Chapter 1: All Bite No Park

Just outside of Canterlot City, there is a fun amusement park full of rides, games, and food stands. The place is called Equestria Land. It's not long before the grand opening, but for now, only staff members are allow to enter.

A female's voice happily says, "Experience the world like you've never seen it before, at the one, the only, Equestria Land!"

Coming out of a building is a float. On the float are four person, each of them is dressed in a different shape. All except two who are dressed as squares.

Suddenly, someone shouts, "Stop! Cut! Cut!"

The one who stops the float is a girl. She has light yellow skin, a grayish crimson that goes down her hair to grayish magenta, with light gray streaks, light cornflower eyes, pink lips, and a small mole under her right eye. She is wearing a sleeveless white shirt with light purple lining with match ming puffy sleeves, blue color shorts with a black belt and a brown leaf on it, a brown with a light brown patterned headband with green leaves and light orange red berries, a brown necklace with a pink gem in the middle, a long light brown vest with dark fills fabric on the bottom, and black boots. Her name is Vignette Valencia.

"Why is everyone dressed like they're not dressed?!" Vignette asks.

A purple skin female designer says in a russian accent, "Because you keep changing your mind about the costumes, Vignette Valencia."

"Do you know what it means to be in charge of public relations for this park? It's my job to make sure the world knows how amazing Equestria Land is gonna be. And in three weeks, when there's fifty thousand people here for opening day, the last thing they'll see before they leave at night will be this light parade. And, by extension, your costumes, which apparently do not exist as of this moment!" Vignette says with sass and sounding over confident of herself.

She takes pictures of herself with her phone, and says, "B.Y.B.B. Be yourself, but better. Do you even have a philosophy?"

"G.W.I.Q. Guess vhat. I qvit," The designer says, and leaves the park.

Vignette doesn't say a word, she takes a deep breath, and screams, "I need a stress salad!"

The employee dressed like a square leaves to fetch the salad. Vignette takes a seat on the table close by. The employee comes over with the salad and put pepper on it.

Vignette says to herself as she look at her phone, "Where am I gonna find a new costume designer for the light parade with only three weeks left?"

The employee is about to speak up, but Vignette covers her mouth, and says, "I'm not promoting you."

Disappointed the employee leaves the table.

Vignette turns to the table and begin to eat her salad.

She lets out a sigh, and says, "If only I could put a filter on real life to make everything the way I want it."

As she eats her salad, dark purple Equestrian Magic comes in direct contact with her cell phone. Changing it to dark purple, and the face on it is showing her teeth with a frown on it. Vignette is busy eating her salad that she doesn't notice it.

Feeling better after eating the salad, she puts the fork down, and happily says, "Only way to feel better is getting ten thousand likes with the perfect salad pic."

Vignette grabs her phone, and takes a perfect photo of her salad. But when she puts her phone down, she discovers that her salad is gone. Vignette looks around and wonder where her lunch could have gone. She slides the salad on her phone to see it change to different kinds of salad until she reaches to a fruit salad

"Hey, did somebody install a new app on my phone?" Vignette questions as she reaches her hand to see that nothing is there.

When she presses the salad on her phone, her phone has created a fruit salad right in front of her. She touches it to see that the salad is a hologram.

Vignette smiles and says, "Oh. 'Cause I like it!"

In Canterlot City Mall, Rarity and Applejack are looking at their cellphones. They are waiting for something important to come up.

"Anything?" Rarity asks

"Nothin'," Applejack answers.

Then answers, "You?"

"Nuh-uh," Rarity answers.

The two are feeling disappointed because their important expectation hasn't come. Just then, Sunset, the girls and Shadow the hedgehog walk to the table with curious looks.

"Somebody has unspilled beans at this table, and it's not me, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Shadow, or Sunset Shimmer!" Pinkie says with glee.

Applejack takes a deep breath, and says, "Rarity and I applied for summer jobs at the new theme park."

"Equestria Land? Wait... Will you get to go there for free?!" Pinkie asks in excitement.

"Actually, they pay us to go there," Applejack says.

Pinkie squeals in excitement.

"We applied to work side-by-side as caramel apple girls," Applejack says.

"Yes. It's not that I'm nervous, but... Applejack, you're perfect for the job. And, well, my résumé is less apple-centric," Rarity says

Applejack chuckles, "We'll be together. I got a good feelin'."

"No missed calls while we were talking about caramel apples," Rarity says.

""Hmm, sounds like getting the job is important," Shadow says.

"That's right partner. We've been waiting for hours," Applejack says.

"What's it like at an amusement park?" Shadow asks.

"What? Have you been living under a rock your life?" Rainbow asks.

"No. I lived in a space station out of the planet my entire life," Shadow says.

"Right," Rainbow replies.

