> The NEW Canterlot High School > by MlpRainbowPower > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Book Of Truth > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a loud afternoon in the cafeteria, and six best friends were enjoying a nice chat. Well, actually, it was nine friends, but we’ll get to that later. Anyway, it had been a lovely evening, with only history class to go against it. They were excited to share their day with their BFFs. Thankfully, there were no terrorizing monsters trying to take over the school today. But the our-school-has-become-a-perfect-target-for-evil-villains vibe still hung in the air. There were no parties or events, either, so it was just a perfectly normal school day. Well, almost normal. “I seriously wish I still had my singing powers,” Grumbled Adagio Dazzle. “I would make everybody here shut up.” Okay, okay. The other three friends are, in fact, the Dazzlings. The Rainbooms had finally accepted them, and they had stopped acting evil. Sort of. “Hey! I told you to stop saying things like that! It won’t help your new image. At all.” Rainbow Dash retorted. “She’s just saying things. What’s the harm in that?” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “I know she’s just saying stuff, but pretty soon those will turn into bigger things, and she’d be singing for battles of bands in no time.” Rainbow crossed her arms. “You have to admit that was a good song though.” Added Aria Blaze. “Totally.” Said Sonata and Adagio in unison. They all high-fived. “I think it was too dark.” Fluttershy stated quietly. “Everything’s too dark for you!” Rainbow Dash teased. Sonata and Applejack giggled. Fluttershy reddened slightly. “Come on, girls. Some people are just sensitive.” Rarity insisted. “Really sensitive.” She muttered after. Fluttershy’s face got more red. “We should stop, before Fluttershy’s face burns off.” Sunset Shimmer put her hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “And can’t you guys be a little more nice?” “We’re laughing with her.” Rainbow shrugged. “And your best friends aren’t your best friends if they don’t tease you.” Adagio implied. “That is the sign of a strong friendship. That means you trust each other.” Everyone else stared at her. Adagio noticed the shift in her friends and blushed. Finally, Sunset Shimmer broke the silence. “How do you know that much about friendship?” “Yeah! I thought you were some heartless monster who didn’t care about anyone else’s feelings!” Rainbow accused. “Hey, we’ve changed!” Exclaimed Sonata Dusk. “Hardly.” Aria mumbled. “Whatever! Just tell us how you knew that!” Rainbow jabbed a finger at Adagio. “Well...I...um...you know,” Adagio stared at her lap. “No, we don’t!” Applejack said. Adagio sighed. “Well, I’ve been alive for a thousand years...so I guess I picked it up.” Rarity laughed. She didn’t stop. She almost fell off the chair, but Fluttershy steadied her. Finally, Rarity wiped her eyes and blurted out, “Seriously? You picked it up? You’re all embarrassed because you picked it up? You’re more heartless than I thought!” Pinkie Pie started giggling. “That is true. I thought you had suddenly become a friendship-is-magic girl!” “Hey, I thought it was good I’m learning about friendship! Even though, seriously, you guys are such typical best friends. And, I’m just saying, but ‘Friendship is Magic’ is a really bad motto. Dumb. And dorky.” Adagio pointed at Rainbow Dash. “I thought that at least you would want to be cooler than this.” “WHAT!!!” Rainbow’s outburst made Fluttershy slowly slip under the table. “I’m cooler than you, and Aria, and Sonata put together!” Adagio yawned. “I highly doubt that.” “Totally.” Aria crossed her arms. They both looked at Sonata. She was cradling her phone in her hand, rapidly texting. “Um, Sonata? You agree, right?” Questioned Aria. Sonata continued texting. “Hello?” Aria waved her hand in front of Sonata’s face. Sonata didn’t even blink. “HEY! SONATA! SNAP OUT OF IT!” Adagio yelled. Sonata jumped, dropping her phone in the process. She scrambled to pick it up. Once it was retrieved, she looked around at all the staring faces and said, “What?” Adagio hit the space between her eyes with her hand and sighed. “Never mind, Sonata.” “Okay!” Sonata started to turn on her phone, but Aria snatched it before she could. “No more using this.” She tossed it to Sunset Shimmer. Sunset Shimmer caught it and threw it to Rainbow. Rainbow threw it to Adagio, Adagio threw it to Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie threw it to Fluttershy, all while Sonata scrambled around the table, trying to get it back. Finally, Rarity tossed it to Sonata, who was at the other end of the table, panting. She caught it and sat back down, about to turn it on. She looked up, and saw all faces glaring at her. She huffed and said, “Fine.” She stuffed it in her bag. “Great! Now we can get on with the---” Adagio was never able to finish her sentence because the bell rang at that moment. Immediately everyone in the cafeteria started getting up, including the Rainbooms and the Dazzlings. It was even more loud. The loudest voice of all, though was Adagio’s unmistakable yell, “GREAT! JUST DANDY!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rainbow Dash ran her fingers over a shelf of books. The Rainbooms were huddled in the library, seeking out a certain book. Surprisingly, it was Rainbow Dash who insisted on coming here. She had told the others that she was looking for a book. Just a book. She made sure that the Dazzlings weren’t following. They all guessed that it had something to do with them. But they weren’t that convinced when they saw what section they were in. Science-history. Rainbow Dash had always been the least bit fond with science and history, so they all had no idea why she would be looking for a book in the section of those two combined. Applejack looked at all the books around her. “Can ya just tell us what ya want from here?” She swatted a cobweb near her face. “Eeew! Find your book already, darling! I’m ready to leave this place!” Rarity took a few steps back. “Ah-ha! Here it is!” Rainbow pulled out a dusty book with a gem on the cover. It closely resembled the Sirens’ necklaces. Rainbow shook the book, causing dust to spray everywhere. Rarity cowered away, grabbing Pinkie Pie to shield her. Rainbow set the book on the nearest table. “Hey, is that the Dazzlings’ gems?” Pinkie bounced around the table. “What is this?” Fluttershy said. “And how did ya know it was here?” Applejack added. “I heard about it even before we met Twilight.” Rainbow replied. “I just remembered about it yesterday. Apparently someone knew who they were, and that person came from Equestria. They wrote about it, but no one believed it. But the library got it anyway, and put it in science history.” She winked at everyone else. “And we’re gonna use it against them.” “Now hold on just a minute,” Applejack took the book off the table. “That’s kinda mean, ain’t it?” “Yes.” Fluttershy nodded. “It is quite rude, dear.” Rarity examined the cover. “Why would we want to do that?” “For answers.” Rainbow Dash snatched the book back from Applejack. “And if they don’t tell us, we’ll just read this.” “But…” Fluttershy began. “No buts. This is gonna work out perfectly.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Adagio sighed in frustration. The Dazzlings were sitting on the school steps, waiting for the Rainbooms. Students had walked past them, each one giving them a dirty look. Even though the Rainbooms had forgave them, doesn’t mean everyone else would. Aria was brushing her purple pigtails, and Sonata was chowing down on a taco. “Uh!” Adagio gave up on being patient. “Where are they?” She paced in front of the steps. “They’ll get here someday.” Sonata said between mouthfuls. Right after that, the school doors thrust open and the Rainbooms ran toward them. Rainbow was holding a book, and Applejack was trying to grab it from her. When they reached the Dazzlings, Rainbow smirked. “Sup, guess what we ha---” At that moment, Applejack successfully pried the book from Rainbow Dash. She ran back towards the school doors. “HEY!!” Rainbow ran after her, silently cursing at AJ. Pinkie bounced after them. “Uh, hey.” Sunset Shimmer waved at Adagio. Fluttershy looked at the ground. “What was that book about? How was it important?” Adagio immediately started asking. “Rainbow probably just found another book about soccer she wanted to show to us.” Aria crossed her arms. “Uh, I hate that sport.” “It’s not so bad. It’s kinda fun once you know how to play it.” Sonata tossed her napkin into the trash