Chapter 21: Day 2 Progress
Twilight and Spike eagerly awaited the Princesses's chariot at the entrance to the rather fairly decorated town. The banners of different hues flowed nicely in the late morning followed by the sounds of preparations showed how much anticipation every pony had. For the Town Gala.
Twilight paced back and fourth between the Spike and the Welcome post that read welcome to Ponyville. "I wonder what the Princesses will think of the Gala so far." Twilight announced somewhat impatiently. "I bet Rarity will be pleased to see Princess Celestia's expression when she sees the events that we have planned for everypony." She stopped walking for a slight second. "But what if she isn't? We'd have to come up with something bigger.
"I doubt she would be displeased at all. Rarity did way better than just good. She did an awesome job this one looks way better than the gala they had at Canterlot. It's like a small town chic thing not Canterlot swank."
"I guess you're right there shouldn't be anything to worry about then." Twilight's mood seemed to have lightened up.
Soon the sound of wings beating and then the sound of wheels hitting the dirt. The chariot slowly made its approach to the town entrance. Celestia and Luna sat in admiration of the town and it's decorations. "This is truly admirable." Said Celestia taking note of the town.
"As expected of Rarity's talent. It's so pretty." Luna happily exclaimed. "I bet I can blend into the banners." She whispered to herself in delight.
"Isn't it a bit too early for Nightmare night? We still have a long time till then." Replied Celestia. Twilight and Spike approached and gave a courtesy.
"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna it's so great to see you again. Who's taking your place on the throne?" Twilight asked before embracing the both of them.
"We have both Princess Cadence and Sir Shining Armor taking our place. We have given them very precise instructions as how to handle today's tasks." Luna explained in a slightly entertained expression.
Twilight gave a chuckle as she shook her mind clear of seeing her brother dressed up as the Princess of the night. "Rarity is going to appreciate your input on the the Gala so far we're gonna be meeting her when we're finished with everyone else. Do you and Luna want to have anything to eat?"
"I'm afraid I will have to be absent for that Twilight Sparkle for you see, I have to take care of a small matter of business before I meet up with you three again." Luna kindly replied. "But I do agree to meeting for a snack later.
"Business? With who?" Twilight replied feeling a bit crestfallen. "I thought you were really excited to see the Gala to see if there was anything wrong with it."
"I will be meeting with someone on official business. Do not worry I will not be long." Luna said as she turned her attention to her sister who nodded. With that she trotted along the blue banners almost blending into them and vanishing into the town avoiding other ponies who didn't see her.
"What shall we observe first Twilight?" Asked Celestia breaking Twilight's train of thought.
"Oh... Well we can go visit the rest of the girls and then find Rarity." Twilight explained. "Applejack said she wanted to have you do a taste test on the food she baked up for tomorrow."
"Then we mustn't keep our friend waiting then." Celestia happily grinned at her disciple. They began to chat as they trotted into town as well. Several of the townsfolk instantly noticed their leader walking amongst them and began to bow. "Oh, don't mind me everypony I'm just here to how well everything is going. So please carry on." Just as she said that all the ponies listened and followed her orders. The ponies in the street still created a path for the Princess and her student to walk through. They gave a small laugh and continued on their way to Sweet Apple Acres.
Somewhere else in Ponyville
Luna lurked along side the banners carefully making sure to not be seen. The ponies walking around did manage to stop and watch the Princess of the night try her best to not be seen. "Princess Luna? What are you doing?" A young grey unicorn filly asked while she straightened the banners the princess had disturbed.
She held her mouth out in a fit of embarrassment. " I forgot to cast the spell..." Her mind screamed at herself. "I was uh... Testing the fabric that Rarity put into these delightful banners." She smiled back. "They are quite the fabric aren't they?"
The little filly and the others returned to their activities leaving Luna with a blush of embarrassment. She bowed and trotted her way to the windmill.
The windmill blades spun slowly and peacefully. As Luna approached she could feel the presence of a shield around the building. She placed her hoof onto it revealing a dim red glow. She lit her horn up and created a dark blue glow where her hoof was allowing her to slip through the shield. She knocked on the door but nobody answered. Her horn lit up again as the door slowly opened. The living room was empty as well as the kitchen. Listening carefully she could hear a very small noise coming from the upstairs. She trotted up the stairs to investigate. She heard what seed to be light pieces of scrambled speech coming from one of the rooms. Slowly she nudged the door open to see a sleeping figure in bed moving erratically and constant. "He's having a nightmare. Maybe I can try to get in with it." Her horn glowed casting a bright white flash leaving her immobile as she sat incredibly still signifying the dreamscape spell had been initiated.
