//------------------------------// // Episode 3: Pinkie Pie's Party Rush // Story: My Little Appledash: Singing is Magic // by roseprincess //------------------------------// 1st of March, Saturday at 9:17 am Pinkie Pie stared forward at the wall of Applejack’s barn as she lightly tapped on the drums, unaware of what was going on around her, lost deep in thought. She was mostly thinking about all of her super duper amazing party ideas, and only snapped out of it when she realised everyone was staring at her. “What?” Pinkie asked, confused. “Uh, Pinkie,” Rainbow started, “you kinda stopped drumming.” “Oh, hehe!” she chuckled nervously. “Did I?” Applejack nodded and put her hand on her hip. “Mind telling us what’s on your mind, sugarcube?” Pinkie Pie let out a slight giggle. “It’s nothing, really!” she replied cheerfully, as the bell rang for the Apple family’s dinner. “Well, okay then. That’ll be Granny. Ah’ll see ya guys later then,” Applejack said as she packed up her bass, turning towards the door. The others nodded, and did the same, leaving Pinkie alone for a bit. She let out a sigh as she walked towards the door. “No!” She suddenly lit up. “It’s okay, you got this. You can do it, Pinkie! … Can I?” 1st of March, Saturday at 1:07pm “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie cheered happily as she turned towards the front door, watching the customer come in and— “Pinkie?” Applejack said as she looked up, noticing the girl behind the counter. Applejack smiled as Pinkie’s smile faded, but she tried to stay cheerful. “Oh, hello, Applejack!” Pinkie said and waved. “What can I do for you?” “Well, ah was looking outside your store and ah saw some really delicious looking apple cupcakes. Mind if ah have a few?” Applejack asked. Pinkie shook her head. “Of course not!” she said and reached down below the counter, pulling out three of the apple cupcakes. “Anything else?” Pinkie asked. Applejack nodded. “Just two of the rainbow iced ones as well, please.” Pinkie hurried to comply. “Are you really going to eat all of these?” She placed out the bags. Applejack dug through her wallet. “Oh, no, the rainbow ones are for Rainbow Dash. She’s at the game store across the road.” “Oh, I see!” Pinkie accepted the money and placed it in the cash register. “Well, I’ll see you later then!” Applejack nodded and waved as she exited the store. Pinkie kept the smile on her face until she was sure AJ was gone, then sighed and peered up at the clock. If she could just— Pinkie’s thoughts were cut off as a bell rang, indicating that another customer had entered — no, two! She held back her groan and greeted them the same way she did to Applejack, using her free hand to cross her fingers behind her back. At this rate, I’ll never get it done in time… 1st of March, Saturday at 6:00 pm Pinkie Pie let out a huge sigh of relief as she raced over to the store door and flipped the ‘Open’ sign to ‘Closed’. She washed her hands and then pulled out the list of parties she had to plan. This included the food she had to make, the decorations she had to put together, and the people she needed to call, as well as the time of the party. Thank god she didn’t have to be there. Pinkie Pie turned towards the kitchen to start, before hearing her phone go off in that cheerful tune she had set it to. Cupcakes, so sweet and tasty, cupcakes, don’t be too— “Ugh…” Pinkie let out that loud groan she’d been holding in all day, before almost stumbling back towards her phone and hitting the green answer button, bringing it up to her ear. “Hello, Pinkie Pie speaking,” she said, trying not to sound too annoyed, as a fake grin formed on her face. “Oh, hey Pinkie!” Rainbow’s voice came out cheerfully. “Thanks for the cupcakes, they were delicious!” “Oh,” Pinkie started, “you’re welcome!” She hoped that was all she was calling for… “So, anyway, I was just wondering,” Rainbow Dash continued, “if you wanted to join us at the movies tomorrow, since it’s a Sunday. Everyone else has already agreed to go, even Fluttershy!” “Uh…” Pinkie trailed off and bit her lip. “I can’t. I’m… um… very busy. Goodbye!” She moved the phone away and quickly hung up. “Okay. Time to work!” She marched into the kitchen with the list, ignoring her phone the five times it