//------------------------------// // Party Shockers // Story: The Ending Race // by rainbowspirals //------------------------------// "Hello darlings! You both are just in time! I set up different lines of my fabulous outfits for the party, so whichever one suits your liking, put it on. If you need any advice make sure to let me know, I am over here just dazzling up my outfit—" Rarity paced very happily in one spot, eyes closed and super excited. "—for the party! Heheheeee aah! It's gonna be SO PERFECT!" Everyone in the flashing boutique burst out laughing. Rarity's humor wasn't just funny and over-dramatic, it made you feel a lot better in the day and less strained. She was a type of pony that can make you smile no matter what. She's a charm, that's what she is. But the dress she wanted to wear for the party was just drop-dead gorgeous. It was a white, frilled dress with lilac sequins patterned across the dress. It also had a big lilac ribbon with tiny, white, shining crystals. It was very attention-grabbing, but it was glamorous, and totally Rarity. Me and Dash walked over to the clothing displays, each line organised by dazzle and shine. There were 6 clothing outfits in each line, with 2 choosable ones in each line for me and Rainbow Dash. There were rock music costumes, and many, many rainbow costumes, there was also a line filled with candy, but... I think she threw that line in by accident. Looks like somepony was here before us! "Which one suits your liking?" I asked Rainbow Dash. "They are all sooooo awesome! Thank you so much Rarity, I don't know how you found time to make all of this. I really like the dress with a cloud lining, rainbow plastered on it with rainbow glitter and glowing stars, it's perfect! It reminds me of yesterday and I love it. I'll take it." Rainbow Dash was overjoyed by the dress. And she was right about it being just like the transformation look yesterday. It looked like Rarity took our transformation looks as an idea for a line. "That's a great one dear! You see, yesterday, when you and Spirals perform the absolute fabulous act, your transformation was simply divine! I couldn't let that opportunity of inspiration pass, so it was the first line I made! Isn't it dazzling darling?" I was right! Yesterday, everypony noticed the act. Me and Dash started showing off, but only a teency weency bit. It was the best moment of my life - why wouldn't I? "I'll take the one that pairs up with Dash's dress, the one that would look like me! I know it's exactly the same but... I love the dress," I said happily. Yeah, the dress was exactly the same, but so what? It was flawless! Me and Dash styled ourselves up for the party. I had a curled mane and tail filled with ribbons and glowing stars, and Dash had spiked rainbow hair with shiny glitter. We both complimented each other's looks. We were ready to hit the dance floor. Rarity left with us, however she trotted elegantly to the party place, however me and Rainbow Dash had a race to Sugarcube Corner. Towards the end, I dived onto Dash, making us hit the ground with out dresses. We burst out laughing. Her cute laugh made me feel happy, it's what I love about her. One of the things at least. Sure, the dresses did get a bit muddy, but I wiped Dash's muck off and she washed mine. When we collected ourselves up from the ground, we noticed the amazing decorations set out up front. A big colourful banner at the front said 'WELCOME TO PONYVILLE SPIRALS!'. I was overjoyed. Soon, we saw Rarity, still trotting elegantly. We laughed and went in. I was blown away. "Sweet Celestia... Pinkie did all this?" I asked, with my jaw hanging right open, and I didn't feel like closing it, either. There were ribbons, glitter, and dozens of buffets with food. I knew that 40% of the food on the buffets are gonna be eaten by Pinkie, the party pony herself, but the rest of the food was very exquisite and suited my needs. Maaany apple pies. The music at the party was chosen and performed by DJ Pon3 and Octavia themselves, and it sounded perfect for the party. There was a disco ball and a huge open space for dancing and other shenanigans. I never knew Sugarcube Corner had a party room the size of a wedding hall! It was huge, and I still couldn't believe how Pinkie decorated this all, on her own. I mean, she has the party cannon, which explains the glitter and ribbons on the floor and some overhanging furniture and other decorations, but the banners and balloons were blown and placed by hoof. It was just so amazing, that I can't describe the amount of joy I felt. I knew my eyes were sparkling, but I'm sure everyponies eyes were when they entered THIS party room. "...Yup," murmured Rainbow Dash. Her voice was like stone. I wondered what happened so I looked over. Fortunately, she