the Carousel boutique, and what looked like a geyser of water spilling forth from every conceivable entrance. “Well, that's a good place as any to start, I just hope that they’re together,” she mumbled as she took off in the boutiques direction. ~Back at the Boutique~ “Now, Pinkie…… just calm down,” said Dash to the sniffing time bomb that was currently named Pinkie Pie. Every moment, her hair grew more and more limp, and every moment, Dash would grow more and more frightened. “B-sniff-but I-I-I,” she stammered, “w-w-w-we d-dont even…..” “We can find him, you haven't failed anyone…… yet.” Just as Dash had feared, the moment it became completely flat, everything went white. The only thing he would remember, were wails, salty waters, and he swore that their was a tuba somewhere in all of it. Waking up some time later, Rainbow groggily took in his surroundings. He quickly found out that he was outside the boutique, lying in a small puddle, with Sweetie Belle next to him, face planted on the ground, surrounded in wet foodstuffs. Looking back, he saw water still pouring out of a few windows,and puddling outside the store. “My head, actually feels better then when I woke up this morning,” he said, struggling to get up and make his way back into the store. Sniffling in a pile of her own tears, lie the flat maned, dull pink pony. Gibbering nonsense about being un-trustworthy. “Pinkie? You ok?” he asked hesitantly. “How could I be! I lost my friends and now the cakes won’t let me babysit the twins annnyyymmmoooorrreeee!” “Ok, not sure how that one fits together, but don’t worry we’ll find Spike, and the Cakes will trust you again. I promise.” “D-sniff-do you Pinkie promise?” she said, turning her head slightly to face him. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a something something somewhere,” he said, making the motions but not really putting much effort into the rhyme. Obviously, it was enough, because Pinkie’s mane immediately poofed back to life as she squeezed the life out of her dragon friend. This went on for a few more seconds before she released him, and jumped into the air. “Then let’s saddle up, and find our dragon….. err I mean, Spike!” said Pinkie as she swiftly dashed out of the boutique and into town. “Give it a second,” he said to himself, still gasping for air. “Hay Rainbow?” she said, circling back to him. “Yeah?” “Where did they go again?” “I think Sweetie Belle knows, she said something about it before you exploded.” “Oh…… so, where is she?” “Outside, someone’s massive bawling knocked her unconscious.” he said, sending a glare toward the mare in front of her. “Wow, Dashie, I didn't know you were such a crybaby. I’m learning new things about all of my friends today!” Pinkie exclaimed, cheerfully hopping out the door. “I-but-you, cry,ugh?” Dash babbled as he frustrated facepalmed. “WEEEEEEE!” Sweetie belle cheered as she made her way through lush green fields, the candy grass tickled her hooves and the fruity tasting wind felt good in her mouth. The birds sang and she sang with them. Off to the side, she could see her entire family, their friends and the other CMC enjoying a bright picnic. Everything was perfect right now. This perceived perfection only became enhanced when she looked back at the one chasing her through these fields. A young earth pony colt with a brown coat and light brown mane dashed in a playful attempt to catch her. His adorable propeller beanie swirling in the wind. “Sweetie Belle!” he called out, “Wait up!” “You have to catch me first,” she called back. Instantly, she felt herself being pushed forward from behind. He must have pounced on her, because, before she knew it, they had rolled a few feet, landing with him standing directly above her. He looked down at her with that playful smile that he always had, and she blushed furiously. “Sweetie Belle, waite up!” he exclaimed, much to her confusion. “But, you already caught me. Now are you going to help me up?” The colt gently lifted Sweetie Belle back to her hooves, but kept his forehooves on her shoulders. “Sweetie Belle, he said as he slowly began to shake her back and forth. “Waie up!” “Wha-ah-ah-aht?” she screamed as he had began shaking her more and more ferociously. “I d-o-o-ont understa-a-and!” “Sweetie Belle,” he screamed, his voice becoming more and more shrill and girly than usual. “Wake up! “Sweetie Belle recognized that voice immediately. Her eyes snapped open, and she realized that the one shaking her, wasn't her crush, but some random pink mare. “Sweetie, I can’t understand what you’re saying, speak