//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 (Deleted Scene) // Story: A Troll Through the Park // by Spanner //------------------------------// Takes place right after the end of last chapter. *** Late that night, the party planning meeting resumed in the reserve dining hall. Pinkie Pie was outlining the pros and cons of muffins versus cupcakes. She still seemed oblivious to her audience's side conversations. “What are you, five? Miss Pot do you really believe she wasn't just making that spy thing up?” The court announcer pointed at Pinkie, who was currently sniffing one of the party banners, and then gave it a quick lick. “Besides they’re called orderves.” “Whatever!” She threw her hooves up. “The Element of Laughter is bound to be a freethinker, right?” The serving mare offered. Miss Pot noticed Pinkie had changed topics, but continued to whisper quietly. “I mean, a few days ago, Celestia was impersonated by a vampiric-bug pony that can supposedly steal emotion. Don’t you think spies actually seem a bit too normal?” “I’m not asking you anything. Not ever.” The party mare was still jabbering away. “...and that’s why we should throw two parties at once! One for the snooty rich...” Pinkie coughed“ ...I mean upper crust ponies, and one for the ponies that really want to rock!” Pinkie finished with some air guitar before fixing her audience with narrowed eyes. “Are you two paying attention? It’s important to know why you shouldn't use a canoe paddle for pinatas.” She had her hooves on her hips. “Security is way too good to let a spy into the castle,” Bright Herald said haughtily, oblivious to Pinkie Pie’s indignation. Pinkie Pie just continued to hold her hooves on her hips and stared at the pair expectantly. “And yet, Miss Pie got into the kitchen without any of the guards noticing before we found her?” Porcelain Pot said, raising her voice to a loud whisper. “Are you two talking about muwa?” Both unicorns nearly jumped out of their chairs as Pinkie Pie appeared between them. When no answer came, she put a hoof to the side of her muzzle and whispered. “Well if we're gonna talk about ponies behind their back, have you noticed anything strange, unusual, or out of character for Princess Celestia?” Bright Herald stiffened. Her expression seemed unnaturally neutral as she spoke. “As servants of The Princess, you can’t expect us to slander The Princess behind her back. Even if we did have something to share, it would be nothing but the utmost confidence and respect for her Highness.” It was a well-rehearsed speech, but if Applejack were there she would have sooner eaten her hat than to believe it. Pinkie just turned to the blue-grey serving mare. Porcelain Pot cocked her head to the side and scratched her chin. “Well, she seems to be more productive with work lately. ” She noticed Bright Herald’s sharp glare after the betrayal, but continued anyway. “There was that time I thought she might turn me into a pastry when her cloud cake shipment was lost, not one of my proudest moments, but I guess that doesn’t have much to do with The Princess herself. As far as strange behavior, that’s about all I can think of—” “Are you serious! You’re not going to mention how she flew around the Council Chamber and got Luna’s job back?! Especially when The Princess is usually barely interested in Day Court, not to mention how she was seen flying around the castle with Shining Armor on her back while Princess Cadence flew after her with a giant sword. Celestia was later seen flying around Canterlot in a giant bunny suit, and now her Highness is paying us to throw a party!” Bright Herald was panting by this point. She clasped a hoof over her mouth the moment she realized she had spilled her guts about Her Highness. There was a brief pause as Porcelain Pot just sat there. “Jeez, what a blather mouth. You also used said 'flying around' twice in a row.” She looked over at Pinkie Pie. “So yeah, Celestia’s been pretty normal around here, except the whole unexpected party thing.” "Ahah! My suspicions were right. I better go find Twilight right away! See ya later alligator or alligators?” Pinkie Pie started hopping towards the double doors that led out of the dining room. “Wait, where are you going?” Bright Herald shouted towards the pink mare. “I've got baking, decorating, sound checks for Vinyl Scratch, and saving Equestria stuff to do, bye now!” She disappeared in a pink blur around the corner of the hallway. Not moments later, Pinkie’s head popped around the corner of the doorway again. “You two remember all the stuff I need you to do for the double party right?” The two mares nodded and Pinkie’s head went out of view. Bright Herald and Porcelain pot exchanged looks. “You remember what she said, right?" They said as they pointed at each other. “Oh, horse apples.” They both said in unison. Pinkie Pie’s head poked back into the dining room doorway. “Speaking of horse apples, Brighty, your invitations are crap! Also they need more glitter, like tons more.” The earth pony's head retracted around the corner. By the time Bright Herald reached the hallway, Pinkie was gone. The Court announcer's face turned crimson. “I don’t care if she’s in charge or an Element of Harmony, I’m gonna give her a piece of my mind. I worked hard on the banner and those invitations.” She charged towards Pinkie’s direction but her tail was caught in somepony’s magic. “She’s right, take a look,” Miss Pot said with her horn still aglow. “See? ‘Celestia’s Royal Autumn Party’ spells out ‘CRAP.’ All your invitations say C.R.A.P.” The serving mare started giggling before she received a hoof to the shoulder. “Give me those!” *** To Be Continued.