was also just blown away, with a jaw hanging open. I vividly noticed Pinkie turn her head towards the door from the distance. When she did, she disappeared. Then, she appeared above me. She hung down to say hello, her fluffy cotton candy pink hair that also contains random but useful items like pens, sweets and basically anything else in the world (I'm sure you could find a foldout, portable stage in that thing) was stretching almost to the floor of the bakery. It looked like a ginormous boingy spring. It was right then when a) - I figured out she has really long hair, like insanely long hair and b) - I got absolutely petrified from the jumpscare, or should I say, hangscare, and I collapsed to the floor at the sight. I got up though laughing though, because the adrenaline was heavy when I saw the party. "Heeeeeello Dash and Spirals! Welcome! Oh my gosh I am so happy you could make it! YIPPEEEEEE! Come in! Come in! Oh, HI RARITY!!! Come in, all the guests are waiting for you!" Pinkie Pie disappeared again, then reappearing in the same spot I saw her the first time, waving to me, Dash and Rarity. She was standing by Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy. "This party looks fabulous... Don't you both share the same thoughts?" Asked Rarity, blinded by the glitter and shine. "It looks... It looks... SO AWESOME! Comeee onnnn! It only just begun," screeched Rainbow, grappling me and Rarity and dashing over to Pinkie Pie, avoiding all ponies at the party with her out-of-the-charts agility. Trust me, there were MANY ponies at that party. "Hey, sugarcube! Ya tried the food yet? I made it especially for ya! Come on Dash—" Applejack pet the seat next to her. "—sit 'ere. Spirals, there is a seat right beside Rainbow, so take a fine seat!" For a second I thought Applejack was trying to take Rainbow Dash away from me. Wait... what? "away from me"? What? Seriously, I act like I love Rainbow Dash. Oh wait, I do. --- The party was lively. Every pony was enjoying themselves at the buffet, tables, and dance floor. The beats were heavy, and your body wanted to explain the music, meaning you wanted to dance. I am a bad dancer, so I decided to stay at the table, with Fluttershy, Dash, Rarity and Applejack. I had a plate with apple pie, and I was eating them happily, it was amazing. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were talking, both with apple cider mugs, Rainbow's almost empty. Everyone was having a ton of fun. I didn't really have anything to do, because I didn't want to interrupt anyone. I decided to just compliment Rarity's sense of style and great creations for the millionth time. "I love this dress so much Rarity. I'm sorry I keep thanking you, but it is the most elegant thing I've ever had, and I love it so so so so much," I thanked, looking at the layout of all the multi coloured fabrics and all the different stitches. "Thank you darling! It's alright, I do like getting thanked on my sense of style dear. But you are making me blush!" Rarity took another English sip from her exquisite green tea. "Ah, this tea is absolutely flawless. It's so fancy and tasty, just what I like. Thank you Pinkie, so much for the delightful food and drinks here, it suits everypony here," complimented Rarity, flickering her fake but still gorgeous eyelashes. "ITS MY SPECIALTY," yelled a party Pinkie. She sure was right about that. She baked and made every different food on the party with an exception of all apple-flavoured foods, that was Applejack's specialty. "Come on everypony, it's time for... PARTY GAMES! Everyone come to the party games corner and let's all Pin The TAIL ON THE PONY!!" Pinkie Pie yelled throughout the entire party. I was amazed that after all the work she did, she was up for such an event. But I mean, it's Pinkie Pie, so... You can't expect anything. She's just so unpredictable, and that's what I love about her. All the pony guests got up from their seats and huddled over to the Piñata and Pin The Tail On The Pony games. There were screeches and laughter coming from all the guests at the celebration. Pinkie Pie did a wonderful job. Her element of harmony is laughter, and she demonstrated that really well. I watched her as she played with all the other ponies. There were three Pin the Tail on the Pony games going on at once. Pinkie Pie was yelling and laughing the whole time. she got the tail spot-on! Th other contestants were Lyra Heartstrings and Twilight Sparkle, who I didn't even notice went up to the games. Twilight did a good job at pinning the tail, she was only a few centimeters away, unlike Lyra, that kind of pinned a mane on the pony... Bonbon was hitting the Piñata. She was good at it! I mean her cutie mark IS candy, so that does explain the fact she basically killed the darn