up! “Pinkie?” “Yes, Dashie?” she answered, still nonchalantly shaking the young filly. “She’s awake, put her down?” he suggested. “Riiiggghhttttt.” Doing as she was told, she calmly sat the still bobbing filly back down to the grass, where she promptly plopped headfirst into the ground. “Um, Sweetie? Are you ok?” Waiting for an answer, all they got in return was the sound of chewing, and a sigh, before Sweetie lifted her head back up and glared at her sisters friends. Looking around, her eyes widened at the sinful sight of wet and wasted food. Stiffly, she crawled over to a small slice of bread, and picked it up. Tears almost fell from her mouth as the bread went limp in her grip.”Do you know what you’ve done!?” she cried out, smoke emanating from her horn. “Ummmm, no?” Pinkie answered hesitantly. “You’ve wasted the precious!” she cried as she turned back to them. Angril, and with her horn glowing intensely, she stomped forward. “All food is sacred and precious, but now it’s wasted. What do you have to say for yourselves!” she yelled, her voice now echoing deeply. Pinkie opener her mouth to reply when something managed to beat her. ` “There you are!” said a voice from behind them. “All three turned to see Twilight approach them with a worried look. Sweetie turned back, and made her way over to Twilight. “No! I’m not done with them! They must pay for their transgressions! The pumpernickel WILL! BE! AVENGED!!” she screamed, her horn’s aura glowing a bright green as her eyes began to turn white hot in intensity. Twilight didn't bat an eyelid as she strode right past Sweetie Belle. Without missing a beat, she dropped a bag full of bits in front of her as she made her way over to the other two. “Sweetie, go eat a cupcake from Sugarcube Corner, you’re not you when you’re hungry.” Sweetie looked at the bag for a few seconds, before immediately grabbing it, and bolting toward the local pastry shoppe, all traces of vengeance gone in the blink of an eye. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie just stood in awe at what just happened. First, Sweetie was about to kill them, but then she just runs off because of Twilight and some bits. Twilight noticed the look that they were giving her, and decided to knock that one out as soon as possible. “Unicorns get weird if they go without eating for a long while. In fact, I develop ADHD when I go without-” Twilight stopped as she looked around the place. “What the hay happened here?” Both of the beings in front her were slightly taken aback by her sudden change of topic. Fortunately, Pinkie was a fast recovered, and eagerly told Twilight what really happened. “Well when Rainbow found out that Spike had left with Rarity, she exploded with tears and sadness and-” Pinkie paused as Dash pinched her muzzle shut, and prepared to rectify Pinkie’s false statement, when Twilight interjected first. “Wait, Spike did WHAT!?” “He left Ponyville with Rarity!” “Man, Sweetie Belle was right, look at all this wasted food. It is a sin to do this.” “Twilight,” Dash called by snapping his claws and getting her attention back, ”focus, you looked worried, what’s wrong?” “Rainbow, do that again…..” “What? This?” he asked, snapping a second time as per request. Twilight began to look even more worried. “Oh no, this is really really not good. It’s already happening.” “What’s happening!” “Pinkie, how do you get your mane to defy gravity like that?” “What’s gravity?” “TWILIGHT!” “Oh,” she said, snapping out of it. “This is bad, the spell is beginning to stick to you.” “What does that mean?” Twilight brought the book over to her, and gently sat it down on a patch of dry ground. “Basically, it means that your body, is getting used to it’s new form. Because you’ve only had it for a short time. For example, you shouldn't yet have developed the unconscious muscle control to snap without thinking like that.” “I’m still, confused” said Dash, scratching his head in bewilderment. “Same here,” said Pinkie, mimicking the gesture. Twilight groaned into the air, she hated simplifying things. “It means, that in less than a day, you’re bodies will have adapted so well to the ones you have now, I won’t be able to change you guys back to normal. For example, Rainbow Dash, tell me what it’s like to fly. How does it feel?” “Easy, it’s the best thing ever! It’s just like when… you..” Dash trailed off, the cocky smile that he wore soon dropped into a confused frown as he desperately tried to remember the feeling of soaring through the air. “Like, the wind, goes through your mane and…… it feels….. good, I