Inside the dream.
The terrain resembled that of Equestria yet something strange was wrong with the sky and several homes and buildings lay in ruin. "Oh no! What is this?" Luna whispered to herself looking at the reddish sky. The moon nor the sun were up yet it was as bright as day. "What kind of nightmare is this? It feels almost... Evil..." She took off and soared up looking for signs of life. Strangely there were lights coming from the distance and the signs of a monstrous struggle. Quickly she made her way over a battle scarred land and devastated homes.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out. "I will not let you continue this anymore!" Another light as bright and warm as the sun flashed beyond the edge of town. Luna quickened her pace as the scene unfolded in front of her. Celestia flew around a gigantic blob of what looked to be black goo. She quickly began firing rays of light at it causing it to shriek and quiver.
"By my sisters nonexistent beard!" Luna shouted shocked at seeing her sister in her condition. Her mane appeared burnt and messy in several areas. The black goo staining her now dirty white coat. This was a sight most displeasing. She called out to her sister but Celestia did not respond. Where was The human? What in Equestria was that thing her sister was fighting? Knowing well enough that this couldn't be her sister she tried to help her and fired her own set of beams towards the creature all the while looking for wherever her student or anypony else could have been.
"I will finish this!" Celestia's horn lit up as a miniature sun formed above her illuminating every shadow. Out of the corner of Luna's eyes she saw the outline of a figure buried within the blob but only for a second as her sister's sphere of energy collided with it shattering the nightmare.
Out back in the windmill.
" PRINCESS LUNA! What the heck are you doing in my room?!" Shouted the now awake human who was now clinging from a support beam on the ceiling. "How did you even get in here?" He asked as he carefully made his way down.
"It's already mid-day did though forget the appointed time of our lesson?" Luna said aloud in her royal equestrian tone. She wasn't particularly mad but confused. "You were having a nightmare so I felt obligated to free you of it."
"A nightmare? I don't think so. I don't remember having a nightmare." Joe replied feeling a bit confused as well.
"The black blob? My sister? You don't have any memory of it?" She asked before turning away contemplating what that could have meant.
"I just remember laying down to got sleep, closing my eyes and boom. I wake up to see a pair of white eyes staring at me." Joe explained stretching and yawning. "By the way... Do you think you can fix this for me and will the spell work the same way? I really liked being a cute little red unicorn."
Luna shook her thoughts on the nightmare out of the way and turned back towards the human. "What did you do to it?! It's completely destroyed!" She stared at the remains. "How did this happen?"
"Remember what you guys said about the Everfree?" Joe asked in reply.
"Yes but I don't see how that could be connected." Luna's curiosity began to peak.
"Yeah there was this big wolf thingy made of trees. It sorta ate one of my shoes and nearly ate three little ponies." Joe briefly explained. "So It broke there."
"We gave you a clear warning of the forest. I don't think my sister would've been so forgiving but, I suppose I can try to fix it. But if not we will have to find my sister and have her place the same charm as she did before." She levitated the broken pendant over to her and it began to spin and glow. After a few seconds it began to slow and came out good as new. "As for the charm." Her blue aura engulfed the pendant for another few seconds and then faded. "It is done. Pretty soon after a few more lesson you could probably achieve a spell like this on your own maybe even to the point you won't need the pendant but until then... Here you go." She placed it into his hands and he plopped it into his pocket.
"Thanks I guess I can go back outside." Joe replied as he turned to exit the room. The two of them made their way down stairs to where Luna poofed up a big spell book upon the table.
"Today we will be teaching you how to teleport. It is the most vital spell pertaining to either escape or reach a location faster." Luna began reading from the book. Just hearing the word "teleportation." Interested him enough to quickly grab a seat at the kitchen table. "First we will begin by learning how to transfer regular no living objects and then the real deals. First focus on this apple." She pulled a perfectly plump apple that rested atop a large basket of apples. "Watch closely." An apple was slowly engulfed by the bluish aura then quickly flashed out of existence and flashed once again reappearing on the table.