rang after Dashie’s first call. 2nd of March, Sunday at 9:30am “So, she just hung up on you?” Fluttershy asked quietly once Rainbow Dash had actually stopped to take a breath. The four of them were heading down the path to Sugarcube Corner, because Rainbow had insisted. “Yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Said she couldn’t go and just cut me off!” “Ah have to admit, it is kinda strange,” Applejack said. “Ah mean, ah thought Pinkie would accept immediately. Ah can understand been busy, but hanging up like that?” “Exactly!” Rainbow Dash said. “Something’s wrong!” They turned the corner and passed a few more shops before stopping at the cupcake palace. The sign still said ‘Closed’ despite it being long past the time it was supposed to open. Rainbow frowned and peered in, squinting to see what was going on. And then she spotted Pinkie: fast asleep on the counter, covered in frosting. Not only that, the floor was a complete mess: balloons and streamers everywhere! Rainbow Dash moved away from the window and towards the door, which was… open? “Woah there,” Applejack said, placing a hand on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Do you really think we should be bothering her. She looks tired.” “I wasn’t going to bother her; I was going to help her,” Rainbow Dash explained. Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Seriously!” Rainbow announced. “Okay, Fluttershy, you take Pinkie to somewhere comfortable to sleep while the rest of us clean up out here. Then we’ll run the store!” “What about the movie?” Rarity asked. “Pfft, screw the movie! We can’t let Pinkie go out of business! What’s more important: our own enjoyment or saving Pinkie from having to deal with so much stress?” Rainbow asked. “Well, you make a good point there,” Rarity said. “In that case, I’ll handle the drinks.” Applejack strolled towards the counter. “Ah got the cooking covered! Fluttershy, you wanna help?” Fluttershy nodded, smiling a little. “In that case, I’ll handle the counter. Okay, Rainbooms, let’s get this underway!” Rainbow Dash cheered. “Shhhhh!” the rest of them hissed at her, and she chuckled nervously. Rainbow Dash: Now it's the time to bake But Pinkie's life’s at stake Fluttershy interrupted. “Her life?! Oh, dear, you don’t think—” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I was speaking figuratively, Fluttershy. You know, exaggerating?” All our effort it will take For something not to break So while she's not awake These things we'll have to make Now give that bowl a shake It's just a piece of cake Applejack started icing a tray of cupcakes. Applejack: This tray is almost done Go get me another one Just need to ice this bun Actually it’s kinda fun Rainbow Dash and Applejack: So while she's not awake These things we'll have to make Now give that bowl a shake It's just a piece of cake Rarity checked what ingredients they had for milkshakes. Rarity: I know what you’re thinking I’ll get these glasses clinking All will soon be drinking I’ll do it just for Pinkie Rarity walked to join Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity: So while she's not awake These things we'll have to make Now give that bowl a shake It's just a piece of cake Fluttershy: And now I think it’s time To turn ‘round the ‘Open’ sign We’ve made the cakes sublime It’s gonna be just fine Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy: So while she's not awake These things we'll have to make Now give that bowl a shake It's just a— “Guys?” Rainbow Dash said, interrupting the end of the song. She froze and slowly lifted a hand towards Pinkie Pie, who was slumped over, her hair straight instead of it’s original puffed up cuteness. Pinkie stared at the four of them. “Hey, Pinkie,” Applejack said, “nice to see you up.” Pinkie lowered her head, fists clenched. “What… what are you all doing here?” “H-Helping…” Fluttershy spoke up. She tried to continue, but Rarity butted in. “Did you sleep well, darling? I noticed your hair is kind of—” “Leave!” Pinkie said, looking up and glaring. “Leave, now!” “Woah! Um, Pinkie, you okay?” Rainbow asked. Pinkie didn’t answer, and just screamed again. “Go!” she yelled. Fluttershy squeaked and slowly inched towards the door; Rarity seemed eager to join her, as