//------------------------------// // Part 1: National Pranking Day // Story: The Prankster's Gambit // by aceotaku //------------------------------// “It’s time everypony!” Fluttershy called out excitedly. Rarity grinned mischievously at her friend as she flew overhead. “You know, it defeats the purpose if you remind everyone, Shy.” “Aww but as much fun as it is to surprise ponies, its not very fair!” The Pegasus argued. “It’s way more fun to give everypony a fair shot, after all it’s....” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, just get your darn song going already.” “Everypony knows that once a year The time will come to cry out in cheer! Though its not Heartswarming Or Nightmare Night It’s still quite fun! For you see....” Fluttershy pushed her head through an open window. “It’s National Pranking Day!” “Ah!” Applejack yelped as the sudden shout made her jump out of bed. “National Pranking Day!” Fluttershy flapped towards a couple of fillies. “the day where everypony pranks each other nationalllyyyyyy!” “Not everypony likes that stupid holiday.” Sweetie Belle said with a groan and a roll of the eyes. “How did such a dumb tradition start anyway?” Fluttershy pressed her face close to the filly’s, grinning wide. “I’m glad you asked!” “No, see that was a rhetorical...” Fluttershy stood in the middle of the town, tapping a ruler against a board showing a simple drawing of Celestia and Luna “it all began one gloomy night Poor Luna was all uptight but Celestia had an idea that would be sure to please When they ate dinner that night, Celestia asked ‘could you pass me the peas?’ And that’s when Luna had a big surprise! For when she reached for that bowl, rather than a vegetable What she found instead was a face full of custard! But instead of getting mad, Luna had a laugh and only afterwards did she take a bath!” Fluttershy giggled flew up high above the town, singing. “That’s the spirit of National Pranking Day! Laugh and have fun, and lighten your moods Toss all your cares and responsibilities aside And release the foal inside! Today’s all about fun! It’s all about laughs! And most of alllll It’s all about pranks! It’s National Pranking Dayyyyy!” ---------------------------- Pinkamena glared at the figure of the singing pegasus, and regarded the words of her song. National Pranking Day. Today was a dangerous day. The pink rock farmer put on her helmet and locked her door as she got ready for the upcoming storm. ---------------------- Rainbow sat in her home, reading the latest volume in the “Great and Powerful Jinx” book series, shaking her head as she heard Fluttershy’s enthusiastic song. While she admired her friend’s enthusiasm and enjoyed the odd prank here or there when she was younger, she had since grown to appreciate settling down and relaxing to a nice, good book for the day. “Hey Rainbow!” Spike called out. “I need you to write a letter!” Rainbow Dash rasied a brow at the rather unusual requests, but shrugged but got up, grabbing the nearest ink and quill as she got ready to write. “Sure thing, what do you want me to write?” “First, write ‘Dear Fluttershy’...” Rainbow rolled her eyes, of course Spike would make her write a letter for one of his crushes. Still, she began to write....only for the words to immediately vanish.” “What the...?” The Pegasus frowned and tried to write again...but again, the words vanished. She kept trying again and again, growing more angry and frustrated, gritting her teeth....until logic finally took hold and she left the room to see Spike in the kitchen. The baby dragon looked up at the Pegasus with a Blank look, wearing an apron that was several sizes too big for him....then he burst into a huge grin. “Gotcha good huh?” Rainbow Dash smirked. “Maybe you did, but have awakened the sleeping giant, and now I will show you a REAL prank.” Spike chuckled. “Heh I’ll believe that when I see it.” --------------------- Fluttershy glided through the air, grinning excitedly as she sorted through the many pranks she had planned for everypony....except Applejack who she knew wouldn’t like being disturbed at this time, and Granny Smith was too old to prank without feeling bad about it later, and Twilight would be too busy on farm work, and Mayor Mare was out of town. Still, there were plenty of other ponies she could prank today. Like that new pony who had just gotten off the train. Her mind halted. Wait, a NEW PONY!? Fluttershy hadn’t met a new pony in Ponyville in AGES! She just HAD to greet them! The pegasus flew down at the station platform, grinning eagerly. Before her stood a dark grey pony with a very light grey curly mane, with a rainbow coloured afro wig on top, her face was hidden behind red and green spiral-eyed glasses, a big round fake nose and a fake moustache while she grinned widely. Upon her flank was emblazoned a joy buzzer with bolts of electricity shooting around each side. “Hi I’m Fluttershy!” The Pegasus greeted warmly. “And who might you be?” The newcomer grinned wider. “Hi! I’m Dr Prankie Pie! I wanted to visit your town to celebrate National Pranking Day!” The pegasus grinned. “Oh really!? How exciting! I love National Pranking Day, it’s so fun!” “I know right!?” Prankie gestured out past the train. “I’ve been travelling the world, showing ponies the very best and funniest pranks from Manehaten to Zebica, and everywhere inbetween! Why in fact, I put my pride on the fun and greatness of my pranks, with my special guarantee that every prank will end with a barrel of laughs!” Fluttershy gasped, her hooves pressing to her face. “You mean You’re a professional pranking pony!? I thought those were a myth!” “They were, but now I’m the real deal!” Prankie grinned. “Trust mee, this year Pranking Day will be the best ever!!!!!” Fluttershy grinned wider. “Oh I can’t wait! But first, I gotta go get some pranks of my own ready or else the day will be over before it even began! See you later Doctor!” Fluttershy giggled and flew off as Dr Prankie Pie watched. “Well she was fun!” Prankie grinned. “I just can’t wait to show her just much FUN my pranks are!” With that, the professional prankster rooted around in her briefcase, pulling out a cream filled pie and began to skip off into Ponyville.