thing in 4 strong baseball bat hits. Everyone clapped and cheered for her, and when she took off her blindfold, Bonbon was overjoyed with herself. She shared the candy with the rest of the ponies around her. Pinkie Pie ran as fast as lightning to get some too. "Hey Spirals, come on and get some candy! It's deeeeeeelish!" yelled Pinkie Pie, she made me a bit more happy, but I don't like hard candy, which was the only candy that was there, so I kindly refused. "No thanks Pinkie, I'll just munch on some apple pie here," I said, feeling proud that I finally rejected someone but politely. Applejack got up. I thought she was going to the games, but she left... I was too shocked to call after her. She wasn't the only one though. Me and Dash had so much fun, but she left along with Applejack. She looked behind, she started into my eyes, but turned away after only half a second without any face expression. She moved closer to Applejack. I left the room and poked my head out the party room door frame. Applejack stopped, and so did Rainbow Dash. Applejack covered her eyes with her cowboy hat, and put a stem of wheat in her mouth. They both sat down on the stairs in front of Sugarcube Corner, huddled together. She was stone cold. The music became fun and cool. I felt like I was a kid again. The memories went back to me. First time I rode a bike, first time I went to school, first time I learned how to... fly... And that's how the farmer and the athlete left the new pony. I galloped back to the party room, my head drowned in my mane, and with that, I painfully ran to the bathroom. There were three bathrooms. Mares, Stallions, Both. I ran into Both. "Nopony will find me here..." I sobbed as I thought. I sat by the door, head still sinking into my mane, and I stayed like that. I wondered if anyone would come for me - probably nopony would. I was in Equestria for only 2 days. This was my second day, and noone knew me well enough to collect me except... her. No, she left me. Not her. I stayed in the bathroom for what seemed like hours. I stared at the painfully slow clock. "Keep up with me!" I ripped my dress and threw the rainbow at the wall. I'm destroying what Rarity did for me... It took her ages to do it... And I destroyed it..." I was more broken than ever before. I couldn't handle the hurt I felt. Every single time I thought about every second of it, it stung. heavily. I couldn't take it, I was shattering. I sobbed. I wailed. I cried. It felt like I was slowly dying. Everything was blank. I did not see. I felt possessed... I felt another power in control. What was happening to me? I began to see a picture. A clock? it's 4:30am...? What is th— "Spirals?" The door busted open. Was it really her? It sounded like her. I was silent. I didn't want to speak. I had my eyes closed, I hung my head down. It wasn't long before I decided to speak up. I had to let it out eventually. I began speaking, turning my head around as I did so. I just had to let it all out so she would know what I saw her do, and she would feel sorry. I've never felt this way before, I guess I've never been hurt... Or I have, but this is worst than what I have ever experienced... "Why did you leave me like this... Just go. I don't want to see you ever ag—" I was slowly opening my eyes as I said this, and I was shocked. It wasn't Rainbow Dash. It was... I trailed off. "Princess Luna... what are you doing here? You aren't at my party," I asked. I was shocked and very weak... I could barely breathe. Princess Luna looked at me. I noticed the environment changed... Soon, I was sitting in a shallow lake, my tears drowning in its' waters. My mane spilled across my shoulders, dipping into the lake gently, without harm. There were thick trees with possessed branches, growling at every movement. Leaves were shattered on the ground, wind blowing them away into distance, but soon more came. I was dirty and muddy, and the sky was nowhere to be seen. The forest was never ending. It continued, becoming more scary as you looked deeper. "W-where am I-I?" I stuttered. I didn't stop crying. "This isn't your party, Spirals. This is your dream," whispered the Princess. Her mane and tail dragged along behind her as she walked closer to me, only a few inches away from my snout. I was an absolute mess. "What is the matter?" She asked. "H-h-how is this a d-dream?