can a few feet away and wiped her mouth. “When did you learn soccer?” Aria asked. Sonata shrugged. “I didn’t. I watched Rainbow Dash play. But I bet if I tried it, I’d be pretty good.” “Whatever. But if it was just a soccer book, why was Applejack so devoted to stealing it?” Adagio took a step closer to Sunset. Sunset fidgeted with her fingers. “Uh, Applejack doesn’t like soccer?” Adagio glared at her and said nothing. Finally, Rarity broke the silence. “Dag, no need to get feisty. How about going to the bakery for some nice treats?” She chuckled uncertainly. “Fine.” Adagio stalked away toward the bakery. She glanced back and added, “But I will get the answer out of you.” She continued on, and Aria and Sonata followed after. Sunset sighed with relief. “That turned out better than expected.” She lowered herself on the steps. “I don’t think this went so well,” Fluttershy said. She rubbed her arm. Rarity put her hands on her hips. “I just hope Applejack manages to take that book. I wouldn’t want the Dazzlings seeing that. Highly offensive, really.” “Ah got it!” They whirled around to see a panting Applejack clutching the book to her chest. “Ah got it!” Suddenly they heard a shout. They turned to see Rainbow Dash riding on a scooter towards AJ. Scootaloo is behind her, and they hear her saying, “Hey! That’s mine!” Rainbow ignores her and goes faster. Applejack shrieks and says, “Here! Take this!” She tossed the book at Sunset, then put her arm in her shirt to make it look like she still had it. Rainbow didn’t notice the switch, and follows Applejack instead. They both raced around the side of the school. Sunset studied the book. “We seriously can’t let the Dazzlings see this. Do they even know someone made a book about them?” “Probably not!” They turn around to see Pinkie Pie skipping towards them. “Let me see!” She grabbed the book before Sunset could protest, and started leafing through it. “Uh, darling, I don’t think you should read that. I don’t really want to know more about them…” Rarity glanced in the direction of the bakery. Pinkie shrugged. “Okey dokey! But maybe just a peek?” Rarity and Fluttershy shook their heads. Pinkie sighed. “Well, I guess a book wouldn’t have the full story. We can try to force it out of them instead!” Fluttershy gasped. “No! No, no, no! That’s a terrible thing to do! They’d trap us in a spell! Or make us turn against each other! Or even---” “Um, their powers were removed, remember?” Sunset interrupted. “Yeah, I know, but who knows what else they can do? They can jump us, fight us, even ridicule us!” Fluttershy shivered at the thought. Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Ridiculed, dear? I think it will be fine if that happens.” “I-I guess.” She shifted her feet. “We should go meet up with the Dazzlings. We wouldn’t want to be late.” Sunset Shimmer reasoned. “But what about AJ and Rainbow?” Pinkie Pie questioned. “I think they’re a little busy...But we can go anyway.” Sunset said. “It’s only a matter of time before Rainbow finds out Applejack doesn’t have the book.” Rarity took the book from Pinkie and stuffed it in her backpack. “And let’s be hopeful a black hole randomly appears in my bag and swallows the book up.” “But then it will swallow your fashion notebook! You always say, ‘I do so adore this notebook.’” Pinkie mimicked badly. “Oh yeah…” Rarity nervously glanced at the bag. “Guys, a black hole is not going to appear in Rarity’s backpack!” She got up and stretched her legs. “Now let’s go!” “Hold it right there!” They whirl around to see Rainbow Dash glaring at them, hands on her hips. Applejack was at her side, so out of breath she was halfway to the ground. “Where is my book?” “We don’t know! Heh he…” Rarity kicked aside her bag. Rainbow’s gaze fell on the bag. In a split second, she lunged on it, with Pinkie and Applejack jumping after. Rarity and Sunset Shimmer tore the bag away, and Fluttershy just gasped in the background. Rainbow fell to the ground, but got up and ran for it a second time. She grabbed the other side of the backpack, and Rarity and Sunset still were gripping the bag. Pinkie and AJ tried pulling Rainbow Dash away from the bag. Fluttershy still just stood in the background. Sunset, Rarity, and Rainbow were in a sort of tug-of-war, and Rainbow kept screaming, “Gimme!” Suddenly, like it was in slow-motion, the bag ripped in half. All the contents were spilled on the ground below it, including the book. Rainbow pounced on it, and Rarity fell on her knees, saying, “My bag! My beloved bag!” And whimpering in her arms. Fluttershy was also whimpering, but more in a frightened way. Applejack and Pinkie tackled Rainbow, and Sunset Shimmer started gathering all the stuff that had flown out of the bag. Once all was in a neat stack, she jumped in on the dog pile and tried to pry away the book from Rainbow Dash’s grip. Finally, after a full five minutes of tackling, Applejack grabbed the book while Rarity pulled Rainbow backward. The book loosened from Rainbow Dash’s arms, and AJ easily snatched it from her. She put it aside and said, “Rainbow, why do you want to do this?” Rainbow Dash pushed Pinkie Pie off of her and replied, “Duh! For answers! Do we know anything about their past?” “Well, actually, yes…” Fluttershy mumbled from the background. “I know Flutters, but we don’t know so much about them. This is our chance to get all of their secrets!” “That’s kinda rude, ain’t it?” Applejack crossed her arms. Rainbow Dash waved her hand. “Rude, shmude. Don’t you guys want to know about them too?” Fluttershy looked at the ground. Rarity sadly picked up the two halves of her bag. Sunset fidgeted with her fingers. Pinkie nodded, and Applejack glared at Rainbow. “Hmmph. You guys do want to know. I knew it! So why not find the answers now?” “They just tried to corrupt the school, for heaven’s sake! The entire student body is furious at them, and you want to add to that misery sandwich? Just let it go, Rainbow!” Rarity retorted. “Yeah. Even if I want answers, I don’t really want to do this right now. We should eat instead!” Pinkie bounced happily. “I don’t want to do it ever.” Sunset picked the book up. “This can cause total madness.” “Yup.” AJ nodded. Fluttershy squeaked something that sounded like, “Me neither.” Rainbow sighed. “So you want to just forget the book? The book that has all the answers we need to figure them out?” Rarity huffed. “I doubt it has all the answers. Probably just a few that everyone already knew, plus some ones that he just made up or guessed.” “I don’t care! There might be some real stuff! I mean, we should at least look.” “No, Rainbow Dash. We’re not gonna do this.” Sunset Shimmer set the book down. Rainbow sighed. She looked longingly at the book. “Then what do you suppose we do?” They all looked at each other. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The river sloshed below them. The Rainbooms were on a short bridge above the river near the park. The air was filled with the smell of fish. “You think this is the best thing to do?” Sunset asked. Applejack and Fluttershy nodded. Rainbow sighed. “Okay then. You got the rocks, Pinkie?” “Yup.” Pinkie Pie got some rocks from out of nowhere. “The book?” Sunset looked at the Rainbow. “Are you sure this is the right thing?” Rainbow Dash blurted. “It is, Dash. Now give it up.” AJ replied. Rainbow closed her eyes and handed it to Sunset. “And you have the string, right Fluttershy?” Sunset Shimmer glanced at the river. “Yes.” Fluttershy got some string from her pocket and gave it to Sunset. “Good.” Sunset Shimmer wrapped the string around the book, then took the rocks from Pinkie Pie. She tied the string around the rocks so that the rocks were attached to the book. Rainbow Dash whimpered. Sunset glanced at everybody. “Ready?” They all nodded. Sunset held the book above the water. She let go. The book dropped with a loud sploosh, and the rocks pulled it down so it sunk to the bottom. Everyone looked down in silence. Finally, Rainbow said, “Wait a second, that was a library book!” Everyone looked at each other. Five more seconds of silence passed. Suddenly Pinkie tried to jump off the bridge, Fluttershy and Rainbow ran away, AJ grabbed Pinkie, and Sunset screamed,”DAMNIT!!!”