Rarity nervously looks at her phone, and asks, "Shall we practice answering our phones and sounding calm?"

Suddenly, their phones vibrate and the two girls scream in fright.

"That was about as calm as Pinkie Pie on Cake Day," Sunset says.

Pinkie begins to panic, "Was it today? Did I miss it?!"

Pinkie sips her drink.

Shadow rolls his eyes, "I think you need to cut down on the sugar."

"One new e-mail!" Rarity happily screams.

Applejack follows after, "It's from the park!"

"You open yours first! No, you open yours first!" Rarity and Applejack say. Then they both start laughing.

Applejack calms down, and says, "Okay, okay. Same time. One, two…"

But Rarity taps the screen on her phone, Too late! I opened mine!

Then screams in excitement, that soon turns to disappointment, "Oh. They said I'm overqualified for caramel apple girl."

But gasps in excitement, "They want me to be lead parade costume designer!"

The girls except Applejack are excited to hear Rarity has a new job.

"You haven't even started, and you already got promoted!" Twilight says.

"That's gotta be a record," Rainbow says.

"I didn't get the job. But I'm really happy for you, Rarity," Applejack says, slightly disappointed and yet, happy for Rarity.

"Oh, pffft. There must be a mix-up, darling," Rarity says.

"Obviously, the internet mailman gave you the wrong letter. I know that's not how the internet works, but I'm trying to cheer you up," Pinkie says with glee.

But Twilight says, "Technically, Rarity didn't get the job, either, since she got a different job. So they're probably about to send another e-mail with your promotion."

Applejack hers her phone vibrate and quicky answers her phone.

Applejack gapps, but groans in disappointment, "Just a sale at Stinky Bottom's Discount Hat Emporium."

Rainbow looks at the email, "Forty percent off! Oh, sorry. Not helping."

"Well, I'm not going to accept it without you, obviously. Pfft." Rarity says.

Applejack becomes shocked, "What?! You cannot let this opportunity pass you by, Rarity. Think of all those vision boards, the late-night sewin'. This has been your dream since... since kindy-garten."

"Mmm... Preschool, actually. But that's not the point. My mind is made up. We planned to spend the summer together, and... that's what we're going to do. Riiiiiiiight?" Rarity says, showing sparkles in her eyes.

But Applejack says, "You're takin' the job, and that's final.

"Okay, if you insist!" Rarity says.

And squeals in excitement, "I'm gonna be a costume designer!"

The girls gather around Rarity with excitement, Sunset and Shadow look to see the disappointment look on her face.

"Heh-heh. All right. I probably shouldn'ta quit my old job this mornin', huh?" Applejack says.

Sunset says, "I'm sure they haven't replaced you already."

Shadow looks at the juice bar, "I wouldn't be too sure about that."

Sunset, Applejack look to where the juice bar is. Bulk is not working there. He shakes a blender, but splatters all over his face. The two girls and hedgehog look at each other.

Shadow says, "Why do I feel that guy won't last long?"

Sometime later, Rarity arrives at Equestria Land to meet Vignette Valencia. At the same time, the employees are at work, getting the park ready for opening day.

"My name is Vignette Valencia, and to answer your first question, yes, I'm that "Vignette", but no, I do not think I'm better than you just because I have three million followers on SnapGab," Vignette says with pride, walking along.

Rarity follows, "You're up to three million now? I mean, yes, uh, yes, I-I am familiar with your online repertoire."

"Valencia: I have a good feeling about you, Rare. Oh, you have to let me call you "Rare". It's the perfect name for lead parade costume designer. Not a…" Vignette says.

She looks at the file and reads, "Um, caramel apple girl."

"I don't even know why you applied for a job like that. Not with a SnapGab feed like yours," Vignette says.

"Oh," Rarity with glee.

"Obviously, I looked you up. Great pictures, by the way. That gingham and linen sundress caught my eye, and your follower count is…" Vignette sas.

Then says in french. "Im-press-ive. For someone just starting out, of course. But I can already tell you've got magique inside."

"Oof. Magi— You can?" Rarity asks.

"The light parade is the most important event in the park. Over a hundred cast members, and you are gonna make them look perfect," Vignette says, flattering Rarity.

Rarity sighs with a smile.

"Oh. And before I forget, don't put anything on that table. Especially your phone. No reason. Just a super-important rule I made up, 'kay?" Vignette says, showing Rarity the table.

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is helping her family make some squished applesauce with their feet. She grunts and stomp apples in a giant wooden pool. Applejack hears her phone ringing and quickly picks it up.

"Rarity!" Applejac happily cries.

And picks up the phone.

"Applejack! Darling! How's work on the farm?" Rarity asks, sewing and has her phone on the table

Fantastic!... I could not be happier... makin' foot-stompin' applesauce the old-fashioned way with my family," Applejack says, stomping the apples with her feet.

