''Has anyone heard of Pinkie Pie ?''
Twilight's ears twitched violently. Ever so slowly, her head rose to meet the concerned magenta eyes of Rainbow Dash, a book in hand, looking quite disheveled. Upon seeing the time, she remembered that she must have been practicing soccer all morning.
''Not in quite a while, darling.'' Rarity sat at the far end of the booth, cellphone in hands, typing ferociously. Whoever she was texting to, he or she was in deep shit.
Twilight rubbed her eyes in an attempt to shake the tiredness away. Maybe pulling off an all nighter wasn't her brightest idea. She didn't even know how she was going to survive the rest of the school day. Maybe she should just skip it ? It wouldn't affect her notes too much...
Sugarcube corner was so full of life at this time of the day; students would often come grab a sweet on their one hour long dinner before the beginning of their third class. Twilight noticed Vinyl Scratch, called Dj Pon3 by everyone in school, sharing a sugary drink with cherry on top with her friend Octavia, and at first sight, they seemed so different that friendship would have never seemed possible.
Eh.
Friendship sure was weird.
With a sigh, Rainbow sat next to Applejack and slammed her Daring Do book on the table, making Fluttershy's bottle of water shake threateningly. Twilight noticed no bookmark whatsoever. She knew Rainbow had already them all at least three times. She, herself, did too. Four times.
''Ah haven't seen or heard of her either.'' The only blonde girl of their group said, eyes focused on the chess game in front of her. Facing her, Sunset Shimmer was smiling knowingly. Twilight thought it was more of a smug than anything, if you asked her. Despite being reformed, the beautiful girl still loved to win.
''Don't you guys think it's strange? She always text or show up or do something to let us know every detail of her life !'' Rainbow Dash was not one to get easily concerned, hell she was failling half of her classes and she didn't even seem fazed by it.
''She said she had some family businesses to attend to.'' Sunset replied, raising her eyes for a second then looking at Applejack who was trying to come up with some last minute strategy.
''Pinkie pie ? Family business?'' Rainbow parroted, raising an eyebrow.
''I'm pretty sure she will call us if something is wrong… I hope.'' Fluttershy added her two cents with sheer hesitation.
''Maybe her phone's dead.'' Applejack frowned. She didn't quite like Sunset's move with her rook right here.
Twilight yawned loudly and stretched, almost falling off her seat in the process. She knocked Rarity's head with her hand (hey! Watch out!) and mumbled a feeble sorry. She was tired she could just lay on the floor and sleep.
The checkered board was all she could force her mind to focus on for now, with half lidded eyes. Sunset moved her rook again, killing another of Applejack's pawn.
''Dang it Sunset ! Ya're not making it any easier fer me, aren't ya ?
''Now, where would be the fun ?'' The smug never left her face. Twilight knew she was going to win. And she had a feeling Sunset knew too.
Fluttershy peeked over Rarity's phone, only to beg for forgiveness when Rarity shot her a glance.
''You guys are too carefree. What if something happened?'' Rainbow Dash wasn't giving up any time soon.
''Now, what would happen? Pinkie Pie is a big, independent woman.'' Rarity's fingers weren't slowing down anytime soon.
''Independent? That's pushing it a bit.'' Sunset scratched at her neck. ''Last time we didn't invite her for a late night movie, she almost lost her shit.''
''True that.'' The blonde cowgirl nodded knowingly.
''Did you try callin' her ?'' Twilight finally decided to speak up, her words a little slurred.
''I sent her 10 texts and at least 6 phone calls in these tree days! I also sent mails, nothing get to her!''
''Her phone must be dead darling.''
''For three days ?''
''Maybe she just lost it ?'' Fluttershy played softly with her fingers, becoming just as nervous as her rainbow haired friend.
''I also went to her home! There's no one!''
''Then she's just outta town. Comon Rainbow, ya're not one to worry 'bout these things. Ya sure didn't when ah went fer a family trip across the country last year.'' Applejack moved her queen. Shoot! She was definitely loosing.
''I'm not worried !'' She snapped. ''Just… A little concerned.''
''That sounds like worrying to me.'' Rarity took a small bite of her strawberry sugary cake, savoring the deliciousness of her sweet. Her long, slendy fingers took a small break, then went back to a furious texting.
''I agree with Rainbow Dash, it does seems… strange.''
