& & &
“What’s the reason to be lonely,
When there’s other folks like you?
And like birds of a feather, they all flock together too
Where there’s music and there’s laughter
And good times that have no end
Come with me and let your fur down with a friend!”
Pinkie bounced around the group, still singing happily at the top of her lungs. While her singing and laughter had saved them from the Swamp of Despair, she didn’t see their freedom as a reason to stop.
“Pinkie…” Rainbow Dash groaned, her amusement to annoyance ratio somewhere at 50:50 and tilting towards annoyance. “We’re not in the swamp or sad anymore…you can stop now.”
“Awww, but Dashie! Where’s the fun in that?” She pouted before launching into another verse.
“Come with me and let your fur down
Come with me to step inside
Come with me, join the hoe down
Come with me just for the ride
Come with me unto the bright light,
Come with me around the bend
Come with me and let your fur down with a friend!”
Applejack shook her head. “Boy howdy, they ain’t no stopping her, is there?”
“Nope!” Pinkie giggled. “I just keep going and going and going…” She emphasized each ‘going’ with a bounce.
Rarity tossed her mane. “Well, I for one am certainly grateful for Pinkie’s singing in getting us out of that filthy, dirty swamp!” She shuddered as she looked at herself. “Just look at what it did to my coat!” Rarity let out a low whine as she shook herself, trying to dislodge whatever remaining dirt and was still stuck in her fur.
“Nice to know your priorities are still in order.” Rainbow muttered.
Rarity ran a hoof through her mane. Then suddenly, her eyes widened. “Nononononono!” She frantically ran both her hooves through her mane, not caring as she messed up her hair.
Fluttershy looked over at her. “What’s wrong?”
“My necklace!” Rarity shrieked, looking around at the ground. “I keep it in my mane! But it isn’t there! It’s gone!”
Rainbow Dash flicked her head, her patience at a low ebb. “It’s not like you don’t have a dozen others back in your shop. I’ll even get you another one—you know, right after we’re finished SAVING THE WORLD!”
Rarity shook her head frantically, her face wet with tears. “Y-you don’t understand! This is the. Worst. Possible. Thing! Really!” She cried. “I-it was a gift from my grandmother after I made my first dress! It’s irreplaceable!”
“Sugarcube, ah’m sorry but we don’t have the time!” Applejack gently tapped her own hat. “Ah know how y’feel, but everypony in the world is counting on us! Ah’ll help you look for it on the way back, ah promise.”
“Wait.” Everypony looked as Twilight spoke up. “Give me a minute.” Twilight shut her eyes. “Here goes…” Her horn lit up as she focused. All of a sudden a white ball of magic appeared out of her horn and zoomed back in the direction they had just come from. Twilight galloped after it. About a minute later, Twilight returned with something clutched in her magical grip.
“My necklace!” Rarity shrieked again, but this time in a completely different tone—if not volume. “Oh thank you Twilight, thank you!” She gushed, nuzzling the flustered unicorn.
“I-it’s no big deal!” Twilight squeaked out. “It was just your basic track and search spell…I found it right at the edge of the swamp. Or the former swamp anyway--urk.” Rarity threw her hooves around Twilight, forcing the breath from the purple unicorn’s lungs as she hugged her.
“Oh my goodness, it’s certainly very pretty.” Fluttershy admired the necklace as it hung in the air. It was a simple silver necklace, finely woven, and in the center was a small perfectly cut gem that shown with all the colors of the rainbow, shimmering as it moved.
Rainbow sighed. Another delay. “Yeah, yeah it’s really nice. Can we go now?” She urged as Rarity clasped the necklace around her neck and tucked it away in her mane.
“Really, Rainbow Dash…” The white unicorn tsked. “You can stand to be a bit more generous when it comes to other ponies feelings.”
Dash was having none of it. “Oh come on! There’s no reason to get all…frou-frou and girly—especially when we’re on a trip into a dingy forest!” She didn’t notice the semi-offended look on Zecora’s face.
Rarity sniffed. “How one presents oneself to the world is important! When you show that you care about your appearance it shows that you care how others perceive you: that shows them that you value other ponies’ opinions and that you appreciate what they think.” Rarity stepped forward, sauntering slightly and shaking her tail.
“Oh come on Rarity, don’t--!” Rainbow Dash groaned, but it was too late.
Oh now I believe in looking
Like my time on earth is cooking
Whether polka dotted
Striped or even checked
With some glamour guaranteeing
Every fiber of my being
Is displayed to quite remarkable effect
From your cradle via trousseau
To your deathbed you're on view, so
Never compromise, accept no substitute
I would rather wear a barrel
Than conservative apparel
For my dress has always been
My strongest suit!
Somehow, at the exactly proper moment, Pinkie Pie burst out singing—completely in tune with Rarity.
Overwear!
Underwear!
Anytime!
Anywhere!
Rarity, nodded, smiling graciously as she continued her song, Pinkie repeating every last word or two per line.
Soooo bring me all my finest (my finest!)
Most audacious, my divinest (my divinest!)