"So that's how it looks like when you aren't the one being teleported." Joe exclaimed as he picked the apple up.
"First visualize what or who you would want to teleport then let your magic take a hold of it. Now let's have you try it." Luna placed another apple on the table. "I want you to move it from here to here." She pointed her hoof at the apple and then at an empty spot on the table. He did as said and wrapped the apple in a red aura. "Now teleport it over here." She blinked her eyes and looked where the apple was supposed to go. She saw that the apple was gone but it hadn't appeared where it needed to go. "That's odd where did it go?" She then noticed her student trying to contain his laughter. "What?"
"Look up." Joe replied pointing just above her head. The apple he had tried to teleport had stuck itself to her horn.
She quickly teleported it back onto the table. "I hope that wasn't on purpose." She exclaimed looking somewhat amused yet a bit entertained. "Now try again without any funny business."
"Ok, ok I got it this time." Joe replied calming himself down. He focused on the apple the same way he had earlier and voila it actually appeared on the other side. "Got it."
Luna looked rather impressed at the second attempt. "Now teleport it back to where it was before." She watched as he repeated the process twice before the apple ended up teleporting to Luna's seat and the princess sitting up on the table. Due to the difference in size between the Princess and the table, the table toppled over. But not before the Princess could teleport herself to safety. She gave the human a stare of disappointment.
"Before you say anything. I swear I did not mean to do that. I only had focus on the apple." Joe replied honestly as he picked the table back in its place.
"It seems that unlike the other spells you took so easily to learn, this spell will require additional practice..." Luna replied returning her composure. "Perhaps we should try a different method. How about you try to teleport from here to your living room? I suggest putting the pendant on in case you teleport outside."
He did as she said and put on the pendant. "Yeah let's try it." Luckily for him the pendant worked just as it had before. He began to focus on the living room. He took a deep breath and grunted.
Somewhere outside with Ponyville in sight.
Luna flashed out of a flash and onto her face. The look of confusion was plastered on her face as she looked towards Ponyville. "Perhaps this is going to take longer than I thought it would. Her horn quickly began to glow as she vanished in a flash.
Not too far away, at Sweet Apple Acres.
Celestia took in the aroma coming from the rows of pots that were full to the brim with apple filling that we're going to go into the treats for the Gala. She also took note of the pace Applejack and her farm ponies were gathering apples just for the event. They had a total of four carts that were ready to be wheeled off to town by Big Mac and another stallion similar in size. Granny Smith stood atop a ladder mixing one of the pots with a spoon big enough to be a shovel.
Applejack took notice of her two visitors and quickly made her way over after bucking a few more apples out of a tree. She bowed before the princess. "Good evening your Majesty. I'm sure glad you came on over, we're just about to have a tasting for the pastry filling."
"That's sounds wonderful Applejack. I'm sure they're delicious." Celestia answered while Twilight took note of what had been completed. Apple Bloom poured a couple of bowls for the two of them to sample.
Celestia sampled a spoonful and gave a very satisfied nod. "I believe everypony is going to enjoy those pastries."
"I reckon they are after seeing how much you like em." Applejack replied wiping the sweat off her brow.
"This is a great batch Applejack. Care to follow us to check on the rest of the girls?" Twilight added as she took a spoonful out of her own bowl.
"I would like to Twilight but, I'm gonna need to help Granny Smith finish the cider. Thank you kindly for the offer."
As they spoke Luna appeared before them. "Again?" She blurted out looking where she was before vanishing.
"Princess Luna?" Asked twilight as she was the first to notice the voice but upon seeing nothing her focus returned to the Princess and Applejack.
After about half an hour of sampling
Both the Princess and Twilight walked along the path towards the town. "I think we should see Pinkie Pie next She's been making something that she's been keeping to herself and I saw her with a load of some weird drawings on her her idea board." Twilight explained before she stopped and looked back at the farm. "I coulda sworn I heard Luna's voice for a second while we were back there."
"I do not understand what you are speaking of? I'm certain Luna is busy with an acquaintance at the moment." Celestia replied smiling aware of what exactly was going on.
Back in town
Pinkie pie sat inside her room tinkering on her cannon while humming a tune that Rarity usually would when she worked on dresses. There were all sorts of tools and work material. "The adjustments are just about ready I just need to find the most opportune moment to act." She said to herself as she covered it up with a tarp. Suddenly, three loud knocks came from one of the windows. She opened it up and in came Rainbow Dash with a paper bag in her mouth. She dropped it on the floor and quickly shut the window.