—" I was confused. I closed my eyes and dropped my head as I heard another tear spill. "—I-I... M-my best f-f-friend... she l-left m-me... She didn't look b-back," I bawled. I was embarrassed to cry in front of the Princess of the beautiful night. I knew she could enter the dreams of others, but I couldn't understand how I was in a dream. I was in the bathroom... what happened? "Sometimes what we see is not what it is," reassured Luna. "Sometimes, it's the opposite of what we think it is," the Princess continued. Slowly, I began to find strength in my hooves, but I wasn't ready to bring myself up. "But I saw exactly what happened... T-the—" I began. I trailed off at the interruption. My tears stopped flowing, just that occasional one to show that I still wasn't convinced... I mean... I saw everything. I watched every detail, frame by frame. What else could it possibly be what I saw..? I was very upset. I wanted to fly away, into the deep navy skies of the night, tears dropping to the surface of the Earth below. I could imagine the words while I was dashi—flying away. Sadness, tears, depression, love... "Remember what I said, Spirals," Luna looked me into the eyes. "It's time for me to go," she said, reassurence in her expression. I managed to accept the fact that I am now in this on my own, and what Luna said made me think over what happened again. I could see them talking... But I never knew what it was about. Maybe it was different than what I think it is..? In the distance I heard words. What were they saying? I didn't know. Luna had already disappeared into thin air, I was still sitting in the lake, but I felt better than last time. "Spirals, Spirals..? Spir—" I opened my eyes. in front of me stood a pony. My sight was a unclear blur, eventually it came to focus, but I felt weaker than before. "Get her some water, Pinkie," spoke the voice. "It might happen again," the purple and pink pony explained. "T-T-Twilight..?" I muttered. I didn't realise how broken my voice was, how unclear and quiet it became. It was very unsettling. I coughed, but I still felt the same. "Yes, Spirals. But it isn't just me," she announced. I looked around, realising that yeah, it wasn't just her after all. I saw Pinkie, who ran out the door. She came back only a moment later, with a small cup of water. "Here Spirals, drink up!" Pinkie Pie's high, hyperactive voice ordered. I took a gentle sip. Everything became clearer, and slowly I regained my strength. I was very thankful, I nodded in gratitude. I took another sip, and I instantly felt better. "Do you feel any better..?" I chocked on my water. My cheeks turned red, I wasn't meant to do that. But the voice... the raspy... the... the... I trailed off. It was her? I thought she left me... unless what Princess Luna said... unless it was true? I began to doubt myself. I had a feeling that the Goddess of the night and dreams was right, and she was so right... "Oh no... are you alright Spirals?" whispered a kind, quiet voice coming from a kind, yellow pony. "What happened?" The buttercup pony asked. I closed my eyes. I had to focus on breathing... I couldn't breathe... I was trapped. Everpony saw me attempting to breathe, a worried sick look in their eyes. "In, out, breathe in... and out..." I thought. It was getting harder. "Darling! Are you alright? Here... let me help y—" The English, posh voice got interrupted. "Everypony! Catch 'er! It's goin' to happen again! Spirals, sugarcube. Say somethin'! Anythin'!" The farmers voice made me feel stronger. All ponies took hold of me, making sure I don't fall. I coughed. I could breathe again. All ponies let go with a 'few'. I didn't know what happened. I felt like I was possessed, but then the fumes... or the 'soul' of the possession left my body, making me fall to the ground, unfortunately the ponies already not holding me, but I gathered the strength to stand up without any help. I walked over to the glass, I became a bit weak, again. I had a sip of the water again, before falling for the third time onto... Rainbow Dash's chest... I could only hear the final words. "I.. I need to go," she said. She galloped out the door, and out of Sugarcube Corner. She held me close, my head on her chest, and flew away into the unknown. Soon, I was sitting in a shallow lake, my eyes open wide, looking straight ahead. My mane spilled across my shoulders, dipping into the lake gently, without harm. There were thick trees with possessed branches, growling at every movement. Leaves were shattered on the ground, wind blowing them away into distance, but soon more came. I was dirty and muddy, and the sky was nowhere to be seen. The forest was neverending. It continued, becoming more scary as you looked deeper. Princess Luna appeared in front of me, stone expression, but still reassuring. "Remember what I told you, Spirals," she whispered. I did. Rainbow Dash placed me down gently on... our hilltop, and sat beside me. "Are you okay? What happened at the party?" she asked, worried. I only then realised that if Luna was right, Rainbow Dash would be incredibly hurt when I tell her what I saw and what I thought. If I did tell her, she would know I have feelings for her, and I did