. > Mission Impossible > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adagio didn’t think anybody would ever have a crush on Sonata. She loved Sonata, but seriously, that girl had more body than brains. And the only crush Sonata ever had was on a puppy. I guess it wasn’t a real crush, she just thought it was really cute, but still. So she had a very good reason to almost choke on her hot dog when Pinkie Pie informed Sonata that Tim, a guy at their school, had a crush on her. Sonata squealed gleefully. Aria just stared open-mouthed at Pinkie. Once Adagio was done with her fit of coughs, she yelled, “WHAT?” “You heard me. Tim’s got a crush on Sonata. Do you like him back?” Pinkie jumped in her seat at the cafeteria table. “Um...I don’t know. Who is he again?” “He’s that guy in your math class.” Said Rainbow Dash. “You know, that nerdy dude that for some reason doesn’t have glasses? Seriously, he’s always squinting at the board.” “Ah just don’t know why he’s got a crush on Sonata.” Applejack tapped the table with her finger. “I didn’t think anyone would have a crush on one of the Dazzlings. They’re all still pretty mad about the incident.” Adagio was finally over the shock. She flipped her hair and said, “Please. I bet a whole bunch of people like me. But they’re too mad to admit it. I mean, look at this.” She gestured at her body. “This is supposed to be about Sonata. Do you like him?” Sunset Shimmer turned to Sonata. So did everyone else. “I guess he’s kinda cute. And I’ve never had a boyfriend before.” Rarity gasped. “Really, darling? But you’re ever so adorable! You got that cute innocent look. Though, um,” She cleared her throat. “You’re not that innocent.” “Whatever.” Sonata shrugged. “I guess now is better than never.” She started getting up. “Hold it!” Rarity pulled her back down. “You can’t just walk up to him.” “Why not?” “That’s not lady-like. He’s got to make the first move.” Rarity surveyed the cafeteria. “Where is his table?” “Over there!” Pinkie pointed to a table across the room, where a bunch of nerds were sitting. Among them was Tim, occasionally glancing at their table. “He looks nice.” Fluttershy said. “Nice won’t cut it.” Rainbow Dash added. “He’s got to be awesome!” She pumped her fists in the air. “And fun! Very fun!” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. “He has to be a gentleman.” Rarity examined Tim. “He has ta be hard-working.” Applejack crossed her arms. “And understanding.” Sunset Shimmer added. Sonata stared at them all. “What?” Adagio sighed. “He has to be good.” “Okay!” Sonata glanced at Tim’s table again. “Now can I go over there?” They all shook their heads except for Adagio. She just sighed. “Sonata, you have to be bold. Go up there and talk. Boys think it’s hot when girls act better than them. Just go up to him and start flirting.” “No, no, no! Ladies have the boys come to them. And then you flirt.” Rarity said. “How about you just give him some cupcakes?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I doubt that would work, Pinkie. Anyway, I agree with Adagio. Go up to him and act cool.” Rainbow Dash replied. “I think that’s impossible for Sonata.” Aria muttered. “Maybe the book will tell us how the the Dazzling’s deal with love.” Rainbow said, immediately getting elbowed by Applejack. “What book?” Adagio asked curiously. “Uh, just a book, that, um… uh, tells how gems love people?” Rarity chuckled uncertainly. Adagio narrowed her eyes at Rarity, but continued with the conversation. “Look, Sonata, just go up to him. Act cool and hot.” “Maybe you can just be kind with him…” Fluttershy began. “Kind? No, no, no, no! You gotta be cool! Like a rockstar that fell from rockstar planet!” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Rockstar planet? Rainbow, be real.” Sunset turned to Sonata. “Just be yourself. He’ll fall for you easily. He already likes you, so keep on being you.” “You have to be better than you!” Rainbow added. “Rainbow Dash, stop giving her the wrong idea!” Sunset Shimmer crossed her arms. Adagio fanned herself with her hand. “Who are you going to listen to, Sonata? Me, your friend who’s been with you for forever, or them, who blasted you with a giant rainbow.” Sonata tapped her chin. “How about…………….me.” She got up and walked over to Tim’s table. Pause. “Oh my, is she going to---” Rarity began. “Yup. She should’ve brought cupcakes, though.” Pinkie watched Sonata pat Tim’s shoulder. He turned around in surprise. They watched as Tim’s face turned red, and Sonata started chatting to her hearts content. “She doesn’t look that cool, more like a talking blue chicken finally out of it’s barn and meeting someone new.” Rainbow Dash reported. “Well, at least it’s a nerd. He won’t notice a thing and will instead think he found his dorky soul mate.” Aria claimed. “Maybe we should contact Twilight. She’ll know what to do.” Sunset Shimmer suggested. “I think it’s too late for that!” Applejack pointed as Sonata came bouncing back to the table. She hopped into her seat and started humming. Pause. “Uh, Sonata?” Fluttershy uttered. “What happened? Did it go alright?” “What?” Sonata looked up at Fluttershy. Adagio sighed. “Oh, yeah! That! It went really well! He asked me out, and we’re going to the arcade after school!” “That’s great!” Rarity exclaimed. “Nerdy choice, if you ask me.” Rainbow Dash announced. “I mean, seriously? The arcade? That’s where you go for nerd meetings and comic con. Not first dates.” “Actually, comic con is not held in arca---” Pinkie Pie began. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not cool. Neither is it awesome, radical, or even fun. It’s just a bunch of nerds snorting and saying, ‘The something’s radar is 52.63% the galactic force.’ and ‘You sunk my 44 camera G-battleship!’. Rainbow grunted. Pause. “What? It’s true.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After school they were all huddled a block away from the arcade, in an alleyway that didn’t smell too much like cat litter and rotten lettuce. They had decided that since this is Sonata’s first date, and Sonata isn’t exactly, ahem, the sharpest tool in the shed, this had turned into a mission. They had already worked out the basics. Sonata had a microphone attached to her ear, and the others would give advice. By others, they meant Adagio, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer. The other’s had places to go. Well, except for Fluttershy. She was just too scared. They hoped this would be a success. After they had gone over the very simple plan for the fourth time, Rainbow said, “Okay. We’re ready. Let’s go.” She adjusted the microphone on her ear and moved out. Adagio and Sunset followed. Sonata hesitantly walked up. “Are you sure this is the best idea? It’s kind of weird…” “Believe me, this is the only way you’ll ever get a boyfriend.” Adagio responded. “I’m just here to make sure Adagio and Rainbow don’t confuse you.” Sunset Shimmer put her hands on her hips. “Remember, the best thing to do is be yourself.” “Whatever.” Grumbled Rainbow Dash. When they were at the arcade entrance, Adagio poked her head in, and immediately pulled it back out. “Uh, god. All I hear is Pac-man dying noises and coins falling in slots. And it has a putrid smell of french fries.” “Like I said, nerdy pick.” Rainbow shrugged. “But that’s not important. Tim should be here any minute, and we have to be read---” Rainbow Dash was interrupted by Sunset pushing her and Adagio behind a dumpster so hard that Rainbow slipped and fell, landing in a puddle of mud and banana peels. “Eew!” She yelled. “What was that for?” Sunset didn’t answer, just grabbed Rainbow’s hands and dragged her behind the dumpster, leaving a trail of mud. When they were behind, Rainbow got up and shouted,”What was that fo---”, but got interrupted by Adagio putting her hand over her mouth. “Tim’s over there! I had to think fast!” Sunset replied. When Adagio released her hand, Rainbow crossed her arms and said, “It’s the semi-finals in the Battle of the Bands all over again.” Sunset Shimmer glared at her. “We agreed not to talk about that, Rainbow Dash!” “Will you guys shut up? I’m trying to get Sonata a boyfriend here! And if he notices us, he’ll definitely think something is up!” Adagio whisper-shouted. Sunset sighed and Rainbow grunted. “Now, let’s see what they’re up to.” Adagio turned her mic on and tapped it. The others winced at the sound of the finger banging it. “Oops.” Apologized Adagio. “Hey guys.” They heard Sonata’s crackly voice. “Tim is getting snacks right now, so I’m wondering what to do. I asked for a taco. Is that good?” “The food doesn’t matter. Nothing matters as long as you be nice and be yourself.” Sunset responded. “Remember to act cool.” Rainbow Dash added. “How do I act cool?” “Don’t listen to her, Sonata.” Sunset Shimmer chimed in. “Just be yourself.” “But I want him to like me!” “Exactly.” Rainbow agreed. “Make him like you.” “But doesn’t he already like me?” “Make him like you more.” Rainbow Dash