"I need you to bring this to Fluttershy as quick as possible. I need her to track down where its owner is." Rainbow exclaimed stuffing it into a saddle bag. "I think I know who it belongs to." As soon as she placed the saddle bag on her friend's back she opened up the window and rocketed out to where ever she was needed.
"That was weird... But... OKAY!" She beamed a smile brightly as she made her way onto the streets and began her trek to Fluttershy's cottage.
But after two seconds.
Pinkie immediately zipped back to the front of Sugarcube corner. "Oopsies almost forgot." She began setting up a massive white board. As soon as the board was completed she quickly rushed inside the little sweets shop and emerged with a variety of sharpie markers in her mouth. The sound of a million squeaky markers attracted the ears of many of the ponies walking and working around town causing them to turn there attention towards its owner. Finally she was finished, she threw another tarp over it and left an even tinier white board with "For Twilight and most royal guest on it. Pinkie stood there a moment to admire her work and then just as earlier zipped away towards her friend's home.
Back in the Windmill
Luna's mane appeared messy in some places while parts of her fur were ruffled. Sitting across from her was Joe who seemed virtually unscathed by this lesson. He busied himself by repeatedly teleporting an apple from one spot to another.
"Okay I have a conclusion. You can probably teleport anything that is within your field of magical range. You just need to will it, You could move living creatures. That's interesting very interesting. The only thing that can't be moved is you for some unexplained reason. Maybe it's due to your magic or it could deal with something all together. But I think it could still be useful to you. You just need to practice a bit more." Luna exclaimed as she levitated a scroll and quill that were magically writing for her. "Perhaps we should try this one more time before I must leave to meet my sister."
"Celestia is here? In Ponyville? Then who is on Royal duty?" Joe asked confused and very intriguingly. "Can I see her?"
The image of Shining with her hair style flashed into her head and she giggled. "I don't know if we will be here long but we will be here on the night of the Town Gala but, it's up to you if you want to go."
Joe paused for a while before answering. I don't know... There are some very questionable characters running around here and I wouldn't want to end up breaking this pendant again. If anything... I will try to see the two of you."
Luna smiled at her student before looking at the clock. "Well, our time today was short but, I'm afraid it is time for me to meet my sister." She exclaimed before she got up from her seat. "Be sure to keep practicing and maybe you may one day be able to teleport yourself. In the meantime, I have labeled down a few repair spells in that book. Be sure to have a look at them. You may never know when you may need them. But, farewell for now."
"Alright thanks for the lesson today. Tell Celestia I said hello." Joe exclaimed. Luna smiled as she nodded and teleported away. "See you later." He sat there alone with an apple in hand and a large book in front of him. He looked up the basic Reparation spell and wrote it down in his pocket note book for later. He sighed before he turned his attention to the coffee table in the living room. On top of it lay the blue piece of fabric from the day before. Joe put the pendant on and left his home with the banner on his back.
Somewhere near Fluttershy's cottage.
Pinkie Pie hopped faster than she usually would along the path with the bag Rainbow had given her. She hummed a little song. Just like a few of her friends, she had a little tendency to hum for a short bit until she heard a chorus of little birds and the melodic singing voice of Fluttershy. The small group of birds sang in a similar tone as Fluttershy making what sounded like a song for a waltz.
"HEY FLUTTERSHY! RAINBOW DASH ASKED ME TO DELIVER SOMETHING TO YA!" Pinkie screamed at the top of her lungs causing the small chorus to flee. Flutter turned to her Pinkie who was pretty far away and then to the little spot where her birds used to be. Her face turned to one of disappointment when the birds failed to return as she turned to see Pinkie up close and staring directly into her eyes. "Da show said to give this to you." She pulled out the paper bag and placed it slowly on the ground in front of Fluttershy.
"Thanks?... But, what is it?" The shy Pegasus asked as a tip of her wing slowly opened the bag and pulled out its contents. She yelped as she pulled her face away and covered her face with her hooves.
"What is it Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked concerned of the bags contents.