Most revealing
Most expensive and to boot (most revealing, most expensive!)
Most arresting
Most heart-stopping
Most free-flowing
Most eye-popping
Dress has always been my strongest suit!
(I am what I wear!)
My strongest suit!
(I am what I wear!)
You know that I am what I wear!
A dress has always been my strongest--my strongest--my strongest
My strongest--my strongest--My strongest suit!
Rarity concluded, striking a pose. Rainbow Dash’s jaw was hanging open. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were applauding politely (the former with much more enthusiasm). Applejack shook her head as she smiled and Twilight looked bemused. Zecora affected not to notice as she tapped her staff against the ground. “Come then, let us move on. We have much further to go before this night is gone.”
One by one, the ponies followed her, except for Rainbow Dash who just stood there, stock still as she shook her head. “Confound these ponies.” Rainbow Dash grumbled as she flew off after them.
Their trek through the forest continued, each part looking much like any other. Soon they came to a clearing which everypony was looking forward to: a chance to stop and rest. But before they could enter, Zecora stopped short, causing the group behind her to stop. “We must tread with caution as we cross this place.” She said warningly. “Dangerous things lurk beneath the earth’s face.”
Rainbow Dash, who as usual was still in the air, looked down. All she could see was a dirt patch that covered the length and width of the clearing. Aside from a lack of grass, it looked no different than any other part of the Everfree.
“Oooh!” Pinkie Pie examined the dirt with a critical eye. “Like what? Is it giant worms with mouth tentacles that go all blaarg and suck you down! Or maybe it’s—”
Pinkie Pie opens mouth, insert hoof. Rainbow Dash had it practically down to a science by this point. “Pinkieee….” She said warningly before removing her hoof.
“Zecora, everypony needs a rest.” Twilight said, fidgeting. “What’s so dangerous about this place that we can’t stop? I don’t see anything.”
“And if’n it is dangerous, why not just go ‘round it?” Applejack asked.
Their zebra guide sighed. “The forest around here is too dense to go through, which leaves us only the clearing you see before you. As to the danger, as I said—it lies beneath the ground, something you should dread. Walk softly, with great care and of our presence, they will not be aware.”
Rainbow Dash flew over the clearing, circling around for any sign of…well, anything. “You’re reaaally stretching it with those rhymes Zecora.”
“If my syntax causes you vexation, then feel free to employ a guide more suited to your dictation.” Zecora replied airily as she gingerly started walking, slowly, across the clearing. She walked with such great care that she hardly left even a hoof print in the fresh earth. Seeing her example, the others followed suit.
Rarity, of course, couldn’t help tossing her mane and lifting her snout in the air as she elegantly pranced across the ground. Fluttershy stood on her tips of her hooves as she scuttled forward. Twilight and Applejack were having more difficulty—especially AJ—since neither one of them had much cause to sneak and creep around (aside from when Twilight was sneaking into a closed section of an archive that is).
They were about halfway across when Twilight’s hoof sank into a soft patch of dirt and with a surprised yelp fell over on her side. Everypony stopped short and held their breath. Nopony so much as twitched. After a moment of waiting, nothing happened.
Applejack sighed. “Well, that’s a relief!” She said as she took a step…only to have a clawed hand burst out of the ground and grabbed her by the ankle.
“Z-zombies!!” Yelled Pinkie Pie in terror. Fluttershy shrieked and froze up with fright as hand after hand burst up from the dirt, grabbing and waving at anything within reach.
“What are these things?!” Rainbow Dash demanded as she abruptly stopped flying and landed on one of the hands with all four hooves. Hard.
Zecora was swinging her staff around, smacking the reaching hands around her. “The diggers of the deep, rough and cruel, and smell of rotten hogs—” A howl interrupted her as dirt was tossed into the air. Hands reached out of the hole torn in the ground, and attached to them were long furry arms attached to equally furry bodies. Three forms emerged from the dirt, hands raised and claws bared.
“—beware of the Diamond Dogs.”
& & &
Apologies for the relative shortness, but I decided it made more sense to present the audience with the challenge/peril in one chapter and the resolution in the next as opposed to having everything wrapped up by the end of each chapter. Builds suspense and all that.
Icky stinky filthy dogs. Ewewewewewew.
Please, no more singing.
Pinkie is best Energizer bunny.
Rarity's song surprised me a little but I can't say I was disappointed.
Just don't run out of enemies too soon. I'm enjoying this.
1046666
Awww... now I need a drum!
1046763
That song (from Aida in case you're wondering) is THE song for Rarity. It's unbelievable how well it works for her. So I just had to!
1046777
She had one when she lured the Parasprites away! XD
1046892
But that hasn't happened yet!
... Zombie Diamond Dogs. mind. blown.
1047007
Nah, pinkie just thought they were zombies.
I like how all the challenges are different. Though they don't seem to be caused directly by Nightmare Moon like in the episode.
1047087
I know, but then I took zombies, and Diamond Dogs, put them together in my mind.