Her brother and sister are doing the same.

Granny sees Applejack not stomping, and shouts, "Less chatter, more splatter!"

Applejack continues to stomp on the apples turning to sauce.

"Oh, good. I'm so happy for you," Rarity says.

"And I'm happy for you and your new job, too," Applejack says, crushing apples.

Oh, yes, well… It's certainly a big job," Rarity says with a nervous laugh.

In the sewing room, many employees are giving Rarity rolls of fabric. Deep down, Rarity knows that this is a lot more than she can handle.

I'm sure you won't slip up. Whoa!" Applejack says, and almost slip in the apple.

Well, I-I was calling, because, you see, well, it's not that I'm… nervous or anything silly like that, but I-I-I was wondering if... if you and the girls wanted to come on opening night to see the parade. V.I.P. passes! You can cut the lines! Oh, and I made sure to get one for Shadow and I have a little surprise for him," Rarity says, sounding very nervous and holding the phone.

You bet your britches, missy! I wouldn't miss your big night for the world! And I'm sure Shadow will love your surprise!" Applejack says crushing apples,

But falls down, "Whoa!"

She ends up getting splattered into the apples

"Ugh…" Applejack groans.

On the phone, Rarity tries to talk to her, "Applejack? Darling? Hello?"

Granny Smith passes Applejack a towel to dry off.

Weeks later, it's opening day in Equestria Land. People screaming on the roller coaster. Some are talking on the park grounds. People ride on the ferris wheel. There's a haunted house that flashes thunder and maniacally laugh in it. Three girls run down the stairs screaming.

"Equestria Land opening day! What should we do first? Appleloosa Wild West Stunt Show? Nightmare Moon's Haunted Castle? Sugarcube Everything?!" Pinkie says, naming ride options.

But Applejack says, "Now, hang on. I got the sense Rarity's overwhelmed, which is understandable. I mean, she's all alone here without any of her friends. Which is why I wouldn'ta taken the job, but that's just me. Uh, point is, we're here to support Rarity.

Suddenly a lot of girls come running screaming with excitement. The girls and Shadow look to see people are gathering with Vignette. Photo Finish even take a picture of her with kids, and one does a selfie.

"What? Uh, which character is that?" Applejack asks.

"Ah, it's not a character, silly! That's Vignette Valencia! She's famous on SnapGab, which you'd know if you actually logged in once in a while. You're missing my "One Cupcake Every Day" series," Pinkie sayings, giving Applejack her phone.

Fluttershy says, "She posts a lot of pictures of her Welsh corgi named Yas Queen."

"And she's friends with, like, every awesome athlete in the world!" Rainbow says in excitement.

The girls then look at Twilight.

"Don't look at me. I only follow bots that post interesting science facts," Twilight says.

Applejack looks at the phone, and asks, These are her pictures?

"'Chillin sandy style?' 'U no how I do'?" Applejack sees Vignette's picture of herself on the beach in her swimsuit.

"'I came I saw I vintaged'?" Applejack reads, seeing Vignette taking a selfie of herself holding a tennis racket.

Applejack looks at the next picture, and becomes confused "Okay, somebody tell me why this picture has twenty thousand likes."

The phone has Vignette laying on a bed and flip her bang close to her face.

"#Bangs," Vignette says on the phone.

Applejack says, "Uh, I don't know. Spendin' all that time just to look good in a picture ain't my idea of fun."

"I don't think I'll understand the life humans live," Shadow says.

Sunset pats him on the head, "Don't worry Shadow, I'm sure you'll learn soon enough. You've only lived with us for only a month.

Suddenly a familiar voice calls out, "There you are!"

Shadow and the girls turn to see Rarity walking towards them, and has a purple box with her.

"Here comes the lead parade costume designer!" Applejack says in excitement.

Applejack and Rarity give each other a hug with glee.

Guilty as charged!" Rarity says with a giggle.

"So? You've been here solo without your best friends all this time. How can we help?" Applejack asks, happily.

"Hold that thought," Rarity interrupts.

She happily calls out, "Vignette! Over here!"

Vignette turns to Rarity and walks towards her.

"You know Vignette Valencia?" Applejack asks, looking confused.

"Pfft. Do I know her?" Rarity repeats.

The two give each other air kisses on the shoulders.

"Why, she's my best friend at the park!" Rarity says with glee.

Applejack gasps in shock.

Vignette happily says, "Selfie!"

Then asks, "Oh, but can we use your phone? Mine's been acting super-weird lately."

Rarity takes out her phone, and puts the box down.

"Thanks. You're the best!" Vignette says with a smile.

Rarity and Vignette poses for a picture. Then Rarity takes the picture. The two girls smiles as Applejack is stunned. She then crosses her arm in frustration, but unaware Shadow noticing the reaction Applejack is showing on her face.