guess?” “See, you can’t even remember what your old body felt when you flew. That’s something that you should easily remember! The book recommended that I turn you guys back within 4 days maximum.” “Then why did you give us an entire week!?” exclaimed Rainbow, finally realizing the consequences. “I don’t know! I was stressed, and I threw out a number without thinking!” “Personally, I’m just glad that she remembered it today, or we might have been in some serious chocolate fudge.” Pinkie piped up, attempting to break the tension. “Well, it’s still her fault for changing us!” “Mine! You guys begged me to!” "Girls?” “You could’ve done a better job resisting!” “Well, maybe if somepony had not flooded my house with letters after I did, maybe I wouldn't have so many paper cuts in so many weird places!” “GIRLS!” Pinkie screamed into a bullhorn, instantly knocking the wind out of both of them. “We have to find Spike quickly right? Then we shouldn't fight each other.” Both Twilight and Rainbow were slightly taken aback by Pinkie’s uncharacteristic ability to be the voice of reason. But reluctantly, they both agreed by nodding. Swiftly pulling out her detective hat and pipe, Pinkie began to pace around friends, quickly trying to solve some sort of mystery. “Now, we have to find out where Spike and Rarity went, to do this we need to find somepony who knows. Somepony that can tell us what we want to know. Perhaps somepony who stayed in the same house with them that night.” She turned to look at her friends, only to see that they had long since began to run off in search of Sweetie Belle. Some time was lost briefly as Rainbow Dash had occasionally stop Twilight from examining the effect that salty water was having on the exposed foods and flowers in their path. ~Elsewhere~ “Ohhh, this is so exciting. I feel so bad, just up and leaving like this!” said Rarity as they trotted down the streets of Manhatten. “I didn’t even tell any of my friends this time, I hope that they aren't worried or anything.” “It’s fine, everything’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” said Spike absentmindedly, clearly ignoring the fact that she didn't tell her friends either, and that they were probably worried about her, and that she may have left some of the food out at Rarity’s place, and that her stomach was feeling a little funny. But screw all of that, she was with Rarity and they were eloping, well not exactly eloping, but it was close enough in her mind, and it was the best day ever. At least, that's what she wanted to think, lately, it just didn't seem to be as important as it was supposed to be. Spike knew that Rarity was with her, and that was awesome. They were going traveling, and that it was her idea, but it just wasn't the only thing that was on her mind. Ever since Rainbow Dash pointed out that she essentially had no goals in life, and Rarity inadvertently made her think that she had no friends of her own. She'd been feeling empty, confined, and even slightly depressed now. The worse part was that she still couldn't understand why. Eventually, Spikes thoughts turned back to the conversation that she had with Rarity last night. They talked about a few things, mostly about Spikes real feelings about herself, and the ponies around her. Last night she realized, after a particularly uncomfortable conversation, that this surprising need to talk about these things, stemmed from him now being a mare. Apparently it made him more open to her feelings, or something. Rarity had a lot of magazines on this topic. Truthfully, Spike ended up falling asleep even more confused than before. She hated being a pony right now. “Emerald?” Spike snapped back to reality, instantly realizing that Rarity had been calling her psudo name. “Y-yes?” "Is something wrong?" said Rarity, she was quickly learning that when her friend stared off like that, something was bothering her. “N-no,” “Darling, I don't like it when ponies hide things from me. If something's wrong, then let me know." "W-well," she began hesitantly, "It's just, I'm quickly realizing that I don't really have anything of my own ya know. My friends are friends by association. My hobbies are almost nonexistent, I don't even know anything about myself or my goals in life. You, you’re interesting, you know everything about yourself and what you want to do. I’m just so confused right now.” “Darling, it's obvious you're having some sort of identity crisis, it's fine, everyone has one as some point. From what I can tell, this has been bothering you for a while correct?" "No, that's