smirked. “Look, Sonata. Just listen to me. Wouldn’t you rather be yourself? And if you doesn’t like you, so what? We’ll get you an even better boyfriend. I promise.” Sunset assured. “But Tim seems really nice. I think I like him. What if he doesn’t like me?” Sonata asked. “He will. I know that.” Sunset Shimmer promised. Adagio crossed her arms. “Sonata, for once Sunset’s right. He will like you.” “I really hope so! Anyway, I gotta go. Tim’s coming back. I’ll talk back when I can.” They heard the beep of her mic turned off. Adagio looked around. “Okay, first things first. We need to find a window.” “Wait, wait, wait!” Rainbow pointed at the mud mess on her. “Can we do something about this?” “I have an idea!” Sunset exclaimed. “Good, what is i---” Rainbow Dash was interrupted by a jet of water shooting at her face and body. “BlBLBGHRUBL!” She gurgled. Once the water stopped spraying, she shook out her arms and yelled, “What was that for!” Sunset Shimmer set a hose on the ground and shrugged. “Well, you said you wanted to be cleaned.” “You made me all wet now! And cold!” She shivered. “You seriously need to start getting better ideas.” “Hey! What else was I supposed to do? Miraculously there’s a hose, and a whining Rainbow Dash. Put those together is a clean Rainbow.” “More like an even more whiny Rainbow Dash.” Grumbled Adagio. “But this stuff isn’t important! Now let’s find a window!” “Fine.” Rainbow crossed her arms and shook her wet hair. When they were in the middle of searching for a reachable window, they heard Sonata’s line come on. “Hey, guys. So, I’m in the bathroom, and I’m not really sure what to do.” “You squat and it should come out.” Rainbow replied. “Not going to the bathroom! I just don’t know if I’m acting right.” “Didn’t you just contact us?” Sunset said. “Well, yeah, but you guys said you will help me, so I drunk a big thing of water then pretended I had to go to the bathroom, and now I’m asking for help.” “It doesn’t matter how many times you call us. We are here to help.” Adagio responded, glancing at Sunset Shimmer. “So, how is it going so far?” “Pretty good, actually. He’s nice and funny.” “Great!” Sunset cheered. “That’s excellent! I just know he’s perfect for you!” “But he’s a nerd! Nerd’s aren’t cool!” Rainbow protested. “I don’t really care if he’s popular or cool. As long as he’s nice and loves tacos, he’s great!” Sonata’s voice sounded happy. “So do you think you want to keep this boy?” Adagio asked. “Well, yeah, but don’t say it like that. When you say it like that, it sounds like he’s an object. And he’s not an object, incase you didn’t notice.” Sonata answered. Adagio crossed her arms. “I know full well that Tim’s not a toy.” Rainbow snickered. “Yeah he is! A boy toy!” Sunset Shimmer giggled. “Huh?” Sonata questioned. “Nothing.” Adagio said, shooting a glare at Rainbow Dash. “If you want him, then you can have him. Not as a toy.” “Okay then, I think I know what I’m gonna act like then. I’m gonna go, kay?” “Good. And remember, if you really like him, make sure he likes you.” Adagio ordered. “Got it!” Sonata clicked off. Adagio never thought this day would come. Sonata would be on a date. A frickin’ date. Sonata had never been with a boy, and Adagio assumed she’d be forever single. Not in the sad way, since she’s too dumb to ever be sad, just single. But here she was, making sure Sonata had the perfect date. “Window!” Rainbow Dash interrupted her train of thought. “Right over there.” “You know, isn’t it weird that there’s very few windows here?” Sunset asked as they walked toward the window. Rainbow chuckled. “I know why. Their species don’t like natural light. They only like video game light, and sometimes flashlights. I’m pretty sure they catch fire whenever in light of the sun.” “Oh, really?” Sunset Shimmer put her hands on her hips. “Their species? They catch fire? I find this hard to believe.” “Oh, it’s true.” Rainbow Dash nodded. “I’m almost positive.” “Okay, I think the snack bar’s over here. Sonata and Tim should be somewhere around here….” Adagio said once they were at the window. “Over there!” Sunset pointed to the left, where Sonata was watching Tim play a racing game on a big video game machine. Sonata was munching happily on a taco. “Let’s contact her then.” Adagio fumbled with the mic, and they suddenly heard Sonata’s voice saying, “Wow, you’re good at this game!” And then a mumble of Tim saying something. They were also watching them through the window. Adagio whispered, “We need to talk.” A look of disappointment crossed Sonata’s face for a split second, but she said, “Uh, I gotta pee.” Then she ran to the restroom. They lost vision of her, but a minute later they heard her voice say, “What is it, guys? I’m having fun!” “Just wanna check up on you. Make sure you’re doing okay.” Sunset Shimmer said into the mic. “I’m doing fine. Can I go now?” “Wait.” Adagio replied. “Are you being flirty and bold?” “Uh, I don’t know. I think I’m being a little flirty.” “And you gotta act super awesome. Like, awesomer than awesome.” Rainbow added. “I think I’m being aweso---” “And remember to be nice.” Sunset interrupted. “You don’t want to be mean. “Okay, I wil---” “Be better than him. Make him crave you.” Adagio insisted. “Wait, what? How is tha---” “Adagio, don’t make her like that!” Sunset blurted. “Guys, I think---” “Why not? I think it would be a good change.” Implied Rainbow Dash. “No it wouldn’t!” Sunset argued. “Excuse me, but---” “I’m kinda tired seeing her all dumb like this.” Adagio responded. “She’s gotta be bold now.” “GUYS!!” Sonata screamed into the mic. The other winced at the screech. “I think I can handle myself, okay? Lay off!” The others were silent. Sonata had never exploded like this. Usually she just followed Adagio and didn’t say a word. So this was really unexpected. “Wait.” Sunset finally said. “We’re supposed to be helping you!” They saw Sonata walk back into view by the window. She looked pretty annoyed. “Sonata! You have to learn how to be awesome!” Rainbow bossed. “I don’t have to be awesome!!!!” Sonata shouted. They heard a fuzz, and saw Sonata slip the mic into a cup of chocolate and walk towards Tim. They stared open-mouthed as Sonata took a turn on Pac-man with Tim watching. Adagio gulped. > Hide-and-Seek Gone Wrong > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a Sunday afternoon, and the Dazzling Rainbooms (Their combined name) were relaxing on a sunny field. The air smelled of pollen and honey, and there was a slight breeze. The grass felt warm and the sun was shining bright. "I'm so bored." Rainbow Dash said. "Yup." "Me too." Adagio sighed. "Why are we here?" "Fluttershy is having an animal picnic, and we promised we'd accompany her." Sunset Shimmer gestured towards Fluttershy, who was cuddling with a bunch of bunnies about ten yards away. "She's not even noticing us. There's no reason for us to be here." Aria grumbled. "Well, too bad." Sunset replied. Aria muttered something and laid on her back. "Look on the bright side." Rarity said while sniffing some daisies. "These flowers would go perfect with some of my fashion designs." "But we're not all fashionistas, Rarity." Dash pointed out. "Your loss." Rarity picked a dandelion. Silence. "Let's play a game!" Sonata said, two minutes later. "Uh, sure, what's the game?" Applejack responded. "Uh..." Sonata tapped her chin. "I didn't really think that far," "Let's play hide-and-seek!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Hide-and-seek is for babies." Aria retorted. "Oh come on, Mr. Grumpy Pants!" Pinkie grabbed the edge of Aria's face and pulled up, making it look like Aria was smiling in a very creepy way. "You never do anything fun! And hide-and-seek is awesome when you start playing it!" Aria got up, pushed Pinkie away and mumbled, "Whatever." "Ahm actually up fer a game of hide-and-seek." Applejack said. "That's the spirit!" Pinkie bounced around everyone. "Anyone else?" Sunset Shimmer shrugged. "Sure, I could play a quick game." "Me too, I guess. And stop bouncing, you're distracting." Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie Pie's arm, causing Dash to bounce along with her. She let go and rubbed her head. "Uh, Pinks..." "Yay! I love hide-and-seek!" Sonata clapped her hands excitedly. "I'll totally play!" Rarity picked one last flower and turned towards the group. “I guess I’ll play one quick game darling. But I’m not hiding anywhere where there is mud, or dirt, or leaves, or dust, or wind, or puddles, or---” “Yeah, yeah, we get it.” Rainbow interrupted. Rarity did a loud, “Hmmph!” and went back to her daisies. Sonata jumped to Adagio. “Dagi? How about it?” Adagio examined her nails and sighed. “Oh, fine.” They all turned towards Aria. Aria crossed her arms and looked away. “Uh, whatever. Fine.” Pinkie Pie and Sonata hugged Aria tightly, and then zipped away fast into the small woods, causing Aria to fall on her face. Sunset got up and brushed off her legs. The rest followed, except for Aria who pulled her face from the dirt and rubbed her head. “I guess neither of them are gonna be it, so who will be?” Sunset said. Nobody wanted to. “I know!” Dash grinned. “One, two, three, NOT IT!” She ran off into the woods. One by one, they screamed, “NOT IT!” and ran into the woods, leaving a very flustered Rarity, who couldn’t run fast enough in her boots. She sighed, mumbled, “Fine”, and covered her eyes to count to twenty. Rainbow sprinted through the trees, hair blowing behind her, as she looked for a good place to hide. There weren’t many good hiding spots, just like, millions of trees. That’s all she could see. Trees, trees, and more trees. After two minutes, she stopped running and looked around. She didn’t think that she’d come across a good place anytime soon, so she decided to just crouch behind a tree. She saw a big fat one and started walking towards it. Woah! She stumbled and looked down. Her foot had fallen in what looked like a hole. It was a pretty small one, her foot barely fit. Around the edges, the dirt looked like it was packed really hard. Dash shrugged and tried to pull her foot out, but it wouldn’t budge. She grunted and pulled harder, but it wouldn’t move. Rainbow wiggled her foot and pulled again, but to no avail. Oh no, the seeker’s gonna find me if I’m stuck here! Dash frantically kicked her leg around, trying to free herself. After three minutes, she gave up and tried to find another way. She bent down as far as she could, and grabbed her leg. Rainbow pulled as hard as she could, but it wouldn’t move. She tried two more times, but it wouldn’t budge. She decided to give it her all. She took the biggest breath in her life, gripped her leg, and pulled her hands back hard. She felt her foot being jerked from the hole, kicking herself backwards. She slammed on the ground and sighed. I’m free! Suddenly, she felt the ground crumble beneath her. She turned around on her stomach, and saw the dirt crack and fall. She didn’t have time to think, so she saw herself falling with the dirt. As soon as it started, she smacked against some stone. A terrible pain sounded in her ankle as she landed. “OW, SHIT!” Dash yelled. She looked at her ankle while continuously saying, “Owowowowowowowowowowowow,” Her ankle was bent in a weird way, and it hurt like hell. She must have landed on it badly. The rest of her body was okay, but still really hurt since she just fell onto hard stone. Rainbow looked up toward where she fell, and saw the hole. She had fallen about seven feet. It didn’t hurt as much as it should since she landed on a little bit of dirt, but she was still in pain. Dash slowly got into a sitting position, dragging her twisted ankle. She looked back at the hole. It would be impossible to jump that far, so she looked towards the walls. She had landed is some type of small stone cave, so the walls were stone. She tried to find any rocks jutting out for her to climb on, but the walls were smooth, like someone carved the stone into a straight wall. Not like she’d be able to climb anyway, what with her ankle. She looked back towards her ankle and rubbed it. She winced at the pain and looked back towards the hole in the ceiling. “Hello?!” She yelled. “Someone help!” No answer. “HELLO?!” She screamed louder. “SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!” Still, nobody replied. “HEY! I’M TRAPPED DOWN HERE! SOMEONE HELP ME!” She frantically screamed. Silence. “Well, fuck.” Pinkie Pie skipped along with Sonata right behind her, looking for a hiding spot. She stopped near a large rock, which she pointed to and said, “Hey! What about there?” Sonata turned towards it. “Perfect!” She and Pinkie squeezed behind it, then peeked over it at the same time. They stayed like that for two minutes, until a faint yell was heard somewhere from the left. “Huh? What was that?” Sonata asked. “Somebody probably just got caught. Maybe Aria or Dashie, you know how competitive they are.” Pinkie responded. “Yeah, probably.” They turned back to staring in front of the rock. Adagio and Aria were walking around, trying to find a good spot. They weren’t really hurrying, since they both didn’t really care. Well, Aria cared, but she didn’t feel like hiding. Adagio examined her nails. “Hmm, there aren’t any good spots to hide.” Aria glanced around. “Whatever. I don’t care.” “You never care.” Adagio replied. “I don’t care.” Aria responded. “My point exactly.” Adagio said. Aria crossed her arms. Silence. Two minutes later, Adagio broke the silence. “Also, can you explain why you have a D in English?” She demanded. “Easy. I don’t do any of my homework.” Aria grunted. “WHAT?!” Adagio thundered. “Yup. I barely pay attention in class either.” “ARIA! DO YOU WANT TO GRADUATE?!” “Don’t really care.” “ARIA! YOU ARE DOING YOUR HOMEWORK THE MINUTE WE GET HOME! AND IF THIS CONTINUES, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GROUND YOU!” Aria rolled her eyes. “Okay, mom.” Adagio crossed her arms. “Don’t call me that.” “WhateveEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRR…” Aria was cut off when she suddenly went plunging into the ground. Adagio looked down and saw a huge hole in the ground, where Aria had supposedly fallen into. She also saw Rainbow Dash, who was staring at Aria. “Aria! You fell in here too!” “Holy shit, my head hurts.” Aria grumbled and rubbed her head. “Uh, why are you in a hole, Dash?” Adagio spoke up from above them. Rainbow’s eyes lightened up when she saw the Dazzling. “Adagio! Finally! Quick, help me!” Adagio inspected Rainbow. “And I repeat my question: Why are you in a hole?” Dash waved a hand in the air. “Foot got stuck, fell back, dirt cracked, blah blah. The important thing right now is to get me out of here.” Adagio shrugged. “Sure.” She bent down above the hole and reached out her arm. “Grab my hand. Rainbow jumped up, immediately falling down by her ankle. She rubbed it, then continued to crawl over to Adagio’s hand. Adagio noticed this and asked, “What’s wrong with your ankle?” Dash glanced over at her ankle and shrugged. “I’m pretty sure it’s twisted from when I fell in here.” She grabbed Adagio’s hand. “It hurts like hell.” Adagio nodded and started to pull Rainbow’s hand. Of course, though, it was at that moment that Aria decided to say, “Hey look, a slug.” Which caused Dash to turn to face Aria’s direction, accidentally pulling Adagio over the edge. Adagio fell headfirst, did a turn in midair, and ended up landing on her back, right in front of Rainbow. Adagio groaned and said, “Goddamn it Aria.” Sunset Shimmer was walking with Rarity, trying to find the others. Rarity had found her almost immediately, since her fiery hair was very easy to spot amongst the green forest. Sunset sighed and looked around again. “I can’t see any of them.” “They have to be here somewhere, darling.” Rarity hopped over a mud puddle and glanced to her left. “And I’m pretty sure I just saw a flash of pink.” “Must be Pinkie Pie then.” Sunset turned towards her left and walked through some bushes, Rarity following. She saw a large rock, which she peeked around. There wasn’t anybody, but suddenly she heard a giggle coming from behind her. Sunset looked behind her and saw a streak of blue and pink through some trees. She sighed and said, “I know you’re there, Pinkie and Sonata.” The named people emerged from the trees, Sonata giggling. Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. “Aw, I thought I was better at hide-and-seek. Anyway, we were hiding behind that rock when we heard your voices, so we ran into the trees.” Sonata started bouncing with Pinkie. “Yeah, and I kinda accidentally giggled, and then you found us.” Rarity stared at the people bouncing in sync, and mumbled, “God, you’re like twins.” “So, what are we waiting for?