well as Applejack, but Rainbow Dash was confused: confused as to why Pinkie was acting this way — it was so sudden and so strange. Maybe she was just tired, but no, this was different. Not Pinkie-like anyway. “Pinkie, what’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked, determined. “You, all of you, that’s what’s wrong!” Pinkie yelled. “I didn’t ask for your help, so you’re wasting your time and energy! You think I can’t do this on my own, don’t you? You think that I’m weak, and can’t fend for myself! Well, I’ll prove you wrong! So GET OUT!” The others looked at her in confusion. “OUT!” she shouted, striding towards Rainbow. Rainbow, usually the most fearless of the group, took a step backwards. “Okay, we’re leaving. We were just trying to help, you know.” “I’m sick of being treated like some kind of baby! I can do this on my own!” Rainbow looked at the others. “Okay, come on, girls. You heard her.” They quickly gathered up their things and headed towards the door. Pinkie frowned as they exited, and turned away to get back to work. Rainbow looked back as the door slammed shut and mouthed the words: …piece of cake. 3rd of March, Monday 12:00, 4th period, Pinkie’s class. Pinkie let out a loud yawn as she flopped down on her desk, eyes half closed as she could barely hear what the teacher was saying. She’d been up ALL night working on all of her party orders, and didn’t get a wink of sleep. But, it didn’t bother her! Making people happy is much, much, much more important than school, right? Yeah that’s it! But that still didn’t hide the fact that she was tired. Like, really tired. Like more tired than she had ever been before. But, no matter what, she had to get these orders done. Her heart told her so, but her head said otherwise. She let out another loud yawn and turned towards the clock. Just a few more minutes… She thought, before falling asleep at her desk. 3rd of March, Monday lunchtime in the Cafeteria. Rainbow Dash looked around the lunchroom, keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of Pinkie Pie. Any at all. She sighed and turned back to her lunch, which she had barely touched. Her half-eaten bacon cheeseburger was already cold. “Come on, sugarcube, eat up. Can’t let that go to waste,” Applejack said. “Not hungry,” Rainbow replied, but just as she said that her stomach rumbled. Applejack and Fluttershy laughed. Fluttershy used her fork to break a bit of the cheeseburger off and hold it up to Dash’s mouth. “Say ahhh.” “Wha— no way!” Rainbow blushed. “No way am I gonna— umph!” Cut off by the cheeseburger in her mouth, she folded her arms and frowned. The two of them laughed again. Rainbow just rolled her eyes and went back to looking out for Pinkie. “There she is!” She jumped up and left the table to head up to her. Rarity walked up, tray in hand, as she sat down at the table. “What’s gotten into her?” she asked. “Pinkie,” Applejack sighed and sipped her apple juice. Rarity picked up a small forkful of rice. “Oh, I see.” She chewed the rice gently and elegantly. Rainbow went up to Pinkie’s spot in the line and tapped her on the shoulder. She quickly zipped around, but then sighed in relief. “Oh, hey Dashie,” she said simply, grabbing a bowl of fruit and placing it on her platter, moving further down the line. Rainbow Dash followed her. “Hey, Pinks! So what’s up? We haven’t seen you all day!” “Oh, I’ve just been, uh, studying! Yes, that’s it, studying!” Pinkie kept walking. Rainbow let out a loud laugh. “Studying what, the history of cupcakes?” As she said that, Pinkie Pie let go of the cupcake she was about to place on her tray, and lowered her head. “No. I’ve been working on my English, just like any other normal person would. What did you think: young, airhead Pinkie can’t do school work? Well, you were WRONG!” She slammed her hands down, causing a few people around her to jump back, including Rainbow Dash. “Woah, chill, it was just a joke,” Rainbow said and held her hands up in defence. “Speaking of which… I wanted to talk to you about yesterday morning…” “Don’t,” Pinkie whispered, gripping the edge of the counter. Many students started to push in front of her. Rainbow Dash just ignored her. “I’m sorry.” “See, here we go again! You’re always going on about how