the thing, I only just started feeling this way recently. I think, but looking back, I guess that I’ve been feeling like this for a while.” "Emerald, I want you to go on this trip, but I want you to go alone. I want you to go on what's called a journey of self discovery. It means that you have to go out, have adventures and discover new things about yourself that you didnt know before. I can tell that, no matter how much you wish to deny it and stay at home, you’re done doing the same thing everyday, you want something new and exciting in your life.” "I don't think that my roommate would let me do that." "Oh, I'm sure that Twilight will understand, you just have to ask." "Do you really think so?" Suddenly Rarity's words kicked in. "Wait, how did you know her name, does that mean-" "Yes, I know who you are Spike?" "How did you know?" "Pah-leeze. I may be gorgeous, but I'm not blind. Besides, when we talked about what kinds of colts we liked last night, you basically described me in a nutshell." "If you knew then why did you keep asking me? Why'd you make me wear all those dresses and clothes?" she blushed. "It was funny to see you flustered and embarrassed like that." she teased. Spike deadpanned at the grinning mare. "Anyway, do you really think that'll work?" "I do, you've been cooped up in little old Ponyville too long. You need to leave this town and stretch your wings, figuratively of course." "How would that help?" "Being on your own would give you a chance to make your own decisions and make new friends, none of which have anything to do with any of us. You'll have all the time in the world to find the answers about who you are, Spike and what you wish to do with your life. Ponyville's too small for a young dragon, and this can't be all that there is for you.” ~Back in Ponyville~ During their search Spike, Pinkie, and Twilight all decided to split up and search independently. Pinkie checked Sugarcube Corner, only to find that the door was locked and nothing was missing. Twilight checked the CMC Clubhouse, only to get distracted by the question of why it seemed to be larger on the inside. Rainbow Dash checked all of the candy and sweet shops around the town, hoping that he would run into them on the way. Eventually after a few hours of searching, the ended up back at the center of town. “Did you find her?” Dash began. “Nope!” “No, but I finally understand the physics behind the clubhouse, it’s all situated in the altered perception of-” “Not important we have to hurry and find her, Sweetie Belle is the only pony who knows where Rarity went.” “Rarity went to Manhattan.” All three angled their heads to spy not one, but all three Cutie Mark Crusaders, calmly trotting up to them eating, admittedly, delicious looking muffins. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you! Where did you go.” “Well Sugarcube Corner was closed and no other place in town sells cupcakes. So I found my friends and we all went to Ditzy Doo’s house for muffins!” “Really, are they that good?” asked Twilight. “Are you kidding,” exclaimed Scootaloo, “they’re like the best muffins I’ve ever tasted!” “That’s so true!” said Pinkie, excitedly hopping in agreement. “Guys, we have to get to Manehatten before it’s too late!” “Rainbow Dash, it’s already too late, the last train’s gone already, we have to wait until tomorrow, although that might be cutting it a bit close.” “Why can’t you teleport us?” “Do you want to go looking for two ponies in Manehatten at night? Also, Rainbow Dash, I can barely focus on the task at hoof. If I try to teleport us like this, we could very well end up in Canterlot because I wanted to see what they did with Discords old statue spot.” The instant she finished her sentence her eyes burst wide open as she began to gaze toward Canterlot mountain. “Twilight?” asked Pinkie, slightly worried. “J-just….. I’ll meet you guys tomorrow at the train station. I need to check this out, I also need some sleep, and maybe some food.” With that, she blinked off, leaving a very frustrated Rainbow Dash, and an extremely worried Pinkie Pie. Before he could go off on a tangent, and waste more time, Pinkie decided that it would be in everypony’s best interests to just lift him onto her back, and left toward home “Don’t worry, I know what it’s like, Twilight may have her priorities mixed up right now, but I have faith in the fact that she won't abandon her friends. She is the element of loyalty after all. “Pinkie,” he deadpanned. “Yes?” “Nevermind.” she groaned. “Okie dokie lokie,” she chirped, giggling all the while.