They should totally be zombie Diamond Dogs.
oi49.tinypic.com/10h94sg.jpg
oi48.tinypic.com/9s3p08.jpg
fim.413chan.net/fim/src/132440918115-FiM49.gif
Dat cliffhanger!
And was that Rarity being generous (for the purposes of the element, that is)?
Damn, now I'll have to read this story too!
People, stop posting awesome stories already! I've got more that 160 stories in my "Read later" list! Make is sto-o-op!!
You know, in A Dog and Pony Show, it occurs to me that the Diamond Dogs didn't actually do anything illegal. Rarity was stealing (probably petty theft given how many high quality jewels there appear to be in Equestria) from their territory (outside Ponyville limits) and the pack alpha (acting as a magistrate) sentenced her to penal servitude (which only lasted about an hour). The other main characters then committed trespass and assault against the prison wardens in order to break her out.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned that might makes right, especially in dealings with lesser races.
1047516
No way! You've gotta be shitting me.
TO LE GOOGLES!
Edit: ... my God, it's true!
conspiracylol.com/images/conspiracy.jpg
Still love this story, But, Would it KILL you to space out your paragraphs?
1047120 Zombie D-dogs, someone should do this.
Good chapter! Oh, and I liked the Tremors reference.
1047520
http://mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Princess_Tiffany
Hmm... Uncertain. Chapter seemed to be focused around Rarity, but she didn't do anything generous. Misleading perhaps? Twilight showed great skill with magic by finding the necklace, maybe her trial instead?
Please, I'm begging you! Stop the singing! It hurts usssss!
1046810 Oh wow, you are not wrong.
[youtube=H0bYHwRXp0s]
donoonoonooloonoo (from brady bunch vacation in hawaii when something bad happens(watched dat scrubs episode 2day))
Yay, singing!
Though for the first time it's singing I don't recognize.
It is good!
That is all.
Journcy Out.
If this was Rarity's part of the Elements (since generosity was played in this), it was...somewhat vague. If she hadn't actually said "generosity" I would have missed it. But that's my only problem here; I liked the songs and Ilike how the challenges they face are different.
1046601
Aw, come on! I love improvising simple melodies to the words!
You switched the Elements?
I was enjoying the Doctor Who references BTW even tho I didn't get the others.
rainbow dash said "confound these ponies" was that a reference to something?
"For my dress has always been
My strongest suit!"dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Rarity_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Rainbow_dealwithit.png
My god that pun was awful...ly amazing. I lol'd.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Pinkie_Pie_lolface.png “Like what? Is it giant worms with mouth tentacles that go all blaarg and suck you down! (first is eating scene from T3, second is a video made by the group it says at the end of the video and is more informative)
[youtube=FH37o4bkLYA]
[youtube=PaXEzvosnSE]
Zecora:
Come out of the garden, pony, you'll catch your death in the fog
Young mare, they call them the diamond dogs
1104179 yes, it was. There's a meme poster floating around some corners of the 'Net that uses a still shot of the scene from the premiere where Twilight is pouring herself a goblet of what turns out to be Pinkie's favorite cupcake topping and the fan caption says, "Confound these ponies--they drive me to drink!"
OMG!!!!!! Someone out there had actually WATCHED Elmchanted forest and used it in a pony fic. Thank you so much...I knew that movie wasnt a drug hallunication
The thing is, I knew that song immeaditly...can I glomp you?
This... is some surprisingly relevant advice, and can be applied to Real Life.
...Props.
2187588
I'd just like to add this:
Why would you care exactly about what some random guy you don't even know thinks about you ?
Sure, I care about the opinions of my friends and family, but just some strangers opinion ? No, why would I ?
This is not intended to be mean in any way, and btw.. some people over-do their makeup so much, it almost makes me puke.
What song was Rarity singing? And o noes! Diamond Dogs!
No Spikey-Wikey around to help her either...poor Spikey! T_T
The Ponyville musical is happening.
So many shout outs!
1047605 But we also have no evidence they had the right to the land. Even if they owned the mines underground, she was digging above ground. Their own dialogue indicates they captured her not because she was doing anything wrong, but because they were planing to use their captives to find them gems.
Anyway, short, but great set-up!
i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/HunterTSF/Confound_these_ponies.png
1172371
I thought she was referring to the tatzelworm from 'three's a crowd'.
Also, somebody should go sue Peter Jackson!
Ah
_________
1172371
Graboids are the win.
omg how do you even come up with these songs?
7122918
burt gummer is the master ham
Wow, Rainbow that's a bit mean.
Another chapter that's more reference than anything else. As a quick aside: Just because you lampshade something doesn't make it any less annoying.
Downvoted for now. Let's see if things improve in the next few chapters.
1046601
I agree wholeheartedly!
"Stop the madness!" -- Mr. Wonderful (Kevin O'Leary)
No more spontaneous singing! Please! You don't want to cause spontaneous combustion!
ALERT: COMBUSTION IMMINENT
i.pinimg.com/736x/fc/19/a7/fc19a7a45f586c8bb6bdc8b2de3a65c5.jpg