Hopping along the street Pinkie made her way through the town. She greeted her friends with the same cheer she always did and generally caused an all out flash mob.
Once she was done in town she made her way to the edge of the forest and the home of one of her very best friends.
"Oh today is a huuuuuh!"
Pinkie came to a screeching halt in front of the little cottage that Fluttershy lived in. The sight that greeted her now was so unexpected that it took her a moment to process it.
"What is going on here?" She slowly took a look at the chaos that was ensuing around Fluttershy's home.
Animals were everywhere and they had completely taken over the house. Birds were flying in and out of windows, doors were left open with plenty of the smaller mammals going in and out. There was even a small family of mice sleeping in the windowsills.
"A party! I can't believe Fluttershy through a party with the animals and didn't invite me." Pinkie huffed.
She pranced by the animals and into the interior of the house.
"Fluttershy why did you not invite me?" She whined only to discover there was no one there.
"Fluttershy?" Pinkie was starting to get a bit suspicious now.
Seeing that Fluttershy was not in the downstairs area she decided to check her room.
"Yoohoo Fluttershy! Whats with all the animals?" Called Pinkie to a mostly empty bedroom as well. Mostly empty because occupying the bed was a large bear.
"Your not Fluttershy." she squealed.
The bear simply glared at her before giving a powerful roar. So powerful that poor Pinkie was blown all the way down the stairs and out the door. She looked stunned for a minute, but then quickly shook herself.
"I've got to go find Twilight. Something has happened to Fluttershy and she didn't invite me to the party!"
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Meanwhile Twilight had been working on a new magic spell that she was currently practicing on Spike.
"Uh Twilight are you sure about this." Queried a very nervous spike. He was holding an apple in his claws. An apple that was shaking very violently.
"Sure I'm sure. Now hold still or this could go south real fast." Said Twilight nonchalantly.
"What!?"
The alicorn seemed to ingnore this as she closed her eyes. Slowly a bright light began to pulse around her horn. Mimicking the erratic shaking coming from the small dragon in front of her.
"Twilight!" A frantic Pinkie Pie crashed through the door.
A huge dark cloud poofed around a startled Spike. Blinking the dragon looked down at himself. He was afraid he would see some type of wound from the blast, but sighed in relief when he realized there was none. Until he noticed that his once pruple scales were now a bright, bold, pink. He glared at the retreating alicorn.
"Sorry Spike!" Twilight apologized and for her part managed to look appropriately sheepish.
She quickly turned a death glare on Pinkie.
"What are you doing barging in here like that. I was practicing a very delicate spell and... Pinkie?"
Pinkie just stood staring blankly at Spike.
"Pinkie are you alright" asked Twilight with some concern.
"Buahahahah! Spike is Pink that is so awesome!" The Pink mare doubled over in laughter.
Twilight rolled her eyes at Pinkie's antics. "Seriously Pinkie what did you want?"
Pinkie quickly sobered up.
"Oh right. Twilight I have to tell you Fluttershy is missing!"
"Wait what? What are you talking about? What do you mean Fluttershy is missing?" Twilight was really worried. Pinkie Pie was almost never serious.
"Just what I said. I went over to Fluttershy's cottage like I always do to say hello. When I got there all the animals were going crazy having this massive party. I was so surprised and then I was mad. I mean come on I am the party pony and nobody invited me." Pinkie continued to ramble on.
"Pinkie, pinkie, PINKIE!" said Twilight, shouting to be heard over her friend's rambling.
"Yes?" asked Pinkie innocently.
Twilight took a breath. Trying for some patience.
"Pinkie what were you saying about Fluttershy being missing and skip the party please."
Pinkie Pie looked a little put out, but consented. "Thats what I've been trying to tell you. I went by her house to greet her and when I got there she was gone. The animals were all loose and there was no sign of Fluttershy anywhere. She even left the front door open."
Twilight looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "That doesn't sound like her at all. I better go investigate."
She headed for the door along with Pinkie, but was quickly stopped.
"Hey! What about me? You can't just leave me here like this!" Cried Spike.
"Oh right, after I change Spike back." Twilight blushed and then hurriedly cast the counter spell.
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"Master you have returned. How was the mission?" asked an eager Timberwolf.