"It smells... Stinky..." Her voice was muffled due to the hoof on the nose she continued to open the bag and spill it's contents. A very worn out pair of shoes fell out. One being severely damaged and the other somewhat fine. "They're shoes... A really big pair of shoes." There was a ball of paper in one of the shoes that had a poorly drawn butterfly on it. Pinkie completely ignored the odor and pulled the paper out with her teeth.
Pinkie cleared her throat and read it out. "I found these out by the Everfree I need you to help me track down the monster. I know these belong to it. So, just have a dog or something trace it. -R. D." Pinkie read aloud but in Rainbow Dash's voice. "That sounds fun! Wait a sec!" She quickly yelled before taking off towards where she had come from. Fluttershy sat there with a confused yet interested gaze set on the shoes she poked the perfectly fine looking one around as if trying to get a response. She poked at it until a small white paw placed itself by her head.
"Wynona?" Fluttershy quickly asked turning her face towards the farm doggy.
"We needed a doggy didn't we? And don't worry. I bet Applejack isn't gonna notice she's gone.
" I... I... I guess this is okay then." She held the still good shoe with her wing and lowered it to Winona instantly began to smell the odd shoe. "Okay Winona I need you to help us find whoever owns these shoes. Do you think you can help us?" Winona shook her head. She took a pointed stance facing town before making a mad dash towards town. "Pinkie quickly! After her!" Fluttershy commanded immediately following the farm dog with Pinkie in pursuit. She trailed slowly behind them.
Back in town
Red made placed the banner he had borrowed the day before. The banner matched with the rest of the other banners that had been placed up. He looked around the rest of the town which was decorated in elegant little ribbons. "Lucky thing this place can control the weather." He whispered to himself. He walked around a little until he spotted a small group that was making their way towards him. He quickly hid behind a banner.
"That was odd Mrs. Cake said that she ran off somewhere." Asked a certain Unicorn walking along the path.
"I did enjoy the detail she had used on those event schedules." a familiar voice exclaimed. It was Celestia, Luna, and Spike's purple friend. "I'm impressed with you and your friends productivity. To have this much done in such a pace would put some of Canterlot's finest to shame."
"Well... It's quite something now isn't it your highness." The white pony from yesterday suddenly intervened into their conversation. "I wouldn't wish to toot my horn but, I couldn't have done it without all of my friends helping with the setup. It's thanks to them that it is being done this quick."
They looked in her direction to notice what looks like a grand outdoor dance floor set into the town center. It was decorated similarly to the rest of the town but the difference was the lighting, it had far more colors that did quite well with the blue giving it a royal blue accent. "Indeed this is such a impressive feat. How did this idea come to mind?" Luna walked away from her sister and towards the dance floor. "Also why did you chose blue?"
Rarity turned away with a triumphant excited style. "Well now that you've mentioned it, I came up with the idea after seeing how the color blue at times is depressive. I thought about how a good distraction could keep one self from focusing on those depressing matter. I find this Gala to be a more uplifting take on the color." She explained masking one of the reasons she wanted Twilight and the others to help.
"Bravo. That was a very interesting way to put it. I can count on this being one must be at event." Celestia said aloud as she walked towards the little fashionista and put her head by her head. "I am also thankful that you thought of Twilight's health as well. It was smart to use my presence as an excuse to get her outside." She giggled as she pulled her head away. The young Unicorn's face turned to one of confusion and worry covered up with a forced smile.
"Why, thank you your highness... This will indeed be a Gala for everyone's enjoyment." Rarity stammered in reply. "Now shall we treat ourselves to some lunch. May I suggest the Glass Horseshoe?" She pointed towards a fancy restaurant that was within walking distance.
"Hmm... How about that one?" Luna pointed to one that had the had the Sign that read "The Stuffers cafe"
"Greasy... Foods..." Rarity's thoughts moaned in anguish. "But it is the Princess's choice after all..."
"So how about it Rarity? Let's go eat at the cafe." Said Twilight as she motioned her hoof towards the cafe.
"Yes... Let us go then." Rarity led them into the cafe while Celestia stayed behind.
"I know that you are there." Celestia said as she turned towards a banner with a large obvious lump. "I see you are getting used to living here."
Red made his way out of the banner to face her. "Hey there... Celestia." He replied pretty embarrassed that his hiding spot sucked. "Yeah I've sorta gotten used to the place. But, I haven't gotten any closer to finding the Spell and frankly... Some of the ponies here sorta make it a bit harder in trying to find it."
