//------------------------------// // Chapter 4- Meet the Friends // Story: Of The Past That Haunts Us // by Dusk_Writer //------------------------------// "Talk with people who make you see the world differently." —The Idealist “I smell chocolate.” Fleetfoot sniffed the air trying to decipher where the smell was actually coming from. “This is a bakery Fleet. Of course it has chocolate.” Spitfire rolled her eyes. “No shit, Shadow Spade.” She scoffed, “but, I still want to find the source to taste the delectable delight of it melting in my mouth, it's soft, creamy texture being—” she was cut off by a cyan hoof being shoved in her mouth. “Let's not do that, I'm getting hungrier by the minute.” Dash chuckled and removed the hoof, wiping it behind on the table when nopony was looking. “Sorry.” Fleetfoot grinned sheepishly. The four ponies were currently in Sugarcube Corner sitting on a table for ten near the window. Usually there were no tables for ten but, Pinkie crammed a few together. They were waiting on Dash’s friends to arrive to have some lunch. “Ya know, I'm surprised we haven't run into Pinkie yet.” Rainbow looked around trying to spot the pink furry menace. “I heard my name?!” Dash yelped and almost fell from her chair as the pink menace was suddenly in front of her eyes within mere seconds and a wild grin plastered on her face. “Pinkie! You know I've told you not to sneak up on me like that!” She scolded, “…not that I was scared, it's just…not nice…” “Okie dokie loki, Dashie! I'm just super duper excited to finally meet the Wonderbolts face to face!” She suddenly gasped. “We need to have a party!” She gasped even harder. “Or, a surprise party!!” She then lowered down her voice, “but don't let them know…” Dash facehoofed. “Pinkie. First of all, we don't have time for a party and second of all, they're right there.” She pointed towards the trio who were quietly snickering. “Oh my gosh! You really are Wonderbolts! I mean, it would take somepony with great skills to sneak around me!” She booped their muzzles. “Yeah, great skills,” Dash muttered sarcastically. Pinkie then put her hoof in her hair rummaging through it as if it were a bag. After a few moments, she pulled out a fresh batch of red velvet cupcakes with light pink icing on top. “You wanna try the cupcakes I made? Applebloom and Cloud Kicker helped me yesterday, they're to die for!” Pinkie grinned maniacally. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “I haven't seen Cloud Kicker since yesterday. You know where she is?” Dash asked. “Oh yeah. She's visiting her grandma in Las Pegasus, it'll be a while before you see her again.” Pinkie winked. “But come on, try one.” She held them out. “Uh, sure?” Dash shrugged and Pinkie handed them a cupcake each. They took a bite of it and Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “This doesn't taste like red velvet.” Pinkie giggled. “I added a special secret ingredient silly! Of course it doesn't taste the same.” She stuck her tongue out. “Come to think of it, it's better!” Fleetfoot praised, taking another big bite of the cupcake. “Thanks! Tomorrow, Silver Spoon’s gonna help out as well.” Pinkie then glanced at the door leading to the kitchen as they heard a ‘ding’. “Oh! That's the next batch, I'll see you guys when the others arrive!” And she skipped off while humming. “Well, she's…interesting,” Soarin chuckled, “kinda reminds me of Surprise.” “I wonder if they're related.” Fleetfoot mused. “Well, we can't find out now. The rest of my friends are here.” Dash motioned towards the door as four mares and a dragon entered the shop, instantly spotting the long table with the pegasus occupants. “Hey guys,” Twilight greeted as they trotted over to the table “Hey Twi!” Rainbow smiled as the mares sat down. “It's nice to finally meet the Wonderbolts in person without…ah, falling to my doom,” Rarity smiled sheepishly. Spitfire chuckled. “It's alright. But, I have to say. You have strong hooves for somepony who isn't…as athletic,” “Uh…thank you? By the way, my name is Rarity.” She flashed a small smile. “Hey guys! Lunch is served!” Pinkie suddenly popped out of nowhere and there was food on the table. “But, we didn't order…and how did you do that so fast?!” Fleetfoot asked wide eyes. “Number one. My mind cap! Number two. Food cannon!” She casually bounced over to the only empty seat in between Spike and Applejack and started eating the weird looking…omelette on the table? “Food…cannon?” “NOTHING!!” Pinkie suddenly shouted causing the others to flinch. She immediately went back to eating her food, almost smacking Spike in the face. “Uh, Dash?” Spitfire asked. “Yeah?” “Why does she have frosting and sprinkles on an omelette?” She paused for a moment, “wait…why does she even have an omelette right now?!” “She runs on sugar. Just…don't question it.” Dash sighed and rolled her eyes. “…Ok.” “Alright! I think we did this out of order. Firstly, this is Fluttershy,” she pointed to the shy mare who responded with a small wave. She then pointed to the rest respectively, “this is Applejack, Rarity and this is Pinkie Pie. And you obviously know myself, Spike and Rainbow.” “Geez, Twi. We’re not in school anymore. What are you gonna do next? Start asking us where we're from?” Dash rolled her eyes playfully to which the others snickered. “Uh, well…” Twilight blushed. “Hah! I didn't think you'd actually were going to do it!” Rainbow laughed. “Actually, what I’d like to know is how exactly you six met. Such different personalities, yet are the best of friends.” Fleetfoot leaned forward and squished her face in her hooves. “Funny story actually. We didn't really meet until the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville, where Nightmare Moon attacked.” Twilight shrugged. “Really? I'd think you'd be friends long before that!” Soarin exclaimed. The other two nodded in agreement. “Pssh, Twilight didn't want a friend, let alone five!” Spike snorted. The alicorn rolled her violet eyes. “Well actually, Princess Celestia asked me to oversee preparations for…” and she continued the story telling them about how the five wanted to be friends with her even though she herself didn't. And when they entered the Everfree forest, encountering several obstacles, finally leading up to the moment where Twilight realised they were her true friends. They then harnessed the elements to defeat Nightmare Moon and freed Celestia. “…and so, she let me stay in Ponyville for my studies on friendship.” She ended. “What a way to meet! I don't think I've ever done anything as epic!” Soarin whistled. “Except that time where you accidentally caused a full on lightning storm over the Everfree and earned your cutiemark.” Dash chuckled but stopped abruptly as she realised what she said and hoped nopony heard her. Unfortunately, everypony did. “Uh, wow.” Soarin blinked. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shi— “You are such a stalker!” He laughed. Dash blushed. Phew. “Haha, not my fault. It was all over the news!” She played along. She needed to be careful, she couldn't slip up like that again.