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Let’s go find everyone!” She and Sonata ran into the trees, Rarity and Sunset following a moment later. Rainbow, Aria, and Adagio sat in silence, each in different corners of the small cave. “So…” Dash rubbed her arm. Silence. “I hate you, Aria.” Adagio muttered. Aria looked up from the slug on her hand and said, “What did I do?” Adagio sighed and face palmed. Silence. "So..." Rainbow Dash repeated. "I think it peed on me." They both turned towards Aria, who had set the slug down and was shaking the pee off her hand. "Ugh..." Adagio pulled her knees up to her chest and set her head on them. Dash became very interested with the floor. Silence. Suddenly the sound of footsteps interrupted the quiet. They all looked up as they saw Applejack running past them. Rainbow immediately started waving her arms around and yelling, "Applejack! Over here! Help!" Applejack turned around and saw them. She ran to the hole and said, "What are ya'll doin' in this hole?" "Doesn't matter, just get us out." Dash replied. "All right. Let me just----" AJ was interrupted as a huge wave of pink goo splashed onto her from above. She yelled in surprise and looked towards the sky, where there was a bucket tipped over in a tree. Dash snickered. "Wow, I forgot about that prank I set." Applejack tried wiping off the goo while glaring at Rainbow. "What the hay, RD?" "Hey, I didn't mean for it to hit you." She chuckled again at the pink and gooey AJ. Aria burst out laughing and Adagio chuckled into her hand. Applejack crossed her arms and angrily grunted. "Whatever. Now let's get you out of there." Sunset Shimmer and Rarity walked around the woods, Sonata and Pinkie Pie bouncing ahead of them. Sunset looked behind some trees while Rarity peeked through some bushes. No one. Sunset looked behind more trees and Rarity searched behind a rock. Nope. Sunset looked up at the tree branches while Rarity searched behind more trees. Nada. "I don't like hide-and-seek anymore." Sunset sighed in frustration. "Me neither." Rarity agreed while searching in some bushes. "I wonder if Pinkie and Sonata have found anyone." Sunset responded. As if on cue, Sonata and Pinkie Pie appeared out from some trees. "Guys, I'm pretty sure Nata and I heard some voices coming from this direction. They've gotta be there!" She and Sonata bounced off in the direction they heard, with Sunset and Rarity following. Aria, Adagio, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash trudged through the the woods, AJ still trying to get rid of the pink goo. She looked towards Dash. "What is this stuff?" "Eh, just some cheap goo I bought at FunWorld. This store was selling buckets of them for a good price." Adagio rubbed some of the goo off of Applejack's arm and inspected it. "How long ago did you set the trap?" Rainbow tapped her chin. "Uh, like a month ago." "Then how did it just fall now?" AJ asked. "A bird, probably. I honestly don't know why I set it up there, but I'm glad I did." She glanced at Applejack and snickered again. AJ grunted and continued to wipe the goo. Suddenly a loud, "A-ha!" Sounded from behind them, causing them all to jump in surprise. They turned around to see Pinkie Pie and Sonata pointing at them while smiling. "Found you!" Sonata giggled. Then she noticed Applejack. She glanced at Pinkie Pie, turned back towards AJ, and said, "Wait, I thought we had only one Pinkie Pie!" And that made it crack. It being Aria, Adagio's, and Rainbow's laughter. They all burst out laughing, falling over and rolling on the floor. Applejack just crossed her arms and glared at the air. After two minutes, the laughter died down and they got back up. Then they saw Sunset and Rarity come into view. Sunset was covered in leaves and dirt, and she was covered in tiny, white scratches. "Sorry, I got stuck in some bushes." Sunset told. "And I see you found everyone----" Sunset was interrupted by Rarity screaming and pointing at Aria. Rarity started walking backwards and tripped on a stick. She fell backwards into a large and kinda deep puddle, completely drenching her. She didn't seem to notice, though, as she continued staring at Aria. "Am I that ugly?" Aria grunted. They all looked towards her and gasped. Aria's pigtails were filled with slugs, which were also covering her body. There were slime stains on her clothes, and there were even slugs peeking out of her boots. Silence. "Oh!" Aria chuckled and gestured at herself. "You're talking about this, right?" They nodded, and Rarity screamed again. "I've looked like this since the whole cave fiasco though, and you guys haven't said a word." Rainbow tapped her head. "Come to think of it, I don't know why we didn't notice before." Applejack and Adagio shrugged. AJ gazed at all the slugs. "Where did you get that many?" Aria chuckled. "They were all in the cave, in my corner. Since I didn't have anything else to do, I let them crawl all over me. And then you came, AJ, and got pink-bombed. Then you got us out, and I was pretty comfortable with the slugs, so I let them stay." She shrugged as if this was a casual thing. Adagio rubbed the space between her eyes. "Aria, you're literally covered in at least a hundred slugs. How is this comfortable?" "Well, you see, I'm cool---" Aria was interrupted by yet another scream of Rarity. Sunset sighed and said, "What now?" Rarity gazed at her body, still laying in the puddle. "I'm wet!" Applejack crossed her arms. " Ah think we all got that already." Rarity felt her hair. "No, like, I'm really wet." "Hm-mn." Pinkie Pie hummed. Rarity gasped. "My hairstyle is ruined!" She combed her fingers through her straight, wet hair, which had lost its usual curliness. "Yeah, whatever." Adagio put one hand on her hip. "Look, let's just leave. Hide-and-seek is over, and I'm sure Fluttershy is finished with her animal picnic." She turned to walk away, and saw a cute little bunny in front of her. "Oh, look, a bunny." She kneeled down in front of it. " probably from Fluttershy." The bunny jumped onto Adagio's shoulder. "I think he likes you!" Said Sonata and Pinkie Pie at the same time. Adagio shrugged and stood back up, the bunny still on her shoulder. "I guess it could stay there." She turned back towards her friends and said, "Okay, let's go!" She started to walk away but felt a faint tugging on her jacket thing. She looked down and saw the bunny biting one of the sleeves. "Hey! Stop that!" Adagio grabbed the bunny, but it was still biting on the sleeve. Her sleeve teared apart, now in the bunnys mouth. It wiggled out of her hand and scampered off. "Hey!" Adagio ran after the bunny, but lost it right away. She looked at her torn sleeve and muttered, "I'm never going near a bunny ever again." Sunset Shimmer scratched the back of her head and cleared her throat. "This has got to be the weirdest game of hide-and-seek I've ever played." They all slowly started walking back toward Fluttershy, Rainbow leaning on Adagio and Sunset because of her twisted ankle. Adagio suddenly felt something slimy in her boot. She looked down and saw a slug crawling in. She shook her boot in disgust, but the slugs were stuck in her boot. She grumbled something and said, "Hold on a second guys, let me get this slug out of my shoe." She glared at Aria while speaking. She sat down and took off her boots, and immediately saw more than one in each boot. She had plucked two works from her shoe when she heard a yell from Pinkie Pie. She set her boots aside and got up, going towards her. Pinkie was standing underneath a tree, and there was a large branch stabbed in her frizzy hair vertically. It looked like it had fallen from the sky. "It totally just fell from the sky!" Pinkie exclaimed. Huh. "No, it fell from the tree." Sunset pointed at the large thing. "It probably fell off a branch." "Oh wow, Pinks, if you were standing a few inches behind you you would have been, like, stabbed." Dash spoke. "Here, let me get it out." Sonata grabbed the stick and pulled, but for some reason it stayed. She pulled harder, but it wouldn't move. "Uh, Pinkie, it's not moving." Pinkie shrugged. "Well, I may have put some ABC gum in my hair. And by some, I mean three packs." "That's actually really disgusting..." Adagio looked at Pinkies hair. "Yeah, why would ya do that?" Applejack rubbed her forehead. "Uh, I don't know. But whatever." Pinkie shrugged. "Just leave it. I'll take a shower and get it right out." "Ok, Pinks." Rainbow turned towards Adagio. "Are you done getting those slugs out from your boots?" "Oh, I forgot about my shoes. Give me a second." She walked towards her boots, but suddenly saw two bunnies standing next to it. She instantly recognized one of them as the one who tore her shirt. "Hey, you! Psst! Get over here!" Adagio ran towards the bunnies, but they were quicker. They each grabbed a boot and ran into the trees. Adagio followed, but lost sight of them. She stomped her foot and yelled, "DAMMIT!" The girls took their seats in their original position, near Fluttershy and her bunnies. Adagio moved far from the bunnies, instantly developing a hatred for them. They started chatting, and suddenly Fluttershy came over, her head in the picnic basket, still putting away everything. "Hello girls, I'm all done." She said, muffled by the basket. She brought her head out and stared. She looked to Applejack, who was covered in a pink goo and had a very pissed look on her face, to Adagio, who's jacket sleeve was torn and her boots were missing, who was glaring at the bunnies behind Fluttershy, to Aria, who was covered head to toe in slugs but had a very calm look on her face, to Rainbow Dash, who was covered in dirt and leaves, and her ankle was weirdly twisted, to Sunset Shimmer, who was very dirty and had tiny scratches all over her, to Rarity, who was completely drenched in water, to Sonata, who's facial expression was pretty normal despite all of this, to Pinkie Pie, who had a large branch stuck in her hair. "What'd I miss?" > Candy Crushed Pt. 