"How so?" She asked as of she already had an idea.
"Well... There was a small weird group of them and I think they're out to get me!" Red explained. "I've just been trying to avoid them. Especially, this pink one." Celestia placed her hoof on his shoulder.
"Do not worry about them. I do not think that is the entire story. But, do not worry I know there will be an answer to where the spell is. As for now, maybe you should enjoy the event coming up. We are going to be there. It's gonna be a party." Celestia spoke tenderly and comforting.
"I guess if you put it that way. But I'm still going to keep my distance from them and maybe I'll go I just don't know..." Red replied.
"I must go now I need to rejoin them." She happily ruffled his mane and turned towards the cafe. "Until next time."
"Okay I'll be waiting." He finished before he got up and fixed his mane.
"Also Luna has left a letter in the book it is from Rex. Our friend has been rather busy. Good bye for now." She vanished into the cafe leaving Red in the center of the path.
He sighed unsatisfied of his little meet with the Princess. He looked at the cafe but decided he wasn't hungry at the moment. He turned and began making his way towards the path to the fields.
About half an hour later.
Red was just about there when the smell of something sweet cooking. It was coming from the orchard near by. He continued to walk until the sound of something running came from close by he turned his head to see a small dog run up to him and sit in front of him. "Oh hello there." He began to pet the tired little dog.
"Now I've got you!" Came a voice from somewhere. Hooves hit the unpaved path at a rapid pace. Something pink blazed its way as it approached the Red unicorn.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Red shouted as he began bolting away from it.
"Hey! It's you!" The raving pink pony cheerfully shouted as she pulled a cannon from her mane. "I've got something for you!" She continued to gallop on two of her legs while holding the cannon above herself.
Red galloped as fast as he could keeping the pink pony at bay. His hooves began to glow red giving him a much needed boost in speed leaving his pursuer behind. He sighed in relief as the pink pony vanished from sight.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome! A fine welcome to you! Welcome, welcome, welcome!-" The pink pony sang aloud as she managed to match Red's speed giving him a shock and bewildered expression. He quickly began to gallop even faster.
"Wait! How about if I try this." He said to himself. His horn began to glow as well as the tenacious pink pony. She continued to sing even as she suddenly, flashed out of sight. "Yes that did it!"
Back at the cafe
Twilight, Rarity and the Princesses sat contently suddenly, a red flash appeared. "Hi girls!" Pinkie quickly greeted her friends when she landed and continued to dash out the doors along the same path she had been on earlier.
Somewhere else on the path...
Fluttershy exhaustedly walked on the path calling for both Pinkie and Winona. She continued to call out their names until she sat down for a break. "Those two are probably halfway to Canterlot by now..." Suddenly, the sight of a red blur caught her eyes as it streaked along the path. Behind it was another blur, a pink blur...
"You again?!" Red shouted obviously freaked out by what the pink pony could accomplish in so little time. "That shouldn't even be possible! Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" He continued to gallop nearing the timid pony. Fearing a collision, he slammed his hooves into the ground as brakes. He slowly came to a stop right in front of her. She suddenly, shrieked pointing behind him to see Pinkie Pie failing to stop on her own. They collided and tumbled around. When Red opened up his eyes, he was face to face with the barrel of the cannon and a pink pony standing behind it.
"Let me welcome you to Ponyville with the Insta-Party 2000!" Pinkie shouted in an overexcited rage and readied the trigger mechanism.
"Pinkie I think you're too close! Don't do It" Fluttershy warned but it was too late. Pinkie had pulled it launching a table directly at Red... He managed to quickly zapped the table before it smashed into his face. Pinkie stood there dumbfounded and then panic.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" She jumped up onto the cannon as it began to vibrate. A little red light began to blink near the top and Pinkie's face went into a full on red alert expression. She jumped down and began to desperately try to pull the cannon barrel away from them. "I can't stop it! The oven is jammed and the frosting is expanding!" Red quickly pushed it away with his magic and erected a shield around it. "Hit the deck!" Pinkie buried her head in the dirt. They waited in anticipation for an explosion. The cannon shook as it's barrel aimed itself at the sky. It suddenly fired, cake batter oozed from the top like a volcano.