Twilight looked at the poor, influenced Fluttershy. As for the purple haired girl, she had no opinion on the subject, the fog in her mind stopping her – or more like shielding her - from all logical thought. Maybe she should just… skip her last two classes? Ugh! She hated missing class.
''Ya tired, Twilight ?''
Looking up, she saw the southern girl gazing at her with bright green eyes. She seemed just as concerned over her as Rainbow Dash was of Pinkie Pie.
''Yes, I didn't get any sleep last night.''
''Let me guess. Studying?' A smile spread on Sunset's lips when Twilight blushed. ''That's ok, I did too. Stopped at 2 am, though. We are so gonna own this test, Twi, don't worry. Rainbow should be the one worrying.''
''Hey! I am ready!'' She protested, her mind finally off Pinkie Pie for a few minutes.
''Okay.'' Sunset stood up and went to position herself in front of the athlete with a smirk. Twilight gulped. She was so gonna...
''What's the thirty years war?''
'Oh, it's hum…'' Rainbow stuttered, feeling caught off guard. 'A.. war... that lasted... Thirdy years?''
''When did it happen?''
''Heum, you see…''
''Which country is Christian IV king of?''
''Oh, I know this one !... Eh… Avalon?''
''You didn't study at all.'' Twilight dead panned.
''Ugh! Who cares about a stupid test ! We should be worried about Pinkie pie!''
''For the last time, Rainbow, you are overt-…''
''HI GIRLS!''
All said girls screamed in shock when two big blue eyes came into their field of vision, and litteraly just between Rainbow and Applejack, who both jumped at the sudden appearance. It was like she popped out of thin air !
''Darling! You are going to give me an heart attack one of those days!'' To put emphasis on her words, Rarity placed a white hand on her chest, but not too much as to not smear her haute couture.
''P-Pinkie ?'' Where the hay do you come from?'' Applejack tried to stand up, helped by Sunset who looked just as stunned as everyone else.
''Duh! By the door silly!'' The girl's bubbly smile put Rainbow's worries at ease. She looked alright enough for her.
''Yah but… Ah, nevermind.''
''So what are you all doing here?'' She asked with great interrogation.
''Uh, what are YOU doing here ? We've been looking everywhere for you!'' Rainbow snapped. ''Well, I've been.''
The pink haired girl giggled.
''That's because I wasn't everywhere! I was up to the mountains! See, I received this call three days ago. I was playing Hide-and-seek with Gummy when I heard the house's phone ring. Maud was asleep so she couldn't get the phone, and Marble just hate that when the phone ring, you know ? Limey wasn't there either so I just had to answer! I said hello! And a creepy voiced guy told me that my Uncle Puppet String has died. I had absolutely noooo idea who it was, but then Maud woke up and told me that he used to babysit us when we were younger! I said ahhhh that uncle ! I remembered him! I loved to call him Uncle beard, because of his dirty beard ! It was sticking out, and brown, and smelled funny! So the creepy guy told us to meet him in my uncle's town with an executor or something like this! 6 hours later we arrived and he told us my uncle's wills! Annnnd I'm sorry Dashie, there's no signal up in the woods! I couldn't answer your messages or get your calls!''
''How did he die?'' Twilight asked, feeling overwhelmed by all this informations.
''I don't know ! Some illness, appartently.''
''Ah'm sorry for yar loss.'' Applejack said softly, pulling off her hat to rest it on her chest, as she always do to show respect or to apologize.
''Awww, you girls ! I'm totally fine, it's not like he was my favorite uncle or anything!''
''So tell us, what was his wills like?'' Rarity's fingers has finally stopped, and she has closed her phone shut, listening to whatever her friend had to tell.
''Well, he gave my parents his house near the beach of Santa Monica!''
Rarity almost literally spat the piece of cake she had just put in her mouth. She stared at her in disbelief.
''Whoa, that is mighty impressive. So ah reckon he was rich?'' Applejack's eyebrows shot high.
''He was! Isn't that amazing ? Oh, oh, he gave Maud this awesome collection of puppets! There's like 50 of them ! Maud loved them so much she threw them in a bag and stored it in the garage! She's such a dork!'' Pinkie giggled some more, went back to her story. '' He gave my sister Limey a bag full of money, which she placed on her desk, in a small locked box ! Saying that if we so much as looked at it we were dead! She's soooo silly! Oh, oh and he gave Marble his car ! She doesn't know how to drive, but she has been wanting to learn for a while! She now is the honorable possessor of a Lamborghini!