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I don’t get the point of this.” Adagio and Sonata were sitting on their living room couch in their apartment. Sonata was teaching Adagio how to play Candy Crush, a game on her smartphone, though Adagio thought the game was the stupidest thing in the entire world. “It’s fun!” Sonata giggled. “You get to match candy up and get to new levels!” "I stand corrected." Adagio watched as Sonata swiped a whole row. "There is no point in this." "It's really fun when you get into it!" “But,” Adagio stared at the phone as Sonata matched up five orange things. “It’s just the same exact thing over and over again.” Sonata giggled again. “Of course not, silly, it gets harder as you level up!” She matched up four red bean-looking things, and another bean with stripes wiped off the whole row of candy. “Why would anyone waste their time on this game?” “Actually, like, a lot of people play this. At least 10 million.” Sonata matched another set of candy. Adagio’s eyes widened. “Ten million? At least?” She slowly shook her head. “I had no idea that many people have no life.” “Do you wanna try?” Sonata asked as she finished the level. She held the phone in front of Adagio. “Definitely not.” Adagio pushed the phone away. “Come on, Dagi! It’s really fun when you start to play it! For realzies!” Sonata shook the device. Adagio stared at it for a moment, then sighed. “Fine. But only once.” Sonata cheered. “Yay!” She handed the smartphone to Adagio, who tapped on the next level and sighed again. “What are you playing?” Sunset Shimmer asked Adagio the next morning at school. Adagio didn’t take her eyes off the screen. “Candy Crush.” Sunset peeked over her shoulder. “Isn’t that the game that Sonata was addicted to?” Adagio nodded. “I thought you said you hated that game.” Sunset continued to watch the former Siren as she rapidly matched up candy. “Nope.” “Why do you like it now?” Adagio shrugged. “You’re being very talkative this morning.” Sunset crossed her arms. Adagio shrugged again. Sunset Shimmer grunted at her silence, then spotted her other friends hanging out in the school’s yard under a tree. She ran over, Adagio still walking behind while not taking her eyes of the screen. Sunset arrived at her friends and sat down next to Fluttershy. “Hey, guys, what’s up?” She waved at them all. They all returned the greeting. Sonata looked around and asked, “Where’s Dagi?” Sunset waved her hand in the air. “She’s lagging behind playing that stupid Candy Crush game.” Sonata bounced on her knees. “I knew she’d like it!” "Oh, I've heard of that game." Rarity said while painting her nails. "Complete nonsense, if you ask me." Fluttershy nodded. "Candy Crush?" Applejack asked. "Ah've never heard of it. What do ya do in it?" "Of course you've never heard of it. You don't even have an iPhone!" Rainbow Dash replied. AJ shrugged. "Hey, the whole point of a phone is ta call people, so ahm doin' great with ma flip phone." At this moment Adagio arrived, who had miraculously not tripped or bumped into anything since she hadn't removed her eyes from the screen once. She plopped down between Sunset and Aria and stayed silent. "Hi, Dagi! Told you you'd like the game!" Sonata bounced happily. Adagio remained silent. Aria poked Adagio's face. No reaction. She poked it again. Nothing. "Do you think her soul's been eaten?" Pinkie Pie whispered loudly to Fluttershy. "Uh...Adagio? You there?" Rainbow asked. Silence. Well, except for the constant taps and cheers coming from the app game. Someone coughed. "Man, she's in her own little world." Rainbow Dash said. "Well, at least she's doing something fun. She's usually so serious." Sonata shrugged. "Oh, there's Tim. Catch ya guys later!" The former siren ran off to join her boyfriend. The other friends quietly observed Adagio until the bell rang, and they all ran off to their classes. "There's definitely something wrong with her." Rainbow and Aria were seated at the back of their science class, pretending to take notes while the teacher gave a lecture. Aria shrugged at RD's comment. "It is an addictive game. I looked it up on Google. It's supposed to, like, mess with your brain or something." Dash bounced the soccer ball underneath her desk with her foot. "So she's REALLY addicted. It's weird, though. She's even more addicted than Sonata was." Aria stuck her pencil in her pigtail and twirled it. "Some people get more easily addicted than others. I guess Adagio just had something in her brain." "She's so annoying though! She hasn't looked away from that screen yet! She hasn't even acknowledged us!" "Wow, Dash, I'm surprised you even know that word." "Aria! Seriously! We have to stop this, or it's gonna be bad." RD replied. "How bad?" "She could get even more addicted." RD crossed her arms. "No shit Sherlock." "Aren't you worried?" "Of course I'm worried! She's my sister! But what are we gonna do, steal the phone?" Aria crumpled up her paper and threw it in the girl's fuzzy hairstyle seated in front of them. "Because the last time I took something from Adagio, it did not end well." "What'd you take?" Aria suddenly became very interested with her pencil. "....Nothing important." She said after a short pause. "Okay then." Rainbow tapped her chin. "What if we find a new game for her? Something not as addicting?" Aria shook her head. "I doubt that would work. She'd probably go straight back to Candy Crush." RD shrugged and bounced the soccer ball into her lap. "I guess we could just wait it out." "That would probably be the better idea. Adagio is a leader, and usually won't give up things. Then again, that means she might be addicted to it for a while." Dash opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment the teacher said, "Are you girls finished so we can continue teaching?" The girls hurriedly went back to their notes. --------------- Pinkie Pie tapped her desk repeatedly while stealing glances at the clock, waiting for that little hand to hit the 48 spot. This was her usual end-of-geometry routine, longing for the bell to finally ring so she could race outside in victory of surviving another school day. Though she didn’t look it, Pinkie didn’t actually enjoy class. Everyone tended to assume that she loved everything, but that wasn’t always the case. But she didn’t dislike it as much as Rainbow Dash. Rarity, who was seated next to her, noticed her fidgeting and slapped the table lightly. “Will you stop that tapping? I’m trying to work.” Pinkie Pie looked back at her friend. “I can’t help it!” She whispered. “School’s almost over.” She glanced back as she heard a faint tick from the clock; her ears tended to get sharper at these times. “Hold it for just a second, then!” She replied, and went back to her assignment. Pinkie sighed and turned back towards the clock; her work finished, but not exactly toiled over. She knew she should probably go over the answers and redo it correctly, but there wasn’t any time for that. The bell would ring any second. Pinkie’s leg started bouncing as she stared at the slowly revolving hand. A loud buzz rang throughout the school, and Pinkie Pie jumped in the air and yelled, “SCHOOL’S OUT!” The pink student grabbed her backpack, stuffed a cookie in her mouth, and was out the door before you could say ‘cupcake’ (though, if you did, she probably would have come running back). Rarity, who was covered with glitter which had exploded from Pinkie’s hands when the bell rung, sighed and gathered up her work, inserting her and her friend’s assignment in the teacher’s inbox as she exited. Outside in the school yard, Pinkie Pie raced through the crowds of people and arrived at the soccer