Chapter Four
The Wakeup Call
"Twilight?" said a whisper next to Twilights face. She opened her eyes. Rarity was standing there looking very anxious.
"Rarity? What's going on? How did you get in he-"Twilight asked before being interrupted.
"Shh! You're *going* to get me caught." Rarity replied in a whisper.
"Rarity, what are you doing here!" Twilight asked softly but sternly.
"Look Twilight… we have a problem." Rarity replied looking deplorable.
"Oh no." said Twilight covering her face in her hooves once again.
Rarity hesitated. "Pinkie pie is…" Rarity began to cry softly, "She's dead."
Twilights eyes widened, "B-but, but how?" she yelled with tears in her eyes.
Rarity waited for a second to catch her breath. "She was quiet about the entire thing. I thought she was fine. But… when she went home, she just… ate. She just kept eating cupcakes until she puked, but she just wouldn't stop there. She just… ate herself to death." Rarity finished, keeping her emotions in check.
It was then that Twilight blurted out, "God dammit! Why the fuck does this keep happening to me! I'm going to fucking kill myself!"
Rarity then shoved her hoof into Twilights mouth to shut her up. Twilight sobbed. Rarity peaked outside to make sure nopony heard. She saw no one. "Listen Twilight, there is a reason I came up here and woke you up in the middle of the night." Rarity said to Twilight.
"Alright…" Twilight paused to wipe her tears, "I'm listening."
"As you know I am sucker for *beautiful* jewelry. And for the *longest* time, I wanted something called the Pendent of Spirit. But I just never had the determination to get it." Rarity paused for a moment.
"Oh, you're a big help." Twilight said sarcastically due to the rage inside her.
"You didn't let me finish! What it does well… it possesses the power to… exchange souls. So *Twi*, you up for it?" Rarity finished
"Wait, does that mean we can get Spike, and Pinkie Pie back?" Twilight asked skeptically with a slightly whiny voice.
Rarity then replied, "Why of course *darling*. But the pendent only works once so we need two find two worthless souls to exchange. But who?"
"I can think of one." Twilight said thinking of the wolf.
"Well we'll certainly think of somepony. But in the meantime, we need to find that pendent." And with that, Rarity unplugged her heart beat monitor, yanked out all the needles and things in Twilight, and flipped her out of bed and on to her hooves. Twilight suddenly felt woozy. "Are you sure you will be okay? I mean the doctor did say to keep your stress levels down." Rarity stated.
Twilight maintained balance and looked Rarity in the eyes and said, "Don't worry Rarity; I've never been more relaxed in my entire life. But hold on, where is this pendent anyway?"
"Well you see, it's pretty much where *everything* else magical in Equestria is found. Can you take a guess?" Rarity asked
"The Everfree Forest." Twilight replied with a monotone voice.
"Bingo! Now let's get out of here before the medical staff stops us." Rarity said, ending the conversation. The hospital lobby was deserted so they just simply walked out.
"Oh, and you might want to take this." said Rarity, tossing Twilight a book.
Twilight looked at it for a second and said, "Hells Spells? This is dark magic!" Twilight replied disapprovingly.
"Look Twilight… we don't know exactly what's out there. And your better with magic than me anyway. So take it, just in case."
"But, how did you even get this book. These things are illegal, you know. Not even I have one." Twilight said
"Twilight… do you really want to know?"
"Yes!"
"ugh! Fine, I got it from Zecora, okay?"
"But how did she-"
"I don't know? She's a zebra. Maybe she doesn't have to follow pony laws."
"Good point... I guess." Twilight said as they began to walk away from the hospital. Twilight put the book away as Rarity followed.
They trotted through Ponyville, passing their friends' houses. Twilight noticed police tape at Pinkie Pie's house and winced at the sight.
They approached the tall, dark trees in front of the Everfree Forest.
"Are you ready Twilight?" Rarity asked Twilight.
"Well… I don't think we really have a-"
"Did you two really think you could go on an epic quest without me?" Rainbow Dash interrupted Twilight as she swooped down next to them. "Though are you sure you should be doing this with your heart thingy, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked, poking Twilight in her chest.