A lone figure stood just outside the clearing where the Timberwolves had gathered. Pacing slightly the figure seemed almost thoughtful for a moment.
"All is according to plan. No thanks to your screwups!" Shouted an enraged voice.
The Timberwolf shrunk back into the saftey of his pack, fearful of his master's rage.
"Thanks to your inabilitiy to accomplish one simple task I was forced to stick around a lot longer than I planned." His voice was nothing, but a deadly hiss to the Timberwolve's ears.
All of the wolves remained cowering in the shadows of the trees. All except one.
"But master, we had no choice. We had no idea that he would show up. We may be strong, but not that strong."
For one brief moment the shadowy figure seemed to consider this. The entire forest seemed to be holding its breath. Waiting for the uncoming violence that was sure to occur. However, the shadowy figure just smiled in response.
"Yes, maybe your right. I must admit that even I was surprised at his presence. All was not lost, however, and we are still on course. There is only one phase left to complete for our plan to succeed. Maybe just maybe we could use this unexpected development to our advantage."
The wolves all breathed a sigh of relief at this positive reaction.
Noticing this the figure let out an evil grin. "There is only one teensy tiny little favor I must ask of you first."
He walked up to the brave wolf that had spoken up. Looking into the predators eyes he spoke.
"And if you screw this up your firewood."
Flames erupted around the wolves singing all those who didn't get away quick enough.
Two saphire eyes shone with glee at their terror.
"Soon little one soon."
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Standing inside the once tidy cottage of Fluttershy was Twilight and Pinkie Pie. The two were stunned.
"This is even worse than when I was here earlier. What is wrong with these animals?"
"I don't know Pinkie Pie, but this doesn't look good at all."
Just then a loud crash sounded from the kitchen. The startled mares gasped in surprise before quickly heading to the source of the sound.
"Fluttershy!" The two called in unison.
However, when they got to the kitchen all they saw was a white bunny hanging from the rafters by a piece of cloth.
"Isn't that Fluttershy's bet bunny Angel?" asked Twilight.
"Yes it is." Squealed Pinkie.
She trotted up to the little bunny and helped to untie his paws. She then looked over to Twilight giving her a wink.
"Don't worry Twilight I got the interrogation covered."
Twilight just raised her eyebrows and waited.
"Look here bunny I come here looking for my pal Fluttershy and what do I find? That's right the whole cottage in turmoil and no Fluttershy. Now there's just one thing I want to ask you."
She glared down at the dubious bunny "Why didn't you invite me to the party?"
"Ugh are you serious right now Pinkie?" groaned the other mare.
"I'm never serious" She replied with a goofy grin on her face. "Why do you ask?"
Pushing her out of the way Twilight stepped up to the bunny. "Angel do you have any idea what happened here and where is Fluttershy?"
Angel looked relieved at finally being asked this question. He shook his head vigorously.
"Great, where is she?"
In answer the bunny hopped over to the window and pointed towards the forest. Pinkie Pie was the first to make it to the window.
"Ooh the garden"
This made the bunny smack his head in annoyance. He once again pointed right towards the forest and even moved the mares head with his hands.
"Huh Everfree Forest!?" She cried.
"What? The Everfree Forest?, but Fluttershy would never go in there. Was she alone?" Questioned a worried Twilight.
The bunny furiously shook his head. He then made his paws into claws and gave an evil cackle.
"Oh no Fluttershy went into the Forest with gasp Discord!?" Shouted Pinkie Pie.
"How on earth did you get that out of his miming?" asked Twilight incredulous. "Never mind what I really want to know is why?"
She made her way over to the windowsill as well and looked out into the forest. It was dangerous and if Fluttershy really did go in there with Discord she was going to need the help of the others.
"Pinkie we are going to need more help."
"Way ahead of you Twi." Pinkie saluted her friend, mimicking a palace soldier. She then pranced outside and toward the town.
Just as Twilight made to follow her something stopped her. A small piece of red fur was caught between the windowsill. Normally this wouldn't have been a big thing considering all the animals around, but this fur was somehow different. Making a quick decision Twilight grabbed the scrap of fur before heading off after Pinkie.
"Who knows this might come in handy later, especially considering how weird this whole mystery was."