field. Rainbow Dash had practice after school, and the friends usually all meet up there to watch the athlete. Pinkie hopped to the top row, jumping straight over people and zigzagging through chairs. She plopped into her favorite seat, stuffed another cookie in her mouth, and swung her legs over the top of the chair, ending up upside down with her pink puffs of hair hanging down. People thought this position was weird, but nobody questioned it. There was no use in questioning Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy, who was near the entrance to the field, quickly spotted her friend’s colorful attire amongst the dull, gray seats. She shuffled up the rows, quietly muttering ‘excuse me’s to the people in her way. She sat on the seat next to her overturned friend. “Hey, Fluttershy!” Pinkie waved from beneath her. “Want a cookie? I have all these extras that I didn’t finish. And since you’re here, you want one?” She pulled out a cinnamon treat and waved it near her. “Oh, I’m good. Thank you.” Fluttershy shook her head. Pinkie shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She tossed the entire cookie in her mouth and swallowed. “Hello, darlings.” The sound of a new voice turned their heads around to see Rarity and Sunset Shimmer ascending up the rows of seats. “Cookie?” Pinkie held up a box of cookies from seemingly out of nowhere. “Way too messy for my liking.” Rarity sat down on the opposite side of Pinkie Pie and Sunset sat next to Fluttershy. “Sure.” Said Sunset. As Pinkie tried to give the bacon-haired teen the entire box, Applejack, Adagio, and Aria appeared in front of them. They sat down on the seats straight ahead and slightly below and turned around. Well, except for Adagio. She stood still, rapidly moving her fingers all over her phone. Aria noticed the other’s stares and sighed. “She’s been like that the entire time. She didn’t even trip while we were walking up the bleachers,” The former siren reached over Applejack and pushed Adagio’s shoulder. “I don’t think she realizes there’s a world around her.” “Do you think she needs help?” Fluttershy tilted her head. “These things are normal, right?” Pinkie Pie said through a mouthful of cookies. She swallowed and said, “Doesn’t it happen to everybody?” “Hopefully she’ll snap out of it,” Sunset replied. “Usually people do.” A blue blur stumbled into Adagio and quickly straightened up. Adagio, however, remained the exact same. The friend’s recognized the blur as Sonata. The ditzy teen waved energetically and smiled wide. “Hi, guys!” They all returned the greeting. Sonata grabbed a cookie from Pinkie’s outstretched hand and bounded into the seat beside Applejack, the one Adagio was supposed to sit in. “Practice should be starting soon.” Rarity clarified, brushing her curly locks. As if on cue, Rainbow Dash hopped up the bleachers two steps at a time, carrying her soccer ball. “Sup, people,” She twirled the ball around her body. “I might take a while. Spitfire just thought up of a new routine.” “Ooh, I know her!” Sonata waved her hand. “She’s the cheeto!” Silence. “Uh, what?” Applejack pondered. “You know!” Sonata rolled her eyes. “She’s orange and her hair sticks up! She’s a walking cheeto!” Silence. Again. “You know, I’m just gonna pretend I never heard that,” Rainbow turned back to everyone. “She’s hoping to get us ready for the game of Friday.” Aria crossed her arms. “I don’t understand how you can play that game,” She blew a stray hair out of her face. “Basketball is much better.” Recently, Aria had taken up basketball. The others had basically forced her to join a team, since she was really competitive and angry. They said that would help her ball---No pun intended---up her fury and toughness into a sport. She had chosen basketball, and had surprisingly become the star player. “Never say that in front of me.” Rainbow glared at the purple haired teen. “It’s a fact.” Aria replied. “And I was always taught to tell the truth.” “Ooh, it’s going down downtown!” Came a muffled voice from Pinkie Pie. “Are you guys gonna have another basket-soccer-off?” Fluttershy asked. A week ago, Rainbow and Aria had tried to see which sport was better by having a competition combining the sports. It ended up really confusing, with nobody understanding really what was happening. “All you do is throw a stupid ball into a stupid hoop!” “All you do is kick a stupid ball into a stupid goal!” Sonata and Applejack, who were between them, slightly shrunk down to get away from the students’ glares. “Woah, hold up guys!” Sunset stood up. “I think you each have the right to hold your own decision.” “But how can someone even think that basketball is better than---” Rainbow Dash got interrupted. “Hey, Dash!” They all looked to the field to see Spitfire tossing a soccer ball. “We need you down here! Practice is about to start!” “Coming!” She yelled back. “Well, see you guys later---” “Wait!” Sonata jumped up. “Can I join?” She clasped her hands together and tilted her hands. “Join?” Rainbow scratched her head. “I don’t think Spitfire will let you. And you might distract everyone since you’re not part of the team---” Rainbow was unable to finish her sentence since Sonata had started the puppy dog eyes. “Uh,” Sonata moved closer. “Well, uh, I guess I could ask…” “YAY!” Sonata clapped her hands and bounced up and down. “Come on, let’s go!” And before Rainbow could reply, the former siren had already bounded down the bleachers into the field. “Oookay then.” Dash turned back. “See ya guys later, huh?” They all waved back, and Rainbow followed Sonata to the field. The other’s heard Spitfire say, “Oh, she’s joining? I guess that’s alright. And Soarin, will you put down that pie for one second!” The rest of the practice went okay, with a couple (more like fifty) trips and crashes by Sonata. The pair returned a while later, Sonata gasping and holding her side, but still smiling widely. “Let’s do that again sometime!” “I doubt it.” Dash said. “Spitfire kept giving me angry looks whenever you messed up. She probably wasn’t too happy.” “Oh well!” Sonata shrugged. The rest gathered up their things and hurried down the bleachers. On the way, Adagio still didn’t look up from her phone. At the cafe where they usually hung out after they had ordered their drinks, they sat at their favorite spot. Pinkie and Sonata immediately started playing Candy Land on the table (Pinkie Pie had pulled the board out of her hair) and Rainbow Dash and Aria had gotten into another heated argument about sports. Adagio had still not looked up from her phone and had even forgotten to order something. “I just realized how boring those curtains are.” Rarity said while sipping from her smoothie. “They should get some new ones.” “I think they’re fine.” Fluttershy responded. “But you’re definitely right.” She quickly added on. “Hey, Adagio, why don’t you go order something?” Sunset said to the poofy haired teen. Nothing. “I got this.” Pinkie Pie wiggled the fingers on her hands. She held her arm back, and suddenly it was on Adagio’s face. “Ow!” Adagio flinched, dropping her phone in the process. She glared at Pinkie Pie. “What was that for?” Pinkie scooted back. “Oh, uh, nothing.” “Ah think your phone might be cracked,” Applejack, who had picked up Adagio’s device, inspected it. “What?” Adagio turned to look. “Oh, yeah, my phone.” She snatched it back, but before she could continue her game, Sunset Shimmer interrupted. “Why don’t you go order?” She gestured to the counter, where Mrs. Cake was wrapping up a muffin for Vinyl Scratch. “Order?” Adagio glanced to the counter and to her phone. Finally she pocketed her smartphone and stood up. “I guess I’ll go get a coffee.” She scooted out of the booth and to the register. Once she was out of hearing range, Sunset turned back with a determined look on her face. “Guys, we got to get her out of that game.” “Yeah!” Rainbow said. “She never talks anymore! She barely notices anything!” “I thought the game would make her fun, but it’s just made her more boring!” Sonata pouted. “She’s definitely much more isolated than before.” Rarity responded. “Then we have to think of a plan,” Sunset clarified. “Hands in!” Pinkie shouted. She loved doing group things. “Sure.” Applejack put her hand next to Pinkie’s, and everyone else followed suit. “On the count of three,” Sunset said. “One,” Applejack said. “Two,” Rainbow countered. “Three!” Sonata yelled. They all threw their hands in the air (like they just don’t care) and said, “Stop the candy!” Kind of surprising on how they all knew exactly what to say, but that didn’t matter. They had to stop the candy.