not know how she felt about me, and I wouldn't know how I felt about it myself. I was in a spiral of confusion. It was the hardest decision of my life. It's like I had an element of harmony, and it was my 'Rainbow Moment'. I just couldn't tell her the truth, but I knew I would regret it afterwards. I didn't know what to do, so I decided to post-phone THAT information later, and hopefully have a nice conversation with her. "What happened... with me?" I finally said, lying on the warm, lime grass and looking at the eternal baby blue sky. Dash, sitting beside me, looked at me. All I was wearing was a torn dress, which I was not proud of. My mane and tail were ruined, they were drowned in tears and sadness. This wasn't a Pinkie Pie moment, I wish I could just turn happy and make my hair sproingy and act like nothing happened. "With... you?" Rainbow Dash sighed with a sad look on her face. "Well, me and Applejack went outside. Applejack didn't feel too good, she claimed she might've accidentally used a rotten apple in her apple pie piece. We went there to talk about something secret, and then after a while, Rarity ran over to us. Applejack! Rainbow Dash! she screamed. She got our attention. She had the most worried look on her face I had ever seen. What's wrong Rarity? asked Applejack, and I said the same. She told us that you were in the bathroom not moving. We didn't think twice. Me and Applejack ran over to the bathroom as fast as we could. When we got there, Rarity opened the door for us. Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were there, and Twilight was checking your pulse and making sure you didn't fall to the ground. Fluttershy started crying, and Pinkie Pie had a frown on her face. She didn't know what to do, she was waiting for orders from Twilight. Applejack and I panicked, we didn't know what happened. You sat in a pool of tears, and your dress was torn, with a piece on the other side of the room. You didn't move, once. Eventually, Twilight realised that you blacked out in the bathroom. Then you woke up, and you know what you did. After you fell for the third time, you fell on my chest. I couldn't leave you like that, so I grabbed you and Applejack looked at me, quietly passing the dress piece to me. I brought you here because it's where we met, and I hoped that whatever you were upset about you would forget because this is a place which I would describe as somewhere where I had a best memory," explained Dash. She was so thoughtful, and I thought she wasn't. I thought she left. I immediately felt guilty that I ever thought Rainbow Dash would do that. "Wow... thank you Rainbow Dash. And I would describe this place the same. I had my best memory happen here, with you," I blushed, but I laughed a bit. Rainbow laughed along. She put her wing around me and I put my wing around her. The sun was beginning to set. "The sun is setting... That's just like yesterday," I reminded. She smiled at me. I smiled back. "Here," Dash gave me the dress piece. she brought a needle and thread. "When I had you in my arms, I stopped at Rarity's for this... and, well... Do you mind if I—" "Of course I don't Dash," I smiled, and looked into her eyes, and she looked into mine. She managed to sew the missing dress piece back where it belonged. I didn't care if it didn't look 'professional' or how Rarity would do it. I cared that Dash did it with love and friendship, and I didn't even have to ask her. "Thank you so much Dash... I don't know what I would do without you.." "Well, I am awesome," We both laughed. "Oh and... here," Dash passed me a manebrush. I accepted happily. I brushed my mane and tail, and it looked like nothing happened to it! Sure, it wasn't styled like it was the first time it was, but it was acceptable. "So what do you say we go back to the party, Spirals?" Dash held out her hoof for a hoofbump. I joyfully accepted. "Let's go." I announced. When I came back, all the other ponies rushed to see me. Applejack hoofbumped me and Dash, passing us some apple cider. Nopony needed to ask how I felt. We all knew that I was in the party spirit. Then it happened. Rainbow Dash and I stood right in front of the Sugarcube Corner from the inside, all 5 other ponies infront of us. Dash was right beside me, but she couldn't help herself. She hugged me as tight as she could, moving her head left and right as she dug into my flank, eyes closed with happiness. I put my head on top of her head, and all the other five ponies joined in the hug. Everyone was smiling, eyes closed. We were all just so happy that we could now party hard like never before! I was finally in the mood for some games. I invited all the other ponies to join! There was even a bouncy castle! All 7 of us bounced and hopped like there was no tomorrow.