Rarity's mouth shot open, so did her eyes. Twilight was actually worried she would start hyperventilating as well.
''And what did you get?'' Sunset Shimmer asked, gladly accepting the bottle of water Fluttershy was handing her with a tiny smile.
''Oh, you know, just a castle.''
She smiled brightly at the stunned faces her friends gave her. Rarity lost consciousness while Sunset dropped the bottle on her lap. Twilight's face remained stone like, and Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash gasped in a same, shared breath.
Sunset cleared her throat. In front of her, the game of chess seemed to be forgotten. She was winning anyway.
''A castle?''
''A castle! With the creepy towers, the creepy basement, the creepy atmosphere! In a creepy forest! This is gonna be soooooo fun!''
''What's gonna be fun?'' Applejack was trying to wake Rarity up, which she did with difficulty.
Rubbing her head, Rarity accepted Sunset's water bottle. Or at least, the remains of it after it splashed on her lap.
''Well, the creepy party of course!''
Pinkie Pie seemed overly enjoyed, Ms. Cake had to order her to keep quiet. But the poor teen deemed too hard to just stay still, so she almost began to shake of excitation.
''Which party?''
''The party I invite you all over for ! Week end is tomorrow, right ? Let's all take Aj's car and go! It will be soooo fun!''
As soon as she said that, some of her friends immediately began to feel uneasy.
''I don't know Pinkie, we have important…'' Twilight yawned. '' Important tests next week. We should take this week end to study.''
Pinkie Pie's smile slowly turned upside down.
''Fer one ah agree. It wouldn't be smart.''
''Oh comon guys!'' Rainbow stood on her feet, hands at her sides. '' We are gonna be alone in a dark, creepy castle ! What's funnier than that?''
''Hm, succeeding in life?'' Sunset proposed.
''WRONG ANSWER! There is nothing funnier than that!
She went to Pinkie Pie's side and rolled her arm around her shoulders, punching her slightly on the arm.
''Count me in. Fluttershy?''
The shy girl looked up. In fact, she has been trying to make herself as little as possible.
''Oh, um… Yes, Rainbow?''
''Come over here! It will be fun!''
''Oh, I don't know Rainbow… I promised Angel I would wash him…'' She was trying to come up with some excuse, but Rainbow was having none of it.
''Don't be such a scaredy-cat! Just tag along!''
''But I don't like creepy things!'' She was shaking at the only idea of being in a dark castle.
''Ah do admit that ah am interested.'' Applejack was about to give in, pondering wether she should stay at home and study or having an awesome week end with her friends before the finales of her senior year. And she did study extra hard last week.
''It will be fun! We will tell scary stories, watch horror movies, sleep all in the same room, play seek and hide! Just imagine! I CAN'T BARELY BREATH!''
''Aight! Count me in too.'' The cowgirl lowered her hat in defeat and went to stood by Rainbow and Pinkie pie.
On the wall, the clock tickled. One time. Two time. Three time.
''You girls win. I'm ready for finales anyway, and you are too, Twilight.'' Sunset stood up, looking at her wet skirt then at her friend.
Twilight rubbed her eyes and readjusted her glasses.
''I dunno…'' She slurred.
'' C'mon Twi! Have some fun once in a while!'' Rainbow barked.
''Urggh, fine just me leave alone already…'' Twilight's head dropped on the table where she began to close her eyes.
This left Fluttershy and Rariy, and in the end, they declared defeat by peers pressure.
''That is so unfair!'' Ah wanna go to a dark castle too!''
Applejack turned to see a very upset young sister on her heels. She was clearly pouting as she ducked her lips and frowned her eyebrows.
''Co mon now Applebloom, don't gimme that darn tootin' look. Ya know darn well ah hate it.''
''But it sound so fuuuuuuuuuuuun!'' She crossed her arms while Applejack was finishing packing.
''Ah dunno why ya keep on blabberin' bout it! Aren't ya kid goin' on a trip with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?''
Applejack smiled slightly at her caught off guard face before removing her stetson hat and placing on her bed post.
''Yeah ah guess ya're right…'' She pouted.
''Now now, sugarcube, just go and sleep, ah got a long day in front of me tomorrow. Goodnigh' Applebloom.''
''Yeah yeah, goodnigh' 'plejack.''
