Pinkie Pie bounced her way around town as she normally did, a cheerful melody dancing through her head as she tried to set words to it. Singing bits and pieces from other songs she knew as well as new ideas to this playful tune between the many greetings she gave almost every passing pony she crossed.
Her pink hair bobbed with each pace. Her gleaming eyes were particularly keen as of late. Pinkie could feel it. Something different was coming. Her left hind leg had been telling her so. But her twitching eyebrow told her it was nothing to be afraid of.
It was a doozy... but not a dangerous doozy. Those were the worst kind of doozies. No, this doozy made her excited. She wanted to let the others know but she knew it would only frustrate Twilight. Poor thing, Pinkie thought. Sometimes you just have to except that some things cannot be explained scientifically.
Such as how something completely infallible may have a completely legitimate affect on its environment. Such as imaginary numbers. The square root of minus one cannot be presented in real life or even within a picture or drawing, yet could be used to calculate the effects of probabilities within a three dimensional plain in relation to moving objects... Pinkie stopped, feeling dizzy. What was I doing again?
Resuming her jolly bouncing, she continued down the path. It’s like the time when Uncle Canter got caught in a public restroom for two days after trying to bungie jump from the Eiffel Tower in Prance all because he forgot to...
She stopped again. This time her eyes locked onto two ponies making their way over the threshold of the town. Without a second’s hesitation, she bolted over to them. Her mind switching itself back on again.
Why is this town called Ponyville if it’s a town? Oh no time for that now Pinkie, you have new people to meet! As she came closer to the strangers, she watched the younger of the two speak something to the older before taking to the skies. Within an instant, he was gone. Slightly dishevelled, she continued her quick advance. I can always meet that Pegasus later.
Coming to a slow trot, she approached the tall hatted stallion. His gaze still focused on the direction his companion disappeared to but as the strange pink mare drew close, his attention turned, his stern silver eyes pierced hers for a moment. His stance portrayed almost an aggressive unease at this encounter, something that was uncommon to strangers meeting somepony new.
I know how to deal with new ponies like this, Pinkie thought. But before she could open her mouth to greet the newcomer, his whole demeanour altered. Eyes softened and stance relaxed almost visibly.
“Hi,” Pinkie started. “My name is Pinkie Pie and I noticed that you were new around here, I knew you were new because I didn’t recognise you and if I didn’t recognise you then that must mean that you aren’t from around here which mean that you’re new and if you’re new then you-“ A look of surprise at the stream of words spilling forth without a seconds pause attached itself to this strange stallion who took a step back from the overly excited pink mare.
”-must be here to see someone like family or friends but as you haven’t been here before then that must mean that neither of those things are right as no one else new has arrived here in Ponyville for a while now so the-phffff pff fpffff phfff-” The grey stallion slowly raised a hoof to cover the frantic mares mouth- failing to make her stop attempting to finish her nonstop thought as muffled words continued to spill forth. At this a small smile cracked the grey stallions face.
Patiently waiting for her to stop, he kept his hoof covering Pinkie mouth.
“Which way to the nearest rentable place of residence?”
“Phfff therttthhh-” Pinkie stopped, looking Bass in the eyes. After a moment she answered. Unfortunately still muffled by Bass’s hoof, the incomprehensible “Offehy Doffehy” Caught him off guard. Pinkie Pie spun on her hooves and skipped off chirping “this way, this way”.
Bass, left baffled by this pink mare merely stood with leg outstretched in the absence of her. Sighing with a small smile crossing his lips, he muttered:
“Never a normal day,” before realising his stance and swiftly followed.
“So that stallion you were with,” Pinkie said when Bass finally caught up. “You gonna want a room with him?
“If possible” Bass scanned the town beneath his hat as he walked.
“So that means you two are...” Giving him a look. Bass stopped so suddenly it raised dust from the floor.
“BUCK NO! Neither of us are into that” He stared.
“Its fine,” Pinkie said waving him off. “We have a very accepting community. We have all sorts around here – depending on which fan-fiction you read.”
“What?”
“Nothing...” Bass, still reeling a little from Pinkie’s over exaggerated happiness, was left both amused and bemused. Maybe both together makes me C-mused? Bass thought. Oh god this girl’s madness is infectious, Bass chuckled.
“He’s my brother” Bass finally cut the silence.
“Really, who’s older?”
“I am” Bass smiled. “Something I used to brag about often when we were young.”
“So where did you come from? Is it nice there, is it in another country? Do you still have bits over there? How old are you? How old is your brother?”
“Elsewhere, no, yes, yes, old, less old.” He answered.
“Talkative aren’t you.”
“No” Pinkie smiled.
“Well, here it is!” Pinkie halted in front of a colourful cosy building. Small windows quartered by wood decorated the outside and provided sufficient lighting for its dwellers. Decals coated the outside, clearly crafted by skilled hooves, or delicate magic. At the front, was a small wide door. “If you need any help with anything then by all means ask. It wouldn’t be any trouble. If you want to find me, come and look for Sugar Cube Corner” with a jump and a twist she landed facing 180 degrees to where she was and proceeded to skip away.
“He seemed nice” Pinkie told herself. “Quiet but nice” Pinkies paused. A feeling of dread prickled the back of her mind. Her knee felt ‘pinchy’, Pinkie sense dictates that means something scary is about to happen.
Turning around, she watched the tall grey pony push open the door as a second stallion, plummeting out of the sky to land next to him, caught his attention. Pinkies smile returned as she took a step forward to greet the Pegasus. Her knee pinched harder. The smile faded from her face. Still watching, Pinkie stood motionless as the two stallions passed through the door, closing it behind them.
Annoyed at her lack of x-ray vision, something she hoped to attain someday, Pinkie lost sight of them both. But the fact remained: the Pinkie sense said something scary would happen. The Pinkie sense never lies.
Energy drained from her as she made to move away once more. This time skips and smiles replaced by slow steps and looks of fret.
Something scary.
* * *
Much to Luna’s dismay, her older sister did not answer her question, merely telling her to make herself presentable before leaving the room. Luna scrambled through her wardrobe, sending outfits flying behind her, before picking out her favourite attire she typically wore to more prestigious gatherings. Donning them she left the room, immediately stumbling into one of the figures she spotted behind her sister. Handing her a cup of very sweet tea he politely murmured “follow me” with all the courtesy he could muster without letting his agitation get the better of him.
Luna took it. Bringing it to her lips with her blue aura, she trotted in hot pursuit of her present company.
Through regal rooms and marble hallways; through pristine corridors and grand walkways they travelled until happening upon a small secluded chamber.
Her guide pushed open the small oaken door and entered. Luna drained the last of her drink before doing the same.
“Thank you for coming Luna.” An elderly white bearded stallion announced on her arrival. “Naturally the importance of your presence at this meeting far exceeds your sleeping regime and I hope you understand that.” He stated flatly, almost sensing her displeasure at such a rude awakening.
“I should hope so.” She answered irritably. “Getting up during the day is exhausting.” Collapsing into the nearest chair.
“Hmm” He murmured. “Luna. While you were...” he glanced at Celestia, pausing for a brief moment “...while you were exiled” Tia visibly stiffened.
The elder stallion continued “Great evils have been growing. Festering. And we believe that they may have already started to move without our notice.” Uncomfortable whispers and incoherent words exchanged around the table. Celestia remained silent.
“What do you mean?” Luna asked.
A different robed stallion stood up.
“We believe that something malicious may have already made its way into Ponyville.”