little I am and how dumb I am and how—” Pinkie cut herself off. “… what?” “I said I’m sorry. I understand how you feel. When I was in Junior Speedster’s Skate Camp… I was the youngest too. I was treated like shit. All of the guys kept teasing me about being small or weak, or making jokes about not being able to see me, pretending I wasn’t there. I didn’t really make much of it at the time, but it really got on my nerves anyway.” Pinkie nodded for her to continue. Rainbow sighed. “Eventually, I got fed up with it. I was sick of being treated like… rubbish that they could just step on. My friend Gilda was there. She tried to stop me, but I just lost it. I wasn’t really close to them like we are, but looking back now, they didn’t deserve what I did. I decided to show them how much of a SPEEDster I really was, and beat the crap out of them. And I was kicked out of the camp. Just like that. Look, all I’m trying to say is… don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t get kicked out of our friendship. Don’t kick us out.” Pinkie sniffed, looked up… And pulled Rainbow Dash into a ginormous hug. “I’m sorry! I don’t want to lose you guys! I’m so sorry!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “Got it, Pinkie,” Rainbow gasped. “Can’t breathe.” Her words were unheard as a loud cheer rang out in the cafeteria. Pinkie looked up, confused, and Dashie quickly slipped out of her grasp and took a deep breath, before looking around out the cheering crowd. The other students had seen everything. A blush formed on Rainbow’s cheeks and she lowered her head, trying to hide her face. Pinkie let out a laugh and called out, “Thank you, thank you!” even though it wasn’t her they were cheering for. Eventually the bell rang and the cafeteria was soon empty — everyone except for the Rainbooms had left to their classes. “Oh, Rainbow Dash, that was wonderful, what you did for Pinkie,” Fluttershy said happily. Rainbow just blushed harder. “I—I didn’t mean for everyone to hear!” “Darling, who cares if the whole school saw it? All that matters is that we didn’t lose Pinkie.” Rarity said. Pinkie grinned, then lowered her head again. “I really am sorry, everyone. I didn’t mean to yell at all of you like that,” she said sadly. “Aw, it’s alright. This whole moment made it totally worth it,” Applejack said. “Gah!” Rainbow said, a little bit annoyed. “Stop teasing me, dammit!” Everyone else laughed as Rainbow marched out of the cafeteria, hiding the smile on her face. What? Laughter was contagious, especially with her. 3rd of March, Monday after school, 3:59pm. “Let’s see.” Pinkie held up her checklist. “We need five chocolate cakes, two vanilla cakes and one rainbow cake — which, by the way, are so delicious!” “You bet they are,” Rainbow said. “So, what are we doing?” The others giggled, as she clearly didn’t get the joke. “Well, the store opens in one minute so we need two people to handle the front counter while the rest of us cook,” Pinkie explained simply. “Well, since I have no intention of getting dirty, I shall stay out here,” Rarity said. Rainbow nodded. “I can’t cook, so I’ll stay here too.” “Fluttershy and ah we’ll help ya, Pinkie,” Applejack said with a smile. “Yay,” Fluttershy said, also smiling. Pinkie grinned. “Alrighty then! Store opens in ten!” “Nine!” “Eight!” “Seven!” “Six!” “Five!” “Four!” “Three!” “Two!” “One!” 3rd of March, Monday evening, 10:00pm. Dear Sweetest Diary, Turns out that trying to help myself isn’t the same as refusing help when you really need it. Sure, I still need to grow up, but even grown up people need help sometimes. My friends helped me realise this, and finishing those deliveries was a piece of cake, hehe! From the number one Pinkie Pie. “More cupcakes, anyone?” Pinkie asked as she held out the tray. Everyone shook their heads. “I’ve had quite enough darling. I think it’s time to get some sleep, don’t you?” Rarity said sensibly. “Uh huh!” everyone except Pinkie agreed. “Oh, but I’m not tired!” she said happily. “Good for you,” Rainbow said as she flopped down on the pillow. It’s so soft, she thought. “Okay, okay!” Pinkie turned off the lights and lay down. … “Does anyone wanna do this again tomorrow?” “Pinkie!” everyone chorused, and she giggled. “Oops, sorry. Goodnight!”