"I'm fine, trust me." Twilight said giving Rainbow Dash a reassuring smile. "Say um… how did you know we were coming down here exactly?"
"Well, I couldn't help but over hear your little outburst in the hospital while taking a flight to clear my head. And after that, I just couldn't resist in eavesdropping on your little conversation." Rainbow Dash replied.
"Talk about Insensitive." said Rarity.
"Listen here you jewel incrusted little-"
"That's enough!" Twilight yelled, interrupting Rainbow Dash. "Now the last thing we need is two mares trying to kill each other on this quest."
"Agreed" Rainbow Dash and Rarity stated simultaneously.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get our Spiky back!" Twilight said as they began their journey into the Everfree Forest. The three ponies hiked for a couple of miles until their adrenaline rush ran out and the hours of the night caught up with them.
"Hey Twilight." said Rainbow Dash.
"Yes Rainbow Dash?" Twilight replied, hardly speaking up due to her exhaustion.
"Yeah, um… why exactly did we not bring camping equipment? Or water? Or food? Or-"
"Why haven't you dropped dead yet?" Twilight replied aggressively, interrupting Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash had a shocked look on her face.
"My *word* you two, calm down." Rarity said, glaring at both of them.
Twilight then turned and replied, "She's right. I think we need to rest up a bit. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." She sat down onto a downed tree, slumping forward due to her lack of energy.
Rainbow Dash curled up between the two mares and said, "Alright, but don't let me catch you too running off again while I'm asleep, okay?"
Rarity and Twilight looked at each other and nodded.
"Good, have a nice sleep." Rainbow Dash barely uttered before drifting off into dream land.
Twilight and Rarity then lied down on their backs, in silence for a few minutes as they gazed upon the stars.
"Hey Rarity?" Twilight whispered to Rarity.
"Yes darling?" Rarity replied in the same tone.
Twilight paused for a moment then said, "Just out of curiosity, what was it that you know…"
"YES?"
"You know… made you go out with Spike?" Twilight finished, flinching because she didn't know how Rarity would react.
Rarity closed her eyes for a few seconds and let out a sigh. Upon reopening, she responded, "Well, he was always soooooo generous and…"
"AND?" Twilight asked impatiently.
"Well I mean very generous."
"How so?"
"Do I *have* to spell it out for you?"
Twilights eyes widened a little before she said, "You and Spike… did-"
"Why of course we did *darling*. What kind of couple would we be if we didn't? Especially here in Ponyville." Rarity said with a little chuckle.
Twilight felt a slight feeling of rage due to jealousy. Twilight was quiet for a few seconds.
"Are you alright dear?" Rarity asked.
Twilight shook her head violently, trying to snap herself out of her own self pitty.
"Yeah… and don't worry, we will get Spike back. Because Celestia knows, everypony in Equestria needs to be happy." Twilight said in a whiny voice, starting to tear up.
"What's the matter Twilight?" Rarity asked with care.
"You wouldn't understand! You with your stunning looks! I swear, sometimes, looking at you, makes me question my own sexuality!" Twilight shouted in anger.
"This is about your love life… isn't it?" Rarity asked calmly.
Twilight closed her eyes and replied, "I… I just-"
"Trust me Twilight… how many times do you think I've been around the block?" Rainbow Dash asked, interrupting Twilight.
Twilight, sort of surprised that Rainbow Dash was awake, replied, "Well, I mean…"
Rainbow Dash then replied, "Look, I know I'm fast and brave and all that but… It's hard out there. I know. Seeing everpony getting with each other all around you and for some reason, you are the only one who gets left out. But let me tell you something… you will find somepony out there to care for you. And even if you don't, you have… us." Rainbow Dash finally finished.
"She's right Twilight and when we finish this fucking thing, we will make sure we get you out there. You got that! Rarity screamed.
"Yeah, and… thanks for being there for me." Twilight said lovingly.
It was then that they all joined together for a group hug before they all lied down once again. They all said their goodnights and went to bed.