Both Fluttershy and Red stared at the mess in disbelief. Instead of an explosion it was just a messy froth of failed pastry. He lowered the small shield and sighed. Now that the immediate danger was gone he turned his attention to the pink pony. He plucked her from spot. "What was this abo-" Red began before the cannon suddenly went off one last time. Seeing nothing come out of the barrel he looked back at the saddened pony. "You've got some explaining to do..." He sighed placing her down next to the other one. "I... I just wanted to find-" he muttered as something smashed atop his head. He lumbered forward. "Why does this keep... Happening... To me?" He quickly dropped down unconscious and covered in fruit punch.
Fluttershy and Pinkie stood there confused by the scene before them. Fluttershy shook her head and walked over to the unconscious unicorn. Pinkie sat her rump down and began to sob and wail. "I failed agaaaaaaaaiiiinnn!..." Her tears poured like a broken water pipe.
"Pinkie I need your help. We need to get him back to the cottage." Fluttershy commanded trying to throw the downed pony over her back.
"But, I..." Pinkie tried to begin again but started to sob again with a straightened mane.
"Pinkie I really need your help and... And you could probably have a do over." Fluttershy replied trying to balance Red on her back."
"A do over?..." She momentarily stopped crying allowing her hair to poof into its usual shape. "Why didn't you mention that earlier." She threw Fluttershy and the unconscious unicorn onto her back. She quickly bounced over the path and into the tiny cottage.
Out by the Ponyville entrance.
The Chariot that Celestia and Luna had rode in, was parked and ready for take off. The group of two Princesses and unicorns neared the row of royal guards and prepared to say their goodbyes. "This truly has been an excellent outing. Rarity I trust that this gala will be one of many future gatherings to come. As for now we must leave you both to continue the great work. I am eager to see how Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are handling the kind of days we usually go through." Celestia smiled as she stepped onto the chariot.
"This will be the talk of Equestria just you wait and see your Highness. " Rarity replied. "Thanks to Twilight and everyone's help, this will be one for the record." Rarity clapped her hooves and beamed a delighted smile.
"Your joyous attitude excites us. Maybe I shall aid you with a sky suitable for the event." Luna said as she rubbed her chin in concentration. This made Rarity even more enthusiastic as she envisioned photographers, her friends, and a few celebrity ponies admiring her work and praising her. She stood plastered in her little moment of fantasy.
"Thanks for visiting today Your highnesses. Can't wait to see you when the gala starts." Twilight waved at the sisters as they flew off into the dying light of the day. Luna had begun lowering the moon causing the skies to darken even further. Rarity finally snapped out of her little euphoria to realize that the Princesses had since departed and that it was getting dark.
"Where are the Princesses? They were here just a few moments ago." Rarity questioned getting up and started to walk along side Twilight.
"They left. You were too caught up in whatever you were thinking about that you didn't get to see then off. But onto a more important note... This is going to be the Better Best Night Ever!" Twilight began to cheer as they happily made their way into town.
Back in the Cottage about half an hour later.
Fluttershy carefully applied a roll of bandages around the Red unicorn's head and then plopping it down on the pillow of her sofa. She then placed a cold pack onto his forehead while, Pinkie continued to banter on about a do over party. "I hope we didn't hurt him too bad. From the look of this he's going to be just fine." Fluttershy said aloud.
"Were gonna need streamers, cake more punch bowls." Pinkie sat writing up a list.
"Pinkie pie?.." Fluttershy turned her attention back to the unicorn. Her eyes rested on the little pendant. "Her mind suddenly flashed to when she had become ill and he and Angel took her home. She used her wing to lift the pendant above his head and off his neck. A sudden flash caused her to back away and watch as another form took shape on the sofa. There lay the same creature that had taken care of her when she got sick. "Oh my..."
"Hey who's this?! Where did that Red guy go?" Pinkie suddenly interrupted. "I haven't given him a party. Let's make it a double welcome! We can have cake! Loud music! Hundreds of ponies! Did I forget about the cake?!"
"No..." Moaned the creature while he still lay on his back. I don't... I don't want a party..." He brushed his hand against his forehead feeling the bandages. His vision was fuzzy he took a moment to notice he had his glasses on and was laying in a familiar place. His eyes focused onto the two in the room. His eyes instantly shot wide as he noticed his pendant that still hung from the Pegasi's wing. Their shocked expressions matched the amount of panic that he began feeling as he looked at his hands knowing full blown that the jig was up. "Crap..."