Far from farm, Twilight was totally out cold, drool drenching the white pillow underneath her. Spike was sleeping half on the bed, half on her belly, drooling just as much. Sunset was almost in the same state, trying to get as much studies done before the big day. She finally fell asleep on her science book. Fluttershy and Rainbow were together watching a movie in the former house while Rarity and Pinkie were, also, fast asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, indeed.
''That. Is. Gonna. Be. Beyond. AMAIZING!'' Pinkie Pie exploded, jumping up and down in front of Aj's old van.
''Ah'm sure it's gonna be sugarcube.'' Applejack was loading Pinkie Pie stuff in the car, trying to make as much place as possible. ''Is Rarity also taking her car?''
''She said yes! So we won't be crammed like sardines! Oh my god, this is gonna be so fun!''
Out of nowhere, confettis exploded, making Applejack cough a confetti or two.
''Hey guys!''
Here came Rainbow and Fluttershy, both dressed in jeans and light t-shirt. Rainbow even had a white cap on her head.
''Howdy girls! Fluttershy, come put ya're stuff in the car while ah call Rarity, to see where that darn girl is at! She better not be late.
As Applejack made her call, Fluttershy was trying to get her pink bag to stay still amongs all the others lugages while Rainbow stretched painfully her tired limbs. She could barely sleep last night, she was so excited to leave!
''I'M SO EXCITED!'' Pinkie Pie shouted, hair bouncing as she jumped on top of Rainbow Dash's shoulders.
''Hey! Would you mind!'' Rainbow tried to freed herself from the blue eyed leech.
HONK HONK
A dark blue jeep made its way in the parking lot of the Pie's house. Maud have been watching them with an half lidded glare from the patio, petting her pet Boulder.
''I am heeeeeere.'' Came the high pitched, but always gracious, voice of Rarity.
''Alright ! So there's only Twilight and Sunset left.'' Rainbow noticed, still trying to regain her balance after she pushed Pinkie Pie out of her shoulders.
''Oh, Twilight deary is with me. She's sleeping in the back. I do not think she's going to wake up any time soon. Poor girl had barely slept, let's not wake her up.
''Fluttershy and Pinkie are going to be ridin' with me, but… what the hey !?
She was speechless when she came face to face with Rarity's car. Even though a jeep was a rather big engine, hers was completely filled with bags. And a little Twilight in the far corner, sleeping with her head resting on her unique purple colored bag, recognizable by the pink and purple star decorating it.
''Whatever is the matter, darling ?'' Rarity asked, confused.
''What in tarnation are ya gonna do with all these bags, Rarity ? We are leaving fer the week end, not fer the month!
''Applejack, darling, we never know! It is always important to be tendance! No matter where you go or what you do. Plus I've made you all magnifique ensembles ! You will just adore it !''
Applejack sighed. She knew better than to argue with the fashionista.
''What is Sunset doing? Cried out an impatient Rainbow Dash, already buckled in her seat, arms crossed. Next to her, Fluttershy was putting on her earbuds.
''She was right behind us with that loud motorcycle of hers.
As if called, the noisy purring was heard from few meters away. Sunset Shimmer pulled her yellow and red motorcycle next to Rarity's jeep and removed her helmet, sending fire colored hair flying ever so slowly around her face, drops of sweat from being under the warm headgear could been seen shinning under the ray of the sun. Still wearing her usual leather jacket, Sunset grabbed her water bottle in one of her leather bag on both side of her bike and started drinking, not minding one bit the cold, icy water running down her perfectly shaped chin to disappear into the wonders of her shirt. She smiled, her eyes lost in the blue sky for a long moment,
''Hi girls. What?'' She asked curiously when she saw everybody glaring at her.
''Pff.'' Rainbow rolled her eyes. ''Show off.''
''What?''
''Now that everyone is there, let's PARTY!'' She blew into her horn (her friends didn't question where exactly she pulled that one of) and jumped in Applejack's van.
''So is everyone ready?'' She asked one last time with a smile plastered on her face.
Rainbow shouted, Fluttershy ''yayed', Twilight snored, Rarity gave a gracious wave of the hand, Sunset did a thumb up and Pinkie pie shouted something she didn't quite understood.
''Then we are settled. Good bye Canterlot, hello deep forest of Everfree!
And just like that, they were off. Maud watched them with dead eyes until they were completely out of sign.